There is no ONE perfect caliber, for MLERS or for cartridge guns. Guns are tools. Would you ask if there is one perfect size Screw-driver? OR HAMMER??
Tools are made for the work they are needed to do. If you want to shoot small game, like squirrels, rabbits, and varmints to coyote size, a .32 or .36 caliber will serve you well. But plenty of shooters are equally comfortable using their .40 and .45 caliber rifles for those game animals.
Hunting regulations often limit the size caliber you can use to kill deer, but many deer have been killed with those same small caliber rifles. The Whitetail is the most widely available Big Game species to hunt in the United States. Only Turkey, and wild boar are spreading fast enough that they have become equally popular hunting game in many areas of the country, from coast to coast.
If you are in the west, shooting whitetails, antelope, Mule Deer and Elk, a .54 shines. But, again, a lot of those animals have been killed with lesser calibers. When you get into bear country, a .54 gives you some peace of mind, but no more so than carrying a .58, .62,.65,.59, or .75 caliber Mler. Generally speaking, you don't get a lot of shots at any game in wooded areas at 100 yard, or more, compared to what happens in mountain country, or on the high plains.
So, what you hunt, and where you hunt is going to determine what the " Best" choice of caliber gun you use.
Not much different than how you choose a screwdriver, is it??? :shocked2: :rotf: :surrender: :hmm: :thumbsup: