“Buy common calibers” is the mantra in prepping circles when it comes to choosing a handgun or rifle, and it gives them a solid justification to buy ammo in bulk.
The argument is typically focused on the fact that if you have a common caliber firearm you are better positioned to trade/barter for ammo should SHTF. If you want to trade ammo, you’ll have a caliber others will want. If you need ammo, others will have that ammo available.
There is another reason that owning a common caliber firearms is helpful – they offer a wide variety of ammo options! The more unique a caliber is, the less demand there is for it and thus there are fewer ammunition options. Owning a common caliber like a .22 or a .308 allows you to pick behind a whole variety of cartridges. This makes your firearm more versatile. Different cartridges create more options.
This is a “no duh” concept to the experienced prepper, but there are a lot of beginners visiting this site, so you old timers will just have to sit back for this post.
Let’s use the .308 as an example, my favorite rifle caliber. I received an order of high quality .308 ammo from SHTF Blog advertiser Lucky Gunner the other day, Hornady 165gr BTSP Interlock to be exact. That spurred the inspiration for this post as I opened the ammo can and saw various .308 cartridges.
On the left side of the pic are Remington’s Managed Recoil rounds. This is how they market these rounds:
“Half the Recoil…Twice the Confidence!” 50% less Recoil
- Concentrate on the shot, not the recoil
- Increase shooter confidence
- Develop good shooting technique
Deadly Deer Hunting Performance to 200 Yards
- 37% more energy than the 30-30 Win
- New Managed Recoil Core-Lokt bullet delivers 2x expansion with 85% weight retention
No Scope Readjustment Necessary
- Virtually the same point of impact as full velocity loads
In the middle of the pic are Remington’s Express Core-Lokt rounds, the 180 grain soft nose. This is how they market these rounds:
“Deep Penetration and Controlled Expansion up to 2X the Original Caliber Diameter.”
“High Weight Retention – Won’t Break Up or Separate On Impact for More Effective Stopping Power.”
“The Deadliest Mushroom in the Woods.”
On the right side of the pic are the Hornady rounds I just received. Hornady markets these rounds as simply:
“Accurate. Deadly. Dependable.”
Here are the individual cartridges, Hornady on top, 180 grain in the middle and managed recoil on the bottom.
These three common caliber cartridges each offer a different performance. The Hornady is when you need sniper-like accuracy. The tip of that bullet is perfectly shaped, where as the tip of the managed recoil is a bit sloppy. The 180 grain is just a massive slug of lead that will turn into a big mushroom on impact. The managed recoil round lessens the shoulder impact through a reduced charge.
Each, as you can image, can be used for a specific purpose.
- The Hornady for when accuracy and consistency is paramount.
- The 180 grain for when you need to stop something big – like a Maine moose.
- The managed recoil for target practice and smaller size game.
This doesn’t even go into the bulk quantity target and surplus ammunition available for common calibers. You won’t get options like that with atypical calibers.
Do YOU have a favorite cartridge?
25 comments
” favorite” cartridge depends on the circumstances. For deer or other “large” game, the Remington core lokt is your baby. For that same caliber I also have tracers, armor piercing and plain ol’ full metal jacket. All have their own job. I have this selection for my .308 and my 30-06. Versatility and barter are the goals when stocking up on ammo.
There are other cartridges that seem to be limited even though they are popular.
The 7.62×39 of the AK-47 only has a very few different load options as a hand loader versus the (in some ways) 30-30. I am not sure if that is because it does not generally have a brass cartridge case, if it is not used for a variety of purposes, or if it is some limitation of the round-cartridge combination.
I imagine some of the European loads have a lot of variety, but would be very expensive in the United States. That is the other nice thing with the .308 Winchester (aka 7.62×51 NATO) it is used all over the world.
It is because it is not cost effective to reload. Not many people load it because most of the cases you find are steel and to buy brass is too expensive. If it were more cost effective and more sport oriented, there would be a lot more load data and it would be more versitile. It does load well however by the data that is available and it performs better than shelf ammo on par.
The problem with loading 7.62×39 is multifold. There are limited in that caliber (.313) second, since these guns are made using crude manufacturing methods, there is a great variation in barrels. They recommend you slug the barrel before you load. The good thing is that this new rifle has made loading the .303 British better,due to more bullets being available. It use to be there were only two bullets available for the .303: a fmj and a heavy (230 grain) lead bullet. The result was you shot the deer and the bullet went through it and into a tree or blow it in half. Neither is what you want!
Another reason is that reloading 7.62 x39 doesnt make sense , when you can get cheap Russian target ammo for $5 a box , or good quality Hornady , 50 rounds for about $35 per box . It will actually cost you more to reload , whats your time worth ? There are starting to be many USA made AKs on the market , so not everything is crude manufacture. Not only that , AKs are like ARs , you can get good quality American made parts now .
I used to shoot Hornady exclusively in my .308, but now shoot standard Remington Core-Lokt 150 gr. in it. About 2/3 the cost of Hornady, is often on sale (especially at beginning of hunting season) and more available. Both loads seem to kill deer as well as the other. Most of my deer are killed within 200 yards.
I’ve never tried ‘reduced recoil loads’ in my rifle. I guess for training a new shooter, it has a purpose. If I want less recoil, give me my .250 Savage, its downright polite! Ammunition cost is in the stratosphere though.
In my CZ 527 carbine, Barnaul Silver Bear 7.62×39 SP shoot okay, good enough for brush ranges anyway. I had high hopes for Wolf 154 gr., but it was not accurate enough for use over 100 yards, at least in my rifle. Pity.
I have used the managed recoil ammo and it is pretty good. You just have to remeber that it is a lighter load and thus drops velocity a lot faster. Out to about the 250 mark it is about the same as other ammo, but after 250 the rate of deceleration is so much so that your elevation goes to crap. Basicly if your taking a kid on the youth hunt and want him to shoot the “big” gun, this ammo is great. IT affords them the use of the large caliber without knocking thier shoulder out of joint. If I had to pick a favorite it would be .308. I handload and what Iknow about the 308 is that you can “make” 308s out any case larger that is based on the 30-06 case(that would be 270, 280, 25-06, 25-08, 30-06, etc. any case that was necked down from an -06 but is longer than a 308) I have done this with great proficiancey. You need the machine grade dies(RCBS, LYMAN, Redding, Idk all of them) and plenty of case lube, a trimmer and a tube cutter from any ole hardware store. You basicly size down the larger case a lil at a time until there is a long neck. Then measure the appropriate length and cut it off. Trim and debur and then just run it the normal loading process. the result are asstounding if you take your time and do good work. we made some that were shooting the same hole at the same distance as we established with Lake City Match from a Sniper grade weapon. Our handloads flew almost identicaly to the Lake city with the exception that our loads had a higher velocity on the long end which means it was still supersonic past the 500 mark. This helps to make those long range shots without having to over dope the scope and hold high out of tube(exhausting the turret knobs and the diameter of the scope and then holding over with KY windage) 308 can be a very versitile round if one knows how to use it to its full potential. Its my favorite becasue I can make it from ten different cases and even pull and use the bullets, primers and powders from some of those rounds if push comes to shove.
I’ve used a 7mm-08 exclusively for deer since 1982. (my hunting load is a healthy charge of RL-19, behind a 145 grain Speer Grand Slam, which produces about 2700-2800 fps). That rifle has a nice string of one-shot kills! The round is becoming more popular in the east and southeast, and has gained quite a following among my Mississippi deer hunting buddies!
Reduced loads are the way to go when it comes to teaching people how to shoot. Also, in most woodland deer hunting scenarios, where a long shot might be 100 yards, 30-30 ballistics are entirely adequate!
I have loaded down my 7mm Remington Magnum for deer hunting to get reduced recoil, and that load sure helps people shoot better from a tree stand!
good points in the article. One thing to keep in mind, you don’t actually need the gun for a caliber to buy and barter the ammo. I have ammo for the AK stashed, but I don’t have a gun for it. It is just for trade.
I think the 308 is a great round and I almost bought one. But I decided on a 50 Beowulf instead. Practical? Kinda, but not really. It kicks like 2 mules, but it is fun and makes a big hole. Guns and calibers is a topic where everyone has their strong opinions. There are different ways you can do it. Everyone have the same stuff in your group or one person carry the smaller stuff (223/9mm) and the other carry bigger stuff (308/45). Or one long range (308) and one short range (12 gauge)
It depends on how many people you have, your retreat set up, your spouse’s knowledge and ability with a firearm, your money situation, reloading etc. Just decide something and start buying it by the case…
Oh yeah, favorite calibers: Rifle 6.5 grendel — Pistol 10mm
You are a anomaly in the prepping world.
Maybe so, but the 10mm is something people could look into after they have the basics down. A good round –165 grain HP by Double Tap ammo; 1400 fps @ 700 ftlbs. Couple reasons I like it: Glock makes 10mm’s which makes parts and conversions available, high capacity, people do hunt with it, a little bit lower recoil and muzzle flip than my 1911s
The “Beowulf” and “Grendel” have fascinated me since I first heard of them! I have wanted a S&W 500 “wheel gun” for years, (yeah I know it’s a MONSTER, and most folks think it is completely unnecessary, but I STILL WANT ONE!)to think I could have a cannon of a revolver with a long-gun firing the same ammo… sounds like a match made in heaven! (or hell if you are unfortunate enough to be looking at the business end!). The main reason I haven’t “taken the plunge”, is because I cannot find much information on how accurate it is, and what kind of range you should expect out of it… So I have a couple questions for you if you don’t mind…
What make/model “Beowulf” do you have?
How does it shoot?
What kind of range do you get? (It is after all a pistol round)
Any cycling problems?
I hear that you can use standard AR mags for both the 500 and 6.5, is that true?
If you don’t mind indulging another question…
Where did you get yours, and how much did you pay for it?
Thanks
the Beowulf and the SW 500 won’t shoot out of the same gun. They use the same bullet, but they aren’t the same cartridge. The SW 500, .50 Beowulf, and the desert eagle 50 AE can all use the same .50 handgun bullets, but they are all different
my .50 Beowulf : the ‘precision model with 16″ bbl’ – the upper I got from Alexander Arms (who invented it), the lower is Spikes tactical from a local shop. about $1,250 I think. It shoots good. Everything I read said 200 yards is about it’s max range. The only cycling problem I had was when I didn’t have oil on it. The mags are standard AR size but they have been modified for the larger cases. The lowers are standard AR-15’s. The Beowulf is not for long range, that is the Grendel. Beowulf is for stopping cars and going through walls. It goes through RR ties, cinder blocks whatever. It serves its purpose well. It’s like a semi automatic
45-70. The Grendel is more of the all around bullet: self defense, deer hunting, long range.
I hope that helps some.
Unfortunately most of the areas I hunt here in VA don’t allow you to use a rifle to hunt, and most don’t allow buck-shot in shotguns… which leaves you with slugs, muzzle-loader, pistol, bow or crossbow for hunting. I use a muzzle-loader, a compound bow and either a 12ga 870XP magnum -OR- Mossberg 500 slug gun. On occasion I find myself in an area where rifles are allowed, but it’s typically once every-other deer season, when I can I usually use either a 300Win Mag -OR- Mossin/Nagant 1891/30 7.62x54R.
So here are my favorite rounds for the firearms I typically hunt with-
12ga- Winchester Supreme Platinum 395g Sabot Slugs
300 Win Mag- Federal Power Shock 180g
7.62x54R- Silver Bear Soft Point (this ammo averages $10/20 rounds)
I also have a Rock Island Armories M1911 .45, which I am going to try hunting with this year… I either use Winchester (white box) 230g FMJ -OR- Federal Hydra-Shock 185g
I’m a fan of the 308 Winchester 150 grain Ballistic Silvertip. Highly accurate through a 1:12 twist bolt action. Easy recoil, lots of knockdown. $30 a box though…I try to buy one a month. I don’t expel a lot of ammo like some of my friends do though. They typically shoot 5 times to my one. Then again, my freezer is empty too!
lol, I only have a shotgun, so can’t say that I have a favorite cartridge.
I’m pretty sure I shot a rifle once.
Most of the gun ranges around here are shotgun/bow only. I’m far more likely to get a nice bow before I’d get a rifle.
There are several choices, maybe even more choices than a rifle can offer, for shotgun shells. Depending on what type of shotgun you have (slug gun, smooth barrel, what chokes you have), what gauge (10, 12, 16, 20, 28), what size shells it will accept (12ga- 23/4″; 3″; 31/2″), and so on… the sky is the limit when it comes to options.
For example, I have a 12ga Remington 870 XP Magnum. It will chamber/cycle 23/4″ and 3″ shells, I also have quick-change choke tubes which give me even further versatility. I can go from shooting turkeys with #2 steel “high brass” (higher powder charge) and my turkey XX choke, to shooting rifled slugs with just a quick change or choke tubes and shells. It also does great for “wing-shooting”, using my modified choke I can go from 3″ high-brass #4 steel for shooting ducks/geese, to simply swapping out shells and shooting #6 lead/steel (whichever I have) for pheasant, dove or quail.
In my slug-gun (Mossberg 500) I can choose from a wide array of slugs. I prefer Winchester Supreme Platinum 395g Sabot Slugs (they are pretty expensive, but are AWESOME), which give me an effective range of about 150 yards for hunting larger game like deer.
Think of your shotgun as “the Swiss Army knife” of the firearms world! If you have a 12ga, you have an effective anti-vehicle weapon with the right slugs or medium/big game gun, with shot-shells you can hunt just about anything that walks or flies! With a few accessories and a “Tactical” version (shorter barrel, different stock/shorter stroke for the pump on some) you have an effective breaching/room clearing weapon. You also have the intimidation factor that that big bore and heavy gun affords you! If you can only own 1 firearm, a shotgun is an excellent choice in my opinion!
I forgot to add the .410 shotgun as an option, it can be effective in the right hands, but is seriously lacking for some tasks when compared to others like the 12 or 20ga. When comparing the .410 and the 12ga, the 12ga fires a .50 cal slug, and the .410 fires a .45 cal slug. The .410 usually has a dramatically lighter recoil, but it might be harder to find ammo for it in a long term survival situation, because they tend to be a bit less common than 12ga shells which are used by MANY civilians, military and law enforcement.
Sure does, thanks 357! I wasn’t aware (obviously) that the S&W 500 and “Beowulf” use different cartridges… Most of the info I have seen says that the rounds are interchangeable, that changes my reasoning behind investing in one… looks like I will just save up for that Barret I have always wanted! Just kiddin, but I sure would want one!
The 357 magnum is rated by most gun mags and the FBI as the “number man stopper on the street” and the 10mm is getting the same speeds and balistic qualities in an auto. If you are good at the bench, you can get 40s&w to the same type of results(after all, it is just a 10mm short) Yes the 10 mm is an excellent round. It seems to be making a comeback, the onlky down side I have found is that ammo is high and hard to find(not as much so now, but a few years back it was hard to come by) Great round with excellent attributes.
357 chaos has a good point.
stock up on common ammo even if you dont own that particular firearm. i’ve been doing that for the last 12 months. mostly 9mm… 22lr …and… 223. it will make great barter in the (near) future.
Just remember to be careful who you barter with when it comes to things that *could* be used against you or someone else!
There was a perfect example not far from where I am in VA a few years ago, I will try to keep it brief and still give you the main points of what happened…
Guy is coming down from whatever garbage he was slammin’ into his veins, and got the bright idea of robbing a country store so he could go out and buy another fix.
He walked into said country store (in the middle of BFE) and purchased a box of 00buckshot with a few bucks he bummed off a few patrons of the store, and then left.
He returned a couple hours later, with a shotgun loaded with the shells he purchased earlier that day, and commenced to rob the store.
The clerk did everything the thug/crackhead wanted, gave him all the money, several cartons of various smokes, several cases of beer and even loaded all the “plunder” into his own (the clerks) car and then gave the robber his keys.
The robber then commenced to empty his shotgun on the cooperative clerk, shooting him several times in the abdomen, and then a few times in the face at point blank range. The clerk died within minutes.
He fled in the clerks car, went and got his drugs, and then went out to rob another store.
This time there was an off-duty officer standing in the back corner of the convenience store, when the crackhead/COLD BLOODED murderer/IDIOT/robber pulled his shotgun and demanded all the money from the register, the clerk hesitated so he fired a shell into the ceiling, which prompted the officer to take the shot he had lined up.
Unfortunately (in my opinion), the piece of human filth survived, he received 90 days at a drug treatment facility and 5-10 years in the state pen because he was “temporarily incapacitated due to substance abuse”… He should have got the chair!
Point being, if your gut (or anything else) tells you that the person you are considering trading with is going to use the ammo he wants to trade you [insert valuable item name] for to come back and try to take your preps, or if you think he will do the same to someone else… do EVERYONE a favor and kick his ass to the curb, and if you can, double your watch for a while just increase he thinks he can just take what he wants! If he does come back, especially if he comes back “hot”… SMOKE his ass!
good point chef
me and my Mossberg pump will be vigilant.
The .308 is a good weapon , I personally prefer the American 30.06 to it for several reasons . Ammo is very easy to get and it comes in a wide variety of choices , you can even get incendiary and armor piercing rounds for it @Ammunition to go .com , if you wanted such a thing . One thing I would like to get into my stash is a few pull pin smoke screen devices . I really dont want to attempt making my own and would prefer to buy a few if they are good . Looked on the internet for army M18’s and cant find em . I see a few other types , but without knowing anybody that has used some of these , I want to know if they are any good . I think a few smoke grenade type devices could possibly be a real help in certain situations , I could really use some help on this and would appreciate any help , offers , directions you guys can give out to me .
Thanks , T.R.
Jarhead , you have my permission to give out my email if folks want to pass on some info .