[Brian Williams]

Not counting a 22lr what 4 cartridges would you have to cover every situation you might encounter.

223
7mm-08
243
45/70

every one should have at least a 22lr

[Chris Rhines]

.22LR
.308 Winchester

(Honestly, I bet I could get by with just those two...)

.50 BMG

Man, I just can't decide on the last one. .223? .416 Rigby? .45/70? Something else? Arrrghhh...

Edit - Duh, I'm stupid. Forgot that the .22LR is a freebie.

.223 Remington
.308 Winchester
.416 Rigby
.50 BMG

- Chris

[cool45auto]

I'd have to go with all I've got right now: 7.62x39

I know, pretty sad, but I'm getting ready to add on!

[TallPine]

Why 4? Why not 1 or 2 or 3 or 9 or 13 or whatever ... ?

That said, how can anyone NOT have at least one decent 22 rifle?

[Soap]

.22LR
.223
.308 Winchester
.458 Lott
.50 BMG

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

.223
.308----or .30-06
7.62x39
.375 H & H-----or .338

[Preacherman]

Interesting question. Four cartridges is probably one more than necessary, given that you're excluding the .22LR from the four. My choices:

LIGHT: .223 Rem./5.56mm. NATO - for self-defence rifles and varminting, if necessary;

MEDIUM: .308 Win./7.62mm. NATO, or .30-'06 - for general purpose use, hunting, defence at longer ranges, etc.

HEAVY: .375 H&H or .416 Rigby/Remington - for the big stuff (probably go for the .375, because ammo. is more freely available). If necessary, I could go for the .45-70 with a really stout round like the Garrett Hammerhead, in a long barrel like the 26" Marlin.

I wouldn't have a fourth choice, as .22LR would do it for me. If you absolutely insist on a fourth choice, I guess I'd go for something for REALLY long-range use (this would be for target and sniping work), probably in the .338 Lapua range, or perhaps .50 BMG. However, this would not be used much...

[Bostonterrier97]

22 LR
45 Long Colt ( I am assuming you are also including handguns...)
303 British (30-06 is more widely available...but in 3rd world countries it is easier to find 303..I almost chose 7.62x39mm..but I like Enfields)

375 H&H Magnum

[cratz2]

To break it down, I figure you need something cheap cheap cheap to shoot, a 22lr, then you need something for general hunting - anything from a 243 up to a 30-06, personally I like the .25-06, 6.5x55 or .270. If I could only have one rifle period, it'd be the .270 but with 4, I'd take the 25-06. Then you need a heavy reasonably long range capable gun. Right now, I have a 243 and 308. If I shot a lot of varmints, I'd probably lean towards the 243 but since I'm more of a paper killer, I'd go for the 6.5x284. Lastly, I guess you'd need a gun that works well in heavy cover and that can take 'any big game in North America' as the gun rags love to say. I'd take a 45-70. Load it hot or load it weak. Very versatile. So:

22LR Cooper with a S&B L3 3-12x50
25-06 or 6.5x55 Blazer with S&B L3 1.5-6x42
Sako Actioned Heavy Barrel 6.5x284 with S&B Police 4-16x50
Marlin non-ported Guide Gun in 45-70 S&B 1.5-4x20 and see through rings

Come to think of it, I'd be willig to trade all my rifles for these four.

[dakotasin]

7 rem mag
7 rem mag
7-08
338 rem ultra mag.

[Mike Irwin]

I can do it in 3 cartridges...

.243

.30-06

.375 H&H

[Ian]

.223
.303 Brit (I can't "do everything" if I can't play with my Enfield :))
.308
.50 BMG

[SquirrelNuts]

I'll play too.

.223
7.62x39
.30-06
.375 H&H Mag

-SquirrelNuts

[Smoke]

hmmmmm.....

Okay it must "cover every situation you might encounter".

So I'd like readily available ammo.

.223
.308.
.45/70
.50 bmg

If I can choose slightly more obscure ammo:

.22-250
.300 WSM
.405 Winchester
.50 bmg (how'd that get in here again?)

[thumbtack]

I will play.

.223
30.06
7.62x39
.50 BMG

[Shooter973]

223 in a good semi auto rifle, 30-06 in a good bolt rifle, 12 ga. in a good pump shotgun and 357 mag in a Ruger revolver. That would cover about anything I'll ever meet! :D :scrutiny:

[Freightman]

6.5x55
8 mm
7.62x54 r
7.62x39
This is because this is what I have right now.

[Dorrin79]

hmm...

I'd only need 2

7.62x39 (you could sub .223 for this if you prefer the AR to the AK/SKS)

and 8mm Mauser (sub .308 Win, .30-06 depending on the platform)

that gives you a cheap plinker that is suitable for varminting and self-defense, and a powerful rifle suitable for any game in the lower 48

If I had to take a 3rd it would probably be .30-30, in a Marlin 336, as a dedicated deer carbine.

[priv8ter]

I see things like this:

.25-06...high speed/low drag long range bolt gun

.308 Winchester(want to say -06, but it's getting harder to come buy cheaply)

.375 H&H, which it seems like everyone wants...

Then, .357 Magnum for my lever action and revoler combo.

[BigG]

.223, .308, .375 H&H, .458 Win Mag.

At least two could be left off and you'd still ahve a decent battery.

[scotjute]

.375 H&H : moose/elk to elephant, black bear to Kodiak/tiger, SHTF
6.5 x 55 : coyotes to black bear, deer to elk, SHTF
.223 : foxes to coyotes, SHTF

12 gage : birds to bear, SHTF

[foghornl]

The .22LR, just because you might have to fend off a marauding rabbit or squirrel

Centerfire .22 .222/.223/22-250/220Swift, etc pick a calibre

.30-30 for up to 150 Yds in a Marlin Lever gun

.30-06 in my favorite platform US Rifle Cal 30 M1 AKA The Garand [the AT&T Rifle...reach out and touch someone]

.45-70 or .444 again in a Marlin Lever Gun

[FAL_Freak]

My choices are:

.223
.308
.338 Lapua
And since this is rifle contry I assume we aren't counting shotguns, so.
7.62x39 (gotta play with my Soviet type stuff)

If shotguns are included then replace 7.62x39 with 12 guage shells. And lots of them! :D

[4v50 Gary]

.223 because I have plenty of them & guns
.308 because I have plenty of them & guns
30-06 because I have plenty of them & guns
45-70 because I have a some and a couple of guns

Did I mention that I have a bias for military cartridges? If it's good enough for Custer, no forget it.

[DMK]

I'm with Chris on that first reply If you have 22LR and .308, why do you "need" anything else? :confused:

OK, throw in .223 for varmints and it's flat trajectory.

I still want to keep the 12 gauge though. ;)

[jimbo]

.243
.30-30
7mm Rem. Magnum (or perhaps 70 WSM)
.45-70

(Am I the only one to include .30-30?)

[Moparmike]

That said, how can anyone NOT have at least one decent 22 rifle?Well, getting a .22lr rifle isnt important "right off the bat" to some of us. Like me.

Ok, with 22 taken out of it...

.223
8mm
12ga
10mm

If I had to work really long range, replace the 8mm with a .50bmg. If all else fails, replace 10mm with "Holy Handgrenade of Antioch." Pesky rabbits with their sharp pointy teeth.:D :D :p :rolleyes: :scrutiny:

[Slingster]

Since .22LR is a given, my other four would be:

.223 Rem/5.56 NATO
.308 Win/7.62 NATO
.375 H&H
.458 Win Mag

I believe in having the most common military rifle cartridges as part of a basic arsenal, hence the choices of .223 and .308 for the varmint and light rifle classes, covering bullet weights from 40 grains up to 200 or 220 grains. The .375 H&H with 225-grain to 300-grain loads is the most versatile medium. Finally, while the .458 Lott is the better dangerous game stopper and therefore better suited for a PH, the .458 Win Mag with 400 to 500-grain bullets is much more likely to be available and is more than adequate for the hunter. It can also be loaded down to .45-70 levels for smaller big game with 300 to 350-grain bullets.

[BigG]

Hey Eric, looks like you and me go to the same church. :) BTW, I'm really enjoying that .376 Steyr Scout. Would like to get the .308 version someday. :cool:

[Med 10]

308
22mag
12G
7.62x39---fun guns


Since this is a rifle thread I did not list any handgun rounds but I would want to have plenty of 45acp for my carry gun.

[OEF_VET]

5.56
7.62x39
.308
7.62x54R

Between those four, I should be able to take care of any situation that might arise. Also, no matter where I went, I shouldn't have a problem finding at least one or two of them.

[Jick42]

Freebie = .22lr (Squirrel, Rabbits. and any other relatively small game)

Shotgun = 12 gauge (Turkey, Quail, Pheasant, depending on where i am)

Light Rifle = .243 (Small Varmints)

Medium Rifle = .308 (Medium sized game, with extended distance capabilities)

Heavy Rifle = 45/70 (It would be neat to say .50BMG, but for practical purposes, i guess i would have to stick with the 45/70)

[W Turner]

The good thing about this is that you didn't restrict the number of rifles........

.223- ar15 for anti personnel use and bolt gun for long range varmint work

.308- HK G3 for anti-personnel and bolt gun for long range work

.45/70- Ruger No. 1......got to have a classic in there somewhere

.375 H&H mag- for the North Alabama subspecies of ragin' elephants..


Mino

[12-34hom]

My three choices.

243 Ackley Improved.

300 Winchester Mag.

378 Weatherby Mag.

12-34hom.

[RustyHammer]

.223
7.62x39
30.06 -- .308
30/30

(and, of course, the .22 you tossed in for "free")

[Dave R]

I'm with the "3 is enough" crowd.

.223--light
.308--medium
.45-70, or .416, or some other heavy.

[Surely]

OK here is my list if cost is no barrier and I have to live/survive off these guns.

.17 HMR = every bit as good as a 22lr with extended range and accuracy

.243 win = great all around cartridge for varmint and up to medium sized deer etc.

338 winmag = good midsized / large game hunting and protection round, can load them down to like 180 grain and all the way up to 300 grain.

50 BMG = Not really a hunting round but good for scaring off them pesky Canadians. :)

[Feanaro]

.45ACP for when you have to "reach out and touch someone" up close.

7.62x51 for medium game and those pesky aggressive bipeds.

.338 Winchester Magnum, for really big game and long range work.

If I really need another, 12 gauge or maybe 7.62x39.

[Dionysusigma]

.308
7.62 x 39
7.62 x 54R
.50 BMG

[Mannlicher]

golly, just 4? Thats cold :uhoh:

.223
.270
.308
.44 mag

That would cover my basic hunting and self defense needs. However thare are some niches that remain...............

[Mulliga]

.223 Rem - The classic varmint cartridge. Flat-shooting, cheap with milsurp, and also good in carbines for SD with JHP ammo.

.270/.308/.30-06 - Very similar in terms of possible performance (hell, I even posted a question about this :) ). Excellent rounds for hunting and ~200-400 yard combat.

375 H&H - Suitable for all but the thickest-skinned game.

.458 Winchester Mag - If you can't kill it with this, you are in serious trouble.

[sigman4rt]

Only 4? Ok, .223, .308, 45acp, 12 gauge.

[TODD3465]

I'm going to assume we're talking about rifle cartridges considering what forum this is.

For any hunting situation I might encounter:

.223

6.5x55 Swede

.300WM

.450 Marlin (Chambered in a custum built bolt action.)

For any and all situations I can dream up:

.223

.308

.338 Lapua

.50BMG



:evil:

[Gordon]

just 4(thank G-d it's a RIFLE Forum) ? .223,.308, .270.win375H&H,. :cool:

[LynnMassGuy]

7.62x39
7.62x54r
45/70
.223

[TrapperReady]

.223
.30-06
.458 Win Mag

I'd keep the 4th choice in reserve, although I might lean toward 45/70.

[artherd]

.223
.308/.30-06
.50BMG
30mm PGU-14/B API

[duckfoot]

I'll play

22lr (little critter getter)
7.62mm x 51mm (GP)
12 gauge (GP)
45-70 gov (used to pick a load of bear butter from time to time)
.338 Lapua (homeland warfare round)

[Dr.Rob]

.223 gotta have a poodle shooter/ebr/varmint rifle right? Sure you never know when armies of blue helmeted voles might paratroop into your nieghborhood aided by illegal alien pit bulls and body armor wearing daschounds. The 223 really shines here, just make sure you use a 16 inch barrel or your pretty green tipped ammo won't stop as much as a starving khat addicted meerkat.

.30-06 more game on the table than any other in the lower 48, and about 60 percent of the game in Alaska I'd wager. Also good as your long range rifle, your well S has hit the F but at longer range and I might have to shoot through a bush rifle. In fact. you don't need any other rifle as this rifle will do it all.. varmints? I got me 35000 little palstic sabots and some of grandpa's "special mix" of Finnish powders. Moose and bear? Got me some 220 gr round noses and my sectional density will eat up any 45-70 you can cook up. Even got me some hard cast .30cal Garret hammerheads. So there.

.375 For bigger varmints, like Rhinos digging up your turnip patch, or pesky gangbangers hiding behind the rusting hulk of the 47 Buick on blocks out by the hen house.. a .375/300 AGS solid should do the trick, good thing to have on hand when the circus comes to town, or cheeky gunsligers try that cheesy 'boiler plate under the serape' trick.

.12 ga. While its great for birds and rodentia, the 12 ga. comes into its own against rampaging bears, mutant bikers and zombies, particularly when loaded with slugs for the first, buckshot for the second and a duplex rocksalt/dragon's breath round. Ever PH without a scar might still advise buckshot on leopards, most will say keep your rifle. Two barrels should suffice... one long and reedy and mounting a sighting rib with a brass bead.. and another as short as you are alowed to posses with rifle sights, bayonet lugs flashlight adapters and the odd can opener. It should of course be flat black and look nothing like a "bird" gun. Unless one is actually hunting birds. But who does that anyway?

:uhoh:


Can you tell we've played this game a lot?

[stevelyn]

We did this sometime back regarding a four-gun battery. My choices now are the same as then. With the .22 a given I can make do with three.

.223- Good longer range predator and varmint round. It's adequate as an anti-personnel round at short to medium ranges. Ammo is cheap and available everywhere. Would want it in a military style rifle w/ standard cap mags.

.30-06- Can do anything and everything necessary in North America and most of Africa. Ammo available everywhere. Federal Premium High Energy and Hornady Light Magnums push it's performance into .300 H&H territory when extra oomf or longer range may be needed or desired. Both are loaded with the best premium high performance bullets money can buy. Not to mention premium loads by Win/Rem/Speer.

45-70 Govt.- For the times you need a fast handling close to medium range heavy hitter. Regular factory 45-70 loads are adequate for most things lower 48ers will find themselves dealing with. For those needing an extra boost in power, loads from Garrett, Buffalo Bore and Cor-Bon will turn your .45-70 into a dino blaster. (Check this month's RIFLE article by Brian Pearce ".45-70 Goes To Africa")

There I did it in three. But for S&Gs I want a custom rifle chambered in .35 Whelen, the Ackley Improved version, or a .35 wildcat based on the WSM case. I have a medium bore niche that needs filling between .30-06 and .45-70. I detest belted cases. (Except for the .375 H&H)

Then of course no battery of survival/hunting/SHTF guns will be complete without a couple of 12 ga. SGs in both combat and hunting configurations and a BP rifle.

[Rupestris]

Along with .22lr:

.223 - Semi auto
30/30 - lever gun
.308 - bolt
.357mag - lever gun

If this weren't the rifle forum I'd lose the .357mag and opt for a 12 gauge and drop the 30/30 for a .45ACP.

[Brian Williams]

Somebdy dredged up an old thread
even so my main 4 have changed

besides 22lr
I would pick today
218 bee or 22 jet ===== in a win lo wall
357mag ==== in a Marlin 1894 c
308 in a Win Compact Classic & FAL
45/70 Rem Rolling block or Marlin guide gun


these are not what I have by a long shot but if I had to make do with 4

[redneck]

hmmm

.223 Rem
.357,44mag, .45long colt (lever gun, not sure which I'd get)
30-06
.54 (gotta have a smokepole or your NOT going to do it all, like primitive weapons season)

[ojibweindian]

.22 mag
.30-06
.338Winchester Mag

And, just to be different, a .50 front stuffer.

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

.22 centerfire, most likely .223
.308
45/70


and that fourth

.44 mag lever

[JohnKSa]

223
7mm-08
243
45/70

My list is pretty close to yours.

I'd split the difference between the 6mm-08 (.243) and the 7mm-08 with a 6.5mm-08 (.260 Rem).

So the list would be:

.223
.260 Rem
45/70

Then I'd probably pick a magnum in 7mm or .30 cal for the very long shots that need a lot of oomph on the downrange end.

If you had made this THREE calibers, my list would have been.

.223
6.5-06
45/70