I know I could not live with only one big game rifle for all of North America, but were I forced to I'd probably opt for a .308 Win with a 22" barrel. I own such a configured Featherweight that I bought as a backpacking rifle. I did a lot of research prior to buying it. It seems like with .308 caliber rifles for mule deer 165 grain projectiles are most often used. Further, most shots are well under 350 yards, about point blank range for the .308 Winchester. Moreover, this caliber is accurate beyond belief. The recoil is light, and the cartridge is the definition of efficient. To make a long story short, this rifle has become my primary hunting rifle even when not backpacking. And with 180 grain bullets it is entirely suitable for bigger ungulates. Also, I hunt where big bears roam and I have never, ever felt inadequate should I have had to defend myself with the .308 Win.
BTW, with Light Magnum 165 grain rounds, my rifle chronographs better than 2900 FPS.
How could I go wrong...???
M
