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If you were only going to have one caliber?

When you say target shooting do you just mean occasionally ringing steel? Or shooting high volume range days? Can’t go wrong with an ‘06. If you are focused more on hunting than target I would look into a 270 wsm.
 
I chose to go with 6.5 creedmoor. I run 135gr classic hunter ammo for deer, handload for long range, and shoot the 140gr gunner ammo for plinking.




I have short hair...but i actually am wearing a pink polo today
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With your stated use and not reloading, 6.5 Creedmoor hands down. If you go on a elk hunt, but a cheap TC Compass or equivalent Savage or Ruger in 300 or 338 win mag. If you were not ringing steel 200-300 factory rounds a year, I would go with a 7mm mag or 30-06. I bought a 7mm mag when I was 13 because I wanted one gun for hunting that would cover the lower 48; it has never let me down including 2 elk, although I will admit, I consider it a 400 yard max elk gun and both of my elk were shot under 100 yards. I actually like to “hunt” and I leave the long range shooting to banging steel. Of course, when I was 13, my target gun was a 22lr.
 
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6.5 creed all day. If you think you need more than that for elk then you can’t put a bullet where it needs to go. A good 6.5 bullet placed in the vitals 600 yards and in is going to result in a dead elk. Personally I’d run the Barnes LRX for that task.
 
If you could only have 1 caliber for target shooting, deer and antelope out to 500, and maybe the once every 10 years elk hunt, what would it be? Just curious on what everyone would pick, since I’m building a rifle for that exact scenario. I was stuck on the 6.5prc, but I don’t reload so I’m thinking either 6.5cm or 7mm rm.
6.5CM Has killed elk and mulie. Pretty sure ok for antelope. Caveat, elk less that 100 yds, mulie at 150. Just make a good shot.
 
If you could only have 1 caliber for target shooting, deer and antelope out to 500, and maybe the once every 10 years elk hunt, what would it be? Just curious on what everyone would pick, since I’m building a rifle for that exact scenario. I was stuck on the 6.5prc, but I don’t reload so I’m thinking either 6.5cm or 7mm rm.
6.5x55 Swede
 
How often do we do this thread? Will this lead to a “SHTF” rifle thread, or shot placement vs. impact energy thread? If you want a short compact rifle with a 16-20” barrel do a 6.5 cm or the .308, can’t go wrong with either but the .308 has a slight edge In the short range stuff but it’s neglible and may not be worth the higher recoil if you’re a light framed shooter who is mostly used to ARs and .22s. If you’re ok with a longer 22-26” barrel, go .30-06 or maybe .280/.280AI. If you’re only going to shoot 300 rds per year max I wouldn’t be terribly concerned with barrel life. All of the rounds mentioned except the .280 and it’s AI sister are in great supply just about everywhere, excellent reloading components are available for all four and a huge body of knowledge for load data and performance is available regarding performance with different barrel lengths and Ammo.