5 calibers everyone should own

[viav13]

Ok, here it is,

If you could have only five calibers in your safe what would they be?

I know everybody who is into guns has a specific list of "must have" weapons. I want to hear the must have calibers.
You can throw a shotgun or a pistol in there if you like, but you can't go over five.

If you want, you can get into specific guns and setups.

You dont have to explain your decision but it would be good to help other figure out there list.

Ill start it off.

1. 30-06: probably in a M1 garand, great, accurate, and dependable survival/hunting weapon.

2. 338 Win Mag: bolt action rifle of some sort. heavy hitter with ammo that is readily available.

3. 5.56/223: this would be in a M4 gas piston setup. Im partial to a POF. High capacity, low recoil, with accuracy to spare

4. 12ga: A rifle wont fit every job. Sometimes you need a scatter gun.

5. 40 S&W: Harder hitting than the 45 acp with a larger mag capacity in most standard pistols. I like Glocks personally.

Ok there it is, lets hear it...

 

[JRWALLSIII]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

.308 med weight bolt gun

A big 7 - 280 AI, 7wsm, or 7-300. Heavy bolt gun

338 lapua

12 gauge

 

[gtriever]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

Only 5? I can think of 6 "must-haves" for me. If I had to pare it down, I guess I'd reluctantly drop .38 Special...

.22LR
.38 Special
.45 ACP
5.56/.223
7.62/.308
12ga

 

[BobinNC]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

.22lr
9mm PARA
.223 Rem
.308 Win
12 Ga.

 

[viav13]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

Yeah kind of wanted to put a 22lr in there but i had to trim the fat somewhere.

Didn't go with the 308, which i new would be a popular choice, because of my pick with the 30-06. Now that i rethink that, it probably would of been better to go with a 308 in a M1A setup. Same reliability, similar ballistics, with a mag fed rifle.

But then again, in a survival/hunting gun mags can get lost or need replacing.

 

[viav13]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GTriever</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Only 5? I can think of 6 "must-haves" for me. If I had to pare it down, I guess I'd reluctantly drop .38 Special...

.22LR
.38 Special
.45 ACP
5.56/.223
7.62/.308
12ga </div></div>
Why would you go with a 38 special and not a 357 mag?

 

[grkmec]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BobinNC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">.22lr
9mm PARA
.223 Rem
.308 Win
12 Ga. </div></div>

I would replace the .22lr for .338LM. If you are gonna shoot at something, might as well use a 9mm

 

[ORD]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

1) .22LR
2) .45acp
3) 223/5.56*
4) 12ga
5) 308/300WM/338LM*

* - I don't know that I could narrow it down to 5 calibers, but I could probably narrow it down to four firearms with a switch-barrel design like the DTA SRS so I could have 308/300WM/338LM all in one package and a .22LR conversion for the 223/5.56 rifle.

 

[utnapishtim]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

1.) .22
2.) 12ga
3.) .223
4.) .308
5.) 9mm

Reasoning = in a pinch, I can get ammo nearly anywhere . . .

Add to that, I've a .44 and 7mmRM for hunting . . .

 

[Roadwild17]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Utnapishtim</div><div class="ubbcode-body">1.) .22
2.) 12ga
3.) .223
4.) .308
5.) 9mm

Reasoning = in a pinch, I can get ammo nearly anywhere . . .

Add to that, I've a .44 and 7mmRM for hunting . . . </div></div>

pretty much hit it on the head for me. Where Im at .308 is all I really need to hunt with. The most dangerous game we have round here is oil rigs and little old laddies out on the road.

 

[JCH]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

22lr
223
7wsm
357
12ga

 

[JerkeeJoe]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Utnapishtim</div><div class="ubbcode-body">1.) .22
2.) 12ga
3.) .223
4.) .308
5.) 9mm

Reasoning = in a pinch, I can get ammo nearly anywhere . . .

</div></div>

Winner.

 

[jamesZ71]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

1.Kimber Tactical Ultra II™ .45 ACP
2.RRA AR-15 223/556
3..308/7.62
4.12g
5.22lr

 

[Cinch]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

22-243 Winchester
260 Remington
308 Winchester
338 Edge
Any version of a Cheytac

 

[Longshot38]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

For me the list looks like this:

1)22 long rifle
2)223 Remington
3)308 Winchester
4)300 Magnum of some sort (I prefer weatherby)
5)338 Lapua

 

[lmhans4440]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

1) 9mm
2) 223/5.56
3) 308/7.62
4) 45-70/458 win
5) 12 gauge

I need more than 5 but sticking with the rules thats what I came up with.

 

[_Shay_]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

1) .308
2) .556
3) .22lr
4) 9mm
5) 12 gauge

 

[boomer453]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

Mine...

22LR
12 ga
5.56 on some sort of AR frame
9.3x62 (personal favorite thumper)
45 (sub-compact, single stack for concealablity)

I know i didn't include a long range round but IF i could only have 5 this would cover any scenario i can come up with.

 

[R.Walters]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

jeez 12gauge isnt a caliber.

 

[Bronco]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

1. 22 LR, small game, lots of ammo, very quiet when suppressed.
2. 12 ga., buckshot, slugs, shot.
3. 5.56 AR, light, fast, accurate, will handle most things.
4. 308 bolt rifle, for the stuff the AR won't do.
5. 40 S&W pistol, so I'll have it to get me to my rifle.

 

[dlc356]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

1).22
2).223/5.56
3).308/7.62
4).40 S&W
5)12ga

 

[SScott]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

1) 22lr ( intall hush unit, and is my night stalker)
2)45 ACP (slow and hard)
3)416 Barret (or some version of long range crazy shit)
4)308/7.62 (Can get ammo all around the world)
5)12 gauge ( Close quarter work)

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

1. .22LR
2. .223 Rem
3. .260 Rem
4. .30-'06
5. .44 Rem Mag. (carbine, I don't do handguns.)

...and 20ga.; Slug, Buck, and Upland Game loads.

Greg

 

[motochamp250]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

i would probably take:
308
223/5.56
12 ga
.22lr
and prolly my 7mm rem mag or 338lm ...but prolly the 7mag

 

[ker2222]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JerkeeJoe</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Utnapishtim</div><div class="ubbcode-body">1.) .22
2.) 12ga
3.) .223
4.) .308
5.) 9mm

Reasoning = in a pinch, I can get ammo nearly anywhere . . .

</div></div>



Winner. </div></div>


+2

if it needs shooting and these don't get it done......you're likely in trouble and should just move on

 

[coldboremiracle]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

1.338 for all the big stuff, preferably a lapua.
2.308 with a can and supersonic/subsonic ammo (eliminating the need for a .22lr)
3..223/5.56 in an AR, preferably one of the shorter varmint variety. (medium range with a low mag optic)
4.12 gauge for sure
5.whatever hangun YOU can shoot best, (I'd have my .44 mag, with my Sig 9mm as a close second)

Honorable mention, I dont know if I could do without my AK if the zombie theory plays out. Cheap, cheap ammo, puts alot of lead out reliably.

 

[sgtbutt]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

1-.308/7.62
2-.223/5.56
3-45 ACP
4-12 Ga
5-22LR

22 is a hard to beat caliber. Very affective at close range. It doesn't get near the credit that it deserves. Plus at $20 or so for a box of bulk (500) you can't go wrong for fun and refining techniques.

 

[Walsh]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

1. .308- "Jack of all trades master of none." Thats why it's #1.

2. .22LR- When you need absolute quietness, suppress one of these.

3. 9mm- Beause I can find ammo anywhere and Glock 17 mags seem commonplace.

4. .223/5.56x45mm NATO- To train new shooters on, cheaper, find ammo anywhere, a AR-15 can hold alot of bullets, and with heavier loads can really rach out there, quieter then a .308 and is cheaper to shoot.

5. 50BMG- Because it can do everything.

 

[strick9]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

22mag, mag research (22lr is for sissies afraid of recoil);
5.56 1:7 wylde tact entry
308 20 inch bolt gun
40 xd

you tell me what caliber you want to fill in the fifth spot with and I will trade it to ya wtshtf for that thar woman pilgrim.

And yeah 12 is a guage not a caliber. If it were it would be in there.

 

[Gruff]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

.223
.308
.300 WM
.45 acp
12 ga

 

[GCMxVeGeTa]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sgtbutt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">1-.308/7.62
2-.223/5.56
3-45 ACP
4-12 Ga
5-22LR</div></div>

That's pretty much my choices, although I do agree with the guy above about the AK being reliable & cheap ammo.

 

[Graham]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

My vote, too:

.22Lr
.223
.308
12Guage
45ACP

 

[Bruiser_Joe]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

yep think everyone else pretty much has it down

22lr
9mm/45auto
5.56
7.62
12 guage

if i could add one more it would be a magnum, 300, 338 etc get that little extra reach. there isn't much you couldn't do with just those six/seven calibers

 

[longeyes]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

30-06
.308/7.62
12ga
45acp
22lr

 

[Slickrick0999]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

Hmmm...
22lr (cheap and versital would like to have pistol and rifle, for me Ruger's fill both.)
9mm (Glock 19 ammo everywhere)
5.56 (My new Noveske N4 carbine again lots o ammo)
.308 (Bolt gun of choice, lots of options for reloads, and ammo)
12 ga (Mossberg 590, got to have a scattergun for defense and survival)

 

[USAF1A8]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BobinNC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">.22lr
9mm PARA
.223 Rem
.308 Win
12 Ga.</div></div>

+1

 

[SteelW0LF]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

My picks:

.308
.223
.22
9mm
45 ACP

I'm of the mind that our society is in for a fall sometime soon, and these calibers are either the most common, or can be scrounged from military rifles if the need arose.

308 is the same as the militaries machine guns use. Of course .223 and 5.56mm are the same round pretty much. .22 is not a military caliber but its common as hell. 9mm is the current military handgun caliber. .45 ACP is not used much anymore in the military since they stupidly replaced the 1911, but its still common as hell.

 

[itguy]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

I would go with what most people have said..

.22
.223
.308
12ga
7.25x28

 

[Fezick]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

1-.22lr
2-.223
3-.308
4-12 gauge
5-9mm or .45acp

I will always have ammo...

 

[Tigerbikes]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

.22LR
.223/5.56x45
.308/7.62x51
.45-70/.457
.338/8.58x70

 

[desertHK]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

1. 22 LR
2. .223
3. 308
4. 338 LM
5. 9 mm

 

[benchmstr]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

45
40
12
223
308

bench

 

[SuckitTrebek]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

Common sense says including the NATO calibers.

9mm
.308
.22
12 gauge
5.56

End of story

 

[bohem]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

1) 30-06 in a bolt platform
2) 12ga
3) 22LR rifle
4) 9mm pistol
5) 223

06 will whomp any large game or do the long rage job and ammo is available just about anywhere. 12ga with slugs, birdshot, or heavy shot like 00 buck is a good all around hunting and defense weapon, 22LR rifle is for hunting small game and keeping skills sharp. It's easy to keep a mountain of 22LR stashed without taking up a lot of room or expense.

9mm and 223 are both autloading platforms and were chosen because of the prevalence of food for them.

 

[264win]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

22 k17 or suppressed buckmark
223 light weight bolt gun [ i hate ar's]
308 med bolt gun prefer win / fn action .
45 1911 commander or xd
12 ga benelli or 870
not my favorite calibers by any means , but they are very universal ,best chance of having ammo avail.

 

[rackchaser71]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

.22 mag- kill anything from rabbits to deer
.44mag pistol-small(er) to carry
12g shot gun-got to have that big pattern
.308-kill anything with small recoil kind of gun
.50 bmg-because ya just never fuckin know

 

[brianturpin]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

I like my 9.3X62 also.
22 LR
40 S&W
12 gauge in an 870
223

 

[dhutch]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

.308WIN
.223REM
.45ACP
9mm
12GA

 

[gtriever]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: viav13</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GTriever</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Only 5? I can think of 6 "must-haves" for me. If I had to pare it down, I guess I'd reluctantly drop .38 Special...

.22LR
.38 Special
.45 ACP
5.56/.223
7.62/.308
12ga </div></div>
Why would you go with a 38 special and not a 357 mag? </div></div>

First, because my ancient Model 10 only takes .38 Special; second, the wifey can handle .38 better than .357; third, follow-up is much better in a 2" snubbie with .38SPL.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KnabstrupperUSA</div><div class="ubbcode-body">jeez 12gauge isnt a caliber.

</div></div>

Hoo-RAY! Then I don't have to drop the .38s...

Caliber or not, a good 12ga is a must-have.

Ya know, I'm real surprised we haven't seen much love for 7.62x39 yet.

 

[BAMCIS]

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

.22lr-pistol and bolt rifle
.44 mag/.44 spl same as above
.308
Really wouldn't need anything else
Unless I go back to Alaska
Then add a .375 HH