All purpose rifle/pistol caliber hunting & self defense round nomination.

[BreechFace]

Not exactly. The difference is generally due to better manufacture of inner barrel (bore) dimensions and uniformity. In barrels of equal precision, the advantage is to (iron sight) radius. With scopes, that obvious does not matter as much. The length of a barrel - assuming done correctly has no inherent effect on accuracy.

We are saying the same thing I said (see post #44). Discussing barrel quality, which of course is a known variable is of no consequence, as a shorter barrel of higher quality will surely be more accurate than a barrel of low quality and vice-versa. This is a variable should be obvious but doesn't pertain to the topic of the idea of accuracy advantage a longer barrel in and of itself is thought to have, which is in error.

All things being equal, equal sighting system (optic or iron sight length), barrels of equal quality, and a distance of a 100 yards; the accuracy would be the same. There is nothing that a longer barrel will do to make that bullet more accurate other than a velocity advantage where the bullets flight path is less leading to less drift due to environmental factors or a bullet stability issue which is a load issue. But at 100 yards this is inconsequential.

Just look at handgun shooters with 4" & 5" long barrels, the sights obscuring the target no doubt played one of the biggest roles in accuracy falloff (big blocky sights with a small sight radius). Mechanical accuracy of firearms are rarely tested, as it's the nut pulling the trigger and optical sighting that has the greatest effect on accuracy. https://www.handgunsmag.com/editorial/tactics_training_shot_022305/138904

 

[BreechFace]

I'll have to do some comparisons between my 20", 16" and 10.5" 5.56's at the range when I get time. At 100 yards all with scopes I highly doubt I will see any appreciable difference in accuracy.

 

[hq]

I highly doubt I will see any appreciable difference in accuracy.

I haven't. I went from 20" to 16" to 14½" and now 10½" and the only meaningful difference has been bullet drop due to lower V0. Which was to be expected, is easily compensated with a BDC reticle and has nothing to do with accuracy in itself. I've thought about switching back to 14½" because at 300-ish yd my scope starts to run out of adjustments a few more V0 fps would fix.

 

[BreechFace]

I haven't. I went from 20" to 16" to 14½" and now 10½" and the only meaningful difference has been bullet drop due to lower V0. Which was to be expected, is easily compensated with a BDC reticle and has nothing to do with accuracy in itself. I've thought about switching back to 14½" because at 300-ish yd my scope starts to run out of adjustments a few more V0 fps would fix.

I've shot all three, just haven't side by side in direct comparison. But 100 yards with the 10.5" is as accurate as I can be, the biggest determining factor in the accuracy is whether I'm standing unsupported, kneeling using knees as a support, prone or from a bench. Knowing one's holdovers and adjusting with either reticle or turrets they are very mechanically accurate.

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

Or the 45 LC. Been doing all that for 150 years.

Yeah 45 Colt 250-255gr LFN was good enough for Wyatt Earp in the late 1800s and today it will still punch a 45 cal hole through just about anything out there. But unless you have a stockpile of brass it might not be the best one cartridge for everything role IMHO.

 

[Armored farmer]

I feel like I am satisfied with my solution to a hunting/ SD/ HD/ target caliber.
My answer is .357.

 

[Hasaf]

My choice, 44 Magnum, lever action and revolver. Can take deer sized game, pretty effective on 2 legged predators.

I would say bolt-action rather than lever-action, but the idea remains the same.

 

[KansasTrapper77]

General purpose hunting/self defense one round to rule them all? .357 Mag.
Handguns available in any size you want, and carbines and rifles available. Is on the same level of energy as 10mm.

But you mentioned bug out. And that has to be a Glock 17 9mm and an AR-15 in 5.56/223. It is the most readily available ammo in the US. If you get attacked by a bear shoot it alot. We’re not hunting we’re bugging out.

 

[PapaG]

40-44 Stanley. I just created it. Rimless 44 spec with slight neck and the overall length of a 357.
Velocities from 746 to 1300 with bullets from 140 to 210 grains. 1911 or K frame(or L) platform.
Just for laughs.
I’ve played with necking the 45 acp to 38, 40, and the 44 to 38, 40.
Yeah,why not 357 Sig?
Cause I like 10mm.