Posted on 11/22/2016 5:24:01 PM PST by MtnClimber
We all have a favorite, regardless of what our intended quarry may be; that one rifle cartridge that is near and dear to us. Just as our favorite colors can be indicative of our personalities, our favorite rifle cartridge can tell an awful lot about us as shooters. Let us begin, with tongue planted firmly in cheek.
1. .223 Remington This is the Banty rooster of the bunch, the case with the Napoleonic complex; you embrace it believing you can take on the whole world with a microscopic cartridge, and you may just be right. You have no desire, whatsoever, to hear of any other centerfire cartridge, because your level of self confidence when armed with the .223 will send tactical zombie elephants running for their lives, wetting themselves at the very sight of your AR…
2. .270 Winchester You are a gentleman, carrying your head high, while rocking a vintage red plaid wool hunting suit. Your claim to fame is the ability to sculpt an effigy of Jack O’Connor out of instant mashed potatoes at the deer camp table. Thirty caliber? Never heard of her.
3. .30-’06 Springfield You’re the first born child, the apple of mommy’s eye. Although you never made the Dean’s list, mama hung every one of your art projects on the fridge, proud as a peacock. You did pretty well in life, and although you may not be the shining star you once were, you’re as loyal as a mutt, consistent and trustworthy. Modern bullets have given you a new lease on life, sort of like Viagra or Just For Men gel.
4. .308 Winchester You are the middle child, the defiant one, who always lives in the shadow of your older brother, the ’06, but the two of you don’t speak at family parties.
(Excerpt) Read more at americanhunter.org ...
I have all, but three of these. Is this why I have multiple personalities? My most challenging to shoot well is 375 H&H Magnum. I can shoot it OK, but not from a bench. Too much recoil in benchrest position.
None of my favorites made the list, except .223...And I generally despise the tacticool community that exists around that cartridge.
I am absolutely fickle. My favorite keeps changing. Its currently the 6.5 Grendel.
8. (my favorite)
.45/70 Government
You sir, were born a century too late. You find solace in a fat, stubby, fire hydrant of a cartridge that throws projectiles larger than the batteries for the remote control.
You have a serious man-crush on Yosemite Sam. When you shave that tiny part of your face that doesn’t sport facial hair, you finish with “Looking good, pardner.” The Cleveland Indians mascot makes you reach for your fetchin’-iron, and you don’t mind carrying enough lead in your cartridge belt to make your pants drop at light speed.
Oh, you can also work a lever action with your feet.
I like revolvers.
I shoot the .223 and I’ll probably pick up a .308 but in big bore generally I shoot 8MM Mauser - not on the list.
I don’t have a 45-70, but I do have an old 50-70. It is a Sharps Carbine chambered for the metallic cartridge and was manufactured in the mid 1800s. It fires a 500 grain bullet. I have had it over 30 years, but never fired it.
270 man myself. But my favorite is .257 Weatherby Mag. I know, not an off the shelf cartridge and expensive relatively speaking. But a delight to shoot and a mpbr of 342 yards.
Mine is 22-250.
Jack Hammer is definitely a .30-’06 guy.
It is a wood stock. It is a CZ550 American Magnum.
The most generally useful caliber of those which are common and easy to shoot is probably the 243. Fairly easy to load an 85 - 100 grain bullet to move at 3000 fps or thereabouts and still no meaningful recoil.
I live in rolling hills with Whitetail Deer being the biggest game. If I’m going to bring home meat, I like my old cowboy rifle. Marlin lever action in .44 magnum. I can hit a paper plate with it at 150 yards all day and that is the longest shot you need.
For sport, hard to beat a nicely equipped AR-15 and some fun targets.
Killed more deer than I can count with my Daddy’s .270 Rem 700.
I have 4 30-06 rifles. A model 1917, 1903-A3, Garand, Remington 742 Woodsmaster.
I always preferred peep sights on my lever actions.
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