What two?

[mdhunter]

When rifle hunting I shoot a 6.5 x .284 or a .300 WSM depending on the critter I am after. I have never been a guy who liked the kick from some of the larger calibers. If you could pick two calibers to get it done in North America, what would they be?

 

[fishing4sanity]

I hope I never get limited to just two, but if you want to include varmints in your scenario, then I'd go with one of the 6mm/.243 variants and then something bigger (even though higher recoil) in the 7mm or 30 caliber range. A 6 Creedmoor and a 7 SAUM or a 300WSM .......... see I can't get myself to commit to just two.

 

[VAspeedgoat]

I assume we are kicking out shotguns and rimfires. I think I would pick 7mm08 and 300 win mag. The runners up would be .270 and .338 mag. The alternates would be 6mm rem and 300 ultra mag. If we are including shotgun and rimfire its easy, 12ga and 30 06.

 

[the nikster]

Interesting thought. The upper end is easy for me, 7mm Rem Mag as I have become very happy with it over the years. Low end? 22-250, 222, 308? Probably going with a hot .243.

 

[Summitthunting]

.257 Roberts and a .300 Wby Mag. I hate not including a 30-06 but I really like my Weatherby.

 

[mtmuley]

Throw in ammo availability and I'd go .223 and 30.06. mtmuley

 

[npaden]

I currently have a .223 in an AR-15 flavor and a 7mm Rem Mag in a Browning A-Bolt flavor.

I toy around with swapping out the 7mm Rem Mag with a .300 WSM occasionally, but I never seem to get around to it. Really the only thing I would wonder about with the 7mm Rem Mag would be a brown bear and I don't see me spending $20K to hunt one of those anytime in the future.

The .223 works great on varmints and even hogs if you place the bullet in the right spot. It is the most accurate rifle I own.

 

[Stubaby]

22-250 and 7mag. My next rifle will be a .25-06.

 

[bradhill]

25-06 and 300 Win Mag.

 

[elkantlers]

6.5x284 and 300Win Mag
6.5 for everything up to deer sized game and sheep
300 for elk and bigger including the big bears

 

[LazyV]

7mm/08 and 300 WSM

 

[Wyatt G]

25-06 and 300wsm

 

[Sawtooth]

Big game only, .270 win. and 338-06. Prairie dogs and predators included, change the .270 in for a .243 Win.

 

[HighDesertSage]

I own a 270 and 300, that's all I will ever need. The rest are just toys.

 

[1_pointer]

Depends...

Easily available factory ammo:
243 Win & 7mm Rem Mag

A bit esoteric:
260 Rem and 300 WSM

Wildcats only:
6.5 SAUM & 338/375 Ruger

Worldwide for all big game:
30-06 & 375 H&H

What I have:
30-06 & 338 Win Mag

Twins, but different:
30-06 light weight & 30-06 Heavy/tactical rifle

Though I realize my experience is way short of many here, I have seen little difference in the results on pronghorn through elk between the 260 Rem, 30-06, 300 WSM, and 338 Win Mag. If one picks a good bullet and puts it in the right place they'll all work for the game we commonly hunt.

 

[earlybird]

I have killed more critters with my 22-250 and 300 WM. But I don't pack either one of them like I used to. 6.5 Creedmoore and 7mm mag are taking a firm foothold in my life too.

 

[blue devil]

my .257 Ruger 1 Ackley improved for the smaller game (deer and smaller) .280 for the larger stuff

 

[Huntindog]

.243 and .30-06 absolutely no doubt. The ranges of bullet weights for each should allow you to do anything you want.

 

[shovelheadave]

22-250 and 300WM.

 

[noharleyyet]

25-06 and 338 Win Mag