most American of all rounds

[shafter]

If I had to name one cartridge as being the most American I'd start with considering which firearm is the most iconically American. First I considered the flintlock musket with which we won our independence but then it occurred to me that countless battles and wars have been fought with the flintlock musket by armies across the world so there is nothing distinctly American about it. Next I considered the flintlock long rifle which is most definitely American, however they played a relatively small role in American history in the hands of hunters who could afford them and some small specialized units in our early wars.

The M1 Garand was considered and there's no arguing that the M1 is a legendary American rifle, however it is legend among the gun community in the US and the rest of the world would hardly recognize it. The Colt Model 1911 is another strongly American firearm and I categorize it similarly to the M1 Garand.

I finally settled one firearm that would be recognized the world over by both gun folks and non gun folks as being distinctly "American." The Colt Single Action Army. Everyone across the world recognizes this firearm as being distinctly American as its featured in countless movies that span decades. It is a gun that played no significant role anywhere else in the world except during a fleeting but highly colorful period of American history that captured the world's attention. That pistol was chambered in 45 Colt so that would be my choice.

 

[shafter]

"Most American" well how many countries would be speaking German and Jap if it wasn't for so many dead young American men that used the 30-06

We beat the Japanese but it was Russia with Russian rifles and machine pistols who truly beat the Germans. We just helped make it happen a little sooner.

 

[Legionnaire]

30-30, 30-06 and 22LR come to mind for All American rifle calibers. For handgun calibers 38 Special and 45 ACP.

Ditto ... and other than the .22LR, I don't have a gun chambered in any of them.

 

[doubleh]

To me it’s the .270 Win.

Yeah, it’s the offspring of the ‘06, but to me it embodies America at its finest. The wide open spaces, sportsmen out hunting, deer camp talk and all that goes with it. Plus, like the .30-30, the .270 wasn’t a martial round repurposed for sporting use, so its success rested entirely on sales to the American shooting public.

I can certainly see the point of your statement and you will get no argument from me. I really wanted a 270 to replace my never shot at a deer one season 30-30. I finally chose an '06 because I found a very nice rifle available only in that caliber. I have never regretted my purchase. I was a big Jack O'Conner fan then and really wanted a 270 but not enough to pass on the rifle I bought. I still have some of O'Conner''s books. I should dig them out and reread them. It would be like reading them for the first time again.

 

[.308 Norma]

I finally chose an '06 because I found a very nice rifle available only in that caliber. I have never regretted my purchase. I was a big Jack O'Conner fan then and really wanted a 270 but not enough to pass on the rifle I bought. I still have some of O'Conner''s books. I should dig them out and reread them. It would be like reading them for the first time again.

I've never read any of O'Conner's books, but I read somewhere that he actually considered the 30-06 more "versatile" than his beloved .270 Winchester. Is that true?

 

[.45Coltguy]

I've never read any of O'Conner's books, but I read somewhere that he actually considered the 30-06 more "versatile" than his beloved .270 Winchester. Is that true?

I believe so. He was also heard to mention that later on, he thought the .280 Rem might just be more versatile. But heck, JOC and the .270 were/are so enshrined with each other, he just went with the ride I'd guess. It sure worked.

 

[Ironicaintit]

I'm going to go with 30carbine just because it hasn't been mentioned, and is undoubtedly an American cartridge.

But so are the 38spcl, 357 mag, 45acp, et al.

 

[Savage30L]

It all started with a few Brown Bess'es

The Brown Bess was British.

 

[mcb]

The Brown Bess was British.

True, but it was the most used firearm by the American Army during the American Revolution, the founding of the country. That seems worth an honorable mention at the least.

 

[Savage30L]

For those of you suggesting the 30-06, .45ACP, etc, consider that (as far as I can determine), the rimless cartridge started as a European concept, so perhaps no rimless cartridge could claim that title.

One cartridge-related invention that is American, is, ironically, the Berdan primer, which isn't used much here in the U.S.....

 

[doubleh]

I've never read any of O'Conner's books, but I read somewhere that he actually considered the 30-06 more "versatile" than his beloved .270 Winchester. Is that true?

I don't remember. Like I said, rereading his books will be like reading them for the first time as It's been so long. I do remember him as being a big fan of the 270, Winchester's model 70 rifle, and hunting. To me he was better able to express his thoughts on paper than any other of the practicing gun writers of his era.

 

[citizenconn]

and that round has been around since about 1894 or something like that, and the Sweeds , and Finns have killed a lot of moose, which they call elk, for well over 100 years and with the Finns , not to mention a whole mess of Russians way back when

They have but their hunts are always almost driven hunts and they see no problem taking multiple shots to down their critters, which is not feasible for many Western elk hunts. I think the 6.5x55 Swede is fine, but factory loadings have historically been anemic and barrel twists on older guns, which is most of the ones available, is not optimized for today's most ballistically efficient bullets. Handloads and custom barrels can make the Swede close to contention with some modern 6.5s. If I had one I'd keep it the way it was, though, and buy a modern 6.5 if I were worried about being underpowered. Your mileage may vary.

 

[OLDE RETIRED COASTIE]

I do not know, but I read in some of his stories , his wife considered her 7x57 mauser, and 30-06 powerful enough for most anything

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

The 45-70. Born 1873, still going strong.

 

[Savage30L]

If I have to cast a vote, it will be for the 45-70.

 

[dogtown tom]

The 45 ACP is a pistol (45 Automatic Colt Pistol), while the 45 Auto cartridge is the ammunition.

Huh?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_Colt_Pistol

 

[Skeptic13]

I am going to be flamed but don’t care. Today it’s 556/223 and 9mm by a large margin.

I could buy into 9mm if it hadn't been invented by a German.

 

[I6turbo]

Nobody in for 6.5 Creedmoor?

I'm stunned!

It was definitely on its way to stardom but I believe they have formally changed the name to 6.5 Manbun, so that'll split the votes.

 

[Skeptic13]

For me the rifle is the 45-70, the 30-30 and the 30-06 with honorable mention to the .308/7.62X51 and the .223/5.56. The pistol goes to the .45ACP and the .45 Colt. The other cartridge that I think needs consideration is the 50 BMG. WW2 could have been a lot different with out the 50 BMG and it is still going strong today.

 

[film495]

30-30 Win
.357 Mag

 

[P5 Guy]

had its official name, and not a 'one was Long or Short.

The 45S&W was shorter than the 45Colt.
Hence their nicknames referring to cartridge length.

 

[hso]

45-70, 30-06, 30-30

38 Spl, 357Mag, 45ACP, 44Mag, 45LC

 

[Targa]

.45 GAP with .30 Super Carry a very close second….Wait a minute, wrong thread…

 

[doubleh]

It was definitely on its way to stardom but I believe they have formally changed the name to 6.5 Manbun, so that'll split the votes.

I really have not paid much attention to the round. Manbun must be new as the last I saw it was Needmore.

I seem to always be late to the plate.

 

[dodo bird]

I could buy into 9mm if it hadn't been invented by a German.

So you can’t have a beer either (Germany)? Or maybe you shouldn’t shoot at all as gunpowder was invented by the Chinese? 9mm is the American pistol caliber now, even if people don’t like it. I have been to Germany and all over Europe. Never seen 9mm at the stores. Let alone anything else besides pellet guns.