Author Topic: one rifle? (Read 17683 times)

lonewolf_one · « **on:** January 11, 2009, 05:58:57 PM »

Hi Folks,
I'm not looking to start a big argument, but I'm sure there will be differences of opinion here. I am looking to become as self sufficient as possible as time passes. I have a number of firearms. Disregarding the handguns, I have a 12 gauge pump, a 20 gauge sbs, a 12 gauge turkey gun , a .22 ruger 10/22, a .44 magnum lever action saddle gun, a 12 gauge slug gun and a .50 caliber muzzleloader. I'm thinking I need at least one more rifle to round out the collection. I know the .44 will handle anything, but it's got "a bit of a kick". My question is the thing that is going to cause the controversy. If you had my collection and were planning to add one more rifle, what would be your choice? I'm looking to add something that will handle any game in the lower 48. Or, do you think that it's necessary to add more than one rifle? Please consider, I'm on a limited budget, and am trying to round out the collection within a reasonable budget. Another thing that I may be missing is a goose/duck gun. I want to be able to hunt any game that's available in the lower 48 and would appreciate the suggestions of those more experienced in regards to what type of "arsenal" would be needed. Thanks for taking the time.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #1 on:** January 11, 2009, 06:08:25 PM »

Savage or stevens bolt gun in .308, reasonable cost take anything you want to shoot with it. As for the shotgun you can get a diffrent barrel for your pump and cover anything.

dukkillr · « **Reply #2 on:** January 11, 2009, 06:30:33 PM »

I'd get a 700 in .270 30-06 or .308.

Casull · « **Reply #3 on:** January 11, 2009, 07:28:05 PM »

Quote

I know the .44 will handle anything, but it's got "a bit of a kick".

If your .44 lever gun has "a bit of a kick" for you, then you certainly don't want to buy a .270, .308 or 30-06. Inside 100 yards, the .44 will handle the lower 48. I'd suggest some good hardcast 300 grain bullets for reloading in the .44, and then you'll be fine for bear, elk, etc. within the gun's range limitations.

GatCat · « **Reply #4 on:** January 12, 2009, 03:36:27 AM »

Well, it seems to me that the excellent weapons that you have all top off at around 100-150 yards. Since you said anything / anywhere in the lower 48, I'd say that ideally you could use something with more range. The .308 comes to mind since ammo is so common ( being a NATO round ). Many other choices out there, .243, .260, 7/08, 6.5X55, etc., etc. ( Don't forget the grand .30-06 ).
When it all melts down, if it were me, I'd look for a .308 built on a commercial '98 type Mauser Action..maybe a used FN ( could be a Sears brand,Husqvarna, or any one of many others). Utterly reliable, parts available anywhere, very easily stripped for cleaning, etc. The basic action was used throughout the world in 2 World Wars, hundreds of bush wars, and is still the basis for many ( most?) bolt action rifles. The older sporting ones are usually equipted with open sights, are drilled and tapped for scope mounts, and are somewhat "bulky" ( meaning they are a bit heavy, a plus for you if you are a bit recoil sensitive).
Just my 2 cents worth.
Mark

351 power · « **Reply #5 on:** January 12, 2009, 10:29:09 AM »

you need a varmint caliber. a .223 is a great choice. or a .22mag.

BBF · « **Reply #6 on:** January 12, 2009, 11:42:36 AM »

You got way to many now !! Sell most of them.

A 12 gauge pump with three interchangable barrels will cover anything up to 200 yards.

With the possible doomsday situation looking more realistic in regards to firearms and ammo etc. perhaps you should invest in a nice crossbow unless you are a bowhunter already.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #7 on:** January 12, 2009, 11:47:43 AM »

308 bolt or single shot.

Cheese

45-70.gov · « **Reply #8 on:** January 12, 2009, 11:53:34 AM »

you turkey gun will do for ducks and geese

the 308 preferably but any popular deer round

possably a 223 in a bolt ...... big game in a pinch can carry lots of ammo
it will kill any thing with FMJ and head shots
long range on medium game

efremtags · « **Reply #9 on:** January 12, 2009, 01:34:11 PM »

It depends what you want the rifle for. Is it for big game to supplement your existing collection, self defense, both.

With a good shotgun and muzleloader, you are not at a loss for big game hunting most people would do (deer, black bear, wild hogs). A rifle is really not needed.

For self defense, a .223 or 762x39 is best as ammo is cheap an guns come in all price ranges from simple SKS to tricked out AR15.

For combo, a good scout 308 is hard to beat.
There are plenty of good surplus rifles from WWII generation (Mausers, Garands) that fit this bill in other calibers as well,

For a hunting only rifle, hard to be a good bolt 06. You can get a combo at Dicks with scope for under 400. It will do anything you ask of it.

Cornbelt · « **Reply #10 on:** January 13, 2009, 02:13:30 AM »

Flintlock

Swampman · « **Reply #11 on:** January 13, 2009, 02:30:17 AM »

Nothing could be worse than a flintlock. I've used one for years.

A Remington 700 in .30-06 from Walmart or second hand would be the right choice.

Cornbelt · « **Reply #12 on:** January 13, 2009, 02:43:09 AM »

OK. Arquebus.

bilmac · « **Reply #13 on:** January 13, 2009, 03:11:12 AM »

You see it all depends on what part of the country comes to mind as your first reaction. Living on the edge of the mtns. I would dump most of the shotguns, maybe acquire an old single shot for birds that just won't hold still for a rifle shot, and get a good 06 bolt gun. Then I'd work up some squibb loads to shoot small game and sell the 22s. In many places where people hunt around here being able to stop a grizz is becoming an issue. Many hunters who have hunted this area forever are now moving to different mountain ranges because of the bears. OK maybe not because of the bears so much as because of silly Forest Service regulations concerning the bears.

Graybeard · « **Reply #14 on:** January 13, 2009, 03:25:27 AM »

Get a .308, .30-06, .270 or 7-08 and you'll be well served for any game you plan to take and all are good long range rounds. Factory ammo is plentiful and loading compoenets are everywhere.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #15 on:** January 13, 2009, 03:59:11 AM »

If i got the 308 or 30-06 i would get an adapter to shoot 30 carbine for small game .

45-70.gov · « **Reply #16 on:** January 13, 2009, 06:12:24 AM »

Quote from: SHOOTALL on January 13, 2009, 03:59:11 AM

If i got the 308 or 30-06 i would get an adapter to shoot 30 carbine for small game .

or a 32acp or 32long colt or 32h&r mag ect

been thinking of the 32 smith and wesson long as that is what i reload for my mom

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #17 on:** January 13, 2009, 07:14:21 AM »

THE 30 carbine is more powerful and in most cases less expensive . they come sealed from moisture in many brands . A JHP will kill a deer or other med. varmit and a solid would take small game with out over kill. And out of a rifle not as loud as 308

243dave · « **Reply #18 on:** January 13, 2009, 08:24:44 AM »

Lonewolf, First you need to stock-up on 22lr ammo, at least 2,000rds and a few extra clips, at least two high capacity ones for your 10\22 .Next start reloading, get you lots of brass, bullets, and powder for one rifle that can do it all. Don't overlook your 44mag levergun. Once you start reloading you can tame the recoil and shoot it cheaper with cast bullets and fast burning powder than any medium bore high power rifle. I've got a 45colt lever that I load from very mild to wild and its my cheapest and most flexable rifle to load for I have. My cheap load I made for shooting squirrels in the middle of the day while deer hunting, its as quiet as a 22lr. I only use 3grs of powder under a cast bullet so a pound of powder is good for more than 2,000 shots. If you didn't want to go the 44 route get a 308 bolt gun. A military round has its pluses, there will always be ammo even if guns are outlawed someday. Dave

mannyrock · « **Reply #19 on:** January 13, 2009, 04:49:50 PM »

No question about it. You need a bolt action .308 Winchester, in either a Remington 700, a Savage, a Ruger 77, or one of the newer Winchester model 70s. Don't worry about it kicking hard. If your rifle has a monte carlo stock, and a high quality (NEW) recoil pad (Decelerator, or Pachmeyer or KickEez) then recoil is simply not much of a factor. And, ammo is universally available.

The reason your .44 Mag carbines kicks is that it has a straight stock, with no drop, and a small comb, and no cheekpiece to anchor your face against. Yea, it probably kicks like a mule, especially if you are sitting behind it from a bench. The .308 rifles outlined above will push back, but it won't hurt like the .44 mag.

I agree with others. You only need one good shotgun, a 12 gauge with perhaps two barrels (a slug barrel, and a 26 inch or 28 inch barrel with interchangable chokes.)

You could easily get by for everything (except large grizzly, but who cares?) with the following:

1. A bolt action in .308.

2. A bolt action in .223

3. A Ruger 10/22 in 22lr.

4. A 12 gauge shotgun, as described above. (Either a pump, if you are sure you won't short-stroke it, or a very high quality semi-auto, such as a Beretta, with a synthetic stock.)

These will accomplish EVERYTHING you need, using the most commonly available ammo in the world.

If I were able to add a 5th, it would be a Marlin 30-30 lever, or maybe the Marlin .44 lever, as a close up tactical gun and all around handi-gun.

Just my opinions.

Mannyrock

Regards, Mannyrock

lonewolf_one · « **Reply #20 on:** January 13, 2009, 07:33:59 PM »

Thanks one and all for your input. There's nothing like drawing on the experience of others when making a decision such as this.
joe

gstewart44 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 18, 2009, 03:06:05 PM »

I would get an H&R 308 or 3006, with extra barrels in 12 g, and 22lr. Plenty of ammo in all these choices and can be had on a budget.

wgr · « **Reply #22 on:** January 19, 2009, 01:33:37 PM »

if you have a 12gauge shotgun with slugs dont worry about grizzly eather

bilmac · « **Reply #23 on:** January 19, 2009, 03:52:46 PM »

Popgun energy and poor penetration

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #24 on:** January 21, 2009, 06:13:12 AM »

must be a big pop gun !

Casull · « **Reply #25 on:** January 21, 2009, 09:00:29 AM »

Quote

The reason your .44 Mag carbines kicks is that it has a straight stock, with no drop, and a small comb, and no cheekpiece to anchor your face against. Yea, it probably kicks like a mule, especially if you are sitting behind it from a bench. The .308 rifles outlined above will push back, but it won't hurt like the .44 mag.

Wow. I can shoot a three pound .44 mag all day long with one hand, but a six pound rifle in the same caliber fired from the shoulder is going to hurt more than a seven pound .308. LOL

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #26 on:** January 21, 2009, 09:07:22 AM »

really

Swampman · « **Reply #27 on:** January 21, 2009, 09:34:01 AM »

Another point of view

The New Way of the Wilderness, 1958 by Calvin Rutstrum

"Guns and ballistics have fascinated me since boyhood, and I hope this elemental pleasure will endure, for it has offered me a great deal of pleasure as well as kinship with others that only ballistics and a cozy campfire could possibly create. Such cartridges as the .270 Winchester, .300 H&H magnum, .30/06, and even some for the big-bore British favorites are as interesting to me as though magic were contained in these combinations of figures....

What has been the result? I have reached up to the gun rack and taken down the .30/30 carbine by some process of natural selection, not condoned perhaps by many experts by easily explained by those who spend long periods in the wilderness areas. The .30/30 Winchester carbine is light, short, easily worked through dense forest areas and, when carried over arduous trails, lends itself well to canoe, pack-horse, and dog-team travel. Also it is vested with the crowning glory-the open hammer and the lever action, which symbolize the outdoors as do the pattern of a snowshoe or a canoe."

Norm1057 · « **Reply #28 on:** January 21, 2009, 11:07:53 AM »

Remington 700bdl in .270rem!

jmayton · « **Reply #29 on:** January 21, 2009, 11:09:36 AM »

You really can't go wrong with the 30-06. It's the most versatile big game cartridge available, ammo is readily available and usually cheap. Second to that I'd go with a .280 or a .270 in long action. If you want a short action, get a .308 or a 7mm-08. Get whatever bolt gun feels the best to you. You won't go wrong with a Savage or a Remington.

As far as recoil goes, I guess I'm getting more tolerant each year. I have a Savage 110 wood stock with the factory recoil pad in 30-06 and I don't find it all that hard on me. Now I'm not saying I'll sit on the bench and shoot 50-100 rounds through it in a day (my limit is about 20 rounds)....but for hunting purposes, it's fine.