jefnvk
Member
12ga.
Big enough to take anything I'll be after in America, throw a slug barrel on and it becomes pretty accurate too.
Big enough to take anything I'll be after in America, throw a slug barrel on and it becomes pretty accurate too.
What caliber could cover the widest possible number of uses?
- Thread starter epijunkie67
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5.7
works well in a concealable pistol and in a rifle you can hunt anything from small game to armored, blue-helmeted zombies. it's small enough to poke a rabbit's eye out, but with low recoil and a 50 rnd mag, you can perforate a deer pretty quickly, esp with select fire. still zippy a couple hundred yards out, so you can even do prairie dogs.
ammo's small enough you can wear 800 rnds comfortably.
works well in a concealable pistol and in a rifle you can hunt anything from small game to armored, blue-helmeted zombies. it's small enough to poke a rabbit's eye out, but with low recoil and a 50 rnd mag, you can perforate a deer pretty quickly, esp with select fire. still zippy a couple hundred yards out, so you can even do prairie dogs.
ammo's small enough you can wear 800 rnds comfortably.
MachIVshooter
Member
grimjaw said:
+1
I fI had to choose one rifle for all uses (defense, hunting, SHTF), it would be my AR-10 carbine. My second chioce would be my G-3 (better suited to hunting, but much heavier and longer). The .308 can be loaded to suit many needs. I actually think the .30-06 is a slightly more versatile round due to it's potential to handle heavier bullets, but a semi-auto is a much better platform when one considers 2 legged threats. The Garand is a fine rifle, but a bit slow to reload and quite large.
Handgun-wise, I'd say 10mm/.357 mag. Enough power to suffice, but small enough rounds to carry lots of ammo. I'd hate to hump around a couple hundred rounds of .50 AE and my Eagle all day, but on the other end a 9mm is a bit light for any game-taking.
losangeles
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12 gauge.
This is a good theoretical exercise that can be practical. Say you are in a disaster situation and you can carry only one gun because of mobility issues or pre-disaster preparedness storage restrictions. You can't carry the entire contents of your gun cabinet, or it might not be available, or you only have space in your stash of disaster preparedness box.
This is a good theoretical exercise that can be practical. Say you are in a disaster situation and you can carry only one gun because of mobility issues or pre-disaster preparedness storage restrictions. You can't carry the entire contents of your gun cabinet, or it might not be available, or you only have space in your stash of disaster preparedness box.
"I've read about the dangers of such a load. I don't know if 3 grains of unique is enough to worry about, but it had something to do with the space in the case causing a spike in the burn rate and over pressuring, in other words, the powder would explode rather than burn. I just read this, never known anyone to experience it, but then, I don't load squib loads like that anyway. I know I read that folks use a cornmeal filler over the powder charge in many cases. That also keeps the powder back to the primer rather than sloshing around in the case. Probably makes for more consistent ignition."
I've not heard that very small charges of pistol powder are a problem, reduces charges of slow burning rifle powders ARE a problem sometimes. Many of the well known manuals cover loading light loads, Lyman being one that I've referenced for years. I have an old NRA loading manual that also has 2 chapters about light loads. The dangers of reduced loads of rifle powders are well known, but with appropriate powders, reduced loads are fine to use.
Cornmeal has been used in black powder substitute loads inl arge capacity straight wall cases for filler, but in a bottleneck case, can potentially become an obstruction. Cornmeal isn't "flexible" I guess is the word, to be forced through the bottleneck under pressure. I have used a very small amount, about 1 gr, of dacron pillow stuffing to maintain powder position in some reduced loads, and had very good results with it. The load development I want to do is to find a powder that doesn't need a filler for reduced loads for even ignition.
I plan to work up a 375 H&H load with round balls for small game/grouse. A medium velocity load in the 1200 to 1400 fps bracket would be very useful too.
The 45-70 with either round balls or collar button bullets makes a decent small game load.
I've not heard that very small charges of pistol powder are a problem, reduces charges of slow burning rifle powders ARE a problem sometimes. Many of the well known manuals cover loading light loads, Lyman being one that I've referenced for years. I have an old NRA loading manual that also has 2 chapters about light loads. The dangers of reduced loads of rifle powders are well known, but with appropriate powders, reduced loads are fine to use.
Cornmeal has been used in black powder substitute loads inl arge capacity straight wall cases for filler, but in a bottleneck case, can potentially become an obstruction. Cornmeal isn't "flexible" I guess is the word, to be forced through the bottleneck under pressure. I have used a very small amount, about 1 gr, of dacron pillow stuffing to maintain powder position in some reduced loads, and had very good results with it. The load development I want to do is to find a powder that doesn't need a filler for reduced loads for even ignition.
I plan to work up a 375 H&H load with round balls for small game/grouse. A medium velocity load in the 1200 to 1400 fps bracket would be very useful too.
The 45-70 with either round balls or collar button bullets makes a decent small game load.
For the lower 48 a .30-06.
if you include the rest of the world, a .375 H&H is the 'perfect medium' according to many authors and gunwriters.
if you include the rest of the world, a .375 H&H is the 'perfect medium' according to many authors and gunwriters.
shane justice
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Sorry fellers!
There ain't but one "EVERYTHING RIFLE" in the world...
...and that is the .375 H&H....Good for everything form oliphaunts to ground squirrels! Just draw a might finer bead for the little buggers!
Period...end of discussion.
Go on about 'yer business.
Shane
There ain't but one "EVERYTHING RIFLE" in the world...
...and that is the .375 H&H....Good for everything form oliphaunts to ground squirrels! Just draw a might finer bead for the little buggers!
Period...end of discussion.
Go on about 'yer business.
Shane
wanderinwalker
Member
epijunkie67 said:
For the parameters listed here, I'd vote .44 Magnum. Honestly, I will never see an elephant, lion, cape buffalo or grizzly bear in my part of the country. We DO have deer, moose, small game, black bear and other creatures. For this use a little Marlin or Winchester lever gun in .44 Mag would be tough to beat. It's enough for the bigger critters when properly loaded, the cartridges also fit in my Smith and Wesson 629, downloaded with a 200-240gr lead SWC it will just punch nice clean holes in grouse and turkeys (if needed, not legal here) and is fun to practice with. What's not to like?
As a one gun to go to for survival, well, I'd take two: that 629 and a Marlin 1894 .44. Around here it is a good combination and plenty adequate. Plus it can easily double as a reasonable home defense carbine. (Federal doesn't make Hydra-shoks in .375 H&H last time I checked!
)HankB
Member
Except for Africa's pachyderms, lion, maybe eland and giraffe, a .30/06 will do for all big game . . . and I mean it's a reasonable choice for everything else.
If you must add things like elephant, rhino, Cape buffalo, and lion on the list, then you have the .375 H&H as an "all-arounder."
If you must add things like elephant, rhino, Cape buffalo, and lion on the list, then you have the .375 H&H as an "all-arounder."
M.E.Eldridge
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While not a true rifle, I'd like the 1842 Smoothbore Musket. With reliable percussion ignition and the capability to fire a round ball or shot for game and a combination of the two, known as "buck and ball", for self defense it would suit me just fine.
.35 Whelen can go up or down, as mentioned. I'd prefer not to tackle an elephant with one, if I could help it.
.35 Whelen with .357 bullet...
Notes from MattG: 180g Hornady XTP HP .357 pistol bullets over a reduced load of 4895, for about 2200 fps, from kneeling field position at 75 yds.
John
.35 Whelen with .357 bullet...
Notes from MattG: 180g Hornady XTP HP .357 pistol bullets over a reduced load of 4895, for about 2200 fps, from kneeling field position at 75 yds.
John
while we might not all be gunning for cape buffalo... the need for a 'bear' gun or similar sized possibly dangerous critter is the reason the .375 tops the heap of the 'everything' rifle.
As for as home defense? Pry the nose off a 275 gr Winchester silvertip, it should cut the penetration in half. (popular among certain fanciful safari writers on leopard)
If you have nothing but a .375 for home defense you likely live in a place with polar bears, lions or tigers as neighbors.
And you never know when the neighbor kids are gonna play a round of Jumanji.
As for as home defense? Pry the nose off a 275 gr Winchester silvertip, it should cut the penetration in half. (popular among certain fanciful safari writers on leopard)
If you have nothing but a .375 for home defense you likely live in a place with polar bears, lions or tigers as neighbors.
And you never know when the neighbor kids are gonna play a round of Jumanji.
"And you never know when the neighbor kids are gonna play a round of Jumanji. "
Dang, zombies, mutants, blue helmets, aliens, chupacabra's, bears, gang bangers, rabid skunks, screaming hordes of Canadians streaming across the border, and now the neighbor kids playing Jumanji!!!!!!
I'd better get the .458 out and ready.
Dang, zombies, mutants, blue helmets, aliens, chupacabra's, bears, gang bangers, rabid skunks, screaming hordes of Canadians streaming across the border, and now the neighbor kids playing Jumanji!!!!!!
I'd better get the .458 out and ready.
EZ CZ75
Member
I would say anything in 30 cal just because of your options of bullets. That being said, why not take the 30-378 Weatherby? Is is the largest 30 cal rifle and as has been said, anything big can be downloaded. For practicality, though, brass is cheaper for the 300 Winnie.
In principle I have to agree with the .22 rimfire/.30-06. Someone should market such a combo double rifle in this country in an O/U. Like those Savage O/U shotgun/rifles
A .22 and a 6mm or .257 might do as well - unless you live in grizzly or brown bear country perhaps.
-----------------------------------------
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A .22 and a 6mm or .257 might do as well - unless you live in grizzly or brown bear country perhaps.
-----------------------------------------
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http://ssunitedstates.org
Cpl Punishment
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The .30'06.
The Real Hawkeye said it best, but in short:
1.) you can load it from low power levels to high power levels.
2.) While a jack-of-all-trades won't be perfect for everything, I don't believe there's anything (including pachyderms) that the '06 hasn't taken.
3.) It edges out the .308 because it handles the 200 and 220 grain projectiles well, the .308 doesn't. IMO, that's the only reason it edges out the .308 -- if you're limiting yourself to the lower 48, then the .308 would take top dibs in my book.
4.) Availability of bullets, you can find just about any kind of bullet from saboted .22s to the exotic premiums in .308.
5.) Commercial loads, more variety of commercial loads in .30'06 than any other, .308 inclusive.
For small game (if legal in your area to hunt with a centerfire), definitely load some light loads, and you should probably aim for the head.
Cartridges like the .243 aren't going to do any less damage than an '06 (in fact, the higher velocities involved with the varmint calibers, will probably destroy MORE meat on small game).
Realistically, other than pachyderms, the '06 can do just fine, and not be out of the line of reason. It's less than I'd want for brown bears or even moose, but witht he heavy 220-gr solids, it will (and has) do.
Now if the question was "which longarm, would be the best overall, do-it all?" then I'd agree with the 12 gauge guys. You just have to be a better hunter and get close to your game.
Since we've answered the "which rifle" question, why not throw a Ruger Single Six in your pack (still doesn't violate the one rifle rule), and you can pop 'em with .22 short, long, long rifle and magnums, and save the rifle for the bigger stuff!
The Real Hawkeye said it best, but in short:
1.) you can load it from low power levels to high power levels.
2.) While a jack-of-all-trades won't be perfect for everything, I don't believe there's anything (including pachyderms) that the '06 hasn't taken.
3.) It edges out the .308 because it handles the 200 and 220 grain projectiles well, the .308 doesn't. IMO, that's the only reason it edges out the .308 -- if you're limiting yourself to the lower 48, then the .308 would take top dibs in my book.
4.) Availability of bullets, you can find just about any kind of bullet from saboted .22s to the exotic premiums in .308.
5.) Commercial loads, more variety of commercial loads in .30'06 than any other, .308 inclusive.
For small game (if legal in your area to hunt with a centerfire), definitely load some light loads, and you should probably aim for the head.
Cartridges like the .243 aren't going to do any less damage than an '06 (in fact, the higher velocities involved with the varmint calibers, will probably destroy MORE meat on small game).
Realistically, other than pachyderms, the '06 can do just fine, and not be out of the line of reason. It's less than I'd want for brown bears or even moose, but witht he heavy 220-gr solids, it will (and has) do.
Now if the question was "which longarm, would be the best overall, do-it all?" then I'd agree with the 12 gauge guys. You just have to be a better hunter and get close to your game.
Since we've answered the "which rifle" question, why not throw a Ruger Single Six in your pack (still doesn't violate the one rifle rule), and you can pop 'em with .22 short, long, long rifle and magnums, and save the rifle for the bigger stuff!
Average Joe
Member
I prefer the .308 round.
bcochran
Member
.22 win mag.
Reasons: 1. birds, game, people.
2. ballistics same as .223 to 125 yards
How far is shooting from 1 house to another, across a room, across a street, down one block, when you kick up a quail while walking, when you stalk a deer?
How much weight can you carry? 1000 rounds in 50 round winchester cardboard containers fit into 2 linked Garand reproduction belts.
Even assuming that you do not skeletonize a Ruger 10/22 .22 win mag stock, what is the relative weight between a scoped 10/22 .22 win mag that will be shot 125 yards and a scoped ar15 that will be shot 125 yards?
Yes, I know, some people are strong enough to pick their teeth with FNFALs. However, the reality is that only you (whose eye sight will eventually fail, whose muscles will weaken over time as you age) are the one going to carry, use and handle your firearm. So, the .22 win mag, as a sole selection, wins. DOES NOT APPLY IN EXCEPTIONAL AREAS OF NORTH AMERICA POPULATED WITH BEARS, ELK, WOOLY MAMOUTHS AND GOZILLAS.
Reasons: 1. birds, game, people.
2. ballistics same as .223 to 125 yards
How far is shooting from 1 house to another, across a room, across a street, down one block, when you kick up a quail while walking, when you stalk a deer?
How much weight can you carry? 1000 rounds in 50 round winchester cardboard containers fit into 2 linked Garand reproduction belts.
Even assuming that you do not skeletonize a Ruger 10/22 .22 win mag stock, what is the relative weight between a scoped 10/22 .22 win mag that will be shot 125 yards and a scoped ar15 that will be shot 125 yards?
Yes, I know, some people are strong enough to pick their teeth with FNFALs. However, the reality is that only you (whose eye sight will eventually fail, whose muscles will weaken over time as you age) are the one going to carry, use and handle your firearm. So, the .22 win mag, as a sole selection, wins. DOES NOT APPLY IN EXCEPTIONAL AREAS OF NORTH AMERICA POPULATED WITH BEARS, ELK, WOOLY MAMOUTHS AND GOZILLAS.
robert garner
Member
Phased plasma rifle in the 40 watt range!
What The Real Hawkeye said especially pertaining to Every Thing he said.
Of course I can get by with 22 Hornet
What The Real Hawkeye said especially pertaining to Every Thing he said.
Of course I can get by with 22 Hornet
Karbon
Member
Biff said:
Exactly what I was thinking...
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