If you could only have one.....

[jkerr1976]

If you could only have one riffle what would it be?
Why?

Im buying my first new rifle soon and digging for some info.

Thanks all:sHa_shakeshout :

[Cal]

I hunted for a long time with just a .270 win and it did an excelent job on both moose and deer. The 30-06 is another good one. IMO although the 30-06 can be loaded to handle any situation the .270 does a better job of handling many different species and situations a little better with a single load which means less need to change loads and re sight in. For this reason I would still pick the .270win.

[rottie]

I have the .280 as well as others and if I had to go to 1 rifle it would be in the top couple to choose from.
As in the 30 06 and 270 it is versatile enough for a wide range of game

[cornuteo]

Ditto on the .270 win. Have a 1976 Winchester model 70 and have gotten all game I have shot at. 130g ttsx/3/8 inch at a 100yrds. Trigger work, bedded,and a limbsaver added as well. Just a pleasure to shoot.

[Alberta Bigbore]

only one?

Savage Arms 16 FCSS in .270wsm

[Cal]

Originally Posted by rottie

I have the .280 as well as others and if I had to go to 1 rifle it would be in the top couple to choose from.
As in the 30 06 and 270 it is versatile enough for a wide range of game

IMO the .280 is probably the very best all around cartridge and I would own one if I amo was more readily availible.

[jkerr1976]

What about 7 mm?

[Cal]

Originally Posted by jkerr1976

What about 7 mm?

Its got the same advantages as the .270 but since you asked about only having one I would rather go to the range and put a couple boxes through a .270 than a 7mm Mag. The longer barrel of a magnum is also more cumbersome in heavy bush, I would not pick a magnum for my only gun.

[elkhunter11]

What about 7 mm?

There are a dozen or more 7mm cartridges from the 7mm-08, to the 7mm RUM. The 7mm-08/7x57 are great little cartridges with mild recoil, and are adequate for moose and elk. The 280/280AI are excellent cartridges with a little more recoil, and a little more energy. Then you have the 7mmWSM/7mmremmag, where the recoil starts to reach a point where it isn't comfortable for some people, but the energy is more than the 30-06. At the top end, you have the 7mmstw/7mmRUM, that offer very flat trajectory,and plenty of energy, but even more recoil, and relatively short barrel life.

[jkerr1976]

ok so 270 wsm or 7mm -08
Now I don't wanna sound cheap cause I'm not, What is the most economical to shoot?

[Cal]

.270 win would be the cheapest, then the 7mm-08, then the .270WSM. Although the cost difference may vary in other locations, where I live the .270 WSM amo is substancialy more expencive than the .270 win or 7mm-08.

[jag]

WIn. Mod. 88 in .284, great cal. for what I hunt and has a little kool factor also.

[jkerr1976]

And I guess my final question is what is the most readily available at any given place?

[jimbo1]

parker hale 303 ridiculously cheap, accorate, and reliable

[elkhunter11]

And I guess my final question is what is the most readily available at any given place?

Just something to think about,if you sight in your gun with one load, it very well might not shoot to the same point of aim with other loads. I am just mentioning this, because some people just buy whatever load is cheap or handy, which can change often, and they have no idea where there gun is shooting with the different loads. Animals do get missed or wounded because of this practice.

[jimbo1]

Originally Posted by jimbo1

parker hale 303 ridiculously cheap, accorate, and reliable

ps i just got one and its awesome

[Justin.C]

7mm rem mag would be my one only gun... it can take anything from a coyote to a bull moose or elk... Anything in alnerta is in trouble from 10 feet to 1000 yards with this gun...

[Rackmastr]

My 7mm SAUM would be comin with me......like a 7RM but in a nice small package!

[Cal]

Originally Posted by jkerr1976

And I guess my final question is what is the most readily available at any given place?

You can find .270 win amo anywhere, 270 WSM is pretty comon, and 7-08 is a little less comon. If you live near a place that has any kind of outdoors store you will not have trouble finding any of these rounds.

[NUK SOO KOW]

270 all the way!!

[Mickey]

Thanks for starting this thread. I was going to start the exact same one.

I take it that there are no votes for 30-06 because with the different weights in grains, you have to re sight with every different load?

I have ordered a 22-250 for Coyotes, but I also have a weatherby 300 win mag, that I got from my father. It will be my first gun for larger game and I am concerned that it may be too much gun for me to start with. I have read quite a bit online about it (I also dont believe everything I read online) but wanna make sure that I dont have too much gun for what I am doing.

I am 32 years old, 6'1" and over 200 lbs.

Should I be worried or just get a limbsaver for the 300 and suck it up.

[jkerr1976]

OK well thanks for the input every one....
I am going to buy an x bolt medallion white gold and I'm leaning towards
7 mm rem mag
any final opinions , this is a big purchase for me and I want to be happy long term

[Richard B.]

I pretty much only hunt with one rifle but I only shoot medium sized deer at less than 150 yards and more likely to shoot at a coyote or a jack rabbit.I use a Ruger Hawkeye in .243.

The other calibers mentioned are much better as an all around gun

[cider]

I have a xbolt white gold medallion .270, i got a lemon that shoots bad but it is a good looking gun. Only thing that I would suggest is to be careful with the stock because it will scratch very easily so be sure to baby it or it will look like junk.

[SonnyJ]

I've been hunting with this old winchester model 70 - 30-06 since 1976.

I never had a moment where I thought I needed something else.

Yeah it's beat up a bit but still a great shooter..

[elkhunter11]

I take it that there are no votes for 30-06 because with the different weights in grains, you have to re sight with every different load?

You don't just check the zero if you change the bullet weight, you need to check the zero any time you change the load at all. Even a different bullet style of the same weight can significantly change the point of impact.

[Pixel Shooter]

Well I always tend to pick up my old faithful 30-06 Husquavarna, luv this gun. Been a great calibre for me,luv the flexibility in what a 30-06 offers, although this particular gun does luvs the Federal Premium 165 Gameking BTSP based on its groupings . The good news is this one load will basically do everything I need it to here in Alberta

[BigLou]

7mm Rem Mag. Big and small it will do the job.

[Mayhem42]

i love my 340's, 338-378's and 338 win mags.
Sometimes you'll see me with one of my .416's just 'cause dead is dead

[ram crazy]

270 win. is a great all round rifle.