Why so many calibers?

[rtimgray]

Now, before I get too far into this, let me preface by saying that I have and enjoy shooting many different calibers of handgun and rifle cartridges. However, I've seen on some other recent threads about guns where folks cite tons of different calibers (alot of which I'm not familiar with at all).

It seems like there are about a million rifle chamberings. By comparison, I would bet 90 percent or more of the shotgun world is 12 or 20 gauge or .410. I know that with those you can have different length shells, magnum shells, different shot, etc., so shotguns are essentially a more versatile weapon. Could the same be said about rifles?

My question is this: Could basically all North American game be hunted with either .22lr, .223 rem, and a 30-06? The biggest game around here is deer, and they aren't big by any means. I have no idea what is need for elk or moose or bear (.458/.460 maybe?).

My Father in Law is a regular gun trader and he's had, at some point, probably every caliber known to man. He'll tell me about how much faster one cartridge may travel than the other, to which I usually ask exactly how many animals were jumping out of the way of the rounds he WAS shooting (ha-ha).

So, in the end, are there so many calibers just because there are so many people and we all have our own preferences and prejudices regarding runs and calibers? I really like .30 carbine to shoot, but it's probably not that great of an all-around caliber.

Again, I think that there is a place for all cartridges as long as people like them, and I'm in favor of the wildcatters out there coming up with new rounds that may be faster, lighter, hit harder with lower recoil and be quieter and cheaper.

Thanks.

 

[jbooth]

In a word "sales". When velocity and accuracy are nearly identical, a new name on it will sell. The 100+ yr old 30-06 would kill things dead. The new super dooper .30 cals kills deader than dead. Barrel and action technology has improved making some of the new calibers more accurrate.

 

[Egon]

My question is this: Could basically all North American game be hunted with either .22lr, .223 rem, and a 30-06? The biggest game around here is deer, and they aren't big by any means. I have no idea what is need for elk or moose or bear (.458/.460 maybe?).

This may create some controversy.

 

[Toyboy]

.30-06 with the right bullets will cover anything on the NA continent. Now saying that, I use a .338 Win Mag for elk & moose and a .270 or '06 for most everything else I hunt. I have no desire to hunt bears. Someone who hunts a wider variety of game would have other choices. Everyone is different on wants and needs.

 

[forgeblast]

With the increase in ammo I myself have stuck with narrowing down my calibers.
I have a 12gauge i use all the time, a .22lr (both rifle and pistols, my new sig has a .22 barrel so i can shoot every weekend), .40 in pistol, and 30-06 rifle. Its expensive enough trying to maintain a surplus of these calibers, let alone getting into magnum.

 

[forester2]

Because if there were only one caliber you'd only have one gun and what fun would that be?

 

[BruceWard]

The cost of developing a new "caliber" is relatively low compared to the potential reward if ti becomes popular.

There also is some legitimate need for variety. For example with your 22 / 223 / 30-06 scenario you would not want your 10 year old son hunting with underpowered 22 or 223 or with the kick of 30-06 so something like 243 is perfect for him. If he wants to hunt with 30-06 great but I know I stepped up through 222 to 243 to 308.

 

[Storm56]

To answer your question, yes all NA could be hunted with those calibers although the 30 06 is decidedly light for large brown bears. It is also perhaps not the ticket if you prefer longer shots over 300 yards on game such as elk & moose. Will it do these things? Yes. Is it the best tool for the job? No.

Last year I took my elk at 340 yards using a 338 Win Mag. This year 70 yards with a 300 WSM. I am a gun buff and enjoy using and loading for quite a few calibers. Variety can be the spice of life!

 

[om21braz]

New calibers sell new guns and like many other businesses, creating something "new" is a major part of staying in business.

 

[dmccarty]

...

My question is this: Could basically all North American game be hunted with either .22lr, .223 rem, and a 30-06? The biggest game around here is deer, and they aren't big by any means. I have no idea what is need for elk or moose or bear (.458/.460 maybe?).
...

A 12 gauge shot gun would work on most North American critters. Not the best for all critters but one would get 'r done.

Many of the calibers are a results of changing technology, I am talking about the rounds created in the 18th and maybe early 19th century. Certainly most of the rounds today are marketing related or trying to tweek a round for a specific reason.

Example of tweeking would be the 10mm and 40. The 10mm evolved into a magnum power round for use in an autoloading pistol. The FBI wanted a more powerful round after the FBI Miami fire fight and they decided on the 10mm. The problem was that the round had some hefty recoil which made it difficult to shoot. More recoil slows down follow up shots. The hotter round also required a larger frame which made it more difficult to use the pistols for those with smaller hands......

So the FBI spec'ed out the FBI lite 10mm round. Same bullet and case but less powder. Less powder less boom. But if you do not fill the case with powder why spend money on the extra brass? If the round is shorter the size of the pistol can be made a bit smaller....

Bing Bang Boom you shorten the cartridge, use the same bullet diameter and you have a 40 caliber.

Later,
Dan