If you HAD to choose THE ONE : )

stagpanther · May 27, 2018, 05:28 PM

I have many weapons of many types. Lots. Lots to choose from. Some very powerful--some very easy to shoot. Some very precise and accurate, some challenging to get good groups with. Some long range weapons--some point and shoot close up weapons.

But if I were forced to choose the ONE weapon which is the all-around most fun and enjoyable (though that doesn't necessarily mean I'll shoot it non-stop all day) I think I'd have to give the vote to my Rossi 16" carbine lever in 44mag. It's not an especially well-made gun, that steel plate is gonna hurt after a while, and irons are a challenge for my old eyes--but for all-around free-hand shooting enjoyment at unknown ranges, with a lightweight rifle of 5 lbs that is a kick to shoot--especially when loaded with my warm hunting rounds that will knock a deer over--for me this is the one that I have the MOST fun with.

What's your's?

ThomasT · May 27, 2018, 05:41 PM

Close to yours but my Marlin 357 lever action. My most favored of all the guns I own. With my reloading stuff it can replace a 22 rifle and has enough power with full bore loads to hunt anything in my area. Plus its just so dern much fun to shoot.

Art Eatman · May 27, 2018, 06:54 PM

My #1 pet hunting rifle for some 35 years was my Weatherby Mk V in .30-'06. 26" barrel, Canjar trigger, Leupold 3-9x40 scope. Quite reliably Sub-MOA. In my younger and healthier years the weight was no problem. Basically, anything inside of 500 yards belonged to me.

Then my legs cheated and got old, so I changed to a Remington 700 Ti in 7mm08. 6.5 pounds, fully dressed and ready to hunt. That added some years to my walking-hunting.

PatientWolf · May 27, 2018, 07:46 PM

I've recently been thinking about this same topic, although did not believe it needed to be a long gun I own.

I have come to a similar, but slightly different conclusion. I have been thinking a .357/38 special lever, with a threaded barrel would be a good option. I would want a padded butt stock, though.

I'd consider a Rossi 92, Marlin 1894 or a Browning 92. Some might require some minor mods.

Terminatorret · May 27, 2018, 08:56 PM

Ruger 77/357.

Don Fischer · May 27, 2018, 08:57 PM

I really like all my gun's not that a lot of them. Probably I'd go with either my mod 70 6.5x55. But maybe my mod 700 25-06. Well could be my Mossberg Patriot 308, only shoot cast in it! But then my 1903 custom Springfield I got from a guy that was like a dad to me, 30-06. Ya know, my mod 700 in 6.5x06 is a dandy! Getting old so maybe just keep one of the 243's!

Tuff question!

std7mag · May 27, 2018, 10:34 PM

Wow! I've been asked to choose 6, or 4, but never just one.

Ruger 77 MKII in 257 Roberts.

I can hunt anything from gophers to elk with it.

stagpanther · May 27, 2018, 11:38 PM

Please keep in mind that I'm not asking for what is your most useful weapon (it doesn't have to be a rifle BTW)--nor "if you had to choose only one you could own"--but rather the one that is the most FUN.

The 44 mag is exceedingly easy, versatile and long-lived as a cartridge for reloading, in addition to the rossi's ease of portablity, use and satisfaction of blowing up targets when hit. It's also "uncomplicated" that I don't need to do anything other than grab it and a box of cartridges for a quick fix of shooting pleasure.

The recoil is the biggest downside of my choice--but you can also load the 44mag way down to get around that if you want.

PatientWolf · May 28, 2018, 05:00 AM

Stagpanther-

You could always have a butstock pad added. Not an original look but hey, it's for shooting-not looking at, right?

stagpanther · May 28, 2018, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Stagpanther-

You could always have a butstock pad added. Not an original look but hey, it's for shooting-not looking at, right?

True--I have done so to other rifles so I'm not reluctant to--but generally if I put the butt right where it needs to go on the shoulder I don't get stung--that's not to say I'm ready to happily bang away 100 cartridges of my hottest hunting load (two expensive anyway)--but 50 of any factory load is certainly a fun outing. I'm sure as I close in on 70 years I may change that opinion (or download to a softer shooter).

std7mag · May 28, 2018, 07:22 AM

Well with that criteria in place i would have to say....

Ruger 77 MKII in 257 Roberst.
Lol

Absolutely love this rifle! And that chambering!

stagpanther · May 28, 2018, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Well with that criteria in place i would have to say....

Ruger 77 MKII in 257 Roberst.
Lol

Absolutely love this rifle! And that chambering!
__________________
I am in earnest- I will not equivocate- I will not excuse-
I will not retreat a single inch- AND I WILL BE HEARD!
William Lloyd Garrison - The Liberator 1831

I've thought about a lightweight 77 in Roberts in a 20" barrel--nowhere to be found!

Don Fischer · May 28, 2018, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by std7mag

Wow! I've been asked to choose 6, or 4, but never just one.

Ruger 77 MKII in 257 Roberts.

I can hunt anything from gophers to elk with it.

Know what you mean. Imagine if you were told you could only choose one wife for the rest of your life?

Rifletom · May 28, 2018, 10:56 AM

"The best for just fun"? Then, it would be my 39A. Nothing more fun than that.
This is a tough question tho. So many fun guns! But,^^, that's my pick.

JWT · May 28, 2018, 12:24 PM

Hard choice but I'd have to say my Winchester / Miroku 1873
.38 / .357 with octagon barrel and case hardened receiver. Darned nice looking gun with very smooth action. I love the buckhorn signt on the gun and find it to be very accurate. Only complaint might be that it is heavy to shoot without resting a bit between firings.

TXAZ · May 28, 2018, 02:18 PM

No question, Barrett M107A1.

JWT · May 28, 2018, 05:13 PM

TXAZ, that is one hell of a gun. Looks a bit punishing too. A bit out of my price range, but something to dream about.

stagpanther · May 28, 2018, 05:43 PM

Quote:

No question, Barrett M107A1.

Having a shoulder surgeon as a best friend doesn't count!

I'd love to fire that and it sure would be fun--sorta like it would be fun to fire the main armament in an Abrahms tank.

Art Eatman · May 28, 2018, 08:10 PM

From the standpoint of pure fun, a .22. My most entertaining ones have been a Browning semi, a Remington 550, a Winchester Model 90 and a Walther Model 2.

Sort of a toss-up as to which of those to pick, though.

stagpanther · May 28, 2018, 08:19 PM

Never bought a 22--I know, crazy, right? But that's because I have a 17HMR.

MTT TL · May 28, 2018, 11:47 PM

Suppressed Colt AR15 in 5.56 with match barrel. Set it for accuracy and quiet. Runs like a sewing machine. >1 MOA

RC20 · May 29, 2018, 03:18 PM

I can't say I like the word weapon unless its intended to shoot at peopel.

std7mag · May 29, 2018, 03:33 PM

Wait...

According to Don Fischer i'm allowed to pick 2. Been married twice...

Second would be an M1 Carbine.

eastbank · May 29, 2018, 04:14 PM

growing old is not for sissy,s

stagpanther · May 29, 2018, 04:43 PM

Quote:

I can't say I like the word weapon unless its intended to shoot at peopel.

OK--what's your most fun modern sporting utinsile? (I do mostly target shooting--but do occasionally use them as weapons to put fresh game in the freezer).

May 27, 2018, 08:56 PM	#5
Terminatorret Member Join Date: January 27, 2015 Location: Tyler, TX Posts: 73	Ruger 77/357. __________________ "You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas." Davy Crockett, hero of the Alamo.

May 27, 2018, 10:34 PM	#7
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	Wow! I've been asked to choose 6, or 4, but never just one. Ruger 77 MKII in 257 Roberts. I can hunt anything from gophers to elk with it. __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...

May 27, 2018, 11:38 PM	#8
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,752	Please keep in mind that I'm not asking for what is your most useful weapon (it doesn't have to be a rifle BTW)--nor "if you had to choose only one you could own"--but rather the one that is the most *FUN. The 44 mag is exceedingly easy, versatile and long-lived as a cartridge for reloading, in addition to the rossi's ease of portablity, use and satisfaction of blowing up targets when hit. It's also "uncomplicated" that I don't need to do anything other than grab it and a box of cartridges for a quick fix of shooting pleasure. The recoil is the biggest downside of my choice--but you can also load the 44mag way down to get around that if you want. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!* Last edited by stagpanther; May 27, 2018 at 11:47 PM.

May 28, 2018, 07:22 AM	#11
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	Well with that criteria in place i would have to say.... Ruger 77 MKII in 257 Roberst. Lol Absolutely love this rifle! And that chambering! __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...

May 28, 2018, 02:18 PM	#16
TXAZ Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2010 Location: McMurdo Sound Texas Posts: 4,322	No question, Barrett M107A1. Last edited by TXAZ; May 28, 2018 at 02:28 PM.

May 27, 2018, 05:41 PM	#2
ThomasT Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 2,753	Close to yours but my Marlin 357 lever action. My most favored of all the guns I own. With my reloading stuff it can replace a 22 rifle and has enough power with full bore loads to hunt anything in my area. Plus its just so dern much fun to shoot.

May 27, 2018, 06:54 PM	#3
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	My #1 pet hunting rifle for some 35 years was my Weatherby Mk V in .30-'06. 26" barrel, Canjar trigger, Leupold 3-9x40 scope. Quite reliably Sub-MOA. In my younger and healthier years the weight was no problem. Basically, anything inside of 500 yards belonged to me. Then my legs cheated and got old, so I changed to a Remington 700 Ti in 7mm08. 6.5 pounds, fully dressed and ready to hunt. That added some years to my walking-hunting.

May 27, 2018, 07:46 PM	#4
PatientWolf Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Location: NC Posts: 946	I've recently been thinking about this same topic, although did not believe it needed to be a long gun I own. I have come to a similar, but slightly different conclusion. I have been thinking a .357/38 special lever, with a threaded barrel would be a good option. I would want a padded butt stock, though. I'd consider a Rossi 92, Marlin 1894 or a Browning 92. Some might require some minor mods.

May 27, 2018, 08:57 PM	#6
Don Fischer Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2017 Posts: 1,868	I really like all my gun's not that a lot of them. Probably I'd go with either my mod 70 6.5x55. But maybe my mod 700 25-06. Well could be my Mossberg Patriot 308, only shoot cast in it! But then my 1903 custom Springfield I got from a guy that was like a dad to me, 30-06. Ya know, my mod 700 in 6.5x06 is a dandy! Getting old so maybe just keep one of the 243's! Tuff question!

May 28, 2018, 05:00 AM	#9
PatientWolf Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Location: NC Posts: 946	Stagpanther- You could always have a butstock pad added. Not an original look but hey, it's for shooting-not looking at, right?

May 28, 2018, 10:56 AM	#14
Rifletom Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2011 Location: So-Cal Posts: 786	"The best for just fun"? Then, it would be my 39A. Nothing more fun than that. This is a tough question tho. So many fun guns! But,^^, that's my pick.

May 28, 2018, 12:24 PM	#15
JWT Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2007 Location: Southern Arizona Posts: 3,888	Hard choice but I'd have to say my Winchester / Miroku 1873 .38 / .357 with octagon barrel and case hardened receiver. Darned nice looking gun with very smooth action. I love the buckhorn signt on the gun and find it to be very accurate. Only complaint might be that it is heavy to shoot without resting a bit between firings.

May 28, 2018, 05:13 PM	#17
JWT Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2007 Location: Southern Arizona Posts: 3,888	TXAZ, that is one hell of a gun. Looks a bit punishing too. A bit out of my price range, but something to dream about.

May 28, 2018, 08:10 PM	#19
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	From the standpoint of pure fun, a .22. My most entertaining ones have been a Browning semi, a Remington 550, a Winchester Model 90 and a Walther Model 2. Sort of a toss-up as to which of those to pick, though.

May 28, 2018, 08:19 PM	#20
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,752	Never bought a 22--I know, crazy, right? But that's because I have a 17HMR. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

May 28, 2018, 11:47 PM	#21
MTT TL Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2009 Location: Quadling Country Posts: 2,780	Suppressed Colt AR15 in 5.56 with match barrel. Set it for accuracy and quiet. Runs like a sewing machine. >1 MOA __________________ Thus a man should endeavor to reach this high place of courage with all his heart, and, so trying, never be backward in war.

May 29, 2018, 03:18 PM	#22
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	I can't say I like the word weapon unless its intended to shoot at peopel. __________________ Science and Facts are True whether you believe it or not

May 29, 2018, 03:33 PM	#23
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	Wait... According to Don Fischer i'm allowed to pick 2. Been married twice... Second would be an M1 Carbine. __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...

May 29, 2018, 04:14 PM	#24
eastbank Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: pa. Posts: 2,450	growing old is not for sissy,s

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