30-06 was my all around caliber 150 grain deer 180 grain elk

Now I'm a 243 100 grain user!!! I hunt deer and hogs and haven't lost anything in the last 10 years

Have a brand new 30-06 in the safe that I'm planning on setting up for my first elk hunt, shooting 180 grain Accubonds.

Have killed more animals with a 243 than all other calibers combined. Ain't nothing wrong with a 243, it works.

On that note....I also have a brand new Tikka 243 in the safe that I'd like to make a 7mm-08. My Dad RIP was in the process of restoring & building me a 7mm-08 for Christmas YEARS ago before his number got called. I've never owned or shot a 7mm-08 in my life, but he sure did brag on it (he was a hobby gunsmith/reloader/collector).

I feel like I need a 7mm-08 in my life soon, may need to reach out to a few folks on here for advice to get it done.

JG, Judd, and others come to mind.....

Could have done that with a 243.

I hate that I feel like I'm cheating on my 243 or 25-06, but variety is the spice of life. Or so they say......

My 22-250 will be in the truck next weekend. Faithful gal.

Two ways to consider the question IMO. That is, what's most popular now and what's been popular through the years. While the 6.5 CM is perhaps the "hottest" in terms of current popularity, the 30-06 has a very longstanding reputation for filling the ice chests of Texas hunters.

Ironically, I passed up the 30-06 for a .270 as my first deer rifle and have never gotten around to buying one.

ditto

Me too. Got the .223, .243, 6.8, .308, 30-06... just missing the 7mm-08. Granted, there's some overlap in the stable, but who couldn't use a laser-beaming 7mm-08?

I am going to put together a 7mm-08 and hunt with it, but honestly I just don't see it outperforming my 25-06 for my current hunting purposes. Damn thing is a lazer beam and puts some big holes in critters if I do my part.

Always open to learn though. I've killed a lot of animals in my life, but have never taken a shot over 300 yrds. Almost all were under 175, most under 125.

Jason got me hooked on the 280AI - it’s my go to rifle, now. However, I love shooting my 7-08AI as well! 280AI is heavy, so if I’m doing a ton of walking, the 7-08AI is much lighter.

Was a 30-06 man before these two calibers, and I would never hesitate to use my old 30-06 anytime I needed to.

7-08. followed closely by the 6.5CM.

My favorite caliber is 300 win Mag. Use it for everything in texas. But I am very comfortable with the rifle and shoot it very well. These kinda dissussions are interesting. Some people have invested there entire self worth into what caliber they shoot.

I’d say the rifle design is more situational than the chambering. One cartridge isn’t a big deal, but one rifle certainly is.

243 for me

I really like the .270. My wife and kids got me one a few years back and It's all I use now. From 25 to 325 yards there is no need to adjust. Beyond that I have a tripod and custom turrets. Just hope I get a chance to shoot it this year.

I'm an awful big fan of the 7mm-08, so will have to cast my vote there.

That will pretty well cover all the native New World species and most exotics except hippo, and elephant. I don't know of any ranches that allow for rhino or giraffe hunting, but it probably would not be great for those either, but could work.

The guys over at 65Grendel.com have a running list of things killed with 6.5 Grendel (see updated list @ post 407 https://www.65grendel.com/forum/sho...ot-survey/page21&highlight=kill+list ). It includes all the native game of Texas plus a goodly bit of the exotics. I don't know that including exotics is valid because we could have just about any game animal in the world in Texas and so if you include exotics, then it really isn't a Texas thing, but a world thing. The Grendel list includes all the big North American game except grizzly, brown, polar bears and mountain goats (but they are in the range of deer, so should be no problem).

So, I would say most medium calibers would probably work just fine for Texas as well.

Make me choose only one thing to tote from now on. 7mm-08 is the answer. It does everything well.

But my pick for the masses is .308 Win

Millions of pieces of brass available. Always 30 cal bullets available. Chambered in bolt actions, and ARs and Savage 99's. It is "hardware store" ammo if need be. It will kill anything big enough to die, if you're close enough, and if you're a real shooter.

It can shoot past the thousand yard mark supersonic.

I would condidently hunt anything in this state with a 308 Win as long as I get to use handloaded ammo so I can adjust the bullet to the game.

20” CTR in .308 will do just nearly everything you’d like in one Texas gun. Heavy enough barrel to shoot strings, not too heavy to carry, threaded for brake or suppressor, can carry 10 rds, long enough mag to hold any bullet.

This. Plus you can shoot everything from 110s to 185s.

There are so many good choices quarter bore and above. Pick your favorite...including the 6.5 creedmoor.

My trusty 30.06

For the last 30 years, around the world, it has been my 7 Rem Mag with 160 gr Barnes TSX or TTSX

I'd pick the 270. I'm sure there are plenty of others that would work just fine too.