One rifle only, what round?

[Artema]

I'm looking at a Savage Arms 111 or similar. I'm thinking of getting 338 Lapua because I don't want to have to ever get a different rifle. Is there any reason I should get a 338 Win Mag or 7mm Rem Mag or anything instead? They are about half the price for obvious reasons. I just don't want to go to Alaska and find that my round I chose was too small, or whatever. I am not worried about the cost of each round because I'd be shooting bolt action, not semi-auto. I've shot .308 Win and several similar before and figure that isn't the size I want. So if you could have just ONE rifle round for a bolt-action, what should I get?

[ExtremeX]

And for what application might this be for?

[Artema]

And for what application might this be for?

The rest of my life, basically. I want a rifle and not to get another one. Hunt whatever I may run across.

[SEMPERFIDOC]

308 in various loads makes it readily available, not too mention, all of the extensive data already available about this round. Keep it simple!

[Fjold]

If you are going to hunt Alaska and anything that you want for the rest of your life then get a 375 H&H Magnum.

Alaska includes moose and big bears and I'm a strong proponent of carrying the biggest round that you can shoot accurately, that will handle the biggest game that you are going to encounter in your hunting area.

[ElvenSoul]

Your missing the original do all 6.5x55

Should add 270wsm


7mm-08

[ElvenSoul]

No 375H&H

270WIN the super round of the 60's

35 Whelen...could almost live with this as my do all

But the single biggie...round that started making Americans look at high power small bullets
.257 Roberts...in the 20's and 30's this round did it all
They killer everything that walks earth with it bunnies to elephants
Don't believe me Google 257 Roberts elephants

[Artema]

I've had 308 before, but looks like it is clearly winning for the do-all. It would sure open my selection of rifles up, as most 338 Lapua are a few grand, where you can get 308 Win for almost any price you want. I have a few months to mull it over.

[Cool Custard]

45/70!

[NapalmCheese]

As much as I am not personally enamored with it, I'd say .30-06.

Load it with light varmint bullets and you have a virtual laser beam. Load it up to the gills and top it with a 220 grain bullet and you're more than set for the great bears. Load it somewhere in-between and you have plenty of Africa covered.

Need to find ammo? Walk into rural america hardware store, gas station, or general store and you're set. More ammo? Wal-Mart, Big 5, whatever is there for you.

Why not the .308? Because the .30-06 has more case capacity and can move bigger bullets faster than the .308. Why not the .300 mag? Because it can be harder to find, and if you are really strapped for ammo it's probably easier to find .30-06 dies. Why not 7mm Rem Mag? Because I feel that the .30-06 is just slightly more versatile with it's modern 220 grain loads, though I personally prefer the 7mm ballistics.

[<IXOYE><]

But the single biggie...round that started making Americans look at high power small bullets
.257 Roberts...in the 20's and 30's this round did it all
They killer everything that walks earth with it bunnies to elephants
Don't believe me Google 257 Roberts elephants

^This!

My Model 70 in 257 Roberts its my go-to hunting rifle. Does it all. Hands down. Only downside is finding ammo. The boxes out there are about $30+ for 20/rds.

[NorCalFocus]

As much as I am not personally enamored with it, I'd say .30-06.

Load it with light varmint bullets and you have a virtual laser beam. Load it up to the gills and top it with a 220 grain bullet and you're more than set for the great bears. Load it somewhere in-between and you have plenty of Africa covered.

Need to find ammo? Walk into rural america hardware store, gas station, or general store and you're set. More ammo? Wal-Mart, Big 5, whatever is there for you.

Why not the .308? Because the .30-06 has more case capacity and can move bigger bullets faster than the .308. Why not the .300 mag? Because it can be harder to find, and if you are really strapped for ammo it's probably easier to find .30-06 dies. Why not 7mm Rem Mag? Because I feel that the .30-06 is just slightly more versatile with it's modern 220 grain loads, though I personally prefer the 7mm ballistics.

100% agree with this. I also voted 30-06 and these were the same things I was going to post.

[TMB 1]

I've had 308 before, but looks like it is clearly winning for the do-all. It would sure open my selection of rifles up, as most 338 Lapua are a few grand, where you can get 308 Win for almost any price you want. I have a few months to mull it over.

My guess is there are a lot of voters that haven't shot anything with anything else. I'd much rather have 338 Win Mag for my do it all, even the 338 Hog Hunter with its 20" barrel would be better than a 308 with any length barrel.

[Reelemup]

30-30 is not there

[ElvenSoul]

The 7mm-08 got banned from military competitions for flat out emberass old .308

Of course it is just a modern 7x57