Whats the best all around hunting caliber for North American game?

Currently, when I hunt I use a 30-06 but I'm looking to make a new purchase. I am currently seriously considering both the .300 WSM and the 270 WSM due to the lesser recoil. The most hunted game will be white tail and wild hogs as of now but I do plan on other hunts in the future.Whats the best all around hunting caliber for North American game?
12 ga. from squirrels all the way up to grizzly bears.
You already have the Most Used, and Popular Caliber Big Game cartridge that is used all over the World.* If your concerned about the 30-06 Recoil just buy, and put a " Limbsaver Recoil Pad * on it.* It Reduces Recoil by 50%.* The 30-06 caliber can also be hand loaded to perform the same, and have the same capabilities as a 300 Magnum caliber if needed or necessary.* You have nothing to gain by upgradeing to the .300 WSM or the 270 WSM.*Whats the best all around hunting caliber for North American game?
best all-around hunting cartridge for North America is either 30-06 or 270 winchester.



I personally would choose the 270 winchester under the assumption that it's flat shooting and less recoil is going to be more relevant than the slight increase in power. The ONLY place the slight increase in power a 30-06 delivers would be more important would be for moose, bison, and grizzly...and for those 3 the 30-06 can get the job done but is enough of a 'less than perfect fit' I could justify going to a 338 winmag or something.





As for you and your whitetail and hogs, pretty much any centerfire cartridge over 243/6mm is going to be plenty.



300 WSM and 270 WSM are way more gun than you need.Whats the best all around hunting caliber for North American game?
A .300 WSM and .270 WSM are great rounds. Both will kill anything in the US. But the truth of it is if you can't kill it with a 30-06, you better be running. Though the 30-06 is an old cartridge, it is very versatile. It can take down any game in NA. If you have the fever for a new gun, go for it. But the old 06 will handle all you can give it.
You already have it - the 30-06. There is a reason it has been as popular as it is for over 100 years. It is a terrific all around cartridge, it has a very wide variety of loads available and will take any game animal in North America.
Uhh, maybe other folks with experience can verify this, but the two WSM cartridges you list pack more power than the 30 06, so I think you're looking at MORE recoil, not less. If that's the case, then you're probably better off sticking to the 06.
If you reload, .30-06 is pretty good.



Otherwise I have always used .308 Winchester or .300 Winchester Magnum.
The venerable 38-55 and the 45-70. Both have taken every game animal in North America, and have done it for over 100 years.
your .30-06 is generally considered the all around cartridge, it's good for coyotes up to bison, brown bear and moose.
You really are not going to do any better than the 06.
.308 is the way to go
Well, 30-06 is an awesome load and very flexible.

If you want to add a rifle to your arsinal that will take down ANYTHING, may i suggest that you take a look at the Marlin classic 1895 chambered in 45-70? The 45-70 is a VERY potent round and has long distence built into it blood, this round can fly over 3000 yards no problem.



Here is an excerpt from wiki about the round:

"After the Sandy Hook tests of 1879, a new variation of the .45-70 cartridge was produced, the .45-70-500, which fired a heavier 500 grain (32.5 g) bullet. The heavier 500-grain (32 g) bullet produced significantly superior ballistics, and could reach ranges of 3,350 yards (3,120 m), which were beyond the maximum range of the .45-70-405. While the effective range of the .45-70 on individual targets was limited to about 1,000 yards (915 m) with either load, the heavier bullet would produce lethal injuries at 3,500 yards (3,200 m). At those ranges, the bullets struck point-first at roughly a 30 degree angle, penetrating 3 one inch (2.5 cm) thick oak boards, and then traveling to a depth of 8 inches (20 cm) into the sand of the Sandy Hook beach*. It was hoped the longer range of the .45-70-500 would allow effective volleyed fire at ranges beyond those normally expected of infantry fire.[5



If you want a more modern Barrel Burner- the 7mm rem mag is used by secret service anti sniper detail, and sends a 140 grain load down range at 3100 fps- I personaly prefer the Browning X-bolt in 7mm rem mag

the sako a7 is also affordably chambered in 7mm rem mag, but has a bit more recoil due to its lite weight.



I might add that the 45-70 will be easier to reload because it's a straight case load, as opposed to bottleneck on the 7mm.
.308 winchester is one of the best all around cartridges around, and is certianly suited for the vast majority of game in the us, it has the take down of the 30-06 without the punishing recoil, and best of all, most .308 round out preform the 30-06 balistically, hope this helps, have a good one