txcookie
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Whats the pound for pound representing speed, trajectory, accuracy, takedown power etc and why?????????/
whats the best all around caliber
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AllAmerican
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.22LR ????
Im just pretty sure that is the answer.
Im just pretty sure that is the answer.
gvnwst
Member
.50 BMG. Or 7mm RUM. What do you want it for? That makes a BIG difference. For trejectory, i think that the 7mm has the edge and the .50 has the power advantage.
Paladin_Hammer
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The best all-round cartridge I know of is the .308 Winchester (7.62x51mm NATO). While holding ballistics on par with a .30-06, the overall design is shorter, and most bolt and semi-auto rifles chambered for .308 weight less than .30-06. I've seen .308 kill Elk, Moose, Black and Brown Bear, and anyone who ever served in the US Military or other NATO country will tell you it is more than an efficient man-stopper. While Winchester originally manufactured it's ammo for ranges up to 500 and 600 meters, it's not uncommon to find factory ammo or a good guide to handload .308 ammunition to preform accurately at 800 meters, while remaining super-sonic!
Unless you think you'd ever have to shoot tank-armored Kodiak Bears, there isn't a whole lot that a .308 Winchester can't stop.
Unless you think you'd ever have to shoot tank-armored Kodiak Bears, there isn't a whole lot that a .308 Winchester can't stop.
+1 AllAmerican
The 22LR is very useful. I felt the OP's question left a lot open in terms if if the OP was looking for a hunting rig, paper puncher, or military/LEO application.
The "best" is going to depend on the purpose of the rifle.
The 22LR is very useful. I felt the OP's question left a lot open in terms if if the OP was looking for a hunting rig, paper puncher, or military/LEO application.
The "best" is going to depend on the purpose of the rifle.
lets see.. best all-round.. I would include small game in this term.. shooting a rabbit or squirrel with a 50 bmg, though entertaining, is probably not going to be productive.I would have to agree with the .22 lr, just because it has the capability, when used correctly to bring down anyone or anything with correct shot placement. Granted, this was a very broad question... but anything larger than a .22 would do too much damage to any small game.
AllAmerican
Member
Indeed .22 LR is the "best all-round"
Thread over LOL j/k
Thats what I took from the OP. You cant go wrong with a .22 for alot of things. Small game to Zombies, it kills stuff dead.
Thread over LOL j/k
Thats what I took from the OP. You cant go wrong with a .22 for alot of things. Small game to Zombies, it kills stuff dead.
usmc1371
Member
If any one caliber was "THE BEST" there wouldn't be hundreds of rifle calibers out there, ask ten guys you will get ten diffrent answers and reasons for the answers.
AllAmerican
Member
I aint gonna argue with the 12Gauge cause that would be the rednecks choice.... er my choice.
AllAmerican
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LOL You are correct PT. I too will stand by the .22LR
Although I love my 30-06 and once considered it best all around. Now I would have to choose something a bit larger. In my stable it would have to be a 375H&H, shoots as flat as the '06 with much more power. Some of the lighter bullets could be used for varmits and it is adequate, although not always best for the very largest game.
"Although I love my 30-06 and once considered it best all around. Now I would have to choose something a bit larger. In my stable it would have to be a 375H&H, shoots as flat as the '06 with much more power. Some of the lighter bullets could be used for varmits and it is adequate, although not always best for the very largest game."
So, once again, the op asked for best all around caliber. tell me what you will do with a 375 H&H if the only available game animals are squirrels, rabbits, raccoons,small birds...etc. I can kill anything with a .22 and actually have something left to eat..
I have not doubt it is a great round as is the 30-06, 30-30, 7mm, .223, .308.....etc... but they all have many more drawbacks than a .22. expensive ammunition, limited carrying capacity, devastating damage to small game etc..
the only drawback to the .22 is its range, everything else is no obstacle.
So, once again, the op asked for best all around caliber. tell me what you will do with a 375 H&H if the only available game animals are squirrels, rabbits, raccoons,small birds...etc. I can kill anything with a .22 and actually have something left to eat..
I have not doubt it is a great round as is the 30-06, 30-30, 7mm, .223, .308.....etc... but they all have many more drawbacks than a .22. expensive ammunition, limited carrying capacity, devastating damage to small game etc..
the only drawback to the .22 is its range, everything else is no obstacle.
Best all around does not mean "best if the only game is squirrel and you need to eat".
a .22 is a better cartridge for squirrel but a .308 will do the job.
For any application other than small game and plinking a .22 is a poor choice. Sure you can kill a cape buffalo with a .22 through the eye but hunting cape buffalo with a .22 is a really bad idea.
A .22 is also better than nothing for HD but there are lots and lots of better choices.
I just don't understand why you think a .22 is better "all around" simply because it is better in one application.
Maverick223
Member
A .223 isn't bad with a decent selection of ammo. Use ball for small game, and heavy rounds for larger game. Shot placement is important but it has a decent punch especially at moderately long ranges. .410 would be another good CALIBER as it has the potential to take down about anything (in NA anyway) with decent placement and a variety of rounds available for the use. It is hard to argue the .22lr though. How about a .22lr lever under a .410 shotgun. That's pretty versatile, but not ONE caliber. 
I think it is better in almost all applications.. can kill anything (and use it afterward) can be carried easier, cheaper to shoot, easier to carry large quantity of ammunition, cheaper to shoot, can be shot by anyone repeatedly (regardless of weight or gender) without causing pain, cheaper to shoot, accurate, large variety of configurations, and did I mention cheaper to shoot and easier to carry THOUSANDS OF ROUNDS?
I am not putting down larger rounds in any way.. just answering the original question.. best all around includes shootability (for everyone), availability of ammunition and gun, use in hunting (all game), plinking, target shooting, survival (easier to carry with ample ammunition). I dont see where the confusion is. a 30-06, 30-30, YOUR .308, and other calibers are just fine for some things, but lets see the average person shoot 100 rounds at the range with no ill effects to them or their wallet/purse, or carry them through the woods for an extended period of time with a thousand rounds of ammo, or 500 rounds of ammo, or 200 rounds of ammo....or shoot small game (birds, rabbits, squirrels,....etc) without destroying much of the edible meat.
my point is a .22 beats them in every way with the exception of range. other than that, anything that can be killed, can be killed with a .22 if needed.
I am not putting down larger rounds in any way.. just answering the original question.. best all around includes shootability (for everyone), availability of ammunition and gun, use in hunting (all game), plinking, target shooting, survival (easier to carry with ample ammunition). I dont see where the confusion is. a 30-06, 30-30, YOUR .308, and other calibers are just fine for some things, but lets see the average person shoot 100 rounds at the range with no ill effects to them or their wallet/purse, or carry them through the woods for an extended period of time with a thousand rounds of ammo, or 500 rounds of ammo, or 200 rounds of ammo....or shoot small game (birds, rabbits, squirrels,....etc) without destroying much of the edible meat.
my point is a .22 beats them in every way with the exception of range. other than that, anything that can be killed, can be killed with a .22 if needed.
.308 or 18.53x76R.
Between those two caliburs there's nothing you can't do. Taking down armor plated Kodiaks or fightin' the good fight at extended ranges. Those two will cover pritty much anything from 0-800m as some one posted, and will also put down anything from a squirrel, fast flying dove, to probably a cape buffalo in one shot, depending on ammo selection.
As for why the .22lr is so popular as an all-around? I'd venture to guess that everyone has so much practice with a .22 that they can squeeze out every last ounce of performance from it. Thus, while fairly anemic, the old motto of "shot placement, shot placement, shot placement" is what makes it so effective. Plus it sort of HAS risen to near-legendary status too, like a 30.06 or a .45ACP.
Between those two caliburs there's nothing you can't do. Taking down armor plated Kodiaks or fightin' the good fight at extended ranges. Those two will cover pritty much anything from 0-800m as some one posted, and will also put down anything from a squirrel, fast flying dove, to probably a cape buffalo in one shot, depending on ammo selection.
As for why the .22lr is so popular as an all-around? I'd venture to guess that everyone has so much practice with a .22 that they can squeeze out every last ounce of performance from it. Thus, while fairly anemic, the old motto of "shot placement, shot placement, shot placement" is what makes it so effective. Plus it sort of HAS risen to near-legendary status too, like a 30.06 or a .45ACP.
nekwah
member
I say .243 from varimints to elk it will do the job. But the .308 can kill te big stuff so maybe thats it.
Better in all applications?
A .22lr is a better cartridge for deer hunting?
A .22lr is a better cartridge for stopping a charge by an coastal brown bear?
A .22lr is a better Elk cartridge?
It is cheap, lightweight and easy to shoot but it is very limited in capability.
The Deer Hunter
Member
Well you kind of completely forgot about power and penetration.
A .22 cal is better in several applications. Size,weight,extra ammo, and most are more accurate than thier shooters.
Also seven out of the seven snipers I know have stated at different times that the .22 was the most usefull all around rifle. If the shooter knows his and the rifles limits.
Don't get mad at me thats what I was told.
Also many, many people underestimate the caliber. I even heard some idiot say that a .22 was to weak to hurt anybody. It would just make them mad.
Also seven out of the seven snipers I know have stated at different times that the .22 was the most usefull all around rifle. If the shooter knows his and the rifles limits.
Don't get mad at me thats what I was told.
Also many, many people underestimate the caliber. I even heard some idiot say that a .22 was to weak to hurt anybody. It would just make them mad.
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