"suite" of barrels

[fortress49]

Hello,

I asked this question on the "Encore" section and I thouhgt I would ask the same questions here.  When I asked in the Encore section, it took into account that the Encore can handle more calibers than the Handi. 



What "suite" of barrels will fill all hunting needs that might arise.  What barrels would you recommend and why?

I have a Handi Rifle with a 45-70 and .270 barrels.  (Not sure I like the .270 though so may be looking for a replacement such as a 30-06 or .308.  I also have a Ruger 10/22 so that cartridge is covered.)

Here are a few sets that I have considered:

1)  a) .223 for small critters. 
     b) 6.5 x 55 Swede for medium critters and also for long range shooting.  I like the sectional densities of the 6.5 mm bullets. (not available in Handi...
     c) 30-06 for bigger critters. 
     d) .338 Win Mag for really big critters.  (Not sure how the recoil will be in an Encore though...not available in Handi)

2)  a) .223
     b) 6.5-06
     c) 30-06
     d) .338-06

     This set is based upon the 30-06 case family with the exception of the .223.  I though it might be cool to have a suite of barrels
     based on the same cartridge.  But, there is no cheap off the shelf purchases for ammo for 2 of the 4.  The .338-06 is not as powerful as the .338 Win Mag but should do for anything in the US.

3)  a) .223
     b) .260
     c) .308
     d) .338 Federal

     This set is based upon the .308 cartridge.  A 7mm-08 could replace the .260.  I think they are pretty much a wash as far as
     capabilities.  The 7mm-08 may be more popular and the .260 may be diminishing but I am unsure if this is true or not.  Just a
     feeling I get from reading.  Would the .338 Federal be OK for big bears in Alaska?  Not sure on this yet.  Any thoughts?

If I ever get to go to Africa, I will get another gun for that trip alone.  If I can afford the trip, I will be able to throw in a new gun as well.  I was thinking of a .458 Win Mag.  That is a fairly versatile round.  It could be downloaded to 45-70 levels for use on smaller game here in the states and there as well, and it could also be used full power for really big Africa critters.

Ok.  Those are a few sets I have thought about.  What about you?  Have fun with this exercise and let me know your reasons.  Try to keep the sets of barrels to 4 barrels and see what you come up with.

Matt

 

[Mac11700]

My choice...

 A 26" 25-06...because...it is a great long range varmint antelope deer cartridge

 A 26" 270...becasue it is the same as the 25-06 and will handle larger game like elk

 A 26" 338-06 A-square...because like you said..it will handle all the really big stuff on this continent I wish to ever hunt...

The 26" 270 I don't have yet...but will have hopefully before hunting season...the 26" 338-06 I already do have....Granted..it isn't a cheap to convert a barrel to get it...but IMHO is is truely a outstanding cartridge...

[Brett]

I'ld go with a simple package consisting of the following:

AnSb2 frame with...
A .223 bull barrel for varmints, smaller predators (fox, yotes, bobcats) and practice.
A .280 rem. barrel to handle any of the larger critters on the continent.

An Sb1 frame with...
A 20 GA., 26" barrel with screw in chokes for upland game and wing shooting
A 12 GA., 28" barrel with screw in chokes for slugs and for ducks and geese
A .50 Cal. muzzle loader barrel to extend the deer season
 

[coop2564]

A 22-250
b 25-06
c 30-06
d 50 cal huntsman

or just a 50 cal huntsman

[stimpylu32]

Now lets see ,

22 hornet - from tree rats to yotes and other small game

270 - yotes to deer and other med. game

12 ga. tracker 1 - deer to bear and other large game [ with slugs ]

20 ga. mod. - small game to birds

that would be my 4 aces

[Markus]

I'd have to go with
1.  12 Ga TDC barrel. For all my shotgunning needs.
2.  12 ga tracker2 barrel. Since I deer hunt in shotgun only areas
3.  30-06 in case I ever make it back out west.
4. 45-70 just because!

[fortress49]

Thanks for all the replies.  I appreciate the input!  It gives me some things to think about.

Matt

[jrdavis]

why not just get the 7x57 and away with the rest and re-load...it has stood the test of time and done everything your thinking of...

[myarmor]

I like these kind of questions, kinda helps keep my needs and wants seperate
-17HMR or 22Mag

-243 Bull or 25-06 both of these are great "middle of the road" choices for a varity if game.

-280 or 30-06 for long and large stuff.

-12ga 3.5 Full Choke.. of course everyone needs a shotty..

These would do it for me.
-Aaron

[EDELWEISS]

I have two schools of thought on this subject.  The realist inme says always pick rounds you can get every where, what I can "hardware store ammo".  There are handies available in all of them.  Id start with 12ga and maybe even a 12ga slug barrel as well.  After that Id go with a 30-06 and or a 308.  Theres not much that either wont drop in North America. Maybe add a 30-30 for the recoil sensative.  From there Id get a 223 for some lighter stuf and finally a 22lr.  These choices are by no means the best for any of the catagories but they will do if the user does his part and perhaps most importantly for this group they are available every where.

..........But Im the guy thats never satisfied with a factory anything, sooooo if I had my choice of a battery when I knew I wouldnt have to worry about ammo availibility, Id start with a 9.3x62.  Its rated for All dangerous game on this planet!  Then Id like a 300win mag for those longdistance calls.  I happen to like the metrics and the 7mm has certain advantages including acceptable recoil; but I just might opt for a 6.5x55 insted.  For the lighter stuf 22-250 is hard to beat.  Then of course a 12ga and 22lr.

I know a bunch of you have suggested the 50cal huntsman, and I like it, especially the original that used regular primers and didnt require the disk for the 209's. 

[rc51kid]

I am really interested in narrowing down the number of different cartages I buy so I also am tpondering the same question.  I am thinking that I can stick with the most common military cartridges that I tend to keep on hand for my other rifles.  I think that with .22 in other rifles and .223 and .308 in a handi I should be able to hunt most anything on the east coast.  Probably the only thing I would need bigger for might be big moose up in Maine.  But 308 with the right load will almost match 30-06, and some people claim 30-06 will work for almost anything in the lower 48.  I think that simply .223 and .308 should work fine.  You could also add something bigger than 308 if you like.  Maybe also some pistol caliber for fun like 357 or 44 mag.

[RackWrangler]

I agree with the first part of EDELWEISS's reply.

I prefer easy to find cartridges.

22LR
223
308 / 30-06
45/70
12 GA

These will handle anything I plan on encountering.

RackWrangler

[Awf Hand]

These guns always looked like a "modern antique" to me, so my choices reflect that.

I'm going to sound a lot older than I am, but my ideal suite would be all of the relic cartridges:

22 rimfire (or maybe the "modern" 22 Hornet)
30-30Win
45-70
12gauge

If one of those veterans can't kill it, it can't be killed...