What caliber(s) should I add to my rifle collection?

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JesseL

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I've got rifles chambered for:
  • .22 long rifle
  • .223 Remington / 5.56x45mm NATO
  • .22-250 Remington
  • 7.62x39 Soviet
  • 6mm Remington
  • 6.5x55 Swede
  • 7.62x54R
  • .30-40 Krag
  • .30-06 Springfield
  • .308 Norma Magnum

I think I've got all my hunting, defense, and recreational needs covered; but if I was itching for a new rifle, what chambering should it have?
 
50bmg? You are pretty well covered. Maybe one of the 416 magnums. Also, one .22 is never enough. Wait, a old lever action 30-30.
 
Yep, the traditional lever action 30-30. Possibly a 45/70 guide gun or Sharps. Or you could work the other end and get one of the 17's.
RT
 
MCgunner said:
There's no belted magnum, maybe you don't like 'em, but I like my 7 Rem Mag or you could try 7 STW if you reload.
Click to expand...

There is too! What do you call the .308 Norma Mag? :D

I am liking the suggestions of a lever gun though. Especially in something like .45-70, though a Marlin in .41 Mag would go well with my Blackhawk...
 
Why not examine a functional battery and see what you lack:

Small game -- .22 LR, hands down
Varmits -- .223 Rem
Deer-sized game -- varies, but the .30-06 covers all bases
Larger game (elk and up) -- varies, but the .30-06 covers all bases
Dangerous game -- .375 H&H
Really dangerous game -- .458 Win or Lott
Target shooting -- whatever the most successful competitors are using in your particular game.
Click to expand...

Looks like you've pretty much got it covered except for specialized guns. For example, for horseback use, I like the .30-30 (mine is a post-63 Winchester Model 94.)
 
go with a .338 win mag, .408 Chaytac, .50 BMG, or a .17 HMR. I know the last one may seem a little strange when looking at the rest of the list, but the little .17 HMR has the advantage of being really cheap and easy to shoot. The other three choices are expensive, all-be-it, amazing rounds; chambered in very nice rifles and all three do kick like a mule when you shoot em'.
 
I cant believe that I forgot the 17hmr, you can get one for a couple/few hundred bucks, and most are rediculous accurate. If you want something bigger, thats fine, but you have to get a 17.
 
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How about 22 hornet
Click to expand...
I love my .22 Hornet -- but the Hornet is like a red-headed woman; intriguing, exasperating, frustrating. A dedicated handloader can get a lot out of the Hornet, but be prepared to tear some of your hair out in the proces.
 
Add a little distance shooting to your resume, a .338 Lapua or .50 BMG would work just fine.
 
All of 'em that you don't have already! :D
Seriously:
.17HM2
.17HMR
.17 MK IV
.22 Magnum
.220 Swift
.257 WSSM
.25-06
.308
.300 WSM
.300SAUM
.338 Lapua mag
.30-378 Weatherby
.358 Lott
.375 H&H
.416 Remington
.45-70
.458 SOCOM

Not to mention the myriad of choices available for lever actions such as antique cartridges and pistol cartridges. A .500 S&W in a carbine lever gun makes one heckuva statement on the receiving end!
 
.300 Win Mag
.338-06 A-Square
.338 Lapua Mag
.338 RUM
.35 Whelen
.375 H&H
.45-70 Gov't
.50BMG
 
Last edited:
7.5 swiss 7.62 nato .17 hmr 7.92 x 57
In other words K31, Semi auto .308/7.62, bolt gun or k98; respectively.
 
i see a definite need for a 338 win mag.

other than that, some good optionals would be 338 rum, and 416 rem.
 
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