Limiting my cartridges

[PrecisionRx]

Hey all,

I just joined the LRH community and have been really enjoying it - thank you everyone!

I am looking to downsize my collection and shoot fewer rifles more often. I'm not thinking about anything crazy, but have realized a lot of my cartridges significantly overlap and with the cost of ammo these days and limited time I'm going to sell some rifles and ammo and put the money into rifles, ammo, and shooting courses. So, what cartridges do you currently own that you could live without? I don't my mind having more than one rifle in some cartridges to serve different purposes, but plan to limit myself to what I and my family will realistically use.

I currently have a:

17HMR
22lr
223 rem
6.5 grendel
6.8 spc
243 win
6.5 creedmoor
7 RM
12 gauge

I'm planning on getting rid of the 243, 7RM, 6.8 SPC, and possibly the 223. Will probably end up keeping it, and if I can find some good gopher hunting country nearby get a really accurate varmint rifle.

I just added a Keystone Cricket in 22lr and a youth shotgun in 410 for teaching my boys. They love my 10/22's, but the length of pull is really too long for them at the moment.

I have a Gunwerks Nexus in 6.5 PRC and 300 PRC enroute which is the big impetus to sell some seldom used rifles and ammunition. Plus, I'd rather shoot than clean, maintain, store and organize rifles and ammo (I'm very particular about taking care of my things).

What would you get rid of? Do you have any cartridges that overlap too much to justify keeping both?

As I was reading your list, I thought you should consider something in .30 cal, but you addressed that with the .300 PRC. I would consider three things when paring down the list. Caliber needed for the particular game, weight if you are toting it a lot, and accuracy.

 

[Mark37082]

Simplifying and upgrading are not mutually exclusive. Collectors are always looking to add something unique or collectible and will gladly add safes if needed. Shooters and hunters for the most part view rifles and handguns as tools. Many like having options even though there is some overlap. I'm in the camp of upgrading as a way of filling a perceived need to improve my options for enjoying the shooting and hunting passion. There is not one game animal I've hunted that would have not been harvested with my original Savage 30.06, but I just get a great deal of pleasure trying new things. Reloading opened the door to new things to try. Sometimes it makes it tough to move away from a particular cartridge once you have acquired piles of components, tools, and ammo for that cartridge.

 

[SmokinCrow]

Definitely food for thought. What I should really do, is go out to my BIL's farm and help him get his reloading room set back up. He's in the same situation as me. Pool our components, and go out there 2 or 3 times a year and reload. My boys can play with their cousins while I get some reloading done.

Another good reason to simplify my firearms - to free up time, space, and money for reloading.

One of mu favorite things is when my 6 year old boy joins me at the reloading bech. He tells me about his school stuff, and I teach him about weighing powder and measuring OAL with both dial and digital calipers. He loves pulling the handle on the press. I remember doing the same with my dad and it means a lot to me. Even if sometimes it takes a little longer to load a box, I prefer that over loading more by myself.

As far as limiting number I don't have many. Wish I could acquire more to pass on to my kids. My dad has been buying a lots of guns since all his kids left home. He's picked up 22's for all the grandkids and a few high powered rifles to let them shoot prairie dogs with. They're learning to shoot tiny targets with 243's so they are ready for deer. Seems every time I go home he has a new gun. Pretty sure his plan is to help set up grandkids.

 

[M1A1ABRAMS]

With 2 youngsters at that age I would definitely keep the 17 HMR and 22lr for teaching good habits.

My list is:

Winchester 290 22lr
Ruger 5.56 MPR
Browning BAR .243
Winchester 94 Classic 30-30 26" octagon barrel (x2)
WBY .340 Mag
Ruger Hawkeye African .375
Remington 20 gauge
Remington 12 gauge
Browning 20 gauge
Browning 12 gauge​

I was pricing ammo yesterday. And it is cheaper now to shoot the 22 WMR than a 17 HMR. And the 17 WSM is all but unobtainable. Also something else to consider when keeping or upgrading. I have rifles that can only be fed with hand loads these days. They used to be popular at one time. lol

 

[epoletna]

I wouldn't worry about downsizing in Canada -- your Prime Minister will take care of that for you pretty soon, I think.

I just worry about like-minded government officials in the USA. I know they're working that direction.

 

[M1A1ABRAMS]

I wouldn't worry about downsizing in Canada -- your Prime Minister will take care of that for you pretty soon, I think.

I just worry about like-minded government officials in the USA. I know they're working that direction.

It a sad time when a few kooks can decide what is just for everyone else.

 

[Aussie Hunter Steve]

My current rifle assortment is as follows:
.280 Rem. (TC Encore)
.257 Robert's Ruger M77
.300 WSM (custom 700, will be buried w/ this)
.243 (being re-barreled to custom 7mm-08)
.280 ai (same smith as 7-08 and 300wsm)
.308 (Bergara Wilderness Ridge)
.17 HMR (Bergara BMR carbon)
.22 Ruger 10/22 (2 of these)
.22 Hornet (Ruger m77)
.250 Savage (Model 99 x's 2)
.243 Savage Model 99
3 x's 5.56 AR platforms for various activities

Been thinking of adding another 25 cal to the mix but can't make a decision b/w these three:
25-06
25-06 ai
257 Weatherby Mag

Get the 257WM...

 

[BCC72]

Hey all,

I just joined the LRH community and have been really enjoying it - thank you everyone!

I am looking to downsize my collection and shoot fewer rifles more often. I'm not thinking about anything crazy, but have realized a lot of my cartridges significantly overlap and with the cost of ammo these days and limited time I'm going to sell some rifles and ammo and put the money into rifles, ammo, and shooting courses. So, what cartridges do you currently own that you could live without? I don't my mind having more than one rifle in some cartridges to serve different purposes, but plan to limit myself to what I and my family will realistically use.

I currently have a:

17HMR
22lr
223 rem
6.5 grendel
6.8 spc
243 win
6.5 creedmoor
7 RM
12 gauge

I'm planning on getting rid of the 243, 7RM, 6.8 SPC, and possibly the 223. Will probably end up keeping it, and if I can find some good gopher hunting country nearby get a really accurate varmint rifle.

I just added a Keystone Cricket in 22lr and a youth shotgun in 410 for teaching my boys. They love my 10/22's, but the length of pull is really too long for them at the moment.

I have a Gunwerks Nexus in 6.5 PRC and 300 PRC enroute which is the big impetus to sell some seldom used rifles and ammunition. Plus, I'd rather shoot than clean, maintain, store and organize rifles and ammo (I'm very particular about taking care of my things).

What would you get rid of? Do you have any cartridges that overlap too much to justify keeping both?

It depends where you live I guess. East or West.
With a 300PRC and 6.5PRC on the way you've got that covered in most respects. I don't know your age or your goals in hunting but a nice LW rig should be on the list.
I live in NW MT and recently did a similar thing when changing from RH to LH rifles and options are more limited.
Besides my general hunting guns, I kept my 6.8SPC as it's a good Hog gun when I go to FL for work and will smack a wolf if they come around the house (it's happened more than once). I also kept my 450 Bushmaster for if I ever go hunt in a straight walled state.
I have 223 with Thermal. And a rig scoped and for CQB training.
22Mag, 22LR and 17HMR for Ground Squirrels and gophers.

 

[Moondoggie]

I personally see no reason to get rid of any firearm. They eat nothing. And only need a little TLC occasionally. I have sold & traded in the past & regretted doing so every time.

Mine, at least some of them, have a voracious appetite!

 

[vmaxmike]

Overlap be damned!! I say keep them all.....

Just my .02

M.

 

[6.5x300 WBY]

Literally doing the same thing now. Reducing the numbers and being replaced with more custom builds. This way I shoot everything I own and it makes me happier. I probably will be selling a few more things as I look in my safe. But its getting harder when I look in there. So I must be getting close to what I really want to have.
Best of luck and totally understand.

Oh keep that 6.5 Grendel as your kids are perfect age to deer hunt with that extremely mild and capable cartridge.

 

[kgarrett]

Get the 257WM...

My BIL has a 257 Wby, it's my favorite of his Wby's. He has a lightweight 300 Wby that's vicious without its muzzlebrake. I think 257 Wby is the best of the bunch.

Otoh, he picked up a nice Sako 25-06 that has become his new for just about everything gun. 25-06 is more practical and less expensive to feed, but the 257 is a classic. Can't go wrong with either IMO.

 

[bultinkle]

With the advent of scopes that can dial and track and lrfs I've really stopped seeing the point of the insane overbore stuff.

 

[Rosebud]

If any of them are still standing after the attempt.

I wouldn't worry about downsizing in Canada -- your Prime Minister will take care of that for you pretty soon, I think.

I just worry about like-minded government officials in the USA. I know they're working that direction.