Good overall hunting caliber

First off I'm not trying to start an argument in here...I just want some good info and advice!

With that being said I'm looking at buying a new rifle for hunting this year. Ive been so caught up in bow hunting the last couple years I figured it'd be a nice change. Anyhow, I live in NM so I can hunt anything from mountain lions to elk if the draw works in my favor. My first thought and choice has been leaning towards a .270 what do you all suggest and why?

 

I bought .308 for the day that I ever decide to go hunt.

 

270 is a good all around caliber, and common, and technically you can hunt elk with a 243, which I think is a poor choice...but I think a good all around bullet is a 30/06. Shoots far, comfortable to shoot, and excellent stopping power. Tons of great ammunition options, plentiful, and good for about everything. Yes...lots of opinions going to happen here.

 

270 or
(would lean)
30/06 a bit more power

 

I'll second the .308 (Ruger American .308 SS as an all around great rifle, topped with a Leupold), but it's more important to tailor your cartridge to what you're hunting/hunting style...and there are "tons" of .308 cartridges for just about any NA game animal.
B

 

This is what I use. Can drop to 125gr for varment and whitetail, 150gr for little bigger mule deer, antelope, boar, and 180gr for bear and elk.

 

I took my first mule deer up here in CO with a 270, I think it’s pretty good choice for most animals. If you’re hunting some slightly bigger game 30-06 or 7mm Mag may be a better choice for a little extra punch. I’m just putting in for preference points on elk/bear/moose, will be buying a 300 Win Mag for when I actually start on those.

 

I agree on 243. Until the private land I hunted became open to public. I shot a nice deer and double lunged it, it ran 200 yards and someone else ass blasted it and took it. Went to my .06 and now just drop them where they stand.

 

30.06

 

I reload my own 30.06 rounds to my spec. Guarantee my rounds don't drop like a rock. Depends on bullet weight, type and powder. I reload mine differently depending on what I'm hunting and whether heavy cover or wide open spaces.

 

The 270 is a great caliber.

 

Yep. A little weak on large critters like moose and big bad bears.

 

.50 cal with incendiary rounds will work on chipmunks up to elephants.

 

Quite frankly when hunting large game in close quarters the old 45-70 is still kick the f**k ass...

 

300 win mag for flight path & punch, .308 for versatility (widely available round in an endless load range, also compatible with the AR platform if that’s your thing).

If you’re taking shots inside of 500 yards, a .308 165gr will drop anything on this continent that walks on 2 legs or 4.

 

I also have a 25.06 which is great for deer. Easy to reload using 30.06 cases. I have a .243 I like to use for plinking.

 

.280 ? I always wanted one.

 

I’d go with a 30-06 as well as long as you don’t plan on taking long distance shots.

Can’t remember off the top of my head but pretty sure my hunting rounds drop like 12” when they get out to 300 yds.

 

I have a 270. Never hunting big game where I am.

30 06 is what I would go for if I had elk in my area.

 

.308 was very popular in western Oregon where I lived. Great round for heavy cover. Blasts through anything.

 

For what it's worth..If you research articles old and new about which caliber is the best all around in NA............30.06 especially if you want to learn to reload..If you reload the possibilities are infinite...

 

There's no perfect caliber for everything that's for sure this is why we buy alot of guns!!!!!!! My wife never has the perfect pair of shoes so I never have enough guns.

 

338 lapua for when you are tank hunting

 

For similar weight bullets, 30’06 and 270 are nearly the same, ballistics wise.
Top ‘06 bullet weights are heavier than the top 270 weights.
Either one will do well. 308 is nice for any game on the continent too.
If you reload, it is nice to have a broad range of bullet types and weight to choose from.
I had a 7mm rem mag. It was unpleasant to shoot. I’m currently shooting a 270 and have never had a problem dropping elk or deer.
I’ve never hunted moose but would probably want something bigger if I do.
Don’t think you would have any problem dropping your typical brown or black bear with any of them.

 

Remington 7mm-08. Flat shooting and great Ballistics. I use a this in a Single shot TC Encore.

 

This!!!!^^^^^^

 

I personally use a .308 also have 30/06. Either will work on a wide variety of game.

 

The .270 is easily the best all around caliber under .30....Big Brown bear like a Kodiak? A .270 would be suicidal. You need a bone breaker to break through to get to the vitals. All my friends in AK went with big magnums above .30 cal to hunt the biggies..45-70 was quite popular...

 

I’m sure that’s true, I was thinking about our AZ bears that usually don’t run that big)although the record book says that they can!)