Col. Plink
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- Apr 21, 2009
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- 1,775
Dangit, I want a Tokarev carbine!
Anyone else getting back to the caliber basics
- Thread starter R.W.Dale
- Start date
- Status
I also have an interest in exotic/oddball/obscure cartridges. Want to get my attention? Just mention the 11.2x60 Schuler. (I think that's what it was.) 
But if it's in a gun that I intend to trade, my plan is to buy something in a common caliber so that the gun shop won't be reluctant to take it back in trade.
However, since I've sworn off trading because of the financial beatings that I've taken over the years, I might as well spring for the 9.3x62 I've been craving.
But if it's in a gun that I intend to trade, my plan is to buy something in a common caliber so that the gun shop won't be reluctant to take it back in trade.
However, since I've sworn off trading because of the financial beatings that I've taken over the years, I might as well spring for the 9.3x62 I've been craving.
OrangePwrx9
Member
With ammo availability being what it is these days, it's gotten difficult to ensure the future viability of a rifle shooting an exotic cartridge by having a good supply of ammo on hand. Better a large supply of a common caliber/cartridge and more than one rifle capable of using it. Even better would be a capability to reload that cartridge with plenty of components on hand.
Recently got the latest Speer reloading manual. Spent a few evenings scratching my head over the justification for all the recent magnum cartridges. Kept thumbing back to my old standbys (.30-06 and .300 Win Mag. in 30 cal.) and not seeing any worthwhile difference. Same story with in other calibers.
Maybe if I lived and hunted in Montana or Wyoming, the new super mags would make sense. But here in NY, a .54 patched roundball from a muzzleloader is generally all that's needed to get the job done. Even a .30-06 would be gravy...if you could use it.
Recently got the latest Speer reloading manual. Spent a few evenings scratching my head over the justification for all the recent magnum cartridges. Kept thumbing back to my old standbys (.30-06 and .300 Win Mag. in 30 cal.) and not seeing any worthwhile difference. Same story with in other calibers.
Maybe if I lived and hunted in Montana or Wyoming, the new super mags would make sense. But here in NY, a .54 patched roundball from a muzzleloader is generally all that's needed to get the job done. Even a .30-06 would be gravy...if you could use it.
wyohome
Member
I have shot every legal big game animal that walks in this state with a lowly .308.
stuckinsocal
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- Joined
- Aug 25, 2009
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- 116
Most of the exotic or hard to find cartridges are more for fun guns than anything else, in my opinion. When I really need a gun for something such as self defense, I'd take a commonly used round...9mm, .45 ACP, .357 Mag., .223, 7.62x39, .308, etc. Practice ammunition is cheaper and easier to find than other calibers, it's easier to find suitable self defense guns in the common calibers, and good quality defensive ammunition is easier to get than for other calibers.
I've lived in Montana and Arizona, and I've shot every legal big game animal with a 308 as well, aside from bighorn sheep. If I ever draw that tag, I will use the 308 for that too. In addition, I've been to Alaska 3 times and taken 6 caribou, 3 bears, a moose and a wolf with a 308.
wyohome
Member
My error, I have not killed a sheep or goat with it.
420Stainless
Member
The only hunting rifles I've bought for my own use are 30-06 and 45-70. Can't get much more basic than that. I did inherit a .25-06 that I like, but I wouldn't have bought it for myself due to too much overlap with the parent cartridge. Next up - probably a .45 Colt carbine. Glad I'm not as old as I am old-fashioned.
I did buy a 6.8SPC Mini last year, but that was with the intention of having a triple duty light deer; home defense; light recoiling family fun rifle. Of course I could've just bought the .45 Colt then and it would've filled the same role. Oh well, two family fun rifles is better than one.
I did buy a 6.8SPC Mini last year, but that was with the intention of having a triple duty light deer; home defense; light recoiling family fun rifle. Of course I could've just bought the .45 Colt then and it would've filled the same role. Oh well, two family fun rifles is better than one.
achildofthesky
Member
I sold all my rifle magnums after getting my childhood/teenage 30-06 back after trading it off like an aZZ back in the 70's. I have 3 30-06's now. 1 a NEF handi dandi rifle I found locally at a pretty favorable price. I shoot a marlin 1894ss a lot and really enjoy that. Someday hoping to find a reasonably price Ruger BH or SBH when $$ permits to go with the 44 rifle. A very worn 30-30 that shoots remarkably well rounds out the rifle side. The only things I really would like rifle wise is another 45-70 and a quality 22. I load for all my rifles and have a decent supply or components for all. Nothing wrong at all with big magnums, I just realized they weren't really needed by me.
Tuckerp229
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- Joined
- Dec 1, 2007
- Messages
- 135
There is more to shooting and hunting than putting a hole "out there". I own beautiful Remington 30-06. It was my first rifle, purchased when I was 15 years old for hunting out west. It has been my go to gun for deer hunting ever since, (yikes-35 years). This last year I said "enough". I was tired of the annual ritual of the sight-beat the H@ll -out-of-me-from-recoil. Indeed the recoil prevented me from shooting the gun for practice and pleasure during the off season.
After some research I came upon the 6.5x55 Swede. Does everything the 30-06 does..has done so for 13 more years; is more accurate and recoil is equal to a 30-30. I can shoot this all day and be ready to shoot more.
After some research I came upon the 6.5x55 Swede. Does everything the 30-06 does..has done so for 13 more years; is more accurate and recoil is equal to a 30-30. I can shoot this all day and be ready to shoot more.
I had a very stong interest in odd ball calibers and used to handload for a number of different rifles. Even got down to having to fireform and mod cases to make them fit other rifles. This was a fun hobby for over 20 years. Over that time I acquired a number of different dies, bullets, odd ball primers, etc.
2 years ago I sold everything off that was not in a standard caliber. I have
.22, 9mm, 45LC, .410, 12 gauge, 7.62 x 39, .308, and 30-06. Life is a lot simpler, easier, and a hell of a lot cheaper now. Plus, I can get ammo just about anywhere.
I can do anything I need to do with these cartriges and do it well. I am struggling not to buy another .338 WM and 45-70. I do not need them, but the temptation is killing me.
2 years ago I sold everything off that was not in a standard caliber. I have
.22, 9mm, 45LC, .410, 12 gauge, 7.62 x 39, .308, and 30-06. Life is a lot simpler, easier, and a hell of a lot cheaper now. Plus, I can get ammo just about anywhere.
I can do anything I need to do with these cartriges and do it well. I am struggling not to buy another .338 WM and 45-70. I do not need them, but the temptation is killing me.
I went back to the basics 8 years ago and haven't looked back My 30-30 is my primary big game rifle, ammo is plentiful and cheap. The Marlin 1894SS 44 mag is used for areas where shots are going to be under 100yd and serves as a general purpose rifle. It is awful nice having 10 of those big fat bullets in the tube. The 12 gauge serves me well for upland game hunting as well as deer in shot gun only areas. Of course I have .22 as well, it wouldn't be american to not have one All my handgunning needs are filled very nicely with the ubiquitous .38SPL.
My 30-30 is my primary big game rifle, ammo is plentiful and cheap. The Marlin 1894SS 44 mag is used for areas where shots are going to be under 100yd and serves as a general purpose rifle. It is awful nice having 10 of those big fat bullets in the tube. The 12 gauge serves me well for upland game hunting as well as deer in shot gun only areas. Of course I have .22 as well, it wouldn't be american to not have one All my handgunning needs are filled very nicely with the ubiquitous .38SPL.Yep, a simple guy like me takes comfort in solutions that have proven worthy for generations. The 6.5x55 swedish mauser was around for 59 years before I showed up, and probably will be for a few after I've left. Same with the rimfire and the 12 guage. All they do is work.
dmazur
Member
I guess I can't get back to basics because I never left...
.22LR
.243 Win
.30-06 Sprg
.44 Mag
I admit to lusting after various different calibers, but it never gets past that stage to actually buying one.
However, I do have four in .30-06 and two in .243...
.22LR
.243 Win
.30-06 Sprg
.44 Mag
I admit to lusting after various different calibers, but it never gets past that stage to actually buying one.
However, I do have four in .30-06 and two in .243...
<SLV>
Member
I don't buy any firearm that does not shoot a value-oriented, readily-available, tried-and-tested caliber. I also don't like to have tons of reloading variety, so I've narrowed down my selections to:
.22 LR - The reasons are obvious.
9 mm - Hands down the most well-rounded defensive round. Power, mag capacity, price, etc., make it the best value. Another primary consideration are all of the sub-gun offerings in this caliber.
.308 - Best all-around MBR chambering. Lots of foreign and domestic offerings. Only slightly less power than .30-06, but 30% less recoil force and less powder consumption for reloading.
12 gauge - most versatile shotgun chambering.
Throw in .50 cal for muzzle-loading, and you've got about every situation imaginable covered.
I know some people will say that an intermediate rifle chambering like 5.56 or 7.62 Russian is a necessity. I personally think that the sub-gun in 9mm can cover any range gap between a handgun and MBR. If I already had a .308 it would definitely be the 5.56 because the ammo is domestic, but if I didn't have a .30 cal rifle I'd go with 7.62x39 to cover the intermediate range.
The only odd-ball caliber that is currently tempting me is the .30 TC -- looks like a winner if it catches on (I doubt it will).
.22 LR - The reasons are obvious.
9 mm - Hands down the most well-rounded defensive round. Power, mag capacity, price, etc., make it the best value. Another primary consideration are all of the sub-gun offerings in this caliber.
.308 - Best all-around MBR chambering. Lots of foreign and domestic offerings. Only slightly less power than .30-06, but 30% less recoil force and less powder consumption for reloading.
12 gauge - most versatile shotgun chambering.
Throw in .50 cal for muzzle-loading, and you've got about every situation imaginable covered.
I know some people will say that an intermediate rifle chambering like 5.56 or 7.62 Russian is a necessity. I personally think that the sub-gun in 9mm can cover any range gap between a handgun and MBR. If I already had a .308 it would definitely be the 5.56 because the ammo is domestic, but if I didn't have a .30 cal rifle I'd go with 7.62x39 to cover the intermediate range.
The only odd-ball caliber that is currently tempting me is the .30 TC -- looks like a winner if it catches on (I doubt it will).
I can't say I've had too many phases and firearms because I'm too young. I've never been to crazy for new super magnums, and it takes a lot for me to admit that something new has much validity or application. Some example might be the .327 mag and the 6.5 grendel. My downfall has been from wanting to get old milsurps that might be tough to feed like 8x56r or 9mm largo. In the end now something has to be out of this world cool for me to gamble with whether or not companies will still make brass, I'm selling my destroyer carbine to go towards a marlin 1894 in .357 because it is way more practical. The bottom line is that I'm a shooter not so much a collector in cartridges or atleast components should be widely available. So now I have a .303 and a 7.5 swiss and the only other calibers in milsurps I'd get would be a 6.5 swede and a 7.62x54 none of these cartridges will leave the shelves any time soon. Pairing things down is great but you have to love what you shoot, it makes you want to shoot more often. For me, a plain jane .308 bolt rifle does not really beg for me to get up and shoot it. A 6.5x55 bolt rifle, lets go shoot.
Omaha-BeenGlockin
Member
Have mine down to pretty much the essentials.
Rifle:
.22LR
.223
.30-06
Pistol:
.22LR
.380
9mm
Shotgun:
12ga
Rifle:
.22LR
.223
.30-06
Pistol:
.22LR
.380
9mm
Shotgun:
12ga
Omaha-BeenGlockin
Member
Double post
Last edited:
NWCP
Member
.22LR, .22WMR, .223 bolt action, .308, .338 Win Mag, 12GA and a 20GA. The only different round I fell for is my little .17HMR. That doesn't mean I don't own other calibers, but the above are my hunting guns. I've been tempted to get a 25-06 just because I've never had one and I've read a lot of good things about the round. The only thing I''d use it for would be long range predator hunting and it's a want, not a need. As for the exotics... they're fun to read about in hunting magazines, or talk about at the gun range. I've never gotten into hand loading, or wildcat loads. More power to those that like them though. In the end it's all good and we still share a love for the same sport. Merry Christmas by the way. Funny thing about this year, there's not a single gun related item under the tree.
..."Granted I understand that the minute differences become mountains at longer distances but I'm only speaking in context of short to medium range shooting"...
especially under the stress of a firefight with a vastly numerically superior enemy, one needs ALL of the advantages he can put on his side. at adobe walls, the jurassic "big" .50 (-70, or -90) Sharps caliber seems to have been up to the task for REAL WORLD lo-o-ong range use.
a link to the battle of adobe walls:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_Adobe_Walls
that said, i'm currently aflicted with the .338 LM bug, and the doctor sez the recovery phase will take a long, long time. bear in mind, this IS a specialty round/rifle/optic. used only past roughly 600yds, when the "other" long range offerings just aren't enough. {7.62x51, still enough for 99.9% of my real world needs}
gunnie
especially under the stress of a firefight with a vastly numerically superior enemy, one needs ALL of the advantages he can put on his side. at adobe walls, the jurassic "big" .50 (-70, or -90) Sharps caliber seems to have been up to the task for REAL WORLD lo-o-ong range use.
a link to the battle of adobe walls:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_Adobe_Walls
that said, i'm currently aflicted with the .338 LM bug, and the doctor sez the recovery phase will take a long, long time. bear in mind, this IS a specialty round/rifle/optic. used only past roughly 600yds, when the "other" long range offerings just aren't enough. {7.62x51, still enough for 99.9% of my real world needs}
gunnie
stubbicatt
Member
I like firearms. Period. No matter the chambering.
That said I have concentrated on 22, 9mm, 223, 308 and 12 ga. I also shoot a Mosin Nagant mostly due to the incredibly low priced ammo a few years back!~ I think it was like 7 cents a round. But this is something I have because it is inexpensive practice with a centerfire, not something I consider "serious" if that makes sense?
The 308s are my favorites. The 223 is my prairiedog rifle/coyote rifle.
That said I have concentrated on 22, 9mm, 223, 308 and 12 ga. I also shoot a Mosin Nagant mostly due to the incredibly low priced ammo a few years back!~ I think it was like 7 cents a round. But this is something I have because it is inexpensive practice with a centerfire, not something I consider "serious" if that makes sense?
The 308s are my favorites. The 223 is my prairiedog rifle/coyote rifle.
.222 6,5x55 se and 30-06 here. In my country the 6,5 is the cheapest of these. The latter two I use for roe deer and moose. The first for birds and roe deer and fox. The most expensive for me to use (In Norway) of these is the .222. So, now at the start of my relaoding career, I think that will be the cartridge I will load the most. - For hunting forest birds at lareg distances (up to 300 meter ) I would use the 6,5 due to great ballistics.
martialcanine45acp
Member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2008
- Messages
- 3
Started off in basics....remain
When I began building a firearms collection and started reloading at the same time, I had a mentor who encouraged me to stay with a few tried-and-true calibers. I was one who had a tendency to want the absolutely perfect cartridge for this or that purpose, and an arsenal that could do everything possible required of a firearm on the planet.
In both rifle and pistol, I have the utility .22, but my cabinet includes .223Rem, .308Win, 45-70Govt, and 12 gauge long guns and my pistols are .45ACP, with a single .357 and .45Colt. Honestly, I could accomplish everything I need to with an even smaller scope of calibers or bores, but I enjoy each one I own and am grateful for the opportunity to have them.
So, it is better for me to own just a few caliber firearms and become a master in their use than to constantly chase the perfect round, perfect platform, etc.
That said, our community and industry shouldn't sit on their hands accepting that there is no room for improvement or even revolution in firearms and calibers. The pursuit for a better caliber, a better firearm, better technology, etc., is good for the industry and the firearms community, and while you won't see me developing wildcats, I admire and enjoy watching people who do, their ambition, and the skill and patience required.
When I began building a firearms collection and started reloading at the same time, I had a mentor who encouraged me to stay with a few tried-and-true calibers. I was one who had a tendency to want the absolutely perfect cartridge for this or that purpose, and an arsenal that could do everything possible required of a firearm on the planet.
In both rifle and pistol, I have the utility .22, but my cabinet includes .223Rem, .308Win, 45-70Govt, and 12 gauge long guns and my pistols are .45ACP, with a single .357 and .45Colt. Honestly, I could accomplish everything I need to with an even smaller scope of calibers or bores, but I enjoy each one I own and am grateful for the opportunity to have them.
So, it is better for me to own just a few caliber firearms and become a master in their use than to constantly chase the perfect round, perfect platform, etc.
That said, our community and industry shouldn't sit on their hands accepting that there is no room for improvement or even revolution in firearms and calibers. The pursuit for a better caliber, a better firearm, better technology, etc., is good for the industry and the firearms community, and while you won't see me developing wildcats, I admire and enjoy watching people who do, their ambition, and the skill and patience required.
calibers
I was taught my shooting and hunting skills about 50 years ago by a family friend. I hunted with him about 30 years. He had a sporterized 03 and never missed a deer shot. He left the house with one cartridge which always amazed me.
After WWII he knew the 30-06, he could never see a reason to learn another cartridge.He never went out to practice, one box of 20 was good for 20 years.
This makes a case for one good cartridge and one rifle.
I was taught my shooting and hunting skills about 50 years ago by a family friend. I hunted with him about 30 years. He had a sporterized 03 and never missed a deer shot. He left the house with one cartridge which always amazed me.
After WWII he knew the 30-06, he could never see a reason to learn another cartridge.He never went out to practice, one box of 20 was good for 20 years.
This makes a case for one good cartridge and one rifle.
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