filmjunkie4ever
Handloader
- May 4, 2011
- 2,149
- 2,010
In the same vein of Blkram's thought-provoking posts, I submit the following to the collective for discussion.
If you could, which would be the 20 cartridges that could stay, and the rest were ended in the name of standardizing production and materials for availability? Although this is only a hypothetical, current conditions apply. What I mean by that, for example, is there is no time machine to go back and make the US Armed forces adopt the 6mm Remington to make it more popular and available.
Such a concept would never fly, but if you potentially could, which would make the cut and what is your justification for it?
Ideally for me these would be the 20:
1) .22 Long Rifle: This earliest of self-contained cartridges is still far and away one of if not THE most popular cartridge to ever exist. Of course it is number one.
2) .223 Remington: Accurate and deadly with little recoil, it is a staple in the NATO community and with hunters alike. And you can find guns/ammo everywhere!
3) .22-250 Remington: For when you need more reach than a .223 but not appreciably more recoil, enter the .22-250. Sorry .220 Swift, you just aren't as popular.
4) .243 Winchester: A top ten seller since inception, this combo varmint/deer round is a perfect gun for cheechako and veteran shooters alike. Everyone should have one!
5) .25-06 Remington: Recoils like a .243, hits like a .270 Winchester. Perfect antelope and mule deer cartridge. The .270 could just as easily go here instead.
6) 7mm Rem Mag: If one must have a magnum for hunting, this one is it for me. It checks a lot of boxes; ballistics of the newer 7mm's with easier to find components.
7) .30-30 WCF: Lever gun guys all have a deep love for this wonderful 1895 vintage hunting cartridge. Long live the thutty-thutty.
8) .30-06 Springfield: The ultimate all-around hunting cartridge and World War champ it ought to be standard issue for every citizen when they get their driver's license.
9) .300 WSM: Basically any .30 magnum spitting a 180-grain bullet to 2900+ fps could go here but this one seems to kick the least.
10) .338 Win Mag: Keeping muzzle brake companies in business since 1958, it kills on one end and cripples on the other. Accept no substitutes.
11) .38 Special: The choice of backup, C.C. and purse guns since the 1890's, its a great cartridge even today. AND you can shoot them in a .357 Magnum!
12) 9mm Luger: Ditto the .38 Special attributes but with a higher magazine capacity. +P loads make it better yet.
13) .357 Magnum: Forget +P in your .38, if you need more juice get the original engine block busting, crime spree stopping, polar bear killing, .357 Magnum!!
14) .375 H&H Magnum: Going to Africa? Don't forget to take one of these along. Make sure to load it accordingly, there isn't anything it can't handle on this planet!
15) .44 Rem Mag: If you can't get it done with a .357, you likely won't be able to shoot a .44 worth a darn but the .44 is a darn good handgun/carbine cartridge. Yeet!
16) .45 ACP: Like the .30-06, the .45 ACP has kept the 20th century fascism free worldwide. If you don't want a 9mm, this is your baby.
17) .45-70 Govt: Sorry .444, but the .45-70 does mostly what you can do and is easier to get components for. Be careful how you load it, it can have some mean recoil!
18) 20 gauge shotgun: While not the success that is the 12 gauge, it is a good option for uplands, trap shooters or anyone wanting a bit less punch than the 12 gives.
19) 12 gauge shotgun : An obvious best seller, the 12 gauge can be used for a lot of different stuff with small shot and large, steel, and of course slugs!
20) This one is a three-way tie for me, 6.5x55 Swedish, .270 Winchester and 7mm-08/7x57mm Mauser. All have merits but I just couldn't decide so its a tie!!
Lets have yours!!!!
If you could, which would be the 20 cartridges that could stay, and the rest were ended in the name of standardizing production and materials for availability? Although this is only a hypothetical, current conditions apply. What I mean by that, for example, is there is no time machine to go back and make the US Armed forces adopt the 6mm Remington to make it more popular and available.
Such a concept would never fly, but if you potentially could, which would make the cut and what is your justification for it?
Ideally for me these would be the 20:
1) .22 Long Rifle: This earliest of self-contained cartridges is still far and away one of if not THE most popular cartridge to ever exist. Of course it is number one.
2) .223 Remington: Accurate and deadly with little recoil, it is a staple in the NATO community and with hunters alike. And you can find guns/ammo everywhere!
3) .22-250 Remington: For when you need more reach than a .223 but not appreciably more recoil, enter the .22-250. Sorry .220 Swift, you just aren't as popular.
4) .243 Winchester: A top ten seller since inception, this combo varmint/deer round is a perfect gun for cheechako and veteran shooters alike. Everyone should have one!
5) .25-06 Remington: Recoils like a .243, hits like a .270 Winchester. Perfect antelope and mule deer cartridge. The .270 could just as easily go here instead.
6) 7mm Rem Mag: If one must have a magnum for hunting, this one is it for me. It checks a lot of boxes; ballistics of the newer 7mm's with easier to find components.
7) .30-30 WCF: Lever gun guys all have a deep love for this wonderful 1895 vintage hunting cartridge. Long live the thutty-thutty.
8) .30-06 Springfield: The ultimate all-around hunting cartridge and World War champ it ought to be standard issue for every citizen when they get their driver's license.
9) .300 WSM: Basically any .30 magnum spitting a 180-grain bullet to 2900+ fps could go here but this one seems to kick the least.
10) .338 Win Mag: Keeping muzzle brake companies in business since 1958, it kills on one end and cripples on the other. Accept no substitutes.
11) .38 Special: The choice of backup, C.C. and purse guns since the 1890's, its a great cartridge even today. AND you can shoot them in a .357 Magnum!
12) 9mm Luger: Ditto the .38 Special attributes but with a higher magazine capacity. +P loads make it better yet.
13) .357 Magnum: Forget +P in your .38, if you need more juice get the original engine block busting, crime spree stopping, polar bear killing, .357 Magnum!!
14) .375 H&H Magnum: Going to Africa? Don't forget to take one of these along. Make sure to load it accordingly, there isn't anything it can't handle on this planet!
15) .44 Rem Mag: If you can't get it done with a .357, you likely won't be able to shoot a .44 worth a darn but the .44 is a darn good handgun/carbine cartridge. Yeet!
16) .45 ACP: Like the .30-06, the .45 ACP has kept the 20th century fascism free worldwide. If you don't want a 9mm, this is your baby.
17) .45-70 Govt: Sorry .444, but the .45-70 does mostly what you can do and is easier to get components for. Be careful how you load it, it can have some mean recoil!
18) 20 gauge shotgun: While not the success that is the 12 gauge, it is a good option for uplands, trap shooters or anyone wanting a bit less punch than the 12 gives.
19) 12 gauge shotgun : An obvious best seller, the 12 gauge can be used for a lot of different stuff with small shot and large, steel, and of course slugs!
20) This one is a three-way tie for me, 6.5x55 Swedish, .270 Winchester and 7mm-08/7x57mm Mauser. All have merits but I just couldn't decide so its a tie!!
Lets have yours!!!!
