What caliber do you think should be on my list?

M

M88

New member
I've had guns since I was a kid shooting groundhogs, rabbits and pheasant on the farm starting late 50's. Life happened... military, career, kids etc etc. Now in my 60's and retired, I started a more serious gun collection a few years ago. My goal was to have at least one gun in every "major" or "common" caliber of handgun, rifle and shotgun. Below is my current list of calibers. What I'm interested in from the forum is... are there any "major or common" calibers missing that you think should be on the list or any that you don't think fit the "major or common" category? Obviously this is subjective, as the very words "major or common" are somewhat nebulous. I don't know how else to categorize a caliber though... maybe number or guns made for that caliber? How does one find that? Going down the list of calibers at online ammunition retailer has EVERY caliber available, so not much help weaning out obscure or uncommon ones. My WW2 guns like my Arisaka or Carcano of course would not fit the list of "common" today, but I wanted a major rifle from every player of the period. So other than those two... any caliber I should add to this collection? Other than the two mentioned above, any so "uncommon" I shouldn't call it common? Again... somewhat nebulous question, but looking for some sense of order and classification.

---handguns---
.17HMR
.22LR
.22 Magnum
5.7x28
.25 ACP
.32 ACP
.380 ACP
.38 S&W
.38 SPL
.357 Mag
9mm
10mm
.40 S&W
.45 ACP
.45 Colt

———-RIFLES———
5.56x45 NATO/ .223 Rem
6.5 Creedmore
6.5 Carcano
.270 WIN
.30 Carbine
.30-06 Springfield
.30-30 WIN
7.62x51 NATO/ .308 WIN
7.62x54R
.303 BRIT
7.7x58 JAP
8mm Mauser

----shotgun----
.410
20 ga
16 ga
12 ga
​
 
I'd say you're doing pretty well so far!

Looks like you could use a 28 gauge, why not?

For rifle, the big one that I don't see is 7.62x39. Also I see you have .22 and .17 in handgun, would you consider them in a rifle?
 
I would say the 44 Magnum (handgun) is notably absent.

As you suggest, there are many rifle calibers. 243 Winchester and 7mm Remington Magnum have enjoyed great success for many years. And if you aren't opposed to something for dangerous game, the 375 H&H.
 
6.5x284 norma - 6mm Remington -what no 243win or 264 mag- 348 win in the model 71 Rifle the only gun it was chambered in, they clam it was the best lever gun ever made, well that's it for me !!
 
Although probably an oversight, you don't mention .22lr in your "rifle" column... at least a Cricket, 10/22, Henry lever???

Also, what's "major or common" today might not be tomorrow. 6.5 Creedmoor was introduced in 2007, and today, I have to assume it's in the top-5 best selling for bolt-action guns.

Anything else that uses .308 as a parent case... .243Win/.260Rem/7mm-08... I'll even throw down .338Federal, that IMHO is the most versatile medium-size game cartridge ever that never sold

You need an AR15 hunting cartridge... I'm fond of 6.8SPC, but 6.5Grendel will do if you're a snob.

.22WMR (still my favorite critter gitter)
.220 Swift (fastest commercial cartridge in the world)
.338LM (ghillie suit optional)
.300 WinMag (your neighborhood orthopedist thanks you)
.45-70 Govt (lever action only, as God intended)
.375 H&H (now you can tell the wife that you HAVE to go to Africa)

And lets not forget... the cartridge that won WWII all by itself, .50BMG.
 
10 gauge shotgun....maybe not common some places but definitely a good back woods waterfowl gun around here


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Thanks for replies so far... yes I did forget to add .22 to the rifle list. That was my first gun as an 8 year old hunting groundhogs. I also forgot to add .308Win to the rifle list... I actually JUST bought a barely used Weatherby Varmint in .308 this past weekend. Can't wait to put a good scope on it and take it to the range.

So... I would like to pick up a .44 Mag to add to the collection. Also an old 32 S&W revolver. I have an old 38 S&W revolver somebody gave me years ago. 7.62x39... another good call. I'm going to look for a bolt action in that caliber. 50BMG? Might be a while before I add that one... pretty pricey gun, but I never specified price as a limiting criteria (although it is), so good call!
 
Interesting question. Major can be ones that had an impact, without being widely popular. Common?? That can be a variable, but lets say its more than a few but not everyone has one. And some rounds were virtually extinct have risen back into relative life due to nostalgia.

Here's your list, with some additions, as I think of them, or in my own collection. Some will argue about how popular some of them are right at this moment, but they've all been popular and common at some time...


---handguns---
.17HMR
.22LR
.22 Magnum
7.62x25 Soviet
5.7x28
.25 ACP
.32 ACP
.380 ACP
.38 S&W
.38 SPL
.357 Mag
9mm
.357 SIG
.38 Super
10mm
.40 S&W
.41 Mag
.44 Spl
.44 Mag
.45 ACP
.45 Colt

———-RIFLES———
.22 Hornet
.222 Rem
5.56x45 NATO/ .223 Rem
.22-250
.243 Win
6mm Rem
.250 Savage
.257 Roberts
.25-06
6.5x55 Swede
6.5 Creedmore
6.5 Carcano
6.5mm Arisaka
.270 WIN
7x57mm Mauser
7mm RemMagnum
.30 Carbine
.30-06 Springfield
.30-30 WIN
.300 Savage
.300 Mag (H&H, Win, or Weatherby)
7.62x51 NATO/ .308 WIN
7.62x54R
.303 BRIT
7.7x58 JAP
8mm Mauser
.35 Rem
.35 Whelen
.358 Win
.350 Rem Mag
.375 H&H Mag
.444 Marlin
.45-70 Govt
.458 Win Mag
----shotgun----
.410
20 ga
16 ga
12 ga

I left out quite a few some I own, some I don't. Good Luck with your collection, and let us know when you decide to add some of the less common ones, we've got suggestions for those, too!
 
Well... thank you 44 AMP for taking the time to do that for me. I can see I have my work cut out for me. There are a few on there I've not heard much of and need to jump online and dig a little. The additions to the collection and in what order obviously will depend on cost. About half of the guns in my collection now are used, and that ratio will most likely increase.
 
Without looking at other suggestions:

Handguns:
.44Mag--definitely
9mm Mak
.44Spl--maybe.

Rifles:
.22LR--I know you have this listed under handguns, but you definitely need a 22LR rifle too.
7.62x39mm
5.45x39mm
.45/70--maybe.
I don't know about the 6.5Creedmoor. It's certainly popular right now, but it's hard to say what things will look like in another 10 years.
I think you need at least one dangerous game caliber like the .458Win Mag or the 375H&H.

Ok, after having now read through the other suggestions, I agree with the following:

.243 Win
7mm Mag

I agree with the comment that you need at least one of the standard size AR "hunting rounds" like the .300BlackOut, the 6.5Grendel, .450Bushmaster, 6.8SPC, etc.

.220Swift probably needs to be on the list, and along with the fastest, you probably need the biggest--.50BMG.

25-06, 6.5 Swede & 7x57 are good candidates.
 
7.62x39... another good call. I'm going to look for a bolt action in that caliber.
Click to expand...

There are actually a few good options these days. I have a CZ527, there's also options from Howa and Ruger I believe. I'm sure there are others. I love 7.62x39 in a bolt gun. Its fun to see how accurate you can get some of the cheaper rounds to shoot.
 
Funny I try to keep my calibers to a minimum for reloading purposes.

Handguns:
9mm
38/357
45 acp
22lr
22 magnum
Rifles
30-30
30-06
45/70
223/5.56
22lr
22 magnum
Shotguns
12 gauge
20 gauge
 
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