whats your favorite rifle cartridge(s) and why? - Page 2

Sodbuster · March 31, 2013, 11:27 AM

I know others have more experience with the cartridge, as I've only been shooting it 40+ years, but I must say the .270 is my favorite. You could say I grew up with it. Not a big fan of Elmer's preferences and, in fact, I like what Brian has to say. 6x55 is sweet. I do like the 30-06 fired out of a Ma Deuce.

mattL46 · March 31, 2013, 02:17 PM

Way too many great cartridges. Again why I said "cartridge(s)" @ hammie I can't say my collection is extensive but I can say its diverse...which would make that question all the harder to answer...

PVL · March 31, 2013, 02:54 PM

My target/fun-shooting cartridges are .22lr, 6.5x55, and .243 Winchester.

For big game: .308 Winchester and 7mm Remington Magnum.

For small game: .17 HMR

For self-defence: 12 ga, 10mm, .308 Winchester.

Cartridges I like but have no guns for: .222 Remington, 45-70, .44 Magnum, .338 Winchester Magnum, .375 H&H.

Colt46 · March 31, 2013, 05:03 PM

Kind of a niche cartridge in this Country.
Accurate, mild recoil, deadly effective, sexy ballistically efficient bullets. Perfect for almost all north american game.

SteelChickenShooter · March 31, 2013, 05:14 PM

The one, single cartridge I began with, and have used across so many uses, is the .22 LR rimfire.

nicknitro71 · March 31, 2013, 06:57 PM

.22 LR for its thriftiness.

.17 HMR for range fun factor, accuracy, and no recoil.

.260 R as best fit for the .308 brass in short action.

.280 AI as best fit for the .30-06 brass in long action.

.300 RUM as the overall king of the .30s in magnum extra long action.

.50 BMG, because!

F23Blackwidow2 · March 31, 2013, 07:03 PM

In no particular order;

.30-06 - Because it's the most versatile game cartridge in history. Period.

.22 LR - Because you would be at the range all day if you bought $50 of ammo.

.50 BMG - Because there isn't anything, anywhere, that can hide from it.

steveNChunter · March 31, 2013, 07:46 PM

Quote:

.22 LR - Because you would be at the range all day if you bought $50 of ammo.

Not anymore

kutz · March 31, 2013, 08:08 PM

.270.

mattL46 · March 31, 2013, 08:29 PM

Steel chickenshooter can't agree more. Too bad ya can't get it anymore!

johnwilliamson062 · March 31, 2013, 09:58 PM

22lr, 7.5 Swiss, 6.5 Swede.
30/06 is what I hunt with though. I can walk into any gun shop in the country and they will almost certainly have good hunting ammo in 30/06.

I would really like to get more experience with some flat shooting cartridges like the 204 ruger.

ronl · March 31, 2013, 10:30 PM

.308, .223 and .17 HMR. Nothing I need doing that can't be done with these. Accurate, versatile and easy to reload and components are easier to find. I'll throw in the 6mm Rem. and .260 as close.

SVTCobra306 · March 31, 2013, 10:31 PM

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned 22-250 Remington yet.. I've been a fan for years, ever since the first time I shot my Dad's Model 70 Featherweight Carbine chambered in it when I was 16ish. There's something about sending a round out at 4000 fps (or near it) LOL, that is handy for knocking down coyotes on the run.

I wouldn't mind finding a nice rifle chambered for it's parent 250-3000 Savage and comparing it to my .243, which I have taken to carrying more due to the versatility of everything from light speedy loads to heavier loads for more punch.

ricko · March 31, 2013, 10:42 PM

My favorite is the .30 M1 Carbine, it's just fun to shoot. Second is .30-30. .30-06 is a bit on the heavy side for me, not something I'd plink with for fun.

mattL46 · March 31, 2013, 10:50 PM

I'd really like to build a nice 220 swift. Little surprised I haven't heard of that one either.

Come and take it. · March 31, 2013, 11:35 PM

The 25-06 is my favorite caliber. It can punch a nice fat hole out the other side of a deer that makes the guys at the weighing scale think you downed it with a 7mm magnum.

Plus made some decent long shots on groundhogs when they were more plentiful. Hit the groundhog anywhere and it aint goin far.

Geo_Erudite · April 1, 2013, 12:20 AM

I love my 6.5 Creedmoor

mattL46 · April 1, 2013, 07:19 AM

I'd like to own a rifle in both the 25-06 and 6.5 creedmore.

eldermike · April 1, 2013, 08:00 AM

Favorite is 22-250, next is 25-06, but then again I love my 300 win mag with the boss.

Why? good question.

The 22-250 is just plain fun to shoot.
The 25-06 is the perfect deer gun. (no tracking required)
The 300 win mag is the most gun in a standard length action.

Arocholl · April 1, 2013, 09:00 AM

I really love the 7.5x55 Swiss GP 11. For a standard military round it is very impressive and out of my K31 extremely accurate. And it's just a fun cartridge to shoot

Saltydog235 · April 1, 2013, 10:18 AM

The often under appreciated and under estimated 7mm08. Loaded right there isn't much in the SE USA that you can't do with it.

7mmMag comes close in at 2nd.

30'06 just because it is time tested, available most everywhere and it was my Dad's favorite.

Scorch · April 1, 2013, 11:42 AM

Favorite? Hands down, the 22LR. I shoot hundreds of them a month, it is just plain fun to shoot. Favorite hunting cartridge? Still the 22LR. I love hunting small game like rabbits and ground squirrels, and out to 150-ish yds, it is great for dropping them where they stand. Farther than 150 yds, I would say the 223 in a nice little bolt action. Farther than 300 yds, 22-250. If I need to kill a deer or similar size animal, 7X57 does the trick without all the blast and recoil of the larger cartridges.

L_Killkenny · April 1, 2013, 12:17 PM

Of the cartridges I've owned or shot I'd have to say .22-250. Being said I've swapped it out for a .243 due to versatility.

I send 10 times more .22lr downrange than all else combined, not out of any particular love for it though. Only cause it's cheap and I don't have to reload. Given deep pockets there's a handful of cartridges I'd take first even for informal can blastin and small game hunting.

NWPilgrim · April 1, 2013, 01:24 PM

My favorite would have to be .30-06 because that is what fits in the finest battle implement ever devised, the M1 Garand!! And it has been the family go-to caliber for hunting.

For pure fun the .223 Rem and .30 Carbine are hard to beat and they make good defensive calibers as well. They are cheaper to feed than the .30-06 and mild enough recoil that new shooters can have fun with a center-fire rifle.

If more rifles were chambered for it I would be sorely tempted to choose the 6.5 Swede as my favorite. Fully capable for hunting and yet even recoil shy shooters enjoy it at the range. I have a Swedish Mauser that is not really practical given the sights and all, and I don't want to change it. If I come across a modern rifle in this chambering it might become my new go-to field and woods rifle. I imagine the .257 Roberts is essentially the same in recoil and effectiveness so I can see its popularity, too.

shurshot · April 1, 2013, 07:21 PM

.22 LR & .270 WCF. The .22 is my single favorite up to 50-75 yards for plinking / small game, but after that, the .270 gets my undivided attention, as she shoots flat and hits HARD, without ripping into your cheek bone like a left jab from George Foreman. From woodchucks to Moose, a good Bolt action .270 and a decent scope, 130 or 150 grain bullets, it will (and HAS), handle anything in North America. Jack O'Connor gave great advice years ago, and its still solid advice today.

March 31, 2013, 11:27 AM	#26
Sodbuster Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 1999 Location: Wyo-Tana Posts: 1,298	I know others have more experience with the cartridge, as I've only been shooting it 40+ years, but I must say the .270 is my favorite. You could say I grew up with it. Not a big fan of Elmer's preferences and, in fact, I like what Brian has to say. 6x55 is sweet. I do like the 30-06 fired out of a Ma Deuce. __________________ Remember, many times what we view as a curse in the present turns out to be a blessing in the future. Don't worry about it a lot. Things have a way of working out. Trust me on this one. - - Uncle Bill Martino

March 31, 2013, 05:03 PM	#29
Colt46 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2002 Location: Campbell Ca Posts: 1,090	6.5 Swede Kind of a niche cartridge in this Country. Accurate, mild recoil, deadly effective, sexy ballistically efficient bullets. Perfect for almost all north american game.

March 31, 2013, 05:14 PM	#30
SteelChickenShooter Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2011 Posts: 863	Favorite? The one, single cartridge I began with, and have used across so many uses, is the .22 LR rimfire.

March 31, 2013, 06:57 PM	#31
nicknitro71 Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2008 Location: DeLand, FL Posts: 110	.22 LR for its thriftiness. .17 HMR for range fun factor, accuracy, and no recoil. .260 R as best fit for the .308 brass in short action. .280 AI as best fit for the .30-06 brass in long action. .300 RUM as the overall king of the .30s in magnum extra long action. .50 BMG, because! __________________ http://nitrorigging.com

March 31, 2013, 07:03 PM	#32
F23Blackwidow2 Member Join Date: January 30, 2013 Location: NY, sadly. Posts: 80	In no particular order; .30-06 - Because it's the most versatile game cartridge in history. Period. .22 LR - Because you would be at the range all day if you bought $50 of ammo. .50 BMG - Because there isn't anything, anywhere, that can hide from it. __________________ Just a young guy that likes old cars and straight shooting guns

March 31, 2013, 02:17 PM	#27
mattL46 Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2013 Posts: 656	Way too many great cartridges. Again why I said "cartridge(s)" @ hammie I can't say my collection is extensive but I can say its diverse...which would make that question all the harder to answer...

March 31, 2013, 02:54 PM	#28
PVL Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2013 Posts: 169	My target/fun-shooting cartridges are .22lr, 6.5x55, and .243 Winchester. For big game: .308 Winchester and 7mm Remington Magnum. For small game: .17 HMR For self-defence: 12 ga, 10mm, .308 Winchester. Cartridges I like but have no guns for: .222 Remington, 45-70, .44 Magnum, .338 Winchester Magnum, .375 H&H.

March 31, 2013, 08:08 PM	#34
kutz Senior Member Join Date: September 24, 2012 Location: Arizona Posts: 393	.270.

March 31, 2013, 08:29 PM	#35
mattL46 Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2013 Posts: 656	Steel chickenshooter can't agree more. Too bad ya can't get it anymore!

March 31, 2013, 09:58 PM	#36
johnwilliamson062 Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2008 Posts: 9,995	22lr, 7.5 Swiss, 6.5 Swede. 30/06 is what I hunt with though. I can walk into any gun shop in the country and they will almost certainly have good hunting ammo in 30/06. I would really like to get more experience with some flat shooting cartridges like the 204 ruger.

March 31, 2013, 10:30 PM	#37
ronl Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Posts: 1,100	.308, .223 and .17 HMR. Nothing I need doing that can't be done with these. Accurate, versatile and easy to reload and components are easier to find. I'll throw in the 6mm Rem. and .260 as close.

March 31, 2013, 10:31 PM	#38
SVTCobra306 Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2013 Posts: 434	I'm surprised nobody has mentioned 22-250 Remington yet.. I've been a fan for years, ever since the first time I shot my Dad's Model 70 Featherweight Carbine chambered in it when I was 16ish. There's something about sending a round out at 4000 fps (or near it) LOL, that is handy for knocking down coyotes on the run. I wouldn't mind finding a nice rifle chambered for it's parent 250-3000 Savage and comparing it to my .243, which I have taken to carrying more due to the versatility of everything from light speedy loads to heavier loads for more punch.

March 31, 2013, 10:42 PM	#39
ricko Member Join Date: February 2, 2013 Posts: 96	My favorite is the .30 M1 Carbine, it's just fun to shoot. Second is .30-30. .30-06 is a bit on the heavy side for me, not something I'd plink with for fun.

March 31, 2013, 10:50 PM	#40
mattL46 Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2013 Posts: 656	I'd really like to build a nice 220 swift. Little surprised I haven't heard of that one either.

March 31, 2013, 11:35 PM	#41
Come and take it. Senior Member Join Date: May 16, 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 999	The 25-06 is my favorite caliber. It can punch a nice fat hole out the other side of a deer that makes the guys at the weighing scale think you downed it with a 7mm magnum. Plus made some decent long shots on groundhogs when they were more plentiful. Hit the groundhog anywhere and it aint goin far.

April 1, 2013, 12:20 AM	#42
Geo_Erudite Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2013 Location: SE WI Posts: 158	I love my 6.5 Creedmoor

April 1, 2013, 07:19 AM	#43
mattL46 Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2013 Posts: 656	I'd like to own a rifle in both the 25-06 and 6.5 creedmore.

April 1, 2013, 08:00 AM	#44
eldermike Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2013 Location: NC Posts: 545	Favorite is 22-250, next is 25-06, but then again I love my 300 win mag with the boss. Why? good question. The 22-250 is just plain fun to shoot. The 25-06 is the perfect deer gun. (no tracking required) The 300 win mag is the most gun in a standard length action.

April 1, 2013, 09:00 AM	#45
Arocholl Member Join Date: October 30, 2012 Posts: 42	whats your favorite rifle cartridge(s) and why? I really love the 7.5x55 Swiss GP 11. For a standard military round it is very impressive and out of my K31 extremely accurate. And it's just a fun cartridge to shoot

April 1, 2013, 10:18 AM	#46
Saltydog235 Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2010 Location: Pawleys Island Posts: 1,563	The often under appreciated and under estimated 7mm08. Loaded right there isn't much in the SE USA that you can't do with it. 7mmMag comes close in at 2nd. 30'06 just because it is time tested, available most everywhere and it was my Dad's favorite.

April 1, 2013, 11:42 AM	#47
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Favorite? Hands down, the 22LR. I shoot hundreds of them a month, it is just plain fun to shoot. Favorite hunting cartridge? Still the 22LR. I love hunting small game like rabbits and ground squirrels, and out to 150-ish yds, it is great for dropping them where they stand. Farther than 150 yds, I would say the 223 in a nice little bolt action. Farther than 300 yds, 22-250. If I need to kill a deer or similar size animal, 7X57 does the trick without all the blast and recoil of the larger cartridges. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

April 1, 2013, 12:17 PM	#48
L_Killkenny Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2007 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,676	Of the cartridges I've owned or shot I'd have to say .22-250. Being said I've swapped it out for a .243 due to versatility. I send 10 times more .22lr downrange than all else combined, not out of any particular love for it though. Only cause it's cheap and I don't have to reload. Given deep pockets there's a handful of cartridges I'd take first even for informal can blastin and small game hunting.

April 1, 2013, 01:24 PM	#49
NWPilgrim Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,346	My favorite would have to be .30-06 because that is what fits in the finest battle implement ever devised, the M1 Garand!! And it has been the family go-to caliber for hunting. For pure fun the .223 Rem and .30 Carbine are hard to beat and they make good defensive calibers as well. They are cheaper to feed than the .30-06 and mild enough recoil that new shooters can have fun with a center-fire rifle. If more rifles were chambered for it I would be sorely tempted to choose the 6.5 Swede as my favorite. Fully capable for hunting and yet even recoil shy shooters enjoy it at the range. I have a Swedish Mauser that is not really practical given the sights and all, and I don't want to change it. If I come across a modern rifle in this chambering it might become my new go-to field and woods rifle. I imagine the .257 Roberts is essentially the same in recoil and effectiveness so I can see its popularity, too. __________________ "The ultimate authority ... resides in the people alone. ... The advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation ... forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition." - James Madison

April 1, 2013, 07:21 PM	#50
shurshot Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2006 Posts: 1,819	.22 LR & .270 WCF. The .22 is my single favorite up to 50-75 yards for plinking / small game, but after that, the .270 gets my undivided attention, as she shoots flat and hits HARD, without ripping into your cheek bone like a left jab from George Foreman. From woodchucks to Moose, a good Bolt action .270 and a decent scope, 130 or 150 grain bullets, it will (and HAS), handle anything in North America. Jack O'Connor gave great advice years ago, and its still solid advice today.