Single caliber collection
- Thread starter Noban
- Start date
Limiting yourself to only one round would be like limiting yourself to only one beer, car or woman. In that you don't say marriage vows to your rifle round (or at least I don't) I think limiting yourself to one will mean that for most of your hunting you will be carrying the wrong round for the purpose.
Nothing wrong with the .308 but it's too heavy for varmints and a shade too light for an animal that could fight back.
Besides how can a rifleman go through life without a .22?
Nothing wrong with the .308 but it's too heavy for varmints and a shade too light for an animal that could fight back.
Besides how can a rifleman go through life without a .22?
Legionnaire
New member
As the old saying goes, "Beware the man with only one gun. He likely knows how to use it!" Is your friend's .308 a "scout" per chance? Sounds like he may have been reading some of Jeff Cooper's writings on the "general purpose rifle."
If I had to have a limited battery, it would probably be:
1 Gun: Steyr Scout in .308.
2 Guns: CZ 527 American in .223, Remington 700 VSSF in .308
3 Guns: 2 plus Remington 541T .22 rimfire
4 Guns: 3 plus Remington 700 BDL in .338
I want more than four guns
. . . but I've been quite happy with one woman, thank you! 
If I had to have a limited battery, it would probably be:
1 Gun: Steyr Scout in .308.
2 Guns: CZ 527 American in .223, Remington 700 VSSF in .308
3 Guns: 2 plus Remington 541T .22 rimfire
4 Guns: 3 plus Remington 700 BDL in .338
I want more than four guns
. . . but I've been quite happy with one woman, thank you! Mike Irwin
Staff
PJR,
Depends on the varmint, really.
If you're talking heavy shooting on prairie dogs, then yes, .308 is too heavy for a full day's shooting. Recoil will really wear on you after awhile.
But, if you're talking groundhogs in the North East, .308 is a great caliber for that. It allows you to stay in practice for deer season.
I used to shoot groundhogs with my .300 Sav. and my .30-06 all the time.
Depends on the varmint, really.
If you're talking heavy shooting on prairie dogs, then yes, .308 is too heavy for a full day's shooting. Recoil will really wear on you after awhile.
But, if you're talking groundhogs in the North East, .308 is a great caliber for that. It allows you to stay in practice for deer season.
I used to shoot groundhogs with my .300 Sav. and my .30-06 all the time.
Mike Irwin/biganimal
Maybe I should have said high volume varmint hunting. Although I can see the benefits to using a .308 for varmints as far as practicing is concerned I still believe that it carries more punch (on both ends) than needed.
I've loaded light varmint bullets in heavy calibers for varmint hunting (.270 Win with 110 grain V-Max) and while they worked well I'd still rather have my .223 Remington. While I believe in Ruark's admonition to use enough gun I am loathe to inflict more recoil punishment on myself than necessary.
Limited to one rifle the .308 could well be my choice (although the 7-08 might win out) and would load accordingly to the situation.
Maybe I should have said high volume varmint hunting. Although I can see the benefits to using a .308 for varmints as far as practicing is concerned I still believe that it carries more punch (on both ends) than needed.
I've loaded light varmint bullets in heavy calibers for varmint hunting (.270 Win with 110 grain V-Max) and while they worked well I'd still rather have my .223 Remington. While I believe in Ruark's admonition to use enough gun I am loathe to inflict more recoil punishment on myself than necessary.
Limited to one rifle the .308 could well be my choice (although the 7-08 might win out) and would load accordingly to the situation.
Mike Irwin
Staff
PJR,
Yep, .308 is quite a bit of punch for anything other than "practice" varminting. I always used the .300 Sav./.30-06 on groundhogs in preparation for whitetail season.
If I were doing heavy-duty varmint shooting (which really doesn't happen in the East unless you're pounding crows), I'd go with .223, or one of the custom target cartridges made up on the shortened .223 round (sort of an American .220 Russian).
If I were limited to a SINGLE all-around rifle, there's a darned good chance that I would pick the .250 Savage.
Yep, .308 is quite a bit of punch for anything other than "practice" varminting. I always used the .300 Sav./.30-06 on groundhogs in preparation for whitetail season.
If I were doing heavy-duty varmint shooting (which really doesn't happen in the East unless you're pounding crows), I'd go with .223, or one of the custom target cartridges made up on the shortened .223 round (sort of an American .220 Russian).
If I were limited to a SINGLE all-around rifle, there's a darned good chance that I would pick the .250 Savage.
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
There are many reasons for owning only one rifle, whatever the cartridge. I have difficulty with the idea of several rifles, but only in one particular cartridge.
Sure, I love my "do-it-all" .30-'06, but I figure it's not the thing for a day at a Pdog town. It's sure not appropriate for an afternoon of killing tin cans.
But that's why they have horse races--lots of different opinions.
, Art
Sure, I love my "do-it-all" .30-'06, but I figure it's not the thing for a day at a Pdog town. It's sure not appropriate for an afternoon of killing tin cans.
But that's why they have horse races--lots of different opinions.
, ArtEveryone needs variety. You almost need a caliber for different moods and even to save money.
For rifles, I have a .308 and a .223 for when I am in the mood to shoot for accuracy.
Than there is the 30-30 and .223 for my I just want to shoot mood. It is fun to watch the milk jugs fly in the air.
For pistols, it’s the .22, .9mm and .45. Since I use the .45 for protection, I like to get a lot of shooting in with this caliber, and with the .9mm you get a bit more shooting with lighter recoil and less expensive ammo.
Everyone needs a .22 (pistol & rifle). When you spend an entire day at the range, you would go broke if it were not for the .22.
For rifles, I have a .308 and a .223 for when I am in the mood to shoot for accuracy.
Than there is the 30-30 and .223 for my I just want to shoot mood. It is fun to watch the milk jugs fly in the air.
For pistols, it’s the .22, .9mm and .45. Since I use the .45 for protection, I like to get a lot of shooting in with this caliber, and with the .9mm you get a bit more shooting with lighter recoil and less expensive ammo.
Everyone needs a .22 (pistol & rifle). When you spend an entire day at the range, you would go broke if it were not for the .22.
I now pronounce you man and bullet!
Yah, I'm going to switch to all one caliber: 50 BMG. Even for my pistol.
The .308 is a good round to consolidate to, but why consolidate when you're a private collector and not an Army? (An army of one??). If you're buying a few rifles for when TSHTF, then one caliber might be a good idea, but for regular rifles, just buy whatever blows your skirt up.
You guys think the 308 is tough on the shoulder! then you would REALLY hate my model 700 in 264 win mag...two of my crazier friends and I put 200 rounds each down range one sunday morn (wife was in church) after shooting that belted mag the 308 is like shooting spitwads thru a bic pen !!! by the way we each had our own rifle. didn't put 600 rds thru one gun
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
biganimal, as much as you apparently like pain, I'm herewith sending you a gift certificate for a home visit by the Marquis de Sade.
, Art
, ArtMike Irwin
Staff
Big,
A friend of mine has a .264 Win. Mag., and I've never found the recoil to be all that objectionable.
Yes, it's stout, but I don't find it to be bad.
I find a Winchester .30-30 to be somewhat worse, actually.
A friend of mine has a .264 Win. Mag., and I've never found the recoil to be all that objectionable.
Yes, it's stout, but I don't find it to be bad.
I find a Winchester .30-30 to be somewhat worse, actually.
I'm married to the .375 H&H
My exclusive relationship with the 375 H&H has endured the allure of several other pretendents. When it comes to cartridges, I'm just like I'm with women: although I like to look, to admire and to ogle, I only stick to one when the chips are down.
The 375 H&H and I have been through so much together, I would feel like betraying it if I ever took another cartridge to the field.
My exclusive relationship with the 375 H&H has endured the allure of several other pretendents. When it comes to cartridges, I'm just like I'm with women: although I like to look, to admire and to ogle, I only stick to one when the chips are down.
The 375 H&H and I have been through so much together, I would feel like betraying it if I ever took another cartridge to the field.
Steve Smith
New member
Slightly OT, but...
I make gun purchases with case head in mind. .45 acp, .22-250, .308, .30-06, as every handloader here knows, the list goes on...I know it's weird, but I don't have to worry about shellplate size or primer size. I'm waiting for a .300 Win Mag equiv. but with a .30-06 head...mabye I'm dreaming.
I make gun purchases with case head in mind. .45 acp, .22-250, .308, .30-06, as every handloader here knows, the list goes on...I know it's weird, but I don't have to worry about shellplate size or primer size. I'm waiting for a .300 Win Mag equiv. but with a .30-06 head...mabye I'm dreaming.
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
Steve, Steve, Steve! You're missing out on .357, .45 Colt, .44 Maggie, .30-30 and .223, just to name a few! What are you trying to do, maintain order in a chaotic universe?
I guess that's part of why I couldn't go along with "one cartridge" in many guns. So many toys, so little time!
C'mon, Glamdring! UNIMOG? How limited in purpose could one get? Besides, there are plenty of critters which will equal its performance, do a lot of other stuff, and are far, far more aesthetically pleasing!
, Art
I guess that's part of why I couldn't go along with "one cartridge" in many guns. So many toys, so little time!
C'mon, Glamdring! UNIMOG? How limited in purpose could one get? Besides, there are plenty of critters which will equal its performance, do a lot of other stuff, and are far, far more aesthetically pleasing!
, Art