If we could only own 5 rifles and one shotgun, what chamberings would you choose?

This thread's title is saying "only 5 rifles" total, not five calibers, but not asking for people to name the specific rifles that would go with each chambering.

You could say .308 and mean a nice F-Class long-range target rifle, or a lightweight all-weather stalking/scout rifle, or a Tavor 7, or an iron-sighted truck gun, or a really nice collector's piece with an awesome custom stock, or if you're really lucky have all five of those before you even think of four other calibers.
 
12 gauge

17 hmr
6.5x55
300 H&H mag (or 300 Win Mag)
9.3x57
45 cal muzzleloader

This list is based on what I would keep from the ones I own, not what I would pick, if I were to start from scratch.
 
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While I dislike the premise of the original question, I'll choose from my current collection for the sake of the discussion. To me, which cartridge I like best also depends on the firearm they come in. There is a lot of overlap among cartridges and the jobs they do. Mine are all very Fuddy choices. So...

Brno #5 .22 LR - plinking, training, small game & varmints
Brno ZKK 601 .222 Rem. - as above, adding larger fur bearers like coyote, beaver, and oddly, it's a cartridge recently made legal for "big game" in Sask. but unlikely to be used by me for that purpose.
Sako L579 Deluxe .308 - Deer, Pronghorn, Elk, Moose, Bear. Anything most people call "big game" here in Saskatchewan. I'd really miss my 9.3's, 7mm's and 25-06. But could enjoy successful hunting without their slightly greater power or flatter trajectory.
Browning Citori White Lightning 16 ga. 28" - anything properly hunted while accompanied by my Drahthaar - Upland birds, bunnies, jump shooting ducks ( difficult to not choose the 20 ga. White Lighting Feather instead, but I shoot the 16 better!)
Browning Citori White Lightning 12 ga. 28" - anything that requires steel shot, or geese, 3" shells, or target shooting.

Then I'd have to give up precision shooting with my Sako M85 HB .223, and muzzle loader deer hunting with my handy little T-C Cherokee .45 cal, and the Anschutz .22 mag that is perfect for shooting nuisance beavers, and my .375 Sako M85 bolt action and .400 Jeffrey Merkel 140 AE double rifles that are made for hunting very big critters in exotic hunting locations, and a good Beretta SV10 sporting clays 12 ga. 32" O/U, and a Rossi .44 mag stainless steel M92 carbine that is excellent to keep at our bush camp for bear repellent, a Ruger M77 "canoe paddle" stainless .30-06 that is built tough and perfect for fly-in or canoe hunts in wet, rough locations, and bunch of other stuff that is "just right" for intended purpose. Or fun to use because of artistic design, slightly better performance, or ultimate versatility like my Krieghoff drilling in 16ga/.22 mag/7x57R. And a couple of take down guns that are wonderful for travel by car or air.

Sigh. Can't do it. Not voluntarily anyway.
 
MilitaryCollectorMark said:
Hmm.
For me, probably:

12 guage

.22LR Cz
25-06 LH carl gustaf
7.62x39 LH zastava
6.5x55 Zastava
300 win mag carl gustaf

Basically have all these except for a shotgun and a LH 22 :)
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Ok, so here's my thoughts on the different calibres I picked.

12 guage, basically the go probably in a older rem 870
22 Cz, probably a 457 or a 452 if I found one, excellent for small game and pests. Also ammo is cheap and easy to find.
7.62x39 low recoiling and with my zastava a good bush gun.
25-06 can load for varmits up to deer sized game with the proper bullet.
6.5x55 load 160 gr round nose and go shoot elk moose. Can also load for target with 130 and other bullets.
300 win mag, go for bear and larger game with the right bullet. Probably can shoot most anything in canada with this?
 
The Kurgan said:
If we could only own 5 rifles and one shotgun, what chamberings would you choose?
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It's an interesting question. And here's my take on why I hope we never have to visit it...

The Shooting Sports are more about disciplines than they are caliber. A rifle suitable for Cowboy Action & CAS rules, isn't going to be the rifle you would want for hunting mountain goat or sheep. A 22 you built for LRP competition is unlikely to be the one you want to be carrying for small game. And a shotgun suitable for 3 gun, isn't going to be the shotgun you would choose for waterfowl.

Can compromises be made? Certainly. But I think in the end you would be handicapped in one way or another as a result of having to compromise to parse it down to 5 rifles and one shotgun...

Cheers
Jay
 
Oouufff 5…under our current laws

22LR
9mm pcc (Ruger likely)
A light 223 (Ruger American ranch)
My hunting 308
Heavy target 308

Shotgun, single shot 12 gauge. I don’t really waterfowl much anymore, so it’s mostly upland grouse.
 
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