NeuseRvrRat
Member
i prefer variety. the only duplicates i have are .22LR, 12 ga, and a pair of .380 ACPs.
Anyone else getting back to the caliber basics
- Thread starter R.W.Dale
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Hokkmike
Member
I do miss the fun of the argument. A think it is a function of age and experience to settle on one caliber and realize that though different in the end they all perform well if used correctly.
I am a 6.5x55 man. In my opinion it is the IDEAL deer round for Pennsylvania. But then again, so is the 7mm08, .308, .270, etc.!
I am a 6.5x55 man. In my opinion it is the IDEAL deer round for Pennsylvania. But then again, so is the 7mm08, .308, .270, etc.!
"We are both convinced there is nothing that the RUM, SWM, SSWM, etc... calibers can do that .243, .270, .308, 30-06, 300 win mag and 338 win mag can't do just as well and with less damage to your prey, your wallet and your shoulder!"
the exact reason the 30-06, 308, 270, 223, 243., etc. remain the most popular cartridges. they get the job done and ammo is available almost everywhere (since the vast majority don't reload).
the exact reason the 30-06, 308, 270, 223, 243., etc. remain the most popular cartridges. they get the job done and ammo is available almost everywhere (since the vast majority don't reload).
my calibers are even more streamlined. 45acp in handguns, 223 in carbines. 22lr just cause.
however, i don't think the cartridges you mentioned are competitive with some of the wildcats so i have a couple specialty calibers for long range matches... 260rem, 260AI (which can shoot 260rem) and 6SLR.
however, i don't think the cartridges you mentioned are competitive with some of the wildcats so i have a couple specialty calibers for long range matches... 260rem, 260AI (which can shoot 260rem) and 6SLR.
DAP90
Member
All pretty standard, off-the-shelf calibers for me. I don’t reload so it makes things easier.
22lr
17HMR
22WMR
9mm
38/357
223
243win
12ga
…and I’d like to add a 50BP barrel for my Encore eventually, and a 20ga O/U or SxS.
R.W.Dale, Bass Pro is having a pretty good clearance sale on Encore barrels since I see you have one.
http://www.basspro.com/Thompson/Center-Encore-Rifle-Barrels/product/55442/
22lr
17HMR
22WMR
9mm
38/357
223
243win
12ga
…and I’d like to add a 50BP barrel for my Encore eventually, and a 20ga O/U or SxS.
R.W.Dale, Bass Pro is having a pretty good clearance sale on Encore barrels since I see you have one.
http://www.basspro.com/Thompson/Center-Encore-Rifle-Barrels/product/55442/
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CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Boring!!!
Variety is the spice of life and I like a lot of spice. I just bought a new Ruger .250Savage. Having a hell of a time getting brass with no ammo in sight. I just as easily could've bought a .243 or .308 but where's the fun in that??? Yes, I'm sure I could do 99% of my hunting with a plain vanilla .30-06 but I'd rather eat broken glass than own one. Life is short to do the same damn thing everybody else is doing and I'd prefer mine was more interesting.
Variety is the spice of life and I like a lot of spice. I just bought a new Ruger .250Savage. Having a hell of a time getting brass with no ammo in sight. I just as easily could've bought a .243 or .308 but where's the fun in that??? Yes, I'm sure I could do 99% of my hunting with a plain vanilla .30-06 but I'd rather eat broken glass than own one. Life is short to do the same damn thing everybody else is doing and I'd prefer mine was more interesting.
sixgunner455
Member
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2006
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- 3,052
I was looking for a coyote and deer rifle a couple of summers back. I wanted something that had some legs on it, but that wouldn't beat me up too much to shoot it. I had a long list of cartridges that were acceptable for what I was thinking about, but I ended up buying a .243 because it met all the other things I was thinking about, and I noticed that of all the calibers I was thinking about, it was the one that passes the WalMart test. I was at Wally's last night. They were cleaned out of .22 rimfire, .223, .38, .308, etc, but - in .243, they had a stack of Federal Fusion, a few boxes of Remington Core Lokt, and a couple of Federal blue box softpoints.
None of the other calibers I was considering were on the shelf. Most of them, other than the .25-06, aren't even carried by Wally's.
My rifle's only seen one box of factory ammo, but it's nice knowing that I can run over there and grab a couple of boxes if I need to.
Other than that, I've got .22 rifles and pistols, a .50 muzzleloader, a K31 (that I hardly ever shoot, but it's cool and I got it on a ridiculous sale - just got a bayonet for it, too), a 5.56 AR, a 9mm, and several S&W .38 and .357 revolvers. My shotgun is a 20g.
I only have one gun I never, ever shoot: a Hollis revolver from the 1870s that I got in Kabul. It's some kind of .45 caliber cartridge.
IOW, the guns I use are in normal, common calibers. Unless I actually build the 6.8 upper for my AR I'm thinking about, that's probably how it's going to stay.
None of the other calibers I was considering were on the shelf. Most of them, other than the .25-06, aren't even carried by Wally's.
My rifle's only seen one box of factory ammo, but it's nice knowing that I can run over there and grab a couple of boxes if I need to.
Other than that, I've got .22 rifles and pistols, a .50 muzzleloader, a K31 (that I hardly ever shoot, but it's cool and I got it on a ridiculous sale - just got a bayonet for it, too), a 5.56 AR, a 9mm, and several S&W .38 and .357 revolvers. My shotgun is a 20g.
I only have one gun I never, ever shoot: a Hollis revolver from the 1870s that I got in Kabul. It's some kind of .45 caliber cartridge.
IOW, the guns I use are in normal, common calibers. Unless I actually build the 6.8 upper for my AR I'm thinking about, that's probably how it's going to stay.
I'm interested in some of the "novelty" rounds (particularly the 6.5x55) but tend to keep my guns in the mainstream calibers of 22LR, .223, .308, .357, and 9mm. Aside from the fact that these rounds are excellent in their own right (not so much the 9mm), there are two main reasons for sticking with them. First, the mainstream rounds are readily available and at the most affordable prices (even though I do reload some). The second and most compelling reason for me is that I want my kids to be able to use the guns through their lifetimes and perhaps pass them along to their kids if they want, and these extremely popular, ubiquitous rounds are much more likely to be available via factory loads, surplus, or reloading supplies for the long term future. That latter reason is what drove me to buy the CZ 550 FS in .308 instead of 6.5x55 which I think I would actually prefer for my shooting purposes.
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R.W.Dale
Member
That's an excellent point I6turbo!
Something I had never considered. Not only from an avalibity stand point but if the future heirs turn out to only be slightly into guns you've done them a favor by giving them a simple to find universal cartridge.
In the case of 6.5x55 they'd not only have to find ammo but they may never learn how pitifully underloaded American metric ammo is and thus never experience the rifles full potential.
posted via that mobile app with the sig lines everyone complains about
Something I had never considered. Not only from an avalibity stand point but if the future heirs turn out to only be slightly into guns you've done them a favor by giving them a simple to find universal cartridge.
In the case of 6.5x55 they'd not only have to find ammo but they may never learn how pitifully underloaded American metric ammo is and thus never experience the rifles full potential.
posted via that mobile app with the sig lines everyone complains about
wankerjake
Member
Hey R.W., can I safely assume that your "back to basics" approach still does not include another 243?
And I must admit that I have not gone back to basics at all. My last 4 rifle purchases have been: .223 (ok), 22 Hornet, 270WSM and a .50 Beowulf (it's ridiculousness is exceeded only by it's awesomeness).
Pistols I have done much better. All recent addition before this week have been 38/357 which I was already set up for. I have 2 45ACP pistols in the mail which will be my first, but I've been set up to reload for 45ACP for years now. I have resisted urges to get into 380 ACP and 40 S&W. I feel a 41 Mag and or 44 Mag are in the cards eventually though...
I just like too much crap
And I must admit that I have not gone back to basics at all. My last 4 rifle purchases have been: .223 (ok), 22 Hornet, 270WSM and a .50 Beowulf (it's ridiculousness is exceeded only by it's awesomeness
).Pistols I have done much better. All recent addition before this week have been 38/357 which I was already set up for. I have 2 45ACP pistols in the mail which will be my first, but I've been set up to reload for 45ACP for years now. I have resisted urges to get into 380 ACP and 40 S&W. I feel a 41 Mag and or 44 Mag are in the cards eventually though...
I just like too much crap
aka108
Member
If you read all the gun magazines, the writers are constantly reviewing some new you just gotta have it cartridge and how wonderful it is and how it is going to be the new standard and replace the older ones. Two years later the guys who bought the rifles can hardly find ammo for them and when then do it's very expensive.. There has been tons of cartridges sizes that have come and gone but the old standards stick around since they perform well and are readily available. As old as the 30-30 is, there is no finer round for hunting deer down here in Florida.
tahunua001
Member
I understand where you are coming from RW and if all you shoot at is paper then you would be correct.
however after 300 yards you 7.62x39 doesn't have nearly the energy necessary to kill an Elk, and a deer would probably be quite a gamble too. likewise at 50 yards there is a heck of a lot more rabbit meat intact after a 22lr hit than a 7.62x39 hit. as for wildcats, I've never cared for the idea, too much work fashioning your own brass and having to reload each and every round. I however have been getting away from the basics. I used to be a firm believer in KISS.
22lr for super cheap plinking,
223 for self defense and limited hunting options,
243 for deer and predators from black bear on down,
45 ACP for concealed carry
9mm for cheaper practice and lastly
a 300 magnum(in my case weatherby) to kill anything in north america that the others can't handle.
but then some A-hole brother in law sold me his enfield for a good price and then I had to add 303 brit because it's just too dang fun not to shoot then I bought a springfield because I wanted to pretend I was Alvin york for a day so I had to get me some 30-06. then I watched Enemy at the Gates one too many times so I had to go get me a mosin nagant, in comes the crates of 7.62x54R and then I figured while I had all of those I might as well finish the allied parties collection from WWII so I bought a french MAS36 in comes the hard to find, hard to find load data for, 7.5x54 french. then I had a springfield sniper that I was tired of dumping restoration dollars into so I traded it for a pair of Japanese Arisakas, then after 2 days of searching for ammo I finally decided to try looking at the one place I knew didn't have it, and Cabelas had both 6.5x50 and 7.7x58 jap calibers so yes my gun safe is literally stuffed with calibers that just about any rifle I had before could have handled.
however after 300 yards you 7.62x39 doesn't have nearly the energy necessary to kill an Elk, and a deer would probably be quite a gamble too. likewise at 50 yards there is a heck of a lot more rabbit meat intact after a 22lr hit than a 7.62x39 hit. as for wildcats, I've never cared for the idea, too much work fashioning your own brass and having to reload each and every round. I however have been getting away from the basics. I used to be a firm believer in KISS.
22lr for super cheap plinking,
223 for self defense and limited hunting options,
243 for deer and predators from black bear on down,
45 ACP for concealed carry
9mm for cheaper practice and lastly
a 300 magnum(in my case weatherby) to kill anything in north america that the others can't handle.
but then some A-hole brother in law sold me his enfield for a good price and then I had to add 303 brit because it's just too dang fun not to shoot then I bought a springfield because I wanted to pretend I was Alvin york for a day so I had to get me some 30-06. then I watched Enemy at the Gates one too many times so I had to go get me a mosin nagant, in comes the crates of 7.62x54R and then I figured while I had all of those I might as well finish the allied parties collection from WWII so I bought a french MAS36 in comes the hard to find, hard to find load data for, 7.5x54 french. then I had a springfield sniper that I was tired of dumping restoration dollars into so I traded it for a pair of Japanese Arisakas, then after 2 days of searching for ammo I finally decided to try looking at the one place I knew didn't have it, and Cabelas had both 6.5x50 and 7.7x58 jap calibers so yes my gun safe is literally stuffed with calibers that just about any rifle I had before could have handled.
I don't own any rifles yet, but I've looked at a lot of options, and keep coming back to the realization I'll probably just go 5.56/.223 when I do get a rifle. I'd like only one caliber for a given purpose, and there is a weird phenomenon in many markets where something being popular makes it better. With 5.56, you have more options for specific parts and upgrades than you do in any of the wildcat AR cartridges, and more options for ammo. I don't see enough of a benefit in something like 6.8 SPC or 300 AAC for HD to override the popularity boost.
35 Whelen
Member
Last count I had about two dozen centerfire rifles in at least 17 different calibers. I've long since passed the phase that of shooting game with this particular rifle, or that particular bullet, so to me there's way too much overlapping in the calibers. Most of the rifles I own will work fine for deer, two or three are perfect for elk, but every season I use the same rifle for deer, the same rifle for elk and and the rest sit in the safe.
I do like variety, but what I'm beginning to dislike is rifles sitting in my safe not being used when their collective value could be put towards something that I will use. And besides all that there's something enjoyable about using the same rifle over and over and over....you know, THAT rifle? The one that come to your shoulder the same way every time? The one that shooting, and hitting with it, is second nature because you've used it so much?
Sometimes when I have a little cash laying around I think "What gun could I buy with this?" I never can think of anything else I really want, so I usually end up buying primers, powder and bullets/lead so I can keep shooting the firearms I REALLY enjoy.
I hold no ill will towards those who like variety, Lord knows I've been there, but now it's my little .308 Scout rifle for deer, my 35 Whelen for elk, my .280 as a backup for the other two, and my 4 3/4" SA in .44 Special for carrying when I'm outside working...the rest are just Safe Queens.
35W
I do like variety, but what I'm beginning to dislike is rifles sitting in my safe not being used when their collective value could be put towards something that I will use. And besides all that there's something enjoyable about using the same rifle over and over and over....you know, THAT rifle? The one that come to your shoulder the same way every time? The one that shooting, and hitting with it, is second nature because you've used it so much?
Sometimes when I have a little cash laying around I think "What gun could I buy with this?" I never can think of anything else I really want, so I usually end up buying primers, powder and bullets/lead so I can keep shooting the firearms I REALLY enjoy.
I hold no ill will towards those who like variety, Lord knows I've been there, but now it's my little .308 Scout rifle for deer, my 35 Whelen for elk, my .280 as a backup for the other two, and my 4 3/4" SA in .44 Special for carrying when I'm outside working...the rest are just Safe Queens.
35W
bdgackle
Member
I was thinking along these lines a month or so ago... but with the newest ammo shortage looming, I'm greatful for all my odd-ball caliber milsurps.
There are a lot more 8mm and 6.5mm bullets on the shelf at the local shop than there are in224/308. I can find brass for all of my milsurps... but for the .308? Forget it.
Loaded ammo too -- though the premium hunting rounds in 308 are still on the shelf, and the obscure stuff costs about the same per round, so that is a less useful fact.
Everyone mentions ammo in common calibers for availability. During a panic, though, it seems to be the exact opposite. All the weird stuff is the last thing still on the shelves.
There are a lot more 8mm and 6.5mm bullets on the shelf at the local shop than there are in224/308. I can find brass for all of my milsurps... but for the .308? Forget it.
Loaded ammo too -- though the premium hunting rounds in 308 are still on the shelf, and the obscure stuff costs about the same per round, so that is a less useful fact.
Everyone mentions ammo in common calibers for availability. During a panic, though, it seems to be the exact opposite. All the weird stuff is the last thing still on the shelves.
My local mass merchant stores are out of practically everything too, but I think those people who are thinking longer term wouldn't be caught low on ammo in a surprise panic period like this one. Seeing the panic drive prices to 200-300% of normal is enough to make you want to knee-jerk and buy, but waiting is almost surely the best approach right now, even if one doesn't have as much stock as he/she would like. The manufacturers are undoubtedly running full bore production and they will eventually catch up and things will get back much closer to normal. But if someone is going to wait until a panic to buy, then the oddball rounds might in fact be best for a period of time until those are gone too.
03Shadowbob
Member
I am definitely in the "back-to-basics" group with my .35Remington lever, 30-06 bolt, 22 rifles and 12ga shotties. Also just 38s, 357s and 44mags for pistols.
mr.trooper
Member
There is a thread in this forum at this very moment that is debating the merits of a 28 Vs.30 cal bullet from the same casing. The difference in real world capability is so mind numbingly small, as to be inconsequential... but yet people are concerned about it. People rack their brains over it.
Kachok
Member
I like my oddball calibers, but the nice thing about my "basics" is I never have to buy brass, everyone I know at the range knows I handload a dozen different calibers and they give me their brass, I have a lifetime supply of 30-06. Every time I go out I come back with several pounds of extra brass.
CountGlockulla
Member
I have. I went from 10 calibers down to:
9mm
.223
.308
.22
9mm
.223
.308
.22
wlewisiii
Member
In rifles, I have .30-30 & 7x57. I expect to add 9.3x62 to that before too terribly long.
.22 LR in both long gun and hand gun.
.32 ACP, .38 Special & .45 Colt for hand gun.
Not a big variety though a couple of scary metric rounds in there I'm happy with these choices.
.22 LR in both long gun and hand gun.
.32 ACP, .38 Special & .45 Colt for hand gun.
Not a big variety though a couple of scary metric rounds in there
I'm happy with these choices.I've hunted with a 280 for years . I probably always will . My range gun is 30-06 I shoot with cast bullets. Lots of fun and simple . I like others have had them all but I enjoy the cast bullets . Every time I go on a hunting trip with the short mag crowd I just chuckle . I also love a 22 Great Fun .
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