Favorite cartridges

[TRanger]

The post regarding the 30-06 vs the 7mm Rem. Magnum got me thinking about favorite cartridges and why we like them. The '06 is obviously a favorite of a majority of shooters and that is one reason I don't use it. I prefer to be a little different. (I suppose that's why I'm a 16 gauge fan, as well. ) Following are my favorite rifle cartridges. What are yours?

7x57-Probably my all-time favorite. In my opinion, it is a perfectly balanced cartridge; offering good killing power, reasonably flat trajectory, good accuracy, light recoil, and easy to handload. Extremely versatile.

257 Roberts-Probably the ideal light cartridge for deer.

45/70-The ultimate woods cartridge. Another versatility champ. Good for everything from whitetails to brown bear within its range.

375 H&H Magnum-My candidate for the single most useful rifle cartridge in existence.

None of these cartridges are high pressure screaming velocity numbers. All are rather old; but I think they do their jobs as well as any modern magnum, and without ear-splitting blast and fearsome recoil.

 

[Black Frog]

358 Win

The thumping, 'can do' caliber for anything in North America out to 250-300yds.

I'm disappointed that Ruger stopped chambering the 358 this year. Now there is only Browning left carrying the 358 torch in the BLR.

 

[hawk_driver]

I like the oddballs as well. I have a Ruger that I rebarrelled to 308 Norma Mag, also have them in 6mm Rem and 7mm RSUM. I also have a 30-06 and 223 in a Ruger as well. I have a 260 Rem, 280 AI and 358 Norma Mag, but not in Rugers. The other non-oddballs are a 22-250, 257 Wby, 30-30 and 45-70.

 

[EVR]

I could quite happily go with Tranger's list, quite happily.

Mine is similar enough I guess;

.22LR
6.5x55
.264 Win Mag
.45-70
9.3x57

The specific loads and rifles and uses are what makes the above choices easy for me.

 

[Kudu m77]

Have to say it, 30-06 , grew up shooting with one. It does not make as much damage to meat as some of the magnums and the reason everyone compares everything else to it?

6.5x55: Not a lot of recoil(not that we don't like recoil). Think it has been underrated for a long time.

7x57: Very nice for the African bush.

I hope the next one will be the 375 ruger.

9mm para.

 

[Snake45]

.22 in handguns and rifles, for obvious reasons.

In handguns: .45ACP, 9mm, .38/.357, and .44 mag. Not much I want to do with a handgun that I can't do with one of those. I do own one .32ACP, an old Colt that I got dirt-cheap as nonfunctional junk and rebuilt to shooting condition, or I wouldn't have that one.

Rifles: .223 for SHTF if it's ever needed. .30-06 and .308--there's really very little reason to own both, but I like the rifles that chamber them (03A4 Springfield, Garand, and M14). .30 Carbine--a delightful little gun and a great "house" gun. .243--I once bought dirt-cheap a custom .243 rifle and essentially a lifetime supply of ammo for it; added another one a couple years ago. Truth to tell, I don't shoot them that much. .303 Brit--I only own two because I got them dirt cheap; have never shot either, though I plan to turn one into a "super-plinker" soon. 7.62x39--again, I bought a Russian SKS dirt-cheap years ago; have never shot it.

Shotguns: 12 gauge--I own four, though I've wanted a 20 gauge Rem 1100 ever since I shot Mas Ayoob's; what a delightful blaster that was!

As you can see, my chamberings are few and basic. Truth to tell I could probably get by with half of them, but I just happen to like certain guns that are only available in certain chamberings.

Can't think of any cartridges I want to add to the battery except possibly .40 Auto--I've bought a .40 "top half" for one of my S&W 9mms and just need to make the mods to fit it to the 9 frame, which should be possible. For a long time I've wanted a big-bore bolt action rifle, something like a .45/70 (Siamese Mauser conversion), but never enough to actually go spend the money on one. I sure don't need it. :wink:

 

[bnewberry]

My favorite Cartridges:

.22 Long Rifle: This is on the list for the obvious reasons.

6.5X55: This cartridge is on the list for its heavy-for-caliber bullets, and well balanced performance. Great accuracy, moderate recoil and a classic shape.

.30-06: Boring, cliche, adequate for many things, probably perfect for nothing. Still, this one is on my list. My first ever centerfire rifle was in this caliber and I own more rifles chambered for the .30-06 than any other.

.35 Whelen: A classic mid bore round with a historical name. This is an under appreciated round that with the right bullets just performs beyond the expectations of anyone raised on the more "velocity is better farm".

.45 Colt: The sound this makes sliding into the chamber of a six gun makes me smile. From mild to wild, this round will do it all.

.45 ACP: Mostly because of the gun with which it is most associated.

These will do for me!

 

[Bitman]

Mine are rather simple.
204 Ruger
257 Roberts
7X57

 

[Divernhunter]

I like too many to list. Picking a fav is too hard but my go to for hunting (big game)is a 30-06 and small game 223 with the 204 right on its heels. Shotgun would be 12ga and never forget then everyone should have a few 22RF rifles/pistols or at least one.

Big bore would be my 50BMG.

 

[BlkHawk73]

First, glad to see someone use "cartridge" instead of the all too commonly used, and incorrect, caliber.


Ok, mine...

22lr - what's more fun and economical to shoot and the perfect building block for all other shooting?

.30-30 - it's a classic, 'nuf said.

.300 H&H - a classic among classics and one that can run the gauntlet.

.45-70 - another classic among classics

 

[dkmlever]

Handguns 44 special
Rifles 32 Win Special
25-06
338 Win mag

 

[Lloyd Smale]

250
2506
280
308
o6
8mm rem mag

 

[aqbill]

How's about another round of applause for the "classics."

.222 Remington - one of the best little guys around.
.243 Winchester - movin' on up. Fun to shoot and versatile.
7x57 Mauser - all time global favorite
.303 British - Millions of Brits can't be wrong.
8x57 Mauser - Another international classic that's often overlooked and underestimated.

 

[Bigboreshooter]

The 45 Colt is my all time favorite handgun round. However, in the last couple of years I've really come to appreciate the 9mm.

In rifles, I gave up the "speed thing" many years ago. I prefer rounds that have some history, such as 7x57.

I'm also a fan of medium bore rounds. I currently have rifles chambered for 358 Win, 35 Whelen, and 9.3x74R.

 

[358 Hawkeye]

The post regarding the 30-06 vs the 7mm Rem. Magnum got me thinking about favorite cartridges and why we like them. The '06 is obviously a favorite of a majority of shooters and that is one reason I don't use it. I prefer to be a little different. (I suppose that's why I'm a 16 gauge fan, as well. ) Following are my favorite rifle cartridges. What are yours?

7x57-Probably my all-time favorite. In my opinion, it is a perfectly balanced cartridge; offering good killing power, reasonably flat trajectory, good accuracy, light recoil, and easy to handload. Extremely versatile.

257 Roberts-Probably the ideal light cartridge for deer.

45/70-The ultimate woods cartridge. Another versatility champ. Good for everything from whitetails to brown bear within its range.

375 H&H Magnum-My candidate for the single most useful rifle cartridge in existence.

None of these cartridges are high pressure screaming velocity numbers. All are rather old; but I think they do their jobs as well as any modern magnum, and without ear-splitting blast and fearsome recoil.

I have a Remington 7x57, a single shot Browning 45-70 and I recently picked up a Hawkeye in .358 Winchester. Three classic cartridges that are different than the everyday 30-06 - 308 stuff.
The 275 Roberts is another classic as well based off the 7x57, i believe I will have to get another rifle now.

 

[TRanger]

If we toss in handgun cartridges:
-My favorites are the .45 Colt and .44 Special; and I can't decide which I like better.
-.44 Magnum
-.45 ACP
-.357 Maghnum
.38 Special
-and I, too, will admit an appreciation for the 9mm Parabellum-

 

[gunman42782]

The good old 30/06 was, is, and always will be my favorite cartridge. Followed closely by the .308. But, in centerfire rifles, I shoot 5 times more .223 than everything else combined.

 

[robertkirksey]

.260 Remington. Compact, low recoil, accurate and fires (if properly loaded) a bullet of high sectional density that penetrates for a week and a half! Robert

 

[picketpin]

Okay, here we go.

Everybody needs a good 22LR

After that it's a matter of what and how you hunt, for me:

17 Remington - 204 Ruger - just plain fun/ great walk around for light varmints
22PPC or 22BR almost anything a 22-250 or Swift will do but more accurate
6mm Remington - 257 Roberts (all time favorite caliber)
7x57 Mauser - 280 Remington - 284 Winchester pick based on rifle
7mm STW LONG shots on BIG game
30-338 Win Mag (with 180s) or 338 Win Mag (with 250s) Elk - moose -bears

Lots of fun, interesting and effective cartridges not mentioned but this was about personal favorites. I do think the list pretty well will handle anything you want to hunt on this continent.

Ross

 

[Rumrunner]

Favorite 4 in order of size;
22LR
223
308
45/70

If I had to let one go, 308 goes first then the 223. If I could only have one it would be the 45/70 - reason being - if ever I can only have one, I am going to stick it in my mouth and pull the trigger!!!