5 calibers everyone should own

Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: viav13</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Nope I didn't put if the SHTF scenario in there. I left that up to you and your needs. I only asked or 5 calibers.

Hell, if it was a SHTF scenario Id only take 223 M4 setup, and a back up of 40s&w. dont need to be carrying around to much in that scenario. </div></div>

Well hell that changes things.

1) 7wsm

2) 338 Lapua

3) 408 Cheytac

4) 6.5 Wsm

5) 6mm BR
 
Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

<span style="font-weight: bold">.22 LR
.45 ACP
12 Gauge (.50 Cal)
.223 REM
.308 WIN</span>
*These will all be used if/when the SHTF
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Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

Without looking at any previous:

22LR (could be rifle or handgun)
.308
.223
7.62x54 (cheap ammo and rifles,accurate, and everywhere)(prefer the Finn M39)
12 gauge

Ammo represents cost-effectiveness, availability, and reliability(to certain degree)... in case it hits the fan
 
Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 6mmFan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">6mm BR
6mm x 47L
6mm XC
6mm AR Turbo
6-284

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"OK that's just preposterous!" </div></div>

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Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

These

177 air rifle...I'm so predictable.
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It's not a firearm so it doesn't count. I can have 6 guns
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1. Benelli practical M1 12Guage

2. 10-22 race gun

3. STI Edge semiauto pistol-40S&W

4. 223 semi auto carbine...too be determined

5. 375 Cheytac When it really doesn't matter how far away something is.
 
Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

For 5 Calibers only....

9mm parabelum
12g in assorted flavors
22 mag ( a little extra nasty...)
308 for medium to long range stuff
223 for those close in rifle uses.

now for the guns that run these...(no-one ever said only five guns...)

Glock 19 (9mm)
h&k MP5SD3 (9mm)
remington 870 (12g)
AI AWF 308
and a good ar-15 type built for ruggedness.
and H&K 23E Belt fed goodness....
and a good 22wmr bolt gun (Marlin or savage)
 
Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

22lr-for the little critters
22-250-will do anything the 223 can do but better
25/300WSM-cause it's FAST and accurate
270-general purpose killer
338WM-for anything the 270 is too light for
All except the 338 are sitting in the safe right now with the 338 hopefully coming in the future.
 
Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

It would seem,two takes on this post are emerging.1,12 gauge is a not a caliber and being this was posted under "rifles",I will stand corrected on last post.It should read as follows.
.22LR
.223
.260
.300WM
.338LM
Should it read SHTF,then as follows.
.22LR pistol with a can
.223, 16" AR
That would be enough to tote!
 
Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

This is something I put a lot of thought into a few years ago when I did the "caliber consolidation". It breaks down like this for me in order of number of rounds per year.

22LR - CZ 452, Win 52B, 10/22, Ruger MKII, S&W Revolvers, AR15 Conversion

9mm - Glock 17/19/26 and S&W 940

223 - Rem 700, GAP, AR

308 - Rem 700, Surgeon 591, GAP, DTA SRS

12 Guage - Remington 870

If I were to add a 6th it would likely be a DTA SRS conversion in 338 LM to reach out a bit once in a while. Sticking with these few calibers keeps things cheaper and easier.

GM
 
Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 6mmFan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">6mm BR
6mm x 47L
6mm XC
6mm AR Turbo
6-284

smile.gif


"OK that's just preposterous!"</div></div>

Somebody likes there 6mm's!!
 
Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

How could I forget 6PPC- the most accurate CARTRIDGE ever!

No- In reality If I could only choose 5.

12 gauge (Benelli M1 super90)
9mm (Glock 19)
5.56 (16" AR-15)
6mmAR Turbo (High hopes)
.375 CheyTac (someday)
 
Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

Ok for my hunting rifles i have basicaly done this
22lr
12ga
6mmBR
7mm Rem SAUM
338 WBX ( 338 Edge improved 60 degree shoulder)

That is what i have settled on.

I do have a couple of others as fun guns a 45acp in a smle rifle conversian and a 7mm whisper.
 
Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

.22 LR
.45 ACP
.308 Win
.375 H&H
12 Ga

That covers about everything on the planet worth hunting and most special applications.
 
Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

5.7x28
7.62x39
.308 Win
9MM
12 gauge

PDW, Long Distance, Mid-range, Close range---can't go wrong when you fill all those niches! Plus ammo is plentiful for each, except for 5.7---though there's not many floating around out there, so I doubt there will be a shortage.
 
Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: YourMotherTrebek</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Common sense says including the NATO calibers.

9mm
.308
.22
12 gauge
5.56

End of story </div></div>

+1

These are the calibers I shoot the most anyways.

Everything else I own is more subjective and personal. Weird bolt action calibers, C&R, revolver stuff, Subsonic suppressed stuff. I think if a person doesn't want to own a 9mm, then they should at least have a .45ACP.
 
Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

For hunting/shooting use:

.223/5.56 - from coyotes to commies
6.5x47 Lapua - something different with better long range ballistics than a 308 but shorter barrel life and ammo not as affordable or as readily available
.308 - say no more say no more
30-06 - favorite all around hunting round, a bit more oomph and zip than the 308
9.3x62 - very efficient round, but by no means a long range hunting round, similar to 338 Win Mag power but less recoil

For a combination of SHTF and recreational/hunting use:

Since I'm limited to 5, I have to drop the 06 and add a 40S&W. I keep the 9.3x62 over the 06, cause I feel a bit safer around bears with the more powerful round. Good thing I'm not really limited to 5:

.40S&W
.223/5.56
6.5x47 Lapua
.308
9.3x62
 
Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

New to this great site. Found this topic interesting because it really is one of those basic questions that most try to answer for themselves. It's really comes down to a matter of choice based on the "work" you need to do. Guns are tools and each one performs differently, no?

So here are my 5: .22LR, .357 Mag, 9mm, .30-06, .223/5.56mm

Why?

...as a matter of practicality, function, versatility and economics.

If I could only have one gun, the .22LR (in AR-7) would be it. Ammo is cheap (not to mention the AR-7)and readily available. I can hunt small game, birds and even defend against two-legged varmits with a well-placed head shot.

For personal protection, I like the 9mm in a Glock 19 for concealed carry. Again, ammo is readily available and relatively inexpensive. Some will say that the 9 doesn't have sufficient stopping power, especially against large, oversized, drug-crazed zombies. Ok agreed.

That's why I'd have the .357 Mag in a J-frame revolver. I can carry it concealed as a back up. It will also shoot .38 special, AND...in a pinch, you can take down big game like deer with it. I also carry it when I go running/hiking in the woods, just in case I meet up with an unafraid mountain lion or black bear.

The .30-06 is my "work" gun. It's a common ammo, will shoot many different loads, and it will reliably take N.A. big game in the lower 48. It also doubles as a "poor man's sniper rifle".

Finally, you won't go wrong with a good .223/5.56mm in an AR-15 configuration of your choice for your "battle rifle".

Thanks to everyone for their perspectives. It great to be able to tap into the wisdom collective.
 
Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

12GA
.22LR
9mm
.223
.308

(I prefer .357, .40, and .45 over the 9mm personally, but pick the 9mm for availability in a limited arms situation)
 
Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

My opinionated few:

.308 in my bolt gun for ANYTHING

.40 in my XD, for special occasions

5.56X45 in my 16" AR for pretty much anything under 100 lbs (some over) and >40 yards, because an FMJ WILL kill a squirrel through a 1" limb... which negates the .22lr to me

12 gauge... even though it's not really a caliber... for EVERYTHING 1.5 yards to 40 yards.

.50 cal, prolly AR-50... just because
 
Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

22LR
45ACP
223
260rem
30-06

I would also like to add 7mm Rem Mag and 12ga But those 5 will do all I need them to.
If I had to pick one it would be the 22LR You can hump lots of ammo and use it in your rifle and pistol
 
Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

22 LR because its cheap
223/5.56 because it's every were
300 WM because it will go long and its easy to find
375 H&H because it will kill anything easly and it can be found in places you would need it
12 GA. its not a caliber but it can be foud every were
 
Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: a1fabweld</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For me: .308, .223, .45, 9mm, 12ga, & don't forget the .22lr. </div></div>

I'm with ya. KISS is always easy.

Rich
 
Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

Give me all the NATO rounds (i.e 9mm, 5.56, 7.62,.50 BMG and 40mm HE/M203)...I know I can't have the last one, but I thought it should be mentioned.
 
Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 7mmRM</div><div class="ubbcode-body">22LR
223
308
12gauge
45ACP </div></div>

same, those would be my 5 if SHTF.
 
Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

45acp for my MK23
40S&W for nothing I currently own but it packs a heck of a punch in a smaller package than the 45.
12 gauge for my M4
5.56/223 for my AR
7.62x39 for my AK
 
Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 396chevy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">45acp for my MK23
40S&W for nothing I currently own but it packs a heck of a punch in a smaller package than the 45.
12 gauge for my M4
5.56/223 for my AR
7.62x39 for my AK</div></div>

You don't own one of the 5 calibers you think everyone should own?

 
Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 7mmRM</div><div class="ubbcode-body">22LR
223
308
12gauge
45ACP</div></div>

+1

I might subsitute the 45 with a 40 but either one will do just fine.
 
Re: 5 calibers everyone should own

.22LR, rifle and handgun trainer, and not bad for bringing home meat for the pot.

.30-'06, Garand and also as a high power, long range precision shooter. Despite its length, it was just fine as a battle rifle during WWII, including CQB.

.260, for anything the .308 will do, but doing it better.

20ga, more than adequate, and considerably easier for smaller shootars to master.

.44mag as a carbine and a pistol round. One and down, period.


I would also add the .223 as a bolt gun caliber, for precision varmint work, etc.