Im doing it. Im going down to ONE gun

C

c.t.smith

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Well ok two. Im keeping my stainless .22 t bolt and selling the rest to buy THE ONE.
THE ONE needs to be stainless and in a common .cal
needs to have open sights and scoped
needs to be carried in hand, on shoulder and on a saddle.
needs to be able to take most all game cleanly and protect against wild critters

My choices so far are: Ruger scout in .308
Browning BLR stainless in .308 (the hog stalker)
Marlin in 45-70 or 30-30
Ruger #1 in 45-70 or 308
Kimber Montana in 308 (I know no irons)

Im also trying to stick to a short action cal hence the 308 and not a 30-06
What are your opinions on my choices and what would you recommend. Any silly remarks that im a idiot are gonna be ignored.
Most of my small collection are spoken for privately but I do have a marlin 444p and a 50cal hawlken replica left that will be put up on the EE soon inless you can give me a good reason to keep ONE.

Thanks guys
 
If you figure you can get it all done with one caliber then good on ya! My only suggestion would be to get 'the one' in a most versatile and premium fashion possible. To me, I would consider the Sako 85 Bavarian carbine in .308. That would be the most versatile caliber on your list, with the most versatile platform (Irons and detachable rings of course), in a premium rifle.
The advantage of being a one rifle guy is that you'd know that kit like it was a third arm.
 
My vote on your list is The Browning BLR stainless.
But my recommendation would be to find or make a Marlin 308 SDT. Not a common cal though.
 
If you're only going to have one firearm I would not get it in a .45-70 or a .30-30. They are great bush cartridges, but their poor ballistic performance limits their versatility.

The .308 would be a good choice, great in the bush, and has the ability to take game at any normal hunting range.

Of your list I would take the Montana. It is a no nonsense hunting rifle with quite possibly the best factory trigger in the sub $2000 bracket. If your rifle is taking such regular beatings that you really need irons than the wood stocked rifles in your list would be beaten to splinters by the treatment. I dropped my Ruger M77 MkII (heavy rifle) down a scree slope when I slipped hunting sheep. The scope (Zeiss Conquest) took a hit right to the objective bell and put a gouge in it. Tested it the next day and zero was still dead on and it functions flawlessly even today. It really shows how rugged and reliable today's scopes are.
 
GMC403 said:
My vote on your list is The Browning BLR stainless.
But my recommendation would be to find or make a Marlin 308 SDT. Not a common cal though.
Click to expand...
Yes I was looking at the 308MXLR and cutting it down but im tired of always hunting for brass. I know if I found 100-200 id be set but...
 
Kimber montana. It is the most conventional of the group..
Also, I question how often people need both open sights and a scope on a hunting rifle.

Next choice the blr.

Roger scouts are clumsy no? Remember the good old ruger frontier? I wish I got one of those.
 
308 wouldn't be my choice for "the one" at all. Not enough oomph. It'll do, but not do it with aplomb. 30-06 would offer more performance which would be welcome if you wanted to start something with the larger critters available in North America.
 
Hmm, I forsee extensive testing in your future. ;)


I used to have a Ruger GSR. They're quite nice and have quite a few magazine options. 3, 5, or 10 round capacities in both polymer and steel magazines. I'm a horrible shot, but I hear that other people were getting accuracy that only a snob could turn their nose up at. I do think the GSR concept could have benefitted greatly from charger guides, though I hear that they can be machined in by a gunsmith without too much trouble.


They each have their merits, with distinctive features. A BLR takedown in .308 could be very handy indeed. I have a fetish for takedown guns. Easy to clean, maximum options for storage or transport, and they don't take up more space than they need to. I've been wrestling with myself for months to not buy one yet, because I've got some other expenses that need to take priority. Such as getting a vehicle so I can actually get out and shoot more than once every few months.
 
All Chuck Conners ever carried was a large loop Winchester model 1892 44-40 SRC.....and he fared out ok :) , but if you go this route, make sure your Gunsmith installs a set screw.....it's all about the set screw!
 
A semi custom build is not an option? I think a lightweight 700 chambered in a .308 with a trued action and a 22" no 3 contour would be a route I would strongly suggest, put in a nice walnut checkered stock and bedded with a trigger tune, it would seem to fit you need for the "classic" look (judging by your choices), chances are it would out-do the Kimber in shooting capability. (not to say anything foul about Kimber, but a semi custom and tuned 700 would likely blow it out of the water for the same price point) Or are you looking for a strictly factory rifle?
 
I have a Ruger Scout, and would happily recommend it to anyone. It does fill all of your requirements.

The Kimber would be a nice choice as well, and you could have a competent gunsmith add irons if you wanted them.

I've never been a fan of the BLR; it strikes me as being an odd duck, and somewhat off-putting in it's look and feel.
 
I see your logic, my choice of cartridge would be the 308 win. The only other comment I would make would be to include blued walnut in you choices, as it will open up a ton of other choices. I would also stick with a bolt. Model 70, older Husky, CZ. Something along those lines, with floor plate only.
 
If you are stuck on the 308 I would recommend you broaden your parameters a bit and look at other rifles in walnut and blue as well........the rifle that comes to mind here, given your stated needs would be a Savage 99, your choice of DM or solid frame blind mag. Nice flat saddle gun, 308 most common caliber, easily scoped and most are just about as accurate as a bolt gun. You could have the metal done in any one of the several finishes that are impervious to rust and as saddle guns go it is about one of the best. I find they balance much nicer than the Brownings and have smoother, cleaner lines. Mr. Savage knew a thing or two about levergun design. A nice low mounted 6X scope or compact 2-7 and you would have a pretty nice go anywhere do most anything rifle. JMHO given your stated wants.
They have proven themselves to be extremely reliable and relatively inexpensive, which allows you to spend some dollars on a good, rust proof metal finish, mount up a good scope and still keep it to just over a grand all in. Were I you I would give the 99 some serious consideration.

PS.........the 99 is relatively light compared to many other options out there.
 
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