If you could only have one rifle.... No .22lr rifles please

[Jamesconn]

I know 22 are the most important I know that I have a Henry lever gun in 22lr and I want to get a CZ 455 too, but what would be the next most important rifle on your list not that I have many guns at all currently I'd pick the M1A

I wanted to see what y'all like

[geargnasher]

Marlin 336 in .30-30. The only rifle I owned for many years, and if I can cast boolits for it and reload, the only one I would ever need.

Gear

[Blacksmith]

Thompson Center Encore or Contender Carbine you can get a changeable barrel in almost any caliber you want and any quality from production to custom and the barrels don't need to go through an FFL. It can be a rifle , shotgun, black powder and even a pistol.
Bullberry Barrel Works offers a couple of hundred chamberings:
http://www.bullberry.com/barrels.html

[Ickisrulz]

I'd keep my Sako 75 in .30-06. This can be used for just about everything you can hunt in N. America. Mine shoots cast fairly well. Ammo is available everywhere.

[Dale in Louisiana]

1903A3 .30-06

"But ain’t many troubles that a man cain’t fix
With seven hundred dollars and a thirty ought six.”

Lindy Cooper Wisdom

dale in Louisiana

[beagle]

Think I'd opt for the old M94 winny. Handy, powerful enough and accurate enough and loads of available cases, bullet designs and you can feed 'em almost any kind of powder in some form or another./beagle

[ElDorado]

I'm with you, James. If I had to pick one of mine and go, I think it would be the M1A.

Jeff

[MT Gianni]

BLR pre 81 in 308 Win. Mine has killed everything from moose to ground squirrels.

[greenbud]

living in maine and hunting dense woods with very few shots past 50 yards I would have to say my 32 wincester special lever action with a side mounted scope. Depending on grain it can drop any criter worth eating and the iron sights make it great for taking a deer on the run.

[starmac]

This would depend on the reason that I could have only one rifle.
If it was just that I was, for some reason allowed to only keep one rifle I would probably keep my M99 300 savage.

If for some reason firearms were no longer available and ammo and components were getting scarce it might be my 30/30, but I would have to seriously consider the muzzle loader.

It would be hard to go wrong with a 30/30, 30/06/ or a 308 as ammo is available at any backwoods location you can find ammo, and at cheaper prices than most calibers.

[Kraschenbirn]

Probably my carbine-length M98 sporter in .308. A very 'boolit-friendly' caliber with brass and factory ammo readily available and, perhaps more important, the Mauser is a simple, rugged action with easily obtainable spare parts. Oh yeah, while a previous owner had my '98 drilled and tapped for Weaver mounts, it currently carries a Lyman 48 which enables me tag an 8" gong at 200M with boring regularity. All adds up to a handy, easily maintained, working rifle that wouldn't be disabled by a bad scope.

Bill

[Janoosh]

I'm with Krashenbirn, any 308 short barrel bolt gun would be my choice. I'm playing with a FR 7 and 32 cal pistol bullets now, and don't have to chase any brass in whatever invented scenario. Either that or my Stevens 325 30/30 bolt carbine. I can buy 308 or 30/30 just about anywhere.

[Lead Fred]

I have a tote bag set up with reloading and casting stuff for 45-70.
I can relaod each of the 100 cases I carry 10 times or more.

Id carry it, and a Marlin 1895G guide gun.

http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2012/001/5/3/marlin_1895_guide_gun__450_marlin_by_wolfwing9115-d4l03cn.jpg

[Rex]

30-06, either my son's custom bolt gun or my old Remington 760.

[Jamesconn]

if you had to evacuate from your home and fend for yourself with only what you can carry. Probably never gonna happen but just like the camping trips where you only take what you can fit in a 5 gallon bucket for a weekend.

Im just sayin the M1A seems like a great gun for big game and small if you reload and cast for it, and its great for two legged animals. It is battle-proven it has reasonable capacity and more than enough power to take down any animal on this planet. its also pretty accurate.
Its also AMERICAN!

Its just one gun that can do many things. I'm just askin for what gun you would chose if you had to pick it up and run.

The M1A is the second rifle i am going to buy the first bein a mosin 91/30.

[starmac]

In a case like that, i would be hard pressed not to take my 54.
i have no experience with a smoothbore, but thinking I would like to try a 62 or something of that nature, but the 54 would handle my needs.
In a pinch I could even get by the rest of my years on the components I have on hand for it too.
I would be hard pressed to have to leave some of the others behind though, in fact I just can't see that scenario playing out to where I couldn't at least cache a couple of favorites. lol

[runfiverun]

if i had to pick up and run and do the dirt cave thing.
i'd most likely take my sks.
if the cave had a floor annd i had to fight id would be my ar.
the m-14 and ar are fine rifles but they don't like dirt so much.
if it were home based and i needed to feed/fend my family then an m-14 would be okay, but they are too heavy to carry everyday and do normal things with it slung on your back.
that and there's 5 of us here so ar's for the girls my m-14 for me and one of the sks's for the boy and one for the oldest girl.
i could make things mighty tough for someone if necessary
i could use the ar-30,and the 223 varmint for distance work,and the others for close in stuff.

if i had to do distance on foot and blend in with a crowd occasionally then its 45 colt leverguns for them and the 44 levergun for the me.

ar's would become pretty prevalent everyday fashion wear in this community if it were that serious.
i am also positive that most of this little town would band together and take care of each other rather than scatter.

[starmac]

There is a member on the alaska outdoors site that lives off the land .
He uses a get ready....... mosin for his game rifle. It works for everything his family eats, plus all the game he trades off.

It doesn't really matter what you have or use, as long as you know your rifle and you have ammo.

[Jamesconn]

The mosin is going to be the first rifle I purchase

[btroj]

I would take either my Marlin 30-30 or my Marlin 45-70. Either one gets the job don't quite well.

[Love Life]

M48A Yugo in 8mm mauser.

[Heavy lead]

I reckon I could get along fine with my Tikka stainless T-3 30-06 if I had to for everything.
But that would just stink!

[44deerslayer]

I would take my S&w 629 conceal carry and my win 94 in 44 mag cause its a sadle ring carbine small lite easy to carry and reload for will take small game and big game.

[Lead Fred]

The mosin is going to be the first rifle I purchase

Got one, and it weighs a ton

My 45/70 & ammo bag weigh about the same as just the 91/30 PU

http://www.gunpics.net/russian/m9130pu/pu1.JPG

[lbaize3]

My trapdoor 45-70. You can reload it with a sharpened nail to take out primer and a wooden dowel and a small flat piece of metal to seat a new primer. No sizing needed. Round ball for small game and bigger boolits for bigger critters. Most any powder will do.

[starmac]

The part of the country you are moving to a quick sighting 30/30 woods gun is hard to beat for a rifle.

The mossberg would be more versatile to hunt with, I would change your purchase order, if it was me.
It would have you covered for squirrels, rabbits, quail, ducks, and deer and hogs too, with out lacking for anything on any of them.

[Stephen Cohen]

Well since we in Australia have socialist anti gun government, maybe an M60 then I would have a better chance of keeping my 22, till ammo run out. LOL

[darkroommike]

These one rifle things are kinda silly but I'll play, Ruger Ranch Rifle or CZ 572 in 7.62x39 (which everyone says is equivalent to .30-30). Stick a couple of spam cans under the back porch and handload everything else.

[starmac]

I really don't see them as silly. I have known several people hunt for a lifetime with one rifle.

I on the other hand own several that is pretty similar, I reckon I could be called silly. lol

[Catshooter]

I have found as I get older that the weight of the rifle is more and more important.

I would have to pick between Winchester 94s. A 45 Colt, or a 30-30? Tough call. I've got a Smith sixgun in 45 but the 30-30 shoots flatter. Probably be the 30-30.


Cat

[Idaho Sharpshooter]

My DPMS Panther HB 308 winchester. I own ten MagPul 20rd mags (and ten more ordered and enroute), and over 2500 rounds of SA mil-spec fmj for it, as well and 5000 once-fired LC cases I am slowly processing. Between NOE 311247 and 311365 moulds I am about as ready as I ever will be.

Rich

[Blacksmith]

If you are talking the end of the world type gun only one allowed then it would be a well built 12 gage double barrel side by side with side locks and exposed hammers. It can kill anything from dove to grizzley and be a most efficient food getter, the big game will be gone fast. When the shells, powder and primers are gone a gunsmith or good blacksmith can convert it to a flintlock front stuffer. The double barrel fowling piece was the do all gun for hundreds years for a reason.

[405]

375 HH bolt gun made to my specs... down to the last detail.

[Superfly]

a frickin 105 mm howitzer, You know go big or go home

[DeanWinchester]

I've owned a lot of different rifles. Some I wish I still had. None of which would/could please me and do everything I need/want to do all in one. If ever I find that rifle I will sell ALL of mine and buy three of them on the principle of two is one, one is none....so three must be good to go.



My ishapore comes mighty close. If the action was stronger and the chamber tighter it might ......nope.

[geargnasher]

If you are talking the end of the world type gun only one allowed then it would be a well built 12 gage double barrel side by side with side locks and exposed hammers. It can kill anything from dove to grizzley and be a most efficient food getter, the big game will be gone fast. When the shells, powder and primers are gone a gunsmith or good blacksmith can convert it to a flintlock front stuffer. The double barrel fowling piece was the do all gun for hundreds years for a reason.

Actually, you make an excellent point if we're talking about the usual doomer, SHTF scenario. Might be better to start off with a flinter, front-stuffer in the first place, you'd never have to worry about primers, only keeping the pans dry. A person would be hard-pressed to beat a shotgun just to get something to eat every day.

I was just thinking in terms of things being as they are now, but if I had to sell off everything else or save only one in a fire, it would be my .30-30 carbine.

Gear

[RugerFan]

Assuming a bug-out scenario, I would pick a Rem 700 stainless in .308 or 30-06. Few moving parts, easy to maintain, availability of ammo, amd will kill most anything. (.223 would be tempting as well)

[Bullet Caster]

My personal favorite is my M1 Garand. I like the versitile .30-06 cartridge. You can even load it down enough to shoot varmits.

As reliable as my M1 Garand is, in the bug out, SHTF scenario, I think I'd have to rely on my old smoke pole, Pedersoli .50 flintlock. It don't need no stinkin' primers. It only consumes powder, flints, patches and lead balls. A little bear grease or bacon greese for lube and you're all set.

Now to find more of the holy black locally. Hummmmm...BC

[Whiterabbit]

awesome thread. 7x57 mauser here.

[missionary5155]

Good morning
It is a getting far more possible situation in some parts of the world. Caliber 7.62x51 and 7.62x39 are the only world wide rifle calibers I see down here. All other calibers would be a callenge to find.
That is why you must be a reloader and a castboolits person. After that it will be a bolt or lever action for accuracy but also simplicity and reliability with no gas system. Big enough for 100 yards (preditors) and round ball for up close smallish critters. I would prefer a lever action just in case I need a repeater easily reloaded but ready to fire. But a magazine fed bolt gun would do that but with the necessity of carrying magazines. But magazines are no worse then ammo in a belt or box and ammo change would be real easy. Looks like I need to seriously look into a mag fed mauser action in caliber 7.62x39. Now I wonder how well 7.62x39 will work with 3F ?
Mike in Peru

[x101airborne]

A bolt 30-06. Something with backup irons on it and a good scope.
Purely for this reason.... Ammo. Every wal mart, gas station, and swap meet store has a box of some variety of 30-06 ammo. And there is every type of 06 ammo made. 55 grain accelerators, moderate hunting loads, heavy hunting loads, ball, match, Armor piercing, easily cast for, brass at every gunrange, etc.

[emrah]

Well, if we're not limited to "rifles" per se, but long guns, it would have to be the Rem 870 for me. Target? Check. Small game? Check. Home defense? Check. Rifled slugs for deer? Check. My 28" barreled 870 shoots the Winchester Super X rifled slugs into a small fist-sized hole at 100 yards with just the brass bead up front for sighting. Way more accurate than my Win. 94 Ranger which seems to get out-shot by my 80 year old mil-surps for some reason.

If it's a SHTF scenario, it'd be a toss up betweent he 870 and my DPMS AR-15 carbine ONLY because I can carry WAAAAY more ammo for the AR than the 870. I'd almost still prefer the 870.

Emrah

[SciFiJim]

Hmm. I was thinking my Marlin 1895 in .357. I download .38special with 358156 for small game (squirrels, rabbits, etc) and .357 with the NOE360180WFN for bigger game. Its light, currently carries a scope but will work with iron sights. A pistol caliber, so brass is pretty easy to find. It can be downloaded to .22 levels or uploaded to shoot through any critter in North America. Also, lots of people have that caliber, so trading ammo for other things would be an option.

[GREENCOUNTYPETE]

A bolt 30-06. Something with backup irons on it and a good scope.
Purely for this reason.... Ammo. Every wal mart, gas station, and swap meet store has a box of some variety of 30-06 ammo. And there is every type of 06 ammo made. 55 grain accelerators, moderate hunting loads, heavy hunting loads, ball, match, Armor piercing, easily cast for, brass at every gunrange, etc.

+1

add to that that anything in north american game , can be killed with a 30-06 and it would probably be good for most any other continent also if a little discretion was used

[WILCO]

I wanted to see what y'all like

I'd go with any bolt action in 30-06 with iron sights. [smilie=s:

[gritsngiggles]

The M1A is a very good rifle, I waited a long time for mine. It's heavy, accurate, dependable, sturdy, proven. Lots of ( costly ) accessories, and soooo much fun to shoot. As with moving to any new place, watch your back and take note of places to stay away from. You will find good and bad two legged animals. If you have small critters, keep an eye open for coyotes. Should be pretty good hunting and fishing in those parts. Good Luck

[GREENCOUNTYPETE]

Well, if we're not limited to "rifles" per se, but long guns, it would have to be the Rem 870 for me. Target? Check. Small game? Check. Home defense? Check. Rifled slugs for deer? Check. My 28" barreled 870 shoots the Winchester Super X rifled slugs into a small fist-sized hole at 100 yards with just the brass bead up front for sighting. Way more accurate than my Win. 94 Ranger which seems to get out-shot by my 80 year old mil-surps for some reason.

If it's a SHTF scenario, it'd be a toss up betweent he 870 and my DPMS AR-15 carbine ONLY because I can carry WAAAAY more ammo for the AR than the 870. I'd almost still prefer the 870.

Emrah


my 28 inch barrel does the same with Winchester super x rifled slugs , now if i could only get a mold to make a rifled slug

if a person could only own one gun period , 12 ga is the one to grab
and again like the 30-06 every bait store, hardware store , gun shop , big box store , or gas station that sells ammo will have something in 12ga

the winchester super x rifled slugs in 2 3/4 inch are about as economical as a big game round gets, last box i got was right around 9 dollars from walmart for 15 rounds that figures to 3 dollars for 5 rounds so 12 dollars for 20 , thats right there with the least expensive remingtion corelocks for 30-30 everything else was more on the store shelf

[MT Gianni]

The weight of the ammo is the biggest thing that the 12 or any shotgun has against it.

[Jamesconn]

The M1A is a very good rifle, I waited a long time for mine. It's heavy, accurate, dependable, sturdy, proven. Lots of ( costly ) accessories, and soooo much fun to shoot. As with moving to any new place, watch your back and take note of places to stay away from. You will find good and bad two legged animals. If you have small critters, keep an eye open for coyotes. Should be pretty good hunting and fishing in those parts. Good Luck

My puppy weighs 150lbs my other dog weighs 186lbs I'm the small critter thats why I have guns ;)

I'm lookin forward to the hunting and fishing. I grew up in the valley I'm always watching my back.

[Harter66]

I've this BRNO Mauser ........

With my current hoard of brass,primers,powder and my note book in a 40mm can ,the Mongo/410/hand fed down to GAP length cases should be fine. While I still have some issues to work out it will be a fine end of the world gun . Capable of handling 3" 410s w/ an extended choke/flash hider/brake and shooting scratch BP at something close to 45-60 and strong enough to push up to 45kpsi to knock at the 45 WMs door.

The game changes for combatant survival. I want what the other guy is shooting at me w/so I can help them burn up their stocks so an AR/M16/M4 NATO fitted w/870 or 40mm piggyback. And an M9 on the off chance thins get really intiment.

I know I've put way too much thought into this and I expect the men in black to knock at my door at any moment.

[garym1a2]

AR15, its good on small game and hard to beat for accuracy. Any AR with a decent barrel and free float tube will run sub inch groups all day. Easy to find ammo for it and you can carry a lot of it. Modern ARs are also light weight and very reliable!
Plus they are great for any kind of bad guy problems.