Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles THE rifle?

I might have an opportunity for a used ULA/NULA at some point here, or to have something built. I’ll probably ditch some other, ‘good’ rifles to get one ‘great’ rifle. Thinking 280AI for all-around, or? Light enough gun to like carrying, good enough stock to not care that it’s so light. Accurate, dependable, and something you want to pick up every day for a deer stand or 5-days in the mountains, for everything short of big bears. Suppressor ready is best idea, but might live without it for the right gun.

Anyhoo, question is: would an ULA/NULA be ‘THE’ rifle for that mindset, or some other build?

Years ago, I apprenticed under a rifle builder….but could never afford something like that. I’ve always bought quality firearms, shot a lot, and have some very good stuff. Honestly, never believed in a ‘need’ for a true custom. Still not sure there is any need. Just have a hankering to have one top tier hunting rifle to wrap up the dance over the next however many years/decades God gives me.

I'd stay S/A and 8" RPM 7-08,is without peer. Hint..............

Nula/ULA in 284 Winchester is what is stuck in my mind as being my all around perfect gun. But hard to find and would take selling several others that I might like too much to part with so I still don’t have one.

I could see the 284. As much as I like the 7-08, the 284/280 offer more with heavier stuff, on game… in my mind. I don’t need heavies and fast twisted barrels for my hunting ranges. I need the occasional heavy in something like a 7 for bigger animals. I’d probably lean 308 over 7-08, as well….if I was stuck on a short action. I could always throw a 7-08 or 308 on my Adirondack action, and live with the mag box, as well. That’d work to some degree, also. I have some rifles I like. There is just a NULA 280 AI around that is starting to temp me. I’m not bent on seeing how much I can stuff in an action to have less bolt cycle or 1/2” in length. I’d rather have an 18-20” barrel for suppressor use on a long action than 22-24” of non threaded on a short action. JMO.

I've killed a lot of bears and deer with Savage 99's in 284.

If I weren’t so old and creaky, I’d have a 8” 7-08 barrel fitted to my Heym 98 that’s currently a .308, and go forth and slay…

but I am, so I won’t. It’s a fine thing to contemplate though…. geezer daydreamin’🤔

If "THE" rifle is a NULA for you, get it. For some, it may be a pre 64 model 70, or even a classic model 70 or a Tikka. To each their own in that department. I'll guarantee the Tikka is going to shoot better, but be a little heavier than a NULA, and cost a schit ton less. I have a lot of "THE" rifles in the safe..

If you have an 308win Adirondak I'd reckon that is an very good place to be.

Can't think of a better one-rifle solution. Go for it!

When I put together my "nicest" pre 64 M70 a few years back I chose 280 AI, I have no regrets.

If I were buying (1) "good" rifle, it sure as heck wouldn't be a NULA.

If there’s no ‘why’, there’s usually no ‘what’.

The OP's trying to figure out what one perfect rifle to buy, and you spew some philosophical bullshit!

Oh . . . Wait . . . you are the OP!

You`re going to get 10 thousand "opinions". None will be the answer you`re looking for. Get what floats the boat, and be happy with it.

If you don't handload, the 308 is a solid choice with lots of ammo options.

Just read the comments. I’m okay with someone saying to not lean towards a rifle make, but at least tell me ‘why’.

I’ve kinda always wanted an ULA/NULA, so that’s part of it. If it’s not that, I’d lean more to something 3-lug, for clearance.

That's my kind of "THE" rifle.

Well, I'm not getting any younger so maybe finding a NULA in the cartridge I want just might be the best option. Since getting a full blown custom these days made the way I would like it is something I just don't think I'd live long enough to happen. The rifle would be based on a commercial Mauser action, most likely an FN. Barrel would be 24" with the original 8.25" twist. Wood would be a fine piece of fancy walnut. The components would be turned over to someone like Darcy Echols, preferably him but if too busy to one, to a builder he might recommend. Did I mention that if that were to happen I probably would not live long enough? PS, I'm currently 85 and fighting my way toward 86. What are the odds?????????????? What cartridge? A 7x57 of course.
PJ

Before you sell a bunch of rifles to fund an ULA/NULA, make sure you handle one. The stocks don't work so well for some people, and the rifles themselves have some idiosyncrasies. Also, you're talking about setting it up for a suppressor and yet also taking it in the mountains - those are two different things and should be two different rifles. A regular 22-24" barrel plus a suppressor kinda sucks for everything. But packing even a shorter barreled rifle with a can up a mountain isn't great either, as it's unnecessary weight and if you're worried about your hearing for a single shot at mountain game, a pair of foam ear plugs is a lot lighter proposition.

You'd want to be sure you want a very light rifle (if in 280AI, .308) with a blind magazine.