What are your Ten Best Pistol Cartridges, and Rifle Cartridges.

[W.R.Buchanan]

This topic should bring out the opinionated among us. But I think we will see some standard answers.

In no particular order.

Pistol:
.22LR
.38 Special
.357 Magnum
9MM Luger
.40S&W
.41 Magnum
.44 Special
.44 Magnum
.45 LC
.45 ACP

Rifle:
.22LR
.223/5.56x45
.243 Win
.270 Win
7x57 Mauser
7mm Rem Mag.
.308 Win
.30-06 Govt.
.375 H&H Magnum
.45-70 Govt.

Obviously there will be others but this is a good place to start.

Do tell us what you think and why.

Randy

[BruceB]

Ten cartridges for each of both long and short guns is FAR too many.

If you want some OPINIONS, try asking for one or two from each category. Twenty in total is more calibers than many people even OWN, let alone "favor".

.30'06 and .416 Rigby

.357 and .45ACP

..... try those for size.

[Jupiter7]

I kinda wanna insert lyrics from Hank Williams jr.'s "a country boy will survive".

" my old 45"
"30.06 and a 4 wheel drive, a country boy can survive".

The rest are just filler/fluff until I shoot my .45 and ought-six.

[btroj]

I don't own 10 of Each.

Give me a 32-20, 45-70, and 375 H&H and I can be happy for rifles.

A 9 mm, 357, 44 mag, and 45 ACP are fine for pistol.

A 45 Colt would be nice in both.

[dverna]

Rifle,

.22
5.56
.30/30
.308
.300 Win Mag
.357

Pistol
.22
.357
9mm
.40 S&W
.45 ACP

[Bigslug]

Ten for each? Heck, I can fudgingly roll with ten TOTAL:

.22S/L/LR - cheap (at least it used to be) and adaptable to a wide variety of loadings and applications.

.357 Magnum - also very adaptable. Considering the history, I tend to regard it and the .38 Special as the same round. In keeping with this thread's search for a "short list", I would consider it as one of the ideal short range / low noise rifle rounds, eliminating a lot of the smaller rifle rounds from contention.

.45ACP - where the .22 and .38 are incredibly versatile, the .45ACP/1911 combo is probably the best uni-tasker at what a handgun is really for.

9x19mm - This is the almost-as-effective uni-tasker that everyone who can't handle a .45 can shoot. It is the machete to the .45ACP's lightsaber.

.44 Magnum - as with the .357, I consider this and the older Special to be essentially the same. Hugely versatile. I was debating placement of the .45Colt/.454 Casull combo in here, but given the choice, I'd probably prefer the non-crew-served nature and higher SD/BC per unit of weight on the .44. It's all the handgun I care to shoot. Also in the running for a short-range/low noise rifle round.

.30-06 - There is a vast pool of cartridges in the space between where the 6mm's end and the .375's begin. If pushed, I could take a .30-06 and not feel the loss of the rest all that much.

.243 Win and 6mm Rem - Once you rectify the early rate-of-twist problem, I prefer the Remington due to cubic inches, but honestly don't have a huge preference. Anything less is pure varmint, anything more is deer-plus. These are the real bridge between the two.

.375 H&H - I dislike the fact that it has a belt, but you can't argue the history or results. The only round I would even slightly consider bumping the .30-06 for on a "choose one rifle" debate.

.416 Rigby - the crumpling power of the big .45's, with the trajectory of a .30-06, no belt, and a sharp shoulder before sharp shoulders were cool - what's not to like there?

.45-70 - it crosses the gap between black powder and smokeless without batting an eye, delivers incredible accuracy with the right load, and in the right guns, can be loaded anywhere from "nuthin" to "Nagasaki". The best word for this one is "timeless".

Honorable mentions:

Twelve gauge shotgun - what other system allows you to go from mourning dove to Cape buffalo with an ammo change?

.32 Auto, .380 ACP - back in the day before we went hollowpoint/high-velocity/hydrostatic crazy, it was understood that penetration to the vitals would do the trick. We kinda/sorta re-learned this after the 1986 Miami shootout, but Roy Weatherby's poo-stain on the landscape of our psyche remains hard to wash away. You don't need SHAZAM to solve the problem - just a way to get to the Tootsie Roll center of the Tootsiepop.

The .455 and .38/200 Webleys - I like these because it's hard to find the same degree of purity of purpose elsewhere. They're even more of a uni-tasker than the .45ACP/1911. The Brits didn't give a fig for flat trajectory or competition accuracy, and consequently, the Webleys don't even pretend to be anything but an extremely durable way to shoot a hostile enemy in the face from ten yards away. They're a spade that no marketing department ever tried to label as a screwdriver.

[Green Frog]

I come down on the side of those who can't imagine needing 20 different cartridges, for both long guns and handguns I would put forward the 22 LR and 32-20/32 WCF, Exclusively for rifles I would add 25 SS, 243, 30-06, 32-40 and 45-70. Exclusively for handguns, it's 32 S&WL through 327 FM, 38/357, 44 Spl/Mag and 45 ACP. That's my story and I'm sticking to it (until I think of another neat cartridge I want to play with! ;) )

Froggie

[DeanWinchester]

9mm 45 colt .223 & 35 remington and 308 Winchester.
Pretty much all I own. Few other toys but I figure there ain't much I can't get done with those.

[roverboy]

The OP selected some good calibers. I own and shoot several myself. I really like
.38 Spl
.357 Mag.
.30 Carbine
.223
.308
.30-06
7.62x54r
8mm Mauser
I don't shoot .22lr much anymore. I've not shot .22 much in about 10 years. A 50 rd. box will last me several years.

[shooter93]

All depends on parameters. If you load your own...have lots of brass, bullets, primers etc. then it boils down to what you like and what you shooting at. If it's a SHTF deal then it's 9mm. 40 s and w, 45 acp, 223 and 308 is what will be lying around the most (3 of those calibers I don't own at all and only have a 308 because I bought an M1A....lol). 22 lr is always good....if you can find and afford them.

[whelenshooter]

.243 Win is my favorite. Somebody earlier said it (& 6mm)was a true bridge between varmint and deer. Yes sir. But if I had to live with one cartridge only it'd be the 308 Win. For cast shooting in rifle I like the 35 Rem. Then there's the 7x57 '93 my Dad sporterized many years ago and did a great job, unlike many you see.

For pistol 45 acp and 'long' colt fill the bill and for lighter carry a 380.

No 35 Whelen 'cause I sold it...don't ask. It was stupidity.

David

[kenyerian]

7 TCU, 357, 454, 45/70 22 hornet. These are all I need.

[MT Gianni]

RIfle: 22 lr, 357, 357 Max, 30-30, 308, 30-06, 358, 35 Whelen, 243, 280 Rem
Handgun: 32 Long, 32 H&R, 38 special, 40 S&W, 44 special, 44 mag, 45 ACP, 45 LC, 7 TCU, 30-30

[runfiverun]

this is gonna be tough.
handgun rounds I favor, and shoot the most:
30 carbine,9mm, 357,375 super, 41mag,44special and 44mag, 45 acp, 45 colt, 445 super mag.
most of these made the top 10 cut because I have lever guns in the corresponding caliber
which makes the round count go up a lot.
rifles top 10.
223,220 swift, 257 bob,7 Ackley, 8 mauser, 358 win, 25-20, 7.65 argie, 25-06, and 308.
I had to think about the top 10 rifles for a minute and switch a few calibers in and out based on volume of shooting.
there are a few that just missed the cut like the7.5 swiss, 303 brit,30-40 krag, 7.7X58, and the 45/70.
and some got added in because I have 2-3-4 rifles in that caliber.

[robertbank]

OK

Rifle

.22LR Europe/Canada
30-30 US
303 Br Canada
30-06 US
38spl.,357Mag Brazil
44 Mag Brazil
9MM Carbine Italy

Handgun

22LR US, Czech
38Spl/357mag US, Italy
9MM US, Italy, Czech,
40 S&W US
45 Colt US, Italy
45 ACP China

I have one of each on the rifles and several of each on the handguns.

Listed the countries of origin.

My SAA from Italy and my GP 100 are my two favourite revolvers.
My M&P and CZ pistols along with my Norinco based 1911's are hard to leave at home as well.

I have a few other rifles but none are really my favourite. Time to thin the herd.

Take Care

Bob

[tonyjones]

.38 Special, .44 Special, .45 ACP/Auto Rim, .222 Remington, .30-06, .375 H&H, 12 Ga. That's 7 total and includes a shotgun. With these I can accomplish anything I need or may want to do with a gun. With a .375 H&H I have taken more head of medium and large game (up to and including white rhino) than I have with all other cartridges I've used combined. With 220 grain Woodleigh solids I can do with a .30-06 everything I can do with with a .375 H&H, though not necessarily legally. The .222 Remington can replace the the .22 RF's and will work on deer with the right bullet and is legal for such where I live. I would not consider going without a shotgun as I shoot birds and clays a LOT! The hand gun rounds I've listed are my favorites for plinking, target shooting, self defense and my choices in .44 and .45 are fine for deer and feral hogs. For me a hand gun is often a matter of convenience as it leaves my hands free to work on fence, operate a camera, etc.

Best regards,

Tony

[Harter66]

Wow 10 cartridges for 3 platforms.

30-06'
7x57
222
By default
308
223

38
357
45 Colts

by default
9mm
40 S&W

12ga (2 3/4 is all I've ever needed)
20ga (it makes a fair starter)
16ga because its different.

And
1 day a 45 Cowboy/Schoffield/Colts/(460) S&W ,410 2 1/2 & 3'' in 1 gun.
Preferably a 336 but a tricked out Savage might do.

My whys are pretty straight forward . 38/357 and 45 have carbines and revolvers and if you can't do it w/an 06',357 and a 12ga your probably in some alternate dimension..... :)

[Biggs300]

I too don't own 10 of each but here is what I have, although I probably would not consider all of them the "best".

Pistol/Revolver
- 45/45ACP (w/moon clips), 410 Shot Shell (S&W Governor) (one of my best)
- 38 Special
- 9mm
- 380
- 40 S&W

Rifle I like BIG and slow projectiles
- 223
- 25-06
- 30-30
- 300 Win Mag (one of my best)
- 358 Win (my best; I like everything about this cartridge)
- 9.3x62 Mauser (one of my best)
- 45-70 Gov't (Still working on a hunting load and could be one of my best)

[RobS]

My thoughts and not that I own them all but are "more common"

Handgun: (only 8)
45 Auto
45 Colt
44 Magnum
40 S&W
357 Magnum
38 Special
9mm
22 LR

Rifle: (14 total)
45-70
45 Colt
44 Magnum
375 H&H
358 Winchester Magnum
357 Magnum
300 Magnum
30-06
308
30/30
270
243
Rem 223
22 LR

[TXGunNut]

Pretty sure I don't own ten chamberings of each because I tend to avoid adding new cartridges. Top three in each category is the same; 22lr, 32-20 and 45 Colt. Make that four if you count the 35 Rem Contender but I tend to consider it a short rifle. Same goes for the 223/5.56. Rounding out the list for handguns is the 45 acp, 380 and 38/357. I don't reload for the 38/357 anymore and never did load the 380 so not sure I should list them. Rifle list is where my interest lies these days, beside the five mentioned above I've tinkered with the 30WCF, 30-06, 32WS, 35 Rem, 35 Whelen, 375 Win and 45-70 and enjoyed every one of them.
I'm set up to load for the 44spl/44mag and even have a Contender barrel but I don't have any interest in it. I'm set up to load for several more cartridges but they're just taking up space; doubt I'll ever load for the 22-250, 9mm, 40/10mm or 357 Sig again.
Interesting, list was longer than I thought.

[DrCaveman]

One of each:

357 mag & 30-30. Cool too that both can go either way. I dont have a BFR in 30-30 however

Bigger list

Handgun
22 lr
9 mm
357 mag
45 acp
460 s&w magnum

Rifle
22 lr
357 magnum
7.62x39 (bolt action!)
30-30
30-06
45-70

That ought to do it for me. Then again, i just listed all my calibers so i guess it BETTER work for me!

[Eutectic]

Handgun

.32 S&W Long
.38 Special
.41 Magnum
.44 S&W Special
.44 Magnum
.45 Auto
.45 Auto Rim
.45 Colt

Rifle

.22 Hornet
.223
.25-20
7mm-08
.30-30
.32-20
.338 Win Mag
.35 Remington
.375 H&H
.38-40 WCF
.405 Winchester
.45-70


Eutectic

[Walter Laich]

Right now my best is 45 Colt for both pistol and rifle

[Kraschenbirn]

Looking at what I currently own/reload, couldn't come up with ten for each category but looking at what I've got these are my 'go to' calibers:

Handgun:

.22 LR
.38 Spl
.357 Mag
.44 Spl
.44 Mag
.45 ACp

Rifle:

.22 Hornet
.308 WCF
.30-06
.243 Win
.38-55
.45-70

I own/reload a few additional calibers, mostly milsurps, but those are the one's that I shoot often.

Bill

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I'll stick with five, listed in order of my most Fav first.

257 Roberts
Not too big, not too small...just right !

44 Mag
all you need in a wheel gun and that's a lot ! but, common enough to find ammo nearly everywhere ammo is sold.

22LR
this would be #1, but with the shortages, it's slipping as my fav.

30-40 Krag
solely because of the unique American military bolt action rifle that carries the caliber name as a nickname.

38 spl
the best caliber to train a newbie to shoot, and besides 22LR guns, 38 spl guns are quite possibly the most prolific. IMHO, the easiest to reload.

PS. honorable Mentions: 45 auto and 30-06

[Artful]

This topic should bring out the opinionated among us.
But I think we will see some standard answers.

In order of Diameter.

Pistol:
.22LR - most used
7.62x25 - just love the looks of my CZ52
7.62x38R - just love a suppressed revolver that works
.38 Special - classic
.357 Magnum - Good all around Cartridge
.357 Maximum - Moving 357 mag up to the big time - 357 Herrett could be substituted
9x19MM Luger - subsonic loadings for me
.44 Magnum - Best all around thumper
.45 LC - Original Thumper in Blackhawk it's a close second to 44 mag
.45 ACP - ultimate combat caliber in 1911 frame

Rifle:
.22LR - Can't be without one
.223/5.56x45 - Service Competition -need I say more
.22-250 - Varmint getter par excellant
.243 Win - my long range favorite
7x57 Mauser - classic - 140 grain mild loading is great stuff
.308 Win - have to have if you own a Battle Rifle
.30-06 Govt. - Garand Food - 'nuff said
.358 Win - Got your do everything caliber for caster/reloader
.375 Weatherby Magnum - Long Range Big Game Medicine
.45-70 Govt. - Classic Thumper

[unknownhavoc]

Handgun:

.327 Mag/32 H&R
9mm
45 ACP
45 Colt
25 ACP

Rifle:

.223/5.56
30-06
300BLK

I have many other calibers, but these are among my favorites and/or the guns I reach for.

Anymore I find myself grabbing either my S&W 632, or my 9mm SP101. Both conceal very nicely via appendix carry. If I choose to OC, then it's typically the 9mm. Although I do reserve the .45 for nicer clothing/winter.

Most people probably think I'm crazy with the .25 ACP, but I love loading them, and it's the smallest and lightest gun I have. If I'm in shorts, flip flops, and a Tee, running up the street for milk, it's fast and convenient. A .25 in the pocket beats a .45 at home.

[Teddy (punchie)]

Most used

30-06 most common for me and the buddy's, deer guns
222/223 varmint
22 mag. falling just like 22lr costly to resupply
22lr too costly to resupply for what it is.
300 IMP. / other 300 Mags
243/6mm for youths/varmint
25-06 for youths/varmint
7mm mag
44 rifle
375



pistol
9mm
44
357
45
380
22
25

Shotgun
shot, slugs, buckshot

12
20

[osteodoc08]

If I had to choose very few, for my area, it would be:

22lr
45acp
45colt
45/70

Hmmm, they almost all start with 45.......only because there is no 45 rimfire i guess. That pretty much covers me. I guess I could add in an intermediate rifle in 22 caliber and a mid level like a 306/30-06, but I could make do with my list.

[popper]

308, 30/30 works for me. 300BO would be nice.
40SW but the 9mm is smaller.
Of course 20/12 ga.
22 is fun but non-affordable now.
Anything else would just be to tinker with.

[dragon813gt]

22lr
9mm
357 Magnum
45 ACP
308 Win.
358 Win.

That's all I need. I'd like to put 300 Savage in there but 308 does everything it does better.

We live in a world of lots of options. There are to many options and people constantly try to reinvent the wheel. My choices have a lot to do w/ the firearms that are chambered for them.

[bedbugbilly]

Hmm . . .

Pistol

38 spl
9mm
.380
.22

Rifle

.22
and, ahhhh . . . . Oh, oh . . . I can see already my my lists that I need to buy some more pistols and rifles . . .

[detox]

22 Rimfire
357 Magnum
223 Remington
308 Winchester
45/70

[mpmarty]

Don't need ten of each.

Pistol: 10mm, 45acp

Rifle: 30/284 in a 1931 K
45/70 350gr Ranch Dog over 26gr 2400

[45-70 Chevroner]

I'm like Bruce. I'll lean on the 30-06, and a 45, except mine is a 45 Colt. The 38/357 has to fall in there also.

[W.R.Buchanan]

My whole point of starting this thread was to spark a conversation on what each of us thinks are the ten best of each platform.

Obviously everyone has favorites.

My list included some cartridges that I don't have, mainly because I don't have any use for them, however that does not diminish their place in the world of guns. I don't have a .38 or .357, but to not include them would be just plain stupid.

Same goes for my Rifle choices. I will probably never own a 7MM Mag or a .300 Win Mag, but no one could dispute their contributions to the history of rifle shooting.

The .45-70 is one that has to be on the list since it is 141 years old and more popular than ever.

The list goes on.

Randy

[45-70 Chevroner]

My whole point of starting this thread was to spark a conversation on what each of us thinks are the ten best of each platform.

Obviously everyone has favorites.

My list included some cartridges that I don't have, mainly because I don't have any use for them, however that does not diminish their place in the world of guns. I don't have a .38 or .357, but to not include them would be just plain stupid.

Same goes for my Rifle choices. I will probably never own a 7MM Mag or a .300 Win Mag, but no one could dispute their contributions to the history of rifle shooting.

The .45-70 is one that has to be on the list since it is 141 years old and more popular than ever.

The list goes on.

Randy

Should the question have been ask a little differntly then? I personally don't have ten of each, but of the ones I have, I have favorites and not all of them were mentioned in my post. Thanks for the thread.

[donald duck]

Will include my two cents worth. As I cast .224 and .285 my favorites are .223, 7mmTCU. Also reload 32 H & R mag, .38, .357, .44 special, .44 mag, 7mm-08, 7mmWSM. & .243. Load only cast bullets. I forgot to mention 7-30 Waters & 7 x 57 Mauser. I would like to obtain .327 Federal and a 25 caliber that would shoot the 65 grain Lyman cast bullet. The 120 grain cast .285 Gas Check bullet is used in all 7mms. Casting and reloading keeps me busy, always something to do to keep me out of trouble. dd

[Bohica793]

As a former Jarhead once told me, "God's calibers all begin with .45".

[pdawg_shooter]

Handgun;
22LR
.357 mag
44 mag
and most important, 45ACP...i have 4 of these.

Rifles:
22LR
.223
25-06...x2
30-30
308
30-06...x3
303 SMLE
45=70
.458 Win mag

Covers everything I might run up against in western Kansas anyway.

[donald duck]

I wish someone would take the .223 case and open it up to .25 caliber. Then load the Lyman 65 grain cast bullet. Much simplier case forming than .256 and would be inexpensive to shoot. Just a fun plinker load, would make a great squirrel load. Could be called .25-.223. A barrel for the T/C Contender or Henry lever action would be nice. dd

[dragon813gt]

I wish someone would take the .223 case and open it up to .25 caliber.
It's already been done: http://www.ar15.com/mobile/topic.html?b=3&f=121&t=499109&page=1

[geargnasher]

This topic should bring out the opinionated among us. But I think we will see some standard answers.

In no particular order.

Pistol:
.22LR
.38 Special
.357 Magnum
9MM Luger
.40S&W
.41 Magnum
.44 Special
.44 Magnum
.45 LC
.45 ACP

Rifle:
.22LR
.223/5.56x45
.243 Win
.270 Win
7x57 Mauser
7mm Rem Mag.
.308 Win
.30-06 Govt.
.375 H&H Magnum
.45-70 Govt.

Obviously there will be others but this is a good place to start.

Do tell us what you think and why.

Randy

I didn't read the other responses, but I can't believe you left out the .30 WCF!

In the context of "all time", I would also give the .44 WCF a nod for both platforms. I could do without either the .243, .40 S&W, and possibly the .270 if one were to keep it to ten each.

Gear

[dudel]

For me, the only .4X I really like is the .45GAP. Add .22 Hornet to the rifle list, and 357Max in my Handi and Contender.

[fatnhappy]

.30-06
.308 win
7 x 57
8 x 57
7-08


.45 ACP


.22 LR belongs in both.