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I’m inquisitive to find out what others prefer as their favorite caliber. It might be one you hunt with most or something picked due to your fav model. Mine is 40-82 as an all around game cartridge for bear, deer & even moose where I live. And yes I love 86’s.
If you want to post an honourable mention, 22 WMR would have to be it for me. Small game cartridge but can still bring home some white tail meat if times are tough.
RickC
April 15, 2005
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Rick,
If I could only have one rifle & cartridge, it would be a 22 Hornet. The 22 Hornet is inherently accurate, quite, and deadly with well place shots. It is capable of cleanly taking small game out to 250-yards, and deer at 125-yards (again, with well placed shots). Over the past 50 years, I have shot more critters with a 22 Hornet than all others combined.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
September 28, 2016
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Mine would be the 220 Swift. Good from gophers through thin skinned large game. With a 60 grn. Nosler partition bullet, it’s actually quite amazing on Deer sized animals. One of the flattest shooting cartridges ever developed. If we have to throw a rimfire in, it would be the 17M2. Amazing rimfire accuracy, shoots much flatter than a 22LR. I’ve shot varmints ranging from Starlings to a few Badgers and even one Coyote with it. And really quiet…..
Erin
July 17, 2012
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By far, the .22 Long Rifle rim fire.
Honorable mention, .22 Hornet.
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
August 27, 2014
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270 W.C.F. here
“If you can’t convince them, confuse them”
President Harry S. Truman
November 7, 2015
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Favorite caliber is probably 45. 45 ACP, 45 Colt, 45-70, 45-90; I even have a couple of cap & ball revolvers and a barrel for my muzzleloader that use 45 caliber balls. Close second is 30; 30WCF, 30US, 300 Savage and 30-06. Then there’s the 32; 32WCF, 32-40, 32 Special. Can’t forget the 38; 38-55, 375 Winchester and 38-40…just seeing if you’re paying attention. 
Almost forgot the 36! 38 Spl, .380 ACP, 9mm, 357 Magnum, 35 Remington and 35 Whelen. Favorite metallic cartridge is probably 22LR based on the sheer number of rounds fired as long as I don’t count a couple hundred thousand or so .38 Specials fired during my PPC competition years. Favorite centerfire cartridge as in which one I enjoy the most…I honestly don’t know. 
Mike
December 31, 2012
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22 Long Rifle and the venerable 44-40. Big larry
December 12, 2019
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22 LR. So many choices for rifles and handguns!
But if it has to be a center fire, I agree with Bert on the 22 Hornet. So much fun to load and shoot.
Nevada Paul
Life Member NRA
July 14, 2016
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30 W.C.F.
A man can never have too many WINCHESTERS...
December 21, 2006
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I would have to say the 25-35 runner-up 30-30
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
January 20, 2015
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Agree that the 22 Hornet is a nasty little load!! But, for overall dropping power (though not vintage) it’s the .300 Win Mag. The 270 is next.
June 11, 2014
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This is a tough question but I think I’d go with the 38-55. It has big nostalgic value for me, as it was a popular caliber amongst the old-timers where I grew up, it can easily take game out to 200 yards, but still not too much of a meat-wrecker for smaller game. I’ve had a lot of 38-55’s pass through my hands and have done a lot of 38-55 shooting.
I would give honourable mention to the 32-20. It is a little light for large game, though, but I brother-in-law took a Moose on their farm with an old Marlin 32-20, but he grew up shooting, was an expert shot, and knew where to put them and how far away when he did it. For me, it is my favourite small game and varmint cartridge.
It’s great to see all the different caliber favorite’s. It’s a big variety so far & looking forward to reading more. The 22 hornet seems to be well liked & the 1894 sure made its mark with its caliber offerings by the replies.
RickC
November 2, 2009
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I started shooting and reloading .44 WCF when I was about 15 years old. I’ll be 71 in just a few days. So, I guess that would be my favorite caliber. I also have a love affair with the .45-75 WCF and have reloaded this one for many years. The .50-95 Express is great, but don’t shoot those as much. The .38-40 and .38-55 are also on my list. Modern calibers would include ’06 and .308. Many others in between.
January 10, 2016
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Mine would be .22 long rifle and .222 Rem.
Appreciate the reply Limestone304. Lot of different strokes for different folks.
RickC
March 31, 2009
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I like the large bore antique rifles. For some reason I keep finding 45-90’s. Took many years before I bought a 45-70. I guess this is what I have shot the most so my choice would be the 45-90.
November 7, 2015
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Chuck said
I like the large bore antique rifles. For some reason I keep finding 45-90’s. Took many years before I bought a 45-70. I guess this is what I have shot the most so my choice would be the 45-90.
You’re a lucky man. The 45-90 is a wonderful but misunderstood cartridge.
Mike
