Target/hunting balance

Now that hunting discussions have been allowed just a little bit, what caliber and characteristics in a rifle would provide a good balance for target shooting for fun and friendly competition up to 1000 yards as well as hunting medium game up to elk at ethical distances? Is 6.5 Creedmoor in a 10 pound rifle the ticket, or a little more zip, like a 6.5 PRC? Other calibers? What magnification range for a scope? First or second focal plane? Suppressor? Trigger pull force? Rifle weight?