most versatile caliber

[jimneye]

Tim, what altering did you do to those 243 barrels ,did you polish the bore, bed the forend, trigger work? I know it's in the FAQ. but just wondering what you did.

[quickdtoo]

Nothing except make sure the forend fit wasn't too tight which I do to all of them. I had one of em rebored to 260 Rem tho, with moderate loads it shoots very well, hotter loads give me two shots together so I just decided to shoot two shot groups when testing loads!  

Tim

[billy_56081]

My 243 shoots an inch or less. I used rtv to bed and float the forend.

[Spanky]

Most versatile caliber... 30
Most versatile cartridge... 30-06

It's the best thing to ever wear a headstamp.



Spanky

[Rustyinfla]

  I used to think the .30-06 was about the most versitle caliber there was until I started helping my son work up loads for his .270 Win. After looking at the loading tables I was amazed to see that velocities with the .270 can surpass that of the .25-06 with heavier bullets.

[digs68]

This debate, conversation, whatever, could go on forever.
I think there are plenty of good ideas in this thread depending on your abilities as a reloader or not.
Personally, as a guy who doesn't reload and doesn't want to spend a ton of money on premium grade bullets, I am particular to just a few calibers based on versatility, value, and ease of locating ammo.
First and foremost, if you're not worried about a bit of coat damage on coyotes (or shoulder fatigue from a busy day), the 30-06 is agreeably one of the most versatile rounds out there, with plenty of "over the counter" ammo choices.
Second would be the .25-06, which is flat-shooting rifle that is very handy on deer, coyotes, etc. Ammo may not be as readily available as 30-06, but isn't very hard to find either.
Third would be the .243. It's a fine rifle for deer and varmints to reasonable ranges. Also very common over the counter. Prob as common as the 30-06 in most retail stores.
I would agree that I've heard plenty enough negativity about the .243 Handi that I'd shy away from it myself. Personally, (and yes I know it's not a Handi) the best and most beautiful rifle I've ever owned was a Winchester model 70 Lightweight in .243. That was a fine, extremely accurate rifle! It was light enough as well that youngsters could handle it. I still kick myself for selling that gun, and it's been nearly 15 years!

[1NEFsofar]

Ok I'll jump into the fray.  Since I have one and have been impressed witht both the accuracy and round selection, I vote for the 308.  Plenty of juice for deer, no punishing recoil and can be loaded down (or over the counter rounds bought) to hunt yotes with. I have weighed my down with lead int eh stock to supress recoil due to a bad shoulder so I can shoot the thing all day long and not have recoil issues.  Also with the bull barrel, heat is not as much of a factor.

[bilmac]

I always wonder why folks talk about including such animals as elk, bear, mooses when they talk about versatility, when in probably 75 percent of the country the biggest game is deer. If folks can afford to make a trip to hunt elk then another rifle is probably affordable too.

 With deer as the top end I think 30-30 for folks who cast their own bullets. I used to make small game loads for my Savage 24 that would shoot dead on at 25Y without adjusting the sights from my deer loads. You can even make pretty good varmint loads for a 30-30 with 130 gr spire points, but then you are mixing cast and jacketed bullets and some cleaning would be needed for best accuracy.

For someone who loads but doesn't cast I am finding my 243 to be very versatile. I am loading 58 gr Vmaxs to hornet velocities and getting very good accuracy. Hornaday also makes an 80 gr FMJ bullet that I am loading to 22 rimfire velocities, and just because it is easy, I also stick some 80 gr varmint bullets on top of the same load.

For those poor souls who haven't discovered reloading yet, I would suggest that a maximized 357 would let you shoot deer and small game with the same rifle.

[petemi]

For those poor souls who haven't discovered reloading yet, I would suggest that a maximized 357 would let you shoot deer and small game with the same rifle.

+100% on the Maxi......even for poor souls who do reload.  My 7mm-08, .308 and .30-06 haven't had a round down them in two years.  The .22-250 isn't far behind.  My pistol caliber Handi carbines do all I need to.....well.

Pete

[Shu]

Reloading does pretty much mean you can do it all!!!

The most versatile caliber or most useful discussion is like discussing women. The one your with better be your favorite!!!

[Sourdough]

bilmac:  I for one always include Bears, Moose, and Caribou, since that is what I hunt with my Handi 30-06.  I've shot Moose and Black Bear right in my back yard, and had a few runins with Grizzlies back there too.  As you may guess I live in Alaska, North Pole to be exact.  I'm not an exception either.  KP lives about 15 miles from me, and our wives work in the same office.  Dand lives out in Dillingham Alaska, and there are several others that live in other villages on here as well.  The Handi sure makes a good rifle for Alaska.  Holds up well to the abuses Alaska hands out.  

Also my 4'11" wife shoots a 30-06 as well.  Rog