Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Hunting rifle battery (does anyone actually do it?)

We’ve all seen the threads over the years about the 1,3,and 5 hunting rifle battery, talks about liquidating and building or keeping the good ones. I wonder, does anyone actually do this or is it just fun to think about it? Reason I ask is the last couple of years I have thinned down to very few rifles and shotguns, and while I still haven’t gotten the “battery” to exactly where I want it, I’m very close. Just wondering if anyone else has actually done the same and what rifles/chmaberings made the cut.

Right now I’m down to a pair of cz452s in 22LR and 22 WMR, a pair of light weight 20gauges ( one auto, and one O/U), a 700 in 30-06, a 700 in 375 h&h, and am working to bridge the gap between the 22WMR and the 30-06 right now. After that I’m pretty well set. That’s not to say I won’t buy more, I’m sure I will, but as far as a “battery” goes, it would be complete.

12 gauge pump, 22, 223, 243, 308, 6.5x55

If I ever decided to do it ... all I’d need is my 22 hornet and my 30/06. The rest are simply just for pleasure of owning.

Closing in on it. Down to one LH shotgun and one LH rimfire. Last two LH SS rifles will be a .270 Win, and a .375H&H. A couple wood/blue projects in flight. As stated in other threads, I could hunt everything I really want to hunt with just a 12 ga, 22LR, and .270.

Sold / gifted more than half in the past two years. Apart from the ones mentioned above, everything else is just for fun, and to tinker with. Considering another round of "gifting" to the grand kids rather than sell for the current depressed (and depressing) prices.

I am down to two Montanas, a 9T 223 that spins the 75 A-Max and a quick twisted 243AI. Then lightweight custom M70s in 280 and 9.3X62.

I don't need more rifles, just components and barrels.

I collect get bored move to other cartridges. But I never sell rifles or tools. If I had to pick 3 since no Africa is in the cards it be. 25-06 300 Winchester and 7mm STW. The STW is a absolute wicked round

We’ve got lots of stuff... but only use one rifle for big game, one shotgun for birds, and one 22 RF for small game. Handguns are much more “purposed”! The other assorted stuff, is just used for fun....and will likely be handed down! memtb

KY

I COULD pare down to —
Ruger 10-22

Rem Mod Six, 6mm Rem

Tikka T3 Lite 7 R M

Rem 870, 12 ga



After I’m DEAD !!

I am down to 22lr, 22 Hornet, 7x64 Brenneke.

As far as long guns go, it depends on where and what you may want to hunt. IMHO to cover anything in North America I would suggest:
1) a good .22 rifle
2) a 12 ga. pump shotgun with multiple choke tubes and a second rifled slug barrel
3) an AR-15 in .223
4) a good .30-06 rifle
5) a .375 Ruger or .375 H&H rifle

If you never plan on going after moose or big bears, you could eliminate the .375. If the biggest thing you ever go after are deer, you could substitute the .30-06 for a 7mm-08. Yeah, I know some hunt elk with 7mm-08, but I want a little bigger gun, just my preference. With the above "battery" one would be well armed for anything on this continent or the planet, for that matter.

It seems I am continually trying to whittle down my long gun battery to just what I really NEED but as soon as I sell few guns off I find another gun that "I got to have" 😁, I know all I really NEED to hunt the game I go after is :
1. 22lr
2. .300 Win
3. 12ga
But that is easier said than done and in my mind would be mighty boring with all the outstanding rifles and shotguns we are blessed to choose from.......Hb

If having to reduce the arsenal to only what I need, it would be:
1) 22lr
2) .223 (CZ 527 varmint)
3) 30-06
4) 12ga pump

All the rest are "wants" and not "needs"
And I'm not done yet with the "wants"....

410,20,12,gauge shotguns.22lr.,22mag,22 hornet,223,264 win mag,30-30-32 special,300 win mag.rifles.22 lr,22 mag,25 cal,9mm,45 cal.pistols .

Its like losing a lot of weight. Many talk about and make half hearted or short term efforts and success but only a few get to their goal and then keep the weight off.

Nope, not here. Stuff comes and goes via whim, lust, and occasionally perceived need, never according to any sort of plan. The good stuff stays.

It's a great idea and I admire those of you that do it but my "battery" has turned into an ever expanding arsenal. IF I had to pare down to 5, I'd keep my 12 ga, 22, 22-250, 270, and 338 wm

I cleaned out everything I didn't use a couple years ago...danged if some of it(or similar) didn't seem to wander back.

Most of us WOULD be just fine with a .22lr, a good versatile centerfire(insert your choice and ague about it here!!! ) and a 20 or 12 gauge shotgun. Probably won't ever thin it down that much, but we could.

That was part of the idea of why I built the AR-15 .450 Bushmaster. It should kill anything in north America out to #300yds+ ,and by
Swapping uppers to a long range caliber like the 5.56 to gain range. Though I have several shotguns, i could stick with the 500 with interchangeable barrels, for shot. Slug or sabot, and small game with the Glenfield model 60 .22lr.
There are many guns I would like to have, but this would keep the bases covered. (As far as long guns go)

If I got right down to it the 375H&H is all that is needed. Works on anything on the planet.

No. Unless you consider a couple of 308's and a 22lr a "battery."