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

Smith & Wesson Academy
Smith & Wesson Academy

A Visit to the New Smith & Wesson Academy

Let the training (re)commence at Smith & Wesson's new Academy in Tennessee.

New for 2026: Leupold LCO Pro F2 Red-Dot Sight

The optic giant has updated its flagship red-dot sight with a host of upgraded features.

Rifleman Review: Heckler & Koch CC9

When Heckler & Koch USA launched its micro-compact CC9, it proved to be one of the most robustly built micro-compact handguns yet made.

Beyond the Headlines on Armed Citizen Stories

Concealed carriers in the U.S. commit almost no crimes with their lawfully owned firearms. Armed citizens do, however, stop a lot of crimes.

Rifleman Interview: Smith & Wesson FPC and M&P22X

Smith & Wesson’s latest rimfire semi-autos were on display at Plinkapalooza in May.

Taking It Home: War Trophies in American History

From our founding to the more recent past, war-trophy firearms have played a significant role in arming American citizens.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.