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.

At the beginning of each hunting season, I usually pick about three different rifles to hunt with that year just to rotate through the dozen I have to choose from. I don't have any safe queens so I hunt with them all.

One of my favorites is my 6.5x55 Swede. I got a couple of deer with it this year and frankly, for local hunting in the southeast, I could get by on that one cartridge alone. But since this a "worldwide" question, I probably need something with a little more power to round out the selection.

My first choice would probably be: 6.5x55, 9.3x62 & 458 Win Mag.

Another good option that I could get a lot of usage out of would be: 6.5x55, 300 HAM'R (my Wilson Combat AR-15) & 375 H&H. An all-around rifle, a semi-auto & a medium bore seems like a versatile assortment that would cover a lot of situations well.

Of course, other factors like ammo availability, whether a person reloads or not & the area they will be doing most of their hunting can always play a factor in a choice like this. But for the sake of this hypothetical question, I'm ignoring that & just selecting some of my favorite calibers I have in the gun safe. The fact that I had to throw my 7x57 & my 30-06 on the discard pile is the reason I don't hunt with three rifles. It's too painful to choose. Ask me this question on another day & you'll probably get a different answer.

Since you are talking about worldwide use then ammo needs to be considered even if you handload. For that reason I would choose the 375 H&H, 308 Win and 5.56. You can get ammo for all 3 anywhere in the world and you can hunt anything that walks with those 3.

I think the OP intended cartridges when he said "calibers", common error.

I'm an old guy by today's standards, but at 88 I still handload, shoot and hunt. And I've added a couple of new rifles in new chamberings over the last couple of years: a .35 Whelen (my third) and a .375 H&H (also my third). I took both bear hunting last year. But soon I'll be paring down as well.

In keeping three rifles with their chamberings (cartridges), the last to go would be my Ruger No.1H Tropical in .458 Winchester Magnum. Why? Because it's the most versatile cartridge I use. I have bullets from 250gr to 600gr. I don't shoot the heavies (600gr, 550gr, 500gr or 450gr at anywhere's near max these days. My rifle is Mag-na-ported and I aim to keep all loads under 40 ft-lbs recoil. But in this spring's bear hunt, the .458 is getting the nod with Federal factory 400gr TBBCs at an advertised 2250 fps - hope to be at the range tomorrow to verify that, along with my .375 H&H firing handloaded 250gr TTSX at ~ 2850 to 2900 fps.That will be my back up for the hunt, God willing.

So the three I'd keep to the end would be: 1) The Ruger No.1 in .458 (Can be loaded like a BP .45-70)
2) Either the 9.3 x 62 or .375 H&H (very versatile all-arround)
3) The .35 Whelen ( varmints to moose) Don't do groundhogs anymore, but do chase coyotes and wolves. Bullets from 180gr to 300gr Barnes Original. A do-it all single-shot.

I DO LIKE VERSATILITY in all of 'em without relying on each one for a specific task!

And of course, a couple of .22LRs (a semi and a bolt) and a 12ga slug gun.

Bob
www.bigbores.ca

22/250 bolt gun with three performance levels of loads for it and a .358 Winchester lever gun with two levels of loads.

Well here is my opinion… you’re jumping off too high! You need to jump off to a 4 rifle battery before a 3. 😂

I have different interests.
If I were to hunt the world , I would hunt the great arc of wild sheep. Not much interest in Africa.
I don't need to hunt Grizzlies anymore.

25/06 Browning B78
.270 wcf stainless mtn rifle / 700 or 70
30/06 Browning BLR / takedown- saddle rifle.
I would start with the Marco Polo and follow the arc.
A friend took a nice Ram at 18 000 ft. He said he could still hear his wife back home, if he listened hard.
His name is held back, for his safety.
Cheers

Pragmatic
223
30-06
375 H&H

My choice
22-250
270
375 H&H

I would prefer four:
22-250
270
338-06
416 Rem

CRS I concur with your choice of 4, right on

.22 LR and .308

Woodsman, the 300 Win Mag vs the 30-06 was the hardest choice.

The .358 Win and .35 Whelen are so damn good that is a hard choice also, but the .375 can do anything they can do, better.

If I could only have one, it would hands down be the 30 06.

I agree with CRS, imagine that, no surprise there.

I’m assuming Africa is in the mix.
375 hh
Rem 7 mm mag
223

280 Rem
300 Win Mag
375 H&H

If I could only own one rifle it would be a 308 Win

OP asked caliber not cartridge.

.223 (22 caliber)
.308 (30 caliber)
.375 (37 caliber)

Not sure if it was a question of caliber or chamber, but would dump the 375 H&H as most collect dust
if you’re not residing in Alaska, Canada or Africa. Same for the 450 BM, to me it’s not that useful and more of a novelty item. I’d rather carry a 44 Mag lever or a 444 Marlin or 45-70 lever loaded up or down. 450 BM is not a versatile chamber. I’d keep the 308 Win, it’s a pleasure to shoot, it is a versatile chamber shooting 110-200 grain loads and covers just about any hunting need. I’d get rid of the 06, not needed with a 308 Win in tow. I’d be inclined to rebarrel the 300 Win Mag to a 338 Win Mag, it covers a lot territory from 160-275 grain loads with power to spare. In a way it is a 300 Win Mag with better BC choices and with upper abilities close to the 375 H&H.

For three it would be:

22 ARC
308 Win
338 Win Mag

These three represent a rifle for any intention to hunt 50lbs game up through 2,000 lbs game, nothing else needed.

Apologies, meant cartridge.

6.5x55
30-06
375H&H

I thought the OP was referring to cartridges rather than literally meaning caliber.

For my uses, which don't include much varmint or predator hunting, I would pick:

6.5 Creedmoor
.30-06
.375 H&H

Agreed the .375 the least used, but a necessity for my favorite places to hunt. Granted, those trips are few and far between. As for the 450 Bushmaster, I am not sure it is a novelty for those states requiring straight wall cartridges. For me, it gives me the 45-70 performance I always wanted in the Savage 99 rifle but could not have. The 450 Bushmaster in the rebarreled Savage 99 may be the most useful hunting rifle I have ever had for local use and it is certainly the most fun. But that is based 100% on sentimental reasons as my family has been involved with the Savage 99 since they first came out and is the go to rifle. A Marlin Lever in 45-70 would be more practical for sure for the average person.

Handloading the 450 Bushmaster gives compelling options.

.224
.264
.308

I can’t get down to three just for deer, cut down some recently, still have a big safe full of rifles

The whole idea is revolting and retarded. Congratulations.

.22-250
.30-06
375 H&H

However, a 7mm-08 with the right bullet would probably work for anything. Especially in NA..

22-300RUM, 16" Threaded barrel (might suppress and don't want it to become "impractical")

B29, couse to kudu

585 Nyati, in case the wombats charge

[quote=Rossimp]Not sure if it was a question of caliber or chamber, but would dump the 375 H&H as most collect dust



While admittedly there’s not a lot of us…….but, some use it or one of it’s improved versions a great deal right here in the good ole USA.

It’s pretty difficult to beat it’s popularity in many countries were dangerous game is on the menu…..or the hunter may be! memtb

I would not want to have only 3 rifles for hunting so this is basically a theoretical exercise. But I guess it underlines that from a practical standpoint we really do not need a lot of different hunting rifles. Still, it's fun to have variety and I'm not giving any of them up at this point.

The 30-06 and .375 have effectively settled the middle and top end of the discussion. The question remaining is what to choose at the lower end for smaller game. I'll make a suggestion unpopular in the USA and say the .222 Remington. I admit that the .223 is "better" for most smaller game hunting purposes, but only if legal. My reason for suggesting the .222 instead is that the OP specified worldwide hunting.
I know my next hunting destination, Mozambique, does not allow current military cartridges to be used for hunting. So a .222 would be a better choice there for the tiny ten antelopes, small predators etc. The .222 is still very popular in Europe. Most European manufacturers chamber a rifle in .222 and ammunition is common there. I have used a .222 to hunt Roe deer in Germany for example. I believe that the .223 is still not allowed for hunting in France. In New Zealand the .222 is commonly used to hunt all kinds of critters.

.375
30-06
.222

All favourites of mine.

I wasn’t aware of that about the .222.

I almost bought one as my first centerfire varmint rifle back around ‘75…..a Heavy Barrel Remington. Sometimes still wish I had…..but my ex wife thought that paying the house note (or two) was more important. memtb

TAG

The 222 was the best cartridge design in my life time.

.257 Roberts
7mm Weatherby Magnum
.300 Weatherby Magnum

I'll play

223

6.5x55

9.3x62

243, 7mm MauMau , 375Wea

All-American: 223, 30-06, and 45-70.

The truth is, I have a whole bunch of rifles chambered with cartridges any one of which would have worked well on anything I’ve hunted on four continents. And I guess that’s true of my 375 H&H as well, but I consider it as best for special uses like Cape Buffalo.

World wide hunting?

.50 BMG
20 mm Vulcan
8” SP

um no ..
ain't going to happen


it took me a lot of years to collect all the toys I've got and I'm planning on keeping them
.😁

6mm Rem
30-06
375 H&H

Or, as the sales pitch went, "375 H&H Magnum, One Planet, One Rifle."

Close same except I’d keep 4.
.223AI Montana
7-08AI Montana
.30-06 Montana
.35whelenAI REM 700

Oh hell no!

If you are answering the OPs question, as he refers to "worldwide", then I guess Alaska, Canada and Africa would qualify.

Hence so many with the 375 HH on their list.

.22LR, .22WMR, 20 GA, 12 GA,
WOLDWIDE CF; .223, .30-06, .375 H&H, APART FROM AFRICA, THE 3RD WOULD BE MY .338.

.22LR, .22WMR, 20 GA, 12 GA,
WOLDWIDE CF; .223, .30-06, .375 H&H, APART FROM AFRICA, THE 3RD WOULD BE MY .338.

‘Hunting the World’ for some, means hunting where they live, as that’s their world, and some of the suggestions here reflect that sentiment. If the question means, ‘That would allow a hunter to hunt anywhere in the world’, that is a different matter. I assume the question meant the latter. As I hunt America & Africa, I think the best choice for me would be:

458 Lott
375 H&H
30-06

This ammo can also be found anywhere in Africa. The 30-06 covers about 90% of hunting in both continents, including all ungulates, and can be used for bears, etc. The 375 may be appreciated more than the ‘06 for the biggest bears, and some DG in Africa. It is also the legal minimum for DG in most African countries. The 458 Lott is my stopping rifle, and can shoot 458WM as well, so it solves many ammo issues.

Having said all of that, my favorite 3-rifle battery is:

404 Jeffery
9.3x62
275 Rigby (or 7mm RM)

If hunting countries with a lot of woodlands like Zambia or Zim, I choose the 275 Rigby. If hunting more open country like South Africa or Namibia, I choose the 7mm RM.

And lastly, I need a .223 Rem. for all of my range practice with cheap ammo, in all hunting positions away from the bench. I bought a ton of this ammo (PMC) when Cabela’s was selling it for $6/box. I start each range session shooting a box in all positions, before I work up to the medium, and finish with the big bore. I don’t hunt with a .223 (I could!), so my original (3) still work as a 3-rifle hunting battery.

My world is pretty small. It's unlikely I'll ever hunt off of this continent.

.22 mag
7mm-08
.338-06

I guess I could get by with my 222Rem., 6.5x55 and 9.3x62 for the simple answer.

I could substitute the 6.5x55 for my 7x64 or 30-06 pretty easily.

StarchedCover

I’m a “67 rifles to hunt the world” kinda guy.

Yup. It just makes me want to buy more firearms chambered for different cartridges.

I'd be on anxiety meds trying to cut back to three .308s

.22 Long Rifle, .30-06 and .375 H&H

what!!!!! give up my rifles!!!!!!!!!! get the hell outta my yard, you commie!!!!!

Hard to choose......

Practical choice would be

223
30-06
375 H&H

My preferred choice would be

6.5x55 Swede
8X57 JS
9.3x62

Perhaps throw the 7x57 into the mix somewhere.

Hi,

1-Any standard 270/7mm-.30"-8mm.
2-9,3x62 or 375 H&H
3-458 Winchester.

A good .22LR and 12 bore are a must!!

Good luck

PH

A key consideration to me is ALL the rifles must have as close as possible identical configuration.

Best!

PH

Sounds boring

Hi moosemike,

Yes, indeed! I like ALL my rifles configured as close as identical. I don´t like to "adapt" or "think" about the bolt handle and safety position, the balance (not the weight itself) and so...

I'm 72 and every time I try to downsize I wind up with more guns. Sell one, and I end up buying two a month later. I think I have a problem!

My 3 cartridges would be:
223 Remington
30-06 Springfield
375 Holland & Holland Magnum

Hey, you stole my list! LOL!

Can I add a 22 rimfire?

Guy

Giving a bit of thought to this question a few things come to mine.

Anyone that can hunt all over the world can afford a lot more then 3 rifles, so the only reason for such a limitation is compactness linked to versatility. The cost of 1 airplane ticket round trip to an area 12 time zones away + the cost of the hunt and trophy fees is far more then several other guns. But if a globe trotter wanted to keep only 3 rifles for his travel kit because of compactness such a self imposed limit might make some sense.

So if I had unlimited money and time, and wanted to travel around the big ball to hunt, but only carry one case full of guns (with 3 inside) I'd choose the 22 long rifle, the 270 Winchester and the 375H&H.

My reasoning is as follows;

The 22 LR is super useful for many types of small game and birds, and ammo is easier to find all over the world than many other cartridges. My gun of choice would be a Marlin M39 because it can be taken down easily and fit into the case with a bit more compactness. The M39 is very accurate and holds 17 rounds of Long rifle ammo, but also feeds shorts as well.

The 270 and the 375H&H would both be made on either Winchester M70 Controlled feed actions or Mauser 98 pattern actions and both would be take down rifles.

My choice for a "ONE size fits almost-all" is and has always been a 30-06, but because I can have 3 rifles in this scenario, I choose the 270. My reasoning is that I have killed many elk with 270s and about 3/4 as many with 30-06s and for elk size game, despite the numbers on paper, I have not seen any advantage of the 30-06 over the 270s given good bullets used in both. If I were to go to a larger size animal I suspect I may start to see a difference, but up to 900 pounds of so, the 270 has shown me outstanding results for over 50 years and it lends itself a bit better to pest and varmint/ pest-predators then the 30-06. Because I have a 375H&H in the set I'd use that one any game over what I felt was maxed out with the 270. So again thinking about covering the most bases with only 3 rifles I would place the 270 as my general purpose hunting rifle. For moose buffalo and pachyderms the 375H&H is all the rifle you'd need for HUNTING. For back-up (for guiding other hunters who may not make the 1st shot as perfectly as they should) I'd want a 458 or something in that range, but for my own use the 375H&H is as good a weapon as I could ever desire, again given my choice of bullets. And like the 22 and the 270, the ammo is easier to find on "other places" than many cartridges we may have available in the USA, but when a long way from the USA such a consideration might be important.

So 3 rounds in 3 specific rifles for me it would be the Marlin M39 and 2 take down bolt actions, one 270 and one 375.

Since most of my "serious" hunting is in Africa, and if I was forced to choose three.

338 Winchester
375 H&H
416 Rem

A lot of overlap in that list but I could live with it.

The OP spotted everyone a .22 LR & a shotgun gratis in the original post so you're already covered. 👍

My issue as the OP is that I am moving from the country to a townhouse in the city. Downsizing is the only option I have and the other firearms I own, I shoot a lot more than the hunting rifles, and I need room for them also as well as downsized reloading gear. Ten years ago I would have opposed a thread like this.

In the 90's my PH for South Africa told me all I needed for the world is the 30 06 and the .375 H&H and that has stuck with me. But instead of the .375 H&H I have switched to the 375 Ruger because it feeds and functions perfectly in a standard length Mauser action.

It does indeed look like there is a loose consensus on the 30-06 and .375.

270 Win
300 Win
416 Rem

Although i would be happy with a

7mm08
300 Win
9.3x62

…and you need a 22LR for plinking & a 17HMR for tree rats.

A 30-06 and a 375 are a great combo that cover a lot of situations well. They may not always be the optimal choice in every situation but rarely can they be described as a bad one. If ammo availability is a priority, then definitely a solid selection. Having said that, I chose a 9.3x62 as my "middle" rifle so I kind of split the difference for the sake of this particular exercise.



.

Buy a Blaser R8.
If I had the money to hunt the world I sure wouldn’t be concerned with limiting the number of guns I own.

I've only been doing three anymore. 30-30, 30-06, and 45-70

.243 Win. (dual purpose as varmint and light big game)
280 AI
One of the 375s or 416s

7mm-08: 90% of hunting
.30-06: elk, exotics, dangerous game
6.5 PRC: ranges past 400

Easy peasy:

#1. 270 Win or a 7mm of some sort moving a 1303100 to a 1502875 22” bbl

#2 375 H&H

#3 open space

The more I hunt, the fewer rifles I want.

Before I had the time and funds to go hunting, I spent a lot of time and energy buying rifles, reloading, and experimenting. I should have gotten a part-time job and invested my earnings.

First off, I confess that I do not have world-wide experience. So, for what it is worth, I will offer some "arm-chair" suggestions:

.375 Ruger or H&H
.30-06 Springfield
.223 Remington

Having said that, depending on what you want to hunt, you may also want to include a 7mm-08 Remington. For your particular needs, a 7-08 could take the place of the .223 and maybe overlap some on the .30-06. Of these, I would say the .30-06 is the most practical overall.

This was not in the original question, but I would like to add that the most versatile firearm in existence is either a pump or semi-automatic 12 ga. 3" or 3.5" shotgun with a smoothbore barrel with changeable chokes and a second scoped rifled slug barrel. This can be used for anything from snakes to game birds, varmints, squirrels, deer, rabbits, coyotes, crazed zombies, elk (up to about 120 yds), medium sized bear, etc. No, it is not the perfect gun for every range and every game, but by far it is the most versatile tool for hunting and defense that I know of. Obviously, not suitable for cape buffalo at any distance or antelope at 250 yards, but you get the idea.

for my world:

easy button:

.223 rem
.308 win
.338 win mag

style points:

6x45
7mm-08
.338 fed

old school:

22 hornet
250-3000
300 sav

I like your posts.
Experimenting is almost cultish these days, I am in the cult.
Hunting hard makes you a better hunter, not a brain full of data.

This picture puts a big smile on my face. In many ways the 9.3 x 62 or 35 Whelen makes a lot of sense.

I have a small fraction of the hunting experience you guys have and am coming around to this conclusion myself.
Currently I have 8-10 "deer appropriate" rifles, at least half of those could extend to moose/bear. Downsizing could net me a safari.

As to the OP's subject, others have mentioned it but a Blaser R8 or Sauer 404 with multiple barrels would fill the bill with compactness and class.

If I went that route (and had the $$$) a barrel each in 6.5CM/7mm08, 270/30-06, 375HH/Ruger.

Nice

This is a viable and solid option I considered and may possibly be the ultimate solution for many. Definitely the most practical solution in terms of compactness and modularity.

The main reason I did not go this route is if you had a major malfunction in the receiver assembly or broke the stock, you would be SOL. Highly unlikely, but still a risk. With a matched set of rifles, you have a complete back up with parts interchangeability giving you options.

On page 1 of this thread, I asked:


My question still stands. If you're going truly worldwide, there are all sorts of considerations on what's going to fly in a given country for particular game. The military round prohibition is just one of them.

I remember being told on this very forum that 35 Whelen was not as good a choice for international hunting over 9.3X62, because 35 Whelen was derived from a military cartridge. I don't know. I've never tried to send firearms out of the country to hunt. I don't know where that would leave 45-70 in this discussion. as well as things like 308 WIN, 30-06 and 7X57 Mauser.

I'd also be interested in how the energy-related specifications of some countries change all this. I know there are minimum restrictions on caliber and Ft/Lbs. Are there restrictions that say "this round is too much for this sized game?"