The mythical single rifle

[Nick435]

Hi y’all, I’m new here and I was just curious. If you could own 1 and only 1 rifle for hunting for the rest of your life what would it be? Any action, any caliber.

Nick

 

[Newboomer]

Hi y’all, I’m new here and I was just curious. If you could own 1 and only 1 rifle for hunting for the rest of your life what would it be? Any action, any caliber.

Nick

What part of the world are you thinking or are you thinking worldwide? If you mean worldwide, my choice would be a Win 70 Safari Express in 375HH. Otherwise my MRC American Legend 30-06.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

375 H&H. But you have to have 22lr

 

[Opposite Pole]

Hi y’all, I’m new here and I was just curious. If you could own 1 and only 1 rifle for hunting for the rest of your life what would it be?

Early election

 

[nztimb]

A question like that is wide open as there are so many different hunting conditions and areas with varying species so as a first question of a new member it really does need more thought. A rabbit (or squirel) to an elephant is simply not viable hunting with any one rifle.
It may be that the poster has lobbed a grenade

 

[Nick435]

A question like that is wide open as there are so many different hunting conditions and areas with varying species so as a first question of a new member it really does need more thought. A rabbit (or squirel) to an elephant is simply not viable hunting with any one rifle.
It may be that the poster has lobbed a grenade

Ok then let me narrow it down a bit. Hunting for “medium game” so let’s say from American whitetail/impala sized animals all the way up to a eland/moose sized animal

 

[Challer]

In that case .30-06

 

[Joker12]

Ok then let me narrow it down a bit. Hunting for “medium game” so let’s say from American whitetail/impala sized animals all the way up to a eland/moose sized animal

With those limits I could happily hunt with a good 30'06. If I had to be specific about the rifle I would choose either my old Ruger M77 or my pre64 M70 Winchester featherweight.

 

[Adrian]

I too would go for the 30-06 with 180gr bullets.

I would be very happy with that.

It doesn't seem to be that fashionable here in the UK, I'm the only person I know that uses this calibre and I don't know why because it covers so many bases.

 

[Bert the Turtle]

My A-bolt in 30-06 would be fine for the game mentioned and has been used to good effect on both ends of the mentioned spectrum. It was my one rifle for a good while and served admirably domestically and abroad from small whitetail to eland.

These days, I likely prefer my 375 R8, although it is a bit heavier. Travels easier and 375 is better on the big stuff than is 30-06. It is scoped for true all-purpose use with a 1-8 scope as I believe 1x is mandatory for a rifle that may be used scoped on dangerous game. The '06 wears a 1.7-10 with a bigger objective and is a bit better in low light.

If I knew I'd never travel overseas again or in an airplane with a rifle and I knew I would never again go after buffalo or elephant, I'd choose the '06. Since I cannot predict the future and those remain possibilities, I choose the R8. In either case, a projectile from Barnes would be doing the work.

 

[wiltznucs]

I’m actively ISO that rifle now. I’ve settled on the 9.3x62.

 

[Ravensview]

Probably my 7x57 ruger rsi, are there better choices probably but I really like the caliber And the rifle and am comfortable with it and it’s capabilities.

 

[Bert the Turtle]

I’m actively ISO that rifle now. I’ve settled on the 9.3x62.

Just make sure it meets the minimum for any dangerous game in the countries you may hunt. I assume you are considering dangerous game at least once, otherwise, 9.3x62 is generally bigger than most people would choose- not that it won't work- my experience with 404J on plains game convinced me that there is a difference! Whether that difference matters (using an '06 has never cost me lost game) is a different question. If you are considering the 9.3 for use exclusively on plains game, I like your style.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

I am going to choose to view this through the lens of what I already own. The logical choice would be my Ruger 77 in .300 WinMag. The choice I'd want to make would be my Marlin MXLR in .338 Marlin Express.

What I would actually choose? Probably my Savage 24. I can load the .30-30 up or down a great deal, and that 20 gauge barrel is handy.

 

[wiltznucs]

Just make sure it meets the minimum for any dangerous game in the countries you may hunt. I assume you are considering dangerous game at least once, otherwise, 9.3x62 is generally bigger than most people would choose- not that it won't work- my experience with 404J on plains game convinced me that there is a difference! Whether that difference matters (using an '06 has never cost me lost game) is a different question. If you are considering the 9.3 for use exclusively on plains game, I like your style.

I’m looking for a gun well suited to North American and African big game. For Dangerous Game I’ve got the 450/400. I think the 9.3x62 will prove great for anything the States has to offer and most plains game as well.

 

[Corey0372]

AR10 in 308

 

[Newboomer]

I’m looking for a gun well suited to North American and African big game. For Dangerous Game I’ve got the 450/400. I think the 9.3x62 will prove great for anything the States has to offer and most plains game as well.

You are well covered on all fronts.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Has to be the Ruger No1 in 375 H&H, because sooner or later you will want a buff too. And of course it is beautiful!

 

[AjFourie]

I'd agree with Kevin here, something nice and versatile...

 

[cal pappas]

If I was not to hunt brown bear, elephant, rhino, hippo, buffalo and guar then the .30-06.
If any of the above were included then the .375 H&H.