Top 3 cartridges every hunter should own

[mnhntr]

.223
.260
.338edge

 

[Mosin Bubba]

30-06, 22LR, and 12 gauge. Bases covered

 

[MCMXI]

This is what I use.

.223 Rem for varmints
300 WSM for antelope and deer at longer ranges
.375 H&H Mag for deer and elk inside 300 yards

 

[MachIVshooter]

. Medium game using 7.62 x 39, 7.08, 7.5 Swiss,

Big game using .303 Brits, 3006 and 7.62 x 54R

7.5x55 is more potent than .303 or 7.62x54, on par with the '06. 7mm-08 also outclasses the .303. Except for x39, they're all legitimate big game rounds anyway, and really too close to in performance to categorize separately.

 

[Davek1977]

rifles:
22 LR
.223
7mm Rem Mag I could hunt every species I'm likely to hunt in my lifetime with those three calibers without ever feeling unprepared

 

[Davek1977]

Except for x39, they're all legitimate big game rounds anyway

Many a deer would argue that the x39 is a perfectly legit deer caliber.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Many a deer would argue that the x39 is a perfectly legit deer caliber.

Deer are medium game.

 

[Davek1977]

fair enough

 

[RPRNY]

22lr
30-30
30-06

 

[Barry the Bear]

No .22 for me, never cared for em, so my three woud be 12 ga , .444 marlin(although the .30-06 is no slouch), and a .44 magnum handgun

 

[blue32]

#8, #5, slug

 

[bannockburn]

These three would cover most of my hunting needs:

1) .22-250
2) .243
3) .30-06

 

[StrawHat]

Three cartridges I have used for over 50 years that would fill the requirements in the OP

22 Hornet
405 WCF
50-70

I guess I have only used the 405 for about 20 years but it easily replaced a 30-06 I had been using. All three can be used with factory ammunition OR handloaded to milder ballistics. I particularly enjoy the 405 with a 300 grain cast bullet at about 1600 fps. Easier on the shoulder and still hard.

These may not satisfy anyone else, but I could easily limit myself to them.

 

[Redlg155]

.22
45-70
.308.

If cheating is allowed, a OU with .30/30 on top and 12ga on the bottom

 

[Sav .250]

Not all parts of the country call for the same calibers. Alaska, maybe more heavy calibers. Mid west, long range type. NE, med calibers. Just saying.

Fla, 35 cal 22 cal. 12ga shotgun. Great for hogs in cover. Generally speaking. Those are my three . Zone specific.

 

[jmr40]

For me I say 30.06 the king of all beast

270 for deer at a distance

There is no need for both. Anything you can do with one, you can do with the other. In 1925 they were loaded much differently, but with todays modern loadings a 30-06 150 gr bullet @ 3100 fps is so close to 270 trajectory to not matter. A quality 150 gr 270 bullet is every bit as deadly on larger game as a 180 gr 30-06 bullet.

I could use 3 cartridges to hunt anything on the planet.

I'd choose 223 for everything up to and including deer. It still wouldn't be my 1st choice for deer, but under the right conditions I'd use it.

For big stuff that bites back, 375 magnum.

It is for everything else that it gets difficult. The truth is that everything from 260 up to the 338 magnums is really designed for the same game. For stuff that bites back the 338 is still borderline and wouldn't be my choice and the 260 and everything else in between works just fine on elk size game. I say pick the one that suits you fancy. I'd probably use a 308, but there are no bad choices here. Just personal preferences.

 

[highlander 5]

Though I'm not a hunter my picks 22lr,30'06 and a 12 gauge. In my opinion the magnum class cartridges with the exception of the 375 H&H aren't needed if we are talking the 50 states.

 

[cottswald]

.22 LR
.243
12 gauge

 

[damienph]

Top three in Kansas

Depends on where you live mostly.

But:
Nobody can keep house anywhere without a .22 Rimfire of some sort.

Then here in Kansas.

A .223 or .22-250 for varmints.

And a 30-06 for anything else.

PS: I would hate to do without a 30-30 Model 94 too!

rc

As a Kansan, I couldn't have chosen any better.

 

[Captcurt]

22lr
223
30-06

 

[Ks5shooter]

.22 LR

22-250

7mm-08

 

[txcookie]

There is no need for both. Anything you can do with one, you can do with the other. In 1925 they were loaded much differently, but with todays modern loadings a 30-06 150 gr bullet @ 3100 fps is so close to 270 trajectory to not matter. A quality 150 gr 270 bullet is every bit as deadly on larger game as a 180 gr 30-06 bullet.

I could use 3 cartridges to hunt anything on the planet.

I'd choose 223 for everything up to and including deer. It still wouldn't be my 1st choice for deer, but under the right conditions I'd use it.

For big stuff that bites back, 375 magnum.

It is for everything else that it gets difficult. The truth is that everything from 260 up to the 338 magnums is really designed for the same game. For stuff that bites back the 338 is still borderline and wouldn't be my choice and the 260 and everything else in between works just fine on elk size game. I say pick the one that suits you fancy. I'd probably use a 308, but there are no bad choices here. Just personal preferences.

Well my reasoning is simple. I would rather have that 270 in 130 grain for deer way out there. While the 180-220 grain .06 can handle anything bigger. Either would be fine Imo to do the others job.

Plus I really love both cartridges [emoji16]

 

[alientrainwreck]

22lr or 9mm carbine, 223 or 7.62×39 and 308 or 30-06 these should do it all.

 

[Onmilo]

What are we hunting?

22lr, 12ga and something in between like a .243 or 30-06 would cover a lot of bases.

^^^THIS^^^

 

[Onmilo]

I own .30/06 and 7.62X51 rifles but the fact is .223, 12 guage, .410 bore, and .22 LR cover all of my hunting needs here right now.
I also keep a .243 bolt rifle stashed on the back 40 for predator control.

I am also leaning towards another .22 Hornet as civilization continues to encroach on my serenity,,,