cycleguy2300
TGT Addict
Well since you want versatility and with the parameters mentioned go with .308. You can get the ammo most anywhere with a wide variety of cartridges. Two guns, then I would go with .223 or .243 or 22/250 for the varmints. Going big depends on you taste for recoil. A .308 or 30-06 will take down an Elk. However a .300WM will reliably take down an elk at 400 or even up to 600 yards, plus it gets you into the moose category. Then you get into ammo availability type calibers such as your Weatherby's (which are mucho expensive), the larger calibers like a .338 WM and most of the short magnum calibers.
You can do everything a .223 or a 308 can do with 6.5 grendel and do it better. The 308 has a bit more muzzle energy, but energy is not anywhere close the the whole story...
It is also perfectly capable of taking elk reliably at moderate distances.
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