Different Ammunition Calibers

[beatledog7]

There are many schools of thought on having firearms in many calibers. I reload everything I shoot save rimfire and shotshell, and even though I know I'm saving money over buying the same number of rounds of factory ammo, I sometimes think I probably wouldn't buy that much factory ammo. But reloading is part of my enjoyment of the hobby.

I started with a .38SPL then added a .357 carbine, thinking it would end there: the revolver for carry, the rifle for the occasional hunt. But then I discovered that I needed a shotgun, and a .22 rifle, and then a .40 cal for its higher capacity, and a 9mm target gun, and a high power bolt-action rifle...

I shoot 12 different centerfire cartridges and load 13 (one for a family member). There is wisdom in building up stocks of what you shoot the most or imagine you would (in some unnamed scenario) shoot the most. I'd estimate that 3/7 of the rounds I've handloaded are either .38SPL, .357Mag, 9mm, or .40S&W. About 1/7 have been some other handgun round, 2/7 .223 Rem, and the final 1/7 some other rifle round. I'm looking to add one more rifle cartridge to my stable, but then that'll be it unless I get to hunt in Africa.

But I've said that before....

 

[David E]

One factor to consider is that the more calibers you have, the more likely you can use something you come across at a deal.

At one match, one of the prizes was 500 rds of Corbon ammo......in 10mm. It sat there for awhile until the one guy who owned a 10mm snagged it.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

In a real economic collapse, spare ammo would would make an excelent barter item. I posted a while back about some guy who bought a pallet of .22 rimfire for that reason

I've been thinking about that -- I keep two 5,000 round cases on hand, but more wouldn't hurt.

 

[Fishslayer]

One factor to consider is that the more calibers you have, the more likely you can use something you come across at a deal.

At one match, one of the prizes was 500 rds of Corbon ammo......in 10mm. It sat there for awhile until the one guy who owned a 10mm snagged it.

Currency/trade bait. I have to say if I'd won 500 rounds of Corbon 10mm myself I would be pretty tempted to go buy a launcher for 'em.

I don't own anything that doesn't take ammo available from WalMart or cheap milsurp.

Common calibers also give you a supply of cheap/free brass for reloading.