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

Yep. Thirty years ago for me.

I have a bunch of rifles, but I could make due with just a 270.

If I had a 3 rifle battery to cover the world it would be:
223,
270
and 375H&H.

A .22 bolt action, a .22 auto, a .270 bolt action, a .223 auto and a 12 gauge pump.

That's the practical answer.

The real answer is I want it all.

I would find a 308, 270, or 30-06 (in that order) in a rifle I liked. Add a fixed 4 or 6x scope and call it good.

Bolt Actions
223
308
35 Whelen

I did start over and I probably have more overlap than the first time around. I don't know if that just means I know what I like or if that means I'm dumber or if it means I have less mental justification to worry about this time around.

22LR
338 Fed
375 h&H
12 ga

Covers everything I want to shoot.

Ruger 10-22-Small Game
Tikka 270 Winchester Superlight -Deer

270 winchester

I had a good man tell me in the 70's

22 LR 30-06 and a 3" 12 gauge and don't waste any more money

He died in 1995 and he was right btw

Ruger 77 stainless 30-06
Mickey Sako Classic stock
Leupie 6x36

I'm thinking about doing this anyway this summer. It would make life simpler.

223, 257 bob,300wm

First rifles:
.223
.30-06

From there:
Any damn thing I want. Not that I would need anything.

I'd probably simplify things and spend more time on hunting trips and shooting games (trap/skeet, defensive pistol, etc.). Of what I currently have: I'd keep the 22 K-Hornet for the small stuff, 6.5x55 for medium critters, 9.3x62 for bigger, and a 12 guage would cover long gun needs. I'd probably have to keep a handgun or two - a 1911 45acp and single action 45 Colt or 44 Spl. Then I'd have to keep something in blackpowder - don't think I could part with the Shiloh Sharps. Of the military styles, I'd pass on the M1A and keep the M1 Garand and Colt AR carbine.

That would get it from over 50 to under 10 and I doubt I'd miss any of the others.

Remington Model 7 in a .308

Remington 700 in a 7STW for bigger stuff further away

Rem 11/87 12 ga

25-06 (700, 70 or 77 Mark II Ruger)

204 (Ruger Predator) coyotes/prairie dogs, good weight compromise for both uses.

Then everything else that I think I miss that will spend most of the time in the safe.

30-06 Every house in America should have at least one.
And a 338 Win Mag Rem 700 topped with a Leupy 2.5-8

And don't forget my Winchester Model 320 .22LR

To "start over" ... all Left Handed:
> Nicely stocked .22LR
> Benelli SBE
> Rem or Rem clone in .270

And THEN the buying and selling would start all over again...

If I were to start over again I'd start by avoiding the .30-06. My luckiest chambering but I'm not convinced I ever needed one. I certainly could have lived without the pounding on the bench.

I'm 77 and have some twenty ot more rifles. Knowing what I know now, if I started over I would have the following:

A bolt action accurate ..22 LR,
Two center fire bolt rifles in .243 and .308 ( I have no local PD, ground squirrels and etc.). Going to Africa or AK, I would buy a used heavy and sell it post hunt.

I will take this farther. Three handguns, .22; .38;

& either a .44 or .45.

And lastly a 12 and 20 shotgun of your choice. Mine would be an O/U 20 and an 870

Jack

22LR, 223, 270 win, 338win mag.