Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Downsizing, choose 3 Cartridges for Worldwide hunting

Like many of us here, getting up in years and downsizing. I have decided to limit myself to three hunting calibers.
Dumping the .308, .300 Win mag, and other calibers I rarely use. Keeping the .375, 30-06, and 450 Bushmaster. The .375 because I believe I'll be able to make it back to South Africa at least one more time and for sure Canada and Alaska. Keeping the 30-06 which has served me well especially in Africa as my back up rifle when my main rifle was dropped and the scoped smashed. An the 450 Bushmaster for a brush, woods, and truck gun, which is currently most of my hunting. Shotguns and .22 lr are exempt from this choice.

Before I start selling rifles. I would like your opinion on what you would consider your go-to 3 caliber world hunting battery.

Hmm.

223
7mm08
300 win mag

But in real life use, 243 and 6.5x55 is 99 percent of anything I do.

I would pick 223, 30-06 and 375 H&H for the world.

It's hard to beat these 3 if you include African hunting.

I refuse to play this game.

22-250, 270 win, 338 win mag

* 22 LR - small game, practice ** popular worldwide

*223 Rem. - small game, can be pressed into use on small big game ** popular worldwide, military round

* .375 AI - can be used on all big game, easily effective to 600+ yards…..with cast bullets can be used on small game, varmints, and small big game. ** Very effective on all big game, popular worldwide in H&H, ammunition and components generally available, legal for big 5 in most African Countries

memtb

223, 300 Win Mag, 375 H&H

Ah yes, the old "three rifles to hunt the world" thread. It has a long history here and crops up every couple years.

One example: https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/3151870/1

The 30-06 and 375H&H are about perfect for your purposes.

I can’t decide on the smaller caliber. I’m not convinced the 223 is the best choice.

Of all the military-spawned cartridges: Aren't these illegal to carry into some countries?

243, 30-06, 375 H&H

Good combo

Also great choices.

I am assuming since OP said calibers he did not mean shotguns

.264 (6.5mm), 308 (30 cal) and a .375 cal with several cartridges in each caliber.

You will need to be well stocked on ammo / reloading components for 450 bushmaster; hard to find during shortages.

375HH and 30-06 are solid choices.

223
270/30-06 Either or. There pretty much the same thing
375 H&H

I like vahunter’s answer.

But I’d think for me: .224, 7mm (or .308), .375 (or .358) calibers with more than several cartridges in each caliber. I’d likely be satisfied with maybe only 30 - 60 or more different cartridges.

Hard to choose the 7mm and the 30 caliber calibers and I’d really miss the 25’s, the 24’s, the 27’s, the 44’s, the 45’s. I’d like to keep the 32’s, the 8mm’s, I’m just getting started on the 348 and I’m thinking a .366 is in my future, maybe a 6.5mm again too.
I’d probably shoot more cast than jacketed in the bigger calibers. Pretty sure that going to the dark continent isn’t in my future.

I’m surprised that the 27’s didn’t make a better showing so far for the favorites.

Nope I think 3 calibers wouldn’t be sufficient.

I love these type of post. I have often contemplated doing a 3-4 gun set and keeping things simple. Have made progress toward it at points, but the n I see something I “need” and we know how that goes….

Here’s that I would role with for hunting the world (and currently have), minus varmints as I just don’t do it much anymore. Some overall, but I think that beneficial in case one goes down mid hunt.

270win: whitetails to Elk, moderate recoil and cheap components

300win: for flinging 180-210grains bullets out far. Load down as needed if horsepower is not required.

35 whelen: loaded with heavies for brownies and African game. Not always legal in some countries for dangerous game, which I acknowledge could be a knock against it.

But your choices are excellent. I’d personally go 350 legend over the 450 bushmaster unless you really need the extra power. Lower recoil and cheaper ammo, still kills things nicely out to 175/200yds.

223 on the low end, 375 H&H on the high end are easy picks due to ammo availability. Most small shops I've been to have both 30-06 and 300 Winchester magnum, so that's kind of a toss up. I like hot rods but there's something just utterly efficient and totally practical about the 30-06 that cannot be denied.