If you could have only one caliber, what would it be?

[davidheart]

This thread is simply for giggles. It follows a similar format as my "If you could have only one powder" thread in the powder section. ( http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...nly-one-powder )

If you could have only one cartridge, what would it be and why?

Remember the following points:

• Money is no option.
• The caliber must exist and be a SAAMI caliber (no wildcats).
• You are not limited to only one firearm chambered in this cartridge.
• You are not limited to only one powder/bullet combination.
• Availability is not an issue, you may have millions of this single cartridge.
• You cannot convert this cartridge into another using the old brass.
• Cross-cartridge combinations are allowed, but only if they're able to be shot out of the same chamber! (38sp/357, 22lr/22short/22long, 44mag/44sp, etc)

I'll make a poll with the most popular options I could think of.

[LUCKYDAWG13]

ok only one caliber and Cross-caliber combinations are allowed, (38sp/357, 22lr/22short/22long, 44mag/44sp, etc)
then it's a 45 cal for me 45acp 45 colt 454 and 460 and 410

[davidheart]

ok only one caliber and Cross-caliber combinations are allowed, (38sp/357, 22lr/22short/22long, 44mag/44sp, etc)
then it's a 45 cal for me 45acp 45 colt 454 and 460 and 410

Yea, I might have killed this thread by allowing combinations. The combinations must be able to be shot out of the same gun though. A 45 Long Colt and 410 Shotgun are single gun compatible, but the 45ACP is not.

[P Flados]

FYI, Your list is pretty close to "cartridges with readily available factory ammo". The "one round does it all" implies that it needs to handle both rifle and pistol. There are lots of SAAMI rounds that are smallish for rifles and yet reasonable for pistols.

For me it would probably be 357 maximum.

It is 85% of what I shoot now.

I have a revolver (Dan Wesson silhouette special), TC 10" & TC 14". All factory chambers.

Since I do not hunt & since I do not shoot past the 200 m Rams, it is plenty.

Actually a 360 DW would be big enough for what I do now, would be more efficient, and would allow more "optimization" (smallish 5 shot versions) for revolvers. It would be a lot like any good heavy duty 357 mag, Except that the SAAMI pressure rating has not been ruined by the wimpy revolvers that can not handle the pressures needed for better performance. But it is even less of a "standard" cartridge than the maximum and if longer range were ever in the picture, the maximum would definitely have an edge in something like 26" Encore.

Part of the reason for my preference above is that for volume reloading and for cast shooting, the straight wall really does make life easier. Reloading does seem to be part of the picture given the discussion of "powder/bullet".

However, with a total "money does not matter" attitude, I would be more likely to consider a bottle neck round. From a ballistics standpoint any of the smallish case rifle rounds in 7mm or 30 cal, could probably be reasonably fun in short long guns or longer pistols.

My 30 Herretts can be loaded down to really nice "plinking" levels and yet still deliver long range results. In one of my favorite platforms (10" TC), it is pretty close to optimum. Given that there is a 30-30 revolver available, I am sure a custom 30 Herrett wheel gun is not unreasonable.

From your list, it would all depend on what I could find for guns. I do not really like my choices

I guess a 357 mag with a FA revolver, 10" & 14" bull barrels for my contender, and a break open carbine would not be terrible. However, I would need to load a lot higher than SAAMI specs which sound a lot like "cheating" on the rules.

A 300 BO would make fun/easy choices for long guns, but would only be reasonable with the right handguns. It would be very costly but I guess I could try to get a custom single action revolver, a 10" break open pistol, and a 14" single shot pistol (possibly something more exotic than a TC).

A 30-30 would probably be OK, but the case is just too big to be "good" for any gun with less than a 14" barrel. The available revolver seems to be awfully big for what it delivers. Again rifle choices would be easy.

[jmort]

12 gauge. Good out to 100 yards for anything on earth and real good at close range for anything on earth. I have always preferred a shotgun over all else.

[ascast]

12 gauge no explanation is needed

[LUCKYDAWG13]

Yea, I might have killed this thread by allowing combinations. The combinations must be able to be shot out of the same gun though. A 45 Long Colt and 410 Shotgun are single gun compatible, but the 45ACP is not.

ok then i still go 45 cal 460 454 45 colt same gun

[quietmike]

A 30-06 is never a mistake.

[Omega]

If no wildcats then I'd go with my 300 BLK at the moment, can be shot super or subsonic can engage targets up close or at a couple hundred yards and can be rifle or pistol configuration.

[Ural Driver]

If ya think about it this is a no brainer........12 ga. shotgun......... loads available for everything from squirrels to T-Rex.

[Edward]

Someone mentioned T-Rex to mice even 45/70 up/down or length wise

[dragon813gt]

35 caliber

Pretty sure the OP meant cartridge but I won't play such silly games

[Outpost75]

If limited to only one caliber I sure am not going to limit myself to a handgun caliber or a woodchuck rifle.

A good bolt-action .30-'06 [or two] does it all.

[davidheart]

35 caliber

Pretty sure the OP meant cartridge but I won't play such silly games

It's exactly what I meant, but I can't edit the title or poll.

38/357 for me for everything from personal def to hunting any and all game.

[rking22]

22LR, If I can have only one chambering, I can't live without the 22LR. This game is no fun, plain depressing
Could live with a 22LR, 357Mag, and 20 ga without much pain , but not just one! Presently load for over 25 centerfires and all 5 shotguns, no NOT just 1, can't do it!!!

[Seeker]

I'd keep my .45 colt/45acp convertible. And they'd pry my Henry .45 colt out of my cold dead fingers.

[brass2bullets]

300 Blackout!! Super or sub. Pistol or rifle. Tons of bullets, easy to cast. Easy to make brass. So versatile. Just my option.


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[Ithaca Gunner]

Given the rules of the game, I'll take a 12 bore...and my own island, four square miles should do it.

[davidheart]

Someone mentioned T-Rex to mice even 45/70 up/down or length wise

Magnum Research actually makes a 45/70 revolver too....

[waarp8nt]

I pick the 20ga for similar reasons the other fellows picked the 12ga. Could be used with slugs or shot and would be a little more user friendly if my family needed to use it.