Hopeisnotastrategy said
"This is one of the best articles I've ever read on this issue. [chuckhawks.com] There's a lot of data to wade through backing up the conclusions, and some of the findings are surprising.For those of you lacking the patience to read the whole thing, he concludes that the most versatile rounds in order of power are .260, .308, .30-06, and .338.I am a sold-out .270 lover who would have argued vehemently for the .270 being the best "one gun," caliber, but this article has made me re-think my position.Check it out."
That is a good read and Chuck is very knowledgeable but has his own personal biases like everyone, including other very learned gun "scholars." I read him for years, but he dis'd on a few faves of mine--which I don't even remember now but one may have been the good ol 30-30--if so, sacrilege!--without his usual good analysis and formerly objective nature--so since, I've not viewed him as quite the bastion of all that's Truthful in firearms and cartridges. Still, I enjoy his articles and he knows a heck of a lot more than most and certainly I!
A similar case can be made for something like .30-30 <175, .7mm-08 thence (<300) on medium game*, .270 >300 medium game, .300WM large NA game, or .35 Whelen in a non-magnum.
I'll stick by my .30-30 for the shorter stuff, .270 as longer range do-all for now but as stated, am also enamored with the 7mm-08 *in a short-action lightweight mountain rifle as well. Although I no longer have, I wouldn't argue against the '06 as a "one and only" though a bit more than "necessary" for the smaller stuff and/or short range. To me the .270 can be--and is better known for--downloaded (grains) for varmints n such, so is pretty versaitle for such critters all the way up to elk these days what with modern bullet advancments.these days. If elk is not regularly on the menu, the 7mm-08 looks hard to beat (and will do a yeoman's job with the elk thing if called upon to do so).