Arg, I did it again! Expanded my caliber footprint

[WardenWolf]

Just ordered a new VEPR .308 after a friend tipped me off to one at pre-panic pricing. I've been trying very hard to avoid expanding my caliber footprint any further, stabilizing primarily on 7.62x54R and 8mm Mauser for my large rifle calibers and .223 and 7.62x39 for midrange. Unfortunately, I was wanting a modern battle rifle, and the VEPR 7.62x54R was only single stack and the largest available magazines were only 10 rounds.

The problem with most battle rifles, aside from the SCAR-H and some variants of the AR-10, is that they're all very heavy. A 10-pound rifle is just too much for me to carry around and shoot well given my frame size. Most also have sub-par accuracy as well, averaging around 2 MOA. A 16.5" VEPR .308 weighs only 7-8 pounds unloaded and balances well, and they're considered highly accurate.

So now I've done it: bought into another expensive caliber. Of course, I'll some day use it as an excuse to buy yet more firearms in .308. . . "I've already got one, so this can just share ammo." We all know how *that* goes.

 

[firesky101]

Next get yourself into reloading. Components are scarce right now, but those new calibers get easier to swallow when you can reload. Notice I did not say cheaper, as you will just buy and shoot more than before, but it will be easier to justify.

 

[Agsalaska]

Diversified your caliber footprint is half the fun of it as far as I am concerned. I cant count off the top of my head how many different calibers I have and how few I shoot.

 

[Queen_of_Thunder]

Just ordered a new VEPR .308 after a friend tipped me off to one at pre-panic pricing. I've been trying very hard to avoid expanding my caliber footprint any further, stabilizing primarily on 7.62x54R and 8mm Mauser for my large rifle calibers and .223 and 7.62x39 for midrange. Unfortunately, I was wanting a modern battle rifle, and the VEPR 7.62x54R was only single stack and the largest available magazines were only 10 rounds.

The problem with most battle rifles, aside from the SCAR-H and some variants of the AR-10, is that they're all very heavy. A 10-pound rifle is just too much for me to carry around and shoot well given my frame size. Most also have sub-par accuracy as well, averaging around 2 MOA. A 16.5" VEPR .308 weighs only 7-8 pounds unloaded and balances well, and they're considered highly accurate.

So now I've done it: bought into another expensive caliber. Of course, I'll some day use it as an excuse to buy yet more firearms in .308. . . "I've already got one, so this can just share ammo." We all know how *that* goes.

If it makes it any better for you I did the same thing in January. I picked up a 30-40 krag at the gunshow. Ammo is $2 a round at the LGS's and Academy. I just have to wait till things settle down or I get lucky.

 

[morcey2]

so far, my footprint is 7.62x54R, 8x57, 7x57, 257 bob, 9x18 Mak, 30-06, 31-06 (reamed-out 1909 Argie), 22 LR, and soon to be 6mm Rem and 6.5x55. And possibly 308 if I can find an FR-8.

I don't feel for ya.

Matt

ETA: Oh, and a 6.5-06 if I can find a donor savage/stevens I like.

 

[RX-178]

Didn't realize I was expanding your caliber footprint when I gave you that tip, WW.



Now just wait until you're in the market for a .308 bolt gun, but all they have in stock is the 30-06....

 

[FitGunner]

Congrats, enjoy it! Enjoy your new caliber as well. The .308 bolt gun is sure to follow.

 

[WardenWolf]

I know the .308 bolt gun is coming. Several years back I was considering a Savage in .308.

My actual caliber footprint is quite large, but my practical footprint (calibers I use heavily and stock ammo for) is smaller.

Rifle calibers:
8mm Mauser (2, including my main hunting rifle)
7.62x54R (3)
7.7 JAP (1, family heirloom Arisaka 99)
7.62x39 (2)
.30 Carbine (1)
.223 / 5.56 (2)

Pistol calibers:
.45 ACP (2)
.38 Special (1)
9x18 MAK (3)
7.62x25 (1)

Shotgun calibers:
12 Gauge (1)
20 Gauge (1)

Rimfire:
.22LR (2)

I mostly stock ammo for 8mm, 7.62x54R, 7.62x39, .223, and 9x18. I buy ammo for the other calibers as needed. Now I have to add .308 to that list. Ouch.

 

[baz]

I think adding .308 to the mix was prudent.

My "footprint:"

Rifle: .308 (x3), 7.62x54R and x39 (1 ea), .223 (x1), .357 (x1), 9mm (x1) and .22LR (x1)

Handgun: 9mm (x2), .357 (x2), .22LR (x2)

Shotgun: 12ga (x1)

I "share" 357 and 9mm calibers between handguns and rifles (Marlin 1894C in .357 and Highpoint Carbine in 9mm), as well as 22LR (I have the obligatory Ruger 10/22, and then a couple of auto pistols in 22LR). The x54R is an M44 (nice shooter), and the x39 is an SKS. The two .308's are both bolt action, so my next acquisition will likely be a semi auto in .308.

I reload the pistol calibers (also .38 spl), and am tooling up to reload .223 and .308. I've got lots of x54R ammo, and don't plan to reload it, or x39 (I have enough loaded ammo for the one rifle that uses it, especially since I don't shoot it often).

Obviously, the current panic (as did the 2008/9 panic) reinforces the importance of taking into account ammo supply and availability when deciding on how many calibers to own. I started my current focus on firearms in 2006, and from the get-go I chose calibers based on ammo availability, supply, and cost. That's why, for instance, I went with 9mm rather than .40 SW for a regular sidearm; much cheaper to shoot and reload than .40 SW. The milsurps (one of the .308's is an Enfield) were acquired with a C&R license, and I spent several times the cost of the rifles in buying ammo for them. I don't foresee any new calibers in my future. But I'm always thinking about a new rifle in any caliber I already have ammo available.

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

Eh,

With all the craziness going on I was buying ammo for calibers I don't even own when I see it cheap.

I don't have any guns in .40 or .45. But my friends do and it will get used.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Diversified your caliber footprint is half the fun of it as far as I am concerned.

I agree. When I'm in the market for a new firearm, most of the time I'll get a caliber I don't have, just so I can order the dies and start loading another one.
I can see the advantage of having several in the same though.

 

[bannockburn]

WardenWolf

Actually I was thinking about doing the same thing, in terms of getting a semi-auto in .308, as soon as some sanity and availability returns to the marketplace.

 

[FourTeeFive]

Great rifle and a great caliber.

Get yourself a Remington 700 Milspec 5R and you'll be all set.

 

[WardenWolf]

To be fair, the VEPR .308 is almost the perfect modern battle rifle. Lightweight, compact, and easy to accessorize. And it uses the AK quick-change optics hardpoint, which means you can change it up on the fly and keep your zero. And it's far more accurate than the semi and select-fire battle rifles from ages past. And, of course, you get AK reliability.

While certain variants of the M1A and AR-10 can match it or even slightly beat it for weight and accuracy, you're going to be paying a LOT more money for these, and you don't have the quick-change optics that the AK platform gives you. The VEPR is also much more compact than the M1A.

Overall I think the package you get with the VEPR .308 makes for a much better "tactical" large-caliber rifle than pretty much anything else out there, once you look past its nice wood furniture and look at its true potential.

 

[FourTeeFive]

Agreed on all of your points, Warden. I've got a Robinson VEPR 308 that was converted by Krebs to take M1A/M14 magazines. Been buying some aftermarket items for it and will post a pic one of these days.

I do have to say I'm not a huge fan of the AK optics mount. Just got a Krebs rail mount dustcover for mine.

 

[Agsalaska]

My caliber footprint is pretty large like some have said. But my practical footprint is very small. I only shoot a couple of guns.

9mm(glock in the house)
.40(just recently, as in last week, brought the Kahr k40 out of retirement. but now that adventue has ended and it will go back to safe queen status).
38 (Taurus 85 for CCW and s&w 64 in house)
22lr (turtles are my sworn enemy and a Remington 121 field master kills them)
6.5x55(deer, hogs, general use Winchester 70)

That's it. 4 not including the .40. I don't ever shoot the rest of them. They just sit in the safes. But I caliber hunt a lot. Just added a 22 hornet to it.

 

[TRX]

7.62x53 Mauser, .30-06, .45-70, 7.62x54R, .50 Beowulf, 7.62x39, 7.7 Arisaka, 12 gauge, .50 Action Express, .45 ACP, 9mm Parabellum, .380 Auto, .25 Auto, .22LR. And some wildcats.

 

[WardenWolf]

7.62x53 Mauser? I've never heard of that cartridge.