I know this has been posted before but I'm sitting at home bored on a Thursday afternoon. Might have had a shot of TX White Dog for my sore vag, play along with the question please....


If you could only hunt with one rifle for the rest of your life, what would it be?


You might already own it, might be something you want, off the shelf, custom, whatever.

Don't worry about barrel life, or possible lemons, accuracy is a given type of deal...



And.....


How would you scope it?


Bullet?


Use?




(and yes, I know it is a hard question, don't worry, only hypothetically speaking)

6x42, turrets and mil reticle
Synthetic stock
RH bolt action
Stainless barrel and action
.30-06

Likely a Rem. 700 with the old style trigger, tuned properly.

168TTSX

7RemMag, 160 partitions, Leupy VX6 2-12x42, duplex reticle.

Today I think it would be.

Kimber Montana 280 AI
Leupold VX 3 3.5-10
Nosler 150gr E-Tip

Tomorrow who knows?

Pre-64 Model 70 .30/06

6x42, or 6x36, or 4x Leupold.

165-grain Partition

At this moment I would say:

Rem 700
338 Win mag
225 Accubonds or Partitions
Leupold 2.5-8x36
Maybe add Cerakote

It will kill anything I'll ever hunt.

No wrong answers yet....grin

This would work for me.

Remington 700 Classic
270 Win.
130 gr NPT (Federal Blue Box in a pinch)
Leupold M8 4X

I already own it.
Remington 700BDL (flat safety)
.30-06
Leupold M8 4X (may consider putting a 6X on it though).

Bullet-165 Nos Partition. (no heavier than that)

Sore what!!?
.280 Rem

SS 22" 1:9 7-08, McSwirly Classic or Naked Edge, 6x42 M1, 162 Amax, 120 TTSX, 145 LRX.



And to think I sold the SOB.

Around my area, we shoot whitetail at less than 100 yards on brushy mountains. So low power scope, moderate power round, and light and short rifle. Right now my go to rifle is a Sako 85 Finnlight in 260Rem with a 1.5-5 Leupold. Makes days of climbing, falling, and dragging out deer bearable.

Rifle: Remington 700 Titanium in 280 Ackley Improved in a Mcmillan MR edge fill
Scope: Leupold 3.5-10x40 CDS.
Bullets: 150 ttsx or the 150 LRAB
Use: I would use it for everything in this far fetched hypothetical situation. I only have one rifle!

Pre-64 Win Fwt in .30-06 with either a Leupold 2-7x33 compact (or a 6x36) in a Larry Caudill custom stock. Like MooseMike, this one already resides in my gun safe.

Nice choices so far.

What makes this question hard to answer is the one bullet part.I already have a 99 that I shoot 87,and 100s in,so I would say Savage 99 with about a 70gr. soft point,so I could also use it for turkey,and groundhogs,as far as glass I guess I could get by with whats already on the gun its an old VX1 3-9x40,but is clear,and holds zero.

I actually did this....back in the 90's. It was a pre 64 M70 FW in 270.Load was a 130 gr NPT,and had a couple of scopes for it.Sold everything else.

It was nice....none of the gut wrenching drama of what to use as the hunting season approached.Always zeroed...grab and go and kill everything.

It lasted about two years before I realized the error of my ways and bought back my 375 H&H.No one should be without one of those.

Fortunately I kept all my important components.

In another couple years the disease took hold again and I bought a few more rifles,but I have never approached the same level of rifle insanity I suffered from in the years before The Purge.

Yep, hard question, and if we don't keep it going, then it will never get to the sit back with popcorn part:

Win M70 or Ruger M77 MkII - .308 (so, I cheated, couldn't pick one, it's a hard question)

Cerakoted, bedded in properly weather-proofed custom walnut.

VX3 - 2.5-8x36

150 gr Nosler Partition

Deer and hogs in GA and FL pine flats, swamp bottoms, and Kissimmee prairie

Only one choice for me. Winchester pre-64 Model 70 in .30-06 with a Leupold 2X7 scope.

A transition Pre-64 M70 with a lightweight 23" barrel in 280 Rem, stocked in a Brown Pound'r. Scoped with a Leupold 6X36 LR in super-low DDs.

I would need a mate in 9.3X62 though. Just sayin...

Winchester Model 70 Featherweight in 270

Leupold VX-3 3.5x10x50

150gr NP's.

Hypothetically...(for hunting all game commonly hunted on Planet Earth... including Elephant & the Big Bears)

Ruger 416 Alsakan, Hogue pillar bedded stock, Robar blackened stainless steel with NP3 bolt and internals, Trijicon Scope, Barnes 350gr TSX's...


3.5" MPBR out to 200yds (sighted in at 172yds) and I'm confident shooting it out to 300yds (12" drop)... but I enjoy trying to get inside 45yds (tradbow range) before shooting.

Stump

Already have it. A Rodney Dangerfield Ruger 77 tanger in 7x57. The Bausch & Lomb Balvar 8 2.5 x 8 that is on it failed in Montana last fall...my bad. Back up rifle put in play. Going to re-scope it before fall. 160 grain Partition.

Use - Elk, Mule Deer and Moose.

I'd be happy with this one. It spends the most time in the truck or out in the woods as already.



Model 70 FWT 30-06


VX-3x9 or 2.5x8

Usually shoot 165gr Accubonds.

Winchester M 70 .375 H&H

300 gr Nosler Partition & Sierra GK.

Leupold 1x-4x.

I intend to hunt more than one country.

Have it already.

Stump buster is the only one that has me stumped so far!

Been there, done that. Ruger M77 in 7mm RM, 3x9. It would still be a good choice and will on the "never sell" list.

A close second would be one of these Ruger MKII rifles. I like irons for an only gun situation so the .338WM on the left would get serious consideration but th e.30-06 on the right would be more likely. The .300WM in the middle? Probably not.





This one would also get serious consideration. Might have to fight Daughter #1 for it:

This one...no regrets whatsoever.



About any 130 or 150 Partition or Grand Slam will wack anything I'm likely to hunt.

This one makes one large hole after 3 shots with these two loads:

Rem 700 Classic 35 Whelen
Zeiss 3-15 x42 HD 5
MCM edge stock
225 gr TTSX, or 250gr Partition

Lot of good choices, I like Ben's 30-06

This one will stay for me. I only hunt deer, try to hunt black bear, and this one even works for groundhogs and crow.
Mod 70 classic featherweight in 308 with a m-8 4x

edited to add, if it was my only rifle, it would probably get a 3-9 scope of some sort in deference to shooting groundhogs with it.

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Dammit Sam. Ok...HYPOTHETICALLY.

Probably my trusty old Model 700 SS bedded in a HSP stock. 30-06. Shoots 165 TTSXs under MOA and 165 Interbonds into 1/2 MOA. Has a Zeiss Conquest on top currently, but I'd probably stick a Leupold VX6 2-12 CDS on it.

Can we have a 2nd, 3rd and 4th choice?

Probably a Kimber with killer wood in 308 with a 2-7 Leupold

Currently, I have a couple of .270s, a .308, a .243, and a just acquired .45/70. Any of them would be fine, but as I get older the .243 makes the most sense. Light, handy, and pleasant to handle and shoot.

You guys aren't dreaming big enough!

Either an Echols Classic or a David Miller rifle
30-06
Leupold 6x42, probably Heavy Duplex

The rifle would determine the bullet choice, but it would be either a 180 Nosler Partition or a 180 Nosler Accubond, whichever shot more consistently. If I had to pick now between those two I would pick the Partition.

H4350 loaded to ~2800 fps
CCI LR primers
Lapua brass

I don't know why hunting rifles are chambered in something other than 30-06, but I have a new-to-me 25-06 that might help me figure it out.

Hey Sam... I clarified some things in my post to hopefully make more sense given your Parameters.

Hey. what can I say... Your hypothetical question is the excuse I used to get the rifle in the first place. Thank goodness I have more specific tools for specific jobs in "Real Life".

Mod 70 EW
Edge stock
3.5-10 VX3 CDS
30-06
180gr partition.

Even bought here at the campfire! Seriously this was bought for the sole purpose of 1 rifle that could do all I'd ever want with zero fuss and zero worries about reliability and so on.

Got a 99 in the old 300 savage on the way that could do 99.9% of the big game hunting I'd ever do with a 150gr partition.

Oh and add a .375" 300 gr solid.

Wonder if you guys think I was nuts for mentioning this.

But since I'm probably not going to hunt anything bigger than deer or possible hogs, I'm thinking 223rem with 53-55gr tsx for deer/hogs and 55gr horn sp for the rest. Scope: Leupold 6x42.

I already own and love it. I have several other options but this is a sweet rig that gets used often.

It is no doubt a Kimber Mountain Ascent in 308 with a Zeiss 3-9x40 z600 scope and 165 grain accubonds. It is a sweet, lightweight, accurate rig that can be used for anything in NA except big bears. It can go on a serious mountain hunt or sit in the deer blind. It can go subsonic for fun, or a suppressor can be screwed onto the end, which I have yet to do, but the option is there.

Dakota 97, 30-06, with a S&B 6x42, metal ceracoated . Load would be 165 Nosler Partitions. I already own this set up and am steadily reducing the number of guns I have as I approach retirement.

You know how the best rifle is the next once one has long since slid in to the realm rifle loonyism right? So the question is easy Assuming all will work out well I'll go with my on order Fierce Edge 7wsm stainless cerekoted 24 inch tube with their bit of webbing on mat stock. I'm going to start off with a vx3 4.5-14x40 V reticle not sure if that will stay.. but something similar. I'm liking the idea of 168 LRX' pushing 3 grand that would cover a lot of ground. Literally.

Mod 700, 22-250 (1-7" ROT) with one of those 6(times) Swarovskis, 62grn TSX. Maybe a HS Pre stock and Hart barrel.

I'd rather shoot a buffalo in the eye with that rig than shoot a thousand small critters with a 30-06.

And no, I don't own it...not all of it anyway.

Sam, I'm in the process of building such a rifle. It's currently a stock 1996 Classic Stainless M70 Fwt 270 Win. I've got a McMillan Hunters Edge Compact on order, and will drop it in that with PT&G Aluminum Bottom Metal, Talley Lwt X-Lows, a 6x36LR Leupold (or 2.5-8x36), and Unlce Mikes Mountain Sling. I hope the load will be 150 NP's at 2,850.

Should come in sub 7.5 lbs all-up with sling and rounds, while being eminently shootable well into my old age... and of course the 270 is more than enough for anything in Montana.

I'll always have a Kimber MT of some stripe (likely 308 - again!), but the Montana is a specialized tool, really not a true all-arounder. They're just too light for that! As I've aged I'm less fond of recoil and I don't forsee the trend reversing.

Jack O'Connor had this stuff figured out a long time ago...

Here's my 270 next to Dober's Bansner-stocked pre-64 Fwt:

Hmmm...

At my age I think that several rifles I own would fill the bill. Prolly go with this though.

700 stainless
.270 Winchester.
Barnes 110 grain TTSXs
S & B 1.5-6x42 with turrets and a modified #4.

That'll kill anything I need to kill between now and when I die.

Was thinking the same thing, mine rides with a CDS. I'd probably go 160g accubond though.

That's why you never sell large lots of bullets thinking you won't have a use for them down the road.

My Model 70 Featherweight 270, VX3 2.5-8 and 140 GKs for deer and 150 Partitions for anything bigger will get me by fine.

Not my favorite caliber but, if I can only have or keep one of my rifles, it would probably be my 9.3x62. If you reload, you can use bullets in weights from 232 to 320 grain and can use it for most any game in NA….well, maybe not rabbit, squirrel, and smaller varmints. Might be an overkill on some game, but is pretty versatile.

I would have to keep my stock Remington Model 7 in .260 Remington with a 3-9X Leupold Compact using 130 grain Accubonds. Would handle all of my hunting from here on out and the older I get the more compact and light weight the rifle the better

BTW I am "bored" as hell also 18" of snow and pushing 0 degrees right now - at least the shop is warm!!

PennDog

I would go with my older model Sako. It has a stainless barrel in 257 Roberts and usually has a small Leupold scope on it. The stock is the original walnut stock that came with it but would be unrecognizable to most. It is a great light weight package. About all I hunt anymore are deer and shots are almost always less than 100 yds. Just about any 100 grain bullet gets the job done nicely. Do I have to tell about the fitted stainless 358 winchester barrel I have stuck back in the closet that can be snugged up in about 15 minutes?

Remington 700 Mountain Rifle. Blue/Walnut with floorplate. Chambered for 7mm/08. Leupold 6x42 with German No. 4 reticle.

Hornady 139 grain Spire point Interlocks. 43 grains of Varget sparked by CCI BR2 primers. Winchester brass.

No critter in these parts (or surrounding parts, for that matter) that I'd hesitate to poke with that setup.

Brad, I've got an identical rifle to your 1996 stainless classic fwt. Just yesterday I bought a box of 150-grain Partition Golds for it. I'm hoping to work up a similar load to the same velocity and use it for my foul-weather rifle. I'm thinking 56 grains of H4831SC will get me close to where I want it.

Cooper Excalibur 7mm-08

140 TTSX

130 Speer BTSP

Since I won't be going to Africa or hunting brown bears....

NULA 7mm-08

140 Accubond or 150 BT whichever it likes better.

3x9X42 Kahles Helica CL.

Cool Jocko... don't be afraid to work up to 58.0 H4831. Many/most 270's can go that high.

Already headed in that direction (one CF rifle)... Will probably be this:

LH Rem 700 KS .270Win
Leupold 6x36 LRD
130gr NPT

I have an 8 twist barrel ordered so I can play with 160gr to 180gr pills. But, the factory 10 twist would be just fine as is...

winchester pre 64 model 70 fwt.

Chambering HW?

Winchester m-70 in 6.5x55, wearing a conquest.

Cooper Excalibur .338-06 Leupold 3X9 185 gr. TTSX
It's killed woodchucks to eland that should cover it

A lot of interesting rifles/combos posted. Not surprised most are Rugers and Winchesters.... Grin


Sam, didn't mention your "ideal" setup.

Tough choice, if I had to pick today, it would probably be one of these two, KS in back, Gander Mtn Guide in front, one long one short action?? I'm leaning towards the short action today:)

kimber Montana in 260rem does everything I need it to do.....

An S.C. made Featherweight in .308.

I'd be Kimber Montana .223AI just because it would allow me to hunt deer and varmints. Bullet would be 50 Vmax and the scope a 3.5-10x 40mm Leupold with an M1.

I HATE this, it makes me almost ill with thinking about parting with these rifles I have laboured for decades to buy and build. Some, I simply cannot part with and they are already "given" to my best bud should I buy the fsrm. I could use the $$$$ as I have a LOT of fine pieces, but, some are like my limbs.....

For ONE, probably the first of my two Dakota 76-.338WM, this one reworked by Ralf Martini and it is a super piece.

250 NPs, over 76-77-RE-22, WW brass, CCI-250s, average .65" at 100.

Talley SL-QDS, two sets and two Leupy VX3-1.75x6MHD plus Talley peep and benchmade Martini front banded ramp.

Owning a single rifle would suck donkey balls but I'd have to go with a .270 Win 70.

McMillan edge stock
Rock Creek barrel at 24" mid range contour
140 accubomb
6X42 Leupy w/ dots
Talley lightweights
Timney trigger

More and more often I'm using my drilling, a Krieghoff in 16 ga/7x57R. It weighs 6lbs bare, and has a 1.5-6 scope which clicks into place and adds about a pound more. Light, handy, and does me for everything from birds or rabbits to deer and the like.

There's not much I couldn't hunt with it, but if bigger game was to be on the menu I suppose I'd trade it for another drilling in 12 ga and 9.3x74R. I have dropped a few buffalo as well as other game with that calibre, and it certainly does the trick. I'd also get an einstecklauf, probably in .22 Hornet, zeroed to the scope, to fit in one barrel when out after smaller game.

Of course, I'd prefer to continue to have as many rifles as I want

Not a Tikka or RAR in the bunch. Interesting....

I can think of several rifles I'd rather have, and a pile I'd love to build...

But, I've whittled down to a .243 Mtn Rifle that I've had a long time. Hasn't let me down, and I'd say I'll be carrying it a pretty good while. 6x42 and I run 95 BTS and 85 TSXs in it.

Sammo

Pretty happy with my current rig.
Remington 700 KS in 300Wby. Lightened action, spiral fluted bolt, skeletonized handle. Tubbs firing pin. Answer Muzzle break. Swaro 3.5-18.

Shooting Barnes 180s, 165s work too. Killed deer to Bison and Brown Bear.
Working on a couple smaller Remington's, but won't be all that different of a blueprint.

Since I have been in the single rifle category until this past Christmas, and have never felt under gunned here in Colorado I'll say:
Remington 700, stainless, Mickey handle, Jewell trigger, Lija barrel, 6.5X55, Kahles 2X7.
I love the looks I get from most other hunters when I mention the caliber, the blank stare is precious!

You asked: "If you could only hunt with one rifle for the rest of your life, what would it be?"

Let me select my current favorite for open land deer hunting.

That rifle is my Mauser sporter with a fine walnut stock, 30-06 octagon barrel, Swaro. 3-9 in Conetrol mounts.

Current bullet is the Berger 155 VLD.

Model 70 Classic Stainless in an Edge fill Mickey. Caliber and bullet is hardest part for me, but I'll go with 280AI and a 150 grain ballistic tip.

Brad, the smart money is on the old '06 as all-arounder, but I sure like my .270's.....the bullet would be a barnes TTSX and topped with a swaro Z3 3-9x36 w/4A

I'd keep my Tikka T3 270 with the Zeiss 3-9X42 with RZ6 reticle.

Bullet of choice would be the 150 partition.

Or its a possibility I'd opt to keep the 1/8 twist Stainless Tikka T3 Lite in 223 loaded with a 55 gr ttsx.

If'n it was a bug out type situation it'd be the 223 and it'd be topped with a fixed leupold for dependability.

Shod

If you could only hunt with one rifle for the rest of your life, what would it be?

A Model 70 SS FW in .30-06. Yes, I already own it. I bought it as a.270 with a BOSS and had a new takeoff '06 barrel put on it. Had iron sights mounted on the barrel and have a NECG peep that fits the rear base if I pull the scope. It is still in the Tupperware stock but is floated and bedded with steel bed.
I replaced the thick bottom metal with some of the older thinner stuff, shortened the L.O.P. and put on Decelerator pads. I have 1" and 1/2" pads for it depending on the season.

How would you scope it?
It has a 2.5-8x36 Leupold on it now. The backup is a 2-7 Leupold, both in QRW rings.If I was going to use it for varminting ets. I would get a 3.5-10x40 for that.

Bullet?
Most of the time a 180 grain NPT, Hornady I/LFB or CoreLokt over 57.0 gr H4350. It doesn't like Bearclaws or I would use those. I also have loads worked up for 125 and 165 grain
bullets. I would likely work up a load for moose or big bear with the 200 gr Nosler.

Use?
I have used it for elk, mule deer, whitetail, blacktail antelope, coyote, etc. I have used other '06's for sage rats, digger squirrels, badgers and so forth. I could do it again.

I have lighter, flatter shooting and more powerful rifles but I would be fine with this one if need be.

Thanks for the opportunity to write about it.

That's where I'm ending up on this one - '06 makes the most sense but I'm really starting to appreciate light rifles and I'd rather shoot a 270 in a featherweight. 150 Partitions and 6x36 for the "all arounder"...

I was VERY fortunate to obtain my perfect "one rifle" battery early in my career. I had owned a few "woods rifles" (.35 Remington, .44 Magnum, ect.) but decided I needed a "real" ong/short range deer rifle. This story is a bit long, but over a few years I obtained my "perfect" rifle.

I was young (20) and newly married and had almost no "extra" money to spend. I had learned to work on the family rifles over the years for minor repairs and decided I could "build" a rifle from a military action cheaper than I could buy a commercial rifle. This was actually true in those early days if you could do most of the work yourself.

I went to a friend who was a gunsmith and asked if he had any actions I could buy....cheap. He told me to go into the back room and see what I could find in the barrels. He meant that statement literally as I found 3 55 gallon drums filled with various actions and barreled actions he had collected over the years.

After several hours of searching, I found what I was looking for....a military (straight bolt/stepped barrel) barreled action that was pretty clean. Best of all it was an FN Mauser 98. Even then in those early days of my rifle looney affliction, I knew what an FN Mauser was, so I took it up front. he looked it over and declared it a proper choice. When I asked how much, he told me, "Oh, give me $15....I'll never use it anyway".

We talked a while about what I was about to attempt (sporter conversion) and I Told him I would probably put on a .30-06 barrel eventually, but for now the 8x57 caliber (which I assumed a military mauser would be chambered for) would do. As we talked I kept looking at the end of the barrel, it looked too small for an 8mm. He pulled out headspace gauges and discovered the rifle was already chambered in .30-06. Many years later I discovered this rifle was one of a special lot of rifles used by the nation of Columbia for high-power rifle competition. They were selected for outstanding accuracy.....and I soon learned very well selected.

I had another friend who owned a sawmill where he made pallets. I told him to be on the lookout for walnut (which he got in from time to time) and cut me a board thick enough for a gunstock. He just happened to have a few walnut logs that had aged for several years in his woodpile. With tools borrowed from my friend, I began to learn the art of inletting a stock (NOT a project I'd suggest for a novice....but I was broke and had more time than money). After months I finally had a stock (crude though it was) to put the action into.

That first year I used the rifle with the crude military sights and straight bolt to take two deer. After the season I started it's conversion. Under the watchful eye of my gunsmith friend I learned how to bend the bolt down to clear a scope and drill and tap the action. He made me do all the work, but loaned me the tools and made sure I didn't screw it up. I added a low swing safety from Brownell's and a Weaver K4 scope and removed the military sights.

I still intended to change the barrel sooner or later, but made the mistake of actually shooting the gun first. To my surprise it shot 3/8" 5-shot groups at 100 yards. I was afraid I'd never get back to where I was as far as accuracy....so that original barrel is still on the rifle after all these years.

Over the next few years I improved the shape of the stock (based on what I learned was "right" for me), added a fore end tip, and with the help of a machinist friend cut off the crude bend-down bolt handle and welded a new lower handle to the action. I learned you can shape metal with files and patience as well (if not better) than you can with power tools. I reworked the trigger to obtain a single-stage pull of 2 pounds (which has since been replaced with a Timmeny...also set at 2 pounds).

I bought a set of checkering tools and taught myself to checker stocks. That first effort isn't perfect, but it is damned good and does the job like I wanted. Once again it was a situation of more time than money. In three years time I had a great rifle that is "perfect" for me as to shape and function. The scope has been upgraded to a Leopold 3x9 variable.

For some 10 years this was my ONLY big game rifle. Then it was the main rifle I used for all really important hunts and it never failed me.

Over the next 39 years that rifle has been simply amazing. I kept good records and it has 138 one shot kills to it's credit. Only two misses which were both totally my fault. My family refers to it as "The Magic Rifle" because of the frequent one shot kills (some quite difficult. I believe I was very fortunate on some of those shots (lucky).....but with a record of 138-2 maybe it's time to discount "luck" from the equation.

After more than 5000 rounds I put through the rifle (and who knows how many before I got it) the guilt-edge accuracy has began to slip a bit. It will still put 5 shots in under an inch at 100 yards. Because I hate the idea of rebarreling it after all it's history the "Magic Rifle" has been semi-retired I now hunt with other rifles more than I do it, but it's still the rifle I reach for if I am after a "special" buck or I need a boost of confidence. I have taken deer, hogs, elk and exotics with this rifle.

If I had to do it all again, I think I'd make the same choice for a rifle. If I was suddenly limited to a single rifle, that would be the one (maybe with a new barrel.....although a sub-1" groups is still pretty good as far as I am concerned).

With the .30-06 chambering, I'd not hesitate to take any game animal in North America (including big bears....with a bit of care in shot placement). For elk, moose or the big bears I "might" choose a different rifle (since I now own a LOT of different rifles), but I have no doubt the .30-06 would do the job as long as I do mine(even on the occasional Chupacabra).

I was lucky to land the "perfect" rifle in my earliest days.....and after nearly 40 years I haven't found anything I think would have done a better job.

thanks for asking sam. already have it.

Lucille

rem 700 6.5x55
currently wearing a zeiss conquest 4.5x14
shooting 140 accubombs, 140 parts, 120 ttsx, 130 accubombs, 156 onyx. she shoots them all well.







[img]http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac137/rockchucker/hunting%20pic/003-1.jpg[/img]

Rem 660, 308, in a Brown Precision stock, Pachmyer Decelerator, Talley Lightweights, Vari XII, 165gr Ballistic Tip. If bigger than deer was in the mix it would be a Partition

Tough one as I will be hunting brown bear next year and buffalo the following or the year after. Given that, my BRNO 375 H&H. I have used the H&H on elk so whilst overkill for them and the lessor stuff I cannot afford to have underkill for the larger stuff. Bullet would likely be the 270 TSX. Optics are either a 1.5-5X or 2-7X Leupold both in Alaska Arms QD's.

I found it a few years back.
Sako 85 Finnlight,308 Win. Leupold VX3 2.5-8
end of subject.

If I could have only one I would go with my ss howa .300 win mag that sits in a Mickey Sako classic stock. It has a zeiss 3-9x40 on it and shoots Barnes 150 gr ttsx at 3300 fps. It is about .75 moa out to at least 400 yard, which is as far as I would shoot at an animal. It has killed elk and deer out to 300 yards without any problems. If I wanted to I could load it down if I was just planning on using it for deer.

TexasRick....that is a GREAT story - thanks for sharing!!!


PennDog

This is the reason one rifle is maybe not such a hot idea. If a guy travels to hunt,takes on bigger/tougher/more dangerous than home grown deer,elk,moose black bears,etc. then IMO the one rifle business goes out the window and adding something like a 375 or 9.3 is a prudent idea IMO.

I don't want to lug a 9# 375 up a mountain for mule deer but I can if I have to....and I don't want to wade around after Cape Buffalo with a 270.Yeah I know people kill Cape Buff and brown bear with smaller, standard cartridges....good luck to them. I want a 375.

Those of us who stay at home can get by with pretty standard stuff but a guy who hunts internationally for bigger stuff is better served with more bullet weight.

Forget the "people can't shoot them" conversation....unless handicapped physically, you can learn if you practice with them.

Thanks for all the replies, kinda fun to read all the different ideas!

Later today I might do a quick tally on cartridge and rifle make.








Ben, my 'ideal' rifle would be a Kimber MT in 270 with a 6x36LR or 6x42LR.

140 Accubond or Partition of similar weight.

I believe that load is the median of all BG cartridges.

I'd keep my stainless, Remington Model 7 in 260 Remington. It is in an HS Precision stock and has a 22 inch, fluted Hart barrel. The action has been squared and bolt lapped. It shoots way better than I can shoot it. There isn't much left that I want to shoot, that it wouldn't handle just fine.

As a looney I have other rifles, but basically only hunt with one of them already-

-LH M70 Classic action trued/bridges ground/trigger-safety worked/Williams extractor
-22" FW contoured SS Shilen SM .308 1-10 chambered in 3o-o6 Springfield
-Williams Orberndorf bottom metal
-McM Hunter's EDGE

-scoped with a VX3 2.5-8x36 mounted in S&K lows

-shoots 150 & 168 TSXs very well and they have worked OK so far...

-Elk, bear, sheep, and the occasional deer of opportunity.

Only thing I'd change with the setup- add LRD reticle to the scope if it were available in the 2.5-8...

Sounds like a horrible decision to have to make but I'll play along.
Assuming no Africa or big bears are on the menu-N/A big game.
Kimber Montana
270 Win (I almost said 280AI)
Talleys
Leupold 6x42 or 6x36.
I would hope it shot 140 Accubonds, 150 Partitions or 130TTSX well but nice to be able to rely on factory ammo in a pinch-since I can only have one rifle.

Wrongside, your "Franken Rifle" is one of my favorite Campfire Rifles! My 270 is very close to it.

I know you BP hunt a bit, ever considered ditching the heavy Williams bottom metal for the lighter PT&G aluminum?

BTW, Leupold will do custom dots in your 2.5-8x36... mine is going back for that treatment.

This....

Texas Ricks story reminds me of an uncle of mine who recently passed away. When he was just a kid he acquired an 03 Springfield in 30/06. The only modification he made to that rifle was a custom peepsight. I remember my uncle saying that a $50 rifle is all you need for a lifetime of hunting and he was right.

Shod

Remington 700 308, howe stock and duracoated for weather resistance, and redfield scope. yep I have that one at home. I'd load up 165 partitions and never look back on anything I'm going to hunt(Not into hunting things that might eat me). Even if I load it up hot, that howe stock takes any bite out of the recoil. I don't use the partitions much around here because whitetail just don't require them, but I have used them and they work great. That gun also doubles as a great woodchuck gun when loaded with 125gr. sierras. Great all around gun and round.

MM

Here is my One Gun...

Model 70 338 Win Mag
Swaro 2.5x10
Talley QD's
McMillian Pre64 Monte Carlo
Turner 1907 Sling



I run 225 PTs or Bitterroots at 2900 out of the rifle. Can't as for much better than either of those two can provide.







The rifle fits me well, shoots where I look and just does as it is supposed to on command.

This was Pre McMillan

With what I have right now:
Ruger MKII SS/Lam in 338 Win Mag
Leupold 3-9X40
210gr Partition

BIG Dreams (ie unrealistic):
Echols Legend 30-06
S&B w/ turret
200gr Accubond

Would like to have:
Kimber 84L 30-06
Bushnell LRHS
180gr. Partition

I think I'm going to have to pick the Kimber MT in .308 or 7-08 with WTF bullet you feel like killing stuff with and the 6X42 with LR.

I am smitten:

Nothing much different than many others have already posted and my focus excludes African/Asian big/dangerous stuff and the biggest bears (not much interest in the bears, personally).
Model 70 (pre 64 or later crf) in 270 (could be a 280 just as easily); fwt or douglas barrel style shank profile for any of the top barrel makers and about .600 at the muzzle, 22-23" long; a Brown Precision, or Bansner (I wish they were a few ounces lighter), or Mcmillan edge, either a compact or the fwt pattern (stocks in the order of preference); leupold DD or talley LWs (low or extra low, depending on scope), and a latest generation leupold variable 2.5x8, 3x9 or 3.5x10, any of the three will do. Plain old duplex reticle works for me, though you could talk me into the LR reticle easily enough. Nosler 150 partitions or Barnes 130 TSX/TTSX, if stuck on one bullet weight per brand, either brand/bullet would not cause me much concern. All up weight should be 7 1/4-7.5 lbs. Cost being no object I'd be talking to D'Arcy Echols or a few other top end gunsmiths for the work and minor tweaks on the recipe!
In a factory rifle a good shooting model 70 fwt in 270 in a decent synthetic comes awfully close, for me!
If cost was no object I'd like a duplicate of the same custom rifle recipe with a real quality wood stock fitted to me along the lines of JOC's #2 rifle as well, for nicer days and easier hunts!
Interesting to think about it to help focus on what we really want. Add in the possibility of a fly-in northern hunt where you are on your own and reliability comes sharply into focus.

Ill be the one that says Tikka first. The majority of my hunting is done via Archery, but I decided about 8-9 years ago that I needed to buy a rifle for those hunts with Dad (usually borrowed one of his). I shopped around for opinions, reviews, etc., for many months and ended up with a 30-06 in a stainless Tikka @ Sportsmans warehouse (was a new store then). Put a Conquest 3-9x40 on it, as well as a limbsaver pad and later painted the stock. Perhaps the story could wax a little more poetic, but I have a lot of confidence in that rifle, and have a handful of nifty hunts with my Dad (hopefully more to come). No regrets so far, and not likely to get another rifle until I inherit his pre-64 30-06 (took my first buck with it).

I'd have to go with one rifle it would have to be a left handed 35 Whelen. If Africa was on the agenda,I bump up to either a lefty 400 Whelen or 404 Jeffery.

Beretz, has and uses one of the superb rifles which have been my lifetime choice as a "one and only" and I almost chose my first of these as my pick on this thread.

A matched pair of these, some spare parts, spare scopes and a guy would be totally set for all BC hunting and wilderness work.

You're cheating... it's a ONE rifle thread.

I hate one rifle threads....you have to think and all that stuff.Too painful.

I'd be happy with that. Mine wears a 3.5-10 VX3 and shoots 150 BTs 1/2 MOA.

my steyr in good old 3006. so great i bought another in case i lost the first ! a 3.5 to 10 on first and a z on the other because it came that way.

30-06 - Leu 4X - 180 NPT …….stainless and Zytel even more better in a one only deal I reckon

Pat;
Top of the morning to you my friend, I hope this balmy first Friday in February finds you folks well.

I've been meaning to send you a PM with the details on this ongoing saga, but since Sam started a thread which will address it I thought I'd prop it up for all to see.

So as you know I became less and less enamored with the .270 barrel I had on my walking around rifle and after some consultation with greydog I decided to convert it to a 6.5 Swede.

I found a very clean, nearly new but likely 100 year old military barrel - from a 96 of course - and wanted to use it because of the deeper grooves they have as opposed to most commercial barrels. As well the military barrels have about a 1:7½ twist and yes I've not only drank the Koolaide on twist when it comes to all copper bullets, I apparently am making the drink crystals as well now.....

As a last bit of interest, when I tore this one down to send it up to Cherryville my memory was jogged when I noticed the Mauser roll mark on the front receiver ring. Somehow I thought this was a different action - but it wasn't - so anyway Pat this is a wee bit odd in that there's no Nazi proofs, etc and it has an actual serial number as opposed to a military run number.

The specs then are as follows.
- 98 Mauser action - military type

- Timney Buehler type safety

- Timney Sportsman trigger - set at 2½ lb with an Ace trigger shoe hot glued onto it after. Hot glue allows me to remove it with a lighter afield.

- Wolff Blitzschnell 22lb striker spring

- FN commercial extractor - polished and tuned

- new magazine spring installed, follower polished and tuned as required.

- Wildcat Composites 20oz stock - I've dealt with Stuart on two builds now and would again in a heartbeat. They are very stiff and well made stocks. It's full contact bedded right now - as in full but neutral pressure for the entire action and barrel length. As well the bottom metal is bedded so it can be taken apart in the field, reassembled and the point of impact is really, really close.

- Lightweight recoil pad from Corlane's

- Boonie Packer sling

- 3.6oz Aluminum bottom metal from Brownells - imported via relatives in Texas because they can't ship it up here.

- Plain vanilla Weaver bases epoxied onto the action.

- Very ugly Bushnell vertical split rings that are very lightweight and tough despite being hard to look upon.

- Leupold 6X Compact scope

- First barrel was a Parker Hale Featherweight contour in .270 which was OK but I didn't love. The current - as yet unshot barrel is a Swede built military barrel that was reworked to fit a 98 action. Chris Wilcox has done the work both times. I had something very specific in mind with wanting a deep groove, 1:7½ twist barrel installed, but it's not the frugal way to go by any stretch and I've not shot it as of today so we'll see if my theories are valid or not.

- It was 7lb on the nose loaded with 5 rounds as a .270. As a 6.5x55 it now weighs 7lb 2 oz and is a tad more front heavy so it hangs better for me offhand. Again, we'll have to see but initially it feels better to me for balance.


Anyway Pat, that's where that particular windmill is standing as I prepare some new Lapua cases for it and saddle up to tilt at it some more.

I'll be colored mightily unimpressed if it doesn't shoot of course, but here's hoping it does and then it'll fit Sam's criteria fairly well I'd think.

Thanks to those who've shared their rifles in the thread and all the best to you all this weekend.

Dwayne

Not my absolute first pick, but I wouldn't cry about it if I had to use either of my Tikkas.

270 shooting 140 Accubonds




Or 260 shooting 125 Partitions

These hypothetical "If you could only have one....." posts are stupid.

Only an idiot would post on such a thread.




Dave

If Obama had a rifle....

Clark;
Top of the morning to you sir, hopefully this finds you and yours well.

I was going to reply with something pithy like "I resemble that incantation" or perhaps "I reassemble that incineration".....

For the life of me now though I need to look up what I really meant to say.

When I do though sir, be assured I'll post it with vehemence, vigor and the appropriate aptitude to convey my true feelings on the subject.

Meanwhile this will have to suffice.



All the best to you and yours Clark.

Dwayne

Years ago Ken Waters wrote a "Four favorite guns" essay. I can only remember three of his choices: a .280 Rem, a 300 H&H, and a 375 H&H. Near the end of the essay, he included a throw-away commment that if limited to one, he would choose none of his four--it would be a 30-06 instead.

Thanks Dwayne, I look forward to your results with the new barrel.
take care
Pat

For general blasting and hunting in my locale I would be happy with a Kimber Montana in 243 with a 1 in 8 barrel shooting 105 amaxs for play, predators and varmints and 95 NBTs for big game.

If the Commonwealth allowed big game hunting with 22 CFs I could be even happier with the same rifle in 22-250 slinging 75 amaxs, 62 TTSXs and 55 hornady SPs.

Talley LWs, a Leupold 3.5-10 with either a LR duplex or an M1, a set of Harris swivel bipods when I wanted them and one of Pat's slings would round out my set-up nicely.

Dwayne man!

Looking forward to your comment. Whenever it may arrive...

Found some killer bunny locations. May have to get the kids over there this weekend...



Travis

Due to the fact the largest thing I hunt these days is deer or antelope, followed by varmints, my choice would be:

.220 Swift
M70 short action
1-8" twist Brux or Rock SS barrel
Hunters Edge stock, brown with red pad
3.5x10 VX3 Leupold
Bullet choice determined by the critter being hunted at the time

However, thank God we are not limited to one rifle only!!

Speaking hypothetically, based on the kind of hunting I do anymore, my custom .30-06 Mauser with receiver sight and QD Griffin&Howe scope mount would serve my purpose. Handloaded with light cast bullets and a pinch of pistol powder for small game, and full snort jacketed loads for bigger stuff, with medium velocity cast bullet loads for fun shooting in between, it would serve my needs- if I were forced to do so. Come to think of it, a .30-30 built on a single shot action or bolt gun (such as a Winchester 54, which I also have) shooting the same loads described above would also serve me well considering that game bigger than deer hunted in Eastern Woodlands isn't in the cards I'm holding in my hand.

Travis;
Good to hear you've found a spot to take the young hunters to.

Some of my very favorite hunting memories are chasing jacks and what we called "bush rabbits" when I was their age.

As for the comment, I do appreciate your patience sir.

I am after all, born and raised a Canuck and so as you know all that is entailed in one who chooses to remain in frozen wastelands needs to be taken into account.

Ready to split the atom - I am not.

Dwayne

PS;
Feel free to share any and all rabbit hunts with your fine family. I always enjoy them immensely sir.

Savage 99F in 300 Savage- 150 or 180 grain silvertips...no matter. Either works.

Dwayne!

Even a guy from Canaduh is sharper than a guy from Texas or Oregon!

I'll keep the faith.



Clark

BRNO ZG-47 in .30-06 with a Meopta 6x with a .#1 or #4 reticle held in place with Alaska Arms cam mounts shooting 165gn bullets.

Idiots are safe around Obama….

When you have 4 kids, a wife that's a stay-at-home-mom, and the bills that go with it, one big game rifle ain't necessarily hypothetical.

That description fit my old man to a "T" for a couple decades of his life. It didn't detract from his passion for hunting and putting a little venison on our table.

Made it years ago. 700 .300 Win. started with a 3x9, now a 4-12. used it from Texas to Alaska, east to W. Va. and as far south as South Africa.. Never failed, and made some great shots with that old rifle.. Now on its 3rd barrel..

P64 M70 in 375H&H in a syn stock with Kahles Ill 1.5-6 because it will do absolutely anything. 235 or 270TSX for NA and 300TSX for Africa.

There goes another poster trying to CHEAT.

Op says only ONE BULLET and rifle.

Shod

My springfield 03a3 sporter with Douglas barrel in 25/06 and six power bushnell scope. Bullet would be the nosler ballistic tip

I will take only ONE type of gun....06 based rounds.

The OP did say only one right?

I'll also take ONE kind bullet....the Nosler partition kind!



Shod

Sam, And I know that I'm cheating! #1 - North America only, My wife's Win. Model 70 SS(a longer stock for me),.338 Win. Mag., 225 Barnes TTSX's @ 2950+, Leupold 3.5-10x40 CDS in Leupold QD's with 2.5-8x36 for back-up. #2 - The World - my Win. Model 70, 375AI, Douglas SS 24", McMillan Stock,Leupold 3.5-10x40 CDS in Leupold QD's with Leupold 2.5-8x36 as back-up,iron sights as a last line of defense, 270 Barnes 270 TX's at 2900(may experiment with 250 TTSX's). I think that covers it!!! memtb

BobinNH, The bigger the hole in the barrel, the less the rifle weighs!!! memtb

I've not had that experience with the women I've dated.

Shod

Shodd, After "proof reading" , I saw the error of my ways!! But, apparently not quick enough memtb

Since I already own it this is an easy one. My choice is a Steyr-Mannlicher Model M Professional .30-06 with a set trigger and a Meopta 6x42 with #4 reticle in Warns QD mounts. It is scary accurate. For bullets I will go with 165gr Federal Vital Shok ammo.

OK OK I'll go with a 300gr solid. That way I can dig it out of the dirt and re-use it. Does that satisfy the OP?

Sako L61R 3 Lug 30-06 action/barrel in a custom dark walnut indestructable Kilimanjaro stock with Leupold VX-3 2.5-8x36 custom LR reticle. Conetrol mounts. Kilimanjaro Ceramic Metal coating. Federal Premium 165 gr Gamekings. Murray Sling.

-MJS

I might change my mind

If I could FIND one a Old style Ruger s.s. 30-06 in the boat paddle stock With open sights.
Scope Trijicon Accupoint 3-9x40 GREEN Dot Duplex.

This.


One hole wonder 7 Remmy Mag. Might opt for a Manners stock before it is all said and done. After all,it's gonna be the ONLY one!

Well then I guess my question wasn't so stupid after all....grin


Thanks for all the posts, some very nice and useful rifles on this thread!

My choice would be my Tradewinds Husky, a plain stocked Husqvarna from the days they were imported by Tradewinds in Tacoma, WA. It's a .30/06 and shoots 200 gr Nosler Partitions exceptionally well in spite of a 1 in 12 twist. I has a 1 3/4 - 5X Leupold on it.

It is light, accurate and reliable. It isn't the rifle I'd choose if I was still young, like in my forties, but will do all the hunting left in me.

Excluding small Varmints, My R1 300 Win Mag with NightForce 2.5-10x32 illuminated. 130 TSXs to various 200-220 grainers, nothing is safe.

4 shots quick and a spare mag on my belt. Will hold 3 in 1 MOA and I happen to like the look of things Italian.





275 yards 1 shot, sun not over the mountain.



Thanks, Larry

I could easily hunt everything NA has to offer with either my 30-06 Titanium w/ Edge stock or my 7 Saum with Edge Stock.

GAP Non-typical in .260 Remington.

Gnats to Grizzlies...

My Remington 700adl 30-06 flat safety with an older Bushnell Banner 4x in Weaver detachable mounts. But I'd much rather have a Leupold 4x on it. I deer hunt in Northern MN and Northern WI (and a few times in eastern WY in the past), so any cup and core 150/165 grain factory load will do nicely. But if i hunted elk, moose, sheep and bears, then it would be 180 grain Nosler Partitions.

If I had a house fire, lost everything and could only afford to buy one new rifle, I'd look hard at a NULA.

Can't decide on a cartridge at the moment, but nothing larger than .308.

Leupie 6x.

Remington 700 barreled by Pacnor to 23in in 338-06. I could shoot Texas whitetails w/ the 180gr and brown bears w/the 250gr Partition. powdr

A 30-06 and 165gr billets.

Brad,
I saw your earlier post on your latest project. Definitely looking forward to the range reports and pictures when that one is done!

I've considered changing BM and in fact have 6MM Remington built in the same blueprint, except for the bottom metal being PT&G... Still trying to decide if I like the aluminum PT&G... I've counted ounces on all my other gear, just not sure if I want to give up all steel on my old 'o6.

Ideally Kimber will come to their senses and make the Montana 84M in a southpaw version. I'd be ALL OVER a 308.


Thank you for this bit of info. I will have to look into the costs and paperwork involved in getting a scope back and forth across the border. The Leupold LRD is my favourite hold-over hunting reticle.

If I was to buy a new one to do it all? Maybe a Montana in 3/7/6-08.

I have a 280 I like a lot. It's an old M70 with an edge stock and a nice svelte barrel. It's about 7.5 ready to go and is as bomb proof as anything.

Scope wise, I dunno. I love the 6x42's. They are the perfect hunting scope IMO. But my blind azz struggles with really small targets much past a couple hundred yards. If I wanted to shoot goph's or LR target I might go with a variable.

Tikka T3 Lite Stainless with 30-06 168gr Barnes TTSX and Leupold VX-3 3.5-10-40 BDC reticles.

I could happily run this one for everything without any regret. The 150gr LR Accubonds need more testing but are looking promising @2900fps. That said, I could run 140 Accubonds @3000 and be just as happy!




X-VERMINATOR

I understand... I had the Williams unit on an Edge-stocked SS M70 fwt 30-06 too... it's definitely a LOT nicer than the PT&G aluminum, but I can live with it for the weight savings.



Same here... I had one B&C reticle. What a cluster. Sold it pretty quickly. Completely prefer the LRD.

Looks like I'll be in good company with my pre-'64 Model 70 FWT .30-06.
Now with Leupold VX-2 3-9x40. Not fussy about ammo.

Kimber Montana .300 WSM:

Already have it
700, 24" @ .660, McM Hunters Edge, 280AI, FX3 6x42

That is a nasty rig....Nice job on that one X-Verm....

Tanner

Yup. Which is why the bear will see the 375 and the buff a 416. For the rest I would be quite happy with my 270 Montana and its 6x Leupold.

My Kimber MT in 708 will cover everything that I will ever hunt; from coyotes to elk. It is by far my favorite rifle.

I like the look of things Italian too...

Thanks man!



X-VERMINATOR

Assuming I was hunting to eat, my Marlin 782 22WMR with a Weaver K6 shooting 40gr JSP's. I could keep my freezer filled with everything from squirrel to deer indefinitely.

Ruger Hawkeye All Weather .308 Win.

Federal P308TT4 165 Trophy Bonded Tip @ 2840 fps from my 22" barrel.


Started with a FX-II 6X36 with CDS, then a Zeiss Conquest 2.5-8X33, now a VX-2 2-7X33 LRD. Going back to a FX-II 6X36.

Also tried a Skeleton stock for a while, but have gone back to the original all weather.

I ordered an all-weather for my Hawkeye Predator, but it's as heavy as the laminate. Very stiff and sturdy, though.

I've started typing on this thread about 100 times, but any of you that know me will agree its impossible for me to choose one rifle...but here's my pick for today...

Forget it, I've already changed my mind....

Thanks again for all the replies!



Darrik, that's okay, I think we are all kinda in the same boat.



I do way more upland bird hunting than big game but have only bought 1 shotgun in the last +20 years.
Easily a dozen plus rifles in that same amount of time and that's nothing compared to you real loonies....


Rifles are just way more fun!

You really do need to upgrade your shotgun...



Travis

Remington 700 Ti
270 Win
Leupold 6x42
Nos 150g Part @ 2870 FPs
This combination has been working very well for me on deer, elk & black bear for the last 15 years hear in Idaho.

I could hunt NA Big Game with just this rifle for the rest of my life. It is a Winchester Model 70 Classic Stainless FWT 30-06. I bought it in 1997 and use mostly NBT/NPT and Speer Grand Slams in 165 gr. over 57.0 gr of IMR 4350. It wears a Leopold M8 4X in dual dovetails and is bedded in a McM Hunters Edge stock. If I were limited to just one rifle this would be the one. Future plans are to adjust the diet to H4350/NBT's and consider a Leupold upgrade.

That said I have been playing with two 7mm-08s that have redeeming qualities.

The only problem with the .30/06 is that the secret is out.

Sam,
If I had to have only one, I could sell all of my other rifles and use the cash to buy one 22" barrel stainless NULA in .270 Win.

I would scope it with a Zeiss Conquest 2-10x42 H.D. 600 reticle.

I would shoot whatever the rifle liked best at longer ranges, I wouldn't be disappointed if that turned out to be a 150 grainer.

However, if I were in your shoes living in long range Montana I may choose exactly the same thing in .270 WSM

Happy Hunting

Cool Ruger! I think its the first time I've see a fluted and skeletonized Ruger.

LH Rem 700 35 Whelen
McMillan Edge stock
M8 6x36 Leupold
Burris Zee Rings
225 gr Accubond (second choice 200 gr Accubond)

If Winchester had made a pre-64 lefty, I would say a pre-64 30-06. Now I am content with my CDL 30-06 2.5 - 8 Leupy.

Bought my 700 MR .270 at a yardsale summer '88 for $275. Between then and a Wyoming buck antelope in October '02 I killed several pickup truckloads of whitetail with it in Tennessee.

Somewhere about then I went full loony and now have too many rifles.

Truth is I could slap a scope into the empty Talley lows and happily hunt the rest of my life with it for deer and elk with it as is: nicked wood and worn blue.

But as a loony may start looking for an unloved Mickey MR and talk to my local Cerakote artist.

First grandson arrives in June; he got a pre-natal 10/22 for Christmas. The .270 could be a starting and finishing hunting rifle if he's not cursed with my affliction...

My Winchester Model 70 Classic Stainless in 30-06. I have a Leupold Vari-X 3 2.5x8 on it. It shoots 180 grain Nosler Partitions very well so if I could only have one bullet, that would probably be the one, though I wouldn't feel handicapped by having to us 180 grain Hornadys either...

I have other rifles but this is pretty much the only one I hunt with.

I'd pick a Remington 700 XCR II barrelled action in 30-06 bedded into a McMillan KS stock and a Swarovski 3-9x36 Z3 in Talley lows. A load of H4350 and a Barnes 150gr TTSX.

Otter6,
Very nice! What action is this?

For me, it would have to be a .375 H&H to hunt EVERYTHING with. It would need to be light enough to carry in mountains and swamps, as it would be used in all situations and not just for dangerous game. I'm a fan of Weatherby Vanguards and so, I'd probably buy one of the new S2 rifles now chambered in .375 H&H (new for 2015).

I'd scope it with either a Leupold VX2 2-7x33 or Leupold VX3 1.75-6x32 or 2.5-8x36 and just go hunt stuff... any and all stuff.

I agree, that will be the one splurge for the year.



Thanks to all for sharing your ideas.

One of these days I will go back and take a tally on make and cartridge.

World over, it would be this one, 9.3x62, it replaced both my 30-06 and 416. But, if I must depend on the one gun, I'd change the scope to a fixed, and certainly would dump those scope caps, as they are nothing to rely upon. If not world over, same gun in 30-06 would make me happy. If forced to choose one scope, maybe LEU 4x. But if I could keep two or three scopes to interchange using the detachable ringmounts, I'd have LEU 2.5x, 4x, and 6x scopes sighted in and ready to go, depending on what and where in the world I'd be hunting.

The above rifle with a 22 rimfire and my favorite 20ga account for much hunting enjoyment, wing, hoof, and paw.

Superb combinatiob

SamO,can't sleep so I tallied up everything best I could, every thing doesn't add up equally because all didn't answer every part of the question

Make of Rifle

Remington.....34
Winchester....28
Kimber........13
Ruger.........5
Sako..........4
Tikka.........4
Mauser........3
Nula..........3
Savage........2
Cooper........2
Echols........2
BRNO..........2
Dakota........2
Steyr.........2
Husqvarna.....1
Marlin........1
Benelli.......1
Weatherby.....1
Howa..........1
Krieghoff.....1

Chamberings

.30-06.......34
.270.........18
.308.........11
.7mm-08......7
.280AI.......5
.260.........5
7Rem Mag....4
.338.........4
.375H&H......4
6.5x55......3
.300Win......3
.243.........3
.35 Whelen...3
.223.........3
.338-06......2
.280.........2
9.3x62......2
.300WSM......1
7x57........1
.300 Roy.....1
.257Roberts..1
7WSM........1
.22-250......1
.220Swift....1
.25-06.......1
.300Savage...1
.416Ruger....1
,22WMR.......1


Scopes

Leupold......67
Swarovski....7
Zeiss........7
S&B..........3
Kahles.......3
Trijicon.....2
Meopta.......2
NightForce...1
Bushnell.....1
Bausch&Lomb..1

Bullets

Nosler.......46
Barnes.......27
Sierra.......2
Federal......2
Hornady......2
Berger.......1

34 30/06s. Suminabitch! I need to come up and play. Which one is your favorite? 34 Otter6s. You da man.

LOL! Holy shidt!

Looks like a guy can't go wrong with a Remchester chambered in 30-06 topped with a Leupy shooting them junky Noslers.

I guess i have a few to sell off now.

Kind of surprised the 223rem didn't make a stronger appearance here on the Campfire.

However, not too big suprise that Remington and Winchester chamber in 30-06 comes out on top. Leupold scopes is not big surprise either as is Nosler & Barnes bullets.

Interesting to see what happens when the dust settles. Makes a fella wonder why he bothers with the rest of it.


Though it appears some figured out diminishing returns.

Isn't that the truth...

Whenever I run into a guy new to Montana and they quiz me on what rifle they should get, I always say 270, 308 or 30-06.

How many times have you heard "help me pick a cartridge for mainly deer hunting, and possibly an elk out west"?

Maybe its just something to hang a wish list on, which I reckon I can't argue with. Or perception, or confidence, or a bit of it all.

The guys that hunt the most seem to worry the least. I would say that there are 99 things that can go wrong and a 270 vs a 300 WM is far down the list.

But I'm a worrywart, unfortunately.

Interesting the same products are on top that get trashed quite often. A small price to pay for being the top dog.

Somewhere I saw the results of a fairly recent poll, via RMEF, reference equipment used by successful elk hunters that particular year, or maybe decade. Seems I recall that the majority killing elk were using something like a Rem 700 30-06 with a Leu 3-9x40 shooting Rem Core-lokt 180s. Not everyone had that exact same combo, but those were the most popular in each category of equipment.

Not surprised in the least. Marketing sells.

Rifles and ammo are along the lines of shampoo and conditioner.

Borden Timberline in 280 AI

My Model 70 30-06 with the Robar metal finish and the Bansner High Tech stock. Scope would be a Leupold 3.5-10x40. I'd load 125 TNTs for a varmint cartridge.

A medium weight .308.

* 22" #3 or 4 barrel from any of the big names, preferably Brux.
* Remington 700, Winchester M70, or maybe Montana Rifle Co. stainless short action.
* McMillan or manners stock.
* Nightforce 2.5-10x42 with either MILR or MOAR reticle.
* If hand loading, Berger hunting VLDs, any weight between 155 and 185gr, depending on what it likes the best.

I like the .308 because of how easy they are to get to shoot well, but could probably be just as happy with a .270. .260 would be great also, but ammo for the other two much more available over the counter.

John

NICE!

I'd go with my Winchester M70 .375 H&H

Loopy VX3 2.5-8 sitting in Talley QDs

Shooting 270 grain Bitterroot Bonded Cores.

Now who would have thought those statistics possible?

Sam, while I have others better suited to some purposes, I could probably very well do whatever I will do with this one: A Rifles Inc. .284.
It now wears a Swarov Z3 3.5-10. With a sling, three down and one up the pipe it's right at 6.5 lbs.

Got my Rem 700BDL 30-06 in the mid 1980s. Great rifle !
and if I only get one shotgun .... Rem 870 12 ga.

I would say most guys consider 30/06 the "middle of the road" and good for nothing but covers everything.

That bout sums it up,but damn! You made it sound so unappealing.
I remember when I started hunting. The Otter6 looked like the holy grail of cartridges. I had to transition through a few other chamberings first though. Paying my dues so to speak. 12ga single shot for one season.Then a 94 Winny 30-30. Then on to a 788 308. Finally,I came to land on a Mark X Interarms 30/06! Cloud nine and beyond. I had arrived! The big leagues. Since then there have been something like 45 or 50 other rifles come and go. Even so,the Otter has been a staple around here. 2 in the safe right now. How about "Not perfect,but capable?" Sounds a little bit better?

I'll play.....Remington 700 XCR II .300 WM with a Leupold VX3 3.5-10x40 matte shooting a Barnes 165 grain TTSX bullet.......I would do all My big game hunting with this rig...........Hb

All you'll ever need, but will never admit to...

I'd agree on your shotgun choice as well.

I believe your old 7Mag is on its way back to Dixie...

I still do a good bit of hunting with a 788 in 308. Darned old rifle is boringly accurate with 165 SGMKs

Nothing wrong with a 788!

Nice rifle! I could live with that too!

Did I miss it, or is there not a single 300WSM on the list anywhere?

That one surprises me.

Didn't realize I was so predictable. Rem Ti, 3006, Leupold 2.5-8' Nosler 180gr Partitions

Noticed that and it puzzled me too - I would guess it would have made a good showing 3-5 years ago.

Rem Model 7
B&C Stock
6,5X47 Lapua 24" Tube DuraKote
Topped with a Loopy and a Dial
Shooting Nos AB 130

Here is my "The One" rifle. It took years to find and another year to get it the way I wanted it to be.

SS Winchester Model 70 Left hand .270
Edge stock
Talley Lightweights
Zeiss Victory Varipoint 2.5-10x42 #60 illuminated reticle
Sierra Gameking 130 grain

Doesn't get any better than this for me.

I know an old farmer who gets permits to shoot a lot of deer every year. He probably puts down 25-30 deer per year, minimum. He shoots a few with a 308 and some with his 7 mag, but most are dispatched with a Browning A-Bolt in 'o6. I think that at the 2675-2950 FPS threshold, a good cup and core 150gr or 165gr bullet from a 3o-o6 is simply the best answer to 100% of the hunting that 90% of people do. It is a wildly popular cartridge that doesn't need marketing or hype.

I enjoy my old Remington Model 30s in 257 Roberts, 117 grain, round nose. I have an old Weaver 2-7x on it.

I find myself straddling the 30-06 with a 260 and 7mmMag. 223 thrown in for fun. I'd say that covers anything that needs a hole poked in it.

10 years ago, it would have been my Ruger M77 mkII in a 300wm, now adays i find myself reaching for my Ruger M77 mkII in .257 Roberts, with 100 grain Nosler BTs.

That is a nice XCR II, did you sell her? As I remember that rifle shot Barnes Vortex factory ammo mighty good, I think that was the only load I tried...........Hb

Bought her, she's headed up the road to 'noke. Which Vortex load?

I am a little late to the game but will post just to keep the thread going -

My one rifle would be the one I use about 90% of the time anyway.

Cooper model 21 Classic Sporter with fluted barrel
223 Rem
Bullets - mostly 40 gr Nosler BT, sometimes 50's for a specialty load (wolf)
Leupold VX-2 3x9-40 with dots

Reasoning - I do not really hunt elk or bear anymore, most all of my shooting is gophers, PD's, coyotes, and hopefully someday a wolf if I our paths cross. If needed I could use it for deer or antelope but that scenario is unlikely.

Inexpensive to shoot, the rifle is light and handles great, it is inexpensive to shoot and I never have to worry about brass or other components since I have plenty laid in already and as a last case 223 ammo is readily available.

drover

I've always thought a 30-06, 260 and 223 is a dynamite trio.

I have no use for a 7mag though.

Id regret having to make the choice that fast, but without a doubt Id do what I do most years and on most elk hunts and grab the primary elk rifle I ve used, my 18 year old synthetic stock stainless ,340 wby 26" heavy barrel, that I bought too use with my very similar older blue steel version of the same rig, loaded with 250 grain hornady bullets over a 215 fed primer and a stiff load oh h4831 add a 27" harris bi-pod a sling and my leopold 3x9x scope would be the rifle Id grab if limited to a single hunting rifle.
It may not be ideal but inside of 450 or so yards I can be rather more effective than the deer and elk would like to think about, if they think about things like that.
yeah! too heavy but darn effective and ill trade mobility and easy transport for the ability to make the first shot hit where I want it too.

I probably don't either, but couldn't resist. Its the 162 Amax's fault.

Make mine a .223. Any medium weight bolt action would do, so long as it's capable of .5 MOA and has a good trigger and a safety that's convenient, quiet to operate and locks the bolt. Most of my hunting is varmints/predators and deer. A 9 twist barrel will do me fine as it'll stabilize any hunting bullet I'd ever care to use. Put a good 3-9x40 on top and I'm happy. Add an accurate .22 LR for squirrels and cottontails and a 12 gauge pump {Ithaca 37 please} for birds and I'm ready for anything I'm gonna hunt till they plant me.

If one is a slut for 7mm, the 7mm Remington Magnum sings a sweet sweet song.

I could easily grab either of my GAP rifles, and do often, but if it was down to one rifle for everything I would pick my SS lefty Model 70 in 30-06.

Great thread Sam!

Pre 64 M70 30-06 Fwt, Mcmillan stock, nosler boolits

My MRC 1999 308 Norma, it sits in a McMillian Supergrade pattern, Leupold 3.5x10. 150 TTSX for the medium stuff, 190 Hornady for the big stuff.

IF I could keep only one.

I'm pretty sure the load I tried was the 160 grain Vortex TTSX ....... ... Hb

.25-20 Winchester in a lever action with panache. It has a tang sight.



My ears like it. It's versatile. Stuff is closer when it dies so I don't have to walk a mile to get to it. It's cheap to operate. No batteries, no reticules falling apart, or glass to fog up.

So you're saying you're to sell me that 260

At this moment my M7ss 7-08 2-7x32 monarch and Talley Super lows 120 gr Barnes TTSX.

I think I bought about 500 150 Np's from you a few years back. Did you think you would never have another 270? Ouch!

IF, and only IF, I had to go down to only one rifle, yes.

Savage model 99 chambered for .308 Winchester.

- Simmons Pro Hunter 2-7X scope
- 150 grain FEDERAL Fusion ammo for deer
- 180 grain Remington Core-lokt for everything else

Largest animal I've taken with this rifle was a bull moose in Saskatchewan. Two shots through the chest organs downed him quickly. Distance was approx. 150 yards.

Sherwood

I'd take a Model 700 with a 24" stainless barrel chambered in .30-06 with a Medalist stock in olive green (that's a cool color!). I'd put a Leopold 3-9 VX 3 on it and the bullet would depend on the game. For deer size critters I'd load a 165 GameKing and for anything larger it'd be a 180 Partition.

No worries, last year I bought 500 more

If we're talking current inventory it would have to be my 7-08 NULA, topped with a 3.5-10 vari X III.

boys,

u all are looking to big. sub 308 is where it's at

If we are talking what we got I would be wise to grab my Model 700 xcr ii in 270win with a swaro 4,5-12x40 . But I would probably choose my old stock ruger M77 tanger in 3006 with a Luey VX3 3,5-10x40.

Make mine just like this - Manlicher in 7x64 topped with a luppy vx3 shooting 164gr monotholics... This wil kill anything in North America!

My 1963 vintage Belgian Browning Safari in 30-06 with Leupy 3-9 and Hornady 165 gr Interlocks. We can all go home now.

What I own already:

Tikka T 3 Lite stainless.308 cut to 20", with nightforce compact 2.5-10x24 in Talley lightweight rings.

Building only one all around practical rifle, starting from scratch:

Sako or Tikka action .308, 20" barrel, in McMillan edge stock, that is set to take AI box mags. Topped with a Nightforce 2.5-10x32 in Talley lightweight rings.


From bull and cow elk to coyotes and rockchucks, the 20" .308 T3 has proven to be an easy to shoot well, non finicky tack driver.

This

How does the magazine sticking down below the rifle effect the carrying of the rifle?
I am thinking about getting a 5 shot Magazine for a Tikka Superlight I just bought but was curious about carrying it in one hand.
Do you just grab the rifle in front of the Magazine?

Thanks

It's a T3 Tikka.

My custom Left hand Mauser in 35 whelen. 2.5-8x VariX-III Leupold.

My 30.06

I like.

A tang-safety Ruger M 77 RL Ultralight, chambered in .250 Savage.




I already own it. Bought it new back in 1985 when I was 20 years old. It still looks and works like new. Me? Uh.... Not so much...



I haven't worried about that stuff with my chosen rifle since I bought it. I just shoot the piss out of it and will keep on doing so.





I'd keep using the Leupold Vari-X IIc 2-7X that I bought with the rifle.




120 grain Sierra GameKing HPBT.




Mule deer, blacktail deer, whitetail deer, pronghorns, feral goats, feral sheep, feral hogs. caribou, coyotes, Pepsi cans, paper targets, reactive target balls, and probably other things, as well.




Actually, it wasn't all that hard. I only have five centerfire rifles -the Marlin 336 in .30-30 that I started with when I was eleven years old, the Ruger M 77 RL in .250 Savage that I bought when I was 20, the Ruger No.1B in .30-'06 that I bought when I was 22, the No.1 Tropical in .375 Holland and Holland that I traded for when I was 25, and a Browning A-Bolt II Medallion in .257 Roberts that I won in a raffle drawing last year.

I could probably get by just fine with my old 336 in .30-30. I managed okay from the age of 11 until I turned 18 with just that one rifle.

I've got something of a weakness for No.1's. So I could get by with either of mine.

With .22 LR being so hard to come by for me, my little Ultralight in .250 Savage has been my "plinker". To me, it's recoil and muzzle blast are more like a .223 Remington than a .243 Winchester. It grouped down to .660" for five shots at 100 yards from day one and still does now. It shouldn't be as accurate as it is, but it is. I've had many other M-77's and M-77MKII's over the years, but I cling to this little over-achiever because it shoots so well and is so pleasant to shoot. It's currently the most accurate rifle in my inventory.

So it got the nod because it's accurate -far more accurate than it's pencil-thin barreled self has any right to be- and just a ball to shoot a couple of hundred rounds through. It's got a dynamic, shotgun-like feel to it and carries easily, but it's not so light that it's hard to keep under control out in the field when shooting across a draw with a stiff breeze blowing over it's barrel. The cocking effort is next to nil, the bolt operation was snot-on-glass slick from new and has only improved with age. It's compact enough to be handy in dense cover but can reach out for more open-country shots. When I bought it and the Leupold that tops it, I thought the combination represented the perfect conceptual marriage of rifle, optic, and chambering. My opinion hasn't changed much over the past three decades.

The hard part of this mental exercise was really down to choosing between this M 77 RL and the Browning A-Bolt II in .257 Roberts that I won in a raffle last October. It's just as light, comes up on target quickly, it about equally pleasant to shoot a few hundred rounds through, and I like the detachable magazine feature more than I ever dreamed I would. In fact, I like the whole A-Bolt II more than I ever dreamed I would. But it's not quite as compact as my M 77 RL is; cocking effort is significantly higher; it's not as accurate off the bench, but in some ways a bit easier for me to shoot accurately in field positions because of the stock fit. And I think it looks cool. But I don't have the memories made with it that I have with the M 77 RL... And the Ruger seems to me to be more "robust," for lack of a better word. I'm sure the A-Bolt II will outlive me, but on the other hand, I haven't yet worn the "new" off my M 77 RL in spite of three decades of use in which it has never failed to chamber, fire, extract, or eject.

There are probably cooler rifles I could pick aside from these I already have, but in already having them, I've sussed out what their strengths and weaknesses are.

Anyhow, my choice is made - c.1985 Ruger M-77 RL Ultralight in .250 Savage, topped with a Leupold Vari-XIIc 2-7X of the same vintage.

I would never get bored hunting with my custom 30-30, 1.75-6 leupold, hand loaded 170s.

For me it would be my L61R Sako in 30/06 loaded with 180 somthing..but hopefully I would be able to handload..
Couldn't think of not having a 22 LR bolt gun or a 223

A Tikka, by chance...

Sam's question will give me nightmares, I'll probably wake up screaming, thinking about having ONLY ONE rifle...

DF

Details on the stock please?

Left handed Ruger Hawkeye in 308win, McMillan woody stock, Leupold FX 6x42.

Sako 85 Finnlight .260 @ 19.4" barrel with short/light overbarrel DPT suppressor, 3-12x50PMII, shooting 140amax at 2700+, does everything I need. It IS my one single bolt action hunting rifle, having changed to this setup from a similarly setup (but heavier) Blaser R8 6.5x55

RUGER #1 in 22" 30-06 with a 2-7x33 scope, warnes/ruger rings, 180 gr RN-SP over 3031.
short enough for deep woods use but long enough to the potential of the round fully.
Scope is low enough for good check weld and power range sufficient for close in running shots or 300+ yard stretches.
Round nose has enough UMPH for smaller game but enough mass for large.
Action is sufficiently stout as to ensure a lifetime of use without breakage.

A shortened and remodeled Winchester 670 in 30-06. Any old 150 grain softpoint at 2850 for MO deer; heavier as needed for opportunities at bigger game.


http://www.thesixgunjournal.net/the-winchester-670-short-rifle-project/

It's getting an XS Weaver backup aperture, lower shorty ramp with ivory bead and a 2x7 Nikon in the near future.

Seems to change regularly. As of today its this one. Remington 700 SS 30-06 bedded in a Mickey Edge black with gray spec, skeletonized and fluted bolt, trigger work, factory barrel, Talley LWs, VX2 CDS. 7 pound5 oz. Shoots lots of stuff well, but been using 165 IBs and 165 TTSXs lately.

Here is one you could do it with. 30-06 Ti. Edge. 6x42. New paint job, so it looks good till I hunt it again. New pad too. Darren does a good job.

ill play-

Dakota 76 Alpine 257 Roberts with a discontinued Schmidt and Bender 4x36 Duplex on top

My default rifle is Ruger Mark II, Stainless, 338 Win Mag, 24" barrel, Pacific Research stock, 1.5-6x42 Kahles 1st focal plane 7A reticle, 225gr TSX with option of 210 TTSX.

OR:
Either /or, of my Stainless 375Rugers both in McMillans, one with a 20" barrel and one with a 23.5", 270gr TSX / 250 TTSX.
The 20" has a Kahles 1.1-4x24 7A and the 23.5" currently has a Zeiss HT 1.1-4x24 #54 illluminated (which is my favorite lower powered scope and reticle combination). Scopes subject to change.
For the past several years the 20" has been "my rifle".

OR:
Were I in the lower 48, it might be my Kimber Montana 325WSM, 1.5-6x42 Kahles, 200 TSX / or 180 TSX / or 160 TTSX.

OR:
A 30-06, probably a Ruger SS also, with 150gr - 200gr bullets selected for particular use, with a 1.5-6x42 of some type.

With any of the choices, I would want to have at least 2 scopes one lower powered and one up to 10x.
In my opinion the appropriate scope for the terrain / critter is as important as the cartridge.

The 1.5-6x42's are my do-it-all / compromise scopes, though my target is moose. This power range pretty much covers all conditions for me and circumstances that I will be shooting.
I do see use for the 2.5-10 / 1.7-10 for smaller animals and more open terrain than I normally hunt.

One Line Answer:
The 338Win Mag, Ruger SS Mark II, 1-6x42 scope with an illuminated reticle, 225 TSX.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Mine would be a 280 with a Bartlien 2-B contour in 24 inch. 700 or Stiller action (doesn't matter) with Surgeon BM.

Put it in a Manners EH3 stock and top with a NF 2-10x42 using Talley rings.

I would run the 162 Amax, 175 SMK or maybe look at Nosler's new AB long range and hunt whatever I wanted to hunt.

Actually building a 6.5 Creedmoor like this for my son so will see how it goes. I have a 7RM as my go to rifle but if I started over, it would be like I spelled it out above.

All though I have way too many rifles, getting down to just choosing one would be a hard choice between my two favorite hunting rifles.
Those 2 rifles would be my Remington 700 Classic in .264 Win mag or my early 1980's Model 70 Featheweight in 7x57. It's a push feed model with factory sights and a Leupold 2.5 X 8 VariXIII mounted on it.

For all practical purposes, I'd have to go with my Winchester Featherweight 7x57. With a 160gr Nosler Partition, it's extremely accurate and will kill any large game that I will ever shoot. And if it was good enough for WDM Bell, it's good enough for me!

I didn't know it until I saw this one; but, this one in 280 Rem.

I have long been a 280 guy; but, this is the exact same advice I give in the same situation. Besides, for all intents and purposes, 270=280=308=3006, in the real world.

223AI that's wearing a 3-9x Leupold with M1's. I'd likely switch it out to a 6x42 but I'm still dancing with it after 10 years.

Most excellent pics and rifle suggestions.

In the real world the .270 gets the same job done with less recoil.

And the 6.5x47....

or 260...

Already own it, a Remington 700 with a fluted barrel dropped into a McMillan Edge with a Leupold 6x42 with CDS turrets and pushing 150r TTSX's.

Never thought anything would come close to being my favorite cartridge over the .270 Win, but the 260 is my go-to the last couple of years.

This just may be the winner. I can't quit looking at this rifle. I'd give my left nut for one just like it in 30/06. Sweet!

Sorry, just saw this. McMillan Mountain rifle pattern, standard fill, Campfire camo...


X-VERMINATOR

Correct, although unnoticeably to most mere mortals. I speculate a 270 shooting 140s will have more felt recoil than a 280 shooting 120s. Although having fired both thousands of times I've never stood side by side and simultaneously fired them. This is why I say, in the real world they are equals, even though I know the measurable differences in all of them. I am also aware, that in the real world of the laws of physics, ballistics and other "measurable" minutia, there are all kinds of differences. Like I said, you are indeed correct Ringman.

Something that fits (when stock is brought to cheek no adjustments need to be made) in suitable caliber with scope of 2-3-4-to-6-7-8-9-10-12x and objective diameter of 36mm to 42mm and max weight of about 16oz (which usually means 1" tube). The key is proper stock fit and gun balance (good weight distribution) which is more important than anything else. I also insist on no recoil pad, but that is just personal preference.

700LH 30-06, Leupold 3X9, has been getting it done a long time now. Started with 180's and went to 150's 25 years ago, and the critters don't seem to be able to tell the difference.
Other's come and go, some stay and are good capable rifles, yet I see no need to change as my primary, all around big game, Idaho hunting rifle.

Mine is my Kimber Montana 7 WSM. It has been my go-to since I got it a few years back, and I doubt that's going to change any time soon. Scope is a Leupold 3.5-10x40. Ammo? Depends on my mood, but right now for hunting, Swift SI 2 150gr pills.

My 300 Bee






or 340 Bee

Well, It's another thursday afternoon, and it is snowing here, so here goes :

Kimber 84M in 23" 6.5 Creedmoor w/Talley Xlows and a Leup 2.5-8x36 wCDS or maybe a NightForce 2.5-10x42 in Lows

Whoops make that a 6.5 SAUM in an 8400 Montana 24.5" w/ either of the above scopes. Mo Bigga, Mo Betta

sorry about you havin to shoot the White Dog

Given that the .270 is loaded to a higher pressure standard than both the .280 and the.30'06, I must beg to differ.
Even when comparing projectiles of similar SD 140/150/180 respectively, the .280 comes up with the least recoil.

Load them all to the same pressure with the same bullet weight and shoot them out of identical rigs.

Now what?

Need to do some calculations with the various MV's generated :
the -06 will be quickest, the .280 probably burns slightly more powder to make the same pressure, and the .270 will recoil the least ?

I have no problem choosing just one rifle on any given day.

Never needed more than the one in hand, nor could I hold more - at one time

Consider yourself lucky.....

Late to reply, but the rifle balances easily. It's the most enjoyable centerfire bolt action that I've ever carried afield. Superbly accurate.

Where I live now, I could use a 358Winchester and want for nothing. 200s for deer, 250gr Speers for moose.

Mine is a SS M700 with a 22" King bbl sporter contour in a McMillan topped with a FXII 4x. Weighs 7lb as described.

Would have to rethink that if I lived out west. Prob a 270Win.

Nice custom lefty!