Anyone else getting back to the caliber basics

[Mr. T]

Dear Krochus

I was looking at the picture of your buck shot with the Rem .223 and I was wondering what kind of ammo you were using? My daughter will be going deer hunting for the first time next year and I was thinking that maybe I would let her use my AR-15, since it is lighter than all my other guns and the recoil is almost non-existent. I would appreciate any advice you might have.

 

[R.W.Dale]

I used a handload shooting a 55grn sierra gameking. For factory ammo the winchester 64g power point gets really good reviews

 

[Dr.Rob]

I don't own any wildcats. Have a bunch of friends that do--but they reload like other guys play fantasy football.

Think my only 'oddball' cals are .32-20 or 8mm, and I haven't started reloading for either.

 

[MJR007]

My 9 year little women and my 11 year old little man both got deer this year with the AR15 6.8spc. The 6.8 has very little recoil and I feel is better for KIDS than a 223. The best of luck to your little hunter Mr.T.

 

[Tuckerp229]

My 9 year little women and my 11 year old little man both got deer this year with the AR15 6.8spc. The 6.8 has very little recoil and I feel is better for KIDS than a 223. The best of luck to your little hunter Mr.T.

Kudos to you sir!
To take your youg'uns out is good on sooooo many levels.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

No, I'm not trying to get back to COMMON calibers.

But I AM trying to get down to JUST A FEW calibers; definitely still a bit oddball though.

Similar, and to my way of thinking, it's another version of "back to basics." Just the best basics for my needs, as I perceive them.

 

[MacTech]

I've never *left* the basics, sure the fancy Übercartridges are neat, but difficult to find in my area, I stick to the basics of;

.22 (Short and Long Rifle), the ubiquitous caliber, no firearms enthusiast should be without at least one .22 rifle and one .22 handgun, versatile, quiet, nonexistent recoil, and dirt cheap ammo
.30-06, my hunting/long-range caliber, not that I've hunted with it yet, but it's there when I need it, I also reload for it, and the .30-06 is one of the most versatile reloadable cartriges out there
.45 ACP, my handgun SD/target shooting caliber, I also reload for this, I love the big, slow, heavy bullets this cartridge tosses, if I can find a PCC chambered in this at my local gunshop, I'll have my SD rifle
12-gauge, like the .22, no collection is complete without a good old 12-gauge, unmatched versatility, slugs out to 100', shotshells close in, and projectile size ranging from birdshot to 000 Buck (basically 9-10 9mm bullets leaving the muzzle at the same time), I use my 12 mainly for skeet shooting

all my *needs* are covered by those four calibers, thanks to the .30-06's versatility, I can load it light for target shooting, set up a good median charge in the .30-30 range, or go for some serious thumping power if needed, sure I'd *love* to get a lever-action .30-30, and a EBR in 5.56, but I can approximate the performance of those loads with the '06

there's something to be said for only having to stock four calibers (.22, .30-06, .45 ACP, 12-gauge), simplicity is good

 

[Maverick223]

Not really, if anything I am getting into the more obscure, interesting cartridges...tomorrow I plan to see about chambering a rifle for .45-120, but I do try to stick to caliber basics as reloading is much cheaper and bullets more available for typical calibers (.223, 6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm, .308, and .458 for rifles). I really like the .416Rigby, but I haven't bought one because the caliber isn't used in many cartridges (as well as the cost of the rifle itself being higher than similar chamberings), driving reloading prices much higher than comparable cartridges (the .458s).

 

[Ignition Override]

The latest package (400 rds.) of surplus .303 "F Z" and "BPR" arrived at a friend's house, and my wife never knew about it.

Sign me up for odd calibers-there will always be ARs and their ammo etc.

.303 is very scarce, and 8mm Mauser will be next.

 

[Maverick223]

.303 is very scarce, and 8mm Mauser will be next.

Eh, at least it exists, try finding ammo for a .45-120.

 

[scoutsabout]

I restrict all of my gun purchases to chamberings that are, and will likely remain, common and inexpensive.

I have yet to see a cartridge come along that completely blows away all of the more common competition.

 

[ongolo]

Opinion from Africa

Hi Guys, this is probably the only post I will put up here.

It is nice to know that you guys have your head screwed on right!

First of all, the "the one rifle man is a dangerous man"

The most common calibers you mentioned .223, 2.43, 270, 308 and the 30-06 are also common here. In addition, due to historical associations, the metric cartridges 7x57, 7x64 and the 8x57 are used here as well., 8x68 and 9.3x62 or 9.3x64, the .338 Win Mag and the .375 H&H and the 458 Win mag are needed for our larger game. For the record, lions are as close as 50km to me and elephants probably less than 100km.

There are troublesome cartridges that nobody uses here anymore, such as the 7mm Super Express from Hofe or the 5.6vom Hofe. Nor is the 220 Swift used anymore.

The reasons for this are simple, a rifle for which you cannot readily buy ammo is sooner or later useless.

Although the .243 has its problems, it is used widely. Statistically, the .270 cartridge no matter from which rifle, is the most accurate hunting cartridge here. Gunsmiths, who sight in plenty of rifles agree on that. I have tried to figure out why, I made drawings of the 270 of all cartridge angles, free bore etc at massive enlargement, but could never figure it out.

If you put all mentioned cartridges (except the .243 and the 8x68) next to each other, they look like little brother and sister to bigger brother. The sizes differ, but the relation remains about the same. And therefore all these cartridges are trouble free and you cannot go wrong with them.

Especially, the 30 calibers with the largest selection bullet weight and construction are a good choice. A 30-30 would be almost useless here, other to shoot pigs probably.

So guys, that is probably my only post here, have a good 2010.

WAH

 

[35 Whelen]

I think, at least in my case, it's come with maturity. When I was a young man, I wanted velocity (Which is somewhat oxymoronic because I pretty much loathe belted cartridges or anything with a "magnum" label attached). My Dad had a 257 Ack. Imp. barrel put on a little Mexican Mauser action and I wrung that sucker out. Also hunted with a 220 Swift for years. Then I gradually began to realize that a cool head and good marksmanship were far, far more important than power or flat trajectory.

Now, most of my deer/hog hunting is done with a little Mauser .308 Scout Rifle with a Burris 2.75X scope in which I shoot a 150 gr. Remington SP @ 2750 fps....unless I know the range will be under 100 yds. then I use a home-cast 173 gr. hollowpoint @ 1850 fps. If I go on a "serious" deer hunt, I carry a Ruger 77 .280.

For elk hunting, Dad cam along again and had for me a 358 Norma Mag. built, but I never carry it. After dropping three big New Mexico bulls, this years at a smidge over 350 yds., I find my old 35 Whelen with its 4X Burris scope is more than enough.

Shotgun wise, I've backed off from a 12 ga. to a 20 ga. finding that all my dove and upland hunting, including pheasants, can be done with the little 20.

I guess as I age I'm becoming a minimalist. I used to think I had to fill all my deer tags, but now I only take what we need for food...which is actually quite a lot. But, since I have in excess of 150 lbs. of elk meet in the freezer, I may not even shoot a deer this year.
35W

 

[Maverick223]

Hi Guys, this is probably the only post I will put up here.

Welcome to THR! Keep posting...I am curious to learn more about your adventures and exploits in the great dark continent. Tell us more.

When I was a young man, I wanted velocity

Same here, and I still like it for some uses (primarily long range target)...but not for for most things.

 

[farscott]

As far as rifles, the calibers I support are .22 LR, .243 Winchester, .32 H&R Magnum, .308 Winchester, .35 Remington, and .45 ACP. So only one uncommon round, the .32, which I use in my cowboy action Marlin. The rest are very common rounds, all of which can be found in Wal-Mart or most any local gun store.

I also seem to be getting back to basics with scopes. I am eschewing fancy variables and choosing simple fixed-power scopes, especially older Leupold M8 models.

 

[Hanzerik]

I went down to three calibers: .22LR(3 Rifles), .44Mag(2 Rifles), .45 ACP(Pistol)

 

[goldie]

i have said for years that the latest magnum craze with all the short mags,ultra mags,& others was not much more than re inventing the wheel. 300 ultra mag ammo from remington is about 55.00 a box,for example. unless you handload, & that isnt cheap either ,when it comes to these mags,its really out of control price wise.the 300 wby,7mm 300 mags have been fine for a few dozen years, there was no need to improve them unless the cost was the same.....

 

[goon]

Eh, at least it exists, try finding ammo for a .45-120.

Yeah, but if you have casings and a mould you'll also pretty much never need to find ammo for it!
This is part of why I want a .45-70 Guide Gun... No matter how rustic of a situation I'd find myself in, my rifle would still be adaptable to it.

 

[Stainlessbutcher]

Your WHAT? "7.62x39 bench gun"????? I'm looking for exactly that sort of thing for my girl. Is there anyone who makes a bolt action 7.62x39?

 

[Caliper_Mi]

Ruger does in certain models of their M77. CZ makes a x39 bolt action, and I think there may be a third company making one.

 

[Maverick223]

Yeah, but if you have casings and a mould you'll also pretty much never need to find ammo for it!
This is part of why I want a .45-70 Guide Gun... No matter how rustic of a situation I'd find myself in, my rifle would still be adaptable to it.

Yep. I have no plans to cast...yet, but will if it comes down to it.

Ruger does in certain models of their M77. CZ makes a x39 bolt action, and I think there may be a third company making one.

Yep, Zastava (aka: Interarms, Charles Daly, and Remington 799 Mini Mauser) makes one, and it should be available from EAA (under the Zastava name) for much less than the last regime (Remington). IIRC (and I may not) it will set you back about $400.00USD, which is much less than the aforementioned carbines, and is still a good little rifle (a true Mauser action), though the finishing is not as good as either.

 

[shootr]

Started leaning this way some years back. I've got an oddball or two and I'll keep them, but IMO there isn't much I need to do that an 06 can't do with maybe a bit more holdover than a newer, speedier this or that.

Ammo cost and availability are other issues. While I reload, I like knowing I can get a box of ammo at a reasonable price wherever I'm going. The old standards - .243, .270, 30-30, 06 - all are readily available and reasonable where I hunt. Not so with many of the newer chamberings.

May be an age thing too and some might enjoy getting and playing with the newest this-or-that while I've become content with the standards. I also find the constant new product introductions very entertaining.

 

[R.W.Dale]

ATTENTION!

I'm going to bump this thread because I feel not only is it a good one I'm curious as to if some of you guys responses are still the same.

In the past 3 years I stuck to a very simplified cartridge lineup primarily centered around what I could get bulk bullets cheaply for. Recently I did add a new bullet diameter in the form of a 7/08 encore. However I've not yet invested in a reloading setup for it.

I have however expanded more and more into pistol caliber rifles. A 357 mag, maximum and a 9mm these really maximize my shooting and reloading dollar with cheap commercial cast and low powder charges in FREE brass. Because as many will attest to shooting/reloading supplies have not gotten any cheaper or more avalible in the past three years.

So how about you?


posted via that mobile app with the sig lines everyone complains about

 

[Ignition Override]

If you own six Enfields etc, your main 'family' Is an oddball round.
If our range allowed more than paper targets (i.e. concrete blocks with orange spots), they would see more use.

 

[1911 guy]

I've been on the same track as the OP for a while now. I have .22LR, .223/5.56, .308, 12ga and .45acp. Every gun I've bought has either been trading an "oddball" caliber for something chmbered in one of these or moving up in design or something more suited to my own purposes.

Just as an example, I had a H&R Handi-Rifle with four barrels, .223, .45-70, 20ga and 12ga. I traded it for two seperate guns, another .223 bolt and another 12ga pump.

I've currently got almost a half dozen .22 LR, several .223/5.56 rifles, a couple 12ga pumps, a .308 bolt gun and a handful of 1911 pistols all chambered in .45acp. There's even a .22LR revolver in there and three muzzleloaders.

The only oddballs left are my wifes SIG pistol and a .36 flintlock, the other two are .50 cal. I'm looking to sell the .36, but my wife is pretty set on hanging on to her .380. I can live with that.