What is your preference if you could only choose one? Also what length barrel, twist rate, and grain would you be using? What would you be using it for, and if hunting, why that particular brand/version of bullet?

For general hunting at common distances (say inside of 300 yards) it’s hard to beat a 30 cal. Whether it’s a 308 win, 30-06, etc. The 6.5mm and 7mm is nice because it offers heavy and high BC bullets and allows you to keep up your velocity compared to the heavier 30 cal options.

But, if I were to only have one round, no question without hesitation, would be the 300 win mag. The 212 ELDX for hunting is about as good as you can get. A 225-230 grain for some longer range stuff is also good.

Chad, with either bullet do you experience expansions issues due to not enough distance between you and the animal?

I don't own either, but if left to my own devices and I had my guns to buy/build again my 270 would be a 280 and my 300 wby would be a prc.

280 AI 26 inch tube and 175+ grian

300 prc 26 inch barrel 200+ grain

Both what bullet I used would depend on what I was doing with it.

I was even thinking about a 7x57 A.I for all around end all be all, but I don't what bullet id use for "all north American game animals". ITs accurate but a little slower, so if I chose that Id be limiting my distance for adequate energy

What's interesting, is the 212 ELD-X has shown better expansion at longer ranges. I have seen exit wounds on big mule deer from 600 to 800 yards that are tennis ball size to grapefruit size exits. Pigs, the same thing. That bullet has shown very good results across the board on some bigger and tougher critters.

For me, I would say the 7mm (7mm-08, 708AI, 7X57 and AI, 280 Rem, 280AI, 7mm Rem Mag).

For the short action and intermediate cartridges, a 20-22 inch 1:9 twist barrel. For a bullet, a 140 grain Accubond or 150 grain Partition would be hard to beat (I use the 140 ABs in my 7mm-08 and 7X57). You could step up to a 160 grain AB or 162 grain ELD-X if you needed a bit more punch.

For the long action cartridges, a 24" 1:9 twist barrel would be the ticket. Bullets for these would be the 160-175 grain offerings (I run 160 grain partitions in my .280).

The title confuses me a little. My favorite 7mm is 7mm-08. My favorite 30 caliber is 308 Win. I'm mainly a hunter so I prefer the 308 for ammo availability and flexibility in reloading. I can load from 110-200 grains. My preference would be a 1-10" twist with 20" threaded barrel. I would use mostly 165 grain bullets but I like the flexibility.

7 RM, 26" barrel, 9.25 twist, 160 accubond on game. Utterly predictable on game performance. 180's for distance. It's easy to load for and get shooting. Recoil is not too harsh. I have wanted to try a 280AI for some time but my experience with the 7RM is so favorable, it remains my favorite. I have a 300WM that I set up some years ago to shoot long range. It shoots pretty good. Full disclosure, when I push the heavies hard in the 300wm, recoil is beyond what I shoot comfortably. I recognize that for what it is. I already have some hearing loss, so I now avoid muzzle breaks.

That's why I'm inquiring. Ever since I started shooting/hunting with my 7mm RM, I haven't wanted anything else. I went to the 7mm from a .30-06 and immediately loved the flatter trajectory. And that was just with box store ammo. After more research, I'm just itching for a new something or other, but cant justify the means. My 7mm already does everything I ask it to as long as I do my part. And I'm not even shooting some nice precision/custom rifle set up. Just a savage 11 7mm rem mag with a Nikon 3x9-40 and have good groups out to 500-600.

Love my 7 Rem Mag, 18.5, 26", great muzzle brake with 180's at 3000 MV.

Really it will do anything I need it to. But, I will still be making a switch barrel to a 28 Nosler, with a 1:8. A 195 gr coming out north of 3000 MV is thr next step in 7mm.

JG, you gonna put a break on the 28 Nosler?

Of course. It's already loud, migh as well have reduced recoil to go with it. Keeping ear plugs around my neck, and outting them in as needed has never been a problem.

My suppressor is long and heavy, and I can't bear to chop a long action magnum below 26". Though, the 28 Nosler will probably be 28" to the crown.