In your opinion what is the most universal gun caliber on the market? I am looking for something that can shoot long distances, and take things from fox up to deer. I cant decide on just one caliber, any help?
Thanks,
Wisetrapper

223,22-250,243

.243, hands down

.243 will do the trick. load up for deer and down for smaller critters!

.243 all the way.

Yeap!

.243! I just got one those exact reasons! I am loading mine with varget behind a 58 grain hornady v-max for coyote. They are extremely flat shooting, and FAST! I think the 58 grain is over 3,000 FPS. Shoots like a 22-250 but 400 FPS faster.

Caliber is the diameter of the bullet. As an example, there are so many 30 calibers that you can hardly count them.

What you are looking for is a Cartridge. I believe the most common center fire cartridge in North America is the .30-06. If you are a hand loader, you can load it for everything from varments to elk and bear.

Probably the next most common cartridge is the .308 Winchester.

Factory ammo for these cartridges can be found most everywhere in a wide variety of loadings.

Adios,
45/70,
RKBA!

Anyone have any experience with the Remington model 770? They have them at the Gander Mtn. here in a viarity of calibers for $350.00 scope and all. I might look into one if anyone can give me some feedback on one

.243 is a top end caliber and very universal

I agree with 45/70 the 30-06 so versatile but it will still mess up the coyotes and fox as do most cartridges depending on where hit bullet speed and a ton of other factors. For all around big game hunting from whitetail to antelope to moose, it is a caliber with so many bullet options I just don't believe there is another caliber that will out perform it's capabilities on both the high and low ends.

I'm with 45/70. The ammo is cheap when found surplus and you can use it for anything.

22-250 would be great for anything including up to deer size game.

For your defined needs, I'd look at a .243, 7mm-08, or .25-06.

Jim

The Remington 770 is junk, you couldn't pay me to take one. They shoot fine, but everything about them is junk. You'd be much better off getting a Savage 10/11 or the new Marlin XS7.

.243 or its little bit faster cousin 6mm.

How about a Stevens model 200 in .30-06? Any problems with those? To get smaller animals with it I will just buy full metal jackets

.308 win
but your asking for a lot aint one cal, going to do it all and that is a big part of the fun.

for big game no other caliber is more universal then a 300. win mag

I'll vote for the .243. I have several different rifles, but that is the caliber that is most universal in most states. In NE we can use down to a .223 for deer, but it's a bit of a stretch for optimum kills. The 22-250 is a great overall weapon for deer and predators in NE, but many states won't allow it for deer, so I vote for the .243.

Anyone ever shot or handled a Stevens model 200? I want a good feeling, accurate, and at the most cost $450.00

Steven 200 is a great gun. I got mine for $275 new. The triggers are kinda crappy but thats the only thing Ive ever had a problem with. The 250 savage and 260 Rem. are not to hard on fox and will take down a deer with no problems. Shot a few foxes this winter with the 260, very happy with it.

243 or 25-06

Stevens 200's are great handling and shooting guns, cheap stock and no AccuTrigger is the only difference between them and the top of the line Savage's. You should easily be able to get one for right around $300.

.260 Remington would be my choice.

I love my stevens Model 200 for the price. theres nicer guns out there of course but for the money i would buy another one for sure.

.243

I have a 243 and a 25-06. Whenever I need to shoot something I reach for the 06. 243 is a fine round, but I can shoot a 120 grain bullet in the 06 at a deer and its like shooting a 270. If coyotes are your prey a 85 grain hollow point will make them go limp quick.

50 BMG. You have your FMJ for most animals from moose clear down to fox. Just goes clean through them with little fur loss and tremendous shock.

For you really big animals like hippos, elephants, and the occasional appache helicopter you have your incenerary rounds.

I would have to disagree here, if you're going to go big, try out the new .416 Barrett, flatter trajectory at 1,000 yards with no loss of energy.

Say I purchase a Stevens model 200 in 30-06. How much will a gun and scope combo cost about? If I buy a model 200 with the pre-mounted scope will I need to replace it for good accuracy?

Most popular or universal I really don't know.

But for your application: The one I know is .243. I suspect a few more would work fine, but they are just a bit less common. If you are concerned about buying ammo off the shelf, that's what I would suggest.

Now, if you are looking for a fascinating hobby. Start hand loading and the whole world opens up.

I wasn't aware that Savage offered the Stevens 200 in a scoped combo? Perhaps that's recently new to their line-up. I'm never a big fan of packaged deals, usually a good gun with a crappy $25 scope, you're much better off getting the gun and picking out a scope you like.

.375 H&H

.243

I like a good 308 bolt action rifle - it will shoot anything
from a 100 grain plinker for small game on up to deer, etc.
with a heavier charge and bullet! - The plinker bullet will
not function in a semi-auto as there is not enough blow-back
to reload or eject the cartridge from the chamber!

12 gauge shotgun

308 or 30-06 & I don't own either one !

Can't add anything to that except to say it's the best answer so far.

If you can find a Timney trigger for the Pre-Accutrigger model 110 and 110's it will fit the Stevens. About $80 more dollars and you have a heck of a gun.

PS: I'm not even getting into the caliber debate.

For predators up to deer I would have to also say the .243. I use 100 grain Remington CoreLokt on many deer and have never lost a one, a couple were more than 300 yard shots. I have used the 75 grain V-Max on predators with minimal damage. If I'm not mistaken, I believe the .243 was developed for just that reason, to be an all purpose rifle. Asa

12 gauge.

The old 30-30 has killed more whitetail than all the other rifle calabers hands down.

Not that anybody ever listen's to me anyway but I would have to go with a good ol' 25-06!!!!

ttt

30 caliber is hard to beat but the 7mm's are a little better

the 416 rigby, bound to be a good investment, solids are easy on the fur, deer should go down to them, and any chance of a big game hunt in the future is assured.

Denny, I tend to agree with you. I think at some future point a 7mm, maybe one we already have or maybe a new one will replace the .30-06 as the most universal caliber, but it ain't happened yet.
I have four '06s, and 2 .308s. I have a 7X57, a 7mm Rem Mag, and a 7mm STW. During a year the 7s will see use at least two to one over the .30 cals. I also have a custom built .300 H&H Mag that I really like a lot. It was built by the Marine Corp. marksmanship unit for one of the great Palmyra Shooters of all times.
Later,
45/70