My list:

1. .220 Swift
2. .250 Savage
3. .257 Roberts
4. 6.5x54 MS
5. 7x57 Mauser
6. .300 H&H
7. 8x57 Mauser
8. .348 Winchester
9. .358 Winchester
10. .35 Whelen
11. 9.3x62
12. .375 H&H
13. .458 Winchester

#'s 3, 5, 6, 11, 12, &13 absolutely mandatory
Just my thoughts

Really???? Don't know what a "compleat" shooter is, but here's my "mandatory" list of what I would rather not do without:

1) 22lr for potting rabits and squirrels
2) 223 or 222 for coyotes and other Varmints
3) 30-06 or 308 for all big game
4) 12ga for birds

I bet most of us own more than what's on my list, but most don't come close to needing more. I could do without #2 if need be, as 30 cal varmint loads can be assembled, no problem.

You left off the 30-06 Springfield!

There have been only two world wars and the 30-06 Springfield won them both.

It's late, good night.

I've gotten along pretty well without any of those except for the 8x57 when I was in my teens and couldn't afford anything else

Everyone has their opinion, I guess, but I know one shooter who has only owned two guns his whole life. His only rifle is a 30-30 and his other gun is a 45 Colt single action revolver. He keeps meat in the freezer and pests out of the garden. I would call him a complete shooter. (I wouldn't want to go up against him at any range)

I was batting a thousand until I stumbled over the Whelen, (which I have). Personally, although a nice list, I don't feel I need to own any of them to be complete.

Like Lily Tomlin said "You're unique; just like everybody else."

What? No 22 Hornet? Mine is a 2nd year production M70 Carbine...

My fault for not defining what I meant by "compleat". Let's start again....
I was referring to those calibers, mostly out of the main stream, which the average swingin'Richard does not own, usually doesn't know much about, has no real need for, and maybe never has heard of. Ammo is not found at every corner gas station and they are often more difficult to reload for. Ownership and shooting entails curiousity rather than convenience. They are often historically important but now obsolete or obsolescent but still perform as well as they ever did. I think that about covers it.

Darn! I fail almost completely! But I'm happy with the followng:

1) .22 LR Mossberg 152 (my first - got it when I was 5 years old. I slept with it . . . am I too kinky for this forum :-) ?)
2) .22 LR CZ 452 (oh la!)
3) .22 LR (German) Haenel falling block free-rifle (only sex is better, but at my age . . . :-) )
4) Anshultz 1517 .17 HMR (I got it 2 days ago, an anniversary present from my bride of 50 yrs, and I've not shot it yet . . . sob . . . but I will in a day or two!).
5) .223 Bushmaster lower with Del-Ton 1:7 upper (Oh la! What fun it is.)
6) Stevens 200 in .223 (with a Rifle Basix trigger a true tack-driver)
7) .225 Post-64 Mod. 70 (even more of a tack driver, but ugly-on-stilts)
8) 6mm Rem, built on a Mod. 98 Mauser w/Schneider 1:12 barrel (and yet still more of a tack driver)
9) .270 Win 70, Pre-64 Featherweight, which I bought for $119 with money from cutting lawns in 1962, I think (4000 - 5000 rounds through it and it's still better than 1 MOA with 130 gr Nosler solid base bullets and 49.5 gr IMR 4320))
10) .300 Savage 99F (handy, a classic and fun just to hold and to shoot)
11) .338 Win Mag Model 77 Ruger (with 225 Hornady Interlocks, better than 1 MOA all day)

Now, the 6mm is built on a Mod 98 action that was, when I bought it 60 years ago, an 8MM Mauser.

So, as unwashed as I am ;-) . . . can I qualify for a special dispensation? :-) And maybe make the list in the capacity of an "honorary member", if not a full member? :-)

(Confession: I had and sold a Mod. 94 Win in .32-40, and a Savage 99F in .303 Savage . . . each for a pittance . . . sob . . .. I've since adopted the philosophy that "We don't sell guns!")

quote:

Originally posted by steyrsteve:
My list:

1. .220 Swift pre-64 Model 70
2. .250 Savage pre-64 Model 70, 30S Remington
3. .257 Roberts 98 Mauser
4. 6.5x54 MS 1903 M-S
5. 7x57 Mauser G33/40
6. .300 H&H pre-64 Model 70
7. 8x57 Mauser Mauser Type B sporter
8. .348 Winchester Model 71 Winchester
9. .358 Winchester pre-64 Model 70/98 Mauser
10. .35 Whelen G&H Model 70, Niedner Springfield
11. 9.3x62 Mauser Type B sporter/ Husqvarna Mauser
12. .375 H&H pre-64 Model 70, BRNO ZKK 602
13. .458 Winchester BRNO ZKK 602

I still own the majority of these rifles.

quote:

You left off the 30-06 Springfield!

There have been only two world wars and the 30-06 Springfield won them both.

Agree regarding the omission of the 30.06 from the list.

Just remember, though, the '06 fought to a draw in Korea, and we lost Vietnam where its use was pretty much limited to machine guns, Remington & Winchester bolt guns for sniping, and the occasional arming of RSVN soldiers with old M1Gs.

Unless your goal is to be a complete walmart shooter, I think you should own and experience 1 wildcat cartridge. Shooters choice as to which one.

"Unless your goal is to be a complete walmart shooter, I think you should own and experience 1 wildcat cartridge. Shooters choice as to which one."

Navaluk, did it ever occur to you that there are those on this forum who are not as blessed as some of the rest of us, to the point money is a real issue? Those folks might be able to only buy their rifles at Wal-Mart. Does that make their love for firearms any less than yours?

Sorry, guy; that statement was pretty bigoted, in my estimation...

quote:

Originally posted by Doubless:
"Unless your goal is to be a complete walmart shooter, I think you should own and experience 1 wildcat cartridge. Shooters choice as to which one."

Navaluk, did it ever occur to you that there are those on this forum who are not as blessed as some of the rest of us, to the point money is a real issue? Those folks might be able to only buy their rifles at Wal-Mart. Does that make their love for firearms any less than yours?

Sorry, guy; that statement was pretty bigoted, in my estimation...

Yup, another "mine cost more than yours, neener, neener, neener" kind of guy.

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
What? No 22 Hornet?

Yeah. And what about the .25-35, .310 Grener, .375NE 2-1/2", 38-55, and .450NE ?

7x57 bolt action rifle based on early Mauser action and 400/350 NE Fraser single shot rifle for my work here in Europe
300 H&H and 400 H&H my travelling pair
12 and 36 gauge shotguns for bird shooting

Meh...... A "compleet" shooter will have owned.....

a .22 Jet
a .256 Winchester "Magnum"
a 6mm Lee Navy
a .280 Ross
any Newton rifle
a .333 OKH
a .350 Mashburn Super Magnum
and a .450 Alaskan

Sam

Oh, yeah, and a Gyrojet.

I wouldn't go calibers I'd go rifles:

Mauser 98
Win 70
Mannlicher (full stock)
Rem 700
Savage 99
Win 94
Marlin 336
Ruger 44 carbine

maybe Browning BAR

Sorry, I'm not playing.
'Comlpeat' shooter. Who's definition ? Newton, Hathcock, Jack O'conner, Craig Boddinton, Wayne Von Zwoll or the average obummer supporter ?
It does matter .

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Doubless:
"Unless your goal is to be a complete walmart shooter, I think you should own and experience 1 wildcat cartridge. Shooters choice as to which one."

Navaluk, did it ever occur to you that there are those on this forum who are not as blessed as some of the rest of us, to the point money is a real issue? Those folks might be able to only buy their rifles at Wal-Mart. Does that make their love for firearms any less than yours?

Sorry, guy; that statement was pretty bigoted, in my estimation...[/QUOTE

First, if you can only afford to buy your rifles at Walmart you have more money than Brains. For a fraction of the cost you could buy used guns. So don't give me that BS.

Second, without paying one red cent out of your pocket you could sell one of the rifles listed by the person who started the post and recut one of the others to a wildcat. Wouldn't cost nuthin. And you probably walk away with cash in your pocket.

Maybe your offended because I'm not respectful enough to stupid people. Fine, guilty as charge.

Whats wrong with my relatives! Any one have a 45-70 or a CZ in any caliber?

quote:

Maybe your offended because I'm not respectful enough to stupid people. Fine, guilty as charge

Classy

quote:

First, if you can only afford to buy your rifles at Walmart you have more money than Brains. For a fraction of the cost you could buy used guns. So don't give me that BS.

And THAT is as stupid a statement as I have ever read on AR, and I have been on here for almost ten years.

You go find me a single used rifle in one of the OP's posts for what you can buy a new Vanguard for at Wal-Mart. Go ahead and look; I will wait...

Looks more like the top 13 chamberings I'd never own....

quote:

Second, without paying one red cent out of your pocket you could sell one of the rifles listed by the person who started the post and recut one of the others to a wildcat. Wouldn't cost nuthin. And you probably walk away with cash in your pocket.

That is the way a lot of idiots think. News flash, selling a rifle means you don't have it any more so you really did still give something up that costs ......money. That is a cost. You still paid something. You are using Obamanomics here. Secondly, no one NEEDS a wildcat. Had them, still do, but they are still a PITA.

To the original post, wow, I must not be "compleat". I only own one of those calibers, and ever owned three. My bad, I guess.

A fella could walk outta Walmart better outfitted than Carlos Hathcock ever was.

It isn´t about caliber....

A complete shooter ought to have had:

. All the modern guns(then later trashed it)

And then endning up with:

. a few good pre-64 wincherster
. A few good Oberndorf Mausers
. A few good British doublerifles
. A few good Winchester a la ´86s , 95´s.
. A few good Colt 1Gen SAAs..
. A few good personlized customrifles..

It´s all about the wrapping, not the hole....

quote:

Originally posted by jens poulsen:
It isn´t about caliber....

A complete shooter ought to have had:

. All the modern guns(then later trashed it)

And then endning up with:

. a few good pre-64 wincherster
. A few good Oberndorf Mausers
. A few good British doublerifles
. A few good Winchester a la ´86s , 95´s.
. A few good Colt 1Gen SAAs..
. A few good personlized customrifles..

It´s all about the wrapping, not the hole....

Jens,
I have the Model 70's
I have the Oberndorfs
I have a few good German double rifles
I have a Winchester 92
I have a SAA (not first gen) but I also have a 2nd Model S&W Schofield
I have more than a few personalized custom rifles. Whether they are good is subjective.

Bill

+1 Jens.

Only have one on your list, a 1909 Peruvian (Oberndorf)I'm refitting with 9.3 x 62 barrel

I have to make due with a Ruger Blackhawk instead of a Colt SSA... oh well.....

Although far from all encompassing, to keep things short and interesting I'd say a well rounded shooter will have shot ( only including big game ctgs.):

270 Win
7x57
30-06
9.3x62
375 H&H
416 Rigby
A big double (anything from .450 to .600 will suffice)
An over .50 bolt gun (.505 Gibbs or .500 Jeffery perhaps)

Again, not all inclusive and obviously leaving out rimfires, shotguns, and most military rounds.

I have a completely irrational affection toward the 350 Rigby. Don't know why. After that is the 450 NE. Then I'm done.

My side is that there are lots of right hand bolt guns listed, but I'm left handed. Because of that, there are a limited number of rifles and calibers available to us lefties unless we change the barrel, wildcat, or buy used.

The list given is Steve's personal thoughts and do not apply to anyone else, nor do they hold weight unless you choose to do so. Your prerogative. He left off the .22LR and a 12ga shotgun. I am happy with what I have (way too many according to my family).

To be a "complete" shooter (not a good/bad one) you should have extensively shot-

A small bore (sub 6 mm)
A medium bore (6mm to 9.3)
A large bore (> 9.3)
one obsolete caliber (not currently chambered by the big 3 in the US but that was at some point in the past, outside the US it would be something you had to work to find)
One new "fad caliber" whether its a Ruger caliber of some sort, a short mag, or such
and if you want to be ahead of the group, a proprietary or wildcat cartridge.

A large bore and small bore (rimfire) handgun.

A shotgun.

If you have all those at some point, you have had the capability of taking legally any game animal on the planet, defended yourself if needed, and exhibited enough interest in the trends of the sport to reasonably comment (not be an expert, but knowledgeable enough that you don't do an Obama) on pretty much any firearm available for civilian use. More is always better, but you have with that amount, exhibited broad experience.

What the complete shooter needs:
Practice, at range and in weather, and from positions they will use. Knowledge of their rifle and it's limitations as well as their own. Knowledge of the intended targets pulmonary, nervous, skeletal, or scoring system. Desire to shoot. Type and caliber/bore and place of purchase as well as price of firearm are window dressing. Beware the man that owns only one rifle!

Absophuckinglutely.....

To steyrsteve's list, I would add:

- A Weatherby caliber, either a 7mm or 30/378,
- A "lever gun' caliber, 32 Winchester Special, and
- An old time deer cartridge, 300 Savage.

I am with Jens Poulsen here..

My guns/rifles are more or less all Pre-war 1 or 2...sold the modern crap...its all blued steel and walnut now..

Guess I'm incomplete

Guess I'm also 'incomplete'. Coupla heads hanging over my bar which may not agree, though

Beware the man with only one rifle, I say.

There are no such calibers or guns, just a myriad of roughly equal choices. The shooter/hunter is what's most important for "completeness."