Author Topic: If you could have just two centerfires, what calibers? (Read 3953 times)

High Brass · « **Reply #30 on:** February 09, 2005, 07:10:12 AM »

I could live happily ever after with just a 243 Win. and a 30-06.

A good alternative for me would be a 223 Rem. and a 308 Win.

Big Paulie · « **Reply #31 on:** February 09, 2005, 07:45:57 AM »

This is really a great psychological test, because it is plainly breaking people into two main groups.

The first group is concerned about having a true varmint round at bottom end (such as the .223 or .22 Hornet or .243), and a heavier all-purpose round at the top, such as the 30-06, or .308 or 7 Mag.

The second group is not so concerned with having a light rifle in a true varmint caliber at the bottom. They are more concerned with large animals in the middle and big time heavy weight animals at the top. The concept of varmints is almost an after thought. So, they are choosing a heavier but flexible caliber at the bottom (such as the 25-06 or .257 Roberts) and a really heavy but less flexible round at the top (such as the .338 mag or the .375 mag.)

I believe that the first group knows that not one in a ten thousand of us will ever get a chance to see, much less hunt, a big grizzly in the wild. They are practical and pragmatic. Accordingly, they are more driven by the fun of good varmint shooting, and they are not driven by the concept of "What about the truly big bears?" (Also, there seems to be a survivalist flavor here, with this group also being focused on easy ammo availability and military rounds.)

I believe that the second group are optimists and dreamers, and still think that one day, some day, somehow, they will confront a big grizzly in the wild, and that therefore they need that big top-end magnum to feel satisfied. Their focus is on the dream of big game hunting, regardless of easy ammo availability.

OK, the foregoing having been said, I fall into the first group. I like the 22 Hornet or .223 on the bottom, and a 30-06 or .308 on the top. (If I lived out west, I guess I would put the 7 Mag on the top.)

Let the screaming commence!

Big Paulie

armory414 · « **Reply #32 on:** February 09, 2005, 07:48:47 AM »

If I had to go with just 2 centerfire rifles, I'd want ones where the ammo could be obtained easily just about anywhere--.223 and either .308 or .30-06.

bajabill · « **Reply #33 on:** February 09, 2005, 08:31:17 AM »

My attitude on varmints is that since I dont intend on maximizing the return from harvesting them for the pelts, I dont really care if a 243 is slightly too big ( a fox that frequents the hen house cant be overly dead). And, a 22 rimfire works quite well on little bitty game. However, at the other end, I would be concerned if I were slightly undergunned so I would call the 30-06 as minimum and if I decided for more, I would go to the larger diameter bore (338wm) rather than just a faster 30 cal. And if we need more upper end at long ranges, 2 guns just aint enough without creating a huge gap in the middle.

Shaylex · « **Reply #34 on:** February 09, 2005, 08:49:36 AM »

I second what High Brass said. I fully agree.

jhm · « **Reply #35 on:** February 09, 2005, 11:44:52 AM »

odd six and 223 nuff said

JIM

leverfan · « **Reply #36 on:** February 09, 2005, 12:17:11 PM »

Quote from: Big Paulie

I believe that the second group are optimists and dreamers, and still think that one day, some day, somehow, they will confront a big grizzly in the wild, and that therefore they need that big top-end magnum to feel satisfied. Their focus is on the dream of big game hunting, regardless of easy ammo availability.Big Paulie

I must have missed the part where this question was limited to deer and varmint hunters that only hunt the lower 48.

Some of us have hunting opportunities that call for a little more than a .223 and a 30-06 can handle, and it's not just a dream. It's all a matter of priorities, and traveling to hunt game that's bigger than a white tail is a little more than just an optimistic dream for some, perhaps even many of the people that post on GBO.

Also, I can tell you from personal experience that a thirty caliber rifle feels a little less than optimum when you walk around a corner on a trail and see a big bear giving you "the eye" from 25 yards. :shock:

I'm just laughing here, not screaming.

Ramrod · « **Reply #37 on:** February 09, 2005, 12:23:36 PM »

Me too, especially since I didn't fall into either group! :-D

Lawdog · « **Reply #38 on:** February 09, 2005, 12:30:39 PM »

leverfan,

Quote

Also, I can tell you from personal experience that a thirty caliber rifle feels a little less than optimum when you walk around a corner on a trail and see a big bear giving you "the eye" from 25 yards. :shock:

Most definitely!! That is why I said I would cheat because I would have my .375 Weatherby hid around the house. Lawdog

MGMorden · « **Reply #39 on:** February 09, 2005, 01:44:51 PM »

Quote from: Big Paulie

The first group is concerned about having a true varmint round at bottom end (such as the .223 or .22 Hornet or .243), and a heavier all-purpose round at the top, such as the 30-06, or .308 or 7 Mag.

The second group is not so concerned with having a light rifle in a true varmint caliber at the bottom. They are more concerned with large animals in the middle and big time heavy weight animals at the top. The concept of varmints is almost an after thought. So, they are choosing a heavier but flexible caliber at the bottom (such as the 25-06 or .257 Roberts) and a really heavy but less flexible round at the top (such as the .338 mag or the .375 mag.)

Not necessarily a dreamer. I don't hunt varmints. Don't really care to. To me the bottom end need only be able to take a whitetail, as that's the only thing I hunt with a centerfire right now anyways. As such my choice of .25-06 as bottom end was simply because it's a good choice for whitetail, but without a lot of uncessary recoil. On the high end I chose .35 Whelen, just because I do have a choice of 2 rounds. I'm far more likely to go elk or moose hunting in my time than to go varmint hunting (and if I do shoot a coyote it's only to get rid of it; don't really care about what it looks like afterwards), so I choose a logically large enough cartridge for that.

So it's not necessarily idealists versus realists, but often times just a matter of interests. There's nothing I want to hunt that a .25-06 is too much for. Heck I could probably do fine for hunting with a single round, though if it 'twas to be only one I'd go for .30-06

.

Gregory · « **Reply #40 on:** February 09, 2005, 01:47:56 PM »

About 15 years ago I decided to put together a three gun battery that would take care of my centerfire needs for the rest of my life.
At the time I was living in PA and everything from groundhogs to black bear was on the menu and the hopes of a western hunt for elk or moose was still in my mind. The three guns I settled on were a .223, 25/06, and 300 Win Mag.

I still have those guns, and now I'm living in the midwest and most of them are gathering dust in the safe except for trips out to the range. The western hunts aren't a priority anymore. But I expect to retire to a "rifle" hunting state someday.

I still love the .223 (I have three rifles in that caliber), I still can use the 25/06 for coyotes, but don't cause I always grab a 223 first. But not much use for the 300 Winny.

I'm thinking of dumping the 300 and getting a 7x57 as my "big gun". Of course then the 25/06 may be redundant.

If pressed to get down to two I'd go with a 223 and a 30/06.
Equally as good would be a 22/250 and 308/or 7-08.

RonO777 · « **Reply #41 on:** February 09, 2005, 05:44:01 PM »

I could get away with one rifle my NEF with its 223 and 270 barrel. But what fun would one rifle.

Ron

DirtyHarry · « **Reply #42 on:** February 09, 2005, 06:41:53 PM »

Hmmm.... I would take the 25-06 and the 458 Winny. Yeah that should about cover it.....

CEJ1895 · « **Reply #43 on:** February 10, 2005, 02:53:35 AM »

Well, If it was only two rifles, my choices would be a .375 H&H and a 30-06 in matching model bolt action rifles. :-D

Spyro Andes · « **Reply #44 on:** February 10, 2005, 07:49:21 AM »

If I had to keep it to 2 rifles, it would be a 25-06 and a 375 H&H.

The Quarter bore would handle the coyotes, mule deer, whitetail, blacktail, coues, pigs, sheep, caribou, goat, antelope & onyx.

The Three Seven Five would handle the elk, buffalo, moose, black bear, grizzly & brown bear.

Big Paulie · « **Reply #45 on:** February 10, 2005, 08:14:08 AM »

In considering the 30-06 as the top end rifle, don't forget that with the Hi-Energy factory rounds in 180 grain bullet, you are getting ballistics identical to the 300 H&H Mag. If you look in older hunting books, before the invention of the 338 mag and 300 Win mag, the 300 H&H was regarded as a totally sufficient grizzly gun. With the premium bullets available in the Hi-Energy loads, I am sure that the 30-06 would serve just as well.

Big Paulie

270Handiman · « **Reply #46 on:** February 10, 2005, 08:53:31 AM »

I agree with MGMorden, I'll take a 25-06 and a 35 Whelen. I would add a completely stocked reloading room to my wish list, however.

270

Triple4 · « **Reply #47 on:** February 10, 2005, 11:12:35 AM »

25-06 and a 338-06 or a 338WinMag...........

while99 · « **Reply #48 on:** February 10, 2005, 01:14:12 PM »

I'd choose the .338 Winchester magnum and the .280 Remington. I do very little varmint hunting.

wink_man · « **Reply #49 on:** February 10, 2005, 03:19:38 PM »

I third what High Brass said, however, my personal opinion is that it should be against the law to limit a man(or woman) to just 2 rifles.
Sincerely,
Garry

SD Handgunner · « **Reply #50 on:** February 10, 2005, 07:16:26 PM »

Heaven forbid this would ever happen, BUT if it were to happen considering the area I live in and what I hunt I would probably opt for my .223 & .243. Yep in this part of the country the largest critter I am likely to happen on is a Whitetail Deer, and I have shot many of them with a .243 over the years. Also I could continue my varmint hunting fever with either cartridge quite well.

Larry

Don Fischer · « **Reply #51 on:** February 10, 2005, 07:53:43 PM »

Having given this a lot of though and believing I can keep my rimfire's, it's the 25-06 and 280rem. That way I can cover everything from a 75gr bullet at about 3700fps to a 175gr bullet at about 2700fps.

Elenor O'Conner killed an elephant with a 30-06, W.D.M. Bell did it with a 6.5x54, Jack O'Conner killed grizzley's with a 270 and Fred Bear has killed cape buffalo with an arrow. I lived in Alaska for several year's and never felt the need to carry anything larger than a 308win. Most of us will likely never see Alaska again and can't afford to hunt it anyway; grizzley bears are rare in the lower 48 and there are no elephant's running around we can shoot at!

Whoever asked this question should be sent to his room,,,,,without dinner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Big Paulie · « **Reply #52 on:** February 11, 2005, 05:26:26 AM »

Hmmmm, having listened to everyone, I may be changing my mind. Having the .35 Whelen as the top end rifle (instead of the 30-06), seems to make alot of sense. This would definitely cover any really big animals.

And, assuming we could have our 22 rimfire (even a .22 mag) , clicking the low end rifle up a notch from .223 up to .25-06) is starting to make alot of sense too. Although it is way too loud, the .25-06 really is a do-all rifle until you come to really big elk and moose.

I think we all need to sit back, consider all of the prior posts, and think about this non-stop for another 20 hours or so.

(Frankly, it is starting to make my stomach hurt!)

Big Paulie

deerman12 · « **Reply #53 on:** February 11, 2005, 05:31:28 AM »

2 rifles? That just isn't right. I would pick one of three 300 mags(winchester, WSM or 300 SAUM) and a .204. I have killed a couple of coyotes with the .204 and it did a great job. I have to admit I really like my model 7 300 saum. I tried having two women a few years ago, that did go real well either.

BIG JAKE · « **Reply #54 on:** February 11, 2005, 10:44:12 AM »

Rem 700 Mtn in 280

Rem 673 guide in 350 rem mag

and the little women picks the 30-06 and 444 marlin

Suds1957 · « **Reply #55 on:** February 11, 2005, 01:17:31 PM »

Have to go with the .308 and the .358win. If handloaded, they can and do stop & drop all in the lower 48! Lets all hope we never have to choose just two though, I to have nightmares about this....... :shock:

Malamute · « **Reply #56 on:** February 16, 2005, 04:05:35 PM »

45-70 in the Browning 86 carbine for a daily carry gun.

35 Whelen or 30-06 (a bit light, even for here in Wy in grizzly country), or depending on how the local bear population sizes up when I get settled in Alaska, maybe the 375 for the scoped hunting gun.

Varmint hunting simply isn't interesting or even practical for many of us. A big gun can be loaded down to hunt small game, but a small gun will always be a small gun. Some of us do live in bear country, and/or hunt in bear country.

Attempting to psychoanalyze peoples choices bases on ones own perspective may not reflect as much on others so much as on the one analyzing.

buffalobob · « **Reply #57 on:** February 16, 2005, 05:08:34 PM »

A 7mm Wby mag in a Ruger #1 will reach way out there for elk or put down a big ole bull buffalo at 50 yds.

The 240 Wby on a FN action with a nice 26 " Douglas barrel will give you a fine flat shooting varmint and deer gun.

apmaurosr · « **Reply #58 on:** February 17, 2005, 11:13:58 AM »

.308 win and .375 HH.

Ant
www.anthonypmaurosr.com

kenscot · « **Reply #59 on:** February 19, 2005, 03:24:08 AM »

I guess I would have to go with my 270( it has dropped anything I shot in it's tracks) and 223 but would be hard pressed to leave my 3006 and 243 behind