If you could only have 1 rifle & 1 caliber (cartdrige) to hunt everything from coyoties-deer-sheep-elk-moose and everything in between what would it be. Now I'm not really going to limit myself to 1 rifle, but I want your opinions if I were to use only 1.
I don't plan on hunting grizzly and brown bears but I want to be ready if I had a "run in" with them.

1. What caliber (cartdrige)

2. What rifle ( ie. rem 700, win 70)

I like the looks of the WSM's and RUM's as well as the classic magnums, I do want to stay at 30 caliber or below, maybe a

thanks ben

Welp, I love the .300 Winchester, and I have quite a few customs built on Rem 700s, but if could only have one, it would be:



A Winchester Model 70 in stainless chambered in .30-06 in a McMillan pre-64 Monte-carlo pattern, with Talley QDs and a Leupold VXIII 2.5-8x36.



Rick

30/06 w/24"bbl

Action? Either a Rem 700 or Win 70


MtnHtr

Ben,

I have been using my Steyr Scout in .308 Win to fill this role since '98. (I also have taken it to Africa for 4 hunts.)

I have changed the scope from the low-power fixed mounted forward of the action to a low-power variable over the action as I find that to be a more flexible hunting configuration. I favor the 1.5-6X40 (or 42) format in the scope.

Since I got this rifle and hunted with it I have been selling rifles. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

jim dodd

Seems like I'm the only one around here unduly paranoid about preserving his ears (I need 'em for bird watching).

So I figure a 26" worked-over Ruger No 1 (in which action type such a barrel length is not overly long) with backup iron sights installed. Not particular about the scope as long as it ain't too large and can take some hard knocks, probably 4x or less.

Caliber .308, seems about like a .30-06 and there's all that cheap surplus ammo one can keep cached (I'm also a closet survivalist <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />).

Birdwatcher

Remington 700 (pre lawyer lock) .30-06 with 180 grain Partitions. So generic that it should come in a white box with stripes marked "Hunting Rifle". Top it off with a Leupold 6X42 and the rest is practice, practice, practice! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

When I contemplated this very question for myself and others about 25-30 years ago, I came down to these two cartridges �
� for "all-around" use on game that might occasionally include elk, the .280 RCBS (.280 Remington "improved" with 30� shoulder)
� for "all-around" use on game that definitely and often includes elk and sometimes larger game, the .338 RCBS (the .280 RCBS necked-out)
� both, of course, in economical or fancy custom Mausers.

Since then, I've designed two cartridges* that improve the interior and exterior ballistics of both of the above cartridges, but nothing that I've seen, heard about, or handled persuades me that there's a better choice than a well made Mauser unless it's a well made Mauser-M70 cross.

*the .280 and .340 Howell

Vegas-Short of the Big Bears the old .270 would be my pick.But I, like Rick am a .300 fan and have a .300 Win Mag.But for Coyotes up and the most likely largest Elk or Moose the .270 just works with the right bullet and accuracy and kicks much less than the .300 or the .338.

But one caliber for me and what I hunt...It is the .300 Mag from ground squirrls to whatever..Know pain know gain... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Jayco.

It would be my 30-06 on a Springfield action with a 24 inch barrel. I would be quite content to use the 200 grain Nosler at 2700 fps in bear country if I happen to be there. If I need two rifles I would simply add a 375 H&H. I know, I'm a hopeless nostalgic who loves classic cartridges. Experience have taught me they work fine. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Standard Ruger #1; 7 x 57.

Well, if I could only have one for all North American hunting, this would be it :


Rem 300Win Mag, Micky Mtn rifle stock w/Ricasso paint job, Leupi 4.5x14x40mm matte

Tony

If I had to get by with just one, I think a .270 WSM in a stainless short action M70 or A-Bolt, would fit the bill for my needs.

Sako Finnlite or Kimber 8400 Montana 300WSM, Swarovski 3-10 PH

-Powerful enough for anything
-Light enough to carry all day
-No worries stainless
-Accurate enough for long range
-Scope good in low light
-Ammo becoming more available and of excellent quality

.................DJ

A blued Walnut Model 70 in 30-06 with a 24 inch barrel.
The rifleman's rifle.

Either the 308 or 3006 in a Ruger No.1 with the 26 in barrel.
But there wouldn't be any flies in the ointment in the 7x57,270, or 280 either.

This is what I chose for the All-Arounder.

Browning BLR, 308 Win, 2.5-8x36 Leupie (VX-III).

I am still searching for the ultimate load for it, but 168 grain XLCs at 2750 fps seem to be winning the contest right now (1.25 inch groups, quite consistently).

Based upon JJHack's reports, expect to pick up a box of 165 gr Interbonds for further testing.

BMT

Hands-down it would be a stainless/synthetic Ruger M77/MkII in 30-06... ammo available world-wide and can handle any job in the hands of a skilled rifleman.

Reality since 20 years:

Blaser over/under rifle/shotgun combination with hand cooking device (you carry it loaded/uncocked completly safe, cocking is a cinch - like disengaging your O/U Shotgun safety slide)
topped with 2 switch mounted scopes:
1. Zeiss 1,5-4x18 for day use and close encounters
2. Zeiss 2,5-10x52 for dim light conditions.

top barrel: 12 ga. (mostly shooting #6 spreader loads but a 600 gr Brennke slug is excellent bear medicine!)

lower barrel: 8,5x63 R
The 8,5x63 R is in fact a rimmed 338 /.280 40� impr. (there is a non-rimmed as well). The 20 year old wildcat of mine is CIP approved, eventually reaching German industry standard (all major firearms manufacturers like Krieghoff and Blaser take orders)
Many bullets from 150 gr to 300 gr print to the same PoI, velocity range (if you want to) is from >3500 m/s 150 gr to 2500 fps/300 gr.
On five continents with this rig we took anything from doves to ducks and from bucks to buffs and from roe to rhino (got my best pronghorn with it, in eastern Wyoming at 385 Leica measured yards).
Regards
RD
PS: On trips in the hundreds we never had trouble at police or customs concerning "wrong headstamp" (cases are fireformed from 7x65 R).

If I ever have to decide on just one rifle, for North American game, it will be my Ruger #1 chambered for .280 RCBS.

As much as I love my Weatherbys, the Ruger .280 seems to combine good barrel length, simplicity of function, and a cartridge that achieves near-7mm Rem. Mag. performance with far less powder. Recoil is so manageable that it is of no concern.

The rifle is mounted up with a Leupold fixed 6-power scope, again for simplicity. The only drawback is that you have to fire-form cases- come to think of it, that just means more time at the shooting range, not a drawback at all!!

Kodiak bears and prairie dogs? One rifle for all North American game? That might be a fun fantasy to kick around but let�s get into reality for a moment. No one in their right mind would want to shoot all day in a prairie dog town with a cartridge suitable for Kodiak bears. And I am pretty sure I don�t want to hunt bears with a prairie dog rifle.



So forget about the �one rifle� concept. That�s just something the gun writers and editors stir up now and again when they don�t have a new idea to write about. The entire subject is as lame as the old 270 vs 30-06 debate at best. One the bad side, it misguides new hunters into some poor choices for their first rifle purchase.



The idea of owning only one rifle that can do it all is very tempting to a young hunter on a tight budget and I fell for it myself when I started. What I ended up with was, at best, a compromise. I had a rifle that worked fairly well for mid sized game and performed poorly on game at both ends of the �North American� game spectrum.



I�m sorry to say that I no longer have my first rifle. It was a good rifle but the cartridge was not suitable for the high volume of shooting involved with varmint hunting and all the practice I needed learning to shoot. It lost its luster for me long before it�s barrel gave up the ghost.



Owning one rifle to use for all North American game makes as much sense as trying to play 18 holes of golf with only one club.



BTW - if one is serious about hunting everything North America has to offer you are going to need three rifles. One for the little varmints, one for the big things that bite back, and one for the critters in the middle.

Thanks for all the input guys! I was thinking Rem 700 in 30-06 or 300 win mag myself.

Prairie Dog Shooter
Who ever mentioned anything about shooting prairie dogs all day, maybe you shoud go back and read the original post again!

I'd agree with PDS.............simply a worthless discussion with no practical answer. Nobody that can afford high dollar ($10K) hunts like sheep, grizzly, brown bear etc. needs to worry about having just one gun.

I also agree that the three rifle battery is most sensible.

Pure Varmint....................................223
Dual Purpose (Elk capable)................260
Big stuff (if you ever need it).............30 or 338 std or mag (that part doesn't matter much)

But.......to answer the impractical question............30-06 22" bbl, 4x or 2x7 scope, action and handle of choice.

JimF

Nope.

Read the first line in the post that started this thread: IIRC, coyotes are both much bigger and less numerous than prairie dogs. And moose, in my experience, are a lot easier to stop or kill than brown bear.

The proposed concept makes a lot more sense � and is a good bit less susceptible to ridicule � if you quote it accurately and answer it honestly.

See below. I'd choose my 51FN as first choice. Second would be a CDL then M70. I would definately choose a 24" barrell, just because..... My $.02, capt david <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Another 30/06 vote!(yet another)

Ammo is available everywhere,and easy to reload for(plus the "lite mag" ammo which puts it into the 300 H&H class; what's not to "love"?)

Sometimes we forget; before the "mag craze" this "ole workhorse" killed it all and very well IMHO; with new powders and bullets NOW available it's only gotten better!

Certainly others would also work; but none better IMHO and you'd have to wonder about ammo being available ANYWHERE you'd use it???

Add to that; IF so inclined you can load some Hornady 110 grain spire points in front of some fast pistol powder and even go after really small game also! Try that with most others(yes you could also do it with the .308...but not most others) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

To *ME* that's as versatile as you can go IF you're limited to ONE rifle only....

Well, here's a guy who opted for a plain ol 'Marlin .45-70 levergun and took it to Africa, where he used it on most everything...
http://www.garrettcartridges.com/lupoindex.asp

I think you and PD are underestimating the appeal of the "one gun" concept, recall all of those folks who have happily anted up $2,000+ to own a Steyr Scout Rifle, usually in .308.

Allow me to state the obvious; when it comes to hunting folks don't always choose what works best, often they limit themselves on purpose.

Shotguns are legal for moose and elk in most places and a guy with slugs is no worse off than most guys with muzzleloaders and better equipped than most archers. Surely there must be someone somewhere who has opted to go after all sorts of game with shotgun slugs.

Along these general lines, how about the Winchester Mod 1300 "Camp Defender" for the ultimate "do everything" firearm?
Eight round 12 guage pump, 22" rifle-sight smoothbore barrel that takes screw-in chokes, including rifled ones.

Doves anyone? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Birdwatcher

I guess I read the post title.


Lots of critters fit that catagory.

An Echols "Legend" 300 Winchester Magnum topped with a Leupold VXIII 3.5-10X40.

Chuck

The old tried and true .30/06 is unbeatable for an all arounder. The Rem 700 action or the Win 70 actions are a matter of preference. The ammunition options in factory or handloads today are the key to it's universal do all status. It's all it ever was and more these days. It takes a rifleman of extreme ability to ever say that he can actually do all the .30/06 is capable of in a decent rifle. AW

My vote goes for my MAUSER M-98 in 7x57 topped with a Leupold 6x42 using Barnes 190 gr bullets.
That combo has been my go-to rifle for 20 years.
Don

I'll second Chuck Nelson's entry. But since I unfortunately don't own a legend, I'll go with my 300 Weatherby. jorge

Of the rifles I already own, I would have to choose my 1963 Browning Safari chambered for the .30-06. If buying new today, I would pick a Winchester Model 70 in .30-06.

uh! Winchester Model 70 Classic Compact in 300 Savage.

The listing of coyotes brings a grin to my face. I remember a neighbor who tagged along with me on one of my coyote hunting forays. We stopped to make call and he uncased his 300WTBY! Did a great job if one could stand the muzzleblast!!!! (I wore ear plugs, thank God!) Then there was the fellow who brought along his 7RM stoked with factory Federal Premium Trophy Bonds!!!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />



MtnHtr

The rifle is really easy.......Winchester M70

The cartridge is even easier........30-06!



Huntr

Win. Model 70

7x57mm

Leupold VX-III 1.75-6x32mm

If custom then a 30-06 built on a M700 or M70 action, 24" barrel, syn. or lam. stock, quality 4X or Leupold VariX-III 2.5-8. Of the shelf a Rem. M700 or Ruger M77MkII in 30-06 or 280 with the same glass. 165-180 gr. partitions or a bonded bullet in 30-06, 150-160gr. of the same for the 280.

Hmm - mine is a stainless LH Model 70, in .30-06, in a McMillan Monte-Carlo pattern (their Remington BDL pattern) with a Leupold VX-III 2.5-8X36, except mine is mounted in Leupold Dual Dovetails. Does it count that I have Talley QD's on my other stainless M70? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Once again, proof positive of an intelligent man - he agrees with ME! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I'll go with the 1963 version .300 Winchester Magnum for all N. American hunting. It'll do all that the .30-06 will do and a good deal more, yet recoil is still moderate, and you can get by with a 24" barrel and still achieve full velocity. Ammunition is widely-available as well, and it's an extremely easy cartridge to work with in all respects. I've used the .300 Win. Mag. from Alaska to Mexico on everthing from Coues deer to moose, and just about everything has folded to one shot on the spot. Even though I own quite a few rifles chambered for various cartridges, I stick with the .300 Win. Mag. for probably 90% of my hunting.

As Chuck indicated, an custom Model 70 from D'Arcy Echols in his McMillan-stock 'Legend' format, if you are willing to shell out the money for one, is just about as good, accurate, and fool-proof as an "all-around" big game rifle can get.

Actually, there are a lot of cartridges that would work extremely well as a one-gun solution for N. American hunting.

Jim Carmichel said it best:

"There is no shortage of all-purpose rifles. Where are the all-purpose hunters?"

AD

I'm going to buck typical responses and say my do everything gun would be a Remington 7600 rebarreled to 338/06. Kahles 3X9 with a TDS reticle in Leupold QD mounts. I believe that rig would be capable of all that might be required in North America and most anywhere else, without deference to caliber requirements on the dark continent. I don't have one yet but it to be my first truly custom gun I hope to begin very soon. Good luck on your quest!

The rifle would be easy, a Model 70 Classic Super Grade. The caliber would be easy too, .338 Win Mag.

I'll go with my 700 LSS mountain rifle in .338-06, with Leo 1.75X6.

Due to circumstance and $$ I'm currently in this situation and am using a Ruger MKII SS/lam in .338 Win. Biggest thing I've chased or will be chasing this year is cow elk, so I feel adequate. Right now I'm using 200gr BTs at a shade over 2900fps for everything, but will work up a more appropriate (225-250gr) load if/when anything larger will be chased.

I'll eventually add a lighter/smaller chambered rifle for the middle ground and will finish a .223AI I've got started to round out my three gun AMEX battery. Not that there won't be others tried and moved on, but I want to have a varmint, middle game, and big game (by NA standards) rifles at all times.

I would not feel undergunned at all with my ruger 7X57 RSI.

It has a short barrel, handles fast, and has acceptable ballistics.

And irons, as well as scope bases.


Catnthehat

One rifle, 70 Super Grade.
One cartridge, 264 Win mag.
One bullet, 130 TSX at 3,400 fps.

Not sure how many times I've seen a similar inquiry..:)
I guess I'm sort of a practical fellow and so my answer would be based on the type of hunting, shooting and reloading that I am ABLE to do and afford.

I'm probably not gonna get to hunt big brownies or polar bears..too many things ahead of such a guided trip.
Not into shooting prairie dogs and there are no woodchucks in Oregon..(a few rockchucks)

May not hunt moose again, as they don't come into town and Canada or Alaska is only a daydream for me for a guided hunt..

So I'm left with Roosevelt elk, blacktail, black bear, lion and coyotes and upland birds..:) a limited time to hunt them and short restrictive hunting seasons..Shooting distance in western Oregon is seldom over 250 yards.

Looking at my small selection of rifles and cartridges I see that I have three calibers in about 7 rifles..30 cakliber and slightly under..The rifles are all over 50 years old..
What do I take afield?
What do I enjoy practiceing with?
What can I shoot/reload for with good accuracy?

I ain't telling ya..:)jim

I think if I had to choose only one rifle for all North America hunting and only one I would choose a .300 RUM. I think this would do it all plus some.

I wouldn't be to quick to condemn the "one gun solutuion" - some world renown trophy hunters have chosen to do just that.

It's not that they can't afford more guns, it's that they chose to do it all with one gun - one they know like the back of their hand. I think it's a fine goal.

For me, I'd use the model 7600 Remington Pump in 30-06.

The 110 grainer's are fine for varmints - the 220 grain Noslers or 200 grain Barnes X's will penetrate the biggest Bison or Brown Bears end to end. Plus, you have the added flexibility of having different clips in your pocket - depending on the need at hand. You also have the ability to shoot repeat shots (if necessary) very quickly - without taking your eye off of the gun's stock. I've found that fast repeat shots are far more intuitive and easier to do with a pump action than they are with a bolt action.

I think such a gun is the finest chice for one gun shooting that I can imagine. My father used such a combination for three decades for shooting everything from the heads off of bluegrouse - to defending himself from some very ill-tempered large grizzly's wanting to steal his moose or his salmon.

He was so deadly with it, because he shot the gun so much that he new the trajectory at any range he saw game - without ever even having to think about it.

I think the "one gun" solution is an idea with merit.

I have it! A Finnish Tikka M-91, second generation with unstepped barrel. Ammo is cheap and I have a ton of it. Noise is minimal for a full size rifle. Velocity is maximized due to the long barrel. Balance is perfect, negating weight problems. Accuracy is on par with any standard modern hunting rifle. 2MOA with Ruskie ball, 1 1/2 MOA with handloads.



The 7.62x54R favors heavier bullets and handles them better than the .30'06. It's easy to reload and pretty easy to find locally. The 203 grain standard heavy load has excellent sectional density and is good for moose, black bear and brown bear. Lighter loads are good for Sitka deer and sheep. FMJ loads work well for smaller game and fur-bearers.



The Tikka M-91 is built like a tank and the design thrived through one of the most intense conflicts in human history--the Winter War. I'll take it any day over your Remchesters <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Well, there ain't such a critter. A CF 17 T/C Contender carbinefor the coyotes and other fur bearers and either a 308. 30-06, or 338-06 for everything else. I'd like it in a syn stocked M70. Add a 22lr, probably a 10/22 maybe a Savage LH bolt.

Wow, with all the sucks fans on this site, I'm suprised at all the Model 70 votes. I have never been a fan of Big Green so I would have to say Model 70 in 300 Whinny.-Mike