Favorite cartridges

[wwb]

If you come right down to it, a .22 rimfire, a .30-06, and a 12 gauge shotgun really cover all the bases except for big African stuff.

But, this thread isn't really about NEED - it's all about WANT.

About the only calibers I'm not enamoured with are the short mag, super short mag, short action ultra mag, and other assorted latest-and-greatest mega-blasters. Not too interested in obscure old foreign military stuff, either.

Other than that, bring it on.....

Favorites - the .22 rimfire, the .223, the .264 Mag, the .30-30, the .30-06, the .45-70, the .38 Spl/.357 Mag, the .44 Spl/.44 Mag, and the .45 ACP

 

[Snake45]

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

Good catch! :wink:

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

Okay, if English Class is in session, I think you meant either "gamut" (the full range--it runs the gamut) or "gantlet" (that two-lines-of-Indians-who-beat-on-you thing, implying that it can take a beating and still stand up). If you're trying to say that the cartridge is a good brush-bucker or has outstanding penetration, then this might be an apt metaphor.

"Gauntlet" is a glove. It's sometimes used to mean a challenge, as in "he threw down the gauntlet..." but you wouldn't say something "runs the gauntlet." ("Gauntlet" is often misused for "gantlet," the way many people mispronounce "cavalry" as "Calvary." The former has to do with horse soldiers and the latter has to do with Jesus.)

Thus endeth the lesson. :wink:

 

[Belt Fed]

OK, here's my favorites: Hand Gun 357 Mag. 44Mag. 45 Colt
Rifle 22 L.R. 6.5X55 300H&H 35Whelen 38-55
45-70 Govt. Shotgun 20Ga. 12Ga.

 

[Quattroclick]

22LR - Not enough good things can be said about this one.
257 Roberts - I love this although it has a MAJOR flaw. I like my actresses like that too.
280 Remington - Basically, I can shoot a 270 and still be oddball.
375 H&H - I have no use for it, but when I don't have one, I miss it.
38 Special - I own 357s. I shoot 38s.
44 Special - The only reason the 44 Magnum exists is so that old Colts and Smith and Wessons don't get blown up by hot 44 Special loads.

30-06, 270, 243 and 308 are not on the list because they are like that guy that nobody really pays much attention to down the hall. He gets 3/4 of the work done while everyone else is bragging about their achievements. Stupid goodie two shoes stuck up cartridges.

 

[SteveRuger]

My favorites have been for years:
22 LR Everyone loves to shoot & can afford to shoot.
218 Bee Loves Varmits
22PPC My, hit what I want to gun
220 Swift for the Coyote that thinks he out of my range
30-06 Killed alot of my dinners
300 H&H Just enjoy not chase around looking for my elk anymore.
375 H&H Love it up in Alaska hunting & I just enjoy Shooting it.

 

[maxpress]

.22 is the funnest.

Handgun Auto .40/10mm.
.44 revolver

Small rifle is a toss between 6.5x55 and .308

predator deffence 45-70.

 

[mattsbox99]

My favorites are:

.204 Ruger, .22 LR, .22 Hornet, .22 WMR, .223, .25/06, .280, .30-06, .350 Rem Mag, .30 Carbine, .444 Marlin, 9x19, .38 Super TJ, .357 Mag, .44 Mag, .45 Colt, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, & 10MM, and probably a whole bunch more I don't own yet.

I do own more .22s than anything (14), with .44 Mags falling in behind them (9), and .25/06s in 3rd place with 6.

 

[WingMaster]

.22 rimfire

.357 Magnum

.270 Winchester

.338 Winchester Magnum

 

[308longdistance]

I could quite easily do 98% of the work with the....

22lr
257 Roberts
308 Win.

But I also have/use........

257 Weatherby
7MM STW
30-06
300 WM
357
40 S&W
44 Mag.

 

[mrwickwire]

I love anything in 6.5. Nice high BC bullets, and not a lot of recoil. My favorite 6.5s are 6.5x55, 260, and 6.5x284.

7mm WSM is really starting to grow on me. Really nice for those long range hunting shots.

338 Lapua Mag for hitting paper at long distances. I am starting to think about using this for long range hunting. I am still undecided.

45-70 Nice caliber for those short range shots. You can't beat it in a Ruger No. 1. It is quite a classic, everybody should have one!

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Snake, I can run the gantlet of the anti-gunners and absorb the entire gamut of their derision, even when they throw down the gauntlet of Constitutional intent.

 

[Snake45]

Snake, I can run the gantlet of the anti-gunners and absorb the entire gamut of their derision, even when they throw down the gauntlet of Constitutional intent.

A+! Fantastic usage! Go to the head of the class! :wink:

 

[tn308fan]

.308
257
7x57

 

[45flattop]

.22LR
45ACP
.218 Bee
.257 Roberts
25.06
6.5x55 Swede
6.5 Creedmoor *possibly
7x57 Mauser
270 Winchester
30-06
338-06
35 Whelen

Yep, most of them share a single shell holder size and basic case!!

 

[FergusonTO35]

Handgun: .22 LR, .38 Special, 9X19
Carbine: .22 LR, .32-20 WCF, .357 Magnum
Rifle: .30-30 WCF, .30'06, .45-70 Government

 

[Bkat]

30-06, 270, 243 and 308 are not on the list because they are like that guy that nobody really pays much attention to down the hall. He gets 3/4 of the work done while everyone else is bragging about their achievements. Stupid goodie two shoes stuck up cartridges.

Very true. Most boring guy too. But I think the 30.06 cartridge should get the prize for "most versatile" because of the very wide range of bullet weights available, both in factory ammo and for handloading. Because of its versatility, there are only a few rifle cartridges it can't adequately replace. (Although that's never stopped me from owning other rifles/calibers that were somewhat duplicative.)

Bkat

 

[Snake45]

30-06, 270, 243 and 308 are not on the list because they are like that guy that nobody really pays much attention to down the hall. He gets 3/4 of the work done while everyone else is bragging about their achievements. Stupid goodie two shoes stuck up cartridges.

Very true. Most boring guy too. But I think the 30.06 cartridge should get the prize for "most versatile" because of the very wide range of bullet weights available, both in factory ammo and for handloading. Because of its versatility, there are only a few rifle cartridges it can't adequately replace. (Although that's never stopped me from owning other rifles/calibers that were somewhat duplicative.)

Bkat

Quoted for truth. Great post.

What's that old Depression-era song that Jeff Cooper quoted?

"There ain't many problems that can't be fixed
With seven hundred dollars and a thirty-aught-six."

 

[Silent Sam]

Off topic but I am curious about the 257 Roberts "major flaw".

 

[rugnelli]

I believe the 257 Roberts' "major flaw" is it is almost too perfect...

 

[jn 41]

358 win
7x57
25-06