What caliber would you choose?

[dtu11]

Let me give you some background for why I'm asking this question. I just sold my 300 Win Mag (Loved that gun) because my kids are starting to get into hunting (they ask all the time). So I knew I needed to sell my gun and stop borrowing my mom's 6mm to take the kids hunting. So now I'm trying to figure out what gun to buy to satisfy all requirements if possible.


What would be the best all-around caliber for hunting the following animals.

- Whitetail
- Hogs
- Coyotes/Bobcats
- Mule Deer (Colorado possibly 200+ yards)


I hoping to buy a rifle that will allow me to hunt all of those animals but still allow my kids to be able to shoot with it.

Here are the calibers I've been looking at.

- 22-250
- .243
- 6mm
- 25-06
- 257 WTHBY Mag


1. What caliber would you choose in this situation?

2. Would you consider a shot at an elk, if your hunting for mule deer and also have a tag, if you have one of those calibers?

3. Should I just wait and get more money to buy 2 rifles?

4. If I decide to buy 2 rifles 1 for me and 1 for my kids, which caliber should I choose. I have had shoulder surgery about 4 years ago and would like something accurate, shoots flat, kill all the animals above and prefer it not to kill my shoulder.


I've been thinking about it for a few days now and going to still do a lot of research, I would just like to see some the campfire's take on it.

Thanks in advance.

[maglite]

7mm-08!

[dtu11]

7mm-08!

Does that kick a lot? That sounds like a large gun for my boys to shoot as well.

[Mayhem]

i have a 25-06 i really love, i think its a great kids and women gun. i bought it cause it cheaper to than my 7mm wsm

[Jaspro]

25-06. And if less than 150 yards I would shoot and an elk with it also.

[theluckyhunter]

i have never found a 308. that kicks.....

i would comortably shoot anything in north america with it, and it is a fantastic long range round

[tuthdoc]

25/06 in Ruger No, 1 I have one and we started my nephews on it. The gun is safe. If the lever is down the gun is unloaded. It's a little heavier and makes recoil a nonfactor. It'll take anything on your list. Light for an elk, but if I was close enough, I'd pop one. I have had two 25/06 rifles. My 700BDL is over 30 years old and when I was rifle hunting, it was a killing machine.

[Burnadell]

I agree with Maglite on 7mm-08...or I would go with .270 or 30.06 for all around killing.

[asttbe]

30-06 or 270 with all of that criteria especially with the elk addition

The kids can shoot the managed recoil loads

[ILUVBIGBUCKS]

Does that kick a lot? That sounds like a large gun for my boys to shoot as well.

Less then the 25-06 and a hell of a lot less then the 257 Wby Mag!

My choice would be hands down a .308 loaded down to 150 grain bullets.

[Chief]

.270

my 10yr old daughter that maybey weighs 60lbs soaking wet shot her first deer with it this year at 196 yards using the 115gr. Remington managed recoil ammo. It is supposed to have more knockdown energy than a 30.30 with less kick than a .243 and then you can use regular ammo when you want to shoot it. Best thing was that i had it sighted in for 2" high at 100 yards for my ammo and with her ammo it is dead on without any scope adjustments

[bowfishin fool]

i would consider the 270

[maglite]

The 7mm-08 is what my 2 9yr old boys shoot! ITS A great gun!

[txbowkill]

like others have said 270!!!
not alot of kick but can take down most anything!
ive been shooting it since i was 8 yrs old

[capt341]

I second the 7mm-08. Great caliber for all the animals you mentioned and not much kick at all.