What is the most versatile hunting round?

12 gauge shotgun, hands down. Even more versatile than my fav rifle, .30-06.

3.5″ rounds:

Using a rifled barrel, good for big game inside 2 yards.

Ditto dangerous North America game inside 1 yards.

With smooth barrel and full choke, mid to long range waterfowl

ditto long range turkey

3″ rounds:

Rifled barrel: big game inside 150 yards

Ditto dangerous North America game inside 50 yards.

With smooth barrel and full choke, near to mid range waterfowl

Late season pheasant

Short to mid range turkey

2.75″ rounds:

deer inside 125 yards, squirrels, rabbits, grouse, pheasants, snipe, doves, fox, coyote, possum.

Trap, skeet, sporting clays

Home defense

Breaching

2.5″ and shorter rounds:

Combat competition

Reduced recoil hunting rounds

Speciality ammo:

Flares

Line launching

Dog training

Nonlethal

Flash-bang

Tree cutters

bean bag

‘nuf said.

Hmm. I just don’t think I would feel safe with a 12 gauge or a 30-06 against the biggest and most dangerous of game. They certainly are wonderful all round cartridges, but I would want something like a .338 lap/win mag for the very top end of the food chain

I don’t really think of 12 gauge in terms of rounds (judging by the answeres most others don’t either) but if you are including it that would be it. Small game, birds, and big game all in the same package. bird shot to buckshot and slugs. Slugs have been used to take cape buffalo so i’m guessing they would work on elephant.

If you discount shotguns. The .30-06 is the most versatile. It has been used on every species of big game on the planet i would bet. It has been used to take elephant. It can use saboted 55 grain up to 240 grain projectiles. It is a viable sniper weapon out to 10 yards and probably more.

+1 on the 30-06

Much as I like the .308, I have to give the nod to the .30-06 due to the superior way it handles heavy bullets like the 180 and 2 grain rounds designed for big game. It’s just a better option for elk and big bears. Take them out of the picture and the .308 gets my nod.

EDIT: I have to point out that he did state cartridge and technically a shotgun shell is not a cartridge at all, therefore I I didn’t consider one.

Hands down the most versatile cartridge ever developed is the classic 375 H&H. If I could only have one gun, this would be it. Download it to match the 375 Winchester to make the perfect deer gun, or keep it uploaded for Elephant. Africa has long been called the most diverse hunting grounds on this planet and most PHs recommend a 375 H&H for all around use if you can bring only one gun. End of story.

Remington 270 Center-fire Long-Rifle

* The 30-06 and the 30-30 are the most used Small & Big Game cartridge that’s popular all around the World.*

Source(s): * Run like a Deer.*……………….Fly like an Eagle.*~~

30-06 is the widest used round in the good old US of A. due it variance in bullet size. I believe it comes in 110 to 220 grain bullet. It can take down nearly every game animal in North America.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.30-06_Springfield

http://www.shootingtimes.com/2011/01/04/ammunition…

Defenitly depends on what you are hunting, but everything from a 243. to a 30-06 should have multiple uses for multiple animals.