So, just for a little semi-serious fun, what would you set yourself up with if you were limited to 1 light rifle and 1 heavy rifle to hunt North America (as in Mexico to Alaska). Please limit your choices to factory or close to factory rifles meaning different barrels, triggers etc are OK. Full blown custom creations are not. The only other rule is that you would have to be able to use some sort of generally available factory ammo. I think the various improved cartridges are OK so long as they can shoot the unimproved version in a pinch.

I'll go first:

LIGHT RIFLE:
For a light gun I'm looking for a handy and flexible rifle that doesn't do it all, but does "most". I'm thinking a Remington Model Seven Stainless or Kimber Montana in 7mm-08. 20" or 21" barrel. Light and short, either one would be fine from a treestand (by that I mean a stand closed in by greenery where shots are usually 10-50+ yards, and the deer can see your breath if you're not careful) and could still reach out and take an antelope from farther than I want to shoot. Ballistics range from a 140 grain spitzer at close to 3000 fps for the factory "light magnum" loads to a 175 grain load at 2500+ fps (Speer manual). I don't have the bullet drop or energy figures handy but obviously they should be pretty good. Add a Leupold VXIII 2.5-8 and you'll have a package that weighs about 6.25 to 6.5 lbs scoped & loaded. Keep in mind that the 7mm-08 can use light bullets for varmints too although this is no dogtown gun. I like something like the Hornady Interlock 154 spirepoints for general use, and the 175's for anything requiring maximum penetration. Clearly this combination can handle more than deer. I've never shot a moose although I have seen them up close. It seems that a 175 A-Frame, Trophy Bonded, etc. @ 2500 should get through the vitals on an incoming, broadside or quartering away moose. I don't know if I would trust it to get through a shoulder first or for a "Texas heart shot", but I could hunt with it. Thats more than I require from my "light" gun, so maybe a smaller caliber might be a better choice.
If money were no object I think I would mount a top quality 21" barrel(a little heavier than factory) on a Kimber, have all the internal parts teflon plated and call it a day. I would also consider the 7mm-08 AI that Kenny Jarrett promotes on his website, .284 Winchester, or even the 7mm SAUM if I went with a Remington product.

HEAVY RIFLE:
Here I'm looking for a rifle that can do the scary work like stop a big bear, and can still reach out if my elk hunt becomes a long range thing. There are some nice heavies (35 Whelen, 9.3 x 62, 45-70) that fail the second requirement. There are still some good ones left though. I think I would go with a CZ bolt in 375 H&H with a 22-24" medium weight barrel. Loaded & scoped it should weigh 8+ lbs. I would like a stainless barrel and then have the entire gun treated with a durable black satin finish inside and out and have a nice big 2.5-10 or similiar scope mounted on it w/QD mounts. NO single set trigger. It would be able to take deer neatly with light loads, and handle everything else with factory loads. I would also consider 338 Winchester, 358 Norma, and a few others. The rifle would have to have express style open sights. Keep in mind that to me this is still a sporter, not a full blown heavy barrel Safari gun.

Anyway, please post your choice for one or both rifles. I hope to get enough response that I can learn from other points of view. And have some fun too.

Kragman1.

308 in a medium heavy contour. McMillan A5. Variable scope of choice.

17 HMR. Savage BTVS or custom.

25-06-Nikon Monarch 5.5X16X44 with plex reticle
300 JARRETT OR MAYBE A 325WSM with my Leupold LPS 3.5x14x50 WITH PLEX RETICLE.

.30-06 - 110 grain VMax to 200 grain Partition

.375 H&H - 235 grain Speer to 350 grain Woodleigh

actions, barrels, scopes, etc. is all secondary....

7x64 Brenneke, DWM 98 action, Timney Trigger, Lonewolf Stock, LW Barrel 23", trued, Leupold STD mounts, Weaver 4,75x40 GS

140 grain TSX @ 2950 fps

9,3x64 Brenneke, DWM 98 action, Timney trigger, laminate stock, 22" barrel, ghost/post sights

286 grain TSX @ 2450 fps

Both rifles bead blasted and parkerized.

I have the 9,3:



That said: I love my Marlins.

Staying within the criteria and spirit of the OP's thread, here are my choices:

Light Rifle - Ruger 77 (check, they made them) in 7x64 Brenneke.

Heavy Rifle - Sako 85 Hunter in 370 Sako Mag. I would have gone with one of the Ruger cartridges (375 or 416) but I don't like the bullet selection in the factory ammo that is currently available.

Light : A Win 88 in .308

Heavy : Marlin 1895 in 45-70

Gophers to Grizzlys

.358 Model 7

.325 WSM Kimber Montana

A classic and very useful choice of calibers.

I would have to choose my Ruger #1 in .25-06 and my Winchester M70 in .338WM.

Can't think of much I couldn't do in N. America with that combination.

I think I could do lots worse than what I have in the safe right now.

Light Rifle
Tikka T3 Light Stainless in .308
Leupold VXIII 2.5-8x36 B&C

Heavy Rifle
Weatherby Mark V (slightly massaged by a smith) .340 Wby
Zeiss Conquest 3x9x40 Rapid Z 600

"Heavy" can mean different things to different people. African "heavy" is another beast entirely, particularly if one is thinking along the lines of a stopping cartridge. For me though I don't really see myself even trying to shoot at something a .340 can't drop and with it's favorite 210gr TSX it's every bit as flat as my 7mag with 150's. If I really did want a "anything" heavy it'd probably be a .416 something or other.

I have several 2 rifle combos to choose from. I'm actually doing 3 - 30-06, 7mm RM, 375 H+H. I'd be real comfortable with a 7mm RM/30-06 and 375H+H.

Browning x-bolt stainless syn in a 7mm-08 and a 300wsm in a Sako greywolf.

since your question asks about: 1. rifles only and 2. hunting all of north america, i'd select the following:

1. .22 cal ruger 10/22 with a nikon or leupy 4x scope

2. a ruger hawkeye s/s in 30-06 shooting 180gr partitions. if i'm hunting big bears in ak i'd have to have a guide and he'd have the cannon i hope.

This one



And I'd buy some form of 375 H&H that was CRF and had a real safety and be done with it.

223Rem & 30-06

Browning BLR .308 2.5x8 Leupold 150-180gr loadings depending on what I was doing, even lighter varmint handloads if I had to.

Marlin 1895G 45/70 XS Front blade, Brockman's pop up peep rear base, Leupold 1.75x6 300gr JHP to 540gr hardcast for the really nasty stuff

I will choose from what I already own (and have tuned) a .270 WIN in a pre-64 FW for my light rifle. A .338 WIN MAG in a M70 Classic for my medium bore (heavy North American rifle). I will put a Leupold 2.5-8x36 VXIII on each of them.

Between my Kimber Montana in 257 Roberts and CZ 550 in 9.3x62, I should be able to take it all.

My 270 winchester remmy and 35 whelen cdl. Maybe the my new 375 H&H but it hasn't been proven yet. All remington's too.

Gotta go with the two I got ... Kimbers - 8400 in 300wsm and 84M in 257 Roberts. They will do for everything I've got on my plate.

I'd choose matching rifles in 7mm-08 and 375HH. Both would have Leupy VXIII 2.5-8s. The 375 would also be in detachable mounts and GOOD open sights.

RH

My Kimber Montana 308.
My markX 375 HH.
Both with 2.5x8 Leupolds.

My 270 Husqvarna Fwt and 9.3X62 FN Mauser sporters.

Ted

From what I have..

Rem M7 7-08, Leupold 2X7

Win M70 Sporting Sharpshooter 300WM, Leupold 3.5X10

My Remington 7 Custom Shop Mannlicher .257 roberts and my NULA Model 28 .338-06.

Kimber Montana 223 and 7WSM.

If the light rifle isn't necessary then the same 7WSM Montana and my 358 Norma.

My Kimber .260 rem does everything I need, but if I was looking for a heavy gun, it would be the Kimber 8400 in .300 WSM

25-06 & 35-05

I will take this a step further. The set up that I am currently using a Blaser R-93 Professional with the following barrels: 22 LR, 6.5x55, 308 (20" barrel with sights), and a 9.3x62 (20" barrel with sights).

On the 22 LR, I have a Leupold VX II 3-9x36mm EFR. On the 6.5x55, I have a Swarovski AV 3-9x36mm, and I switch a Leupold VX III 1.5-5 illuminated reticle between the 308 and 9.3x62.

My Rem. KS in .280 shooting 140gr. TSX's scoped with a Leupold 4.5x14 with B&C reticle and a Rem AWR in .338 Win mag shooting 210 gr TSX's scoped with a B&L 2.5x10 4200. And really, the .338 will do all that the .280 does so if I had to pick one....

Anschutz 54 sporter 22 long rifle.
Custom Rem 700 in 7mm-08AI.

1 wife is OK but only 2 rifles is obscene.

#1) Remington Model 7 Predator (.223) with Swarovski 3-10x42mm AV

#2) Remington Model 7 .350 RemMag with Swarovski 1.7-10x42mm Z6 and I'd stick it in a suitable McMillan stock.

If were going back to Africa I'd need a 3rd --- which would be a short-barreled .375 H&H and it would wear the same model scope as the .350 RemMag

OR maybe I'd buy a Blaser and some extra barrels.

And don't even think about trying to limit the number of shotguns!

Thiis is too easy........270 Winchester and 375H&H.

Ruger 77 std wgt 220 Swift and a 30-06 of some sort.

My two would be a Kimber Montana in .257Bob and a 300WSM.

Same here -
I'd carry my remodeled rem700 .270 for ground squirrels to elk and be very comfortable doing so. Near or far, it'll handle the job.

For the big stuff, lets say elk to big critters that can hurt ya, I'd want one of the .375's. Probably a Ruger Hawkeye, walnut/blue in .375 Ruger. I'd want good irons on the .375, but I doubt that the scope would ever leave it.

Both rigs would wear Leupolds wonderful 2.5x8 VXIII.

6.5x55 and .300 Weatherby

-Matt

I love these posts:

250AI and 375H&H......

Tikka T-3 Lite in .223. Leupold VX3 4.5-14, Wide Duplex reticle.
Tikka T-3 Lite in .30-06. Leupold VX3 4.5-14, LR Reticle.

OR

Ruger 77 Hawkeye in .25-06
Ruger 77 Hawkeye in .35 Whelen

OR

Remington model 7 CDL in .260 Leupold VX2 2-7x
Remington model 700 you name it, in .30-06.

Oh man tough question.

I guess of the ones I've owned 7-08 and 300wsm.

Bigwhoops 257Rob and 300wsm Kimbers are a hell of a combo.

Something deep inside me craves a .280 and muledeers 338 RCM.

I could easily get by with a 260 and my -06.

I guess since it can only be two I'll go 7-08 and 300wsm.

Kimber Montanas in 7-08 and 300 WSM, topped with 2.5-8x36 B&C & 6x42 LRD respectively...but I am not willing to play by the rules of the post - I will also need my Kimber of Oregon 22LR and some kind of 223, maybe another Montana just for continuity...grin.

DJ

My two will work just fine!

Light rifle:

300 WSM Ruger Frontier compact w/ `06 AI ballistics. I rotate two scopes on this rifle, a 2.5-8x28 Nikon Monarch EER scout and a 1.5-5x20 VX111. It`s noisier, has recoil, but is very accurate, handles better than any bolt rifle, and a joy to carry anywhere. A short barrel but with a very long reach.

Heavy rifle:

.375 Ruger Alaskan w/1.5-5x20 VX111 #4. Self explanatory.

Husqvarna .30-06 and Browning Safari .375H&H

Centerfire rifles

Remington Ti in 7mm-08
M70 in .338 Win Mag

Of rifles I already own:
Sako Finnbear 25-06
Sako Classic AV rebarreled to .35 whelen

if I was buying new:
Sako 85 in 7-08
Sako 85 Greywolf in 9.3x62

223AI & 30/06

The same two who've been doing it for me for the last 2 plus decades.

G33/40

700 mag

I have a thing for spending time with and getting intimate with rifles that are serious rigs of mine. Sure I do the project here and there but these two have done most of my work for a long time and will do the lions share of it for me till I am done hunting.

Now if I could find a really nice French Select Kimber I may just be tempted to carry a wood gun again and get it very bloody and muddy...grin

Dober

In spirit of the other thread .... I think TWO hunting rifles is TOO MANY!!!

Remington 7 CDL 308 ( I think they made it) Fixed 6


RFemington 700 XCR 300 win mag 2.5-10x40

Only two serial numbers for North America?

Then something I have, Savage .30-06 110gr - 200gr
And something I really want T/C Pro-hunter

.257 Roberts and .30-06. But I've never hunted in North America or Canada so I'm only stating what I would use here in Australia.

Thank you very much.

NULA, Kimber Montana, Model 7 - 308
Empire Mauser, Model 70 - 375H&H, Ruger - 375 Ruger

300hh and 375 hh both pre 64 model 70 with custom stocks ,beuhler mounts and 3.5-10 leupold on the 300 and 1.5-6 leupold on the 375 and they are both in my safe !!Both are very accurate and reliable.

I second Steelhead's suggestions! I'm doing pretty much the same thing right now, except I have a .338 Win instead of the 30-06.

.22 lr

30-06.

For all around deer/elk hunting...

Tikka T3 Lite Stainless in 270 WSM. Long, flat and fast. Nice light rifle that hits all the main buttons as good as any, and better than some for twice the dough.

For bigger stuff, were I to be interested...

325 WSM, pretty much the same rifle.

(And for smaller stuff, something like a 204 Ruger in a CZ)

Remmy Ti - 270 Win (old version)

SS M70 - 338 Win Mag

Maybe throw 'em both in an Edge...

If this isn't centerfire only I agree with tzone. Instead of
223Rem & 30-06 I'll take 22LR & 30-06.

On the low end, I'd take a 260/7mm-08/7WSM on Remington action. For the upper end, give me a 375 Ruger.

All,

When I posed the question I was thinking centerfire only, for a guy who travels & hunts a variety of game (javelina, pronghorn, deer, sheep, boar, bear, caribou, moose, etc.). But don't let that stop you if thats what comes to mind when you see the post.

This has quickly gotten a lot of replies. I'm glad people find it interesting and hope the conversation will continue. I'll probably reconsider my choices based on what I see here.

Thanks,
Kragman1

If it centerfire...

.223

.30-06

Kragman-if you read my resonses you'll notice that I only mentioned a couple of rifles, ones that are dear old friends. As far as the rounds go, within reason you can go with just about any of the many mentioned.

I'd encourage you to first and formost sort out which rifle you wish to use or to build and then sort out what round you want to take dancing.

Rifles that I am intimate with come first and formost and then comes cals, bullets, scopes etc.

Pick two, stick with them, and shoot the dog snot out of them is my motto. (rebarrel as needed)

Dober

I think i'd go with what I already have. Both are Weatherby ULW's one in 280 rem the other in 338-06. Both are setup with Leupold 3x9's on them. The 280 has a bullet range of 120-160's comfortably and the 338-06 180's to 225's. Should be able to cover it all.

Nice combo there Chip, I'd scope em the same and use the same rings/sling etc.

My pick for a scope would be the 6x36 Leo with LR dotz in it.

Dober

A pair of Remington 700-based rifles - either Remington KS Mountain Rifles or custom Classics by Rifles Inc - in .270 Winchester and 338 Wincvhester Magnum. Talley mounts and rings holding Leupold VX-III 2.5-8 scopes with B&C reticles. Adjust the triggers to a crisp 3 pounds and shoot Barnes TSX bullets. Go forth and hunt, and put a pedestal mount where my big gun safe currently sits.

Probably my Sako 85 6.5X55 w/2.5 - 8 Leupie (B&C reticle) and (though I wouldn't feel the need for anything else) my Kimber 8400 .300 WSM, scoped the same.

280 Remington Mountain in a TI stock - 7 lbs ready to hunt

Wby Mark v in 7 Dakota - 8 lbs ready to hunt

Lower 48
7mm Rem Mag, Ruger M77 with iron sights and 3-9x scope

Big Tooth
.45-70 Marlin 1895 with 2-7x in Quick Detach rings


Ain't going to happen, though, as I don't intend to sell the others.

Light Rifle
Winchester Model 70, extreme weather in 3006, with some upper end glasss in no more than a 2.5 to 10 power scope.

Heavy Rifle
CZ 550 Magnum in 375H&H with iron sights.

Since factory ammo was specified I would go with the 25-06 and 30-06.

The 25-06 in a Kimber Classic and Leupold 3.5 x 10 B.C.; the 30-06 in a Ruger Stainless Hawkeye and Leupold 2.5 x 8 B.C.

A 270 Winchester and a 300 WSM.

Well in that case, 223AI and 30/06

War Eagle, I'm close to you on this one.

Light game - Mod. 700 with custom 23" barrel and custom stock in 25-06. 7.75 pounds with sling and four in the magazine. 120 Hornaday HP @ 3000 fps. 4x28 Leupold scope.

Heavy game - Custom Mod. 70 with 20.75" barrel in .338 Win. 8.75 pounds with sling and four in the magazine (the magazine has been opened-up to hold the additional cartridge). 210 Nosler PRT @ 2875 fps. 3x Leupold scope.

M Bell

Ten Sleep-now those sound like some excellent rigs!

Wood stocks or African Walnut?

Dober

I was thinking two for the world. Since it Mexico to Alaska, I'll change mine to two that I already own:

Light Rifle: REM 600 w/ a 21" Douglas #1 and a McMillan EDGE stock shooting Hornady 139gr IBs at 2900fps, topped with a Leupy VXIII 2.5-8 in Talley mounts. A hair over 6 pounds as pictured with a belly full of cartridges.


Heavy Rifle: Rem 700 BDL/SS in a laminated mountain LSS stock. Factory everything. Leupy DD mounts and a VXIII 2.5-8. Shoots 225gr Nosler Partitions at 2850fps. 9 pounds even with a full belly.


RH

Custom 6MM Rem and Ruger No. 1 in a 7STW

Two from what I own, 700 mountain rifle in 7X57, barrel turned back and rechambered, timney, bedded, recrowned, 140 partitions @ 2800, 120TSX @ 2900.

700 in .350 rem mag 21" barrel, trigger work, 200 corelokt @2825, 250 partition @ 2535 Both with vari x lll 1.75-6 Works for me.

I'd like to rewrite your parameters.

#1..Light,handy AND long range Elk capable - Ruger #1 270 Weatherby - should make length and balance but perhaps not weight.

#2..Bear Stopper...35 Whelen or whatever poison you drink in CRF rifle.

I think it's a mistake to go Dangerous Game/Bear and Long Range anything in the same package. I wouldn't want compromise in a DG rifle. JMO

Make it a 280 instead of a 30-06 and I can agree.

If I choose from what I already own a .30-06 Model 70 All Terrain SS Featherweight and a .338 WIN MAG in a M70 SS Classic for heavier stuff.
I have a Leupold 2.5-8x36 VXIII on each of them.

If I wanted to fool with it I could screw the original 270 barrel back on the Featherweight and get a little better long range marmot gun.....naw!!!

I would probably choose a Winchester M70, either classic stainless or extreme weather, in 300 Winchester Magnum. I'd mount a mid-range variable scope. Shoots flat enough for all of the plains game, hits hard enough to take care of bigger critters if time and range permits for a precise shot.

For a "heavy", I'd go with a Marlin 1895 Guide Gun in 45-70. I figure that if I need a heavy caliber gun I'd probably want something that could shoot fairly quickly. For close cover, it would be handy and quick. Big bullets would leave big holes, making tracking easier when a quick shot doesn't end up perfect. Also, using 400gr bullets, might be able to save your bacon when you piss off some moose or bear.

The two rifles would be exactly what I used from 1961 until 2002 when the .338's recoil finally drove me to a lighter caliber rifle:

1) An extremely accurate .22 rimfire long rifle for squirrel hunting & target shooting.
2) A pre-'64 Model 70 in .338 Winchester Magnum for all big game.


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

There is nothing wrong with that choice for Canada from my perspective. I do not hunt coastal bear, but large black bears will succum to either of those. Moose just seem to drop right there with an 06, and 257 roberts is flat for open country.

What do you hunt in Aussie
Randy

Of the rifles I own, and the javelina to coastal brown bear criteria, I would probably go with the 257 roberts 338 win mag as I have great confidence in both. In a month I will have completed an African plains game hunt with th 3006 so it may step up in my confidence level, at least I expect it to. As the shootists wife said when he told her he was buying his last rifle..." as long as its a 30-06..."

Randy
I am also expecting some drt bullet failures from TSX 165 gr hehehe

Tikka T3 lite .223 and my CZ 550FS 9.3X62, or one of my six 30-06's and forget about the second rifle.

Thanks Dober. I've thought about dumping the 280 for a 25-06 but the 280 is just too good to dump and could probbly do everything with either rifle though the 338-06 might be a little big but with the selction of bullets out there now could be done.

As far as scope one is a Leupold 3x9x32 compact and the other is a 3x9x40. They should be matching but on the 280, 3x9x40 seems to make more sense. The reason for the 3x9's is here in the Northeast the ranges could get up close and personal and the 3x setting is nice when still-hunting the thickets

The practical man, or women, would have stainless barreled Kevlar stocked bolt action rifles in 30/06 and 375 H&H and be set up to hunt anywhere in the world.

But most of us don't hunt for any practical reason. It's our hobby... Walnut and blued steel are prettier.

Then there is the issues of personal recoil tolerance, and what what size critter and distance to it are you hunting. For someone who needs minimum recoil a 223 Rem and a 243 Win may be best.

It's all personal choice...

idahoguy101

For me I'd go with my trusty 270 w/2.5-8 leupy as my basic do it all rifle. The other choice for me would be a 22-250 and it would take honors as the light, as I've really no need for a heavy. But.....with the OP's intent for this thread, the 270 would be the light and I'd pick up a 375 ruger in the hawkeye platform and call it good.

Mark,

The .25-06 has a Garret Arms (now defunct I think) composite stock that has been in place for about 25 years, and the .338 is fitted to a stock of VERY tight-grained black cherry. That stock was fitted to that barrel and action in 1975 if I remember correctly. Never had a problem with either one!

I enjoy your interesting posts,
M Bell

Light rifle: Ruger Hawkeye in .270 Win
Heavy Rifle: .375 H&H built on a commercial Mauser action or Ruger Hawkeye African in .375 Ruger

The only two hunting rifles I have:

Rem 760 in 6mm w/ a 4200 3-9, got the rifle for xmas when I was 12.

Savage 110 in 300wm w/ 4200 2.5-10, got the rifle AND an ior scope at the fun show for $550, sold the ior scope for $750.

For me it woud be a pre 64 fwt in 30-06 and a Mauser 375 H&H..That was an easy one.

If it is just North America, as the OP specified, then it is a .257 Roy in a ULA and a 338 Win Mag in Model 70.

But if I change it to include Africa, then I drift up to a 7 mm Rem Mag and a 375 H&H, both in Winchester Model 70s.

AR-15 - hoot to shoot

284 win - preferrably on a M-70 SA - this is about the perfect all around gun - maybe just a smidge shy of a 30-06 - with RL-17 maybe not.

sako finnlight in 3006 on the low side and a 9.3x66on the big side, if it doesn't show up then I will go back to 375HH, any rifle I carry has to kill a moose cleanly.

My current two rifle battery

1. Kimber Montana .308

2. Ruger 77 Mark2 .338 win mag.

Finnlight 6.5x55 and a Sako 9.3 of sorts, or if non metric 260 Finnlight, Sako custom 338/06.

If forced/wanting factory ammo options, change calibers to 7/08, 338 Win Mag or could subsitute 375 H&H.

Leupold 6x36 on light rifle and Fx-II 4x33 / Zeiss 4x32 on heavy both w/German #4 or German #1 reticle.
Second choice option, a 2.5-8x36 Leupy or Zeiss 2.5-8x32.

Bullets - Accubonds for light rifle then Partitions /Barnes TSX for the Heavy rifle.

Think that about does it. Nice to have others...

Pre-64 Model 70 in .30-06 and a Remington Mini-Mauser in .223 Rem.

Light Rifle - 22 CHeetah Custom - shooting 53 grain Barnes bullets at over 4000 fps - for everything deer sized and down.
Heavy Rifle - Sako Model 85 Stainless Synthetic 375H&H for everything bigger.

That'd work for me.

Or, 7-08/270 and 30-06.

6x36 LR Leupold's on top. One powder for either combo, H4350.

If all were Kimber 84 MT's so much the better...

Ruger Hawkeye

light = 243
heavy = 30-06 (or 300 RCM to keep the action lengths the same)

At first I was going to go for my Kimber 7mm-08 for the light rifle, but as I shoot some varmints, I opted for my Sako 75 Finnlight in 260 Rem.

Light Rifle --
Sako Model 75 Finnlight in 260 Remington. For small deer and antelope, I would use the 100 Gr. Ballistic Tip, large deer, elk, sheep etc I would use the 130 gr. Barnes TSX. For varmints, the Sierra 85 gr HP

Heavy Rifle:
Sako 75 Stainless Hunter in 375 H&H. I would use 250 gr. Swift A-Frame for large deer and elk, the 270 gr A-Frame for elk and bear of all sizes.

light rifle
weatherby 25-06 100 gr TTSX

Heavy rifle
weatherby 7mm STW 140 gr TTSX

Will do everything I need here in Colorado

I'm thinking 6.5x55 and .375HH.....

I ran a 270WCF - 300WMg combo in various brands for 30+ years, and I still have a almost 3 yr old NIB 270 T3 SS Lite leaning on the desk & a not very worn M70 SS/syn Classic 300Wmg ...but old age is settling in my bones.

However I took Dober's advice couple years ago on a Swede for a do all with less owiee on the surgically repaired neck & shoulder - mine is a T3 Hunter Grade that shoots bugholes...and I have just about fallen in luv with a another recommendation, this time from my favorite older than I am fart, Mims Reed, who is also suffering from being far older than he feels like between his ears, in a CZ 9.3x62. Both sets of guns and calibers fill the 2 gun anything in North America parameter although the 300Wmg prolly oughta become a 338/375 of some sort to hunt Grizz with.

So I got 2 pairs to play with ....the everyday Wood/Blue shooters are a T3 Swede & a CZ 9.3...and the SS/syn pair are a 270 T3 & a M70 300Wmg. Just don't know when I'll ever shoot the 270 though as well as the Swede is working for me.

So the choice is being made for me by what I can toleralby reliably point at what ever I can come across...and I'm OK with this choice if'n I can still do my part.
Ron

OBTW ...the danged Swede milsurps are lookin like more and more fun everyday.
RV

Think that it would probably be my 25 06 in 700 Remington SPS & my Weatherby Vanguard 7mm Rem Magnum.

Easy for me:

1) .308 Win
2) .375 H&H

Anyway, what I allready have are a 7x57 and the .375

Regards.

PH

What he said!

I guess I would keep a pair of .264 Wm's.

308, 375.

BMT

7X57 & 30-06

Oh, I hate questions like this. Because, I can always think of another set just as soon as I post ...

1. Ruger Stainless Laminate in .30-06 lefty
2. Marlin Guide Gun in .45-70

Of course, my rimfire doesn't count ... for that, make it the Marlin 39A .22LR and throw in an 870 pump 12 gauge.

I could also go with

1. BLR pistol grip in .300 WSM
2. Remington 7600 Pump in .35 Whelen

or I could ... only two? Indecision clouds my vision. That's how the song goes.

I'm like Gringo.

.22mag - 597 Rem auto
.300 WBY - Vanguard

or

7mmWSM - SS/Syn Howa
.375 H&H - Rem 700

These I own.

Light Rifle:

Choose 1: 7mm-08, 7mm wsm, 7mm rem mag, .308 win, 30-06, 300 WSM, or 300 Win mag.

Anyone of those will fit your criteria for a light rifle; they are available in a number of actions, and models, and good factory ammo can be had near anywhere.

Heavy Rifle:

Choose 1: .338 win mag, or 375 H&H

These are the only 2 that fit your needs; available in a number of actions, and have a good selection of factory ammo.

As far as rifle selection goes pick two of the same type action. So pick 2 rem 700's or 2 sako 75 or 85's, or 2 Kimbers, or 2 Rugers, or 2 Tikka's, or 2 Model 70 Winny's. The actions do not have to be the same length, but the same type of action with the safety in the same location is always helpful.

One final thought, that does not get the attention it deserves, is the selection of scopes and mounts. Now I not talking about the brand of scopes, because there are plenty of good makes and models, but rather what you need to do is put some thought into plans for back up scopes.

Unlike somebody that has 6 or 8 rifles in the safe, you will only have 2. So if the scope or mounts on your light rifle goes tits up, you are stuck with using your heavy gun. So plan ahead: select a scope mounting system that allows you to swap scopes will little or no loss of zero. Just about any mount with a weaver rail and good QD rings will allow you to mount a spare scope and go hunting. Ditto the Leupold QR system, and I'm sure that their are a bunch of others.

The point is if you have a 2 rifle big game battery what you need is 4 scopes. The 2 on the rifles and one spare for each, ALREADY sited in.

One other thought is a designated load development scope. For me I prefer scopes for big game that top out at 6, 7 or 8 power. I value having the large field of view at low power more than I like counting the ticks on a animals hide. I have never found a situation in hunting that 7x or 8x on the top end was not enough for a clean shot. But I have found situations where I thought 3x or 4x power on the low end was too high for a quick close shot. But 6 or 7 or 8x power is sometimes too low for load testing and development.

That being said, I have a scope just for load development work. That scope is a Bushnell 10x40 Elite 3200. It is a fixed 10x scope that sells for around $200. It is not used for hunting, but only for handload development. It also turns your light rifle into a "mall ninja" type sniper rig, as the Bushnell has target turrets and mil dot reticle!!

I sure there are other brands and models that would work, but this one has been great for me. I have used it on over 8 rifles over the last 4 years to develop and test handloads.

Good luck with your choice,

Bob

Only 2, mission impossible !

Tikka T3 Lite 300 WSM with Limbsaver pad and Leupy 2.5-8x35 B&C reticle scope.

However, if I needed to cut down to only one, my keeper would be a smoothly operating M70 push feed with McMillan classic stock that has been my main gun for 32 years. It was recently rebarreled with a Bartlein in 7 RM and pleasingly accurate.

Lite---Winchester XTR Classic Featherweight---6.5x55 Swede
Nikon Monarch 2.5-10x42

Heavy---Ruger 77 Hawkeye---338 Win Mag
Nikon Monarch 2.5-10x42


Both, Wood Stocks, Matte Black Barrells, Matte Black Scopes

+1 very hard combo to beat.

I would say choose any two from the list below and I could get by:

.22LR
.30-30
.30-06
.375 H&H

My pick for just two rifles, will be the model 70 Winchester in a .375H&H and the caliber known as the 6.5/06 also a model 70 Winchester rifle.

For me a 280Rem M700 SS in a McMillan stock, and my 358STA.
99% of the killing will be done with the 280Rem.

If I was to only have one rifle it would be my 325WSM....

only two centerfire rifles I got are the .223rem and .270Win, so those will have to do.

It would be a Beretta Mato Synthetic in 30-06 Springfield with a Burris Signature Select 3X-10X-40 scope with the Ballistic Plex reticle and a Beretta Mato Synthetic in 375 H&H with a Burris Signature Safari 1.75X-5X-32 with the Taper Plex reticle.

Interesting.....and from a guy who gets to play with everything!

Choosing only 2 rifle I would pick my Sako 75 in 25-06 with Zeiss Diavary 3-12 and my Sauer S202 with 2 barrels 30-06 and 9.3x62 with S&B Zenith 1.5-6 ...that�s still only 2 rifles !

I'll take my 30-06 pump for the heavy stuff, and get a Halibut rifle for everything else.