All around rifle

[JasonYuke]

If it was just one for NA hunting, I would concider the 300 WSM prety well rounded cartridge, as is the 300 win mag.

when I look at Big Game rifle cartridges, I look at them like this (not target uns they do not count)

from .22s-6mms serve a purpose so pic one I like the 243 in this caragory

from 6.5s-7mms well I own most all but I do like the 264 win in this one

from the 30s-338s for Ontario its all equal, but I perfer a 308 or 300 wm range dependant, I will cary a 338 for moose now and then but being practical they all do the same thing I carry a 300 wm or 308 9 out of 10xs but thats me.

Than the 35s-45s well enough said your on your own for this one, I like em all, and are nice but overkill for anything on this side of the pond, unless you need to put the breaks on something quick!!!!

narrow down 3-4 what you perfer than narrow down whats practical, that narrow down the most important, is this, WHAT YOU WANT!

As I think Tod said they all kill, one dead is not better than another dead!

 

[MTM]

Lightweight stainless synthetic 338. Been narrowing mine down lately, but can't seem to get below about 5-6 serious ones and several just because ones.

 

[Moose Masher]

30/06

 

[Camp Cook]

If I had to make this decision and I wanted to stay with the 30 cal I'd go with a 300 Win Mag or 300RUM over the WSM...

Unlike the WSM the Win Mag/RUM's can handle the heavier bullets.

If I was to go to only one do it all rifle/cartridge combo it would be my 375RUM and I would load it with only 300gr bullets (just like I do now) I may switch to the new 300gr Accubonds when they are finally available here from Gamekings for my long range loads though I haven't seen their BC's yet but I'm betting they will be in the middle to high .550 + rating.

 

[todbartell]

I may switch to the new 300gr Accubonds when they are finally available here from Gamekings for my long range loads though I haven't seen their BC's yet but I'm betting they will be in the middle to high .550 + rating.

BC is .485 on the 300 gr AB for 375"

 

[TheTooner]

Stevens 200 in .30-06 with a Weaver K4. Or, if you are on a tight budget, a Lee-Enfield No.4 sporter with a used Weaver K4.

 

[SuperCub]

Stevens 200 in .30-06 with a Weaver K4. Or, if you are on a tight budget, a Lee-Enfield No.4 sporter with a used Weaver K4.

Man, if you're only gonna have one gun, it should at least be a nice one with a good scope.



.

 

[Woodsman]

I own many rifles in different calibers, but I mainly hunt with my M77 in .30-06. Works just fine and holds 6 shots (Yes 6. Not 3 like those short fat wissums). Ammo is cheap and available everywhere. What more can a guy want?

 

[Wild_Thing]

Lightweight stainless synthetic 338. Been narrowing mine down lately, but can't seem to get below about 5-6 serious ones and several just because ones.

How about these specs?

Caliber: .338 RCM (Ruger Compact Magnum)
Capacity: 3 Rounds
Finish: Hawkeye Matte Stainless
Stock: Black Synthetic
Barrel Length: 20"
Groove: 6
Twist: 1:10" RH
Overall Length: 40"
Weight: 6 3/4 lbs
Front Sight(s): Brass Bead
Rear Sight(s): Williams "U" Notch
Other Features: Three-Position Manual Safety

Miscellaneous: Based on a shortened .375 Ruger case, the .338 RCM matches the .338 Win. Mag. in performance.

Uses 10-15% less powder than the .338 Win Mag producing less recoil at similar velocities out of a shorter barrel while extending barrel life.

If they made a lefty version I'd be all over it like a fat kid on a smartie!

 

[JasonYuke]

Man, if you're only gonna have one gun, it should at least be a nice one with a good scope.

AMEN to that!

 

[Camp Cook]

BC is .485 on the 300 gr AB for 375"

Thanks for that info, I was really hoping that the 300gr Accubonds would have a way higher BC then the 300gr Gamekings which are rated at .470 - .480 I guess I won't be needing to switch.

My Rem 700 LSS 375RUM with 300gr Gameking's @ 2775fps muzzle velocity = 3 shot 3" 460 yard groups in field conditions when I do my part and the velocity is still appr 2000fps and 1800fps @ 575 yards.

 

[SuperCub]

My Rem 700 LSS 375RUM with 300gr Gameking's @ 2775fps muzzle velocity = 3 shot 3" 460 yard groups in field conditions when I do my part and the velocity is still appr 2000fps and 1800fps @ 575 yards.

You can shoot 3" groups with a 375RUM @ 460yds?

I'm impressed to say the least.

.

 

[Gatehouse]

Me too! Let's see some pics!

Consistent 3" at 450 yards is very good! While I havent' given the .375 Ruger a real good work out yet with my new stock installed, I'll be pretty much happy with MOA accuracy, which shouldn't be too hard to do.

4" at 400 is still going to kill a moose or bear, and I probably won't be shooting much further than that, anyway.

 

[blargon]

I like to have a back-up rifle, no matter what I'm hunting. My current line-up is .22-250, .308, .338WM. No need for anything else...

 

[BC Bigbore]

I'm seriously thinking of reducing my arsenal to one do it all rifle

That is a serious case of BLASPHEMY mister May the great gun factories of the east put a hex on you! Perhaps a pimple on your trigger finger It's OK to downsize occasionally, but it must be done with intentions of replenishing the stockpile with new interests to remain in good standing with our community of fellow firearm enthusiasts.

 

[bogie]

Asside from the inherent wrongness of having only 1 rifle why would you limit yourself? I hunt a Ruger 77mkII 30-06 ss with a Savage 99c 308 as backup.Taking one gun into the bush is an open invitation for Murphy man. The Chinese say " Luck favors the prepared" and I will take all the luck I can get. Any hardware store outside of Vancouver has ammo for both even if I decide to bring along the 30-30. My varminter is a 223 minimauser and I would be hard pressed to get by without any of them. Still going with the "wrongness" too

 

[X-fan]

Me too! Let's see some pics!

Consistent 3" at 450 yards is very good! While I havent' given the .375 Ruger a real good work out yet with my new stock installed, I'll be pretty much happy with MOA accuracy, which shouldn't be too hard to do.

4" at 400 is still going to kill a moose or bear, and I probably won't be shooting much further than that, anyway.

You can't hit a moose at 400yds with a 375Ruger....Where are your ethics!

 

[todbartell]

if you're gonna shoot a moose at 400 yards, do it right and use a damn 308!

 

[TheTooner]

Man, if you're only gonna have one gun, it should at least be a nice one with a good scope.



.

If you are going to have a nicer gun than a Stevens 200 with a Weaver K4, you are indulging yourself with more than you "need". So then there is no point limiting yourself to just one gun.

 

[LarryG]

If you only hunt antelope/deer/moose/elk/bear, then it's pretty easy to pick one gun: a 30-06 bolt action.
But, if you want to hunt coyotes, gophers, grouse, magpies, crows, ducks and geese with it too, then you'll have to compromise somewhere with 1 gun idea, since .22's and varmint rifles and pump action shotguns all have their place then.
But if you're really keen to do it, only a 30-06 or 308 / 12 gauge combo gun will work for everything, for the purist type of guy. Well that's what I use, and I really like it. But you won't see me hunting gophers with it.
So here's a plug for the good old European combo, with a shotgun scope and a Hammond Game Getter as a general all around, do almost everything gun.