Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Help me go minimalist with my guns

I would keep all the rifles except the Tikka 30-06, based on the kimber being well suited to big woods treks, the 270 b/c it’s a shooter. I would fit a peep on the 94.

For shotguns, I could be well served by an 870 express for turkey/waterfowl and a wingmaster (12 or 20) for rabbit, grouse, and pheasant.

I would definitely acquire a 22 LR. If you must pair down further, sounds like the 1903 and 94 are out because of sentimental reasons, but really the Kimber 308 and a 760/7600 would suite you well for the hunting you do and any future endeavors westward. Pair those 2 with a 22 and you have all you will ever need.

Keep the 03-A3 as it's the most unique one listed, and the Kimber because you seem to favor it as a working rifle. Keep the 1100 and 686, can't go wrong with either. Keep both scopes from the Tikkas, one for the 03-A3 and one for a spare. Lastly, find a way to get your father's 455fs in your safe.

I have no idea about the shotguns. Keep the Kimber and the Tikka 30-06. They strike the same blow and you’ll never have trouble finding ammo.

Sell the rest.


Okie John

Keep the Kimber Montana 308 , and put the Zeiss on it.
Keep your Rem 1100 outfit. I'd prefer a 20 gauge pump outfit, but that is my view, not yours.

Sell everything else. You have NY game covered with the above two firearms. Shoot them as much as you can.

I'd pick up an accurate 22 LR for squirrel hunting. Doesn't have to be premium, just accurate (I like bolt actions). If you want to go chuck hunting a 222/223 bolt with heavy barrel and 6x scope is nice (is Howa 1500 varmint).

Then buy a recurve bow, and have a lot of fun. Southwest Archery Spyder XL 64" amo bow ($150), 30-35# draw weight, some Easton Tribute xx75 aluminum 1816 or 1916 shafts ($3/each at Lancaster Archery), and get "Shooting the Stickbow" by Anthony Camera ($20).

I would do what your thinking except I would treat myself to a Savage 220 slug gun, you already have the scope after you sell the rifles.

I’ve actually been building shooting and hunting with stick bows for about a decade. I try to keep my bows down to no more than a dozen reliable hunting bows at one time. Right now I’m primarily shooting a tri-laminate D/R wood longbow, hickory, hickory, ipe, with rosewood and Osage riser. 66” AMO 45#@26”

Ben,

You could pick up a Rem. 870 with the barrel you want and pick up an extra rifled barrel for a true 'minimalist' set-up. Set up the rifled barrel with a scope or red dot, whatever works for your hunting.

Sounds like the Kimber .308 is working out quite well for you, If it doesn't have one put a receiver sight on the Win. 30-30. The "Remington model 14 in 35rem with a good bore and a rough finish/bluing as a project" sounds like fun, but again... hold off until you find one with a receiver sight (they are expensive if bought separately)... This would duplicate what your 30-30 works for, Sounds as if you like to tinker so do it anyway.

Definitely get a .22LR, action and the brand something you like===> Win. Lever (out of production so kind of spendy), a bolt for accuracy... these days I would look at the CZ 457, or yes a Tikka T1X and a couple of spare magazines. Scope the Tikka T1X (for my use the Weaver 2-7 Rimfire is perfect, made in Japan, quality and on sale at Natchez shooters supply right now) or if a lever get a receiver sight on it. And shoot the heck out of it in the off season, hunt small game if possible in your area.

We've all bought guns for a "Reason", but our needs and circumstances change.

Trip a few and if it doesn't hurt, trip the rest until you get where you feel it is right... It will change down the road and you can change it up again which is half the fun.

YMMV,

Jerry

Keep the Kimber .308 Win. Sell the others and get a Kimber MT .223 Rem.

That’s all you’d really need.

Late tot eh party. I'd push the "Easy Button". IF the .270 is scary accurate, keep it just the way it is, along with the 1100. Sell everything else. Buy a .22 LR that suits you. ANd rock on...

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/galleries/14346440#Post14346440

1903-a3, more pictures to come

I'm in the process of whittling my arsenal down too. It gets tough figuring out what to send down the road. But I agree with what RinB says.


Still, I like the idea of having some backups or alternatives so don't plan on going down to only one rifle at this point.

Based on what the OP says, I'd keep the Kimber 308 which sounds like is his main duty rifle that could really serve as his only rifle if he were to take it all the way down to one. Keep the 1903-A3 .30-06 because of its sentimental value and practical in it's own right, but I question does it still get used? Perhaps a moment of clarity will determine its future down the road. Punt.

Keep the Winchester 94 30-30. It's the classic woods and thick brush rifle for a reason and shooting with iron sights is fun outside of the very dimmest minutes of twilight.

I don't really see the need to keep either Tikka other than one can be a backup for the Kimber .308 if the 1903 isn't getting used for that duty. However, getting rid of it because it can shoot flatter for a little further than the .308 is a moot point since the .308 can shoot further than the 30-30 when 95% of your shots are probably at 30-30 ranges. Send the other Tikka down the road and ask yourself do you really see yourself using the Tikka 270 enough to justify keeping it? The fact it is super accurate is great and argument to keep, but will you use it? Cash is easy to use and far more versatile.

I tend to agree with your preferences on scope magnification since I hunt in thick woods and brush. 8x is more than ample on the top end. I'm not familiar with Vortex but like the configuration and #4 reticle. Wish Leupold hadn't jacked their reticle change fee up. I'd like to try the #4 in my VX-III 1.75-6 and possibly in my 2.5-8 as well. Figure out what scopes you will keep, but I'd advise keeping an extra or two around in the event you have a scope failure or need to troubleshoot accuracy gone awry.

I don't have enough experience shotgun hunting to give good advice there. I really should remedy that.

+2

First world problems.