Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Versatility - 6.5x55/9.3x62/.308/.30-06

Been thinking - all are versatile calibers. 20.5" barrel, plinking (cans, bottles, targets) and future hunting.

6.5x55
+ Reloader-happy, can drop mice and moose(with a good shot), very versatile, but only really useful between 100gr and 140gr.
+ Low-recoil for extended shooting

- Hard to find, more expensive.
- Limited selection of rifles carried in.
- No semi-auto's (exc. AG42)

9.3x62
+ Puts things on the ground. Hard.
+ Very versatile, drops all from deer to bear.
+ Widely used in Europe, wonderful all-around caliber.

- Puts small or recoil-sensitive shooters on the ground. Softly.
- EXPENSIVE.
- Also hard to find.
- Rainbow-Brite! (in terms of trajectory)

.308
+ Versatile caliber, 120gr-200gr ammo, .30 is THE caliber of American rifles.
+ Great range, consistent accuracy
+ Short-action, faster recock/rechamber.
+ Lighter, easier to carry
+ Found EVERYWHERE
+ Preferred round of barrels world-wide (in terms of longevity)
+ compatible with .223/5.56mm sabots

- Drops quicker than others
- Close to .30-06 recoil, for smaller round with less punch
- EVERYBODY has one, or makes a rifle for it.
- Short action. Doesn't give that nice, solid, long-throw feel of "I'm chambering a round that will put it on the ground."

.30-06
+ "Cover" is actually only "Concealment"
+ Guaranteed to put it on the ground.
+ VERSATILE as can be - 110gr varmint to 220gr Grizzly. Same shell, different bullet.
+ All-American ammo.
+ Found EVERYWHERE (including grandma's pantry! :P)
+ Not bad on the wallet, reload recipes everywhere.
+ Can work with .223/5.56mm sabots...

- Not a plinking round.
- Not your little sister's first-gun kind of round.
- Punchy, but not as flat-shooting.
- Not wise to put in a 6lb. field rifle...*winces*

Thoughts? Caliber choice for a CZ-550 Fullstock. Possibly wrong concepts in pros and cons here, correct as necessary. I do not preach these on a soap-box or as gospel. Correct as necessary, add/remove/suggest.