The most versitale guns I got, are all 30-06s. I only own seven 30-06s. For my Handi, I load 125gr Speer TNTs, 165gr Sierria HPBTs, and 180gr Noslers, both the Partition and Ballistic tips. I have tried Nosler 200s, and 220s, but I think the range is a little short for them. I have also loaded the Barnes 250s, but they did not group like I want them to. I use my Handi mainly for wolf and varmit hunting, it's usually on my snow machine or four wheeler all winter. I also carry it in the truck most of the time. With the 165gr loads I won't hesitate to take a shot from 50 to 500 yards. The only limitation I have experienced is while I can hit animals at 600 and 700 yards, the cartridge lacks the energy at that range to make clean kills. My Handi seems to like IMR-3031 with the 165gr Sierria bullet. I killed one Caribou, and two Moose with it last year. (one Moose was a proxy) I started loading the Barnes solid last year to try and prevent pelt damage. So far I have not found the right combination yet to make them shoot well. I've tried both the 125gr and the 165gr bullets, just don't seem to like them.
Just got back from the range sighting in a new 180gr Nosler Partition load for my 30-06 Handi, and the Encore. Fairly hot load this time. Lost it (the gun) a week ago in the Chatanika river, fell off the raft. Fished it out after two days and brought it home. Rust city, NEF does not do the best bluing job. Cleaned it up with brake fluid and steel wool, oiled it, but it still rusted again after a couple of days. Cleaned it again, this time I removed the scope and totally disassembled it. Cleaned it up, reassembled it, and took it to the range. Two shots at 50yds, two at 100yds, with scope adjustments. Then a three inch five shot group at 200 yards. It's back ready for action. If the rust comes back I'm going to paint it Camo.
Took a shot at a small (about 4 1/2 to 5ft) Black Bear Saturday evening. Actually I got off two shots, but he was running at both shots. First shot was at 250 yards, second was at 300, I just plain missed both shots. Yes, I sometimes get excited too. Them little suckers are hard to hit when they are running through the brush.