Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles If you were to start over today

Try some 55s in your 243. I suspect all longings for a 22-250 firing 55s will go the way of the Passenger pigeon.

I hunt ruffed/spruce grouse, snowshoe hair and whitetails in Northern MN and Northern WI. I also hunt squirrels/rabbits around home, so I would probably follow Larry Koller's advice and buy a matched pair. Either a Winchester 9422 or Henry classic lever 22lr and a Winchester 94ae carbine in 30-30. or a Marlin 39 and a Marlin 336 30-30. That way I could hunt with open, peep or scoped depending on age/eyesight and be time and money ahead.

Amra, the 270 has a 6x36 Leupold and weighs 6lbs 6oz scoped(7lb 4oz with the bipod).

The 243 has a 2.5-8x36 Leupold and weighs 6lbs 4oz scoped(7lb 2oz with a bipod).

Both rifles are fairly accurate.



PG, that could be a possibility but adding a 22-250 to the safe would be more fun!

I wish I'd bought a 22-250 a long time ago.




Travis

My first rifle was a push feed M70 22-250 that must weigh about 10lbs. Still have it of course.

Sweet little cartridge for sure.

223 makes a lot more sense than a 22-250, if a guy already owns a 243.

Logic has nothing to do with it, that and I have an AR.

I would start with the two pre'64 M/70's that I currently own, a prewar .257 Roberts and an early 50's Standard that I rebored to .35 Whelen which I have upgraded to a Super Grade using all the correct vintage parts. For a smallbore I have a custom Springfield 1922 M2 sporter.

77/22 .22

77/17 VHZ

Sako .222

Pre-64 M70 FW .270

Leica 10x40's

.22
.243
.708
870 wingmaster/12

I would grab a 700 classic in whelen, and have randy melvin in billings build for me a 30-338 on a defiance/bartlein/mcmillan... For starters that is...

A matching pair of Coopers in .22 and maybe 6.5 CR or 7/08 and a vintage or new production Ithaca pump or Browning Light 12. I also might spring for a Smith 41 to replace my .22 handguns.

I'd buy the same guns I have now.

Over my years I have owned, shot and hunted with literally hundreds of different rifles, shotguns and handguns. In that time I have pretty well figured out what works for me so that if I were to start from scratch I would likely end up with the same guns and chamberings I use today.

I might choose better wood, but most of my guns are nice enough for me now without being so nice I hate to use them. And I know I'm going to use them hard no matter how nice or expensive they might be.

Even though I might "know" where I was going to end up.....I'd probably not do things too differently. I have loved using many, many different guns and chamberings and learned from each and every one.

When I tell you that I prefer a certain gun or chambering, it's NOT because I've never tried anything else. It's because I HAVE tried and used almost every combination you can think of.....and decided what works best for me based on experience, not advertising and second hand advise. Without going through the years of gun trading and use, I'd not have that knowledge. What I learned is that damn near anything will work if the shooter is good enough, but some just work better.....for me.

If anything I'd likely own MORE, not less firearms than I do.....and that's saying a lot since I now have some 200 firearms in the gun room. I'd trade less and keep more if I had it all to do over.

With that said, I'd likely start with the guns I use most today. First would have to be a good .22 rifle. I've used a lot of really nice rimfire rifles, but keep coming back to the Ruger 10/22 with the checkered stock. It's not the most expensive or best looking .22 I own, but it just works.

For centerfire rifles I'd go with the rifle that started it all. My first true big game rifle was a custom FN Mauser in .30-06....and I've never found any I like as well and still shoot it the most of all my guns. A second Mauser...in .338 Magnum....would handle heavier game for me.

I've owned some 40+ Savage 99's over the years and still love that rifle. I would have to have 99's (probably in the EG configuration) in .250-3000, .308 and .358.

I know, the .30-06 (or the trio of Savage 99's) would cover every need I might have in a lifetime, but I don't believe in going with the minimum on anything. I LIKE rifles and prefer to have a gun for every use.

One rifle that would HAVE to be replaced is my Ruger 44 Carbine. One of my earliest rifles, it has always been a favorite. There are many more versatile rifles out there, but I can think of nothing I'd rather have in my hands if fast, close-up shooting is required and a heavy punch is needed. That little carbine feels like a part of my body and I love it.....and likely why I like it's twin, the Ruger 10/22, is also a favorite.

In shotguns, I am a die-hard fan of classic double guns. My main shotguns would be a pair of L.C.Smith doubles in 20 ga. and 12 ga. These would cover almost every shotgun need I'd ever have. However, for hard-core waterfowling, the doubles are just a little too delicate and since the introduction of steel shot not as versatile as a heavy 3" magnum. For this use the Remington 870 is near perfect.

My handguns would start with the most used....a Ruger 5 1/2" barreled Target Model. One of my first handguns, I have tried many others and keep coming back to where I started.

For hunting, my Ruger .44 Flattop would be my choice. The Super Blackhawk is a bit stronger and also a good choice, but just doesn't fit my hand as well as the old Flattop does.

For everyday carry around the house and woods a 4 5/8" SAA in .45 Colt rides my hip like it grew there. Been carrying one so long I feel naked without it. I would probably add a second SAA in .32-20.....just because I like the chambering and it is a bit better for shooting edible small game.

Of course I could never be without a good 1911 in .45ACP for general self/home defense and carry. It also makes a passable hunting weapon as well.....if used carefully.

I know, that's a lot of guns, but I LIKE lots of guns and that battery would make a nice start if I had to start over. Then I could add a couple of hundred more over the years.....again.

Tikka T3 270
Tikka T3 223 Superlite

Both rifles would be topped with FX3 6X42 leupold with M1 turret

I currently own these 2 rifles unfortunately they are not topped with the FX3 however instead are topped with Zeiss Terra 3 RZ6 scopes. I am pleased enouph with the Zeiss RZ6 that I cannot warrant changing.


GUNS I DONT HAVE


I would aquire and hunt a Model 70 featherweight in 7X57 Mouser and I'd top it with a Leupold 6X36 FX2 with dots.

Winchester Lever Action 22 lr



Would build One Custom

Remington Action Trued and Lugs lapped
260 8 twist finished at 21"
McMillan Stock
Leupold 3.5-10X40 M1 turret



Winchester 20 gaige


Other than these I'd buy, sale, trade and occasionally probably add a firearm or 2.

Shod

- MkV Deluxe in 30-06 FX3 6x42 (or perhaps 7-08 since that is what I have) < 8# when done

- CZ453 American in 22lr & 17 HMR

- Bolt in 223 (not sure which) Would like a MkV Deluxe with a medium wt barrel.

- AR in 223/556 RRA ATH and/or Colt 6920

- LW rig MkV SS Fibermark in .280 with FX-II 6x36 right at 7# all done (I have this one, so I may be my first if I was to start over )

- Not sure if I want/need a Heavy. But the Caprivi has always interested me or a M70 either in 375 H&H

From top to bottom in order of purchase .....

EDITED TO ADD ..... A M1 GARAND!!

That's one BIG hole ....