Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters If You Could Only Buy One Center Fire Rifle...

I contend that the only choice would be a 30-06 bolt action with a 2-1/2--8 variable powered scope and backup iron sights.

Unless, of course, a lot of varmint hunting were contemplated. In that case, it would be a .270.

We don't hear much talk about the so-called "all-around rifle" any more because, as JB has pointed out, nowadays we have more money and can afford rifles for different purposes. While having one rifle might dictate a 30-06, many who have several don't need a 30-06 or a .270.

And if you could only use one bullet in your 30-06? I would pick the 180 grain Nosler Partition, again not considering varmints.

For what I hunt I would have to make a decision between a .243 Win and a .260 Rem.


If I had to pick one bullet it would probably be the 80 TTSX in 6mm and the 129 Hornady PSP in the 6.5mm.

Remington 700 bdl in 7mm Rem. Mag. I think that would cover all my bases but if I ever get to do Brown bears I may wish for more.

I agree with your scope and iron sight choice, but after watching the performance of a .338 Win. Mag. for over 25 years, it would be my pick. And now,with improved powders and bullets, it's better than ever. memtb

It would have to be a Rigby magazine rifle in .275



duh.....

Well, only one rifle would have to cover a host of needs, that being the question, mine would have to be my:

LWRC-REPR in 7.62/308
2.5-10 Nightforce compact in QD rings w/IHR illum reticle
Burris fast fire in a DD 1 O'Clock offset mount
Mag-Pul flip ups
Bullet for all recipients, vehicular, two or four legged would be the 150 gr TTSX.

I don't even own a 30-06 at the moment, but yeah, that's what I'd pick. My varminting these days pretty much consists of opportunistic shots at coyotes, hogs, and the occasional crow that hangs around and tempts me too long. So not too many rounds a year at really little critters. More at steel targets. I'd look first at the 175LRX/Hunter combo at about 2,800fps for hunting and then find a cheaper alternate bullet that jives with that trajectory for practice.

In my part of the world---and I am NOT a travelling hunter, a .30-06 would be more than sufficient but certainly not a mistake. Actually I think anything .257" and up based on the '06 case would do, all the way up to .35 Whelen. I could get by on a .25-06, but I have an attachment to the .280 Remington that just won't quit and that's probably what I'd choose assuming that components would always be available.

If component AND ammo availability were to become a problem, I'd probably opt for .308 Winchester with a bit of reluctance...but I'm sure I'd get by.

If I could only have one rifle but it was guaranteed that components would never be an issue I'd be tempted by .264 Win Mag also. There's just nothing in Texas it can't handle.

I would sure hate to have to make the choice.

Not a writer, but my opinion tells me that there is nothing I'm gonna hunt that couldn't be taken quite well with my 7mm-08 (with elk being the largest) with a proper bullet for the occasion. A 308 would be a very close second.

A bolt action chambered in 7x57, aka 275.

.25 caliber NULA's.

A Mossberg bolt action in .270 Win with a Sportsman's Guide brand 4X fixed power scope.

Winchester M 70 Featherweight .30/06,Leupold 6x36mm,using 180 gr NP's. Not much I cannot hunt here or the world with that setup.

I'd do this but in 308 Win. No practical field difference, but the 308 is miserly on powder and kicks less.

But I did build something about identical to your ideal some years back:

What a depressing scenario to contemplate.

Yes and personally I think the high degree of specialization isn't for everyone. It may help in some circumstances but handicap you severely in another.

Of course if you stay at home and hunt one micro-environmental niche every year,specialization may be the best answer.You know what to expect.

The 30/06 and 270 are traditional all rounders but truth is there are a bunch of them out there today. A lot of water has passed under the cartridge bridge since those two came out. With todays bullets there are lots of "all round " choices.

Yep. And I would rate the "platform" as more important than the cartridge, especially if planning to hunt in a lot of different terrain and weather.

I have a custom 7mm Remington Magnum made on a 1909 Argentine action, with the original military trigger converted to a nice single-stage pull. The stock is made of fancy walnut, but with a lightweight synthetic stock, a front sight and a detachable aperture sight to fit the rear base of detachable scope mounts, it would definitely serve.

Then again, if I was going to do much more hunting of really big game (which I probably won't) either my very similar .338 on an FN Mauser action or my Mark X .375 H&H (which already has back-up irons) would also do.

A lot of it depends on what you plan to hunt. An all-around varmint/deer rifle isn't complicated. One centerfire for every kind of hunting on earth involves more compromises.

Here are my one rifle lists.

Texas: Kimber Montana in .223 shooting 64-grain Nosler BSBs

US: either custom FN .270 in Bansner stock or Remington 700 KS .280 either shooting 150 Partitions.

World: Kimber Talkeetna .375 shooting 270 TSXs

No Irons needed that's what extra scopes are for.

Since i own about thirty center fires I don't need another rifle to badly. But if I were to buy one,.. It would probably be a 35 Whelen and I wouldn't sell any either.

John I was going to address the "platform" issue but got lazy..... You make a good point.

That 7 RM with a #4 28" or bigger barrel and tactical LR type stock may be just the ticket for reaching to 1000 yards on elk and mule deer but a disaster in the lodgepole....assuming you want to carry up the mountain in the first place.


But the same cartridge in a 24" barrel, and a rifle /scope combo weighing 7-8.5 pounds will get you by in most places.

This will cut a big swath to reasonable distances in the open without breaking you down...I wouldn't worry at all about anything moose sized and smaller with it.

I'd like a 375 for brown bear but not sure it matters. The 375 is unique though.....another class of "all rounder". Worth having.

One for everything is fine but will vary depending on what your "everything" is..