Best Caliber for Non-Reloaders

[Aaryq]

Howdy folks. Title says it all. What are your top 3 calibers for autoloader pistol, revolver, rifle, and shotgun if you don't reload?

 

[Outlaws]

Anything popular. If you want cheap, then the .22LR.

 

[sansone]

9mm has taken the lead over 38spl as the cheapest.. rifle rds= probably 7.62x39 (although a little anemic for a rifle rd)

 

[win71]

.22..........22..........22...........12

or, for centerfire

9m/m.......38/357.....223.........12

 

[bluetopper]

.22lr, 9mm Lugar, 9x18 Makarov

More affordable aluminum and steel cased ammo can redily be found for the
9x19 and 9x18 rounds.

And the crown goes to the .22 for fun and economy.

 

[Geronimo45]

9mm, .38, 5.45 Russkie, 12-gauge (Maybe... haven't checked shotgun shell prices).

 

[jaholder1971]

pistol: 9mm, 7.62X25 and 9mm Mak.

9mm beat out .38 special becaus i can get it cheaper box for box. The others aren't reloadable by and large as there's no real wide source for brass.

Rifle: 7.62X39, 7.62X54R, .30-06

The 7.62 rounds are still easy to find and most is nonreloadable. .30-06 is on here because it's readily available everywhere and cheap surplus Greek and Korean can still be found.

 

[RNB65]

Rimfire: .22lr, of course

Centerfire --

Pistol: 9mm

Rifle: .223

Shotgun: 12ga target load value packs

 

[Chad]

Nobody's mentioned the revolver...I guess .357 with the option to shoot .38 is the obvious choice.

What about same caliber combinations?
Rifle and revolver, or even revolver and pistol in the same caliber.

 

[High Planes Drifter]

rifle - 7.62x54 is cheap cheap cheap. 5.45x39 & 7.62x39 are cheap also(usually same price most places online)

pistol- 9x19 is cheap, as is 9x18mak., 7.62x25Tok is also cheap through mega wharehouses such as AIM, J&G, etc (corrosive)- no way to tell how long it will stay this way.

 

[skeeter1]

.22 Rimfire (any variant), .38Spl, and 9MM for handguns. .22 rimfire, .223, and .7.62x39 for rifles. They're all fairly cheap to shoot, and reloading is alway an option for all but the rimfires.

 

[ok41]

Definitely NOT 17-223 Ackley Improved!!!!!(Dies cost me 285 clams)

 

[yhtomit]

I'd say .45, 9mm, and .223 ...

... but I'd also say to shoot from about 12 feet to my left, with a big tarp and no competition

timothy

 

[eliphalet]

Price wise I would say 22 LR 38 SPL 9MM .223 then 308 or '06, 12 gauge. Avoid the steel cased cheapo unless it's going in a SKS or AK.

 

[DWARREN123]

Pistols-22lr 9mm 38spl 357mag

Rifles-22lr 223 Rem 7.62X39 308 30-06

Shotguns- 12ga 20ga 28/16ga .410 bore

Just my opinion

 

[FlaXD]

I'm assuming the cost of blasting thousands of rounds/month is not the primary consideration - ie cheap. I'm considering versatility, availability, job effectiveness, and overall cost-effectiveness. I'm also not sure if you're asking for 3 choices per category. If not, just take the first one.

pistol - .40SW, .45ACP, 9mm
rifle - .308, .223, .22LR or one of the above in a PCC
SG - 12Gauge, 20 Gauge

 

[Sav .250]

22LR.........45..........12 ga...........30-06.

 

[115grfmj]

22lr is the winner hands down....

but 9mm is a close second, and probably .38's as a third.

Nothing beats buying 1000 rds of 22lr for $19.00, everyone should own at least one 22lr, wouldn't you gents agree

 

[DMK]

Handgun: 9mm - You can get aluminum case CCI blazer pretty cheap still

Rifle: 7.62x39 or 7.62x54R - Steel cased is cheaper than most other calibers

Shotgun: 12Ga - Birdshot is pretty low cost still.

22LR is of course cheaper than anything else.

 

[10-Ring]

For the non reloaders, I would consider:
22lr, 9mm, 357/38, 45 acp, 12ga., .223/5.56, 308, 7.62 X 39

 

[mp510]

12 and 20 gauge are both pretty cheap for shotgun

9x19 for a centerfire handgun

7.62x39 (8x57 or 7.62x54 when they are availble) for centerfire rifle

.22 LR and pellet guns are also very cheap to shoot.