Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters If you could Start ALL over - and ONLY own 1 Rifle + Scope ???

I won't play...I need two. I actually tried to do this back along 1995.

Wasn't too long before I realized that not owning a 375H&H is an enormously stupid idea.

I would want that and then...."something else".

I agree with Bob. I love my 375 H&H, even though it is overkill around here. If I had to just use 1 rifle, this is the one:


The one on the bottom and the scope would work for anything as well. I don't need a luepy to crap out on me either. This one does just fine:

Probably a lightweight bolt action rifle in 338 Federal, topped with a quality low-power variable scope.

If I was starting over at this moment I'd get a 30-06, either a Ruger Hawkeye, or a Model 70 - stainless either way. A 4X Leupold on top (or perhaps a 6 x 36). I know it's too much to some, and boring. But that's what makes it so good.

I am confused. I asked no question?

I wasn't considering buffalo in Africa. Yes, two rifles desired though I could do with one 375 H&H (or Ruger?). I spent a half dozen years hunting with a Rem 700 KS MR in 375 H&H and could do with a lightweight 375H&H as my one rifle. I took a couple of bulls with the KS in Colorado using the 260 gr Partition. A do anything rifle that would negate the need for a 300 Mag given the components available today.

I doubt it would matter what I selected, so long as I never looked at this website ever again.

FC

Sorry that comment should have been directed at 65BR.

Jim

I wish I would have not sold my Remington 700FS lefty in 270 with a Leopold 2X-7X. I had 5 loads from 2950 fps to 2600 FPS worked up for the rifle to handle any hunting situation for way out there to under 50 yards.

Doc

I often wonder if I had decided to order the Remington 700 KS SS .280 back in the early 90's how much money it would have saved me over the years?

I lusted over one of those for a couple of years, but just couldn't quite ante up that much money while in college. I ended up with a Ruger boat paddle 7mm mag for 400, vs the 1000.00 for the KS. Ruger treated me well for many years and won't ever be sold, but it also lead to the purchase of probably a dozen other deer rifles in search of the perfect rifle. Still looking and I've got several to choose from.

Two favorites presently in the same are a Rem Mtn. Guide 7mm-08 and a Montana 280 ai. The Montana hasn't been hunted with yet, so the jury is still out. Thinking it's a keeper though.

For me. A custom 338-06. Loaded with 210 or 225gr TSX and RL15 powder.

Good Remington action, custom jeweled bolt, and lightweight OD bottom metal.

1-10" Hart Barrel, #3 contour. New Echols McMillan Remington Stock.

Topped with a 2.5-8 Zeiss, held by talley rings.

All coated graphite black, stock painted OD green.

Kimber Montana 308 Win, 6x36LR in Talleys. And it is, in fact, my only rifle currently (though I have an M70 308 EW in the works to make a pair).

The 308 is my favorite round, and will be what I use for the rest of my hunting life:

Steyr Mannlicher Model M Professional with double set triggers in 7x64 with a Leupold 6x42 scope.

With deer and antelope my "largest" game these days, my 1984 700 action, 24" 1-8" twist Brux barrel in 22-250 housed in an Edge stock topped with a 3x9 Leupold will do it all from varmints on up. A 1-8" Swift might trump it in the near future....

You didn't specify a big game rifle. So........

I'd start over like I started (sorta) in the beginning..........

with a Ruger 77/22 with a Nikon 4 power scope.

If only a big game rile, probably a Rem Mt. Rifle in 25-06 with a Nikon 3-9.

Kimber Montana 30-06 Tally LW's VXIII 3x10x40

Hmmm. Glad I don't have to worry about that.

Probably a M70, 30-06, w/VX3 2.5-8

If I were to start over it would be a standard 280 Remington or a 338-06 Weathrby Big Game Master. 140- 250gr of bullets covers slot of territory. powdr

65BR,

Last August I basically did start all over...

Kimber Montana 7mm-08
Talley lows
Leupo 6x42, LRD, M1 elev

Sold my Tikklers, Salvages, and others. For what I want, I don't see how I could do any better. Should have played Kimber roulette years ago.

Recently bought a 77 MKII in 338 as a pretend rifle when I want to make believe I am going to Africa for plains game. Will also add a play toy for longer ranges too. But for one hunting rifle the Kimber and 6x are all I need/want.

Jason

I would probably start with a boring old 30-06. Thinking Ruger stainless with boat paddle stock, could live with factory rings. Find one with the factory sights, get the whole thing Ceracoated for extra protection, maybe in a flat black shade to mask the shinyness. Leupold straight 6 would probably serve my purposes.

KC