Not an over thought question I know that there an overabundance over variables but...
"best hunting" really doesn't say much. need more specific info like what kind of game, expected range, how the shooter handles recoil, wide open or brush choked terrain etc. they are all excellent calibers and in a certain specific situation all could be the best choice for someone.plus you left out the 243, 25-06, 7mm08 and shotgun. if I could only have 2 for any and all game it would be shotgun and 30-06.
Personally, I am not a huge fan of toting around multiple rifles so I try and have as versatile a caliber as possible. For example my .35 is great in the brush but a long range mule deer is going to pose problems (at least for me) My .308 is good all around but weighs a ton and is difficult to get back into the brush. I am just looking for opinions on a versatile caliber that the ballistics will allow to shoot 400-450 midwest shots but is controllable enough for floridas terrain.
PS I love my .35 and threw it in cause I saw your post about them nacho
my .308 does it all for me...but I just got a mini 30, 7.62x39 so will use it for 150 and less, consider it my 30-30 auto loader.
" versatility" imo would have to go to the 06 hands down for availability of different loads, both storebought and handloads and the different tyes of weapons it is made in.over the years I have come to the conclusion that there is no such thing as one gun does all. thats how you end up with 20 + rifles for deer hunting and still NEED more LOL. fisherman don't have 1 rod and reel and golfers don't have 1 club, so why should hunters. the 35 I would put right next to the 30-30 which wasn't on the list either, all have a following. 308's and 7mm08's I prefer in a short bbl bolt carbine light wt with a low power variable scope and are good 0-2-300yds
