Fear and Loading: Cartridges and Favorite NFL Teams

by
posted on September 14, 2015
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
football-cartridge.jpg

Is there a direct correlation between your pet rifle cartridge and the team you’ll be rooting for this year? We tried to conduct a scientific study by setting up a booth at nearby pre-season games, but officials at the Carolina Panthers growled at the request. As a result, all we can offer is our best 10 educated guesses according to what we’ve witnessed at tailgate parties. 

.22 LR—Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota nice, because it’s impolite to run a loud, heavy-thumping gun when a .22 will do.

.223 Rem.—Oakland Raiders. If Armageddon strikes, you’re going to plunder gear off the dead, bring it aboard your rig, and fight your way to some hidden and rum-filled island with a parrot in tow.

7.62x39 mm—Arizona Cardinals. Either you pray you hit the bullseye or own what some shooters claim is a “miracle gun” in the chambering, although the Vatican refuses to recognize those claims.

30-’06 Sprg.—New England Patriots. You’re red white and blue through and through, and if the marriage of this cartridge and the M1 helped us beat the Nazis in World War II, it’s good enough for you.

.300 Whisper/Blackout—Tennessee Titans. Sometimes it’s hard to know they’ve even played. 

.300 Win. Mag.—New Orleans Saints. Connecting at long distance is a breeze.  

.308 Win.—Philadelphia Eagles. It would have been more fun with Tebow, but you’re about performance, not hype.

.338 Lapua Mag.—Washington Redskins. Long shots are constantly on your mind.

.45-70 Gvt.—Dallas Cowboys. Cartridges less than 100 years old command no respect from the calf ropin’ crowd.   

 .50 BMG—Denver Broncos. Yee ha, we’re goin’ fer a ride, now let’s see if we can hang on until the 8-second buzzer.  

Latest

Gotw Henry Spd Predator 1
Gotw Henry Spd Predator 1

Gun of the Week: Henry Repeating Arms SPD Predator

The new SPD Predator, an extension of Henry's magazine-fed Lever Action Supreme Rifle design, looks to extract the greatest possible degree of accuracy and precision from a modern lever gun.

The Politically Incorrect Truth About the Armed Citizen

The Second Amendment doesn’t—and should not be treated as if—it ends at state lines. American citizens need the national reciprocity legislation that is now active in Congress.

The Armed Citizen® May 15, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Reaching for 1,000: A Study in Long Range Marksmanship

Calculating all the factors that go into a well-placed shot at distance can be a daunting task for those new to long-distance marksmanship, but when it all comes together, the result is gratifying.

ATF Proposes Changes to Form 4473

The ATF proposed a series of changes to form 4473 in May. If approved, the modifications would shave three pages from the paperwork and eliminate a lot of the previous form’s confusing redundancy­, trimming questions for both the purchaser/transferee and FFL.

Roar of the Muskets: The North-South Skirmish Association

The North-South Skirmish Association keeps Civil War history alive through competition shoots using Civil War-era arms at its Fort Shenandoah home base, as well as at regional shoots across the country.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.