Well, if the big bears are included, then there is a wonderful article in the March issue of RIFLE on the choices of grizzly guide Ed Stevenson, an Alaskan with 40 years of experience. He likes the 411 Hawk, 375 Hawk/Scovill, 348 Winchester, 350 Rem Mag, 45-70, 35 Whelen, and 375 Holland. He likes lever actions and he is not impressed with the 338's and 300's.
For the coldest months, he might use a 7 Rem Mag for wolves, and foregoes the levergun as the receivers are too cold in subzero weather.
This was another RIFLE issue that was superb. Oh, and writer Al Miller does not care for the 270 WSM in and it's ilk. They recoil too much. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
I think you have to eliminate the big bears for a meaningful answer unless the person answering is an Alaskan resident that might encounter grizzlies alot. I would feel foolish shooting a squirrel or a pronghorn with a 340 Weatherby that I needed for big bear and I would be terrified with a 25-06 facing a grizzly w/o back up, but that is just me.
7 x 57 Ackley for the lower 48.
