Thinning the herd, HOW many of you shoot just ONE caliber?

[dhoomonyou]

How many of you have just ONE caliber of firearm, in a MULTI firearm collection?
For instance 5 or 6 or 7 model 1911's (45acp) or multiple 38 spl's. etc etc...
Right now I have 9mm, 40SW & 45 ACP and I am considering "thinning the herd" and consolidating calibers, keeping at least 40 and 45 and going mostly to 9mm.

PLEASE lets not turn this into a caliber war (horse is dead).

thanks for your input.

 

[Nightfa11]

PLEASE lets not turn this into a caliber war (horse is dead).

But....but....

Seriously,

I am just starting a collection myself and I've been wondering the same thing. My collecting interests are more utility/survival based. I was thinking of two pistol calibers and three rifle calibers only. (45 and 40, 7.62x 39, 51 and 54r). That way, ammo purchasing is simplified and I have utility for everyone in my family.

Those who already have a bunch of guns, it's a different story. I'll be watching this thread to see what everyone does

 

[thumbtack]

I thought long and hard about this myself a while back, even posted a similiar thread.

I only shoot 2 handgun calibers and 2 rifle calibers now any regular basis .

 

[Standing Wolf]

One caliber is like one potato chip: it could be done, but why?

 

[Dionysusigma]

No two guns I own are chambered for the same cartridge. They include .22, 7.62x39, 12 gauge BP, 12 gauge, and 6.5x55 Swede.

I kinda like the 7.62x39, though... there will be more.

 

[Devonai]

Well, not that I have anything against the .303's ballistics, but if I could convert my #4 mk1 to .30-06, I'd be quite happy. Not only would I consolidate calibers with my Garand, but the chargers would be easier to use.

For pistols, I currently own a Beretta 92FS and a Cougar 8040. I would have been perfectly happy with a 9mm Cougar, but that wasn't the one sitting on the shelf in like-new condition for $495. I also have a Baby Eagle 9mm on the way. For pistols, ammo consolidation is only as important as the current price of ammo.

 

[jefnvk]

Ha! 7 different calibers in 9 guns

3 - 12g
8mm Mauser
7,62x39
.45 ACP
.22LR
6,5x55
.50 Blackpowder

Plan to add a 9mm, 7,62x54R and a 6.5 Jap soon...

 

[HSMITH]

I don't see the point of consolidating, to me it is a handicap and not a help. Why limit yourself? I also feel strongly that shooting different guns will help you improve your abilities much faster than sticking with one gun or type. I also reload so monetary considerations like shooting 9mm instead of 45 don't factor in.


I see consolidation as a lose/lose proposition.

 

[Majic]

I shoot just one caliber. One caliber at a time.

 

[Preacherman]

Actually, in terms of rifles, I am consolidating my most-often-used guns into a single caliber - .308 Winchester. This is purely and simply for ease of ammo purchase and storage. I've now got four rifles in this caliber. I also have .30-30, .45-70, and a few others, but I'm going to shoot mainly milsurp ammo in my .308's for training and practice.

As for handguns, I've valiantly consolidated down to no more than a dozen calibers already!

 

[sm]

11

.22lr
.38spl
.357
9mm
.45ACP
30-30
'06
12, 20, 28, ga & .410 shotgun

Been this same bunch since I was born in '55. The .22lr was waiting for me to come home from being birthed. Shot the .45ACP at age six,did not take long to hit the rest. IIRC all these were shot by age 10.

I wouldn't want to confuse myself with anything new at this point, I'm still learning the nuances of these.

Unless someone wants to gimmee a model 70 in .308 or a lever action in 45-70 ...I believe I could "adapt" just fine.

And 4v50Gary ain't helping here of late, neither is Dr. Rob when he shows that dadburned BP double bbl shotgun of his...
These are evil and mean people

Aw screw it, specialization is for insects...I give up...Standing Wolf is right - again.

 

[kernal_panic]

lets see:

4 .357s
3 .22s
2 .223s
1 5.45
1 6.5x55
1 8x57
1 .380

 

[cracked butt]

Hmm.
3- 30-06's
2- 6.5x55's
7 8x57's

 

[Tom Servo]

Hmm...with the exception of the 12ga, I've been exclusively 9mm. Sig 228, 239 and soon, a CZ.

I may be adding a .40cal Kahr to my arsenal very soon, though.

 

[s&w 24]

here we go !!


pistol calibers : 2" 44 special (CCW)
4" 44 special (CCW / home)
8" 44 mag (hunting/trunk gun)
Rifle calibers : 8X57 mauser times 2 (GP rifles)
30 carbine (home/wifes gun)
and of course 12 ga for the shotguns

These all work fine for me and mine the rifle caliber could be 308/30-06/257/ or any other med. bore pistol for my use would be a revolver but you could switch to an auto and add a 22 conversion added to the mix.

 

[Hemicuda]

Diversity makes the world turn... so I buy all kindsa weird calibers... I even have things like 7TCU (it is a real caliber, made from a .223 case necked UP to 7MM) barrel for my contender...

 

[Skibane]

I don't see the point of consolidating, to me it is a handicap and not a help. Why limit yourself?

Let me put it this way: A 7.62 x 39 mm round has an 93 percent chance of accomplishing the same job as a .308 round...

...but has a 100 percent chance of being unshootable in a rifle chambered for the latter caliber.

Every round you buy for a new caliber represents one less round that you're buying for the old one.

 

[stealthmode]

i only shoot 2 calibers now .45 and .22 because its cheaper than taking every caliber i have. i will only shoot 100 .22 and 50 .45 twice a week. i was only going to shoot 9mm and .22 because the 9 is almost half the cost of .45 but i am more accurate with my 1911 than my sig 228, so i made the comprimise to shoot .45 instead of 9mm.

 

[Edmond]

I have 2 calibers:

9mm
.45 acp

I got the .45 first and wanted a second gun. I decided to go with 9 for two reasons:

diversity and cheaper ammo.

Next on my list is either a .357 magnum or .40

 

[BryanP]

Let's see ...

.22lr
.38spl / .357 magnum
.410 ga
.45ACP
.223
7.62x39
and coming soon ... .308
After that probably a 12 ga.

I occasionally consider a 9mm or a .380 but I keep resisting.

So, uh ... no.

 

[dodge]

.22 LR times 2
.223 30-30 30-40
30-06
45/70

22 LR times 2
9 mm
357 mag
45acp 45 LC

20 gauge
16 gauge
12 gauge
I think that's it for me and with my son it's

22LR times 2
257 Roberts
16 gauge

 

[Roadkill]

I wish like hell I could.

.22 (1)
.25 (1)
.32 (2)
.38 (1)
9mm (4)
7.62x25 (2)
.40 (1)
.45 (2)
7.62x54 (2)
7.62x39 (1)
.30 Carbine (1)
30-30 (1)
30.06 (4)
8mm (2)
7.5mm (1)
6.5mm (2)
.303 (2)
.223 (1)
7.7mm (2)
12ga (5)

rk

 

[Zach S]

I primarily shoot 45, through 1911s and a thompson. I have a G17 that gets fired occasonally (probably one range session a month), and a Taurus M85UL I havent fired in a long time. I forgot I had it until here recently.

As long as I dont rent the MP5, I'd say I shoot eight to ten rounds of .45 to one 9mm.

I dont reload yet, so I need to shoot the wondernine more, and buy a .22...

 

[RJ357]

There is an old saying, "beware the man with only one gun; he likely shoots it well".

I like old sayings, but nonetheless, I have:

.22
.40
.45
.38 spl
.357 mag
.44 mag
.223
5.56 mm

Everyone needs a .22 regardless of what else they have.

 

[38SnubFan]

For now....

For now, I only have and shoot one gun which I carry. That is a .38 Spl. revolver.

However, I shoot with friends often, and get to play with their toys , so here's what I have shot:

.22 lr, mag.
.223 (AR-15)
.270 Win., Mag.
.303
30-06
.357 mag.
.38 Spl.
.380 ACP
9 MM
.40 S&W
.45 ACP
.44 Spl., Mag.
12-ga.

I also like to set up an "indoor range" in my house and shoot my .177 cal. air pistol once in a while (Still a kid at heart I guess). It's a Crosman 3576W I bought when I was a little younger, but we're talking about firearms here, so I guess that doesn't count.

I plan next for a 1911 in .45 ACP (Probably a Kimber Custom II or maybe a Charles Daly EFS).