If you could have only one rifle Caliber?

[gizamo]

What would that be....?

I'm torn...between a .40 and a .45....

I can shoot both well. And the ballistics are there. Small game to semi-large will fall to both and that is what I hunt. I can compete with both, and do fairly well.

Just ponderin' what is the most versatile rifle caliber...all I'm sayin'. :hmm:

 

[rabjr]

Are you asking us to choose from these two calibers? A lot of States minimum cal is .45 for deer so I would opt for that cal and be all set if I choose to hunt deer or other game out of State. And it's still usable for target or small game.

 

[ebiggs1]

If I could only have one “caliber” it would have to be a 12 ga. smooth bore. If that is a legal answer to your question, that is. If I have to stick to a rifle it would be a 54 cal.

 

[hanshi]

I like these kind of threads. The decision would depend on several contingencies: what's legal, deer or larger game, proportion of LG to SG, etc.

Assuming small game to deer, the .40 will do if legal. It will also excel with targets, plinking, trekking and so on. If black bear or deer larger than whitetail is a possibility, the .40 won't do. As long as you hunt whitetail and down and shoot recreationaly, a .40 will suffice.

Now as wonderfully useful as the .40 is there is something to consider. .45 caliber is legal just about everywhere with few exceptions. It's accuracy is as good as the .40 and it ranges better out to longer distances. It is still pretty economical to feed and loads up and down very well. On squirrels, for instance, both are destructive so head shots are required with either. A .45 ball is simply a better deer getter than the .40.

With this in mind-if you HAVE to choose-get a .45! It is my favorite and will serve you splendidly. Of course the correct decision is to get BOTH! Barring that you can't go wrong with a .45.

 

[nchawkeye]

.54 for me...I currently have a .40 and a .54...I've had a .45...Any rifle will make a good squirrel rifle with head shots, but not every rifle will make a good deer rifle...

 

[rabjr]

Well, I'm confused as to how he asked the question. Because I wouldn't even consider either caliber for myself but I thought he was looking for advise between the two he mentioned.

 

[KHickam]

I choose the .50 cal (mine is actually a .49)It is big enough to take anything I will shoot in TX or SD, and accurate enough for small game. Were I to move back in with my wife in MT. I would get a .54 - elk, moose are possibilities up there.

 

[nkbj]

Reckon it really would depend on where you are.
I guess a long barrel flinter in about 14 to 12 gauge as getting there tha fustes with tha mostes.

But for a rifle on the Gulf Coast? A medium twist 50. Speaking of which I need to test some round ball in that GM LRH barrel.

 

[LRB]

.54..50 a close second.

 

[larry wv]

A 54 cal. :wink: Larry

 

[runnin lead]

Only ONE caliber, well that kinda sucks!
If I could only have one it would be .54
Wapiti Wifle !

 

[CZMark]

My most-used rifles are all .54's

 

[Stumpkiller]

.54

If it was just a choice between .40 or .45 I'd go with the .45 as a .40 would be illegal for deer in NY.

 

[shootemup]

Since you specified rifle caliber, .40 for sure. Plenty for big game up to whitetail deer, almost too much for small game.

In my state, I can hunt everything from squirrel to deer with my .40. I have to be careful and pick my shot either way. Probably makes me a better hunter, certainly very enjoyable in my opinion.

:hatsoff:
Spot

 

[stubshaft]

I'd have to go with the .50 :surrender: I love my .45 but the .50 just carries a little better for me.

 

[BrownBear]

Easy for me. I'd go with a 62, and it's a tossup whether a 58 or 69 would come in second. There's no penalty for using such large cals for head shooting small game, and in my world there are lots of bonus points for moose and elk. Make it a smoothie, and it would be even better, not worse.

 

[grampaJ]

I'm still in love with my Southern Mtn .54 Leftie. Have a .50 Leftie too but it stays at home. :v GrampaJ in NC

 

[Ron_T.]

No question about it... I'd choose a .50 caliber. It's an excellent whitetail caliber and since a head shot is necessary with a .40 or .45 caliber on small game, why not use a head shot with a .50 caliber?


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

 

[longcruise]

In CO we need at least a .50 to be legal for a round ball gun. Then again, bigger is better so I'd say a .54. If it was a lifelong decision with no going back, then it would be a .62

 

[Sharps1863]

:hmm: This is one of those open ended questions with no "correct answer" If he had not threw that RIFLE part in there it would be easy a .69 smoothbore. If you do your part, it will kill most big game up to a hundred yards. Loaded with shot for the small furry animals. but since it states Rifle it would be a .50