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One Rifle

tacking1tacking1 Member Posts: 3,844
edited September 2005 in General Discussion
You have a choice of one rifle.

It should serve the following purposes:

Hunting (provide food)
Sport (target)
Defense (last ditch)

It needs to be:
Accurate (obviously)
Reliable
Parts, ammo, accessories readily available.

Obviously an AR Platform fits the bill as well as chambering in 5.56 or .308, but I'm looking for a non AR/AK (Siaga) platform.

Looking towards a Ruger Gunsite in 308 or a full size quality 308 bolt rifle.

Or a mossberg MVP.

Thoughts?
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    tacking1tacking1 Member Posts: 3,844
    edited November -1
    This may seem a sacrelige to some of you, but I don't have a rifle. I am mostly a wingshooter and like shotguns. I have several pistols as well.

    I guess I ought to get a rifle in case I need it for whatever. I might get invited hunting or something.

    Here is my question. If you are going to own one rifle, for general "all purpose" hunting, what would you get? Mfg, Model, Cal?

    ***Additional questions:

    *** are the "all in one" deals OK?
    *** Does stainless/synthetic vs. wood/blue make a difference?

    Thanks for the help.

    Thomas

    ***Father, Husband, and all around Nice Guy***
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    NighthawkNighthawk Member Posts: 12,022 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Ruger Model 77 MK II in a .308 for all around varmit and large game.There is a wide bullet weight selection for the .308.




    Good Luck!!

    Formerly Rugster!




    "Toujours Pret"
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    Colonel PlinkColonel Plink Member Posts: 16,460
    edited November -1
    I'm fond of the 270. Either straight up or WSM.
    You could use it for antelope, Muley or Elk.

    Couldn't go wrong with a 30-06, either.


    "When the going gets weird, the Weird turn pro"
    Hunter S. Thompson"
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    jimkanejimkane Member Posts: 1,534 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Browning M2 .50 Cal....... go big or go home

    purpleheart.jpg27Nov2003 Samarra, Iraq
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    Big Sky RedneckBig Sky Redneck Member Posts: 19,752 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Remington 700 BDL Classic in 7MM-08.

    ____________________________________________________
    I'm not apologizing, I am what I am
    There is no compromising, I don't give a damn
    Ozzy Osbourne - Lightning Strikes
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    lazeruslazerus Member Posts: 1,950 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Difficult question. mostly because owning only one rifle is a sad thing. Also you need to tell us what your prospective game would be, what the likely range would be, What the terrain would be, etc.
    But probably id start with an older Win. model 70 in 270.
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    tacking1tacking1 Member Posts: 3,844
    edited November -1
    Lazerus:

    Central North Carolina...Whitetail deer...but people invite me hunting "out west" some...

    ***Father, Husband, and all around Nice Guy***
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    lazeruslazerus Member Posts: 1,950 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Nighthauck Has a good suggestion if you feel like practicing with all the different grains. Happy shootin
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    zipperzapzipperzap Member Posts: 25,057
    edited November -1
    Best all around is still the 30.06. I have various bolt and lever guns.

    MY favorites are:
    .270
    .30-06
    7mm-08
    7x57
    30-30
    45-70

    Basically; .270 and up - it's small and fast! .30 caliber bullets can be used for varmints, and heavier ones, at sufficient velocity, are adequate for any North American game animal except, perhaps, large bear and moose. Some consider the .30 caliber ideal for North America. For most of us, a good, .30 caliber rifle would be all we need for serious hunting. Add a good .22 for plinking, and anything else is hard to justify.
    [:D]a.gif
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    n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427 ✭
    edited November -1
    Good quality bolt rifle of your choice (Ruger/Rem/Win/Whatever)in .308. You can hunt little things and big things with a switch in ammo.

    Of course you understand that the thought of only one rifle makes me shudder...

    "We become what we habitually do. If we act rightly, we become upright men. If we habitually act wrongly, or weakly, we become weak and corrupt" - *ARISTOTLE*

    **Like Grandad used to say--"It'll feel better when it quits hurtin"
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    springer1springer1 Member Posts: 647 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    .30-06 or.308
    Bolt remington or sako
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    hsracer201hsracer201 Member Posts: 966 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    i really like my remington 700 30-06. it does great for deer but i've never had the oportunity to shoot anything larger with it.

    ***____________________________________________
    39 and counting.... deer that is.......***
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    MIKE WISKEYMIKE WISKEY Member, Moderator Posts: 9,978 ******
    edited November -1
    barrett light .50?. anything from chipmuncks to light armor.
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    He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 50,977 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Slippery slope Tacking1. That old one rifle to do it all is how most of us rifle addict got started. In my case it was a Mod 700 Rem in 7mm mag. I would say the same rifle in .30-06 would be your best choice, if in fact you really were going to only ever have one.

    But then it is, "Well, I really would like one lever action.", and then, "A .243 just for white tails and pronghorns." And then "It would be fun to collect every caliber used on horned and antlered game in North America." and then, "A .22 representative of each of the actions .22's have been built in would be instructive."

    Slippery slope, pal, slippery slope. Just remember He Dog warned you! Call when you need the 12 steps...
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    tacking1tacking1 Member Posts: 3,844
    edited November -1
    OK 30-06 or .308 seems to be the idea. Is there a big difference between the two?

    Remington, Winchester, Sako, Ruger all fine I am sure.

    From time to time you see these rifles sold in a "package" with optics. Is this a way to unload less than adequate optics with a good gun?

    ***Father, Husband, and all around Nice Guy***
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    springer1springer1 Member Posts: 647 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Skip the packages.
    Look at it as a purchase that
    will last your lifetime
    and get good glass
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    He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 50,977 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    .30-06 and .308 use the same bullets. The cartridges are different with the .308 being shorter. Ballistically (speaking a little roughly) the .308 is 90% of a .30-06. If you are like me and do not like recoil, go with the .308. Otherwise the .30-06 gives more versatility. Get some friends together and try several cartridges and rifles, and go with what is comfortable for you. Personally I use .257 Roberts for almost everything except elk and then use 7 mag or .308.
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    MVPMVP Member Posts: 25,074 ✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Nighthawk
    Ruger Model 77 MK II in a .308 for all around varmit and large game.There is a wide bullet weight selection for the .308.




    Good Luck!!

    Formerly Rugster!




    "Toujours Pret"


    Only thing I would add is get the stainless synthetic and quality scope.


    ALL AMERICAN INFIDEL
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    n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427 ✭
    edited November -1
    .300 Win Mag...there are so many "pluses" for the 30 caliber and the .300 Win Mag will take any game in North America...it's also an excellent long range gun. I like heavy barreled stainless rifles...Remington has some excellent choices. Savage makes some very good shooters, but are not near the quality of the Remingtons...don't forget to buy some quality glass for it.

    Eric
    allamericanarmsco@frontiernet.net

    All American Arms Company

    www.galleryofguns.com
    VIP Code: AAAC

    Veteran Owned and Operated
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    bsallybsally Member Posts: 3,165
    edited November -1
    A-Bolt in 30-06 is my one and only do everything rifle.

    SALLY
    Committee member-Ducks Unlimited
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    Fourth HorsemanFourth Horseman Member Posts: 516 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Remington 7400 in .30-06 Great all around auto-loading rifle in a great all around caliber and you can buy high cap mags for it.
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    fishermanbenfishermanben Member Posts: 15,370
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Fourth Horseman
    Remington 7400 in .30-06 Great all around auto-loading rifle in a great all around caliber and you can buy high cap mags for it.


    Exactly what I was thinking. If you got the money I'd also consider a semi-auto springfield.

    Ben

    logo_chc_79x76.jpg
    Until Next Year!!!
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    BOBBYWINSBOBBYWINS Member Posts: 7,810
    edited November -1
    Someone finally mentioned the A-Bolt.

    I wasn't really lookin' for one when I found mine in a Pawn Shop.

    Synthetic Stalker in .270 w/3-9x50 Leupold Vari-X II.

    I love it!!

    Especially the 60 degree bolt throw.[;)]

    BW



    IT'S WHAT PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THEMSELVES THAT MAKES THEM AFRAID.
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    fishermanbenfishermanben Member Posts: 15,370
    edited November -1
    http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=37814848[:D][:D]

    logo_chc_79x76.jpg
    Until Next Year!!!
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    WarbirdsWarbirds Member Posts: 16,849 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Probably a remington 700 in 30-06 or larger, just depends if varmits were likely to be in the picture or larger game. If larger game than 300 Win Mag.

    R/

    Dave
    th_bigclay.bmp
    People everywhere confuse what they read in newspapers with news.

    -- A. J. Liebling
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    tsavo303tsavo303 Member Posts: 8,905 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    one gun for everything
    m1-a with QD scope
    one rifle for hunting NA game only win m70 .300 WSM
    leupold, nightforce optics.
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    HokkmikeHokkmike Member Posts: 577 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    A SAKO in .30 - 06. Definately a bolt with a variable scope, probably 3X9. All weather. stainless stuff!

    Sako Fan
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    BeeramidBeeramid Member, Moderator Posts: 7,264 ******
    edited November -1
    Browning A-bolt II in 300WSM, capable of handleing any big game in North America from whitetail to anything under a grizzly.




    Man's last hope... The Star Wars Kid.. Jedi Master!

    star_wars_kid.gifth_israelC3.gifPalestine BLOWS.
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    hughbetchahughbetcha Member Posts: 7,801 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you only have one rifle and you get yourself a big bore, you'll never learn how to shoot. Get a .22 LR and practice shooting. t6hen get yourself a bolt action 30-06 l;ike Win. 70 or Remington 700 and you will be all set.
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    tacking1tacking1 Member Posts: 3,844
    edited November -1
    you guys are great....now one more ?

    is there a huge reason to go with Bolt Action over Auto? reliability, accuracy...safety?

    ***Father, Husband, and all around Nice Guy***
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    whiteclouderwhiteclouder Member Posts: 10,574 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If experience counts, here's my take:

    71/2 pound bolt action 30/06 with a 3-9 variable scope. For 45 years I've used a Husqvarna like that but with a 6x scope. It's taken everything from a sparrow to a 1400 pound moose, the latter with one shot.

    And buy the very best you can afford (and then a little more.)

    Clouder..
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    IAMACLONE_2IAMACLONE_2 Member Posts: 4,725
    edited November -1
    AK47 or clone in 762x39
    Takes a licking & keeps on ticking
    Walte
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    fishermanbenfishermanben Member Posts: 15,370
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by whiteclouder
    It's taken everything from a sparrow to a 1400 pound moose, the latter with one shot.


    That sparrow must've been one hell of a fighter.

    Ben

    logo_chc_79x76.jpg
    Until Next Year!!!
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    hughbetchahughbetcha Member Posts: 7,801 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by tacking1
    you guys are great....now one more ?

    is there a huge reason to go with Bolt Action over Auto? reliability, accuracy...safety?

    ***Father, Husband, and all around Nice Guy***


    Strength of the action and simplicity of the mechanism ensures accuracy and long life of the firearm and also allows easy acess to bore for cleaning.
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    salzosalzo Member Posts: 6,396 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by whiteclouder
    If experience counts, here's my take:

    It's taken everything from a sparrow to a 1400 pound moose, the latter with one shot.



    Yeah but how many shots did it take to drop the sparrow??

    "Waiting tables is what you know, making cheese is what I know-lets stick with what we know!"
    -Jimmy the cheese man
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    MVPMVP Member Posts: 25,074 ✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by whiteclouder
    If experience counts, here's my take:

    ... everything from a sparrow



    Clouder..

    Did you have the taxidermist do an open mouth on the sparrow?
    or was he just pillow stuffin?

    ALL AMERICAN INFIDEL
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    Fourth HorsemanFourth Horseman Member Posts: 516 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by tacking1
    you guys are great....now one more ?

    is there a huge reason to go with Bolt Action over Auto? reliability, accuracy...safety?

    ***Father, Husband, and all around Nice Guy***


    I think its more of a personal choice. Some people like the simplicity and inherent accurracy of a good bolt action, similar to some peoples' preference for revolvers over auto-loading pistols. But, if you're only going to have one rifle, I'd recommend an auto-loader.
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    whiteclouderwhiteclouder Member Posts: 10,574 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I knew the sparrow comment would bring awaken the peanut gallery.[:D]

    If you have to know, I missed the sparrow twice. It was only about ten feet away from my hide and its incessant fluttering about was advertising my presence to every crow within five miles.

    I didn't mount the foot that was left hanging on the branch because it was missing one toe.

    Clouder..
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    duckyducky Member Posts: 1,501 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Marlin 1895, .45-70 is plenty fine for just about anything in North America, and just flat out fun to shoot.
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    cletus85cletus85 Member Posts: 2,104 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I don't do the "one rifle" for everything, I'm more of a different rifle for everything kind of guy...in fact I like to have at least a couple for the same thing[:D] But, if forced, i'd say a stainless bolt action with your choice of what grabs in manufacturer from either Tikka, Browning, Remington, or Ruger in something like .260, .308, or .25-06 depending on what you really want to do with it.
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