74novaman wrote:JRG wrote:Nice range of ammo. But, I for one, would not like to have to have all the calibers on hand at the same time. Seems it would get a bit expensive. YMMV.
Joe
I've tried to consolidate calibers at least 3 times.
It never sticks.
I have a friend who advocates
one caliber for defensive handgun ammo. That way you don't have to hunt for the "right" caliber, or risk jamming the wrong mag into a weapon in an emergency.
I like it in theory, but I'm always thinking I need another caliber for something I don't have covered with what I've got.
Every one of those has a purpose.
.22 LR - My first gun was a .22 rifle. I still have it. Also, I shoot small bore silhouette competition with another .22 rifle.
.22 Mag - I used to have a NAA Pug, a pocket-size single-action revolver in .22 Mag. It was a gun that could go places larger guns could not. Deep concealment. I may get another.
.380 Auto - My LCP has sort of replaced the Pug as my go (almost) anywhere pocket gun.
9mm - I shoot USPSA and have a 9mm 1911 for shooting Singlestack Division Minor. Planning to get a 9mm XDm for Production Division.
.38 Special - I've always planned to get a J-frame snubby. Also a full-size .357 Mag is high on my wish list. When defensive ammo of any kind was hard to come by around the time of the first Obama election, I stumbled across some good .38 ammo and grabbed it for future use.
.40 S&W - The first
two handguns I bought were in .40. I still have one of them. I consider it a great in-between caliber, having
almost the stopping power of a .45, and in a similar-size gun, holding
almost the capacity of a 9. My .40 is a bit large for concealed carry in most situations, but it's usually in the backpack that I always have near by.
.45 ACP - A while back I accepted the fact that single stack guns just fit my hand better, and conceal easier. If I'm going to have fewer shots, I might as well punch a bigger hole. My favorite carry gun is my little 3" Kimber in .45. I recently got a Commander-size (4.25" barrel on a full-size frame) Rock Island 1911 in .45. I'm working on my amateur gunsmithing skills with this one. If it turns out nice, it'll be my BBQ gun. I spend a lot of time in New Mexico where open carry is legal. Planning to get a 5" 1911 for USPSA Singlestack Division Major.
.223 - My Mini-14 is my truck gun. It's usually with me in my pickup and gives me a long gun I will have near by. Inexpensive enough that it's not the end of the world if it gets stolen, but offers more range than a handgun.
.22-250 - Varmint rifle. My first center-fire rifle was in .22-250 and I've always thought it was an excellent caliber. I sold that gun years ago but have recently replaced it with a very nice varmint gun.
.25-06 - My favorite all-around hunting rifle. This fills the slot where many people might use a .270 or 7mm-08. I live on the open plains of West Texas where game is generally smaller but longer shots may be the norm rather than an exception due to lack of cover. When I was a kid hunting with my dad, he used a .25-06. I always thought it was cool, and now I have one of my own.
Awesome deer and antelope cartridge. DRT with 115 gr Nosler Partitions. (Anyone who thinks you need a .300 WinMag to kill a deer should learn about shot placement.) The caliber was originally conceived as a varminter, and with lighter bullets it's plenty capable of popping prairie dogs. But with heavier bullets, there's really not much in the lower 48 states where the .25-06 would be inadequate.
6.8 SPC - My first AR is on layaway. I got it in 6.8 for more knock-down power than a 5.56. Great caliber for those who want to hunt with an AR. Fantastic on hogs, of which we have plenty around here. Primarily a fighting rifle, but it will see hunting duty and a little competition just to ensure that I'm intimately familiar with it.
.30-06 - I bought this rifle because I needed something to hunt with right then when I was waiting on my .25-06 to come in. At the time I didn't have a hunting rifle of any caliber. It doesn't get much use now, but If I go after larger game where the .25-06 might be considered marginal, the .30 caliber could be dusted off and put to use.
.410 - My second gun, my first shotgun, was a single-shot .410. I still have it, less for sentimental reasons than that it's just not worth much to sell. Since it's here, I might as well keep a little ammo on hand for it.
20 Gauge - Was my bird gun as a teen. Now has been cut down for home defense duty. Since replaced by a 12, but still makes a good backup that could be handed to a friend. Light and quick Mossberg 500 still has the original wood furniture and vent rib, but has been cut down to 18.5" barrel. Just too cool a gun to get rid of.
12 Gauge - Has replaced the 20 as a home defense weapon. Used to have, and need another, 12 Ga bird gun.
