Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Help me thin my rifle battery.

The last couple of months I have been downsizing what I have in rifles. I had way too much overlap and frankly maintaining them was becoming a pain. I think I am close to an ideal battery for my type of hunting and shooting. All of the rifles are bolt actions and there are a mix of stainless and blued and sporter and heavy barrel. The manufacturer's are a mix of Anschutz, CZ, and Remington. I thought about listing each, but it may muddy the waters, so I will just list the calibers:

22 LR Weatherby XXII aka Anschutz 64 sporter blued
22 Magnum CZ 455 sporter blued
22 Hornet CZ 527 sporter blued
221 Fireball CZ 527 sporter blued
222 Remington Remington 700 sporter blued
223 Remington Remington 7 sporter stainless
204 Ruger CZ 527 heavy barrel blued
22-250 Remington Remington 700 heavy barrel stainless
243 Winchester Remington 700 sporter stainless
6mm Remington Remington 700 sporter blued
260 Remington Remington 7 sporter stainless

I hunt squirrels, rabbits, groundhogs, and deer. I also plan to punch some paper and make some trips out west for mule deer, elk, and antelope. If it was your rifle battery, what would you change, and why? Would you leave it alone? Add to it?

I keep going back and forth justifying each, but when I look at it from afar, I still see overlap. I need an objective eye from the 'fire.

22LR
223
260



Dropping all those down to just three, crazy talk!

I would narrow it down to 4

.22
.223
.243 just because I like them
.260

I'd be set up like this.

22 LR
22 K Hornet
223 Remington
22-250 Remington
243 Winchester
260 Remington

Yeah you got a pile of overlap in your rifle battery....All i see in your battery is basically 3 calibers......I know its very hard to do cause ive been in the same boat more than once, but looking at your calibers from the outside id keep 1 rimfire, 1 centerfire varmint cartrdge, 1 of your medium caliber centerfire's for medium game and ditch the rest, then add a 30-06 type or a Magnum cartridge for your Elk hunting and you will be set.......Good luck as this move is much easier said than done..........Hb

I'd add a 7mm mag or 300 WM / 300wsm

I'm not sure he has that much overlap. Just looking at the chamberings, sure it looks that way. But some of them could have very different performance envelopes. Suppose the .223 is a light sporter ideal for a walkabout hunt, and the .222 is a heavy barreled Sako capable of .3 MOA group from a bench? Those would have very different uses for a Virgina groundhog hunter. Again, if the .243 is a Remington Model 7 and the 6mm is a Ruger #1, I see distinct roles.

I have 5 rifles in .284, but they are a NULA 7-08, a 7x57 in a maple Mannlicher stock, a high end custom .280 Rem, an all around 7mm Rem Mag, and a heavy barreled 7mm Rem mag set up like a Remington 40x. All very different.

So overlap cannot be assessed on cartridge alone. That's my story, and I am sticking to it.

22 long rifle
6 mm rem

22 Nosler.

Seriously though a 270 is an absolute.

Would flip the Hornet, Fireball, 204, 222, 6 Rem and 260.

Leaving 22RF, 22-250, 243 and a 270. Anything bigger would be single purpose. JMO


W

Utah708,
I have added some details for everyone to consider in the first post.

I hunt all the same critters as you and could get by fine with.

.22 LR
.22 mag.
.223
.243

Yes, indeed. Four would be crazy talk

22LR
223
260

Everybody needs a nice lever-action so.....
45/70

Harv3589,

That is a great minimum for sure.

I could probably drop to six and not go through too much rifle withdrawal. Do you have a 22 K Hornet? My hornet is a CZ 527.

Thank you for the advice and encouragement. I tried to do this a few years ago and ended up buying more than I had before I started the thinning

Those are good ones too. I have managed to get a bit recoil shy, and I am not sure if I could take their bark anymore.

Whelenman,
This is the ultimate cut down list. Two rifles. I know in my mind it would work, but my loonie tendencies might not allow me Plus the 6mm Remington is one I added late. My first deer rifle was not what I had wanted. It was Ruger 77 tang safety in 243 Winchester. The rifle I really wanted was a Remington 700 ADL in 6mm Remington. Nearly 25 years later I added to my collection.

The 270 is fine cartridge, but we all know the stigma it has on the campfire. I am afraid Ingwe will see it and I will have to come out of the closet

Blackheart,

I keep trying to get rid of the 22 mag and my brain is fighting me hard to keep it. It hits as hard at 100 yards as a 22 LR does at the muzzle. It has flea bite of recoil. The CZ is so light I could carry it all day. It is actually a very accurate rifle too. Oh no, I am making excuses again.

Nebraska,
I do have a weakness for the Henry rifle being chambered in 327 Federal this year.

They aren't eating anything, maintaing them can't be that hard. Why get rid of any? Money in the bank, why withdraw if not necessary? Yes, I am a gun hoarder.

You are right. They are paid for and do not require any money to keep them going. One reason for thinning the herd is to take the money and spend it on some hunts. I am only 43, and I have yet to go on a hunting trip. I guess adventure is calling me.

I would keep the 22lr,22wmr,223,260.

"Help me thin my rifle battery"

That's like asking crack addicts to help you kick your habit...

Celebrate recovery?
Heck, I thought I had kicked the addiction, but I'm back at the Internet Rifle Crack House.

Down the rabbit hole once again.

This is a good list too and would cover all my bases.

Brad,

You are right, but I didn't want to ask the wife. I would probably only have one left if I did.

22LR
222 Rem
204 Ruger
6mm Rem
260 Rem

That thins it to 5 out of 11.

I'm in complete agreement with the above assuming the .22 is the LR.

I'd sell the rest and use the proceeds to rebarrel the three named centerfires to svelte contours at modest lengths and fast twists.

22LR, 222, 260, add a .308 for elk and to not induce more recoil shyness.

The 222 is the bestest and sits nicely between the hornet and 223.

I like having the triple deuce in the list. I have always had one in my collection.

Do you think I could get away with using the 260 for elk?

Keep the:

22 LR
204 Ruger
223
243
260

Sell the rest and purchase a good 30-06. If any money is left upgrade your scopes.

Those highlighted I would keep. I would add a .30/06 and either a .338/06 or a .35 Whelen.

Keep:

22 LR

204 HB

223 Sporter

260 Rem

I see you have the 204 Ruger listed. I have only shot it on paper and I would like to shoot a few groundhogs this spring with it.

My Weatherby/Anschutz rifle is a keeper and I don't see it going anywhere. Thanks for the input.

Awesome another 260 vote. The only deer I have taken with the 260 was years ago with an XP-100. It worked great without alot of fuss.

barm,

I am not a big groundhog hunter and I do not own a .204, but in my area of Virginia 300 yards will get you to most any groundhog and I would think the 204 would be fine for that. If your .223 is accurate enough that would be my groundhog rife to 300 yards though.

If in your area if you shoot more than 300 yards you may want to ditch the .204 and keep the 22-250. Where I live in Virginia the coyotes have taken a toll on the groundhogs.

no 30-06? the ones 3 through 8 have the most over lap.

VaHunter,

In my area I can shoot 500+ yards at groundhogs. There aren't as many groundhogs where I am hunting too. I am not sure if it's the coyotes or some changes in agriculture. What I will probably do is take both out when the weather warms up and see which one I prefer for longer shots.

Lose this colour and replace this colour with either a Brno 21 or a Husqvarna 146 in calibre of choice.

This pretty well sums up my feelings also.

As far as the 260 for elk - a resounding yes, at least Idaho elk don't know it isn't enough cartridge. If anyone asks just tell them you are using a short version of the 6.5x55.

drover

My Take;

22LR... keep a .22LR for sure

22 Magnum
22 Hornet
221 Fireball

Choose one of these three. If You keep the Hornet 'K' it


222 Remington
223 Remington
204 Ruger
22-250 Remington

Whatever works for You... is it a stainless rifle, heavier barrel, lighter for a walking varminter, an action You prefer? Whatever works for You... But keep one maybe even two if You're not sure or maybe You want to cover a couple of bases, ie. walking varminter and a 22-250 for longer ranges?



243 Winchester
6mm Remington
260 Remington

Again, is it stainless, an action, a cartridge preference or nostalgia? Whatever works for You as Your deer rifle... But pick one, they all work for deer.

Maybe start by trimming one from each category.



Mule Deer, Antelope and Elk... Pick up a .270 Winchester. Recoil shy, avoid the Magnum suggestions.

There You're done,

Jerry

edited to add;
Oh and I agree with drover the .260 will work in lieu of the .270 Win.

Yep, then add a 30-06 and he'd be set...

roninflag,

I used to have a 30-06. Then I got rid of it because it kicked as much as 7mm Remington Magnum. Then I got a 280 and soon rid myself of the 7 Mag. A 7mm 08 lead to getting rid of the 280. I found out I hate recoil.

I agree my varmint gun battery has the most fat to trim.

I have an idea. Grow some balls and sell some stuff. But I can guarantee you.....you'll buy more than you sell. I've tried it several times and failed and I'm trying it now. FUTILE!

I'd keep the 22 LR and the 223. I'd sell the rest and get a 30-06. I know that you had one before, but I think you'd be able to manage the recoil if you do four things:

1. Get one that's a little heavier than the typical Campfire flyweight (say about 8 1/2 pounds scoped and ready to hunt).
2. Put a really good recoil pad on it, like a Pachmayr Decelerator.
3. Shoot ammo with lighter bullet weights, like the 130- and 150-grain Barnes TTSX.
4. Make it a point to shoot this rifle every time you go to the range, as your recoil tolerance can drop off if you don't shoot that often.

A 270 with 110-grain TTSX ammo would fill the same niche if a 30-06 is completely out of the question.


I'm going through the same thing. In addition to watching recoil, I also want rifles chambered for ammo I can get in any big-box store, especially if airline travel is involved, as it's just a matter of time until they lose either your rifle or your ammo. That rules out a lot of things, but it rules IN cartridges like the 308, 270, and 30-06. You may not be able to find the exact 308/270/30-06 load you want, but almost any load you do find will clobber the game you're thinking of hunting. Start looking at ammo selection in every single place you visit that sells ammo and you'll see what I mean. Some stuff is a LOT more available than other stuff...

I've also learned that from there, you have to adjust how you think about all of this stuff. There's a big difference between hunting trips and range trips--for one thing, there are no do-overs on game. If you're on an expensive hunt, then you want to score if you get the opportunity. You'll have some serious coin if you thin the herd like you're talking about, so I'd invest in Leupold scopes with the CDS system for any centerfire rifles you end up keeping, plus a pair of Leica binoculars and a Leica rangefinder. Then I'd get out into the field and start making sure that I could run the optics in a way that lets me find game, then range it and hit it quickly.

Finally, buy yourself the best boots you can find. Hunting trips suck if you cripple yourself with boots that aren't exactly right and you have trouble walking by Day 2.

Don't ask me how I know that.


Okie John

Good God why?

P.S. I only read the title of the thread.

This

Call me crazy.

Of course, muzzleloaders are a different story....

You're one looney, deranged, crazy mofo.

Happy?

Of course I'm happy.

I'm crazy....

I'd keep the .22lr, the 221 fireball and the .260. I might consider changing out the 260 for a 7/08 or 270, as has been mentioned over and over again.

I would add a 270, get rid of the little stuff and buy a Rock River varmint AR. The Rock River AR will shoot 1/2,groups.

Keep:
22LR

Keep One of these:
22 Magnum
22 Hornet
221 Fireball
222 Remington
223 Remington
204 Ruger
22-250 Remington

Keep one for deer:
243 Win
260 Rem

Then add one of these:
.308 Win
30-06 (shooting 180 Partitions)
(I cannot in good conscience recommend a .270)

I am not sure I could handle the '06 cartridges at this point, but I do like the list.

Jstuart,

I have no experience with the Brno 21 or Husqvarna 146, are they Mauser copies?

I like it.

I have tried this twice before and bought more than I had the previous time. I will stand strong and grow a pair this time

This is a model 21 in 7x64 (mine), it is basically a refined small ring 98 with dovetails on top.




This is a Husqvarna 146 (picture from internet), these are a large ring 98 and can be had at very reasonable prices, and were I starting out I would definitely be going the Husqvarna 146 route.




This is a 146 (not mine) that a fellow on another forum has modified...and I for one think it is a cracking job.



I honestly do think the Husqvarna 146 is the very best buy to be had in quality/dollar terms.

jerrywoodswalker,

I like the way you broke the down the varmint rifles. These are the hardest for me. In my mind, each fits the perfect niche scenario. Like you suggested, if I rid myself of one from each group I could then see how I like it.

The 22 Magnum and 22 Hornet are probably the least desirble in the first group. They both have the Lux stock which is great for standing, but not so great for prone or shooting off the bench. I also loathe the safety on the 22 Magnum. Ammo was a pain in the butt to get too. I had envisioned using the 22 Hornet as a downloaded 22 Magnum if I couldn't find ammo. The problem I have run into with this Hornet is the magazine length forces me to single load with most of the newer varmint bullets. Also the twist rate is 1-16", yuck.

The second group would be harder for me. I bought the 222 because I am total push over for the triple deuce, although I hate the 1-14" twist. The 223 is a short stainless gun I had envisioned using as my AR, since I can't stand the platform, yet I would still like to have something chambered in the same cartridge in case the zombie apocalypse comes I am thinking the 204 Ruger and 22-250 may have to have a shootout this spring to see which I like better.

For the deer rifles, I could live with three and not feel like too much of a hoarder.

Okie John,

I have a nice set of Zeiss binoculars and a Leica rangefinder, so I will check those. My scopes consist of Leupold, Nightforce, Zeiss, and a few Weavers mixed in. The boots are a great which I would probably screw up.

The '06 rifle is a great suggestion, but I would have to download to use it. I had to take a break from shooting and hunting for medical reasons and now that I am back into it I am starting to realize how much pain I blocked out. I can go out today and shot my 243, 6mm, or 260 and not feel bad afterwards. I think I know my limitations and I don't want to condition myself to ignore the pain. I used to shoot much bigger stuff and I may again someday, but right now I don't want to try. You are right though about the availability of ammunition and I may get stuck having to use someone else's rifle on a trip. Thank you for your help I may end with a bigger caliber in a few years.

I have tried the AR route and it is not for me.

This is a good simple battery too. I am finding my hardest part is giving up the varmint rifles.

Beautiful rifles. I will have to look into them. When I think Husqvarna I think chainsaws. Is it the same company?

Yes, but they no longer make rifles...for some reason they do not seem to attract the attention of post modern plastic aficionados.
Metallurgy is excellent, and they are something that your great grand-children can get to use and cherish, for they were all made in an era whereupon quality was admired and avidly sought.


I came to the conclusion some years ago that I should own the best quality that I could reasonably afford...and leave the rest to those who do not know or care better.

I've a good friend in Canada that has a "Husky" in 300 win mag. He will never part with it.

keep the 22LR
keep the 222 (sweet rifle- sure the 204 and 22/250 are uber faster but the groundhogs wont know the difference)
edit- just saw 500 yards keep the 22/250 also!
keep the 6mm remington- mule deer and antelope

elk? 270

A very smart man your friend.

FYI, the Husqvarna logo (even on chainsaws, snowblowers and motorcycles) is a gun sight.

OK, I am back into this one more time - my suggestion was
.22
.223
.243
.260

Reasoning -
22 lr - Because everyone needs a good rifle chambered in 22 lr, if I could only have one rifle it would have to be a 22 lr, inexpensive to shoot, lots of good ammo, and they usually get shot a lot more than any other rifles.

223 Rem - It can be downloaded to cover the 22 Magnum and your other smaller 20 and 22 calibers. Accurate and good combination of paper-punching ability and a great varmint, so much so that my 22/250's never come out of the safe anymore.

243 Win - It can be loaded to duplicate the 22/250 using 55 gr bullets and can easily handle deer/antelope, etc with the 95/100 gr bullets.

260 Rem - It can also handle deer/antelope, etc and is easily capable of elk within normal shooting ranges of 200 - 300 yds. All of this and just slightly more recoil than a 243, what's not to like about it.

I am like everyone else recommending stuff, I think that because this is what I generally use it must be the answer for everyone. Well, it may not be the answer for everyone but it surely has worked for me for a lot of years now.
If anyone could be left out it would be the 243 since there is more overlap between it and the 260 than anything else in my choices.
All minimal recoil cartridges and all are cartridges that have a great track record.

drover

Barm. A heavier 30/06 like the Husky(10lbs with a scope) with a thick limbsaver pad will not recoil that much with reduced recoil loads. You may be intimidated by the noise of the rifle as much as the actual recoil.

22 LR
243

I can't go that far--a mild mannered, not-so-loud .22 centerfire would be handy for groundhogs without scaring the neighbors.

I'd trip the 6mm Remington for sure, and likely the 260 Model 7 too, depending on how far out the mag box allows you to seat 140's. If I kept the 22-250, I'd put a 1-8 barrel on it and punch it to AI. What's the 223 twisted?

Does such a thing as a not-so-loud centerfire exist? .17HMR is very useful around neighbors. 30-06 does nice work on deer and elk.

I think you should send me the 6mm then. efw knows it's the" 257 Roberts, much improved"

Sure, it does. Neither a Hornet nor a fireball are near as loud as a 22-250.

Keep the 22 and 222. Sell everything else and get a 270.

That is a neat bit of trivia.

Got it.

drover,
You have a well thought out answer and make a strong case for your selection. I can't argue with anything you presented.

kaboku68,
You are right, but my lightweight 260 would probably recoil the same and be easier to carry. Although the '06 ammo is found everywhere if I were to need it. Decisions...