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Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2026 3:54 am
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.
Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2026 4:13 am
by CPJ 2.0
.22 lr.
9mm
.223
.300 blackout
.308.
12 gauge.
I only need 6.
Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2026 5:26 am
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.
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Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2026 5:53 am
by Elk Creek
I have a plethora of cartridges I shoot.
Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2026 5:54 am
by Elk Creek
.
Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2026 12:21 pm
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)
Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2026 1:14 pm
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.
Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2026 2:20 pm
by Zee
Hell, I couldn’t do it in just 5 of either platform.
Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2026 2:24 pm
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
Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2026 2:48 pm
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.
Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun
Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2026 1:37 am
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
Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun
Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2026 1:49 am
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!
Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun
Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2026 3:10 am
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
Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun
Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2026 1:01 pm
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
Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun
Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2026 2:25 pm
by Zee
I’m honestly surprised to see the .380 on a couple lists.
Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun
Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2026 2:43 pm
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.
Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun
Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2026 2:53 pm
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
Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun
Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2026 3:30 pm
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.
Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun
Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2026 3:46 pm
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
Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun
Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2026 5:08 pm
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.
Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun
Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2026 5:10 pm
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.
Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun
Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2026 5:47 pm
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.
Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun
Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2026 6:25 pm
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.
Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun
Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2026 6:34 pm
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.
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Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun
Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2026 6:44 pm
by Zsarvashere
Mucho take it easy
