Poll: Do-it-all freezer fillin' rifle

[A207X2]

There's a parallel thread going right now that asks "what's the best freezer-fillin' caliber/rifle". The problem with it is that there's currently 41 responses to it. The responses vary widely, but there are a few calibers that keep getting mentioned. I too am interested in this, so I've created a poll to summarize numerically the choices. You only get to choose one rifle.

.270
.30-06
.308
.300 WM
6.5 Creedmore
7mm08 Remington Magnum

My vote is the 30-06.

 

[Jbotto]

7mm-08 and the 7mm Rem Mag are different.

 

[A207X2]

7mm-08 and the 7mm Rem Mag are different.

LOL, yes you are correct sir!

I tried to edit the poll but no joy.

 

[TheJason]

The one that is loaded.

 

[GlockZ]

I own a 270, a 30/06 and a 300WM, my go to has been the 270, but if i could only own one rifle, I'd choose the 30/06.

 

[sndmn11]

I think all of those are viable candidates. It would mostly depend on who the shooter is, what the hierarchy of game is, and how far the shots are.

 

[golfer]

none of the above, I'd reach for a 257wby everytime.

 

[mdeerjunkie]

Cant go wrong with a .308.

 

[OntarioHunter]

With two exceptions, I have used only one calibre through a lifetime of hunting: 30-06. And almost exclusively everything was killed with the same WWII Springfield. Two years ago I shot the below muley buck with my brother's 300 Win BAR when the old 3x Weaver scope on Springfield was off (he already filled his tag). Last year I shot a cape buffalo with my PH's .375 CZ (30-06 not legal for buff) and my kudu with the lodge's 30-06 CZ Ebony Special Edition (new Nikon scope on my Sprinfield went wonky after shooting gemsbuck).



Below is the sporterized WWII Springfield my dad built in 1962. Muley is 2019 and bull elk was shot 1980.

 

[belshawelk]

While I voted 30-06. After hunting this year with my .28 Nosler I would pick it. Or my 270WSM.

 

[Boarmaster]

I guess if I was falling off the end of the earth and had to grab one
i would choose the 30-06.

 

[Id-Dave]

Have to go with the 30-06. Have 3 in the safe to choose from.

 

[manitou1]

I voted for the .25-06 Remington mag, lol.
7mm mag for me if I could only have one centerfire.

 

[emtyhopper]

7mm rem mag

 

[jvanhoy]

Hard to beat a 30-06 for a all around gun. The ease of getting and cost of ammo makes it hard not to go with it for me. Love my 7mm-08 and for deer and just shoot ability I would take it but to just have one the 30-06 gets my vote.

 

[Sytes]

.06 winner of this and all prior HT threads specific to "Which Rifle is Best."

6.5 cm man bun-nies can eat their own cake and all others are far from touching the .06!

 

[Happy Myles]

Interestingly, i have used all six calibers listed at the beginning of this blog and of the six without hesitation would use the old 06 If had to choose one of them. It’s wide bullet selection makes it so versatile. Might mention by way of experience, I have hunted all over the World for more than seventy years using a wide variety of calibers. Not cast in stone but most of time use a 300 Win Mag and do practice frequently. These are all great calibers and would not lose any sleep if stuck with any of them. Kindest Regards

 

[Don Fischer]

I voted for the 308 for no particular reason. If I hunted country where I might run into a grizzly I'd have 200gr bullet's in it. I've had a ton of success with the 308. I would be tempted to go with the 6.5CM but as I said, grizly around I'd just feel better with the 308. Of course the same can go for the 30-06 but I just haven;t used one a lot. Got three elk with one the only three time's I used one but I also got two with my 6.5x06; can't get that 200gr bullet i a 6.5! Carried my 308 in Alaska with that 200gr bullet in it a lot. Never ran into a grizzley but found a track once that left me wishing for a 50BMG! I don't worry about shot distance I stay within the MPBR at an 8" target or 300yds max. IfI need to fill the freezer, I need to fill the freezer and not stroke my ego!

 

[elkhnter]

300 Weatherby

 

[iiiNelson]

In reality the 7RM and 30-06 seems to largely do the same thing on the same type of game at comparable distances. So either would likely work and would be easy to find ammo for anywhere in the world.

If it’s about hunting to eat then I’d personally choose the 7mm-08 or .308 of the choices listed... but if I could only have one caliber it would be the 280AI based on the all around ability and slightly exotic nature... again it pretty much does what the 30-06 or 7RM largely will do at general “ethical hunting distances” for most people (which translates to inside of 400 yds...with the vast majority of shots coming inside of 150 yds or so.)