How many calibers are really enough?

[IC Cowboy]

O.K. guys and gals, I have a challenge for each of you; If you could only have 5 rifle calibers which would they be, how about only 2 or 3?
I realize having such a wide choice of calibers is a great luxury, however our forefathers didn't have the choices we have today. I know for some of you this question could be a nightmare. But I would just like to see which ones are the most popular amongst this group, you can base your decisions on any factors you feel important such as; ammo readily available/ easy to find, game taking capabilties, easy to reload, and anything else. I mean come on do we really need 260s and 280s and how about the 450 Marlin the 45-70 Govt. will do everything that one will do but because of the pressure they consider the 45-70 to be outdated and the 450 Marlin to be  for more modern firearms. I'll start.  And please have fun with this everyone is entitled to their own opinions here.  :grin:

1) .22 preferably 1 that shoots Short, Long and Long Rifle, quiet and great for small game and, really No explanation is needed.

2) 30-06 Springfield, would consider another 30 caliber round but the bullet selection in the 06 is 2nd to none in my opinion (deer and larger game slayer to feed family)

3) 45-70 Govt. For the really big critters out there.

4) If given a 4th choice I would probably pick a handgun type caliber such as .357 Magnum or .44 Rem Mag.

5) .223 for the obvious reasons.

[RackWrangler]

If I could only have 3:

1.  22 long rifle -  Super cheap, quiet, and easy to shoot.  Used on rodents, birds and small predators.

2.  308 or 30-06   - I prefer the 308, but for easy access to ammo I might go with the -06.  

3.  12 gauge pump shotgun - (I know it's not a rifle caliber, but a rifle collection should have at least one) - great all purpose gun.  Slugs for anything really big (bear, moose, deer), buckshot for medium (deer, wolf, human :eek: ), pellets for small (squirrel, turkey, ducks).


If I could choose 5:

1.  22 long rifle

2.  223 - for same stuff as 22, but longer range.

3.  308 or 30-06  

4.  45-70  - for anything really big. (bear, moose)

5.  12 gauge pump shotgun



RackWrangler

[Hammerspur]

Only FIVE?!! :cry:

Well, if just five was the limit  (:x) :

1) .22 LR

2) .223

3) .30-30

4) .338-06AI or WinMag(could be picked up off the shelf)

5) .375 H&H

Don't think those choices leave many gaps...

[quickdtoo]

For me to be limited to 5 calibers, there'd have to be a law passed!!! But if I did have to limit myself to 5, I'd have to include a 17hmr and a muzzleloader in there somewhere, a .22 rimfire just doesn't have any appeal to me anymore.

Tim

.17hmr

.50 Cal smokepole

.223

.25-06

.338-06

[PA-Joe]

22rl, 223, 7mm08, 338, 12ga!

[Couger]

How many are enough?



Who originally asked this question?  The wife!?



If so, go to her and TELL HER she can only have three or five pairs of shoes!  Or dresses, or whatever!



How many guns are enough?  What does YOUR EARNING POWER say you can afford?

What cartridge/s has always held a bit of intrigue for you?

I could easily come up with a battery of 20-24 rimfires, rifles, handguns and shotguns to meet all my "needs."  If I was able to hunt and shoot as much as i wanted, a battery of a dozen would leave me wanting several more ......

Included would be four bolt rifles ......

.223R walking varmint/coyote piece

.243W HB looooong range shooter

.308W mountain rifle for really steep stuff on foot

.338WM for elk and larger BG .......

And that's for starters .......

I'd love to have a 12 Ga Beretta LtWt O/U for heavy upland bird hunting when a 20 Ga Berettta Onyx wasn't "big" enough, plus another 12 Ga O/U for shooting trap .......

Handguns might include a .41Mag Blackhawk, not just a .357Mag and .40S&W

If you're into T/C Encore's or Contender's, or NEF Handi-Rifles - be real easy to get several different barrels/cartidges to scratch however many "itches" a fellow might have.

[Hammerspur]

"Who originally asked this question? The wife!?
If so, go to her and TELL HER she can only have three or five pairs of shoes!"  :-D    :-D  HA-HA-HA!!!...AS IF!  :-D    :-D

[Norseman112]

This don't mean I would give up my other calibers  
5 huh? ok here it is.

1. 17 HMR

2. 25-06

3. 9MM Glock Pistol

4. 300 WM

5. 12 gauge shotgun

[aulrich]

For just 3
22  10/22
12ga pump
375 H&H

For five
22
12 ga
204 ruger
270
375 H&H

I realize 375 H&H is not a handy but the handi exists soley for the purpose to not limit the variety of calibers in the closet.

Enough of this crazy limiting talk.

[myarmor]

Five? Depends on the situations and merits. But these will work for me.

-17HMR
-243 or 25-06
-30-06
-12ga
-44Mag revolver

It's hard limiting yourself :grin:
-Aaron

[Hunternz]

Okay,
3 firearms,
.22lr silenced,
.280 rem,
12ga shotgun.
5 firearms,
.22lr silenced,
.204 ruger,
.2506 rem
45-70,
12ga
This was painful,
Regards Howard.

[stimpylu32]

Being that this is the H&R forum

1) .22lr sportster

2) 243 bull barrel handi

3) 12 ga. smooth bore slug barrel tracker

[tanoose]

Ok i'll limit myself to 3

1-- 22 LR (marlin bolt action)

2-- 12 ga. Pump Ithaca 37

3-- 30/06  Ruger77 Bolt action

[Kentucky Shooter]

I could make it on three rifle calibers if I had to: 1) 22LR- year round-use; 2) .223 for use 11 months a year; 3) .270Win for the other month-deer season.
Would also need three pistol calibers: 1) .22LR; 2) .357 mag; and 3) .44mag
Would also need a good 12 gauge pump; I could live a happy life with just these, but only if absolutely necessary.

[dewy]

I think i would go

1.  22
2.  223
3.  243
4.  3006
5.  35 whelen

That should do the trick :wink:

[Cold One]

1. .22 LR

2. .223/5.56

3. .308 WIN

4. .338 WINMAG or .338 RUM (don't own this yet, so I'm undecided)

5. 45/70

[Dillohide]

1. 30-06
2. 30-30
3. 308
4. 25-06
5. 223

[Curt Dawson]

22 LR Stevens 30 Favorite take down model
6.5x55 Custom Ruger #1 International model
1917 Enfield 375 H&H with 25"light varmit weight barrel
Two extra:K-38
Mossberg 500 pump in 410 bore

[MSP Ret]

3 choices:
------------
.22 Hornet
.280 Remington (or 30-06)
12 gauge




5 choices:
------------
.22 LR (LR/Long/short/CB & BB caps/Colibris/shotshells)
.223
.280 Remington (or 30-06)
12 gauge
.35 Whelen





These choices are predicated on being able to reload for them and being able to get Dixie slugs for the 12 gauge....



The toughest part was not choosing a 45/70, .22 Mag, .357 Mag/Max, or .17 HMR/Mach2!!!! Couldn't you raise the number to a dozen or so :-D  :-D  

[Mac11700]

How many calibers are really enough?

I'll opt to answer your header question first...Here you go...." As many as you want.....but...never less than you need.."

As too your second..well...since you said rifle calibers...and since I can have my trusted 12ga. O/U to cover all the wing shooting,rabbit hunting...I'll opt for 3 rifles...

1)...my 338-06...From bears down to deer

2)...my 280 Rem..From elk down to large varmints

3)...my 243 back from mitchell ...From deer down to little varmints


These will cover everything on this continent I could possibly hunt with a rifle...everything else is covered by my 12ga.

Mac

[jmckinley]

 Well that's a tough one. 300WSM Elk, 308 Deer, 25-06 Goats, 223 little critter's, 12ga 3 1/2 Mossy for feathered friends and two ft knot heads.. That is still to many for my Commander and chief.   Jess

[statelinerut]

22lr - squirrel, general plinking

17HMR - crows, squirrel, and other critters

223 - fox, coyote, doe's

243 - coyote, deer

12 gauge - turkey, stray dog

[nomosendero]

Just one more!

[MnMike]

Since you implied rifles. I can do this.

.22 - small game, fun
.243 - long range varmit
30-06 - Medium game

I would still have 12G and 20G shotguns and my .223, 7-30, and .45 Mag Contender pistols and a small 9mm pistol.

mike