One caliber you couldn’t do without

Probably 7-08....

But wouldn't trade one of my bolt 223's for stack of 22 rimfires, that's for dang sure.

I honestly don’t care that much for 22 rifles. I do really enjoy 22 pistols though.

Caliber .22, whether .22 LR, .223 Rem, or .22-250. I could live with only .22s if I had to. I could even kill deer with the .223, since I killed several with a .22-250. I've killed more varmints with the .22LR, when you count rats in a dump, as a teen. It's also taken woodchucks, grouse, rabbits, squirrels (lots), skunks, etc. Had a couple of .22-250s that took lots of chucks and crows, but since re-barreled my last one to .243 Win.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who would vote ".22LR". From plinking, chasing small game, training new shooters, to NRA and International target competition, it can cover most tasks I'd realistically ask out of (and have done with) a rifle.

(Now my vote would probably be different if I had a regular need to stop animals the size of my car, or reach game across canyons. Alas, in my little corner of New England, none of that is on the table.)

Pump action 12 gauge shotgun . It Is my do all gun.

I would say .22lr. I would truly miss the plinking sessions, small game hunts, and varmint control with my .22s

22 lr. Just because.

7.62mm x 63mm

Because ya can't chloose .30-06

I'm ready to go: Give me brass with a Boxer igniters and bullet mold.

Mostlikely, 44 special. I could cover a wide spectrum from rabbits to bears to SD.

My initial thought was .22lr and its my 2nd choice but the op said one, so my personal choice is .223 / 5.56.

I’m going on the idea that this fictitious one caliber world is a lawless, post apocalyptic, fend for yourself type of world. Or maybe not, but either way I need a rifle in a caliber that can do a lot of different jobs.

The only reason I take the 5.56 over a .22lr is the power factor. If this is to be a fun plinker/ hunting / self defense / offensive rifle, I know I could do it all with a AR in 5.56.

My only real idea of a downside is noise, but if I hadn’t bought all these other guns, ammo, reloading gear etc, I guess I could easily afford a suppressor!

I had to laugh at all the posters who read the lead post as prohibiting the .270, .308 or 30-06. Poster meant that one could not just give a particular cartridge, one must also give a reason for it.

If I had to limit myself to just one particular cartridge, I would go with a .22LR. A properly placed shot will kill anything on the North American continent, even if shooting large game is illegal and unwise. A person can carry a 100 rounds in one pocket, and buy a 500 round brick for $30 to $40. Recoil is virtually non-existent, and firearms are available in every size and shape.

I have 4 rifles, two .22s, a .223, a 30-30 and a .280. I don't know why I have those particular calibers, its just what I wound up with after nearly 70 years of trading, selling, had stolen and buying. Many many guns have passed through my hands. I want to keep the ones I've got, they serve every situation I can think of that would present itself to me, but for some reason I no longer owned those I'd have to buy something similar back.
Guns are just tools, inanimate objects. I COULD live without what I have but I don't want to.

The question was about .22 caliber, not necessarily the .22LR. That brings both rimfire and centerfire cartridges into play. Hence my post related to both rimfire and centerfires.

BWS said:

Probably 7-08....

But wouldn't trade one of my bolt 223's for stack of 22 rimfires, that's for dang sure.

Click to expand...

BWS beat me to it...

After shooting, loading for and hunting with my 7mm-08, I cannot imagine ever not owning one. IMO it is the most well-balanced, versatile hunting caliber that exists.

Obviously, .22LR.

But more to the point - .357 Magnum.

4.2" RUGER SP-101/ 6-1/2" RUGER BH/ 18" RUGER 77/357.

Camp and Woods tools.




GR

.223rem and .475 Linebaugh. .44mag and .32h&r being close runners behind the LB.

7.62X54R. Love shooting my M39. Took a deer with it yesterday!

22lr.

Small game hunting. Training my kids to shoot. Fun. Inexpensive.

I'll join the choir for the .22LR, for all the reasons previously cited.

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.280 Remington because it can kill anything on this continent qithout being overkill on game and has amazing ballistics for longer shots. Can shoot it all day without shoulder fatigue.

Very late to this thread, but I'll toss in yet another count for the .22LR. As has been said, it's inexpensive, readily-available, and fun. Everything I've thought of to do with a rifle so far can be done with one in .22LR.

7.5x55 Love that gp11. I am really hoping they import some more soon; I just broke into my second to last case!

I'd have to buck your rule and take the '06. I cast my own bullets and reload so the versatility is truly hard to beat, for me. Only 'bout a million .30 caliber moulds to pick from, along with the same number of jacketed. Throw in some tracer and AP and it'll do everything I want done.


Cat

22lr. It is very useful, easy to use, and can be a form of currency. Also, I own more firearms chambered for it than any other cartridge.