Do all rifle???

[Calvin45]

A fast 30 is probably the most versatile cartridge possibility for all non dangerous/non "niche" hunts.

of that family of cartridges there are many options. Nothing wrong with any of them, but the .300 win mag seems like the obvious practical choice in a general purpose rifle.

 

[Aoudad shooter1975]

I'm a 338 guy, I'd say Norma...but truly a 7mm Remington magnum would do it all--

 

[MPNCC]

Can't go wrong with a 7wsm or 300wsm. I like the short mags just because it's a weight trim all the way around and I like the shoulders better.

 

[Daves762]

If you had to choose one rifle to hunt everything from antelope to elk, what would it be? This rifle must use components that are readily available. It must also be a caliber that is inherently accurate. No need to waste 600 rounds of 1000 round barrel life doing load development. I want to build a rifle but can't decide what to build.

Does a mechanic own one crescent wrench? Or does he have a whole toolbox?
Does an electrician own one screwdriver?
Does a racecar driver own one set of tires?
That being said.........
Build or buy and AR10 in 308. You will be covered in everything feasible. From self defense to hunting to shooting out to 800ish yds.
Ammo available everywhere. Very forgiving when reloading. Powerful enough to hunt elk with (l've done it for years so calm down internet commando's).
18" barrel, with mid length gas system, will run any ammo from factory, mil surplus, to heavy bullet handloads.

 

[Hunterjones]

.30'06. Barnes 168 TTSX at 2900 FPS.

 

[logman48]

280 AI

 

[NorthernHunter67]

270 win. Will handle everything from prairie dogs to bull moose. Easy to load and very forgiving. Components readily available? Well that pretty much eliminates every caliber. No matter what manufacturers you go with it will always feed nicely. I have shot bull elk with this cartridge out to 600 and one shot one kill.

 

[msmith57]

If you had to choose one rifle to hunt everything from antelope to elk, what would it be? This rifle must use components that are readily available. It must also be a caliber that is inherently accurate. No need to waste 600 rounds of 1000 round barrel life doing load development. I want to build a rifle but can't decide what to build.

a good all around rifle would be a 243 or 30-30 you surely don't need a Magnum for any of the animals you listed. everyone here talks about HI power for Mule deer, WAY OVER KILL PEOPLE. yes they are a little bigger than a river bottom White tail but they will drop just like any other game. I've shot many of them with my 22-250, M1 Carbine and 30-30 piles of them with my old 243, model 99, I wish I would never have sold that one.

 

[Toolhand]

7saum or 7wsm. I personally prefer the saum but my first new rifle my dad bought me was a 300 Saum so I'm a little biased.

 

[rustyshackleford]

30-06 or 7 mag. I feel like I've seen this thread before

 

[Dan Jenson]

I used to think the .308 was, then the 6.8 SPC. Then after lots of research and studying my choice now is the 6.5 Creedmoor. It is very accurate, low recoil, can reach out far, and factory ammo is everywhere. Shooting and hunting is all about accuracy, you need to practice and practice a lot. You don't need large magnum calibers to kill most north american game. One thing I've heard too often from people who shoot magnum calibers is, they go down no matter where you hit them, why, lack of practice I suspect. They are happy just to hit a 9" paper plate at 100 yards. If I cannot shot under 1" at 100 yards with a rifle I get rid of it. Every one has their own favorite caliber, which is their choice, called freedom of choice. Which is what our country is based on, so shoot what ever you like, just do the game some respect and practice with your rifle. This is just my opinion, I don't care if you like it or hate it. Enjoy shooting and be safe..

 

[Lefty G-gear]

If you had to choose one rifle to hunt everything from antelope to elk, what would it be? This rifle must use components that are readily available. It must also be a caliber that is inherently accurate. No need to waste 600 rounds of 1000 round barrel life doing load development. I want to build a rifle but can't decide what to build.

 

[Wolf76]

If you had to choose one rifle to hunt everything from antelope to elk, what would it be? This rifle must use components that are readily available. It must also be a caliber that is inherently accurate. No need to waste 600 rounds of 1000 round barrel life doing load development. I want to build a rifle but can't decide what to build.

These questions are difficult to answer without some info.

How far are going to shoot?
What's your recoil sensitivity?

For example, if I was going to shoot the animals listed at 400 or less - 308 winchester all day long- especially if deer size animals are the bulk of hunting. If there's a real possibility of shooting an elk at distances greater than 400 - 300 WM every day of the week. Very easy to download with lightweight bullets (hammer's preferably) for deer and go heavier for elk.

But for some, the 300 is too much. So then there's another variable. There's no free lunch - everything has a trade off.

 

[Lonnie Pendleton]

If you had to choose one rifle to hunt everything from antelope to elk, what would it be? This rifle must use components that are readily available. It must also be a caliber that is inherently accurate. No need to waste 600 rounds of 1000 round barrel life doing load development. I want to build a rifle but can't decide what to build.

30-06 or 270