The 90% rifle

[Tundra Tiger]

Because you specified North America, I have a winner (for me): my Marlin MXLR in .338 Markin Express. It hits on every single criterion you listed. Every one. I have also used it to great effect on PG in Africa. Oh, and I live in SW Alaska so I know how it does up here.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

No rifle can be 100% just too much size difference between squirrels and moose. Any good centerfire from 26-30 is probably a 90% rifle. I doubt many people would want to hunt groundhogs and coyotes with a 375, and I feel fine using a 270 for elk.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

No rifle can be 100% just too much size difference between squirrels and moose. Any good centerfire from 26-30 is probably a 90% rifle. I doubt many people would want to hunt groundhogs and coyotes with a 375, and I feel fine using a 270 for elk.

My bad: I was meaning 100% for NA big game.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

My bad: I was meaning 100% for NA big game.

Gotcha!

 

[coreydb]

I have a bunch of 90%ers.....and I'm not done yet Seriously, recommend first criteria should include a common caliber for the US and Canada. Any .30cal - .375 HH can be hand loaded light to hot to fill the bill. If you want to go European, 8mm or 9.3x62 - 9,3x74R.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Gotcha!

The red squirrels up here? It'd work - honest! Just don't expect a meal or a nice piece of taxidermy after.

 

[Northern Shooter]

If talking NA big game I think the 338WM is just about the perfect choice.

Can be loaded 165gr to 300gr capable of taking anything from pronghorn to polar bear and bison.

165gr-210gr for thin skinned deer species.

Relatively flat shooting and suitable out to 400m+ with 225-230gr projectiles has all your mountain game covered. Elk, Caribou, Sheep & Goat.

250gr+ projectiles for the close up work on big bears, moose and bison.

Ammo is easy to come by and not as prohibitively priced compared to larger magnum cartridges.