What is your One Caliber

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Went through all this logic for the past year or two...

I've been selecting 1 rifle/1 pistol for my stable (possibly a rimfire or shotgun to complete the set), and have researched the livid DAYLIGHTS out of everything based on the OP's question.

I settled on .30-06. I reload, so I can go from groundhog to grizzly with it. While .308 Win may take it in competitive gilt-edged precision (which, IMHO, has more has to do with platform and recoil control than cartridge), the .30-06 has that extra edge in power and penetration. I can cross-load .308 Win-> .30-06, but not the other way. It's got 110 years of reloading knowledge to it. Also, it's EXTREMELY common - as others said - it was available when the .308 wasn't.

I've looked into .45-70, .30-30, .308, 6.5x55 (and .260/6.5CM), 7-08/7x57/7RM, and 7.62x54R. Disqualifiers for each:

.45-70 - VERY hungry cartridge in lead/bullet cost (either cast or jacketed), poor trajectory, and not easy to make a light-recoiling shot.
.30-30 - tops out at ~200yds. .308 can do same tricks, but handle spitzers better.
.308 - Can do .30-06, but can't keep up past 180gr, can't push long VLD's as fast as .30-06. Smaller case-capacity makes it friendlier to subsonic and .30-30-like loads though.
6.5x55/.264-range - my old Love. However, she was very fussy about equipment needs (can't find reloading components or tools locally, can't use components from other sources, has fast-twist so poor with practical cast-shooting).
.284-series - EXCELLENT ballistics, but peaks out at .310 SD (175gr), only a few molds for cast-shooting, doesn't have the weight-capabilities that .30-06 does.
7.62x54R - PROLIFIC surplus ammo, but poor hunting ammo support. Needs .311 bullets (not as common), unsure of cast-capability (less molds to choose from), and most spare cases are made of steel with corrosive primers. I don't want to have to find a stream in the field to rinse my barrel with.

Honorables - .375 H&H, .35 Whelen, .358 Win - the .375, while capable of killing ANYTHING, has a heavy recoil for factory loads, eats powder, and eats more lead per-shot than the '06. The .35's are the most EFFICIENT (grain/powder to muzzle-energy) category - but suffer heavy recoil if trying to propel them long-range, and they don't have the B.C's of .308 cartridges. On a plus- I can use my .357 bullets in a .35 rifle in a pinch.

ALSO - .30-06 and .357/.38 run the same general weights of bullets - so casting is a bit more comparable.


FWIW, though, as this is all theory and concept - those with experience feel free to debunk me with reality. :)
 
TexasPatriot.308 said:
.308...lots of other calibers mentioned, good luck finding any in a bad time. the .308 is everywhere, doubt you will find the 6.5 x 55 or any AI calibers just anywhere.
Click to expand...
Should there ever be a world-changing shortage, the only rounds you will find in greater numbers than the .308 will both be the 5.56/.223 and the 7.62x39. I won't ever own an AK for personal principals and the U.S. is not where the bulk of those cartridges are stored so for me that leaves the 5.56/.223 as my round of choice. Ubiquitous, accurate, good range, sufficient speed/power for hunting most anything I would pursue, can carry a relative large number of them in a backpack, lots of reloading stuff for them and many long-guns (platforms, vendors, designs, variations) from which to choose.
B
 
I have owned:
.45 flintlock;
.308Win.;
.303British;
.357Magnum.

The flintlock MUST be cleaned after FIVE rounds, no more.
The .308win was ok.
The .303British was my open sights 200 yard fun gun.
(all 3 long gone from whence I left California, years before it turned communist.)

I will remain with the .357Magnum, for game, and for hearth and lodge.
 
Me and 2,000,000 other shooters like the venerable .30-06. There is nothing in North America that it won't take cleanly. Matches out to 1000 yards have been won hundreds of times with it. Cheap to shoot, easy to feed, accurate as heck.
 
For North America, the 30-06, by a comfortable margin IMO. Ammo availability and the wide range of bullet weights gives it the widest range as a do-everything cartridge, and it does almost all of it well.
 
My head says 308 but my heart says 30-30. I'd probably go 30-30 as I would miss my lever action 30-30 too much. I have complete confidence in making the shot out to 200 yards.
 
5.56/223 because the cheap stuff is great for blasting. The premium loads are very capable. Lots of options.

I could say the same about the 22 lr.


Edit: double tap.... Changed my mind.
 
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.30 Gov't 1906

Another vote for the .30-06. As so many have said, depending upon loading, it can take any North American game. It is the one chambering that can usually be found in any store that sells ammunition, at least in 150 or 180gr loads.

I am a handloader and have loaded mine from 55gr sabot, 110, 125, 150, 165, 180, to 220 gr. I don't know of any other cartridge as versatile as the .30-06.
 
A good quality Rifle in 30-06 caliber is my top choice. And it has been that way since I was 15 years old, and I just turned 71 a few days ago. Getting old is just the pits.
ken
 
6.5 Creedmoor. Super flat shooting, less recoil than .308, more ft./lbs. on target anywhere past 200 yards. Suitable for killing people or animals alike. A good semi in this caliber could cover anything from close quarters to 1200 yard shots, and everything in between.
 
I'd have to go with .270 Win now.

- It shoots very accurately with 90 Gr Sierras moving along at an obscene clip.

- 130 Gr does most things well.

- Recently, high BC bullets are more available.

- 150 Gr and 160 Gr bullets are available for most any bigger job, and still shoot well.

- It shoots pretty flat, and can reach out there.
 
Can't believe I hadn't responded to this thread yet.

.308 Winchester without a doubt.

2nd 6.8 SPC

3rd 30.06
 
Glad this thread was revived, as I somehow missed it before. I guess I am the second person to go with the .270 WSM. Ten years ago, when I decided to return to shooting snd hunting, I thought I would buy a single rifle for rockchucks through deer. I considered having a custom rifle built in .270 Redding, as I like short actions and am not a fan of excessive recoil. Then I stumbled across a Winchester Model 70 Super Shadow in .270 WSM at a local Wal-Mart and realized I could handload it down to .270 Redding levels or up to near 7mm Rem. Mag levels. And it was only $399 including disposable scope. While factory ammo is expensive, and if loaded to max pressures, barrel life can be short, it is a flat shooting hard hitting versatile cartridge that doesn't punish the shooter. My choice!
 
The .250/3000 Sav is my favorite cartridge of all time. It's all one needs for deer/black bear and is not a bad choice on even larger stuff. It's super accurate, lethal, a true 300 yard cartridge and easy/cheap to reload.
 
well,only having one implys a s h t f scene so I would be inclined to travel light and pack .22's They are light weight not too loud and will feed you or defend you if used correctly
 
6.5x55. Mild recoil and blast but hits like a .308. Took a cow elk with it last year, and lots of hogs and three Barbary Sheep. All DRT.
 
damienph said:
Another vote for the .30-06. As so many have said, depending upon loading, it can take any North American game. It is the one chambering that can usually be found in any store that sells ammunition, at least in 150 or 180gr loads.

I am a handloader and have loaded mine from 55gr sabot, 110, 125, 150, 165, 180, to 220 gr. I don't know of any other cartridge as versatile as the .30-06.
Click to expand...

Optimally, NO panics & shortages, the .308/7.62x51 can do it all and cheapest
"can-do-it-all", round to shoot in bulk.
Alas, we know...as long as Liberals & Democrats still walk the
face of the Earth...
...THERE WILL BE:banghead: "panics & shortages" !:(
So, then it has to be the .30-06 relatively cheap, can do it all...
...and during the last crisis / shortage and Hoard-O-Rama, it was everywhere, still... WallyWorld, LGS, BigBox Sporting Goods & Outfitters.
The overnight "Amnesty" for millions of illegals will create a permanent voting base the conservatives & patriots will never again overcome, and obamanation that will then be the USA:uhoh:
 
I hunt with a 243, but if I could have only one rifle in one caliber. It would be a 300 WSM
 
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