if you could only have one rifle for hunting what would it be?

The thing about this question is that those that actually try to do everything don't need to try it with one rifle. Few even want to. Even if you happen to live in BC where most of the animals can be hunted as a local there's nothing cheap about it.

I know that around hunting campfires that when the caliber debate comes up the guys shooting .300s get a shorter turn than everyone else. It doesn't really matter where you are or what your chasing; once someone drops the .300 bomb you may as well talk about bullets instead. Its pretty hard to pretend that he isn't packing a first class choice. It may even be the ideal caliber for the hunter that wants performance, is an avid hunter and isn't particularly interested in rifles. There's a lot more guys like that than a gun nut would guess.
 
SuperCub said:
Are you a regular international hunter after elephant and buffalo? Do you regularly hunt moose/big bear/bison/etc here in Canada?

Unless you really need a 375Magnum for a lot of hunting that you normally do, I think you would regret that choice pretty quick and wish for a lightweight 270/7x57/280/30-06 class rifle.
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I was referring to the choice of rifle that would be appropriate for all of your potential hunts which in my case does include African dangerous game hunting.
 
quaticman said:
I was referring to the choice of rifle that would be appropriate for all of your potential hunts which in my case does include African dangerous game hunting.
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If that's the case the 375, Holland, Weatherby or Ruger, aren't good enough. 375 is just a starting point. For a similar trajectory with more results on target you need to step up to a 416. That would be my choice, though it would make a crappy sheep/goat rifle.

And that's why these topics suck. As Dogleg said, few people inclined to hunt lots of species are inclined to do it with one rifle. And when you start adding in heavyweights like Bison, Buffalo (either kind), Hippo and Elephant you really can't consider 95% of the rifles that you would use for non-dangerous game.

This topic seems to be a trend, like the glut of "What should my first hunting rifle be" threads from this time last year. Some originality, please.
 
quaticman said:
I was referring to the choice of rifle that would be appropriate for all of your potential hunts which in my case does include African dangerous game hunting.
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I understand that, but unless you do a lot of dangerous or large game hunting in either Afrika or Northern Canada, a 375 is a poor choice for a single rifle. I have owned several 375s over the years, but they seldom see use outside moose season and even there a 270 would work fine.

You seem to be fortunate to be able to hunt in Afrika enough to warrant such a rifle.
 
My custom built small ring 98 wearing a refinished Brno 21H factory stock and bottom metal. Vintage Redfield bases, Leupold std rings, and a nice little VX-2 1-4x20 scope complete the package. Chambered in my favourite calibre, 7x57. All I really need.
If there was ever a fire in my house and I could only grab one rifle, the rest can burn and be replaced (though I would probably also grab my little Swiss 1882!)
 
drilling in 22, 7x57, 12 ga would be fantastic, but if that is not in the cards maybe a Benelli R1 in 30.06..
 
If I were to follow the same logic as most other respondents (choosing one rifle/cartridge combination) it would unquestionably be a .375H&H, probably in a model 70 or a Sako AV. I use the H&H for a lot of hunting...carried one today in search of a Whitetail buck...smoked a coyote with it...and felt not the least bit disadvantaged using it.

But, really, the correct answer to the question ("one rifle") would have to be a switch-barrel for multiple chambering options. A TC Encore would fit the bill if you could be happy with a single shot. A Sauer 202, Mauser 03 or my personal favourite Blaser R93 would be...actually, IS...The Perfect Hunting Rifle.
 
I use to say my Remington 700 Classic in 338 Win Mag which took grouse, gophers, groundhogs, coyotes, deer, moose, elk and black bear.
Now it would be my Remington 700 BDL SS in 280 Remington loaded to over 3000 fps with a Barnes 140 grain TTSX and a Leupold VX-6 2-12.
 
horseman2 said:
I use to say my Remington 700 Classic in 338 Win Mag which took grouse, gophers, groundhogs, coyotes, deer, moose, elk and black bear.
Now it would be my Remington 700 BDL SS in 280 Remington loaded to over 3000 fps with a Barnes 140 grain TTSX and a Leupold VX-6 2-12.
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I gotta ask, were ya out feather hunting? I can't see much else being left of a grouse with a 338wm ;)
 
quaticman said:
As the title implies, if you could only have one rifle for all of your hunting requirements what would that one rifle be? My choice would be my M 70 chambered in .375 H & H topped with a Leupold VX III 1.5 - 6X with Leupold QD rings. You could hunt any game animal in the World with this from coyotes to elephants IMO.
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I do only have one rifle for hunting, and its a m14 ;)
 
Got to go with the Browning X Bolt in 30-06. Yes the 06 has been mentioned before but I seem it always return to it. Not a fancy caliber but one that quietly and cheaply gets the job done. Who can argue with that?
 
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