What's your one favorite caliber?

[rdog]

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?

Mine is the 6.5x55 swede.

 

[PAUL_MAUSER]

@Grandpa Moose
The military boffins gave us the humble 30-06
Then god ( aka the good Col Townsend Whelen)
came along with his mate James Howe and came up with the truly brilliant 35 Whelen. Mr Nieder then came up with the great 25-06. Two great offspring of the grand 06. But then someone bastard used the glorious 06 case and made the useless 270. If'n you have a 25 and 35 on the 06 case you don't need a 270.
Bob

I sort of fell in love initially then out of love with the 270 when I first got started. Don't much care for it now. I know it's a great classic cartridge and wont hate on it, but I just don't want to fill a slot in my lineup with it anymore.

 

[Markopolo50]

One I could not be without is the lowly 22lr.

 

[Grandpa Moose]

I sort of fell in love initially then out of love with the 270 when I first got started. Don't much care for it now. I know it's a great classic cartridge and wont hate on it, but I just don't want to fill a slot in my lineup with it anymore.

I came across a 270 at last gun show and took advantage of an offering. A Mannlicher Schoenauer model of 1950 in near mint condition. The original purchaser was from Wiesbaden Germany and the rifle has every engraving panel offered in the old Stoeger catalog along with every factory carving offered stock serialized to rifle. Purchased very reasonable and quiet a find

 

[9Point3]

But if I had to open a safe & pick just one today, I think my Ruger No. 1S in 9.3x74r gets the nod. I like its compact size & simplicity. With a Minox 1.5-8x32 scope on top of it & a choice of 184gr ~ 285gr bullets, it's a rifle I always enjoy shooting. However, my answer might change tomorrow since I'm really fond of them all...

If I may ask, where are getting the lighter weight 9.3mm bullets in SE USA?

 

[MS 9x56]

I got 232 grain Norma’s from Midway USA. 250 grain Nosler accubonds from mid south shooters supply.

 

[colorado]

My CZ 550 in 500 Jeffery. Good for everything from jack rabbits to dinosaurs.

 

[odonata]

If I may ask, where are getting the lighter weight 9.3mm bullets in SE USA?

A few years back when ammunition supplies were low & unusual chamberings like 9.3x74r were impossible to find, New England Custom Gun got a big shipment of RWS ammunition from Germany in some unusual chamberings. So I used that opportunity to load up on a variety since I didn't know what the future would bring.

Later I sent NECG an email to ask them if they were going to get any more and they replied "no". RWS wasn't going to sell in North America. That distribution was going to be handled by Norma. The lightweight 184gr bullet I was shooting was an RWS Evo Green. That appears to have been replaced by a Norma EvoStrike over here. RWS lists the bullet as a reloading component in Europe but Norma doesn't appear to sell it as a component here. The 232gr Vulkan & Oryx are the next heavier bullets in their lineup.