How many carbine calibers are economical in the long-run?

[Ignition Override]

Having both a Mini 14 and 30, plus the SKS and two MN 44s, it seems somewhat impractical to keep the 14 for many years due to the higher prices for Wolf (etc) .223 compared to most 7.62x39. I made my first gun purchase one year ago.

Do many of you guys shoot just one type of interm.-caliber for plinking, (although very remote chance for) possible self-defense one day?

As a long-term investment against much higher ammo taxes or bans on imported ammo etc, do many people buy only one type?
Sure, in that case "all of your eggs are in one basket". Lots of people appear to have large bulk quantities of .223 from when it was cheap, or simply buy Remington etc and don't shoot very often. The idea of acquiring a second SKS plus an extra 4,000 rds. of ammo in a possible (?) future trade for the used, old Mini plus 2400 rds. could exert a strong appeal, although the market might not be there.

Still a novice (frequent plinker) although middle-aged.

 

[benzy2]

Steel .223 runs about $115/500 while 7.62x39 is $95. It isn't like one is affordable and the other is outrageous. Brass .223 is FAR more available and less expensive. I am reloading .223 with supplies bought in the last year or two for around $75/500 for .223. I can't come close to that with x39.

I buy as many types as I can because I find the more variety the more fun. I get burnt out only using one round. It seems like a waste of money to not get anything different performance wise out of multiple firearms. At least when I switch from caliber A to caliber B I can justify the new firearm as that caliber does something better than the others I have.

 

[taliv]

I do. A year or two ago I cleaned out everthing in my safe that wasn't in one of four calibers (22 lr 45, 223, 308, well I guess 480ruger makes five) and concentrated on hoarding ammo/ components in just those. I also kept a wildcat or two but those don't really count

If you want to shoot a lot economically stick to a couple calibers

 

[rob_s]

I did similar to taliv, only I went with .45 1911s and 5.56 ARs, with .22 conversions for each. I still think that's the best overall solution for me. If I was going to get a .308 it would still be an AR platform.

I'm thinking of adding, or in some ways have added, 9mm back into the mix and now have two 9mm ARs and am hoping to pick up a fullsize 1911 in 9mm. This is for cost and suppression in the AR, and reduced recoil for training and competing in the 1911.

I frankly find people with dozens of calibers and dozens of platforms curious, but I guess it depends on what your goal is. I figured out a long time ago that I'm not smart enough to operate more than one platform, and have reinforced that to myself in trying to shoot the Glock all this year only to ride the slide stop and never have the gun lock open on an empty mag.

 

[taliv]

heh that's closer than you think rob. I actually trimmed down to 1911 45acp and 223 ARs as well and just this year added 308 back to the mix in AR pattern (sr25)

I've been thinking lately about adding some 9mm and some AKs like I emailed you about. But those would mostly be FBO others. I have no interest in shooting them myself.

 

[rob_s]

I left the AK out because for me it was a one year experiment and then it's going into the safe with 2k rounds and 20 magazines, and the H-1 will make it's way onto one of the ARs.
(Unless I lose my job, in which case I'm selling everything but the AK and my girlfriend's Glock(s) and going on the cheap!)

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

I have a Mini30, 2 Marlin Camp Guns (9mm & .45acp) and .22LR AMT rifle.
in order of cheap shooting - .22, 9mm (most fun IMO), X39, .45acp.
the 9mm obviously is good for H-D too.
I got the pistol-calibers for back-up or loaners in case of SHTF and I have pistols in those calibers.

 

[benEzra]

If you think .223 is expensive, try shooting .308 or .30-06.

Yes, 7.62x39mm is slightly cheaper, but that doesn't mean .223 is expensive, by any means. It is still among the most economical of centerfire rifle calibers.

 

[taliv]

I kept a levergun and revolver in 480ruger as a hedge against future bans, figuring they'd be the last to go and they're still pretty useful