If only I could have 2 hunting rifles

Donkey Slayer · #1 02-07-2008, 10:21 AM

I would like to hear from re-loaders / non-reloaders on my thoughts.
Looking at the poll of the choice of hunting gun, could one capture most scenarios by having the 30-06 and 338 win mag.

30-06
-the 150 grain reloads can outperform / perform the same as the 270s, 280s, 7mm etc
-the 180 grain reloads can perform the same / close to factory 300 wm ammo

338 win mag
-at the lower end, the 338 - 180 grain reloads can perform the same as 300 wm reloads (I know B.C. are different)
-338 provides a range of heavier bullets, gets close to 340 factory performance
-fulfills the magnum need

Note: this does not take into account a firearm for saving the fur from yotes.

#2 02-07-2008, 10:26 AM

I'd go .25-06 and either 300WM or .338. Your .338 will cover all big game applications well and something smaller is ideal for yotes and such. Thankgoodness we aren't limited to two calibres. I wouldn't have an excuse to work!

Dick284 · #3 02-07-2008, 10:27 AM

Oh the humanity of it all.

I could never settle on just two.

Next question.....................................

Stinky Coyote · #4 02-07-2008, 10:35 AM

I'm gonna try for two.....'main'....rifles. One for each of my main types of hunting that i enjoy....predator hunting and big game hunting. My predator rig is on the way, a custom mini in 6.8spc with sub moa guarantee and a leupy mk4 1.5-5 illum special purpose reticle scope so i have something that can get on and stay on fast moving and multiple targets due to light hitting/recoiling cartridge and fast optics and yet still be able to dial the optic up for longer range hangers if need be....could be a fun gun for does too. Fur friendly? Well lets just say it will be fur friendly enough for my needs as a recreational predator hunter.

Next i'll be after a super accurate bolt gun and maybe that new zeiss rapid z set up so i can learn it to 7-800 yrds so not sure on caliber yet but will be a wsm at minimum and maybe up to a rum? Need enough poop at 7-800 yrds left so a standard probably won't do? And it will be just light enough to still go backpacking. Liking look of nosler 48, hs precision, sako a7 so far....it will be for the season after next on that one...still have a tikka .270 i'm happy with for up to 500 yrds and will be busy with the 6.8 getting ready for upcoming season....but yeah....i could do it with two main rifles forsure. And thats what i'm trying for....of course....no way if i could having some loaner guns for taking family/friends etc. as i definitely have to have some loaner and back up guns but two 'main' hunting guns?....no prob. Oh....and the rimfires must be excluded too!

p.s. hopefully i won't have to get into reloading at all and i'm gonna try not too...if i can do moa with both and factory?....then......ta da!

Time to just get serious about hunting and forget the gun stuff for awhile!...if thats possible? Gonna try anyhow.

Okotokian · #5 02-07-2008, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheephunter

Thankgoodness we aren't limited to two calibres. !

Shhhhhh. That's in next year's legislation.

And one of them has to be airsoft

Chet · #6 02-07-2008, 10:48 AM

If I was forced to trim my current gun cabinet down to 2 big game rifles, the 2 I would keep are my 270 Weatherby Mag and my 300 Weatherby Mag. I think they compliment each other very well and they are both capable on their own of handling any hunting situation I come across in Canada. In fact I often take them both on trips in case I have a wreck with one. They give me the versatility to shoot everything from at least 130 gr bullets to 200 gr bullets very effectively. I usually load them so my 270 will thow 140 gr bullets at a very similar trajectory as my 300 throws 180 gr bullets. Then, no matter if I am hunting Antelope with my 270 one day or Elk with my 300 the next day, I don't have to remember a whole bunch of different numbers if I get in to a shooting situation that requires me to hold higher or lower on a target.

Of course there are lots of other combinations that would compliment each other just as well.... but those are my 2.

Chet

Alberta Bigbore · #7 02-07-2008, 11:36 AM

if i had to down size to 2 big game rifles, id keep my .270 win and my .375 H&H

DAVE · #8 02-07-2008, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dick284

Oh the humanity of it all.

I could never settle on just two.

Next question.....................................

X2

Win94 · #9 02-07-2008, 11:53 AM

The poster asks which two"hunting" rifles.

A .30-06 and a .22lr will have you covered for all of North America.
That would be my vote.

....but then again he is saying rifles and not calibers. So now i am really confussed.

catnthehat · #10 02-07-2008, 12:55 PM

22.LR in a single shot and a 6.5X55 in a double rifle
Ready for anything!

Cat

#11 02-07-2008, 12:55 PM

Ah, if we are talking rifles, then just give me an Encore and I have all the calibres I need from 17HMR to .416 Rigby......no one said anything about limiting barrels....lol

SakoAlberta · #12 02-07-2008, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheephunter

I'd go .25-06 and either 300WM or .338. Your .338 will cover all big game applications well and something smaller is ideal for yotes and such. Thankgoodness we aren't limited to two calibres. I wouldn't have an excuse to work!

I have to agree that I can't imagine being limited to two chamberings, however, I wouldn't pick the .338 (my favorite cartridge) as it would be illegal in parts of Africa for larger game. (assuming this isn't limited to AB)

I'd pick a .30/06 and a .375 H&H.

nekred · #13 02-07-2008, 03:08 PM

243 and 300 Win Mag

Or just a 270!

harv3589 · #14 02-07-2008, 03:25 PM

My choice would be the 25-06 and the 30-06...no need for anything else in North America...I would be happy with just the 30-06...o wait I am already

Rackmastr · #15 02-07-2008, 03:31 PM

12g and a 7-08....

Ron AKA · #16 02-07-2008, 03:36 PM

264 WM or 280 Rem, and 223 Rem or 22-250.

Canuck44 · #17 02-07-2008, 07:20 PM

270 win and 45-70 gov. From 90 grains to 500 grains, everything on the continent, woods and plains.

Roebag · #18 02-07-2008, 07:33 PM

257 Weatherby and a 340 Weatherby

catnthehat · #19 02-07-2008, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheephunter

Ah, if we are talking rifles, then just give me an Encore and I have all the calibres I need from 17HMR to .416 Rigby......no one said anything about limiting barrels....lol

In that case I guess I'll take my Rizzini with the 20 guage barrels and the 6.5X55 barrels!
Cat

7 REM MAG · #20 02-07-2008, 11:41 PM

screw the encore, buy a blaser and have more than one shot

PoppaW · #21 02-08-2008, 03:54 PM

I would use the 338 for everything that the '06 is good for. Load her up with 210's and shoot. If you want two guns get a yote gun like a 223 or get a 460 Weatherby and you can hunt the world. The 460 works on yotes in a pinch

7 REM MAG · #22 02-08-2008, 07:58 PM

or if you wanta single shot buy a blaser then its atleast nice to look at

troutfly · #23 02-08-2008, 11:37 PM

44 mag lever carbine and 35 Whelen bolt. I enjoy a hunt where sneak and peek is the way to go so the 44 is loads of fun even on the bald azz prairie. 35 Whelen of course is for elk/moose where it would be more appropriate.