What 5 Rifle Chamberings Do You Wish You Owned?

by J. Scott Rupp • August 29, 2011 • 137 comments

author with Thompson/Center Venture in 7mm-08 and whitetail

The 7mm-08 is one rifle chambering the author wish he owned because he believes it may be the ultimate whitetail round. The rifle is the Thompson/Center Venture.

A couple weeks ago I put up a post on the rifle chamberings I currently have in my safe. Great responses from you guys! Loved reading them. Let’s change it up a bit: What five rifle chamberings do you not have but wish you did? Here’s my list:

.257 Roberts. A classic hunting cartridge that gets the job done with no muss, no fuss. Borrowed one in a No. 1 for antelope and loved it. It’s still available in current production rifles from Ruger in the Model 77 Hawkeye and No. 1 (Lipsey’s distributor special).

.264 Win. Mag. These days I’m a big 6.5 Creedmoor fan, but as a kid I was fascinated by the .264 and still want one. Flat and faaaast. I believe the only current production rifle is the Remington M700 Sendero.

7mm-08 Remington. I think this is perhaps the best all-around whitetail cartridge ever. Not too shabby on mulies either. Killed my biggest at just over 200 yards. The buck took two steps and collapsed. Widely available rifles and ammo.

.300 Savage. Because it would justify buying a Savage Model 99. Need I say more?

.404 Jeffery. If I ever go back to Africa for Cape buffalo again, this is what I’d like to take—because it’s different and I already killed a couple buffalo with a .375. It’s seeing a bit of resurgence now that Hornady is loading factory for it, but rifles are sadly lacking.

Your turn. What five rifle chamberings do you wish you had in your gun safe?

In Ammo, Rifles • Tagged .257 Roberts, .264 Winchester Magnum, .300 Savage, .404 Jeffery, 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm-08 Remington, Hornady, Remington Model 700, Ruger Model 77 Hawkeye, Ruger No. 1, savage model 99

James

.577 Nitro Express

7mm Remington Magnum

.408 Cheytac

.375 H&H

.338 Lapua Magnum
Ed

6.5×47

.338 Norma Mag

20mm Lahti

.408 Cheytac

.22/6mm Improved
Cliff Russe

.222 Remington — Already have varmints taken care of at both short and long range. But for medium distances, the Deuce would be my choice.

6.5x55mm Swedish Mauser, or 7×57 Mauser — Classic rounds for taking deer. Not too hard on the shoulder, but enough reach and punch.

.280 Remington (original recipe or Ackley Improved) — I've always said that if had to choose between a .270 Win and .30-06, I would LITERALLY do so.

.300 Weatherby Magnum — Because if I ever luck out and draw an elk ticket, . . .

.375 H&H (or .375 Weatherby) Magnum — For anything larger than elk. NOTE: Not the .378 Weatherby — my shoulder aches at the thought.
James

I Haven't been a hunter in years. I love to sport shot though. Being a army veteran I tend toward military rounds. My five would be.

1. 6.8 spc.

2. 300 blackout (Interested in the ballistics of these two

3. 7.62×41

4. 7.62 NATO best round ever

5. 338 lapua mag

Well there you have it.
Capt Pete

6.5×55

.408 Cheytac

338 Edge

ppc

40/65
Jeff

7×57

.280 Remington

.25-06 Remington

.243 Winchester

.35 Remington
DJM

.22-250 for varmits

.25-06 for really far away varmits and deer sized game

.280 for most North American game(This handloaded round will do everthing a 7MM can, with out the cost or kick)

.30-06 cause best all round caliber ever

.338-06 in a hand built custom one off rifle made by yours truely for all the rest of the big nasties on the planet!
ntrudr_800

Rifle Calibers? Hmmm had to think hard on this one…

.22 Hornet in Ruger 77/22 Hornet

.223 in Ruger Mini-14

.25-06 in Ruger Hawkeye

.30-06 in Ruger Hawkeye w/iron sights

.45-70 in Uberti 1871 Hunter Carbine
Bruce G.

Let's see, .300 WSM, .270 WSM, 6.5 Creedmoor, .22-250 Rem, .222 Rem,
Jeff

204 Ruger

222 Remington

25-06

338-06

405 Winchester
Bill

6.5×284

338 lapua

375 ruger

416 ruger

35 whelen
Lee Metford

.260 Rem

.338 Federal (08)

.458 SOCOM

7mm STW

.25 WSSM
- Jon Stouffer
  
  .260 Rem – have it – love it!!!
  - Ronald Guarnieri
    
    Hi, Jeff
    
    What make .260 Rem do you have? They are hard to come by. Would like to buy a Tikka T3 in this caliber but not sold in USA/ Thank you, Ron
    - sdoutdoorsman
      
      Savage is making rifles in .260 now.
  - jeff
    
    Agreed. .260 is outstanding. Light recoil, very accurate.
Todd

.218 Bee

.243 Winchester

.250 Savage

7mm-08 Remington

30-30 Winchester
- Aaron Tesch
  
  I see you mentioned the .243 caliber. I am thinking about buying one. I don't know anyone who has one so it is difficult to get a good feel (Pros & Cons) on the rifle. I'm looking at the Ruger compact model (where I will be hunting there will be no long distance shots to worry about). Can you share any more experience or opinion on the .243?
BigUglyMan

257 Roberts

6.5-284 Norma

7×57

338 Winchester Magnum

404 Jeffery
http://JRLutz John Riggin

223 WSSM, 300WSSM, 338 lapua, 223 Nato, 7.62 x 39mm. The first two Calibur Rounds are the flatest hard hitting round in varoius grain bullets. The other 3 Caliburs rounds speak for themselves
- cam miller
  
  I have300wssm 5,223s 308 in m1a 6.8spc everyone can say what they want about a bolt gun.all i care to shoot i want to have lots of high volume mags.
Terrence Mitchell

7mm Remington Ultra Magnum,300 Remington Ultra Magnum

, 338 Lapua Magnum, 416 Rigby, 50 BMG a weird combination but , these are the ones I like.
- Robert
  
  Love the 7mm RUM I just added a third to my colletction, very flat shooting
Brian

300 Blackout- I'm conflicted about this cartridge. Love the idea of a .30 with a heavy 200-220 grain not having to go very fast. But reloading a 308 win, I can get pretty much the same thing.

6.5 Grendal- In an ar platform

257 Roberts- Fun cartridge that never seems to get any respect

408 Cheytac- Just to say I have one and can really reach out there

7.62×39- In a bolt gun
Tim

I'm too practical for my own good, but these would serve me well in the event of complete governmental failure or zombie apocalypse since ammo in these calibers is pretty readily available:

.22 Magnum (can also shoot .22LR)

5.56 x 45 (.223 compatible)

7.62 x 54

.338 Lapua

.50 BMG
Brian E. Allen

Brian

270

308

243

270 wsm

300 wsm
- syed masood
  
  thats a perfect choice Brian.
  - Joe
    
    I really don't see the point of the 300 wsm. Other than using a shorter action. I neck size and get 7+ reloading out of my brass. And I'm using h1000 to push 208GR amax to 2900 FPS. This load is much better than me and I am consistently 1/2 moa with this. You can find .300 wm brass and ammo a lot easier than you can for any of the wsm's. Just my .02.
- Aaron Tesch
  
  Can you comment more on the .243? I am looking at buying the Ruger compact model. I understand the recoil in minimal. Is that correct?
  - ironjaw
    
    the recoil is very minimal acc is usually super.The hawkeye is a very good choice have 2 both shoot 3/4 in. or better with my handloads
- collinator
  
  I have a 270, 243, and 300wsm. Luv them all but my favorite is the 270!
Derek

6.5 Creedmoor

.257 Roberts – Shouldn't have got rid of it to start with

6.5×55

338 Lapua

Something pushing a 7mm bullet – don't have anything that does and I should
Fred

I'm currently customizing 3 Mauser 98 actions in .338 Federal- one for my brother, one for my best friend (a gift) and one for myself. My next project is using the same actions to build: 6.5 X 55mm Swede, 7 X 57mm Mau, 8 X 57 Mau, and 9.3 X 62 mm Mau ( four classic Mauser rounds). After that (if I'm still here) I'd like to build the .260 Rem., 7mm-08 Rem, .308 Win, and .458 Win. That should complete my rifle collection. Except for the 6.5 Creedmore, .257 Bob, etc., etc……………..
- John Merrill
  
  Fred, I know this post is old, but I'd LOVE to build a K98 Mauser in .338 Federal. So, if by some miracle you get this reply, please let me know what barrel you used, and, briefly, what changes to the action did you have to make? Did you have to change the bolt face? Thanks.
Pete

6mm BR – accuracy, long barrel life

6mm Rem – high vel for warmints w 70-87 gr bullets

20 BR – more high vel with standard bolt face

9.3 Sako Mag – just to be different but it would have to come w 200-300 pieces of brass
Jim

408 Cheytac (in EDM arms Windrunner with Nightforce 5.5-22)

338 Lapua (custom on BAT action with Nightforce 5.5-22)

6.5×284 Norma (custom F-class rig on BAT action with Nightforce 12-42)

45-110 Sharps (Shiloh)

458 SOCOM (with 4-5 power scope, and 1/14 twist for subsonic 550 grain loads with a suppressor, would be a very good elk rifle in thick timber.
syed masood

my choice and the guns I own are;

.22 LR Anschutz

270 dakota

30.06 springfield

7mm remington magnum mauser m3 alpine

375H/H mauser m3 alpine rifle
syed masood

22 LR to hone my sharp shooting skills,

270 for our open plains game pronghorn

30.06 springfield the legendary all round cal;for all noth american antelopes,

7mm remington magnum the across the canon elk medicine

and finally 375H/H for the dangerous games
Mike Teichelman

I have .17 Rem, .223, .243, .257 Weatherby Mag, 270 WSM, 7mm08, 300 WSM, .338 Win Mag, and a .458 Lott. Can take anything from mice to moose and beyond. Don't have a 50 BMG yet so that's the only one I NEED, don't mean I won't get several more in between.
Draeger

460 Weatherby

35 whelen

9.3 x 62

257 roberts

500 S & W
william

.22, eveybody shoud have one

223, lots of guns shoot it fast, and many shoot it straight

243, mild, but enogh for a lot of things

308, with right bullet can take almost anything

375, for everything else
- syed masood
  
  a very practical and potent choice and collection! you have every thing what wildness needs,hats off for a very practical choice.
john

45-75WCF

416 Rigby

500 Jeffery

450 Nitro Express

45 Colt (already have revolver chambered in this round)
Sean

7mm Remington Magnum- nothing it can't do at almost any range with a berger vld.

22-250- long range varmints.

416 Barrett- faster than the .408

6.5X47 lapua

416 rigby
shane

I already have most of the ones I want (.260 Remington is my go-to, .243, .30-06, .270, .338 Win Mag).

What I don't have that I'd like:

.338 Federal

9.3×62

.223

6.5-284

7mm Rem Mag
Keith

M1Garand in mint condition

M1A.308

A few more Springfields.

A new Barrel for my 7MAG, thats all the rifle I need.
Lopaka

Marlin 1894C 357Mag 20 inch barrel

Marlin 308 MLX 24 inch barrel

Marlin 450 24 inch barrel with a 2 inch muzzle brake

Savage 7MM 24 inch barrel

Mossberg 243 in 26 inch barrel
David T

You can get the 264 Win Magnum in a Remington Model 700 CDL. It's a beautiful rifle. I have shot this caliber since 1964. It's the only rifle I have, and it will harvest anything you want to shoot ( except the large bears). Mine is what they call the "Westerner" If you need help in locating one go to Gun Broker.Com or Guns America
Jack

Five I don't own, that a hard one. I can only come up with two. 338 Lapua, 6.5 X 55 mm that I don't own.
Robert Marker

Lets see…..22 win. mag……243 win….25-06….7mm mag….338 win.mag
chris

257 roberts, 300 H&H, 7mm-08, 22-250, 416 remington
BP

.260 Remington / .280 Remington ………….that's about all I can think of. Got everything else I want or need.
Bart

220 Swift – Have a 223, 22-250 and 223 WSSM.

257 STW – Have a 257 Ackley Improved and 257 Weatherby.

7mm STW – Have 7mm Mauser and 7×61 Super (Sharpe & Hart).

30-378 Weatherby – Have 300 Savage, 30-06, 300 Win Mag and 300 Weatherby Mag.

416 Rigby – Have 458 Win Mag & 458 Lott all in one custom rifle.

Don't know why, just do!!! Maybe someday I'll have time to enjoy my collection??? Or should I say, addiction?!?!?!?
Cole

Just 5, eh?

.405 Winchester

.25-35 Winchester

.338 Winchester

.404 Jeffery

.50 Browning Machine Gun
Al

Finding it hard to narrow this down to just five, but here goes:

6.5 Creedmoor

35 Rem

45-70

6.5 Arisaka

7×57
Mike Runkel

At one time I had so many different rifles and handguns that I would choose one for any possible situation; then I fell on hard times. I had to sell everything just to survive financially. I have just recently purchased a new Remington model 700 VTR in .308. I knew if I was ever able to buy one rifle I would make sure it was a 308 Win since this round was capable of doing most anything you needed to do. I also bought an inexpensive Bersa Ultra-Compact in .45 ACP for home defense. I hope to make more purchases but I am poor as dirt. I dream of buying a new Savage varmit rifle in 22-250 or .243 perhaps. I have been a huge fan of Savage rifles and I miss my old 22-250 alot.
Mads

For arctic hunting:

22 mag (Ptarmigan, practice)

220 swift (Seals, Geese, long range fun)

7mm 08 (Seals, geese, Caribou)

30 06 (Moose Elk, caribou, + everyone has to have one right?)

338 Lapua mag (For sitting on top of a hill/stopping a polar bear)
Mountain Angler

25-06

308

45-70

348 Win

204 Ruger
Toby Decker

.243 Win. Thompson Center Pistol (Encore)

.338 Lapua

.257 Weatherby Magnum

.270 WSM

30-30 Marlin 336
WVStumpJumper

I would like to have -

30-30

.243

22-250

30-06

7mm mag.
Peter from Hungary

My favorite is 7X64 Brenecke, ideal allround caliber.
Berettas

Speaking about 5 rifle chamberings its clearly:

7×57

300 H&H

333 Jeffery

400 H&H

505 Gibbs
Nico

My Best 5 Rifle Chamberings:

.22LR

.25-06 Remington Ackley Improved

.280 Remington Ackley Improved

7×57 Mauser Ackley Improved

.35 Whelen Ackley Improved
http://rifleshootermag.com Dave

Avcat

.22 Magnum

.30-.30 Winchester Carbine

.308 Remington

.7mm Remington Magnum

.45-70
Lyndon

In order of calibre:

1) .221 Fireball

2) 7mm Weatherby Magnum

3) 8mm-06 Ackley Improved

4).358 Winchester

5) 9.3x64mm Brenneke
Neil

Rem 260

25-06

6.5×47 Lapua

300 H&H

375 H&H
Mac

270 Win

300 WSM

25-06

45-70

7mm-08
George King

.375 H & H
.300 H & H
.257 Roberts Improved
.25-06 Improved
.284 Win
Dan (AKA-Bob)

1. Bob.. As in .257 Roberts.. I desire one in an older Ruger #1 soooooo BAADDD!!!
2. .243 I have one, but my nephew has claimed it as his.. He did shoot his first deer with it, though.
3. 7mm-08 great all around cartridge that I don't own
4. 45-70 Historical old round
5. Bob.. What can I say?? If I have one, I'll want another..
Daniel Moore

Handi-Rifle in the following: .223; .243; .30-30; .45/70.

My top 5 calibers: .22 LR, . .243 for versatility; .30-30 because it works; .270 for long range and .30-06 cause I have owned more rifles in this caliber than any other (.30-30 comes in second, .243 third and .22 fourth).

I have owned two 7mm Remington Magnums in my life.
Jim M

Wow, so impressed so many oldies but goodies are on these lists. What I would like that don’t have is 1. 257 Weatherby (have .25-06) 2. 280 Ackley Imp 3. 300 H&H 4. 375 H&H 5. 458 Lott Can go anywhere and do anything with these.
Dreager

460 weatherby
450/400
257 roberts
300 weatherby
7 x 57
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002746694728 Thomas Griffin

7×57
6.5 Grendel
375 H&H
6mm Rem.
25-06
Ken

.218 Bee

6X45 (6mm/.223)

.17 Hornet

6.5 Creedmoor

.25 Remington in a Model 7
Kelsey Miller

.270 WSM – The .270 WSM is best offering in the WSM line.
.264 WIn Mag – The Ballistics look wicked and I wanna see what it can do to a elk?
.257 Weatherby Mag – Fast and flat shooting, Out performs the .25-06 remington.
.280 Ackley Imp – Will do everything my 7mm rem mag will do.
7mm STW – Since I have a 7mm Remington Mag, I might as well up the anty….
Dick Hamly

My Ruger No 1 is a .458 Win Mag, a wonderful cartridge I have been reloading and shooting in this rifle since 1968. More recent Ruger Tropical Models were chambered for .458 Lott with more volume available for powder and a very slightly faster factory load. It is a better cartridge although .458WM still seems to be more available and cheaper. I could easily rechamber for it but since I have never had a problem with .458WM, I have not bothered to rechamber. The Graig Boddington Tropical can be had in .450NE, an even better cartridge.
Dick Hamly dickhamly@aol.com
Phillip

The .416 Ruger for use if I ever go to Africa,
the .375 Ruger for Africa and the great brown bears,
the .300 Ruger or the .300 WSM for everything in America,
the .280 Ackley Improved because it is a great deer slayer
and a .22 long rifle in a quality bolt rifle.
Gary

.22-250
.25-06
7mm-08
.375 Ruger
.50 BMG
http://aol Alaskajim

.256 Newton. .30 Newton. .35 Newton. .22 Hi Power. .250 Savage. Charles Newton was at least 80 years ahead of his time. A true visionary.
Joseph

6.5 creedmor Awesome small deer/varmint round with plenty of power 400 yards and beyond.
6.8 spc For a short barreled m4. with a red dot scope and suppressor for home defense/zombies
.338 LM For killing bears at long range.
.410 Barret For killing elephants/tanks at long range.
.50 Beowulf For killing hogs/ dangerous game up close.

I have the all arounders covered. .223, .308, 300 wm, 12 ga
spg1026

7mm 08

375 H&H

30 06

45 70

338 Marlin
….Eddie.

22-243 middlestead, fastest round on the planet
22 cheetah next fastest on the planet
6.5×284 most accurate long range on the planet
338 lapua the only round designed strictly for killing humans (enemies)
458 lott our best big bringem down
(and an english 60 cal for cape buffalo for one shot buffalo hunting) I know, that's six, I lost control.
Bill

300 H&H, 260 Rem., 25-06, 45-70, 220 Swift.
freeb85

,17 HMR cause shooting .22 LR, .22Magnum is fun but the .17 HMR is HOT!

.257 Weatherby cause beanfields present long shots on deer

.338 Lapua for LONG range target practice

.416 Weatherby for dangerous game cause a .460 Weatherby is a recoil beast at 120 ft lbs avg

40MM in new HK launcher cause shooting chalk grenades and .22LR tracer "beehives" is fun! (I know not a rifle )
Papajohn

25-20, just because.

6mmBR Rem, in a short-action bolt gun for varmints and deer to 200 yards, not to mention bragging rights.

358 Winchester, because it's so unappreciated.

38/55……….in a long-barreled rolling block.

50-70 Govt………………Artillery is cool, even at short range
ckmm2

470 Nitro Express just for thinking about going to Africa
375 Ruger for anything in North America
338 Lapua For long shot plinking
30/30 Winchester for the horseback trip
257 Weatherby for those plains shots
Saevar

.22 magnium for fun
.222 Remington for varmints
6.5 x 55 for deer
.270 WSM for long shoots at deer
.300 Winchester magnium for larger deer
Jim

lets start with a 22LR. We all own one.
270 win. Jack Oconner new what he was talking about
280 rem ackley imp does all the mag does without the kick or extra powder
300 RUM takes care of Elk way out there
338 RUM takes care of Moose and Alaskian Brown bears, and is super accurate

t
Jeff K.

Heck…I've got most of them. That said, here are a few that seem interesting:

240 Weatherby
7mm Remington Ultra Mag
300 Weatherby Magnum
358 Shooting Times Alaskan
416 Rigby
Dell Ruddell

I own several from .17 HMR to .338 Win Mag, I think I would like to own:
.257 Roderts Grandma owned a 722 Rem. I loved it
.308 Norma Mag ( my son has my old one)
9.3x74R just for g&g (grins an giggles)
.45-70 Lever 1885
.405 Win 1895

Best all around rifle BAR NONE .30-06 already have, varmits to moose to bear. 126gr to 230gr.
280 Guy

I would go with the following:
220 Swift
25-06
280 Ackley (building one on a Rem 700 action for F-class with 30" barrel. Should see 3000 FPS with 180 VLD Bergers)
338 RUM (Has same case capacity as 338 Lapua, but cases and ammo cost much less)
416 Barrett
Rick

280 A.I.
338 Lapua
416 Rigby
6mm Rem
35 Whelan
pretzel stick

.45 ump
.50 cal barrett
30.06 springfield
7mm rem
270 venture
dennis ksmith

22-250 for varmints
260 for deer/small bear
308 target
35 whelen varmints/moose (mine shoots .6"@100)
45-70 nostalgia
James Dickson

Old JED A shooter is like a golfer. Sometimes you need a Driver.The 30 Cal or 338 cal Magnums work just fine.And then ther is the Putter. The 35 Rem, 30-30,44 Mag and more. The 25's the 257 Roberts is the best of the 25's.The 6.5 are next the 260 Rem.or 6.5×55 will do about anything,that is within reason.The 27 cal are ok but limited in bullet weights. Then we go to the 7m/m or 28 cal.non magnums class.There is nothing wrong with any of the 28 cal rifles.Here comes the 30 cal rifles.The best one is THE BEST ONE IS THE ONE YOU CAN SHOOT THE BEST WITH. From 50 yds. to 600 yds.
richard staverman

.223 REM, 7-08 REM, 270 WIN, 30-06, 444 MAR.
Jim B

50 cal Barrit
22 Browning
204 Savage
223 Savage
22-250 Savage
Jim

I'm a lefty so have to make my own LH bolt guns since no one factory productes these rounds:
223 Rem in LH A-Bolt
257 Roberts — regret selling my BLR
338 Fed — use 358 Win in a BLR now but 338 Fed is easier to locally locate ammo
35 Rem & 45-70 in Marlin 336 XLR
abenson229

.358 Norma Mag
.404 Jeffery
7×57 Mauser, in a reallllly nice custom Mauser. I'll never be able to afford one.
.350 Rigby
9.3x74R
Nomad

58 caliber Pennsylvania Flint Lock

45 caliber Whitworth (Civil War Sniper Rifile)

.223 AR – 15 I am in fact the only person that does not own one.

308 M1-A

.338 Lapua – Dakota Longbow

Do I get a sixth? 6.8 spc in a AR-15 Platform
sylvain

I'd like to have a .222 for bench shooting, a 7-08 for deer, a 35 wheelen, a 45-70 for bear, 6.5-284 for long
shot.
blansford

Currently own: .17 HMR, .22LR, .223 Rem (AR platform), 22-250 Rem, .257 Weatherby Mag, .270WSM, 30-06 Springfield, 300 Win Mag

Would like/plan on owning: .204 Ruger, 6.5×284 Norma, 7mm-08 Rem, 7mm Rem Mag, .338 Win Mag

You can never have too many!
Seth

6mm Swiss Match in a bolt action hunting repeater like a custom Surgeon with a Manners stock. 5-25×56 Schmidt Bender PM2.

9.3×70 Expert in a big Magnum Mauser with a stock that fits me and a 26 inch barrel with a 4-16×56 Schmidt Bender PM2.

500 Schuler in a GMA actioned rifle built by Joe Smithson with a 1-5 Schmidt Bender

10.3x60R in a Heeren actioned fullstock single shot built by Dorleac in France. I'd put a 2.5-10×56 Rail mount on this one also from Schmidt Bender.

A 17 Fireball in a Anschutz hogs bag 1790 rifle with the same 2.5-10×56 Schmidt Bender in a rail mount.
Steven

375 h and h
458 win mag
243 win
and 223 cuz its cheap to shoot

already have 22, 30 30, 30 06, 338 otherwise some of them would be on the list too.
- mark paul
  
  22 mag 9422MXTR
  22-250 rug 77
  30-30 marlin
  .444 rem Marlin
  S&W500 4"
  need i say more
Eric Livingston

260 Rem. in a Rem. model 7
257 Roberts in a Ruger #1
257 Weatherby in a Weatherby MK V lightweight
338 win mag in a Sako 85
44 Rem mag in a Marlin 1894
Ken Huff

22 LR
9.3 x 57
7.65 Arg.
30.40 Krag
7mm mauser
KurtPietr

Already have a 308 Win, .338 Win Mag., .Ar-15×2, Mini-30, 22LR, and 7mm Rem. Mag. What would like to have yet are a Barrett M82A1, 110 BA 338 Lapua Mag., 243, 308 Win Mag and 450 Bewolf.
Lt. T. Siewert

.22 Hornet This is a great little round. Good for survival uses, very maligned. Will do what the .22 WMR will do and more and cheaper. Will do what the .223 Rem. will do out to 150 yds and quieter and cheaper. Most think it is outdated because it has been around for 80+ years but they are wrong.
Bob P.

.22 Hornet
.44-40 in Win levergun
6.5-284
.45-70 in Win 1886
.416 Barrett
Ed in AZ

223
22LR
7mm Rem Mag
30-06 (in a match grade M1)
338 Lapua
Ironjaw

being that I ready have most every thing covered,223,243,2506,7mm08,308,3006,270win,22lr,3030 Iwould probably would like a 338 win mag in case I ever want to hunt the big bears.
Ken

6.5 creedmore, .338 fed., .300 wsm, .458 lott, .32-40 win.K
Richard

.416 rigby, has to be in a side by side
.257 roberts cause fired a friends and loved it
.300 H&H mag in model 70 again fired a friends and loved it and it seemed all around better than my 300 win mag
.25-20 for some reason it seems like it would be a fun little gun, and cheap to learn to reload on
.444 marlin, i live in alaska and one of my favorite areas to hunt moose in, is also bear infested, and you'd be lucky to find and place in it that you need to take a shot over 100 yards.
Bob

338 Lapua mag
300 ACC Blackout
6mm Remington
50 Alaskan
375 H&H
jeff

284 Win
7mm mag
338/06
264
22/250
Dennis

17 Hornet
204 Ruger
257 Weatherby – had one and got rid of it many years ago
257 Roberts
45-110 Sharps
50 BMG or 338 Lapua
Bill Herron

.223
.308
7mm mag
338 win mag
458 win mag
Dilip Ayachi

243 Win for small games
3006 Sprg for Mid Game
300 Win for Large Game
375 H&H for Big Game
338 Lap Mag For long Range
Robert

I'd like to have the following in Left Hand, recently off the list is a 280 in left hand, finally found one!

222 Mag in left hand

257 Roberts in the left hand bolt, or Ruger #1

260 Winchester in the left hand bolt, none are being made or imported into the US

25-20 Winchester lever

338 Ultra Mag in a left hand, just because…
JimboSan

As I already have several "practical" calibers (.17 HMR, .22, .243, .270, 300 Savage, .308, .300 WSM, .35 Remington and .45-70) I'd indulge my lust for "oddball", or hard-to-find calibers, in order of desirability:

.264 Winchester Magnum (same reasons J. Scott gave) – in a M70 "Westerner"

.356 Winchester – in a Winchester 94 XTR

.358 Winchester – in a Savage 99 (fat chance finding one) or Winchester 88

Acquiring a pristine Browning 71 in .348 Winchester, a few years back, is what got me infected with this disease! And, I'd add a 22-250 even though it falls under the "practical" umbrella.
Gamekeeper

50 bmg

257 Roberts

6.8 spc

17 hornet

375 h and h
Zombie Sniper

Zombie apocolypse???

.22 Magnum in a bolt action

.223 remington in a short action Savage varmint rig

.22-250 in a Savage 99

.284 in a Savage 99F or Winchester 100

.338-06 in a controlled round feed platform
Peter

.22-250
.243
.300 win mag
.416 rem mag
.505 gibbs double
Nathan

My List
.22LR Every one needs a few
.223 Every one needs one of these too
.40 S&W if you bring a handgun to a fight make sure its starts with .4
.308 for just about everything
.50 for the rest
D.P.H

I would like to have these to go with my inventory of .35Whelen,30-06,.308 Norma,.257Roberts,7/57Mauser, .30-30 Win.,Mini14 ,&several.22 rifles. this is my wish list .50BMG,.416 Barret,.338Lapua,.375H&H,& .50-90Sharp.
Bobby B

I recently got the .264 I have wanted since the '70s.

25-06

.338 Win Mag

.223

6.5×55
Dan

22-250 308winchester 6.8spc 338 win mag 375 H & H
Dave

7 x 57 Mauser

6.5 Creedmoor

45-70

.223

.450 Bushmaster

and a 6th., .17 HMR
dg14887

This is seriously a very fun topic, enjoyed the heck out of reading all of the comments from other folks! For me, in my humble and semi-educated (OK, I really mean NON-educated) opinion:
Uno) .204 Ruger (32 BTSP) – is there much out there that will launch a projectile faster? For some reason I am drawn to high velocity like a moth to flame…
Dos) .257 Wby. Mag. (87 SP) – another very, very quick very, very flat shooter.
C) 6.5/284 (142 Sierra Matchkings) – if you're gonna compete at 1000 yds, I'm not sure you can do better at this point in time!
Four) .338 Lapua – useful for hunting darn near anything. Or, if you want, shooting things waaaay out there.
5) .416 Barrett – A weapon capable of 2500 yd accuracy? 400 grains at 3250? I wouldn't be able to call myself a man if I didn't include this.
B LAMM

.204 to fast for squirals
.223/5.56 just plain fun to shoot atany thing
762X40WT I love this rifle super 30/30
7.62×51 .308 the best all purpose round ever
.50 serious long range knock down power
NC Gunner

Since I already have the 7.62 x 39, 30BR, 308, 30-06 and 22-250 covered, my wish list would be:
1) 35 Whelen – If "the 30-06 is never a mistake", then the 35-06 would be my choice for a scout on steroids.
2) 338 Federal – In a AR-10T, it wins the horsepower war of the black rifles.
3) 338 Lapua – Long range that you can shoot without beating yourself to death.
4) 260 Remington – With Lapua brass and RE17, should be a fun shooter with minimal recoil
5) 50 Browning – Just to hack off anti-gunners.
bstehle

6.5 creedmoor, 264 win., 284 win., 7×57 maus., 220 swift.
Pieter Botha

.22LR. Good variety hunting.anything from a bird up to impala goes
.264WinMag. Absolute fantastic varmint caliber
7.62 NATO. Good all-rounder
338WinMag. Good for large game like Eland,Kudu or Wildebeest
416Rigby. Best stopper I've seen.Best match for Lion,Cape buffalo and elephant!
Steve Snow

30-378 weatherby Mag

.264 Winchester Mag

.338 Lapua Mag

.204 Ruger

.243 Winchester Ackely Improved
Dave

.22 LR
.22-250
260 Remington
.30-06
.338 Lapua
Ron

dont think i would ever need 5 calibers that said !!!

7-08 is my go to gun in Rem 788

rugger hawkeye in 223

7mm mag ruger #1

ruger 10/22

the 260 is about the only other caliber that i would want. used to have but 708 rules

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