Author Topic: If there could be only one caliber, what would it be? (Read 719 times)

2big2fail · « **on:** June 07, 2011, 06:20:45 AM »

We've seen a lot of good responses and insight as which rifle you would choose for reliability in a shtf situation. My question now would be, "If you could have one and only one caliber in any rifle platform to make due through all the possible situations (hunting, personal defense, WROL, and so-on) what would it be?" and why? You have the quantities to last a lifetime, that wouldn't be any issue.

Grumblecakes · « **Reply #1 on:** June 07, 2011, 06:30:08 AM »

tough question. do i have to carry the ammo? if not, probably 308 in a hk-sr9, probably the most well rounded rifle round available, while not great at everything its not terrible at much either. if i had to carry alot of my own ammo i would go with m16 a2, doesnt have the stopping power of a 308 but its light weight makes up for it.

if i REALLY didnt have to carry the ammo, i would go with a mk19. of all the ground weapons i have personally seen fired it was the most impressive. it really can rain steel. probably wouldnt do to well in recoverable meat, but the zombies wouldnt be a problem

jelo45110 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 07, 2011, 07:20:47 AM »

For me I would go with my Mod. 94 Winchester 30-30. It is light weight, compact, fast action, and has enough power for hunting and defense. It would really suck to be limited to one caliber, but the 30-30 would do what I need in any situation.

J Mack · « **Reply #3 on:** June 07, 2011, 10:49:55 AM »

I think a lightweight .308 based AR with a 14” barrel and a 1X4 scope would make an excellent all around grab and go weapon.
I would load mags full of Barnes TAC-X or TTSX bullets loaded hot enough to get me the velocity to kill out to 500 with said rifle and still keep reliability and shootability up-close.
I might even consider suppressing the rifle and loading some subs for shooting during quiet time!
It’s not that the .308 is the best round but it’s better than most at intermediate ranges and no matter how good your plan “A” is, plan “B” say’s you could get separated from your lifetime supply of ammo and what are the chances you’ll find some likeminded person with a lifetime supply of the latest greatest whiz-bang ammo that’s willing to share.

No-One · « **Reply #4 on:** June 07, 2011, 04:00:49 PM »

.22 LR . I am thinking of a Ruger 10-22 carbine with a lower power optic , 1-4 or 2-7 . It betters my odds of survival in 80% or more in the situations I can think of without being overly heavy . I can also carry 500 - 1000 rounds of it while being lower in weight than 250 rounds of .223 or .308 . It may not be the best personal defense round but having spoken to numerous folks who have actually been in gun fights and their consensus seems to be that the best gun to have in a gunfight is a gun .

madsent33 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 07, 2011, 06:00:58 PM »

Quote from: jelo45110 on June 07, 2011, 07:20:47 AM

For me I would go with my Mod. 94 Winchester 30-30. It is light weight, compact, fast action, and has enough power for hunting and defense. It would really suck to be limited to one caliber, but the 30-30 would do what I need in any situation.

+1. I have a Marlin 336 that is simple, solid, reliable and packs enough punch. There's a reason that design has been around for so many years.

hessmanca · « **Reply #6 on:** June 07, 2011, 06:56:48 PM »

+1 for No-One.... I love a good old 10-22 with a low power scope.

That being said, If I only had one caliber for the rest of my life.... I choose 12GA. Talk about a versatile weapon system, would be great for everything except long range shooting.... You would just need to bring them in so you can see the whites of their eyes!

Kcboats · « **Reply #7 on:** June 07, 2011, 07:52:00 PM »

30.06

2big2fail · « **Reply #8 on:** June 13, 2011, 12:53:24 PM »

Well, there's allot of good choices above. The 12 ga idea is clever, versatile and powerful with only limits on long range. Not sure if it meets the one and only one caliber question though, all 12 ga shells are the same caliber(technically).
For me, it was a struggle between the two finalists, the .308, and .223. I would have loved to build an M4 platform .243, but after running the details, the .223 wins.
the .308 was tough to pass up, with the knockdown, accuracy, and range. It's a little heavy for the majority of potential needs, and great for only a few. The .223 on the other hand, is weak at few, and great at many. Lightweight, accurate at up to 500 meters, excellent for personal protection, and nearly all available weapons in a WROL situation would be interchangeable for parts using an M4 platform.
The weaknesses of course, is the heavy knockdown and 500 meters and beyond. However, I've never taken game beyond 250 anyway, everything has always been closer in. Besides, if I can hit it once, I can hit it 30 times if need be. (no limit on ammo) Smaller game wouldn't be destroyed either, and 300 rounds could be packed around in ready-to-shoot magazines.

J Mack · « **Reply #9 on:** June 13, 2011, 01:08:50 PM »

Quote from: 2big2fail on June 13, 2011, 12:53:24 PM

I would have loved to build an M4 platform .243, but after running the details, the .223 wins.

Why not look at the 6x45mm?
Basically a .223 necked up to a 6mm bullet.

Nomad · « **Reply #10 on:** June 16, 2011, 09:59:00 PM »

Have hunted with a 223 and as for choice of bullets the 65gr or 64gr bullets would be a choice.
As a single one does all the 68 would be my choice as a single gun in a AR platform.....Good ballistics
effective on most game.........

44magnut · « **Reply #11 on:** June 16, 2011, 10:53:53 PM »

+ 1 on the 336 and 30/30. Ammo is in most every back woods store and cabin that I have seen.

Evergreen · « **Reply #12 on:** July 19, 2011, 03:20:10 PM »

If I had unlimited quantity to last a lifetime, I would take .50BMG thank you very much..

I think it is fairly effective on almost all living creatures in this part of the Solar System and I would probably get pretty skilled using it, if ammo was unlimited

AR10ER · « **Reply #13 on:** July 19, 2011, 06:22:59 PM »

Quote from: Evergreen on July 19, 2011, 03:20:10 PM

If I had unlimited quantity to last a lifetime, I would take .50BMG thank you very much.. I think it is fairly effective on almost all living creatures in this part of the Solar System and I would probably get pretty skilled using it, if ammo was unlimited

Yep, no such thing as overkill.

emathey · « **Reply #14 on:** July 19, 2011, 07:30:10 PM »

Quote from: AR10ER on July 19, 2011, 06:22:59 PM

Yep, no such thing as overkill.

There is such a thing as carrying capacity though.

Scarecrow · « **Reply #15 on:** July 19, 2011, 08:27:36 PM »

I was going to say 308, but then I caught No-Ones post and he's right. 22lr.

tgibson · « **Reply #16 on:** July 19, 2011, 10:42:19 PM »

Taking into account a couple more things, I'd still have to go with a 5.56.
Magazine capacity...check
Speed at reloading magazines....check
ability to carry a bunch of magazines...check
able to hit stuf out to 500y....check
self defence...check
zombi killer...check
ability to lay down a lot of lead in a short amount of time fairly accurately...check

Yea...I'd have to go that route.
Adios,
TG

ida83704 · « **Reply #17 on:** July 19, 2011, 11:09:10 PM »

since I speak English.
5.56

If I did not speak English.
7.62x39

Idaho_Gun_Nut · « **Reply #18 on:** July 20, 2011, 05:42:16 AM »

7.62x51 definitely and in a semi-auto platform. Semi-auto so that you could keep up your rate of fire if need be and not be punished by the recoil like you would with a bolt action.

fj40mojo · « **Reply #19 on:** July 20, 2011, 08:31:40 AM »

If there could be only one caliber, what would it be?

Simple answer: A sad world.