Holes in the hunting battery! Any advice?

greenjeepguy100

greenjeepguy100

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After having culled the ones I don't shoot. I have a few holes in the battery I'm thinking 375 and 243. Maybe a 308 or 270.
What are your thoughts?

Mine:
Bolts
22 lr
303 British
300 WM
Levers
30-30
45-70
Semis
22 lr
223 (parked, you know why)
30.06
Shotguns
416 single
12 single
12 pump
12 semi

Wife's collection (firm believer in the three gun battery)
22 WM bolt
6.5x55 bolt
12 g semi
 
I have always been curious how others look at their range of calibers in their collection. I kind of went the opposite direction of you, tried to minimize total number of calibers and instead wanted back up firearms for each caliber we own. Between the wife and I we stuck to just 22lr, 17hmr, 556/223, 7mm 08, 20ga and 12ga. Still want to find either a 17 or 22 combo gun with 12ga.
 
.22lr, .22mag,
.223Rem, .243win, .25-06Rem, .270 Win,
.30-30win, .303 Brit, 8mm Mauser, 7.62x39, .308Win, .30-06, .300winmag, .375 Ruger,
12, 20, guage pumps, .410 pumps, 12 guage O/U & Semi-auto, 9mm, 45acp, .357mag
I have multiple guns in several of these calibers. Havent found a hole yet among these calibers. Had 45/70 but was underwhelmed.
 
I do get to use the wife's custom ordered stainless/laminate stock Tikka in 6.5x55. There are a lot of 6.5 manbun (creedmore) on the market these days. Everyone's a long distance shooter now!

As for sxs or over under. I'm shopping but the price! The ones I want are $5k!
I've looked at some the trade ex gun with a 5x57 over a 12g. It would make a good ATV gun for sure.
Thanks,
GJG
 
I'm at a point in time in my life, where I should be 'thinning' things out a little:rolleyes:. Doesn't seem to be happening though. This falls inline with my basic rule of thumb ;), as indicated by the acquisitions the last few years, that being, "While you can have too few, you can never have too many". Recommendation ;), keep filling the holes and enjoy.
 
Go on a rimmed binge. 5.6x50R Mag; 348 Win; 25-35; 9.3x74R; 6.5x65R; 30-40 krag, 307 Win, 405 Win
 
What are you hunting that requires a 375 that the 45-70 or 30-06 can’t kill ?
What are you hunting with a 243 that you can’t use the 6.5x55 or 300wm on ?
You could really get rid of them all except the 30-06 , 22 lr and 12 gauge and you’d still have everything you need.
If you’re just into collecting calibers then buy whatever you want , realistically though that 30-06 will do it all so I don’t really get why you think you’ve got holes in you arsenal.
 
For Canada the big hole I see is some sort of varmint gun - 243win would certainly work, 22-250 is also good but the twist rates tend to suck for heavy bullets, 22 manbun (I'm totally stealing that btw, love it!) would be great but I think you'd have to go custom for that, haven't seen anyone offering that in a factory rifle (although I haven't been looking either).

For ####s-and-giggles, something bigger, 35cal+. 35whelen, 9.3x62, or a 375 would all fit the bill nicely.

Isobar1999 said:
What are you hunting that requires a 375 that the 45-70 or 30-06 can’t kill ?
What are you hunting with a 243 that you can’t use the 6.5x55 or 300wm on ?
You could really get rid of them all except the 30-06 , 22 lr and 12 gauge and you’d still have everything you need.
If you’re just into collecting calibers then buy whatever you want , realistically though that 30-06 will do it all so I don’t really get why you think you’ve got holes in you arsenal.
Click to expand...

And winner for the lease exciting post of the thread goes to....
 
Calibers 17-25 centerfire (6.5 too) can fulfill the role lazer beam predator or fur rifle that nothing else can equal. And the sub gauges in a shotgun no heavier than 6 lbs is a fine walking all day upland gun. 28-16 gauge can protect oneself at close wilderness distances when you are alone and far from shelter/vehicle. A mere 22 rimfire is scant help from larger hungry predators again, when you are alone.
 
Myself I would never be without a 7mm rem mag. I love my .17 Rem for the same reason as the 7mm mag, long distance shots in the wide open areas we have here in southern Alberta. I will add that I have really started to like my boys Browning X bolt 7/08 this year and took my Mule buck with it.
 
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Nice start, but you've barely scratched the surface. What fully experienced hunter doesn't have a .375 H&H in a classic controlled round feed, bolt action Mauser style rifle? Or at least one one other capable medium bore like the 9.3x62? Not to mention a proper double rifle. A Side by side, double trigger, box lock ejector .450-400 3" Nitro express with express sights for those traditional hunts, or when a black rhino is trampling your petunias or a Cape buffalo bull is eyeing you through the long grass. C'mon, you never know when a tiger may threaten your village. Thank goodness you already have a 45-70 for bear protection and plinking tin cans. And have kept tradition with your .30-30, (but only if it's a pre 64 Win. 94 or pre-Rem. Marlin 336) Well done. But of course you still need a 7x57 stalking rifle, with slim forend, barrel band swivel, and express sights! It also seems that you sadly lack any reasonable varmint / coyote rifle. A traditional choice would be a .222 Sako but any modern .223 or .204 would also do the trick. Even if its equipped with synthetic stock and stainless steel barrel. Or a heavy barrel if you like precision and don't mind the weight. Might need a ballistic reticle and twisty turrets on the scope for that one. And why no .25-06 or .257 Weatherby or .270 Win short mag??? If your game is smallish, and far away you can't just point and pray with your .303. Yes, I understand that the .303 is essential. UnCanadian otherwise. If you don't want a real long range hunting caliber you could follow the current target / precision crowd and use a 6.5 Creedmoor. But that cartridge makes you look like an inexperienced urban wannabe and is not generally recommended by more worldly hunters ;-) Once you have the rifle calibers covered you will also need a rifle in "mountain" configuration that weighs not more than three feathers and also a take down switch-barrel rifle for international travel. And a couple of scopes for each barrel. You have a 12 ga. pump gun and a semi for waterfowl or deer with slugs, good for you. But no classic upland bird gun. If you haven't already delved into the wonderful and perplexing world of fine double shotguns I suggest you purchase an over under 12 gauge. Browning or Beretta would be a good place to start. 12 ga guns are capable and versatile, but kinda gauche. You will of course need a fine 20 gauge so you're not embarrassed to be seen hunting grouse or pheasant with a plebeian shotgun. Side by sides, with double triggers, fitted straight grip stocks with cast off, 5 pin sidelocks and french fitted oak and leather cases with all the tools and accoutrements would be a fine aspiration. You can add 16 and 28 gauge guns as time, finances and inspiration permit. Did I mention European straight pull rifles, single shot stalking rifles or precision long range gear? No worries. We are here for the long term, to help. and advise. We are called Gun NUTZ for a good reason. Thank us later.
 
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You can't go wrong with a 243 Win for a coyote and small deer rifle but you should get a NR 223 again, as well! Plus something in the .338" to 9.3mm range. 338 Win Mag, 338-06, 35 Whelen, 9.3x62. Medium bores are nice to have around camp :).
 
Isobar1999 said:
What are you hunting that requires a 375 that the 45-70 or 30-06 can’t kill ?
What are you hunting with a 243 that you can’t use the 6.5x55 or 300wm on ?
You could really get rid of them all except the 30-06 , 22 lr and 12 gauge and you’d still have everything you need.
If you’re just into collecting calibers then buy whatever you want , realistically though that 30-06 will do it all so I don’t really get why you think you’ve got holes in you arsenal.
Click to expand...

Yes, one could go back to basics. A .22 LR, .30-06 and a 12ga. Or, for an example, even a step further. Many years ago my uncle gave me a .22LR Cooey Senior single shot, my first rifle. He told me stories of my Dad using that same rifle, successfully, on two Mule Deer while Dad & my uncle were helping on a roofing job on their parents homestead home west of Edmonton. That old Cooey was first used by me starting hunting on Grouse in the B.C. central interior. Now, can a person get enough enjoyment by taking that basic three out in the field and to trips to the range?? Possibly, but not me. I like the option of variety and, taking my age into consideration, while I realise 'they' may not all get regular field and range experience/use, I like the option of variety. Aaaand, with that in mind:
- 22 LR - 2 of
- 219 Donaldson Wasp
- .25-06
- .270 - 2 of
- 7x57 - 2 of
- 7x61 S&H
- . 30-06
- 308 Norma Mag
- 303 Br - 2 of
- 348 WCF
- 358 Norma Mag - 2 of
- 9.3x62
- 375 Chatfield Taylor
- 375 H&H
- 44-40
- 444 Marlin
- 45-70
- 458 Win Mag

- .410
- 20ga Mag
- 12ga
- 7x57R/12ga
- 10ga Mag
 
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