1 rifle, what would you pick? - Page 2

Regolith · May 5, 2009, 06:35 PM

For me, this isn't academic. I'm just starting my firearm collection, and for my first rifle I decided to get the one rifle I'd want to cover most of the types of hunting I'd want to do. It's going to be a while before I get my second (if you don't count rimfires - already bought a 10/22).

I got a Remington 700 SPS in .30-06. The model isn't quite as important as the caliber, though I prefer the 700 SPS over similarly priced rifles. I mounted a Nikon Buckmasters 4.5-14x40SF on it, and I've been fairly happy with it thus far, though I have yet to take it hunting.

It wasn't my first gun though. I bought a Remington 870 12 gauge for that; with a pump shotgun and two barrels (a 28" vent rib and a 20" with rifle sights), I can do everything from hunt birds to big game, and have a capable tool for HD.

davlandrum · May 5, 2009, 06:56 PM

Regolith - hey, that is my exact rifle! OK, one of my rifles, but my go-to hunting rifle.

WeedWacker · May 5, 2009, 07:39 PM

All time favorite due to looks right now is my M91/56 Mosin-Nagant. Fairly light, packs a whallop for deer up to elk, maybe moose at close range if I feel dumb enough

My favorite long gun of all time due to practicality, however, would have to be the Mossberg 500. not tweaked out to look tacticool but a standard 500A with 5 round magazine (gives you the maximum 5 loads in the 3" shells) and a cantilevered rifled barrel with smoothbore on the side. Simplicity and necessity as art.

(wood stock/pump all the way too)

ETA: As far as dream rifle though, I would have to say probably a bolt rifle in .308 win/7.62 NATO (for practicality) in a McMillian stock. Awe heck just say M40 and that would probably be it. Top it with a 3-9x50 Leupold (I could take a Burris too) with a sunshade and we are set for coyote, deer, maybe elk at 100-150 yds, do matches. I think I know what my next project is going to be

(once I get done with my Benelli, AR-15, 59/66 SKS, Springfield M1903, AK-47... I think it's going to be a while and a lot of dough though

)

Sportdog · May 5, 2009, 11:02 PM

That's the cartridge. Now the rifle......Since I have four 06's, Remington 742 Semi-Auto Carbine, Remington 700ADL 22" barrel, Winchester 670 22" barrel, and Winchester 70 24" barrel.......The winner is........Winchester 70 24" barrel. I just like the longer tube. I like the rifle because it is matte blue finish, matte black synthetic stock, a rifle made for hunting. It lacks the beauty of my wood stocked rifles but it fits me well and shoots very straight.

cracked91 · May 5, 2009, 11:47 PM

Favorite currently was my stoeger coachgun nickel that I no longer have. If i could only have 1. . . I think It would be an M1A, which I consider to be the perfect all around rifle.

Jseime · May 6, 2009, 12:52 AM

Open country deer hunter here. I come from an area chock full of world class animals and my breed is a Ruger. M77MkII left-hand, laminate, stainless, .270 Winchester, Bushnell 3200 scope and a bi-pod.

I love the CRF action and the Ruger is pelnty accurate for me. My longest shots to date are 300-ish yards on coyote and mule deer and i think the shortest shot would be a coyote i called in to about ten yards and didnt see till he was that close.

Shaun_300 · May 7, 2009, 07:24 PM

Ruger M77 .25-06! Light, deadly accurate, easy to reload for, and can kill pretty much any game animal that lives in this area.

Hirlau · May 7, 2009, 08:01 PM

Features: Lightweight ( 1.6 lbs)
"Tru-Glo" front sights(for Night Stalking)
Approx. 400 round capacity
Solid wood stock
Relatively cheap to own ( $35.00)
Low maintainence
Unlikely to be effected by the AWB

As a kid , I took many a Coke bottles and a few Pepsi's also. Once attempted Dangerous Game on a " Dumpster Rat" ; didn't drop him, but I have not seen him since.

moparjames · May 7, 2009, 09:53 PM

Ruger 77 hawkeye 30-06 stainless lam.

snipecatcher · May 7, 2009, 10:04 PM

If I could only have one rifle the rest of my life, it would be a bolt action .22. Anything can be killed with a head shot if you are within bow-hunting range/30 yards or so. For a high powered rifle it would be a .270, notably my beater Savage with its' cheap synthetic stock and crappy Bushnell scope. Very dependable and accurate, with no worries of messing it up.
-Dan

Lavid2002 · May 7, 2009, 10:12 PM

AR10

eaglesnester · May 8, 2009, 08:37 AM

I live in the bush in the northern interior of B.C. Canada, so my rifle needs are a bit different than the folks that live down in the lower 48. If I had to be a one gun hunter I would have to choose a 375 H&H. Good for deer, elk, moose, and any grizz in Canada or Alaska. By selecting the correct bullet you can take anything from deer to the largest dangerous game in north America.

Cheers & Tighter Groups: Eaglesnester

Quickdraw Limpsalot · May 8, 2009, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Marlin 336 in 35 Rem....

Youbetcha. Same for me.

Savage99 · May 8, 2009, 10:03 PM

matt 3479,

Good story on getting that moose!

I have various rifles collected over the last half century. M70's, 99's, Kimbers etc.

I picked up this Argentine 09 Mauser in 30-06. I am going to use it for the moment. Its quite nice, great wood, M70 type safety, octagon barrel.

OttoJara · May 9, 2009, 12:22 AM

I too love my Marlin 336 in .35Rem. My 336 was born in 1964 and shoots like a dream. My wife shoots it, and my 14 yr old son shoots it. Great round, awesome rifle.

James R. Burke · May 18, 2009, 07:03 PM

I would like to say the 8mm Mauser my Father made for me when I was fourteen, I still have it, and it fits like a glove. But if it had to be one for everything it would be my Ruger No 1 A Light sporter, with my Leupold 3x9 x40mm. It is a .30-06. Great to reload for very strong action. You can load or buy ammo in a very wide selection anywhere you go. I reload, and it is a very accurate rifle. My wife has the exact same rifle weight, scope, etc. It is a twin only hers is a .243. The two Leupold scopes are the limited century models. I have never had a No 1 fail me, I know there is better out there, and it cost alot for a single shot but it is very dependable, strong, and accurate. I also have a Ruger No 1 tropical in a .416 Rem Mag. Never ever had a problem with any of them. So it would be the .30-06!

Rampant_Colt · May 18, 2009, 07:17 PM

Why?
I like the idea of using the same cartridge for a rifle and handgun. The old west cowboys and gunslingers knew a thing or two about its versatility.

this sucker is a tack-driver!

Fitted-up with NEGC rear aperture and BSA Cat's Eye 1.5-4.5x32 scope on Ruger's factory base.

I can shoot 180gr ~340gr hardcast. Good enough for everything up to and including moose out to 125-150 yards.

ps - Ruger is manufacturing these fine little carbines again: http://ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdView...=7402&return=Y

liberty1 · May 18, 2009, 07:21 PM

Remington 700 XCR 7mm magnum. 140gr barnes x bullets. Antelope to elk always works for me.

WAPITI_ASSASSIN · May 19, 2009, 03:38 PM

Marlin .338mx
for me it is just a good all around gun.
like where the brains meets brawn.....

BlackFeather · May 19, 2009, 03:55 PM

my marlin 30/30 for dear and bear... actually for anything under an elk...

Buckmaster · May 19, 2009, 06:29 PM

my Browning A-Bolt in .270 WSM!

OLNfan · May 19, 2009, 06:36 PM

lever action 45-70 marlin! perf Model 1895SBL but I could stick with my old 1895 classic.

cdc2008 · May 19, 2009, 07:12 PM

Just got a Weatherby Vanguard in 7mm Rem. Mag.

Glad I didn't pay for the Sub-Moa version because this one shoots factory Winchester 150gr Power Points into a penny at 100yds.

Last group of the day was 0.556 in

This gun just became my #1

savage36 · May 20, 2009, 11:19 AM

If I had to pick 1 of my rifles to head for the hills with everything I own on my back, it would be my Winchester 94 carbine in 30-30.

W. C. Quantrill · May 21, 2009, 12:51 AM

Rem M 700 in .30-06--TRS-1 scope.

May 5, 2009, 06:56 PM	#27
davlandrum Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2006 Location: Lane County Oregon Posts: 2,547	Regolith - hey, that is my exact rifle! OK, one of my rifles, but my go-to hunting rifle. __________________ U.S Army, Retired Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do. -Potter Stewart

May 5, 2009, 07:39 PM	#28
WeedWacker Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2006 Location: Body: Clarkston, Washington. Soul: LaCrosse, Wisconsin Posts: 1,591	All time favorite due to looks right now is my M91/56 Mosin-Nagant. Fairly light, packs a whallop for deer up to elk, maybe moose at close range if I feel dumb enough My favorite long gun of all time due to practicality, however, would have to be the Mossberg 500. not tweaked out to look tacticool but a standard 500A with 5 round magazine (gives you the maximum 5 loads in the 3" shells) and a cantilevered rifled barrel with smoothbore on the side. Simplicity and necessity as art. (wood stock/pump all the way too) ETA: As far as dream rifle though, I would have to say probably a bolt rifle in .308 win/7.62 NATO (for practicality) in a McMillian stock. Awe heck just say M40 and that would probably be it. Top it with a 3-9x50 Leupold (I could take a Burris too) with a sunshade and we are set for coyote, deer, maybe elk at 100-150 yds, do matches. I think I know what my next project is going to be (once I get done with my Benelli, AR-15, 59/66 SKS, Springfield M1903, AK-47... I think it's going to be a while and a lot of dough though ) __________________ - Jon Disequilibrium facilitates accommodation. 9mm vs .45 ACP? The answer is .429 Last edited by WeedWacker; May 5, 2009 at 07:44 PM.

May 5, 2009, 11:02 PM	#29
Sportdog Junior member Join Date: February 28, 2006 Location: Southwestern Michigan Posts: 369	30-06 That's the cartridge. Now the rifle......Since I have four 06's, Remington 742 Semi-Auto Carbine, Remington 700ADL 22" barrel, Winchester 670 22" barrel, and Winchester 70 24" barrel.......The winner is........Winchester 70 24" barrel. I just like the longer tube. I like the rifle because it is matte blue finish, matte black synthetic stock, a rifle made for hunting. It lacks the beauty of my wood stocked rifles but it fits me well and shoots very straight.

May 6, 2009, 12:52 AM	#31
Jseime Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 1,775	Open country deer hunter here. I come from an area chock full of world class animals and my breed is a Ruger. M77MkII left-hand, laminate, stainless, .270 Winchester, Bushnell 3200 scope and a bi-pod. I love the CRF action and the Ruger is pelnty accurate for me. My longest shots to date are 300-ish yards on coyote and mule deer and i think the shortest shot would be a coyote i called in to about ten yards and didnt see till he was that close. __________________ I love the smell of fresh shotgun in the morning.

May 7, 2009, 08:01 PM	#33
Hirlau Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 296	Buck Model 105 Features: Lightweight ( 1.6 lbs) "Tru-Glo" front sights(for Night Stalking) Approx. 400 round capacity Solid wood stock Relatively cheap to own ( $35.00) Low maintainence Unlikely to be effected by the AWB As a kid , I took many a Coke bottles and a few Pepsi's also. Once attempted Dangerous Game on a " Dumpster Rat" ; didn't drop him, but I have not seen him since.

May 5, 2009, 06:35 PM	#26
Regolith Senior Member Join Date: September 30, 2008 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 400	For me, this isn't academic. I'm just starting my firearm collection, and for my first rifle I decided to get the one rifle I'd want to cover most of the types of hunting I'd want to do. It's going to be a while before I get my second (if you don't count rimfires - already bought a 10/22). I got a Remington 700 SPS in .30-06. The model isn't quite as important as the caliber, though I prefer the 700 SPS over similarly priced rifles. I mounted a Nikon Buckmasters 4.5-14x40SF on it, and I've been fairly happy with it thus far, though I have yet to take it hunting. It wasn't my first gun though. I bought a Remington 870 12 gauge for that; with a pump shotgun and two barrels (a 28" vent rib and a 20" with rifle sights), I can do everything from hunt birds to big game, and have a capable tool for HD.

May 5, 2009, 11:47 PM	#30
cracked91 Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2009 Posts: 385	Favorite currently was my stoeger coachgun nickel that I no longer have. If i could only have 1. . . I think It would be an M1A, which I consider to be the perfect all around rifle.

May 7, 2009, 07:24 PM	#32
Shaun_300 Member Join Date: February 16, 2009 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 67	Ruger M77 .25-06! Light, deadly accurate, easy to reload for, and can kill pretty much any game animal that lives in this area.

May 7, 2009, 09:53 PM	#34
moparjames Junior Member Join Date: December 7, 2008 Location: wyoming Posts: 4	Ruger 77 hawkeye 30-06 stainless lam.

May 7, 2009, 10:04 PM	#35
snipecatcher Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 314	If I could only have one rifle the rest of my life, it would be a bolt action .22. Anything can be killed with a head shot if you are within bow-hunting range/30 yards or so. For a high powered rifle it would be a .270, notably my beater Savage with its' cheap synthetic stock and crappy Bushnell scope. Very dependable and accurate, with no worries of messing it up. -Dan

May 7, 2009, 10:12 PM	#36
Lavid2002 Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2007 Posts: 2,568	AR10 __________________ Math>Grammar

May 8, 2009, 08:37 AM	#37
eaglesnester Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2007 Posts: 100	Which Rifle? I live in the bush in the northern interior of B.C. Canada, so my rifle needs are a bit different than the folks that live down in the lower 48. If I had to be a one gun hunter I would have to choose a 375 H&H. Good for deer, elk, moose, and any grizz in Canada or Alaska. By selecting the correct bullet you can take anything from deer to the largest dangerous game in north America. Cheers & Tighter Groups: Eaglesnester

May 8, 2009, 10:03 PM	#39
Savage99 Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2004 Posts: 567	matt 3479, Good story on getting that moose! I have various rifles collected over the last half century. M70's, 99's, Kimbers etc. I picked up this Argentine 09 Mauser in 30-06. I am going to use it for the moment. Its quite nice, great wood, M70 type safety, octagon barrel.

May 9, 2009, 12:22 AM	#40
OttoJara Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2008 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Posts: 459	I too love my Marlin 336 in .35Rem. My 336 was born in 1964 and shoots like a dream. My wife shoots it, and my 14 yr old son shoots it. Great round, awesome rifle. __________________ The early bird may get the worm, but, the second rat, gets the cheese. "A fear of weapons, is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." Sigmund Freud

May 18, 2009, 07:03 PM	#41
James R. Burke Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2009 Location: U.P. of Mich/Quinnesec Posts: 1,897	I would like to say the 8mm Mauser my Father made for me when I was fourteen, I still have it, and it fits like a glove. But if it had to be one for everything it would be my Ruger No 1 A Light sporter, with my Leupold 3x9 x40mm. It is a .30-06. Great to reload for very strong action. You can load or buy ammo in a very wide selection anywhere you go. I reload, and it is a very accurate rifle. My wife has the exact same rifle weight, scope, etc. It is a twin only hers is a .243. The two Leupold scopes are the limited century models. I have never had a No 1 fail me, I know there is better out there, and it cost alot for a single shot but it is very dependable, strong, and accurate. I also have a Ruger No 1 tropical in a .416 Rem Mag. Never ever had a problem with any of them. So it would be the .30-06!

May 18, 2009, 07:17 PM	#42
Rampant_Colt Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2006 Location: Parts Unknown Posts: 1,478	Ruger 77/44 .44 Magnum Why? I like the idea of using the same cartridge for a rifle and handgun. The old west cowboys and gunslingers knew a thing or two about its versatility. this sucker is a tack-driver! Fitted-up with NEGC rear aperture and BSA Cat's Eye 1.5-4.5x32 scope on Ruger's factory base. I can shoot 180gr ~340gr hardcast. Good enough for everything up to and including moose out to 125-150 yards. ps - Ruger is manufacturing these fine little carbines again: http://ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdView...=7402&return=Y __________________ member of an elite paramilitary organization: Eagle Scouts

May 18, 2009, 07:21 PM	#43
liberty1 Senior Member Join Date: May 14, 2009 Location: colorado Posts: 281	Remington 700 XCR 7mm magnum. 140gr barnes x bullets. Antelope to elk always works for me.

May 19, 2009, 03:38 PM	#44
WAPITI_ASSASSIN Member Join Date: May 19, 2009 Location: Grants pass Oregon Posts: 53	Marlin .338mx for me it is just a good all around gun. like where the brains meets brawn.....

May 19, 2009, 03:55 PM	#45
BlackFeather Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2009 Location: West Coast Posts: 450	my marlin 30/30 for dear and bear... actually for anything under an elk...

May 19, 2009, 06:29 PM	#46
Buckmaster Member Join Date: May 12, 2007 Location: San Angelo, TX Posts: 37	Mine woulb be... my Browning A-Bolt in .270 WSM! __________________ A bad day hunting is better than a good day at work!

May 19, 2009, 06:36 PM	#47
OLNfan Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2009 Location: British Columbia Canada Posts: 277	lever action 45-70 marlin! perf Model 1895SBL but I could stick with my old 1895 classic. __________________ "Dear Governor Axtell. I've heard that you will give 200 dollars for my head. Perhaps we should meet and talk. I am at the Juarez village at the border. Send 3 men, and instruct them not to shoot, as I am unarmed. In short, Sir; I surrender. Your obedient servant William H. Bonney. PS: I changed my mind. Kiss my ass."

May 19, 2009, 07:12 PM	#48
cdc2008 Junior Member Join Date: September 20, 2008 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 6	Just got a Weatherby Vanguard in 7mm Rem. Mag. Glad I didn't pay for the Sub-Moa version because this one shoots factory Winchester 150gr Power Points into a penny at 100yds. Last group of the day was 0.556 in This gun just became my #1

May 20, 2009, 11:19 AM	#49
savage36 Junior Member Join Date: April 6, 2009 Location: Connecticut Posts: 6	If I had to pick 1 of my rifles to head for the hills with everything I own on my back, it would be my Winchester 94 carbine in 30-30.

May 21, 2009, 12:51 AM	#50
W. C. Quantrill Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2008 Location: No Man's Land Posts: 354	Rem M 700 in .30-06--TRS-1 scope. __________________ NRA Life Whittington Center Life