What's your one favorite caliber?

[SFRanger7GP]

Cartridges I truly love: 22 mag, 7x57/275 Rigby, 7x57R, 30-06, 9.3x74R, 416 Rigby, 357 mag, 44 special, 44 mag and 16 Bore shotgun. Of them my all time favorite is the 30-06.

Safe shooting

 

[forshoes]

.275 Rigby (7x57)

 

[PCC600]

303 British. I don’t see ever not having at least one rifle in this caliber. It works in every rifle format and a heavy for caliber bullet in a tapered and rimmed case is about as pretty as it gets.

They are fantastic cartridges . I still hunt regularly with a Lee Speed in 303 .

 

[Doug Hamilton]

.300win with the bullet options available I feel as though it can do anything short of dangerous game and that’s why I chose it for my light caliber travel rifle.

Me too!

 

[BGGMKLR]

As a twist on the what's your 3 favorite calibers thread I figured I would ask what is your number one can't live without favorite caliber?

It doesn't have to be chosen based on the question of what particular species you are hunting but rather but what's the one caliber you own or want to own just because?

For me, my all-time favorite caliber that will serve me for 95+% of the hunting I will ever do is the 7x57/275 Rigby. It's got history and class and its pretty damned versatile and useful across a wide range of game animals across the globe.

I have owned and currently own calibers that are faster flatter harder hitting etc. but they just aren't as fun to shoot, and honesty seem unnecessary and don't excite me like the old 7x57 Mauser does. I have several rifles in this caliber and more seem to show up periodically like stray cats. So, what says you, what's your all time favorite pick?

In 90% of the world...for 90% of the available targets...338 Win Mag.
Regards
Spike

 

[Olivier]

To cover everything in 100% of the world...for 100% of hair and feathers, 12 gauge, 308 Win, 375 H&H

 

[Badboymelvin]

This has changed for me a few times over the years... .303Brit, .300Wby, .300WM but for decades it has always been the .458WM.

But... I think if asked now I would have to say my current favourite cartridge is the 425 Express.

Mine shoots a 400gn projectile at a very easy 2300fps, or the Australian-made copper Atomic29 360gn at 2500fps and this just about covers all big game hunting I reckon.
Plus it's a great looking cartridge

Russ

 

[Droppoints]

Mine would be the 220 Swift. Good from gophers through thin skinned large game. With a 60 grn. Nosler partition bullet, it’s actually quite amazing on Deer sized animals. One of the flattest shooting cartridges ever developed. If we have to throw a rimfire in, it would be the 17M2. Amazing rimfire accuracy, shoots much flatter than a 22LR. I’ve shot varmints ranging from Starlings to a few Badgers and even one Coyote with it. And really quiet…..

 

[Javaman]

Prolly .300 WM followed by 450/400 3” NE - love me some 22-250 tho!

 

[PAUL_MAUSER]

Lots of great choices in here. There isn't a wrong answer for sure. Thats why I worded it your favorite instead of "if you could only have one". I have other rifles chambered in other cartridges but the 7x57/275 is the one that is most reached for and the one that's always on my mind if daydreaming

 

[MS 9x56]

I guess I would say my Mannlicher Schoenauer 9x56. It taught me so much about brining back an old cartridge and how to reload for an obsolete cartridge and rifle. I love the rifle and the cartridge.

 

[uplander01]

375 HH

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

30-06

30.06

 

[yamoon]

Offhand 200 meter 8.15x46r
Offhand 50 meter 22 lr
Hunting whitetail 8 x 57
Mike

 

[SETH RINGER]

.457 WWG

 

[DG870]

.270 for me. Bought a Ruger in 1977. I was a senior in high school and had been hooked by Jack. I have strayed and have shot deer with lots of other calibers but always come back to the 270 as my favorite. If I do my job it does its job.

 

[Bonk]

300 H&H for me.

I expected all the 375H&H and 30-06 votes but I’m pleasantly surprised at the number of 7mm Mauser/275Rigby/7x57/Spanish Mauser fans. Superb cartridge and a strong contender for the “If I Could Only Have One” debate.

 

[Roosterlund]

.280 Ackley Improved. Love all the calibers mentioned. But this cartridge is a performer. Almost equal to the 7mm mag but non belted.super accurate.

 

[Tom Leoni]

Easy: the .375 H&H, in either configuration. It's perfectly equidistant between absolute versatility on any game on Earth, manageable recoil, availability and low cost of components, and emblazoned historical pedigree.

 

[Choupique]

I want my answer to be .375 h&h and 6.5x55. I know .375 h&h is the king of world wide practicality, and I've killed a pile of game with the 6.5x55 as a young man.

Sitting back and thinking objectively, it has to be .338 win mag, for me. I havent been to Africa yet. I don't guide grizzly hunts in Idaho. Realistically, it's the most practical option for me and it's what I find myself grabbing 95% of the time I reach in the safe.