Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles The PERFECT woods loafer's rifle from rabbits to deer?

One rifle to do it all... Hmmm, I always thought about a handgun/rifle "loafing ensemble", where the handgun was a lightly loaded 41 magnum for the squirrels and bunnies, and the Marlin lever action 41 maggie would account for the bigger stuff.

Wow, I didn't think anyone used 25-20's any more. My Aunt used on to hunt deer back i the 60's and 70's. She was of small stature, but she did eventually upgrade to a 30-30.

Of my rifles I'd have to say my 94 swede mauser, someone sporterized it before I got it. It has an old redflield aperture sight with no stock irons. I'd have to concur with the gentleman above about the over and under savages, mine would be .22 mag and 20 gauge since it's the largest I've seen. That new taurus Judge carbine would fit the bill as well.

http://www.shootingtimes.com/longgun_reviews/ST_shotshow2010day1_011910WO/index1.html

Combo guns would be nice but I like the pistol/rifle combo. A .22 handgun on the belt and a light Marlin Lever carbine in the hand. Could be a 357 or 44. The .22 pistol for plucking birds, squirrels, bunnies. The levergun for anything larger. If only one, then I would stick with the rifle. Nowadays as a woods loafer it is not just potential game you are looking for but the potential for protecting yourself should also be considered when making your choice.

My vote goes to a Rem model 7 in 308 under a 4x scope. With ball ammo it remains very accurate & with 180 gr Fail Safes, pretty dangerous. Never shot any of the saboted 22 Accelerators, but they might round out the picture. What would it not work for?

So when you fellas are out hunting deer and you see a rabbit or a grouse do you shoot it?
That makes no sense to me..

My .357 Max Handi Rifle....I can shoot .38 Specials for small game.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...26/357_Max_Handi_at_25_Yards#Post3712226

1. Not that well as some rifles when unloading a hot chamber.
2. Birds if they fly.
3. Rabbits if they run.
4. Squirrels in a tree.
I could think of some more relevant to the woods roaming that I have done in VT and nearby states.

As others have mentioned the season and what game is up at bat matters much. For general use I like a drilling. Its shotgun barrels are the equal of any for upland game and the one I have rifled in 8mm is good for medium game.

A combination gun would be very good also. Whats also fun is just getting the most out of what you have with you. It might mean passing up some shot.


7 pounds, 24" barrels, 4X Hensoldt, 1X Weaver.

Savage, the drilling is sweet!

For the northeast a Winchester 92 comes to mind..or a Savage 99 in 250-3000.

..another is that cute little bolt action CZ makes chambered for 7.62x39.

A M94 30-30 with factory stuff and squib cast loads for turkeys,rabbits and grouse may be as good as it gets...

For real north woods climbing I like an old Ruger .45 Blackhawk. I load it up with hard cast Keith type bullets in my avatar. I carried that gun a lot out of the camp.

Always a thought that a bear might be there and the season used to open in April. Most of what I shot was easy like a porkupine.

The drilling is king for the fall up north when the grouse are open and the ....

You should get one. Make sure it comes with a scope in claw mounts.

What do you have to protect yourself from when you're out loafing in the New England woods? Guys growing pot or cooking meth?

Jeff

Jeff, Other savage collectors!!! Don

Short barreled model 7600. Low power scope.

I can see your point on that matter.

Jeff

Win 94, .25-35.

Always wanted either a 25 Copperhead or a 7mm TCU for a little of everything gun. Small enough with cast bullets a low speed it for small game and enough zip for deer with jacketed bullets.

In a small action like a CZ 527 or Rem 7 with a Leupold 4X or 6X compact a light synthetic stock it would be a handy and useful little rifle.

I don't really big and small game hunt at the same time but I suppose if I was to choose a rifle for that it would be an 18" Contender carbine in 6mm TCU.

I like my Marlin 94, 44 mag, but I am really tempted to build a nice handy little Swede bolt to so a little of everything in the next year or two.

I like a .22LR most of the time it is good enough. There is not really a time here in PA that I can hunt "everything" at the same time. So if it is Deer rifle season then I carry a suitable caliber rifle. But if it is not then I carry a .22LR or a shotgun.

If I had to choose from an existing rifle in my meager collection, it would be my Winchester M94 in .30-30 Winchester.

In stainless.............