[firestar]

I won't buy certain guns because I don't want to have to deal with keeping 15 different type of ammo in stock.

Current pistol cals:
1. .22lr
2. .32 acp
3. 9mm
4. .45 acp
5. .357
6. .38

I have sold guns to get this down to a reasonable number. I won't buy another .40 and I have been trying to get rid of my need for a .45acp. It just seems like .45s keep popping up and I somehow end up owning them.

[Skunkabilly]

I have 9mm and .45 right now but am thinking on dumping the .45 or just have a few on hand and not worry about stocking it like I do the 9mm.

[critter]

Let me see: .25 ACP, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, 9mm, .22 LR, .44 Mag, .45 Colt, .223, 30-30, .270 Win, 30-06, 25-06, .35 Whelen, 45-70, 8 mm Mauser, .300 Win mag, .308 Win, ---

DUH!!!! I guess the answer is 'nope'!

[ACP230]

My motto is, "The more the merrier."

[Harbinger]

Heck no. What fun is there in shooting the same few calibers all the time? I like ACP230's motto.

[Mike Irwin]

Lord no!

I want diversity! I want variety!

.22
.32 S&W
.32 ACP
.32 S&W Long
.32-20
.38 S&W (had one, don't have one now)
.380 (don't have one currently, but have had one)
9mm Luger
.38 Spl.
.357 Mag.
.41 Mag.
.44 Spl.
.45 ACP

And, the Grandpa of the entire bunch, 11mm French Ordnance Revolver. I've fired that one a few times, but not for many years.

There are HUGE gaps in my lineup that I have to fill!

[NJ3]

I try to keep caliber's to a minimum but then I come across something that is too good to pass on. So no matter how hard I try I'll always have multiple caliber's.

[El Tejon]

.45acp & 9mm. Focus, brasshopper, focus. Ummmmm. . . .:)

[BHP9]

It is a question often asked. The more calibers the more different and expensive dies and componets you must stock to keep them shooting.

Different calibers are more interesting but the advantages of one caliber or another are more often in the imagination of the buyer than cold hard reality.

Skill comes first and to get this skill you need lots and lots of practice and not off of sandbags but with the weapon held freehand.

"Beware of the man with one gun" is an old saying with a lot of truth in it. Although its boring as hell to have only one caliber and only one gun ,he who does this more often than not is someone to be feared because of his deadly marksmanship.

[AR-10]

At the moment I have firearms and ammo in fifteen different calibers. Not looking to add or subtract calibers at this time, but the number will probably go up rather than down.

Maybe a pistol caliber larger than .44 Mag or .45 Super. Maybe a 9mm, which has never interested me. Maybe a shotgun that is not a 12ga.

Maybe not.

[P95Carry]

I used to be somewhat of a ''diversity freak'' ........... but these days I have thinned down . frankly .. too many cals just gets tedious if reloading.

Handgun now is simple ... 38/357 .... 9mm and 44 mag .. oh and an ole .455 Webley ... near forgot that!

Rifle .... well ... again thinned that down but still four when I stop and think. .223, 243, 308 and .303 Brit

[ajacobs]

For some strange reason it took me about 5 years before I would buy a cd player and another 5 to buy a dvd. I always think the tech or in this case the cartridge will go obsolete. I am certainly not trying to limit my collection and I have handguns in 11 calibers and who knows how many different rifle calibers I have. Some of them I guess just don't fit what I perseave as an vacant niche. I estimate it will be a few more years until I buy anything in .357 sig, 32 naa, .17 hornaday etc. I also have decided not to buy anything more in .40 as I don't use it for carry and most of the guns are also availble in 9mm and they are just as fun but cheeper to shoot.

Sufice to say it is my own crazy logic.

[priv8ter]

My GOAL is to minimize the number of Calibers I have. As someone said on another thread, I like the idea of being able to have a rifle on my back, a 6 inch revolver on my waist, and a 2-inch snubbie on my ankle that all use the same cartridge.

That being said, I really don't think I can survive with less than 8 calibers:

.22
.380
.45
.357
.223
.30-06
.375 H&H
20ga

[MarineTech]

I actually went through the same predicament about a year ago. I generally like to keep 300-400 rounds of ammo on hand for each of my firearms, and I was rapidly running out of room to keep it all. So, I figured it was time to whittle things down a bit.

I started out with .22LR, .380ACP, .38SPL, 9mm, .357 Magnum, 40S&W, 10MM, .45ACP, .45WinMag, and .460 Rowland.

I'm now down to .22LR, .380ACP, 9mm, .45ACP, .45WinMag, and .460 Rowland.

I did the same thing with rifles and shotguns which I've pared down to .22LR, .308, 45-70, 30 carbine, 30-06, and 12 Gauge. Dropping .22 Hornet, .223, 7.62X39, 20 Gauge, and .303 is also saving me a bunch of space.

Now I can keep about 500-600 rounds of each around and still have room left over.

[Captain Bligh]

Score one more vote for divesity. My goal is to have one each of every major handgun caliber before I get into duplication.

It does get to be a grind though to keep all the ammo stocked so I can decide on a whim what I want to take to the range with me to shoot.

RJ

[P95Carry]

That ''dilemma'' Captain ....... is what led to my ''rationalization''!!:p

It is now way easier ... could also I guess be an ''age'' thing .. I see 60 looming way too close and so, simplification gets ever more tempting!!:D

[Shane]

Hmm...

In pistols/revolvers:

.22 LR
.22 Magnum
.38 spl/.357 magnum
9mm
.40 S&W
.45 ACP
.44spl/.44 magnum

To be honest, I can do without the .40 S&W and still be happy. But the rest of the cartridges I feel are a must keep.

If I HAD to simplify to only 3 cartridges (for the sake of discussion, .38 spl/.357 maggie count as one), I would stick with:

.22 LR
.45 ACP
.38 Spl/.357 magnum

[444]

No
I try to keep them at a maximum.

I never really thought about it but I own handguns in .22LR, .22 WRM, .25 ACP, .32 ACP, .380 ACP, 7.62x25, .38 Special, .357 Mag, .44 Mag, .45 ACP, .45 Colt, .455 Webley, 9mm Luger and reload for most of them. Maybe more but I think that is it. I have no desire to simplify anything.

Oh, I forgot the Blackhawk in .30 Carbine, 9x18 Mak and .44 Special

Rifle calibers very well might double this list.

[Logistar]

Mostly 9mm.

(Exceptions are P32 and the revolver that was my first handgun purchase.)

[Prodigalshooter]

I'm also in the fewer caliber camp. I have the basics I think I need;
Handguns
.22
.38/.357
9mm
.45ACP
(also have a 9x18, don't know why)
I have more than one gun in each caliber, except for the 9x18 & .22, I like to have a large and small of each caliber.

Long guns
.22
.223
30-30
30-06
12 guage

I have only one of each in rifles, as I am mainly interested in handguns.
I plan on resuming handloading soon, as my IDPA activity is burning up ammo (and dollars)

Now, if I happened to hit the Lotto, all restrictions would go out the window!

[Gary H]

I have twelve or so calibers. Thinking of eliminating 9mm, but so far can't part with my P7M8 and P7M13. Both are California guns and I know that if I sell them, I won't be able to buy them again. I like the guns, but not crazy about the caliber. I prefer 45 ACP for a semi-auto.

[10-Ring]

Semi: 22lr, 9mm & 45
Revo: 22lr, 38 & 357

Sold all my 40's, 380's, 10mm

[sonoranjack]

I have a 9mm then I have another 9mm. I want a 45 but there to expensive. Well I'm selling my second 9mm so I can get an exact copy of my first 9mm. Pick a defensive carry pistol then get an exact copy. Then pick a rifle/shotgun.

[Tamara]

Do you try to keep calibers to a minimum?

No.

I buy the guns I want & like, and "caliber logistics" just really don't enter into the equation.

There's no law that says you need to keep X rounds/gun.

I keep lots of .38, .357 and .45 ACP on hand, and lesser amounts of various other calibers in the inventory, ranging from most of a box of Fiocchi 7.62x38 Nagant or a couple of boxes of .38-40 up to a couple hundred rounds of .44 Special & .44 Magnum.

It just depends on what the gun in question is used for and how often it gets shot. (Also, how many guns in that particular caliber I have)

[Blackhawk]

Yep, with regard to ammo.

Mostly 9mm now, but I've only tended to minimize calibers within the last few years.

[Skunkabilly]

I'm going to sell my 9mms and 45 and go with the 45 Glock! :D :D :D

[sm]

45 ACP and 9mm. Multiples of platforms, allows for interchange of mags, holsters...etc.
I have kept one K frame, if choose to aquire more...mags and the like will interchange...

[twoblink]

I have:

.22LR for everything rifle and pistol.

.357Mag/38Spl for revolvers
.40SW for semi's, hoping to switch to .357Sig just to have expected performance match that of my revolvers

.308 for rifles.

That's IT. I can buy ammo in bulk so ammo's a lot cheaper, and WTSHTF, I can grab a gun, and a box of ammo and have a good chance they match!

I'm looking to buy rifles in .357Mag, just to keep down the logistics! you people with 15 calibers are nuts!!:what:

[4thHorseman]

Yeah, I try.

[Tamara]

you people with 15 calibers are nuts!!

What about those of us with 32?

(Actually, my box of .577-450 still hasn't gotten here from OWS yet...)

[Sactown]

Let's see

.22
9mm
.357
.22 magnum
.40S&W
.38
.45
.223
.308
30.06
7.62X54R
7.62X39
.303

I need to catch up with some of the others.

[Mark IV Series 80]

Yes, it's practical to keep to a small number of cartridge types to meet your personal reqirements.

My defense handgun choices:

.25 ACP
9mm
.38 Special
.45 ACP

With the exception of the .25 ACP, I can get these cartridges in any store that sells ammo. (general store, hardware store, truck stop).

I would hate to run out of .357 Sig, 10mm, .45 Glock or .480 Ruger ammo while in a sparsely populated area!

Another thing..... If you have to buy only a few ammo types, you can buy in case quantities and save money on the volume purchase.

[Admiral Thrawn]

For the handguns that I actually own, they are either in 9x19mm Luger or 0.45ACP.

They're not the only calibers of handguns I shoot, however.

[ZekeLuvs1911]

Well, I started to.......really.......I tried!........."sigh".........Now I have:
1. .45ACP
2. 9mm Para
3. .357 Mag.
4. .44 Mag
5. 12 Gauge
6. .308 Win.
7. .223 Rem. and finally
8. .22 Rimfire
I started out with just the .45 and 9mm! Oh well. The more the merrier. :D

[Smoke]

in handguns: Yes

In rifles: No

[GW45]

So far I'm doing well - at first it was .45 and .357 Mag and .22.

Then came along the 9mm, .380, .454.

Still keeping with the .308, .223, and 7.62x39 - but have added the 7.62x54 to the mix.....

Plan on a few more firearms - but going to try and stick in those calibers.....

[Erik]

No.

Currently:

.22lr
.38/.357
9mm
.40s&w
.45acp

[Boats]

I started out in handguns with .22lr, .25 Auto, .32ACP, .380, 9mm, .45ACP.

I cut down to .25Auto and .45ACP

Now I am thinking of getting a new 9mm and have considered a 10mm.

I guess it seems practical to have only a couple of calibers, but it also seems impossible to remain practical for too long.:D

[meathammer]

For me it's the opposite. The only caliber I have more than one firearm of is 22lr. Mine are: .22lr, 20ga, 12ga, .30-30, .30-06, 7mm mag., .40S&W, .45Acp, .44mag, .223. Looking to add 9mm and .357mag also.

[buford1]

I sure do

HANDGUNS
22
30 carbine
357
38 super
45 acp
45 lc
44 mag
454 casull
308 win

RIFLES
22
223
22-250
30 carbine
44 mag
7.62/39
7.62/54r
308
30/06
7mm wby
300 wby
458 win

[Skunkabilly]

What about those of us with 32?

Tamara, easy, Twoblink thinks you're twice as nuts :D Of course I still think you rule.

[Tamara]

May I refer you to the classic "Reasons To Own A Bunch Of Guns" (http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=35977&highlight=travis+crockett+alamo) thread on TFL; Reason Number Four was "Because when Armaggedon strikes (that's "WTSHTF" to you and Skunk ;) ), and you rush to the gunstore, and the only box of ammo they have left is 6.5 x 55 mm, and you have nothing to shoot it out of… well, aren't you going to feel pretty darn foolish."

:D

[T.Stahl]

Uh, I only have three guns in three calibers. :rolleyes:
But my brother's and my long-term planning is to share a lot of calibers.

[Gewehr98]

Think I'm down to 24 at latest count. ;)

[firestar]

I was only talking about handgun cals right now. You don't have 32 different handgun cals do you?:what:

[Gewehr98]

My bad. I'm down to just 9 of those. ;)

[Preacherman]

Lessee now...

HANDGUNS:
.22 LR
.32 ACP
.38 Special
9mm. Parabellum
.357 Magnum
.357 SIG
.40 S&W
.44 Special
.44 Magnum
.45 ACP

RIFLES:
.22 LR
.223 Rem.
.30-30
.308
7.62x39
7.62x54R
8mm. Mauser
.44 Magnum
.45-70

SHOTGUNS:
12ga.
20ga.

That makes 19 so far (excluding duplicates). I can see I've got some catching up to do! :D

[BigJake_old]

hmm...... i'm from the more the merrier camp here.

.22 lr
.22 mag
.22 hornet
22-250
223
220 swift
30-30
30-06
30 carbine
.50 (muzzloader)
.308
.300 WMR
30-40 Krag
45-70

410
16
12 Shotgun
20

pistol
.22
.22 mag
.25
.32
.32 auto
.38 spl
.357 mag
.41 mag
.40 s&w
.44 spl
.44 mag
.45 acp
.45 colt
.50 AE (actualy, i no longer have that, but its still cool)
9mm

Wishlist, new S&W .500 Mag. 10 mm anything

[COK]

No - The more the better.

[blades67]

Do you try to keep calibers to a minimum?

Shoot no!:evil:

[twoblink]

Tamara,

I said people with 15 calibers are nuts. People with 32, fine in my book!! :D

Err... if TSHTF, and you HAD to go to the gun store, your rear end is grass, and so it wouldn't matter..

For myself and skunk, we ask the question "What does running out of ammo mean???"

:D

[BigJake_old]

well, i figure if i ever do get to the point where all ammo is gone, whoever i was shooting at would be close enough to use me pistols as blunt objects, i almost require that of all my guns, gota be worth somethin with or without ammo.

[CleverNickname]

.22, .32 ACP, 9mm, .223, .308 and 12ga do it for me right now. My interests in firearms are more towards the self-defense rather than the collecting end of the spectrum, so I don't have a need for a lot of different guns in different calibers. For example, all of my handguns are poly-framed DAO or safe-action 9mm's, with the exception of a P32 (which I'm thinking of getting rid of). The only caliber I'm thinking of adding anytime soon is a larger pistol caliber, most likely .45 ACP or 10mm. Having fewer calibers does make it easier to have a couple thousand rounds of ammo on hand for each gun, without going broke in the process.

[coonan357]

EL tej , I am disapointed no .357 mag???



as for me ,
>38/.357 magnum
>.45acp
>.22 rimfire
>8mm lebel rifle
>sqirtgun supersoaker.:D

[gbran]

I like my .357 Blackhawk which also chambers .38's. My SRH .454 also handles .45 Colts. I have a .22wmr revolver and a pump rifle in the same round. I have a .22 lr pistol and .22lr rifle. My carry gun is a Glock 30 in .45acp and I'm fixin to buy a .45acp revolver. 3 shotguns, all 12 gua and 4 other rifles all different calibers. I'm lookin for more.

[firestar]

Do you people with 30-40 different calibers have to hire extra staff to keep track of everything? :D

[T.Stahl]

Oh, handgun calibers only?
Then two are enough for me, the 9mm I currently have and the .22lr I might buy one day.

[AV1611]

.22lr
9mm
38spl/357Mag
7.62x39
7.62x54r
12ga


These will serve about any purpose I can think of outside of whale hunting. I am, however, considering a nice Blackhawk convertible in 45ACP/45Colt for better handgun woods protection, and an 8MM Mauser just because they're inexpensive and fun.

AV1611 out...

[22x9]

For me:

Have:
.22 LR
.22 Magnum
9MM Luger
20 gauge

Trimmed out:
7.62x25 Tokarev
.38 Special

[krept]

Only have .45 ACP and 7.62x39. Ditched my .40 and will probably replace it with a 9mm or another .45. Then may add 12ga and .223.

My fiancee is dedicated to 9x18 Makarov.

The answer is "yes," but the operating word is "try."

cheers

[biere]

I used to like a lot of variety, now I try and keep my number of calibers low.

Overall, I am too lazy to stay on top of more than 6 calibers for handguns. I always have several hundred rounds for all, sometimes a lot more. I think I am leaning towards getting down to an even lower number, but I still have to shoot up what I have to do that.

I did not mind running up to 7 different calibers, but I got annoyed quickly and now that I reload I like it when stuff can share bullets or primers or something like that.

[Master Blaster]

I like to only shoot my own custom tailored reloads or .22lr

I shoot .270 win factory ammo, 12 guage shotgun factory, .22lr or course, and .223/5.56 nato factory ammo.

I reload:

45 acp 5000+ last year.
9mm
.357 mag (target velocity)
.32 acp
.38 spl
and I just added .44 mag.:D

I tend to shoot much less of the factory ammo .270 win 20-40 rounds per year. .223 300 rounds per year.

I shoot alot of .22lr.

[BigIron]

My philosophy is a little different than most of you. I don't subscribe to the thought that having a lot of calibers that aren't that different from each other as being interesting. To me the gun is what is interesting. I would much rather have a lot of different guns that share the same calibers.

First of all, let me say that I am a revolver guy. I have 18 hand guns and all but one are revolvers. The one auto is a 1911A1 in .45acp. Everything else is either a .22lr, .38/357, or .44sp/.44mag. These calibers are so versatile, that they handle anything that I want or need from a handgun.

I enjoy having a variety of guns as much as anyone. But to me that does not include having a bunch of oddball calibers to deal with. Nothing wrong with that if that's your thing, but it's just not for me. To each his own.

BigIron

[VaughnT]

I wasn't sure if I had chimed in on this one earlier, so I'll go now.

How can you become truly proficient with a weapon if you have so many weapons you're constantly bouncing from one to the other? If you have an extended range of ammunition, you have to have a weapon to match them and that means less time spent with any one weapon, particularly your carry weapon.

I try to keep things limited to the basics: .22lr for my MkII (trigger control/sight picture). .38/.357 for my 686 (duty use, good for BUG or FullSize). .45acp for my 1991a1 (duty use, concealed carry).

The Ruger MkII is an excellent target pistol that allows me to really focus on getting my trigger stroke down and maintaining a good, steady sight picture. This translates to more accurate fire from my carry weapons. And, it is a very good tool to use when teaching new/young shooters.

The S&W 686 is a full-size revolver, one of the best ever made, that I currently use at work. Being good with a revolver as important as being good with a semi, and it's harder. And like the abovementioned Ruger, new/young shooters can fire light 38's before trying a powerhouse load.

The Government Model is my prefered weapon. She sings to my heart and I can't imagine not having her. I practice with her just as much as I do any other gun...just so I can say that I'm good with her, and she will be my duty weapon just as soon as she's back from Arizona.

My point is that by limiting what I keep in the stable, I am able to focus on my training/shooting more. I have one, maybe two, weapons in each caliber (ie, snubbie and full-size revolver) and that allows me to become adequately capable with any gun I'm likely to encounter. I can learn the idiosyncracies of my particular weapons and develop a deep appreciation for what they offer.

Just my two pennies worth.

[cratz2]

4x 22 lr/wmr
1x 32ACP
1x 380ACP
1x 9x18 Mak
2x 9x19
1x 38 Super
1x 357 Magnum
2x 40S&W
1x 44 Magnum
8x 45ACP
1x 45 Colt

More variety that I should have but then, I really only shoot about 6 of them regluarly, 1 22 revolver, 1 9x19, 1 38 Super, 1 40S&W and two 45ACPs. And I'd gladly trade both of the 40s for 9mms of the same design.

One of the 22lrs, the 380, the 45 Colt and several of the 45ACPs I just never shoot anymore.

[pbman]

I like to keep it simple, when i was looking for a pocket gun for summer carry, I bought a .22. I allways have ammo for it, so i can shoot it a lot more.

I have tuned down deals on guns, because i don't want the hassle of paying extra for hard to find ammo.

I usually only shoot

.22
9mm
.38
.45

I do have a .44 mag, but i only shoot once or twice a year.

I 've been thinking lately that i would like a 9mm revolver, just because of the cheep ammo.

And stranger yet, my dad has at lest a doz. guns that no one in the faimily has ever shot. It seems strange,to think about it, but i never looked at a 7.7 jap rifle and thought it would be fun to shoot. No more fun than a springfield or other bolt action. IIRC the triggers and sights weren't that good.

[Tamara]

It's funny how everybody's saying things like "I wouldn't want one of those 5.5 Velo Dogs. Ammo is too hard to find for it!" like there's some kind of law that says you must buy ammo for every gun you own by the case lot.

Let me give you an example:

.45 ACP: I keep a ton of this on hand. I shoot a lot of it, and I have several guns in this caliber. It makes sense to buy it by the case.

7.7 Jap: I think I have, like, maybe 50 rounds of ammo on hand. Usually it just sits there and looks neat over with the other bolt-action rifles (between the 98k and the Eddystone). I'll drag it out maybe once a year, mostly for folks who've never shot an Arisaka before, and we'll pop off five or ten rounds through it. When somebody offered me a working rifle for sale for $30, I wasn't about to say "Oh, no thanks. Ammo is too hard to find..."

[Harbinger]

I think people tend to forget there's more than one reason to own a gun, and it's not just a matter of becoming highly proficient with a weapon. I'm not talking about a lack of safety knowledge. I'm just saying that you don't have to be battle-ready trained with each firearm you own.

My father owns some very old guns worth quite a few bucks. They're not in the most common calibers, and he doesn't shoot them alot. He does like to take them out once or twice a year just to put a few shots through them with some friends, just for the 'enjoyment' of it.

[444]

"It's funny how everybody's saying things like "I wouldn't want one of those 5.5 Velo Dogs. Ammo is too hard to find for it!" like there's some kind of law that says you must buy ammo for every gun you own by the case lot."

If you reload, this is pretty much a moot point. If you cast bullets, it is a very moot point. On top of all that, who is to say you can't buy ammo in case lots for every gun you own ? I own maybe a dozen or more .357 revolvers. One ammo. I own 4-5 7.62x54R rifles. One ammo. I own 3-4 8mm Mausers. One ammo. I own 3 .30-06 rifles. I own 3 9mm rifles, half a dozen 9mm handguns handguns, and a 9mm submachine gun. One Ammo..............................

This is a hobby to me. I don't need to master every gun I own, but it is fun to try.

[Alpha752]

I dont have a large collection, but I seem to try to keep caliburs the same. I currently have 2 9mms and 1 .22lr. I hope to add 10mm to the list in the next few weeks, and if the round proves itsself, ill add .45Glock shortly.

[Stevie-Ray]

For Handgun:

.22 LR
.32 ACP
9 mm
10 mm
.44 Magnum
.45 ACP
.30-30
.45-70

For Rifle:

.22 LR
7.62 X 51

I should whittle it down some, but why?:D That's not too bad is it?

[Blueduck]

22 LR
38/357
9mm
45 ACP

I'm on the "Keep it simple" side. If I had to 22LR and any of the other three would be fine.

[Matt G]

"Do you try to keep calibers to a minimum? "

Nope. The more the better!

Variety is the spice of life. :)


-M.

[P95Carry]

This has been an interesting thread . I am amazed however at how many people do in fact cover a plethora of calibers. I used to use maybe 10 to 12 but have found in all honesty that now, having cut it back ...... I am less bothered by trying to find the time for all the reload work ..... plus I have fewer die sets to need.

Each to his own . naturally, but, I still think there is much to be said for a fair degree of commonality within your gun collection. I was goin to reload for my C&R's (7.62 x 54R and 8mm for instance) ... but frankly, the milsurp ammo is cheap enough to make me not want to bother!

As far as handguns, well ..... .38/.357, 9mm, and .44 mag covers it now .... and sure as hell simplifies things!! I don't count the .455 Webley .... only load those now and again!

[Tamara]

Offer subject to change without notice; some settling may occur during shipment...

.44 Magnum x2
.45ACP x7
.44 Special x4
.41 Magnum
.357 Magnum x5
.38 Special x4
.32 S&W Long
.22LR x3
.32 H&R Magnum x2
.38-40
.22 Magnum
7.62x38 Nagant
.25ACP
.40 S&W
.32ACP x2
9mm x2
10mm Auto x2
.577-450
7.5x54 Swiss
7.62x54R x2
8x57JS x2
7.62x51 NATO x2
.300 Whisper
6.5x55 x2
.30-'06 x2
7.7x58 Arisaka
12ga
.45 Colt
.243 Winchester
.30-40 Krag
5.56x45 NATO x3
7.62x39

[RockyNH]

Well, in long guns I have 7 and everyone is a different caliber! These were all purchased for hunting and each had it's purpose and was purchased with that intent in mind.

handguns, I have 4 and only 2 calibers, 2 revolvers in .357/38 and 2 autoloads in .40. After purchasing the first of each, a full size/frame, the 2nd was a smaller more compact unit but I specifically chose the same calibers to minimize.

Pat in NH

[AnklePocket]

I've really streamlined and consolidated to 9mm, .357 Sig, .357 Mag, .45 ACP, .308 and 12 Gauge and like the simpler life, which is strictly a personal opinion. But I do have my eye on a NAA .22 Mag, Kel Tec P-3AT and a RRA AR. Will probably eventually end up back where I started.

[357Man]

In the past I haven't, but lately I've been thinking more along those lines. Really, this is not a huge issue with me as I don't have the cash to invest in every gun I like or want!

[sctman800]

I guess I will be a minimum type person. I have owned guns for 30 years, but only in the last year have I really fell in love with them. I have one .22 pistol, one .22 revolver, then about a year ago bought a double action .41mag. I am planning on a single action .41mag when I get my income tax refund, and I forsee a .41mag lever action in the future. After that I will probably pick up a .45acp revolver and the same in a pistol. Jim.

[twoblink]

The think this thread shows me is, we all have differences in thinking about what "minimum" caliber means...

That said, while I cannot imagine as many calibers as Tamara and the logistical nightmares that go with it, I for one would like to make sure no gun-grabbing politician stops her from having a gun, even if she can't find ammo for it..

[Tamara]

That said, while I cannot imagine as many calibers as Tamara and the logistical nightmares that go with it,

Will somebody please explain to me what these "logistical nightmares" are supposed to be? I somehow manage to keep ammo on hand for all of them, in amounts appropriate to usage.

[firestar]

Tamara,
That's alot of calibers!

I think what people mean by logistical nightmares is:
1. Finding the ammo
2. Finding it for a decent price
3. Finding the type you need/want
4. Keeping it stocked up and at hand
5. Keeping it somewhat fresh
6. Not being able to buy in bulk and save $
7. Remembering to bring the right type of ammo for the right gun when you go to the range. We have all been there right? We get to the range and we brought 3 9mm pistols but forgot to take 9mm ammo.

8. Keeping it real.
:D

[Tamara]

1. Finding the ammo
2. Finding it for a decent price
3. Finding the type you need/want
4. Keeping it stocked up and at hand
5. Keeping it somewhat fresh
6. Not being able to buy in bulk and save $
7. Remembering to bring the right type of ammo for the right gun when you go to the range. We have all been there right? We get to the range and we brought 3 9mm pistols but forgot to take 9mm ammo.

1. All those calibers are commercially available. (Thank you Old Western Scrounger!) :D
2. Yes, some of it is expensive.
3. Since most of those guns will only be fired to hear the *bang*, bullet weight/type isn't too important. ;)
4. In the ammo shelves.
5. Some of this stuff is 80 years old, another couple of months won't hurt it. ;)
6. No need to buy 7.7 Jap or 7.62 Nagant in bulk if you're only going to shoot 20-50rds/yr out of the gun. .223, .38 Spl and .45ACP? Those I buy in bulk. 7.5 Swiss and .25ACP? I'm happy if I have 100 rounds on-hand.
7. The range is in my backyard. :cool:

[444]

I agree with Tamara. If you own a large number of different calibers, you stock ammo according to your needs. For example, I have one box of loaded .455 Webley ammo. I probably have a couple hundred rounds of .25 Auto, about the same in .32 ACP and .380. I don't need thousands of rounds because I don't shoot those guns that much. I am lucky to shoot them once a year and when I do, I might shoot 50 rounds. However, in other calibers I have thousands of rounds sitting here. I actually use those calibers, so I buy ammo accordingly. As I mentioned in my previous post, if you are a reloader, this is not really a factor. You have reloading components sitting there that are perfectly capable of being made into ammo of many calibers. Pistol powders especially are very versitile. If I have a can of Unique sitting there, I can load anything from light pistol loads to mid-range rifle loads with the same powder. If I have .30 caliber bullets sitting there I can load them in the 7.62x25, the .30 Carbine, the .30-06, the .30-30, the 7.62x54R, the 7.5 Swiss..................

Then we get into the subject of getting good with one gun. Guns are different things to different people. Some people buy guns strictly for self defense. Some people buy guns strictly for hunting. Other people like me buy guns for any number of reasons; history, hunting, competition, plinking, pride of ownership, curiosity.......................... So, as a result I have a lot of different calibers. Shooting any one of them is practice for shooting the rest of them. I don't really care about dedicating my life to one gun so that I can become it's master and all that crap. I shoot for fun, and variety is fun to me.

[krept]

Since most of those guns will only be fired to hear the *bang*, bullet weight/type isn't too important.

I think this is a good point. If there is any one category of thing that I would become a collector of, it would be firearms. Sounds like some of you have such awesome collections that I could probably spend a full day just looking at them.

I have just come to terms with the fact that they are going to be a small part of my life. Essentially, firearms are my physical weapon of choice if things really get hairy. I wish I could afford the time and the luxury of owning and becoming proficient with multiple weapons systems. heck, I wish I could shoot my one pistol and one rifle more. I easily spend more time with a stick or knife in my hand than I do a firearm. And even then, I spend more time with an elbow or fist hitting a heavybag than I do with a blade or a stick and even then, in the course of my entire day or week that still isn't much.

Thus, it makes sense to me to get good... and I mean LETHAL good with the gear that I feel I will need to use to protect the good people and this land. All the other stuff would be super fun to play with but I just can't afford it. I'd be really stoked to have the opportunity to shoot once even a fraction of the collection that some of you have.

And the fact that some of you own and understand and can compare so many firearms is what makes this place so damn great.

cheers

[Mannlicher]

I dont discriminate. I buy what pleases me. If a new gun means new ammo, so be it.
gee, in the locker, there are
.22, .38, .357, 9MM, .40, .44 Special, .44 Mag, .45ACP, .45 Colt

[CZ 75 BD]

.22, .223, 7.62x39, 30.06. 9mm .40S&W, 38-40, .410, .44spl, .45ap, and 12ga :D

[WhoKnowsWho]

I actually like a variety. If there is a certain gun that I like, I buy more of that round than the others. But so far, I don't have too many calibers.

.22 LR
9x18 Mak
9x19
.38 Special
40S&W
.45 ACP
7.62x39
7.62x54R
12 gauge

[Tamara]

My .577-450 still hasn't shown up yet, despite the time spent giving the OWS guys at SHOT a ration of [crap]. :mad:

[Schuey2002]

Tamara, your list seems to be growing ...;)

I currently carry..

.22 Lr.
9mm
.45 ACP
.357 magnum
.38 Special
.223 Remington
.30-.30
.30-.06
.308 Winchester
7.62x39mm
12 gauge

My list seems to be getting smaller than the last time I posted this...:(

[Trebor]

For my defensive handguns, I have very deliberately decided to limit my calibers. I've decided on .357/.38 for revolvers, 9mm for full size pistols and 9X18 Mak for compact pistols. I feel these rounds can do anything I need to do.

I will probably eventually own a 1911 in .45 ACP, just because of the classic nature of the pistol's design, but I've decided to completely ignore the .40 S&W and 357 SIG.

Limiting my caliber choices makes things so much easier for me. I've even taken to limiting my mil-surp pistols to 9mm or 9mm Mak as much as possible.

Trebor

[JMLV]

I like handguns, all types of handguns so I of course have a variety of calibers to buy/load for. I usually only load for the stuff I use a great deal. I buy in bulk for the others I use less frequently<G>
Current calibers:
22 short
22 LR
22 magnum
30 carbine
32 S&W
32 S&W long
32 H&R magnum
380 auto
9x18
9mm
38 special
357 magnum(I also have to lever rifles in this caliber)
41 magnum
45 acp
44 magnum
45 long colt(2 lever rifles in this caliber also)
Single shot pistol cartridges
223
30-30
375 JDJ
45-70 (have a Ruger # 1 in this caliber as well)
357 maximum
Rifle calibers
762x54
Shotgun bores
410
12 gage

And I'm just getting started!

[longeyes]

For me that's 9mm, .45acp, 12-ga, .223--these are my current priorities, and what I generally shoot at the range. I have five other calibers, from .22 to .30-30, but I consider them "secondary" at this point, and those guns, except for the .22, don't get shot much. No plans for .40s&w in the mix. And, personally, I don't want anything in the exotic, expensive, or hard to find category. The guns I want to add I'll try to keep in the Big Four calibers.

[SodaPop]

Yes!

22LR
9mm
45acp

Eventually I'll get a 357 revolver.

[91101]

I tried to but I gave in and gave up... :D

.22 CB x2
.22 Short x2
.22 LR x4
.22 Mag
.380
.38
.357
9mm
.40 S&W x4
10mm x3
.44

5.45x39
5.56x45 x3
.30-30
.303 Brit
7.62x39
7.62x51
.30-06

20 gauge
16 gauge
12 gauge

Last week I did an "inventory" of my ammo and to even my surprise I have more than 10000 rounds :what:

Michael

[radmeter]

Yes I do . Anything under 100 or so is fine.

[jade]

My husband and I decided we had to many 9mm's, so we got some different calibers. Now, we feel like we have to many calibers. I guess some people are never happy. :rolleyes:

[telewinz]

I've been tring to keep it under 15 different calibers for 20 years. Sometimes I am successful:D