« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2 3   Go Down

Author Topic: If you could have just two centerfires, what calibers?  (Read 3987 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline lilabner

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 577
If you could have just two centerfires, what calibers?
« on: February 08, 2005, 06:43:46 AM »
I'm a hunter, not a competitive target shooter. I would own a 30-06 and a .243. I don't want to hunt the big bears and these would cover everything else. Factory ammo is cheap and plentiful. So are reloading components.  I've hunted with .22 caliber centerfire varmint rifles and 7 mm and 300 magnums but these are my keepers. If things got really rough and I could only keep one, it would be the '06. What rifles would you own?
Logged

Offline jvs

  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1539
If you could have just two centerfires, wha
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2005, 07:10:45 AM »
Not counting any Rimfires or Shotguns, and if I had to cut down to just two Centerfires, I would keep a .22 Hornet and a .30-06.   But it wouldn't be easy.

I'd probably hide a .308 and a .35 Rem between the mattress and box spring.








and a .30-30 behind a door.
Logged
 If you want to run with the Wolves, you can't Pee with the Puppies.

Offline clyde72

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 17
If you could have just two centerfires, wha
« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2005, 07:11:03 AM »
Ditto on the 30-06!!
Its been around for almost 100 yrs now and bullet selection is excellent.
And really you can hunt any big game in North America with it.  Seems like I remember some writers daughter or wife killing an elephant with one.

I guess I would go with a .233 for varmints.  Ammo is plentiful and you can get cheap plinking stuff.  Accuracy is usually good.  Low recoil.  Good tried and tested caliber.
Logged

Offline bajabill

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (5)
  • A Real Regular
  • *****
  • Posts: 712
If you could have just two centerfires, wha
« Reply #3 on: February 08, 2005, 07:17:18 AM »
since you took out the big bears, I agree, my choice would be a 243 and a 30-06.

If you wanted less upper limitation, I would take a 243 and a 338wm.
Logged

Offline Lawdog

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4464
If you could have just two centerfires, wha
« Reply #4 on: February 08, 2005, 08:23:08 AM »
After I got out of the hospital from the double coronary and the nervous breakdown that cutting back on my firearms collection would cause.  I would have to go with my .25-06 Ruger M77V(Centennial model - tang safety) and my .300 Weatherby Magnum Mark V Deluxe.  But then I would still cheat and hide a bunch anyway.  Just the though of having to do something like that is enough to drive a man to drink.  Lawdog
 :cry:
Logged
Gary aka Lawdog is now deceased. He passed away on Jan. 12, 2006. RIP Lawdog. We miss you.

Offline Ramrod

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1440
If you could have just two centerfires, wha
« Reply #5 on: February 08, 2005, 11:20:33 AM »
Only two is a pretty depressing thought. I would keep my .223 for plinking and killing things up to deer size. Then I guess the .375 H&H for bigger varmints. Now if I could only have one :cry: , heaven forbid, it would be the Jack of all trades, the tried and true .30-06.
Logged
"Jesus died for somebody's sins, but not mine." Patti Smith

Offline NYH1

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1695
  • Gender: Male
If you could have just two centerfires, wha
« Reply #6 on: February 08, 2005, 11:21:16 AM »
Out of the center fire rifles I currently have, I would keep my Remington model 700 BDL in 223 Rem. and my Remington model 700 Classic in 280 Rem.

If I was going out and buying two brand new center fire rifles I would get the same Remington model 700 BDL in 223 Rem. and probably a Remington model 700 CDL in 30-06 Spr. I've never really been a big fan of the 30-06 until recently! :shock: I don't know if I'll ever buy another one (I had a Rem. 7600 carbine in 30-06) because I have my 280 Rem. Having said that, I really do appreciate how versatile the old 30-06 is !
Logged
"ROLL TIDE". . .Back To Back. . .Three In The Last Four Years "GO GIANTS"  "YANKEES"

Offline bigjeepman

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1108
  • Gender: Male
If you could have just two centerfires, wha
« Reply #7 on: February 08, 2005, 12:11:58 PM »
I'd have to stick with my .243 and trade my .300 wsm for a .30-06 as I do not own one.
Logged
5 Rules for Happiness
free your heart from hatred ... free your mind from worries ... live simply ... give more ... expect less

Offline longwinters

  • Moderators
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3070
If you could have just two centerfires, wha
« Reply #8 on: February 08, 2005, 12:12:19 PM »
I know I'd keep my Sako 280.  But as to the other one . . . I just don't know.

Long
Logged
Life is short......eternity is long.

Offline old06

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 341
If you could have just two centerfires, wha
« Reply #9 on: February 08, 2005, 12:34:49 PM »
Lets see 2506 and a 338 win mag both are flexable enough to cover a realm of large and small game and if you handload well you setup for most anything.
Logged
Psalm 16

Offline JDK

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 35
If you could have just two centerfires, wha
« Reply #10 on: February 08, 2005, 01:04:13 PM »
308 Winchester and 300 Winchester Mag.
Logged

Offline stork

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 102
If you could have just two centerfires, what calibers?
« Reply #11 on: February 08, 2005, 01:06:38 PM »
I would choose a .243 and a 30-06
Logged

Offline Will_C

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 201
If you could have just two centerfires, wha
« Reply #12 on: February 08, 2005, 01:13:10 PM »
Another vote for the .30-06 and .243. I have Browning A-bolts in both. I sure would miss my 7mm-08 though :cry: !!
Will
Logged

Offline mjbgalt

  • Trade Count: (26)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2367
  • Gender: Male
If you could have just two centerfires, wha
« Reply #13 on: February 08, 2005, 01:20:53 PM »
i was thinking more along the lines of .223 and.270


-Matt
Logged
I have it on good authority that the telepromter is writing a stern letter.

Offline MGMorden

  • Trade Count: (3)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2093
  • Gender: Male
If you could have just two centerfires, wha
« Reply #14 on: February 08, 2005, 02:26:21 PM »
.25-06 and 35 Whelen.  That should cover all my possible hunting needs.

Sad thing is I don't currently own either :lol:.  Only sporting centerfires I have at the moment are 6.5x55 and .30-06 (have a couple milsurps as well, but I don't hunt with those).
Logged

Offline MickinColo

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 163
If you could have just two centerfires, wha
« Reply #15 on: February 08, 2005, 02:55:51 PM »
I’ve lived with 1 main center fire for 30 years, the 7mm Rem Mag. I’ve added the 25-06 to my little group of firearms that “does it all”.  The 7mm and the 25-06 would be my choice if I could only own 2 center fires.

I own a 45/70, 308, 7X57, 270 Win, 243 Win, 22-250, 220 Swift, 17 Rem. I would give them all up for the 7mm and the 25 (thankfully I don’t have too at this time).
Logged
Keep your powder dry and your flint sharp

Offline Don Fischer

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1526
If you could have just two centerfires, wha
« Reply #16 on: February 08, 2005, 02:59:23 PM »
DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Logged
:wink: Even a blind squrrel find's an acorn sometime's![/quote]

Offline Carl l.

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 249
  • Gender: Male
  • Hunting,Fishing,Camping and Woodworking
If you could have just two centerfires, wha
« Reply #17 on: February 08, 2005, 03:00:23 PM »
.257 roberts and 7mm mag. Hard call, but if only two that is the way I would go. Carl L.
Logged

Offline Bart Solo

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 706
  • Gender: Male
If you could have just two centerfires, wha
« Reply #18 on: February 08, 2005, 03:26:20 PM »
How about a 6mm remington and a 7mm rem mag?

Actually more practical would be a 243 and a 308.
Logged

Offline MickinColo

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 163
If you could have just two centerfires, wha
« Reply #19 on: February 08, 2005, 03:34:50 PM »
There’s nothing I need other then a 7mm Rem Mag and a 25-06. These 2 rounds will do it all on this continent. Any Game bigger and more dangerous then grizzlies and Moose, I’ll shoot them with my flintlock muzzleloader or my bow and arrow.
Logged
Keep your powder dry and your flint sharp

Offline Bubba Jack

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 68
    • http://www.bubbajackstackle.com
If you could have just two centerfires, wha
« Reply #20 on: February 08, 2005, 04:00:27 PM »
22-250 :lol:

.338 Win Mag :-D
Logged

Offline Ron T.

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 646
If you could have just two centerfires, wha
« Reply #21 on: February 08, 2005, 06:06:11 PM »
For my heavy rifle, I'd choose (and have used) a .338 Winchester magnum.   It's not fun to shoot off the bench for more than 15 rounds, but then... neither is a .30/06 Springfield.

While I have very often suggested a .30/06 to others when asked my opinion as to what caliber is a great "all-around" rifle cartridge, the truth is that a .338 Win. Mag. is a better elk and moose cartridge when all things are considered... and a .338 is a truly fine deer rifle as well... long ranged, very accurate and flat shooting with the 180 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip bullet.

For my "light" rifle, I'd choose a 6mm Remington... a better .24 caliber in every way... higher velociy, flatter shooting and more punch at the terminal end... than the .243 Winchester cartridge.  It could double as a fine antelope & deer rifle as well as a superb long-ranged varmint rifle.


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.
Logged
"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."  - Thomas Jefferson

Offline Nightrain52

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 814
If you could have just two centerfires, wha
« Reply #22 on: February 08, 2005, 06:22:02 PM »
For the bigger stuff it would be a toss-up between the 30-06 or the 300 Win. mag. For smaller stuff another toss-up between the 223 or the 243. It would really be a hard choice to make.
Logged
FREEDOM IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR-ARE YOU WILLING TO DIE FOR IT--------IT'S HARD TO SOAR LIKE AN EAGLE WHEN YOU ARE SURROUNDED BY TURKEYS

Offline leverfan

  • Trade Count: (8)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 823
If you could have just two centerfires, wha
« Reply #23 on: February 08, 2005, 09:37:24 PM »
30-06 to handle from varmints to elk, and a 375 H&H for anything that isn't impressed enough by the 30-06.
Logged
NRA life member

Offline DonT

  • Trade Count: (6)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 282
If you could have just two centerfires, wha
« Reply #24 on: February 09, 2005, 03:12:05 AM »
.308 and .223.
 :D
Logged

Offline marylandeer

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 367
  • Gender: Male
If you could have just two centerfires, wha
« Reply #25 on: February 09, 2005, 03:35:32 AM »
SIMPLE answer for me a .223 for plinking and varmints and a .30-06 for anything else thats gets in the way. I could take advantage of ALL of that surlpus military ammo out there.
Logged

Offline Squeeze

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 188
Just two CF rifles?
« Reply #26 on: February 09, 2005, 03:58:45 AM »
I have nightmares like this!  

In those nightmares, I usually end up with the 300 WSM, and the .25-06 Rem.

Or sometimes I end up with the .308 Win BAR, and the AR-15.

On rare occasions I end up with the .22-250 Rem, and the .30-06 Sprg.

But thankfully I wake up, and all of my babies are still hanging on the gun rack,
or safely sleeping in the gun cabinent.

Squeeze

P.S. I have hand gun nightmares, too!
Logged
Walk softly, and carry a 1911

Offline ms

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2442
If you could have just two centerfires, wha
« Reply #27 on: February 09, 2005, 04:18:37 AM »
I'AM drinking because of you! 8)
Logged

Offline anweis

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 557
If you could have just two centerfires, wha
« Reply #28 on: February 09, 2005, 06:18:11 AM »
i don't want or need two centerfires. it will be just one, .308 Win.
Logged

Offline Mauser

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 253
If you could have just two centerfires, wha
« Reply #29 on: February 09, 2005, 06:29:53 AM »
If I could only have two they would be:  .243 win and 338/06.  That would truly give me the capability to hunt every varmint to big game animal in North America.  If I could only have one it would be a 30/06.

Lets hope that these discussions remain merely academic.
Logged
Pages: [1] 2 3   Go Up
« previous next »