Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 2 Rifles

Edit- I deleted most of this post because it was long winded and a lot of people seemed to be getting confused or just bad reading comprehension.

Here the deal, and to simplify it this time. Everyone is allowed a .22 and a shotgun and all the rifles and pistols you want.
You can have all the specialized rifles you want for dangerous game or varmints etc.

Now you will have two rifles that you use more than any of the others for big game.
First will be for deer size game. Think CXP-2
-The 2nd rifle will handle elk, moose etc Think CXP-3.
If your elk rifle is a 416 that is fine also.
The main idea is you have two rifles that you grab most of the time that you know inside and out. Or it can be one as far as that goes. These two should always be ready to go hunting at any time. Should always have plenty of components/ammo on hand for them at all times.

Two is definitely cutting it too thin for me.
But, within your guidelines.

223 / 5.56x45
338 Winchester

Well if your calling for suggestions I say 223 or 22-250 and a 30-06 or 270. Keep the 243 for the easy nice weather hunts.

223 and 270 would be vanilla

204 and 257 weatherby more flavor

22-243 and 7stw for the looneys

257 Roy’s are a lot of fun, however I’m not a 204 fan so I would have to substitute something else for it.
Cerakoted 243 and a light 257wby or 270 Wby would work. Too many combinations.

243 Win. and 280 Rem.

308/308

I did this years ago, added a couple the last few years but could’ve just as well stayed with the 2 for my hunting. I don’t shoot varmints so no need of a 22 or 6mm. Matched pair of 300Wby chambered custom M70s was and is my pick. Makes ammo simple to keep track of and never worry about different trajectories.

A 308 and a 270mag/300/338/257 etc would work. But if all I had was two 308’s I would probably fall asleep.

I could see merit in similar sporters chambered in 6.5CM and 30-06. I'm not a big varmint hunter, but there are some lightweight options for the 6.5 if needed.

I like that idea but I would want to add a low recoil option. It could even be something with similar trajectory.

It depends on what you hunt. The biggest game animal I hunt is whitetail deer, and the past 5 years, I've been using a 6.5 Creedmoor. I also do a lot of coyote hunting, and use a number of rifles for that, but could get by perfectly with a 223. Actually, I could compromise and use a 243 for everything.

But, to play along here........270 and 223. I picked the 270 in case I ever draw a Kentucky elk tag.

To me a Creedmoor works but it’s like driving a Honda Civic.
For years the only centerfire rifle I owned was a 243 and around here works perfectly. Some days I just want something different.
I would like make a few hunts out west and want to already have a familiar set up when I go.
Im applying for those Kentucky elk tags as well. Those folks are stingy with those tags.

I suppose I could make a big donation to our governor's re-election fund, and maybe he'd pull some strings and get me a tag. On the other hand, I'm hoping that little girly man is going to be a one termer.

I'd go 6.5x47, that way you don't get points deducted for using the 6.5CM:) And for number 2, I'd go 300WM. But it would really be nice to add a 223, a 280AI, a 308, an 06 .....

I’m with James here as I primarily hunt whitetails and my 6.5 creed has been getting the job done nicely the past few years.

I also have a semi custom 280 rem and if I could only choose two calibers it would be the 223 and 280. Eventually I want to get out for Elk and the 280 shines a little more then the creed for bigger game with the ability of using 160’s.

.223 and 30-06. Both in Kimber Montana flavor. Go forth and slay.

A 223 and a 30-06 would be tough to beat

I wonder if little Andy has ever had calluses from work in his life?

I’m embarrassed to admit I even own a 6.5CM. I would be afraid to show up somewhere with one, be afraid I wouldn’t get invited back. Maybe I just wouldn’t mention what cartridge I was shooting.