Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun

General firearm discussions that do not fit in our specific firearm-related forums.
User avatar
Zee
Posts: 2627
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 2:23 pm

Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun

Post by Zee »

Saw an article on 10 cartridges every American should have. I was ok with all but one of their choices.
What would be your list?

Mine:

Rifle:
.22lr
.223 Win
.220 Swift
.243 Win
6.5-06 A-Square
.308 Win
7 Mag
.338 WM
.375 Ruger
12ga

I could do all my perceived hunting with those.

Handgun:
.22lr
9mm
.40 S&W
10mm
.357 Mag
.44 Spl
.44 Mag
.45 Colt
.454 Cassull
.480 Ruger

That would cover defense and hunting.
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
User avatar
CPJ 2.0
Posts: 3775
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 1:57 pm

Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun

Post by CPJ 2.0 »

.22 lr.
9mm
.223
.300 blackout
.308.
12 gauge.


I only need 6.
“The shepherd slaughters more of the flock than the wolf ever will.”
User avatar
Zee
Posts: 2627
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 2:23 pm

Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun

Post by Zee »

CPJ 2.0 wrote: Mon Feb 02, 2026 4:13 am .22 lr.
9mm
.223
.300 blackout
.308.
12 gauge.


I only need 6.
IMG_9428.gif
IMG_9428.gif (795.79 KiB) Viewed 1143 times
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
Elk Creek
Posts: 1509
Joined: Tue Jun 27, 2023 2:01 pm

Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun

Post by Elk Creek »

I have a plethora of cartridges I shoot.
Attachments
IMG_1904.jpeg
IMG_1904.jpeg (99.69 KiB) Viewed 1135 times
Last edited by Elk Creek on Mon Feb 02, 2026 5:59 am, edited 1 time in total.
Elk Creek
Posts: 1509
Joined: Tue Jun 27, 2023 2:01 pm

Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun

Post by Elk Creek »

.
Attachments
IMG_1905.jpeg
IMG_1905.jpeg (114.24 KiB) Viewed 1134 times
User avatar
GrapeApe
Posts: 2207
Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2023 2:26 am

Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun

Post by GrapeApe »

R
22LR
223/5.56
6.5 Grendel
7x57
308
30-06
50 Beowulf
12ga

P
22LR
7mm IHMSA
9x19
357 Mag
10mm
44 Mag
45 ACP
45-70 (Yes mine's a handgun)
"Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it." - Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain)
User avatar
Bigslug
Posts: 1117
Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2023 3:28 am

Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun

Post by Bigslug »

.22LR
5.56/.223
.30-06
.375H&H
12ga.

.380
9x19
.357
.45ACP/Auto Rim
.44Mag

I'd possibly work in .243 and .308 for sake of "other people" logistics, but as I've said a lot, most of what's out there. . .is a clone of something else that's out there.
WWJMBD?

I believe we should stand on Ceremony. . . while our friends handcuff the sanctimonious little prick and take him away.
User avatar
Zee
Posts: 2627
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 2:23 pm

Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun

Post by Zee »

Hell, I couldn’t do it in just 5 of either platform.
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
JunkCollector
Posts: 809
Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2023 9:26 am

Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun

Post by JunkCollector »

Rifle
22
22 hornet
243
257 xyz
7mm xyz
300
375

Handgun
22
32 xyz
38/357
41 mag
44 mag
45 colt
45 acp/ auto rim

Yup no 223 or 308
User avatar
CPJ 2.0
Posts: 3775
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 1:57 pm

Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun

Post by CPJ 2.0 »

Zee wrote: Mon Feb 02, 2026 2:20 pm Hell, I couldn’t do it in just 5 of either platform.
Yes you could. You don’t want to.
“The shepherd slaughters more of the flock than the wolf ever will.”
Japhy
Posts: 706
Joined: Sat Jun 24, 2023 4:19 am

Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun

Post by Japhy »

I am outrageously out gunned here
My high water mark was

22lr winchester pump, Ruger MKII
7mm RM
44 Mag Ruger SBH
12ga Franchi, Browning Auto
Elk Creek
Posts: 1509
Joined: Tue Jun 27, 2023 2:01 pm

Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun

Post by Elk Creek »

5 Rifle:
22lr
22 k hornet
30-30 win
348win
45-70.

5 handgun:
22lr
32-20
357
44special
45 colt!

Kinda like the old stuff!🤣
User avatar
Bigslug
Posts: 1117
Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2023 3:28 am

Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun

Post by Bigslug »

Zee wrote: Mon Feb 02, 2026 2:20 pm Hell, I couldn’t do it in just 5 of either platform.
I guess if the rules are rifle and handgun, then 12 gauge isn't playing.

.45 ACP is mostly there for "'Merica" purposes. My auto world is largely 9mm now.

I can load the .30-06 to do most of what the .375 does. . .

That's got me down to seven. . .

Could probably jettison .380 and be down to six, but the fact is that tiny has it's place
WWJMBD?

I believe we should stand on Ceremony. . . while our friends handcuff the sanctimonious little prick and take him away.
Zsarvashere
Posts: 301
Joined: Thu Jun 29, 2023 4:30 pm

Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun

Post by Zsarvashere »

.22 LR
.22mag
.223 Win
30/30
.243 Win
.308 Win
.300 Win Mag
.338 Win Mag
45/70
12 gauge

Would do

.22
.380
9mm
10mm
.357mag
.44mag

All I need
User avatar
Zee
Posts: 2627
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 2:23 pm

Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun

Post by Zee »

I’m honestly surprised to see the .380 on a couple lists.
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
Wambli Ska
Posts: 3888
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 3:09 pm

Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun

Post by Wambli Ska »

The only issue I have with such a list is that the reasons someone "should have" any particular chambering in their firearms inventory are highly subjective and as varied as stars in the sky. Everything from SD to just fancy come into play. And God only knows we gun nuts are really good at coming up with needs, real or invented, for a new purchase.

But, I do think everyone should have a rifle chambered in an obsolete or wildcat carriage so they can learn how to adapt brass from a popular cartridge to an obscure one. You learn a lot when taking on such projects.
Wambli Ska
Posts: 3888
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 3:09 pm

Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun

Post by Wambli Ska »

Now, if I was going to make a list of ONLY 10 based solely on easy availability and purpose I'd probably go with:

.22lr handgun and rifle
.243 rifle
7mm (either an -08 or Rem Mag) rifle
.338 Win Mag rifle
.375 H&H
9mm handgun
.357 Mag handgun
.44 Mag handgun
.45 acp handgun
12 or 20 ga Shotgun
User avatar
CPJ 2.0
Posts: 3775
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 1:57 pm

Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun

Post by CPJ 2.0 »

Zee wrote: Tue Feb 03, 2026 2:25 pm I’m honestly surprised to see the .380 on a couple lists.
Yeah pocket sized 9mm have pretty much eliminated my need. Well not pocket sized, but the Glock 43x. If I’m going to carry something, I’m going to carry something I can shoot well.

I keep my keltec around because there’s times, well, there’s times. 😘
“The shepherd slaughters more of the flock than the wolf ever will.”
User avatar
GrapeApe
Posts: 2207
Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2023 2:26 am

Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun

Post by GrapeApe »

If it's 10 total without including shotguns
22LR R/P
223/5.56 R/P
6.5 Grendel R
300BO R/P
30-06 R
9mm P
357 mag P
44Mag P
45ACP P
50 Beowulf R

R = rifle
P = pistol
R/P = both
"Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it." - Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain)
User avatar
Zee
Posts: 2627
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 2:23 pm

Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun

Post by Zee »

Wambli Ska wrote: Tue Feb 03, 2026 2:43 pm The only issue I have with such a list is that the reasons someone "should have" any particular chambering in their firearms inventory are highly subjective and as varied as stars in the sky. Everything from SD to just fancy come into play. And God only knows we gun nuts are really good at coming up with needs, real or invented, for a new purchase.

But, I do think everyone should have a rifle chambered in an obsolete or wildcat carriage so they can learn how to adapt brass from a popular cartridge to an obscure one. You learn a lot when taking on such projects.
That’s kinda why I can never do a 3 gun or 5 gun list. It’s just not practical for me. But, when I saw the 10 gun article, I figured I could choose 10 and not have a nervous breakdown. In reality, for most of us, it’s all in fun. And hopefully not something we ever have to actually do. But, I can wrap my head around 10 each.
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
User avatar
Zee
Posts: 2627
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 2:23 pm

Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun

Post by Zee »

CPJ 2.0 wrote: Tue Feb 03, 2026 3:30 pm
Zee wrote: Tue Feb 03, 2026 2:25 pm I’m honestly surprised to see the .380 on a couple lists.
Yeah pocket sized 9mm have pretty much eliminated my need. Well not pocket sized, but the Glock 43x. If I’m going to carry something, I’m going to carry something I can shoot well.

I keep my keltec around because there’s times, well, there’s times. 😘
I’m just never THAT naked………..in public.
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
T'owd Mon
Posts: 173
Joined: Sat Aug 05, 2023 10:52 am

Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun

Post by T'owd Mon »

My selection. Less than 10 because the b....ds stopped us having handguns.

.22 rim-fire.
A.22 centre fire; I have a .22/250
A good all round deer rifle; I use a 7x64mm. although a .308 would be a good alternative.
A .375 H&H Magnum (because I have one which is good for large deer coupled with 235 grain bullets at a modest velocity. Great knock down with little meat damage).
A 12 bore.
A 20 bore.
A .410.
And last but not least a decent air rifle in .22.
Zsarvashere
Posts: 301
Joined: Thu Jun 29, 2023 4:30 pm

Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun

Post by Zsarvashere »

Zee wrote: Tue Feb 03, 2026 5:10 pm
I’m just never THAT naked………..in public.
Being a "cop" has it's advantages us mere mortals don't have. There are times the .380 allows carry that even tiny 9s do not.
User avatar
Zee
Posts: 2627
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 2:23 pm

Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun

Post by Zee »

Zsarvashere wrote: Tue Feb 03, 2026 6:25 pm
Zee wrote: Tue Feb 03, 2026 5:10 pm
I’m just never THAT naked………..in public.
Being a "cop" has it's advantages us mere mortals don't have. There are times the .380 allows carry that even tiny 9s do not.
IMG_9435.gif
IMG_9435.gif (496.29 KiB) Viewed 903 times
IMG_9436.gif
IMG_9436.gif (337.27 KiB) Viewed 903 times
IMG_9437.gif
IMG_9437.gif (211.67 KiB) Viewed 903 times
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
Zsarvashere
Posts: 301
Joined: Thu Jun 29, 2023 4:30 pm

Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun

Post by Zsarvashere »

Mucho take it easy
Post Reply