Top 3 cartridges every hunter should own

[Art Eatman]

For the hunting I've done in a rather lengthy lifetime, a .22 rimfire for little critters up close; a centerfire .22 for such as prairie dogs or coyotes, and an '06 for "serious work".

 

[MacTech]

Maine, southern Seacoast Maine specifically, the largest game in my area is møøse**, perhaps black bear, so;

.22LR/Mag (small game)
.223/5.56 (small/med game)
.30-06/.308 (everything else)



** møøse bites kan be pretti nasti....

 

[jrdolall]

.22LR or Mag
12g
30 cal of some sort. 30-06 for me.
Those three will handle anything anywhere near where I live.

I will add that if I could only have ONE gun in a survival situation where I live (AL/GA) then it would be the shotgun. From squirrels to rabbits to ducks to deer and everything else, the shotgun will do it all. The 30-06 is really just for "large" animals at greater distance and the 22 for small animals (though shooting flying ducks is a problem).

 

[herkyguy]

.22LR or Mag
12g
30 cal of some sort. 30-06 for me.
Those three will handle anything anywhere near where I live.

I will add that if I could only have ONE gun in a survival situation where I live (AL/GA) then it would be the shotgun. From squirrels to rabbits to ducks to deer and everything else, the shotgun will do it all. The 30-06 is really just for "large" animals at greater distance and the 22 for small animals (though shooting flying ducks is a problem).

Couldn't agree more. Plus I've got all three.

 

[DennisE]

22, 30-06, 45-70

 

[P5 Guy]

.22LR
.270
12 gauge

 

[TimboKhan]

I might make the shocking move to forego .22 in favor of the .17 HMR. It's faster and fun to shoot. Next would be .308, then probably .357 mag rifle.

 

[Robert]

.223, .308 and 375H&H

 

[firedawg60]

.223, .308 and 375H&H

As far as center-fire rifle only cartridges, these will do anything anyone should need. Including shotgun, I would drop the .375 and add 12 gauge to the three. .30-06 of course would work in place of the .308, but I prefer .308.

 

[Robert]

If I were to add a shotgun and keep it at three I'd lose the 308. The 375 can do everything the 308 can do, with proper loads.

 

[Fighterpilot]

I agree with Gino. If I could only have 3 rifles with which to do all my hunting, I'd go with the .243, 270, 300 win mag. They all overlap somewhat, but each has a specific purpose depending on the size of the game hunted. .243 with 58 gr. bullets for varmints and deer. 270 for pigs, deer, and somewhat larger game, and the .300 win. mag. for bear, moose, elk, and whatever else you want to hunt on this planet except elephant.

Now all that being said, everybody needs a .22 and a 12 ga. .17 HMR is a lot of fun, and so is an AR in 5.56/223. How about changing the question to the top 6 long guns that everybody needs?

 

[firedawg60]

If I were to add a shotgun and keep it at three I'd lose the 308. The 375 can do everything the 308 can do, with proper loads.

Very true, especially for the handloader and those that have a need for a big longer range boomer.

 

[txcookie]

So Like 90 % of the post here say 22 and or 12 gauge. Not what I intended but ok.

 

[shafter]

Are we talking rifles or long guns in general?

If we're strictly talking rifles my choices would be:
22LR
30-30
30-06

I don't anticipate ever hunting an animal that would require a more potent cartridge. I also don't anticipate ever being restricted to just the above three!

 

[silicosys4]

I'd go with...
.223,
.375 H&H (still looking for one)
.30-06.

With the caveat that since I reload, I can make each of those cartridges everything I need, and if I can't, 30-06 will be available anywhere I plan on hunting.

That takes care of literally everything on earth.