One rifle only, what round?

[POLICESTATE]

One round that does it all? It's not just the round, it's the rifle as well.

http://www.krieghoff.com/index.php/hunting-guns/classic-double-rifle/classic-standard-calibers

In .308 Win. Whatever you don't kill with the first shot will die with a quick follow-up.

Might be a tad pricey though

[smittty]

Yeah the .308 was a improved .300Savage which was a improved 30-30.

It has been a do all round since the 50's.

However the slightly smaller 7mm-08 and the 6.5Creedmore leave it in the dust.
Having said that I would be confident hunting anything with a .308.

I agree with 7mm-08 and 6.5Creedmore but someone asking this type of question clearly wouldn't know the difference as much as they'd benefit from a more affordable ammunition cost.

Current lowest pricing for each caliber from gunbot website
- 308 - $0.47 per round
- 30-06 - $0.59 per round
- 30-30 - $0.75 per round
- 270 - $0.80 per round
- 7mm08 - $0.82 per round
- 6.5 Creedmore - $1.10 per round

In my opinion this debate boils down to asking yourself how much do you want to shoot and how much are you willing to pay for it?

Here's some more affordable calibers,
- 7.62x39 - $0.20 per round
- 223 - $0.25 per round

[12ga]

In my very limited hunting opinion, there is no single cartridge that can adequately and confidently kill a charging grizzly, and also not obliterate a small California deer.

.308 is my "one cartridge".... until I go to Alaska, then it will be my "one of two cartridges".

[TMB 1]

In my very limited hunting opinion, there is no single cartridge that can adequately and confidently kill a charging grizzly, and also not obliterate a small California deer.

338 Win Mag, 375 H&H, 45-70 Govt all three will work for charging grizzly and wont destroy a small California deer any worse or even as bad as a 243 Winchester.
I've never been there but I read a lot of African hunters use the 375 H&H for everything, also a lot of hunters will use the rifle they're going to take to Alaska or Africa for deer, elk etc... hunting just so they'll be good with it if or when they are charged by dangerous game.

[LateBraking]

Looks like it's 308 followed by 30-06. For the record I picked 308 too. :3

[mls343]

.308 or 30-06. Pick one. As others have chimed in, there is a lot you can do with either of these for just about any application. It even gets better if you reload. A little old school, a little boring perhaps in relation to the new stuff, but very flexible and very effective. If you can only have one fior everything, this should be a consideration.

[kenl]

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.

This. A lot of Alaskan bear hunt guides consider the 375 H&H as a minimum round.

IMHO, .338 wm IF you are going to Alaska. Hard hitting, and can be loaded with lighter bullets for the lower states game.

Staying in the lower 48, get the .30-06. You can use it on anything that you can hunt down here, plus for most of the animals you'll find in Alaska

[BluNorthern]

Alaska specific I'd go with the .338 Winchester Magnum.

30-06 otherwise. I handload, and carried my 06 in N. Idaho and never felt concerned about Moose or Grizzlies, but then I had it loaded with 180 gr. Barnes bullets and a heavy charge of slow burning powder behind it.

[toby]

Alaska, if your not hunting Grizzly which is most likely then here is a great list.
270
308
30-06
7mm mag
300 mag
338
Any Weatherby from 257 up.

[bcsquare]

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

I have to agree as well. The 30-06 is versatile and plentiful; you can find ammo for it just about anywhere.

The same goes for the 308 but like another poster said, there's more base capacity so there's more room to custom tailor your rounds for different applications.

[ElvenSoul]

Buying two guns may not be as expensive as you think

.308 Savage Axis $289. Quality Scope & rings $199. 200rnds of ammo $240.

375H&H Magnum from Zastava run about $700. Scope & rings $199. 100rnds of ammo $185.

Good Luck!

[Gem1950]

http://www.kifaru.net/cartpwr.htm

[RNE228]

30-06, or 308 for a general all purpose rifle. They are proven, and you can get the ammo anywhere.

Some of the other calibres are great. But you will not always find ammo. Opps, you forgot to pack and need ammo? Which ones will you find at a little shop out in the sticks? 308 or 30-06. Maybe 270

[CNC_Apps_Guy]

...the 338 is over a mile kill...

Fixed that for ya.

[Californio]

Today

GAP 6.5mm RSAUM, magnum performance and .308 Winchester pressures in a rifle that can be carried all day.