quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:
[ . . . ] I did not mention the 30-06; I said that MOST 30 cals are/were un needed.
That means all of them but the 30-06.
It was the 270 that never was needed; but again, Americans did not understand metric cartridges then.

So this raises a couple of questions!

1) In your opinion, how many calibers are needed, and what are they?

2) And do you own any un-needed calibers, and if so, what might they be?

3) And if they are un needed, why do you have them?

I enjoy "un-needed" calibers a lot: like my .270 Win, my .300 savage, my .308 Win and my .225 Win.

To me, enjoyment trumps need every time! So I stay pretty far away from the word "need" when talking guns!

Needed...not wanted.
.30-06 and a .375 H&H.
Maybe a .22 to .243 for smaller game
Maybe a .450-.470 if Africa is on the ticket
And,of course a .22 rimfire.
Everything else is really not "needed." That said, I have a couple of gun safes full of double rifles that are "wanted."
c

Yes, in fact, I do own and have owned, at least a dozen 270s in various makes and models.
Never fired a one and never will; I use the actions to build more interesting and useful calibers with and use the barrels for pry bars and tent stakes; not a joke; I used one last week to drive a stuck brake drum off a 53 CJ3B. Only a 270 barrel will fit into the recess. Best use for them I have found yet, although they do make good concrete rebar. I am talking about new, unfired barrels. Not old rusty ones.
My main point was, and is, that the 7mm bore size would have been a better choice than a 270, Too late now.
Here is your answer; How many cartridges are needed in the overall scheme of things? All of them developed from 1845 (22 CB) to today. It would not be as interesting without any of them.
How many are needed in my world? All but the 270!
Not talking about "need" as in essential for survival. You guys are easy to rile up.
A semi sharp stick in the right spot will do it.

The first 300 Weatherby I got was from a friend.

It was made in Japan, and had a nasty habit of firing as the bolt was closed.

We fixed that.

I have several of them now, and we do shoot them sometimes.

Dissing the 270 would be heresy to some.

Dave

The .270 is one of the greats in the gun world IMO, along with the 30-06..