I am enamored with the thought of one man and one rifle. Sort of like Quigley and his Sharps... Seems to me the modern equivalent needs to cover all the North American bases: The "one man one rifle" should be able to shoot near or far (that cuts out the 45-70), and should be able to handle anything from eastern deer to western elk to mountain sheep/goat to Alaskan grizzly bear. The 325 WSM will do that. It ain't a charge stopper on an enraged grizzly, but it meets all the other criteria. It should handle rain or shine, which begs for a synthetic stock and stainless steel.

Seems to me the 325 WSM is a fine choice. What is yours?

If I had to start again with one rifle I'd go back to where I did start - a good 30-06. My original is a push feed M70, but I'd probably go custom or Kimber in SS for a single rifle jack of all trades.

I know it's the boring answer but I shoot it better than some of the bigger ones and I actually enjoy it. I think with proper loads you can do all NA game with the good old 30-06 (and several others as well).

Of course a 325 WSM seems to be a solid choice as well. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I'm thinking 338 to satisfy the taking of all NA game under most ,if not all, hunting situations (both dangerous and not)

One man, one rifle. Well for me, I would have to go with my "go to" rifle, a well-worn 300 Weatherby. jorge

I'm thinking 338--It will handle the taking of all NA game under most,if not all hunting situations(dangerous or not)

One rifle only? My 1895 Browning 30-06 with the Krieger barrel.

I would go with a highly tuned 300 Win Mag. It has the trajectory for antelope, the power for elk, and acceptable recoil in a 8.5# gun. The dilemma for me would be whether to send a Rem 700 to Greg Tannel or use one of the Model 70 wizards.

I'd take my .338-06. Lightweight, balances perfectly, and will thump the snot out of whatever gets in the way.

Truth is I could be just as happy with a 7-08, .308, or .30-06.

That's our problem Teeder--We're happy with a bunch of them!!!

ONE MAN, ONE RIFLE, ONE LAND
Hunting All Species of Big Game in North America
Jones, J.Y.

"Over 25 years ago, J. Y. Jones started his North American big-game hunting career, which ultimately evolved into a quest to take all the huntable species and subspecies with the same .30-06 rifle."

http://www.safaripress.com/product.php?productid=6197

Yep, and he did it with a Remington Model 700 ADL in .30-06.

-Bob F.

I think most here know I won't argue the choice of the 325WSM as a good choice for this scenario.

Personnally though, I would opt for the 30-06 camp, but could easily be persuaded into the 270wcf camp also. If going to just one rifle, than I have to take into account the extensive amount of time I spend plinking, target shooting, load developing, etc. etc. That means something that is easier on the shoulder when doing much shooting. For me that rules out the magnums. I would rely more on good shot placement and a quality bullet to do the job for game on the heavier/larger side. About as close as I think I can get to all this with one rifle caliber is the 30-06. But am hearing very good things about the 270 on larger game also, especially with TSX bullets. So might be I could be persuaded to change my opinion.
As for myself, I have noticed a trend toward going to just three calibers for most of my hunting needs. .243wcf, 30-06,and 325WSM. For about a year and a half I have started to thin the heard in the safe, and upgrading the quality of the equipment in the chosen calibers. I think the above calibers overlap enough in there capabilities so as to back each other up for specific game hunts. I also feel like spending less on multiple rifles and more on hunting opportunities. I am not getting any younger, and I have a couple dream hunts I would like to do before I move on, so am taking steps to make them a reality.
My 325WSM shooter is all set, nothing else need be done but play with it and use it. My 30-06 is nearly done the way I want it. And next week I start addressing the .243.

Good Luck and good hunting, Rob

"Have 284 Winchester; Will travel" Would be the card of this man!

I don't do charging Grizzlies! But, I think I could still change one's mind with a .284 Win.

Sako l61r fiber stock 270.DK

My custom L61R chambered for the 7mmSTW would be it.I just love that cartridge.

I would have to opt for the 300 WM. 150 grains is a flat shooter and the 200 grains has all the energy for large standing game. The charging griz? I am not sure that any round will control that. I believe that nerves in relation to shot placement has more to do with that infrequent scenario.

IF I was a one rifle man I would not be happy....

but I'd try to make due with 8mm mauser.

Hey
I really get tired of reading this junk about one gun stuff or gun vs gun, bullit vs bullit. how about another topic??

Bearbeater

Considering the really big stuff is a minor percentage of the game hunted, I'd learn towards a 300 wsm w/ 168 tsx. I'd imagine less than 10% of the hunting situations I'd wnat a 338 over the 300, and probably less than 5% of those shots I'd really need the 338. For everything else I'd have a lighter flatter shooting rig.

Don't read it, then. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Ditto!

For the man of modest means Beartaker , this type of post and the replies from knowledgeable gents just might help him find that one and only gun he could afford and then pass along someday to his son.--If this post helps just one man like that--then there's good to it!!!

Mine would be my 300 Win Mag

Tony

Or start your own unique and interesting topic.

When I was a kid my dad used that "beware the man with one rifle" stuff on me. Always figured it was because he was too cheap to hunt deer with anything but the VZ-24 he sent home during the war.

Knew it didn't have anything to do with his having mostly toted a 30 carbine for most of his war experiences, so figured he meant save your money, own one centerfire hunting rifle.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

When I started accumulating multiple rifles as I got older, the old man always held up my farmboy cousin as the paragon of the perfect rifleman. That cousin still kills deer every year with his old Savage 30-06, factory sights and has likely taken well over a hundred deer with it. No matter, I've yet to be tempted to buy me a Savage like his.

One rifle for everything? Probably be my 03A1 US Remington, but I haven't killed anything with it in years, although it ain't the rifle's fault. Ought sixes might be boring to some, but they still work pretty well and always will.

If'n I was gonna do it, it'd be a .30-06 built up on a pre-64 Winchester M70 action.

Of course, if very large bears and or African Big 5s were more on the menu, substitute in the .375 Wby for the '06.

Of course, I ain't likely to go the 1 rifle route soon...

21 or 22" bbl'd SS 30-06 M70 in a fiberglass handle with Leupold on top in QR rings and backup iron's installed.

Brad, sounds like a great blueprint! When do you plan on building one? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Chuck

I thought we couldn't buy Leupolds anymore <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Ahh, it's just a dream... might have heard of one Cannuck that's got such a rifle tho <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

C, my Lemming gene never has worked... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Well if big bears were on the list to shoot every so often a person might want to look at the 35 Whelen. Using the appropriate Remington factory loads for deer/elk/moose and for those big bears --- step it on up to the Nosler Custom loads and it will be close to the .338 mag. You won't have the same kick as the .338 has for the rest of the time. If you reload, its even better. But my current go-to rifle is the 30-06 (I have more than one rifle!).

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Gotta run, playing 9 holes tonight. Foouuuuuur!

Chuck

hello brad;

I know the Kimber SS 30-06 is not available yet but would you still go the m70 route over the Kimber, based on the favorable reports of your SS 300 short mag?

well here goes I guess I will get flamed with this one
6.5x55 and no big bears please they may bite back
gotcha

Easy, I would go with a Model 70 CRF action 23.5 inch barrel.
QR rings with back up peep sight.
Scope would be a 30mm 2.5-10 in a top quality brand.
The gun would have some tough coating over the SS.
All held in a fiberglass/kevlar stock.

Of course I would have one of the great smith's put it all together.

The caliber would be a 338-06.


Oh

My 300winnie has the following blueprint :

SUCKS action
Pacnor SS, fluted, contour is close to a Remington mag, + a bit more (3 - 4 ish ?), 25"
Micky Mtn rifle stock
Timney trigger
Leupi bases and rings (could sub Talley LW's)
Zeiss 2.5x10x42mm

Perfect balance, tack driver, would not be afraid of tackling anything in North America with it :



Tony

Considering 99% of my hunting is for varmints, I couldn't do it with one rifle and not give up that important 1%

and Chuck, it's FORE not four! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Alinor, I prefer the M70 long action to the Kimber long action. I'd put an M70 SS Fwt in a McMillan Edge stock like Chuck's. In a short mag I'd do the Kimber hand's down.

In the end, a 30-06 pushing a 168 TSX or 180 Partition is plenty for anything in NA. My own go-to hunting rifle will probably wind up being the 300 WSM Kimber which pushes a 180 Partition at 2,960... it weigh's 7lbs 3oz's and is wonderfully accurate. Hard to argue with that!

Either are more than enough gun. My belief is find something you like and stick with it. Make it your own. In the end that means something more than all the fruitless trades and tail chasing.

A stainless m70 winchester in 300 win mag would be hard to beat for versatitily.

i guess this was what i was trying to convey in my thread. Looks like the 338win appears again. ilike 375HH but my rifle is heavy but MOA shooter with 270gr Barnes X, the 35Whelen has knocked many moose over with one shot 250X at 2680fps, 1.5 MOA ( hunting accuracy), you miss its your fault.I have owned two 338Wins never happy with accuracy . My cousin shoots a 338Win which I hand load for over the last 15yrs, 225X at 2800fps, lots of big moose, 1 g bear, lots of b bears and the occasional muley on the run, this rifle is accurate and easy to shoot, mine were not all are 700 rem's.I am leaning again in nthe 338 direction but the Sako 9.3x66 looks like it was built for me, a 250x at 2700+ would work in an 06 action, does anyone know were I could have a Sako 75 or 85 imported to Canada?

I refuse to answer this question on the grounds that my wife may see this post!

How many people here have read the J.Y. Jones book?
I haven't but I should, since I still hunt with the same Model 700 ADL in .30-06 that I have used since 1967, still with its open sights.

I think the answer to the question is when you ask yourself which rifle you would end up with if you were forced to sell all but one of what you have now.

I think it would be a 8MM REM MAG for me if I could just have one..

Nothing wrong with a good 30-06. In the hands of a marksman, it will handle everything you need for it to handle.
There are plenty of old guys, and guys long since gone, that did everything with one, and never looked for more.

And I primarily shoot the 270.

IF I had to choose one for my typically hunting it would be my 99 Savage in 300 Savage.

NH Hunter.

Lee24,

I have read the book and it is worth the read.

kandpand

Yep, I've read it and enjoyed it. In facted it is one of my goto books when I'm planning a new hunt, its always on my nightstand.

As to one gun... I've been working on that one for years. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/help.gif" alt="" /> Best I've ever been able to do was 2. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

IMHO, if we were limited to just one rifle, I believe that the quality of bullets and powders today are such that a .30 caliber cartridge would be sufficient for even big bears, as well as small varmints.

To that end, I would suggest the .308 Win., the .30-06 Sprg., or the .300 WSM as the one-rifle cartridge.

The .30-06 is the most venerable and also the most versatile with different grain bullets and tons of recipes already tried and tested.

The .308 is on the low end of this scale, but IMHO is sufficient AND is a short-action.

The .300 WSM is newer, but has plenty of power, and IMHO will one day have the versatility of the .30-06 as people develop loads for different grain bullets.

The .325 WSM is probably also good, but I hesitate to recommend it for the smaller (varmint) end of the scale.

I have put a ton of thought into this very question over the previous few months. This is the route I went.

Win 70 SS Classic
300 Win Mag
McMillan Fwt. Stock
Talley Bases with QR rings
Leupold 3.5-10x40
Iron sights installed as a backup

Shamefully ripped off from Brads rifle with a couple of changes.

Jim

p.s. Barrel cut to 23 inches.

Hey, nice length!

Ruger M77 mark II stainless in 30-06 with Leupold 6X42 and appropriately constructed 165-180gr. bullnut.

Yep Can't wait to get it back from the smith. Also having a decelerator pad installed. Something about those model 70's.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Jim

I think I could be quite satisfied with one of my pre-64 Model 70 Featherweights. I prefer the .270 but a .30-06 will git-r-done just as well. And in contrast to those who caveat their posts with remarks about �Big Bears,� I wouldn�t feel under gunned with either cartridge on the largest of bears�I just have to work a bit harder to get the right shot. See, that�s the whole idea about the �One Rifle, One Man� concept. Pick a gun and make it work. The �Big Bears� are the only thing that stretch the capabilities of the .270 or .30-06, but both can get the job done. For everything else, those cartridges are very capable, if not perfect.

The thought of �one man and one rifle�, when I�m the man, is something akin to a nightmare.

Evaluating my own needs, I will likely never hunt Alaska or Canada, never hunt moose or grizzly, and never hunt anything in grizzly territory. In fact, although Colorado has a nicely expanding population of moose, I have never hunted in their territory either. I will never hunt what I consider Colorado�s exotics � mountain goats or sheep, lions, etc. Black bear is even questionable � while I�ve carried a bear tag in my pocket while hunting elk, I have never hunted bear in the earlier seasons ( had a tag once but didn�t go).

In short, my needs run from small game and varminting to antelope, deer and elk. A 7mm Rem Mag and a .44 Mag carbine sufficed as my only centerfires for many years, with a .22LR for the small stuff. The .44 Mag was a gift from Dad and, while not what I would have chosen for a second rifle, went on many elk and deer hunts as my backup and has taken game. These days I have a heavy-barrel .22-250 for varmints, a .257 Roberts I load to +P levels for varmints and larger, the 7mm Rem Mag, a .30-30, .308 Win, .300 Win Mag, .375 Win, and a .45-70. All shoot very well, my favorite targets being clay pigeons at 200 and 300 yards. Even the .30-30 will clang the steel gongs at 300 yards with amazing regularity.

Having a variety of firearms to choose from enhances my shooting pleasure and allows me to pick a weapon that is better suited to a particular task � no need for the .300 Win Mag when hunting coyotes, a role the .257 Roberts fills very well. The .257, even with 120g bullets, is a bit lighter than I like for elk. When camping or hiking in the woods with the family, the handy 10-shot .44 Mag carbine is about as good as it gets for defense against various predators, two legs or four.

If I HAD to go back to one bolt rifle, it would probably be the 7mm Rem Mag.

Then there is the muzzleloaders, not particularly practical in relation to the centerfires, but a heck of a lot of fun...

I hate the concept and refuse to concisder it.

My wife on the other hand seem to insist upon it as absoutely reasonable.

GB

With what I have, I could use either my 7 mag or .338 and never feel like I was missing much.

I thought I was buying one rifle for all my hunting when I bought the 7mag in 1978(?) and I could get by with it, just fine I'm sure.

Was looking for a .375 when I started guiding as bears became an object of pursuit much more than hunting for myself, screwed myself outa a good one, and ended up with a .338 and never looked back. Decent caliber IMO.

Starting over, looking for one gun to do it all, it'd have to be a .300 winnie. I just like the bullet weight selection better in it than what the 7's can offer. You can put it in a lightweight rifle, recoil is very manageable, and it has enough snort to suit me for the dicey situations in life.

For big game here in my backyard, including Blacktail deer and Blackbear, I'd go with my 35 Whelen in a Remmie CDL with a 6X42 Loupie. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Ask me again tomarrow and I might have a "new" favorite by then...
Virgil B.

Here's the guy that inspired my "practical rifle" cradling his...



This is my rendition of his recipe:



This rifle gives me the "warm fuzzies" because I dreamt of building it for a long time and have taken a fair bit of game with it. My 300 WSM is more rifle in a lighter package but doesn't yet inspire the same devotion as it's never been blooded. The 30-06 works up close and far away, on antelope and elk, deer and bear. It can be made light and handy while remaining shootable. Sometimes less is more...

SWEET!!! I like the way it looks.

(pictures deleted to be nice to you dial-up guys)

Yours is indeed one of the coolest hunting rifles I've ever seen. IIRC Finn's was a Mauser in .30-06 with some kind of synthetic stock, wasn't a McMillan, may have been MPI or something.

Anyway, specs on yours again, please? Obviously Model 70 with Featherweight contour barrel in .30-06.

Is that a Bansner stock?
Barrel length? I seem to recall it is 21" but not sure.
NECG sights or other?
Overall weight with scope? From the tight fit of the rings that scope looks like a 2.5-8?

I have a LH stainless Remchester Model 770 .30-06 (SS LH Model 70 with 23" Pac-Nor barrel in Remington standard contour in a McMillan Rem. BDL pattern stock) but it is too heavy at 8.5 pounds.

LH stainless actions are few and far between but I have a NIB c/m LH Model 70 .30-06 that might be a candidate for conversion.

This will be a suprise. How about a 35 Whelen?

Hi Jim, Finn's was indeed a 30-06 Mauser in a Garret Accurlight stock (long defunct). As I recall that pic was snapped around 1982 and sported a 2.5 Weaver. He later went to a variable.

My recipe is a SS M70 Fwt. I recontoured the floorplate to more svelt proportions and had Dave Gentry re-bead blast it. I also had him cut the barrel to 21" and install the XS Sights front base and blade and NECG Classic rear. The extractor has been replaced with a Williams. The stock is indeed a Bansner. I bought it as a blank and did all the bedding and filling and installed the 3/4" Decelerator. I sent it back to Bansner's and they painted it. The scope is a VXII 2-7 in low Burris Zee's and all-steel Leupold Weaver bases. With an Uncle Mike's Mountain Sling and five rounds it weigh's 8lbs 1oz.

Were I doing the rifle again I'd probably put it in a McMillan Edge and shave another 3 oz's. I'd also probably put a 1.75x6 on top in Leupold QR rings. I was on a budget at the time... including all the work, parts, scope, rifle, etc, I have $1200 in the rifle. It shoots nearly any bullet exceptionally well and has accounted for several antelope, deer, one black bear and three six point bull elk.

Brad,

I am having much dificulty geting my lips to form the words, glad I'm typing.

That set up is as good as it gets. I could be happy with that ......onnnnnn.....wooooo......nnnn....

NO, NO I refuse to say it.

GB <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Brad,

That�s a first class hunting machine right there�Nice job.

Thank's for the kind word's gent's! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

This rifle has a "better flet than telt" "gaminess" about it that just makes you feel everything it's pointed at is gonna die!

Just don't let it play second fiddle to that Kimber Montana. That just wouldn't be fair.

I'm working on my "one rifle". I have one left to sell and I'll be back to one. It's a Sako 75 in 300WM w/ OptiLock bases/rings, I'm replacing the walnut with a synthetic stock and replacing the old B&L scope with either a Bushnell 4200 2.5-10x40 or something similar...haven't decided yet.

I've had it for 8 years but I never took the time and $ to accesorize it the way I wanted. It's been a little difficult selling the other rifles but it's kind of a breath of fresh air too. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I also follow Finn's lead. Mine is a 308 much like Brad's. I just bought a 30-06 barrel for when I shoot out the 308 barrel in 10 years or so.


Okie John

My my , that's a fine looking rifle! I'd have put a silver scope on it instead of black one, but other than that, it looks great!

This one isn't completely finished yet, but when it is I wouldn't be afraid to use this as my one and only. Remington 700 LVSF .308 in a McMillan Classic.

For the first 40 years and possibly on out to 42 or 45 I've been an eastern whitetail hunter and black bear hunter. With that in mind I've had excellent luck with a 25-06 and a .270.....and a boat load of muzzleloaders.

Looking forward to my next 40 years and the hope/desire that my hunting expands to a broader spectrum...I've contemplated this question at length but had to settle my thoughts on two rifles to cover NA big game...

1. my Sucks BDL is being rebarreled to 30-06...cause I've always wanted one and I got a fair guess I can kill something with it using TSX's <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />....and it will be my eastern go to rifle.

2. To take a bigger step and extend my range just a bit for the west and north, I considered building a 300roy but settled on a Sucks CDL 300 Ultra Mag also using TSX's. For me and what I want to hunt in the future, I feel I have my bases covered more than adequately.

Down to two, but which one of them I'd choose I'm not sure.

Win Classic Fwt SS .270win in a Mcmillan fwt stock. Shoots 140gn BT's and AB's to .75" and better, shot one 140gn TSX group to .312"during load development, haven't loaded any more to try since then. It wears a 4.5-14x40 B&C Leupie, the B&C was like it was made for my 140BT load @ 2900fps.

Win Classic ss 300 Winnie in a Winlight (factory installed McMillan from Winchester). It shoots 200gn Partitions 3020 fps and right at an inch, or 200gn TSX @ 3050 fps and .75". The 300 also wears a 4.5-14x40 Leupold W/customshop reticle that has 300, 400, and 500yd dots.

I've killed stuff with both rifles out to 400yds, and further than that with the 300. I guess I'll just have to let the jury decide, no, wait, I'll keep them both.

Prarie dogs, antelope, deer, elk, and paper? Sounds like a job for the .308!! Compact, awesome ammo selection with a broad bullet range and good magazine capacity.
A guy really needs 3 or 4 or 8 rifles though. Barrels get hot so that justifies 2-3 varmint rigs. Other animals on the continent- add 2 more rifles... Add another continent- and you have 2 more rifles... There's justification for 8 mistresses right there!

Stainless model 70 chambered in 270 WSM.

bearstalker very interesting cartridge choice.I must admit to be very fond of the chambering.

Sako 300 win mag

Right now? Rem 700 LTR in 308. Fairly light with unbelievable accuracy.

However, I'd be hard pressed to let go of my 45-70 guide gun. Perfect for Georgia woods. Strikes like lightning.

ought6

That's a great choice. I wildcatted a 8mm/.350 Rem Mag and hunted with it in Idaho, Spain, Zambia and RSA. The only reason I haven't had it in the field for a while is that I've fallen in love with the 9.3 X 62 for big stuff, and .300 Savage in a Model 99 for the medium game. I'd be perfectly content to use my 8mm mag for my only North American rifle. It shoots a 220 g slug at about 2650 fps, and a 200 Nosler partition at 2800+. This is about what the .325 WSM is all about.

So many rifles so little time... I have taken a brief survey of big game dispatched and find my go to rifle is a revolver. Here in the midlands whitetails rule in the woods at close range. Second place goes to a Reminton ADL in .308 Win. After I got fancy, I got the last classic Remington, in .308 Win. I like the effenciency of the 24 inch barrel, the oiled walnut, the classic lines. After that, I love anything necked up or down from an existing cartridge, just for the joy of creation, .35 Whelen, 9.3x62mm, .416 Taylor, one pass through the press with some exisiting brass or usually buy the factory brass if it's cheap. If bears or dangerous game are a possibility, Alaska comes to mind, the .338 Win Mag and the .375 H&H are strong choices, even if loaded down to .338 Federal, .38-55 Win or .375 Win levels, plus some six grains more of an appropriate powder. The little Ruger 6.5x55 is a joy to shoot but it's never made any inroads in the local deer population, too many bows, muzzle loaders and handguns that need trying out. One lever gun lives at my house, a Winchester 94 in .38-55, marble tang sight, 26 inch rifle barrel. The rifle name, action type and caliber you use for the one man one rifle answer depends on your background and what you enjoy. If you read this website you probably can afford more than one rifle. My ex-father-in-law hunted for 40 years with one shotgun for everything, a 16 gauge Ithaca pump with a 28 inch modified barrel, vented rib and two bead sight. He had a bow and .22 LR rifle too, as well as a .22 revolver. He fed a large family with deer and small game taken with the pump when legal and with the .22 rifle when not. He was a true subsistance hunter, wasting nothing, so I don't hold his poaching against him back then. I hunt for pleasure, for the meat I like, and to see new country. If I'd started with a .338 Win Mag and an appropriate hand loading knowledge I would have come close to the one man one rifle model. The Navy spoiled me with ammo cans of free .308 Win / 7.62 Nato brass. Now I have to take a different rifle every year for my "vacation" hunt. Save ten months, spend it in ten days, that's my motto! What happens to the other two month's savings? I buy Christmas and birthday presents for the wife and kids of course and another rifle for me.

I have a copy of the "One Gun, One Rifle, One Man" and it is a very good reference book. It unfortunatly, reinforces the fact that if you use an adequate bullet and stick it in the right spot, you can do it all with a .30/06 and that can be upsetting to riflemen who wouldn't dream of playing golf with one club.

I did a survey of SCI hunters once, to see what cartridge if any, was dominant among them for world hunting. The .338 handloaded with 250 grain Partitions won by a landslide and was used for everything from Dall sheep to African Lion.

Many had a second lighter rifle like a .270 for deer sized game locally or perhaps a heavy such as the .458 for Buffalo and elephant but the .338 ( to a lesser extent, the .340) ruled the kingdon at that time.

As a side bar, In all the years I have been reviewing rifles and handloaded for them, I found that Partitions in the heaviest weight for the given caliber, shot the most accurately overall.

You may find that interesting.

AGW

Mine is "The Alaskan" (.338WM), and the reasons are as follows: It's perhaps the most popular cartridge with big game hunters up here (Alaska), as popular as the .30-06, and the .300WM, except that one can use bullets from 225 to 300 grains for the largest game. Ammo for it can be found in any of the stores in town. Even some of one's hunting partners have ammo for these three one can use in an emergency.

Since "Alaska bears" were mentioned, you can bunch me with the group of hunters who use heavy-per-caliber .338 bullets.

Sooo, the only big game rifle I have is a Ruger M77 MK-II in .338WM, topped with a matte Leupold Vary-X III 2.5-8x. The stock is a Hogue Rubber-Overmolded.

Well, this explains why I keep hitting people. When I yell "four", it means nothing to them. I'll start yelling "fore", maybe that will help. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Anyway, in response to the original post, I would have to say a 340wby/338wm is/are probably optimal. I would have to give a shootability tilt to the 338-06 or 35 W.

"Four I guess I should of said two"

Ok movie buffs where is this from?

Mark D

This topic comes up from time to time and it requires a compromise. Now if one does not have the money for more than one gun thats ok with me. We all have to start somewhere. Around here the standard has been the 30-06 for the last century so there is nobody alive who thought of that first.

I got my first 30-06 around 1954 and found it good. When the Featherweight 06's came out they got even better. That was 51 years ago so there is nothing new here. It's as if someone here just discovered a 22" 30-06! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

So I would use what was optimum for the game and distance to shoot. Over again Kutenay has suggested rounds like the 338 WM where there is dangerous NA game about. So a prudent person would use a similar round in that land.

For woods hunting in the East other guns are best and for long range here again others. Thats what a sportsmans battery is for. To each his own.

So there you have it, the 30-06 Springfield is still the best first choice, but it's not optimum for all situations.

I've had mine since 1994.

Winchester 70 FWT pushfeed 30-06 converted to blind magazine, in an old slim HS fiberglass stock, Weaver bases/rings. Goes 6lbs. 4 ozs. empty without scope.

With the right bullets it could do anything I would ever feel like doing in N. America.

Boy...tough question.

I think there are actually a few good solutions.

Obviously, the old '06 is a good solution. The 300 WM is also a good solution, as well as the 300WSM.

Personally, I think the 338WM is a bit too much, but I do think the 325WSM would be an outstanding choice.

Mark,

Caddyshack

Put another vote in for the venerable '06!! My custom Penrod lefty M70 is my go to rifle.............. I have recently purchased a lefty M70 in 300 WSM that I look forward to taking on her maiden voyage this weekend!

I could never sell my stainless lefty M70 in 338, especially now that I have a Shilen tube on her and a Bansner stock...I'm in love all over again.

Then, my final rifle is my Wff Hein in 7X57, hopefully I will have her in my sweaty palms soon!

No more fussin', cussin' and throwing money away.......'tis simply time to hunt!

Brad,
Finn also inspired my big game rifle. It is a Beretta Mato in 30-06 witha Burris Signature Select 3-10x40 scope with Talley QD rings and bases. I still need to add iron sights and a spare Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40 scope. Finn later replaced that rifle in the picture with another Mauser in 30-06 with a Clifton stock with a built in bipod and a Leupold 2.5-8 Vari-X III scope.

If I could only use one rifle it would be my M99 in .308. Nothing fancy, just a good dependable round in a good dependable rifle.

My father told me about a fella in the B&C books ( Granvil Fitz?)
That shot everything in North America with a Sprinfield "06 and a fixed low pwer scope.
Sems to have been working for eons !
Many of the newer calibers would do just fine, it would come down to personal preferance, for sure.
Cat

Grancel Fitz wrote for Outdoor Life, and was a legend, like Herb Klein. Some of his stories are collected in books put out by Outdoor Life.

Savage: I agree with you, but for me it's not really a question of having money or not to only use one rifle. I have found that the .338WM can handle any of the game I hunt in Alaska, from deer to bison and the bears in between. It just happens that the first rifle I bought was a Ruger .338WM, and I became accustomed to it. However, I would be perfectly happy with a "Legend" from D'Arcy Echols, as long as it's a .338WM. In fact, that's my dream rifle.

If I had a Legend, then I would use that rifle for all my hunting, and turn the Ruger .338 into a .375 Taylor just for the fun of it.

.300 H&H 'cuz I own one.

I have the book, quite a coffee table paperweight. I have mixed emotions on the subject book but he did it all, with the 30-06, without the benefit of some of the better bullets available today. As a matter of fact, he used the same bullet and handload for all of the game. I think it was 165 grains, probably a nosler partition.

I'm pretty sure he used the Nosler Partition for all the game, but he definately switched weights. He used the 165's alot, but he also used either the 200 or 220 for the larger and more dangerous game.