Why did you buy "that" caliber?
 

Have you ever been asked that question?
I am curious as to what criteria y'all consider or require before youchoose what caliber to buy ina huntin rifle.
Ballistic performance?
Knockdown power?
Personal preference? (i.e. I just like the caliber but I'm not sure why)
Ammo availability?
Recoil, or the lack of?
Or others?

Thanks!

RE: Why did you buy "that" caliber?
 

Just about the orderyou listed them except I would move ammo availability down one space to below recoil. (What I can't handload, I can get dome by the Master, i.e. my father)

RE: Why did you buy "that" caliber?
 

When I chose my first gun (2 years ago), I would say the caliberchoice came town to equal parts balistic performance needed in the area I hunt and recoil. The gun was going to be used by me and my 12 year old daughter.
The next consideration was ammo availability and price.

RE: Why did you buy "that" caliber?
 

IMHO, the first thingone shouldconsider is WHATYOU ALREADY HAVE. I believe wholeheartedly in "cartridge spacing" i.e. spreading them out rather than getting a bunch of rifles that are essentially the same thing. For example lets say a 4 gun battery,if you have a 308, a 30-06, a 7mmRemMag, and a 300WinMag you are not near as diverse and capable of "matching tools to the job"as some one who has a 243, a 30-06, a 338WinMag, and a 375H&H.

If it is ones first long guns, then
22LR
12 Gauge
30-06.

Just because.

RE: Why did you buy "that" caliber?
 

I usually only get that question when people ask about my mil-surp or "assault-type" rifles. [&:]

As for hunting, I likethe classic three:

Why? Because they've worked and worked well since my grandpa was in diapers. His Springfield is one of those "from my cold, dead hands" guns. :D

RE: Why did you buy "that" caliber?
 

Ditto!

Tom

RE: Why did you buy "that" caliber?
 

Just a pet peeve of mine and please don't take this too seriously, but I wish people would use the correct terminology. I know what you mean by "caliber" based on what you posted and a lot of peopleuse that wordthe same way.However, the correct terminology is "cartridge". The .30-06, .308, .300 Win mag, .300WSM, .300 Wby, .300 RUM, .300Dakotaand so on and so forth are all the same "caliber".They are different"cartridges", however.

Okay, I'm off my soapbox now.Carry on.;)

RE: Why did you buy "that" caliber?
 

cost......................(on sale)
availability
effectiveness/versatility
nastailga/factor
recoil............(not too much, please)
just cuz

early

RE: Why did you buy "that" caliber?
 

I agree with ELKampMaster, except I'd take a .35 Whelen on the 30-06, just because :D

RE: Why did you buy "that" caliber?
 

I bought my rifle in 30-06 as my father recommended the caliber. My grandfather always hunted with a 30-06, and I like to stick with tradition.