I see a lot of "if you could own one rifle" posts and it always makes me think how boring that would be. I have always had the opposite thought in my head that one day I would open my safe and have a rifle in every mainstream caliber that I wanted. Would be interested to hear others opinions. Feel free to add any calibers I have left out. Call it a wish list:

224 - 222 Rem
243 - 6mm Creedmoor
257 - 257 WBY
264 - 6.5-284 Norma
277 - 270 Win
284 - 280 Ackley
308 - 308 Win
338 - 338-06
358 - 35 Whelen
366 - 9.3x62
375 - 375 H&H
411 - 400 Whelen
416 - 416 Rem
423 - 404 Jeff
458 - 450 Rigby
510 - 500 A2

You stopped at .50 cal, keep going. This IS the big bore forum after all.

I'll play. This is fun.

ADD – 177 - .177 Aero Express
ADD – 222 - .22 LR
224 - .223 Wylde
243 - .243 Win.
257 - .25-06 Rem.
264 - 6.5x54mm M-S
277 - .270 WSM
284 - 7mm Rem. Mag.
308 - .30-06 Spfld.
ADD - 312 - .303 British
ADD - 323 - 8x57mmJS
338 - .338 Win. Mag.
358 - 35 Whelen - Agreed
366 - 9.3x62 - Agreed
375 - 375 H&H – Damn straight!
ADD - 408 - .450-400 3 inch N.E.
411 - 400 Whelen – Not needed or wanted.
416 - 416 Rem - Agreed
423 - 404 Jeff - Agreed
458 - 450 Rigby – Agreed
ADD - 474 - .470 N.E.
ADD - 505 - .505 Gibbs
510 - 500 A2 – Agreed

Don’t need anything bigger (for hunting, anyway) until they start cloning dinosaurs!

Second thought:

620 - .600 Overkill

.177 - 17 K Hornet in a sweet little break open single shot
.222 - 22 LR Agreed
.224 - 223 Rem AR-15, because freedom
.243 - 240 Weatherby in gaudy old 1960s Weatherby rifle because why not!
.257 - 257 Roberts Mauser carbine
.264 - 6.5x55 Swede full stocked Mauser carbine
.277 - 270 Win Model 54 Winchester would be sweet
.284 - 7x57 Mauser or 7x57r for a lightweight single
.308 - 30-06 Ackley Improved 40 degree Mauser
.312 - 303 British lightweight classic bolt gun or double
.323 - 323 - 8x57mmJS Mauser German style stock
.338 - 338-06 Ackley Improved 40 degree Mauser
.358 - 35 Whelen Agreed full stocked Mauser
.366 - 9.3x74 single, double, or combination
.375 - 375 H&H Mauser Agreed, or flanged for a double
.408 - 450-400 3 inch N.E. Agreed, single or double
.411 - 405 Winchester in a single, double, or lever
.416 - 416 Rem - Agreed Mauser Express style
.423 - 404 Jeff - Agreed Mauser Express stlyle
.458 - 450 3.25” Nitro Express, single or double
.474 - 470 Nitro Express Agreed, double of course
.505 - 505 Gibbs Ryan Breeding short barrel with deep belly
.510 - 500 3” Nitro Express single or double
.550 - 550/460 Magnum Granite Mountain Arms or Montana PH action made up in Express style.
.585 - 577 3” Nitro Express single or double
.620 - 600 3” Nitro Express single or double
.700 - 700 3.5” Nitro Express single because doubles are too heavy
.852 - 8-bore 3.25” Nitro for black, double of course
.977 - 4-bore 4” Nitro for black, single because doubles are too heavy.

I’m sure glad I don’t have to only have one per bore size because there are so many good options not on this list. Honestly, I find I have no use for the 17, the 243, the 257, the 270, or the 35. I am well-served by the 223 for varmints and 7x57, 338-06, and 9.3 for general hunting. I use a 416 bolt gun for my heavy. All the rest are just for fun so far.

What my list tells about me is I really appreciate efficient cartridges and I have a thing for the big British rimmed numbers. I have had 7mm and 300 magnums in the past but they never stay around very long.

Let’s do handguns as well!

.251 - 25 ACP 1908 Colt Vest Pocket
.314 - 32 H&R Mag Ruger Bearcat 5-shot Conversion (want!)
.355 - 9mm Luger H&K P7 of course
.357 - 38 Special S&W K-frame
*It gets kind of repetitive past here*
.400 - 10mm 1911
.410 - 41 Magnum Ruger Bisley Vaquero
.429 - 44 Magnum Ruger Bisley Vaquero
.451 - 45 ACP 1911
.452 - 45 Colt Ruger Bisley Vaquero
.475 - 475 Linebaugh Ruger Bisley Linebaugh Conversion
.500 - 50 AE Desert Eagle of course
.510 - 500 Linebaugh Ruger Bisley Linebaugh Conversion

Can you tell that I like 1911s and Ruger single actions?

224 - 222 Rem
243 - 243 Win
257 - 257 WBY
264 - 6.5x47 Lapua
284 - 7mm Remington
308 - 300 H&H
323 - 8x68
330 - 318 Westley Richards
358 - 358 Norma Mag
375 - 375 H&H

I have no use for anything larger than 375

I have rifles, several of some calibers, from various .17 to the 700 NE.

I don’t have any 358.

I have barrels in .12 and .14 calibers.

Haven’t git round to building rifles for them

.177 .17 HMR bolt
.204 .204 Ruger bolt
.222 .22 LR
.224 5.56 M16
.228 .22 hornet (old) bolt
.243 .243 win bolt
.257 .25-06
.264 got lots, but like the M-S
.268 6.5 carcano
.277 .270 win bolt
.284 7x57 Mauser
.308 .30-06 bolt
.312 .303 SMLE
.323 8x57 Mauser
.330 .318 WR bolt
.338 .330 Dakota bolt
.348 .348 win lever gun
.358 .35 whelen bolt
.366 9.3 x62 bolt
.375 .375 H&H bolt
.410 .450/400 double
.416 .416 Rigby bolt
.423 .404 Jeffery bolt
.458 .45-70 sharps
.474 .470 double
.500 .500 double
.510 M82 Barrett
.577 .577 double

You left off The Nitro Express's? I am at the point were I will start to downsize. A few I wanted but for what ever reason I never purchased were 404 Jeffries, 416 Remington and a 450-400 Nitro Double. In that range I have a 375 H&H, a 375 Ruger,2 450-400's,450 Nitro Express,458 Win Mag,500 Nitro.

I'll play again. List No. 2, which I'd be just as happy with:

SAME – 177 - .177 Aero Express
SAME – 222 - .22 LR
224 - .22-250 Rem.
243 - .244 H&H Mag.
257 - .257 Roberts
264 - 6.5x57mm
277 - .270 Win.
284 - .275 Rigby
308 - .300 H&H Mag.
SAME - 312 - .303 British
SAME - 323 - 8x57mmJS
SAME - 338 - .338 Win. Mag.
358 - .350 Rigby Mag.
366 - 9.3x64
ABSOLUTELY AND ALWAYS THE SAME - 375 - .375 H&H Mag. – Damn straight and always right for everything!
SAME - 408 - .450-400 3 inch N.E.
411 - .405 Win. – In deference to Theodore Roosevelt.
416 - .416 Rigby
SAME - 423 - .404 Jeffery
458 - .458 Lott
SAME - 474 - .470 N.E. - The King of Nitro Express calibers.
SAME - 505 - .505 Gibbs
510 - 50 BMG

Don’t need anything bigger (for hunting, anyway) until they start cloning dinosaurs!

Second thought:

585 - .577 3 inch N.E.

Dream rifle list (already underway)
.22 multiple copies. LR, 10/22, vintage pumps,etc
.222
.223/5.56 AR type
257 Roberts, ideally Rem 760
6.5 Swede hunting rifle
6.5 Creedmoor target/PRTC
.270 Win
7x65R Lightweight dbl rifle
300 Whisper
308 Win
30/06 Garand, 7400, bolt at least
300 WM hunting
300 UM LR target/hunting
.303 Lee Enfield
8x57 Mauser
8x57R double rifle
338 WM
348 Win model 71
357 lever rifle
35 Remington ideally Lever and pump
35 Whelen, ideally Sedgely Springfield
375 H&H
458 Lott
470 NE DR

I will never complete my wish list so I sort of group things into small, medium and large categories. The 0.17s are the smallest I actually have but the bottom of the list is anchored on a 0.10 rimfire cartridge. The majority of what I actually have falls into what I consider the medium range. I guess we start the large category around 0.375 but that's still pretty mild compared to the genuine big bores. If we are only counting shoulder fired rifles, the 50 BMG and the 4 bore are pretty big but in different ways. I do have some larger bore cannons but I don't think that's part of this game.

.177- 17 Hornet Kimber 82
.223- 22-243 Middlestead -Heavy barreled 700
.243- 6 BRX -Light weight Howa bolt (already have)
.257- 25 GPC -AR-15
.264- 6.5 X 55 -Custom Mauser mannlicher
.277- 270 WSM -Christensen Arms Ridgeline
.284- 280 AI -Cooper Model 52
.308- 300 Weatherby -Mark V backcountry
.323- 8x68 S -Blaser R8
.338- 338 Edge -Heavy Barreled Savage
.358- 358 Whelen AI -Ruger M77 Hawkeye
.366- 9.3x74 -Merkel K3
.375- 376 Steyr -Steyr scout rifle
.411- 405 Winchester - Winchester Model 1895
.416- 10.57 Meteor -Gaudy Lazzeroni thumbhole
.423- 404 Jeff- Express style Mauser
.458- 450 NE -Ruger no.1
.470- 470 NE -Bradshaw falling block double
.510- 50 BMG -Noreen ULR pistol
.550- 547 Ronin -AR-10 if it ever gets approved
.577- 577 T-Rex -A square rifle
.600- 600 NE -Searcy classic

.177 - 17 Remington Fireball Miniature Hagen single shot.
.204 - .204 Ruger Sako 461/Vixen
.222 - 22 LR old-style Browning Grade 2 T-bolt
.224 - 223 Rem AR
.228 - 22-High Power drilling with 20-gauge shotgun barrels.
.243 - 6x45 Kimber of Oregon Model 84
.257 - 257 Roberts Kimber of Oregon 89 Super American
.264 - 6.5x55 Swede Mannlicher stocked Swedish Mauser
.277 - .270 WCF G33/40 Mauser with 24-inch light contour barrel
.284 - .280 Ackley Improved Weatherby Mark V Backcountry 2.0
.308 - 30-06 1903 Springfield classic sporter
.312 - 303 British lightweight double
.323 - 8x68S Mauser sporter
.338 - 338 Winchester Magnum Ruger No. 1S
.358 - 35 Whelen Winchester Model 95 lever action
.366 - 9.3x74R Merkel K96 drilling with 12-gauge shotgun barrels.
.375 - 375 H&H Mauser lightweight express rifle
.408 - 450-400 3 inch N.E. double
.411 - 405 Winchester Model 95 lever action
.416 - 416 Rigby Ruger Express Rifle
.423 - 404 Jeffrey Mauser Express Rifle
.458 - .45-90 1877 Sharps
.474 - 470 Nitro Express double
.505 - No interest in one
.510 - 500 3” Black Powder Express hammer double with Jones under lever
.550 - No interest in one
.585 - Flintlock muzzleloader in the Lancaster, Pennsylvania late 1700s style with 38-inch barrel
.620 - Flintlock French Type D Fusil de Chasse.
.700 - No interest in one
.852 - 8-bore 3.25” black powder hammer double with Jones under lever

I'm close with what I own now
17 HMR
177 Air rifle
22 LR
22 WMR
222 Rem
223 Wylde
5.56mm
243 Win
6.5 Grendel
6.5 x 55
270 Win
7mm-08
275 Rigby
280 AI
7x64mm
7mm Rem Mag
300 H&H (planned)
308 Win
30-06
300 WBY
300 ACC
8x57mm
8x68smm
338 WM
35 Whelen
350 Rem Mag
358 Norma Mag
375 H&H
404 Jeffery
458 WM

I know I have dies to load for around 50 calibers

Great thread. I wish I could mentally manage all of the calibers. I limit myself to 8 including .22LR and .22 WMR.
I love to own and shoot all of the calibers but the needed variety of ammo is a problem.
Congrats to all who can manage so many!!!

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:
Great thread. I wish I could mentally manage all of the calibers. I limit myself to 8 including .22LR and .22 WMR.
I love to own and shoot all of the calibers but the needed variety of ammo is a problem.
Congrats to all who can manage so many!!!

I thought it would make for an interesting thread.

The rimfires were a given because everybody needs to own a 22 of some sort in their life.

I find it interesting to see what people put for the 284 and 308 because its such a broad category.

The other funny observation is that no matter how many guns I own I tend to gravitate towards a couple as my go to...but that wont stop me from accumulating more.

I've got a lot of great rifles I never use and need to just get rid of. Only ones I really need are a .416 Rem and if I feel the need for a light rifle a .30-06. Used to carry various .30 caliber magnums as a light rifle, but finally settled on this pair. And this year, like my last trip in 2021, I'm not carrying a light rifle. So seldom find a use for it except in Masailand.

quote:

Originally posted by loud-n-boomer:
.177 - 17 Remington Fireball Miniature Hagen single shot.
.204 - .204 Ruger Sako 461/Vixen
.222 - 22 LR old-style Browning Grade 2 T-bolt
.224 - 223 Rem AR
.228 - 22-High Power drilling with 20-gauge shotgun barrels.
.243 - 6x45 Kimber of Oregon Model 84
.257 - 257 Roberts Kimber of Oregon 89 Super American
.264 - 6.5x55 Swede Mannlicher stocked Swedish Mauser
.277 - .270 WCF G33/40 Mauser with 24-inch light contour barrel
.284 - .280 Ackley Improved Weatherby Mark V Backcountry 2.0
.308 - 30-06 1903 Springfield classic sporter
.312 - 303 British lightweight double
.323 - 8x68S Mauser sporter
.338 - 338 Winchester Magnum Ruger No. 1S
.358 - 35 Whelen Winchester Model 95 lever action
.366 - 9.3x74R Merkel K96 drilling with 12-gauge shotgun barrels.
.375 - 375 H&H Mauser lightweight express rifle
.408 - 450-400 3 inch N.E. double
.411 - 405 Winchester Model 95 lever action
.416 - 416 Rigby Ruger Express Rifle
.423 - 404 Jeffrey Mauser Express Rifle
.458 - .45-90 1877 Sharps
.474 - 470 Nitro Express double
.505 - No interest in one
.510 - 500 3” Black Powder Express hammer double with Jones under lever
.550 - No interest in one
.585 - Flintlock muzzleloader in the Lancaster, Pennsylvania late 1700s style with 38-inch barrel
.620 - Flintlock French Type D Fusil de Chasse.
.700 - No interest in one
.852 - 8-bore 3.25” black powder hammer double with Jones under lever

The big bores in this list are atypical but just straight up classy. Love the 8-bore! You have to make room for a 577 nitro or BPE though!

Hmmm in handguns.

.177. 17 Mach 4

.224. 221 Fireball

.243. 6mm Bullberry Improved

.257. 250 Savage

.264. 6.5 TCU

.277. 270 REN

.284. 7-30 Watwrs

308. 309 JDJ

.338. 338 JDJ #2

.358. 358 JDJ

.375. 375 JDJ

.458. 45/70. SSK

Damn Sam, what a waste of money that I could spend on horses!!

Well,

This is a very interesting study - it took me nearly an hour to compile all the rifle calibers in my collection ... (not including pistol)

do I win ?

170
177
BB
17 Ackley Hornet
5mm rem
22 short
22 LR (26)
5.6x35
22 Hornet
218 Msh Bee
219 Donaldson
219 V Gipson Wasp
222 rem (4)
222 R
222 mag
297-230 long (2)
22-250
220 swift
22-3000 Lovell
220 Russian (2)
5.6x61 vhse
223
243 win
6mm ppc
6mm x 9mm
25 acp
25-20
297-250 Rook (2)
256 win mag
25-35 (2)
25-20 ss (2)
250-3000
257 Wby Mag
6.5x54mm
6.5 x 55mm
6.5 mag
264 win mag
270 win
270 Wby Mag
7 x 40mm
7mm-08 (3)
7 x 57
275
7x65R
7mm rem mag
280 Ddubiel
300 Rook (2)
300 Sherwood (2)
300 Long Shot
7.62x39
30 K Mauser
30-30 Wesson
30 Herrett
30-357 K Mag
30-30 (3)
308 win
30-06 (12)
30 Newton
300 H&H
310 cadet (8)
32 yost
32-20
32 ideal
32-40 (8)
303 (2)
323-20
32 win spcl (2)
8mm Lebel
8 x 57mm (5)
8x72r - 16ga
8.15 x 46R (7)
338 win mag
338-378 Wby
9mm Berg
357 mag
357-308
35 rem (2)
35 Whelen
350 mag
35-378 Wby
360 #5 Rook
9.3x74R
375 win
375 NE 2-1/2 (2)
378 Wby Mag (2)
10x47R
10.75 x 68
411 KDF
411 Wells Exp
416 Taylor
416 Hoffman
416 Rigby (5)
404 Jeffery
11x60R
44 mag
445 cal
11.15 x 36R
11.15 x 58R (2)
11.15x60R
11.2 x 72 (2)
11.5x50R (2)
11.6x65R - 450 BPE
450x3-1/4"bpe
45 acp (2)
45-75
458 win (4)
450 Watts
458 Lott
460 Wby Mag
450 Ackley
470 Capstick
470 NE
475 A&M (2)
475 No.2 Express
50 cal
50-70
500 SRE
500bpe-16ga
500 NE
500 Jeffery
505 Gibbs
54 cal
550 Express
577 - 2-3/4" bpe
577 VSRE
577 T-REX
600 NE
20 ga
20-577
16ga x 16ga
16gx16gx8,57
16ga-8x58R Sauer-30/30
16ga - 375 NE 2-1/2
12 bore
700 NE

But do you have a DAISY RED RYDER?

Hip

quote:

Originally posted by Hipshoot:
But do you have a DAISY RED RYDER?

Hip

Yes I do ... its the 3rd on the list above.

Then you are a "COOL GUY"!

Hip

quote:

Originally posted by Bitterroot:
You stopped at .50 cal, keep going. This IS the big bore forum after all.

I was lead to believe that my 500 Jeffery was only a medium bore

It is.

Great thread! Unfortunately at an advancing age only a few are left:

RIFLES
.22LR
.222
6BR
Handguns
.22LR
.38
.357

All the rest are going or gone. (Anyone want a couple of extra 10/22's? :-)

Buckstix
That is truly impressive!!
And I thought I had a variety.

sadly, i lost every firearm i have ever owned in a tragic boating accident

I have a friend the exact thing happened to.

I pity your wives when your under the dirt, and I pity you even more when its DIVORCE TIME!

I could get by with an 06 and a 222 if push came to shove, and be content..NOt counting my family old Winchesters etc..

quote:

I could get by with an 06 and a 222 if push came to shove, and be content.

It is nice to live in a country that does not require this.

Everything except .270, .333, and .470. Those are totally redundant.