Rifle or Caliber Collector or Both?

[Big Bad Bob]

I consider myself a rifle guy, dont care to much for the handguns, but are you a rifle or caliber collector or both?

I myself am more of a caliber collector, I dont see the need for multiple rifles in the same caliber. I think I began to care more for the caliber when I began to handload, its probably why I am beginning to amass a wide variety. But I find it fun to experiment and compare multiple calibers and bullet pairing for different results.

What are yall?

 

[Snag]

I'm a many guns few calibers kind of guy.

 

[jmr40]

I'm a hunter 1st. The difference between calibers is overrated. I'd hunt anything in NA with any of about a dozen calibers from 7-08 on up with 100% confidence. The only real difference is the range at which they would be effective.

With that in mind I've avoided multiple calibers. I started hunting in the 1970's with a 30-06. I've since developed a huge admiration for the 308 simply because I can field a much smaller, more compact 308 that a 30-06 while still getting 98% of the performance.

I've experimented with other calibers, but have narrowed my collection to mainly these 2 with mutliple rifles in each chambering. I still own a few rifles in other calibers, but they are either for sale, or rarely used.

It is not that I feel my choices are really much, if any better. But those are the ones I ended up with. I've never owned a 270 or 7-08, but would not feel a bit handicapped with either. Nor with any of about a dozen others.

Why multiple rifles in the same chambering?

As a handloader it simplifies things and means much less expense. Rifles can be set up very differently for very different purposes while chambering the same cartridge. My 5 lb Kimber 308 is a very different rifle than my 10 lb FN tactical rifle in the same chambering.

 

[MrDig]

I agree with not having multiples of the same caliber, with one exception, I have a Lever Action and a Semi Auto 22lr, I going to pick up a 22 Bolt action but that is so I can demonstrate the differences to my Grandsons.
I actually need to sell an Ishapore 2A because the extra space in my Gun Locker would be appreciated. Plus I have two of them and don't need two.

 

[Big Bad Bob]

Jmr40,

I am hunter first as well, and a shooter second. Before I started handloading I would have stayed a rifle collector, I love .30 caliber, hence why I have 5 .30 caliber chamberings and .308 is my go to cartridge. There is not a large game animal I hunt that .308 wont take down. But since becoming a handloader I have become a ballistics nerd, I enjoy handloading almost as much as I enjoy shooting and I think thats why I enjoy caliber collecting now more.

I am tinker and DIY'er by nature and I think thats why it appeals to me.

Once I finish my 6x45, I am looking at doing a 6.5x55 Swede build. I just find it really fun to load and compare.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I'm a rifle and handgun guy. Not big on shotties. I would like a short barreled one for HD, but that would just about cover it.

I have no duplicate calibers. The fun of buying a new gun is getting the setup to load for it and starting all over.

 

[Old judge creek]

Neither!

I am an accumulator of both :banghead:

 

[BigN]

I have many handguns/rifles/shotguns. Not one duplicate in the bunch. I like to collect calibers.

 

[sage5907]

My shotguns and pistols are merely tools, but my rifles are special. I have used several calibers and cartridges in the past but I now hunt almost exclusively with a 30-06. I could have gotten by with only a 30-06 for the past 45 years but I had to try everything else to see if I was missing anything. As it turned out I wasn't! BW

 

[Maverick223]

I generally set up rifles with a certain, fairly specific task and therefore have little overlap in chamberings, however there are certain ones that have proven to be very effective at multi-tasking so I have a few rifles chambered likewise and set up differently to accommodate the desired use (the .22LR being a prime example, as it is well served for varmint control, sm. game hunting, target shooting, and informal plinking...a real do-all).

 

[Red Tornado]

I clicked both. The only caliber I have duplicated is 22LR, but that accounts for about half my collection. (Rifles and pistols) I don't have any centerfire rifles or pistols' calibers duplicated, but I do have two 12 gauges, a semi and my skeet O/U.
RT

 

[jmr40]

Bob,


There is no right or wrong answer. This is just the direction I ended up going. Some like using a lot of different chamberings and would have each rifle chambered in a different caliber. The more I look at it any performance difference between most of the common chamberings it is really splitting hairs. Just simpler for me to stick with 1 or 2 chamberings, work up different loads for different uses and have several rifles in the same chambering, but set up for different uses.

Seems we looked at the same situation and reached opposite conclusions. I used to have a lot of different chamberings, but it just made my life simpler to consolidate.

 

[68wj]

I guess I was minimalist, until I realized an AR15 doesn't just have to be .223. Multiple uppers make the cartridge collection grow without adding a new gun.

 

[clocker]

Caliber collector. I caught the reloading bug late last year and my selection of calibers has doubled since then :banghead: It seems like once I have scrounged about 100 pieces of brass for a caliber that the matching firearm calls to me.

 

[Maverick223]

It seems like once I have scrounged about 100 pieces of brass for a caliber that the matching firearm calls to me.

I'm with ya...it's a sickness. Anyone that says you save money by reloading is a bold-faced liar...you don't save anything you just shoot more.

 

[MCMXI]

I'm both although I could be accused of being a caliber collector because I own ten rifles chambered in .30 cal cartridges including five in .308 Win, three in .300 Win Mag and two in .300 WSM. I also own a Lee-Enfield (.303 Brit) and a Vz.58 (7.62x39mm Russian) so it could be argued that I have twelve .30 cal rifles. There's no question that I'm drawn to .30 caliber rifles. My next rifle will most likely be another Kimber 8400 chambered in .308 Win.

 

[browningguy]

I'm both.

I have everything from single shot 1/2 action Martini's, to bolt action Savage, Sako, various Mausers, and semi autos including BAR's, HK SLB2000K, FNAR, and of course several pistol caliber carbines including HK and Kel Tec. Calibers range from oldies like the .300 Sherwood and 360 No. 5 to .458 Winchester.

Pistols are about the same, I have quite a few pre-war semi auto's from Dryse, Savage, lot's of Brownings from the model 1900 up to current production Hi Powers, Tanfoglio, Springfield XDM etc. Calibers in pistol range from .22 to .44 Mag.

I'm weak on shotguns, a Mossberg 500 set up for 3 gun, a 12 ga. semi auto for sporting clays, a Benelli 20 ga. semi for bird hunting.

 

[meanmrmustard]

Both for me too. Some calibers are multi role, some are use specific. I adhere to this every time I consider what rifle I will buy. I have pet cartridges, namely .223/5.56. Im a fan of .260 rem, .375 H&H, and the venerable 30-30. Some overlap use: 30-30 accelerators for yotes and deer, .223 for the same, and easily .260 for both. But the rifles they're chambered for are equally as important. Ruger M77 in 260, Interarms mini in 223, and non remain marlin 336 in 30-30. Just to cover bases. I will say, however, that my household favors Ruger.

 

[Flatbush Harry]

To me, aside from aesthetics, rifles are tools. Some of mine are target rifles (my M1A SuperMatch, My M1 Garands, my Rem 700 SPS-Varmint, my Colt AR15A2), the rest are for hunting. Since I hunt prairie poodles, coyote, pronghorn, deer and, occasionally, elk, I have .25-06, a 6.5x55, .308s, .30-06s and a very nice Ruger 77RSI in .270 Win. My choice will be made based on my game objective and anticipated distance. I don't take shots longer than 350 yards except on the range.

Based on that, I think I'm probably both a rifle and a caliber collector. As a handloader, I like to work up loads in different calibers so that accounts for a portion of the diversity in the safe.

FH

 

[waidmann]

I rarely go deer hunting these days. Terrain dependent I suppose I would grab my Brno .270 scoped or the trusty Model 94 .30-30.

Beyond that I admit to being a caliber collector. I love metrics, casting, case forming, and reloading. I enjoy the challenge and the process.

 

[Kachok]

Both, I have my favorites but I rarely ever have two of the same caliber.

 

[EchoM70]

When I get a new rifle, I always try to find something in a new caliber. But I also look for a gun I haven't had yet... Next rifle is going to be a browning BLR in 7mm-08. Guess I like to mix things up a little bit, try to keep it interesting.

 

[wishn4more]

I buy the prettiest rifle I see, regardless of caliber. Okay, I lied a little. I buy the best rifle for the dollar I can, just so happens a few of the centerfires are pretty. I have .257 Roberts, 7.5 Swiss, 30-30, and .30-06. I have a herd of .22s - Stevens, Savage, Marlin, Romanian; bolt and semi; tube and mag fed. I voted "rifle" before I read the OP, thinking "caliber" meant you only buy one particular chambering.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Neither!

I am an accumulator of both :banghead:

Guilty!

 

[lovethosesooners]

Clicked both, as I "justify" new purchases based on a perceived "NEED" to fill a role...we all know THAT drill!

Lot's of overlap on both rifles and pistols...

A few duplicates include 12 gg semi, 12 gg Pump for HD, 2 .22's set up differently, 2 9mm pistols (1 is the bosses <my wife>), 2 .40 pistols (1 for conceal and a full size), 2 30-06 (1 bolt and 1 Rem 750 semi-auto for hog hunting), and soon to be 2 308's (1 bolt, and 1 <hopefully SOON> to come M1a simply because it's bad a*s and super cool! )