The 223/260 combo is about perfect for where I live. The 308 comes into play if/when I decide to chase something bigger than deer. It's still not "too big" for deer though..

The 260 is what split my 223/308 theory. I sold one in the downsizing and regretted it. I decided it was the perfect tweener and added one. Then I thought I needed a 243 between the 223 and 260, then a 7-08 between the 260/308. Lots of overlap here!

Currently, the Ruger SS Hawkeye laminate .308 with a Leupold 4X or 6X scope, probably 4X.

OR, something that hasn't been mentioned but has done it not in theory but in fact for well over a hundred years - a Winchester Model 94 .30-30. Not the fancy-shmancy angle eject with scope mounts and such, but a good old top eject, throw the empty on your head, open sighted .30-30. In an homage to shot placement and loonyism it might wear a good peep sight like an older Redfield or steel Lyman 66 (not the modern plastic crap), or it might not.

It's been doing the job in out of the way places in snow and rain and dust with no fancy maintenance long enough to have proven itself. And I don't think a few million deer, moose, elk, caribou, black and even grizzly bears would suddenly spring back to life if you used one.

The guys mentioning a SS Ruger Synthetic in .308 or 30-06 are not far off. I'd likely go 30-06, make the handle a McMillan in some drab gel-coat color, and top it with a medium-powered Leupold variable, likely a B&C or LRD model.

If I had to snatch up one of my current rifles to go do whatever, not knowing what I might get into or where I might be doing it, I would take this one.



It's an older 700 BDL SS .338WM, cut to 22" and bedded to an LSS handle that I had shortened up in the LOP department. The scope is a 3.5-10x40 VX-III with the B&C reticle. It fits well, shoots well, feeds well, and hits pretty hard.

Yea, I could run a Ruger too, just can't get them quite light enough but they are tough.

They are tough, heavy, and sometimes not the smoothest, kind of like their revolvers. I remember that sturdy looking 30-06AI you did in the sea-foam swirl. I bet the photo weighed 2lbs.....

I used Leupold to earn my livelihood for 15 years...not a lot more to be said really.

Since I don't trust scopes anymore;
My win94ae 30-30; (today's shot.)


My Eddystone US model of 1917, 30-06; (my shot from 4 days ago.)


Those 2 rifles I feel most confident with presently; they've never let me down.

A Model 700 Remington in .30-06 unless large bears were in play and then I'd get a .375H&H too. Scopes would be Leupold VX-2 3-9X40s or Zeiss Conquest 3-9X40s in Tallet LWs.

I could and do like the 2-7x33 I have, if I could turn the dang power ring quickly without using a pipe wrench; especially in winter when it really gets stiff. Been putting off sending it back. Leupold said they will loosen it up.

Yea I could see how you would miss that. Hell, I miss reading about it.

If I could take only one?

700 stainless 375 H&H in a McM, and put a 3.5-10x40 with turrets up top.