"Must Have" rifle types in your battery?

[The Kurgan]

I got into a heated (though friendly) exchange with a former colleague today regarding 7 "must have" sporting rifles. We only agreed on #1.

What would be your 7 must haves?

1. Centerfire rifle in a versatile cartridge (for you) with appropriate optic (e.g. 243 to 30-06 to 300 WM). Somebody from Ontario vs. Alberta will likely have a different definition of "appropriate".
-- CZ 557 Lux/Synthetic S in 8x57, NECG peep sight or 3-9x50. Aside from a broad range of handloads, factory ammo ranges from soft (2071 ft/lbs "8mm Mauser") to quite stout (2849 ft/lbs "8x57") especially Euro brands like Norma.

2. 22LR rimfire rifle with optic.
--Tikka T1x, 3-9x40
-- CZ 457, 3-9x40

3. Lightweight stalking ("woods loafing") rifle in a smaller centerfire cartridge (222, 223, 7.62x39, etc.) with iron sights and/or lower power optic.
-- CZ 527 in 7.62×39, factory irons only for me.

4. Lightweight stalking rifle in a medium power centerfire cartridge (e.g. 243, 7mm-08, 308, etc.) with iron sights and/or lower power optic.
-- CZ 557 SA Lux in 243, factory irons, but sometimes w/Minox red dot or 3-9x40.

5. Dependable utility rifle for truck, RV or trunk (SKS, mauser 98 sporter, Enfield sporter, etc.) with iron sights and/or small optic.
-- 1954 SKS

6. CRF dangerous game rifle or higher power lever gun, etc., with great iron sights (take your pick).
-- Henry lever in 45-70, or
-- Zastava M98 factory sporter, NECG peep sight; 8x57 handloads exceed 3000 ft/lbs of muzzle energy and will drop anything I encounter. However, it is still not a "stopper".
-- Someday, I would like a full-on custom M98 chambered in 458 Win Mag, just because.

7. All-weather, do-it-all centerfire rifle in a versatile cartridge for those inclement periods. This also replaces #1 above.
-- Ruger M77 Mk1 in 7x57, custom coated, custom fitted B&C stock, 3-9x40. While I have a broad range of factory ammo stashed away, this is mainly a handloading proposition.

 

[Hmatt]

This checks all the boxes in my safe. Currently deciding on a calibre for the allweather centerfire.

1 - m96 husqvarna 6.5x55 w 4-16x44
2 - ruger rimfire with 2-7x
3 - LSA 55 .243 win with irons
4 - win 94 30/30
5 - Lee enfield sporter .303b
6 - m98 husqvarna 9.3x57 with weaver k2.5x
7 - stainless tikka 7PRC , 7STW or 7remmag (currenty under review)

Edit : added my list. Then changed my mind

 

[wallz]

Nah,

1 and 7 could be one in the same.
3, 4, and 5 could be one in the same as well.

More like:
bolt action
lever action
pump action
semi auto
single shot.
in both centerfire and rimfire flavors.

 

[geologist]

Must be Non Restricted.

 

[Deathrawt]

Anything the govt says we shouldn’t have should be in our safes…

 

[9.3mauser]

1) It would be on a Mauser 98 action. Though my favourite cartridge is 7x57, I'm working on a building a .30/06 that is meant to be my "one gun to rule them all" rifle. Not obnoxiously heavy, not stupidly long, shooting flat enough for antelope or sheep, yet throwing enough bullet for moose or bison.


2) My Gevarm, but without the optic. So reliable, and more accurate than you would ever expect from an open bolt semi auto.
3 & 4) Winchester 94 .30-30 with a Redfield peep. ( the pic shows a Willliams, I've changed it up since)


Runner up would by a Mauser in 7x57, again with a Redfield peep. Just not quite as light and convenient to carry as the Winchester.

5) Truck gun- never saw the need, though the above 7x57 would probably suffice.
6) DGR- again, no real excuse to own one. I had a Parker Hale .458 for a bit, sold it when it seemed like I'd never get to use it in earnest I have a 9.3x62 and a .338, but to my mind they don't qualify as dangerous game rifles.
7) I don't own a synthetic stocked rifle, except for my muzzleloader. I like wood and blued steel too much. If a Kimber Montana in .270 came up at a reasonable price, I might not be able to resist.

 

[iron cat]

I don't hunt with a .22, so all I need is an irons rifle and a scoped rifle .
My Ruger #3 in .303 can do both perfectly. But I also have a Ruger#1 in 280 for ranges past 400 yards.
I have two other guns, a drilling and a Mannlicher Schouenauer in 6.5MS as well, but they can be classed as "extras"
In fact I could do away with the 280 and the other two if I wanted to and do everything from irons to scope out to 350 with the Ruger#3
Cat

 

[Mik123]

I have a stainless coated 30-06 in a syntheitc stock with a 3-15 scope and backup irons that covers everything for me. I could use another 22. My current one is setup for long range.

 

[obsessed1b]

The 7 must have rifles
1 22lr lever action
2 22lr bolt action
3 bolt action 243
4 bolt action 30 06 (class) m98
5 bolt action 9.3x62 carbine m98
6 bolt action 300wm (class) set up for LR
7 lever action 45-70 carbine

22s are for fun and practice
243 is for coyotes/ deer / LR practice
30-06 class ( could be 270- 30-06 or anything in between) regular hunting rifle
9.3x62 is for big critters and DG
300wm ( or 7RM or whatever) set up for longer range hunting/ target
45-70 for hunting elk and moose in tight cover.
Any one of the above would be a truck gun if needed.
243 and LR rifle ( which would have 6x24) would be the only two not equipped with irons
All the others would have irons and mid powered scopes except the 45-70 which i could easily get by with peeps or a red dot.

 

[ShrtRnd]

1, 4 & 7 are all encompassing on my end. But I planned it out that way as I’m a staunch member/recruiter of the “Dirty Thirty Club”

308, 06 and 300Wby covers everything from bench to field and 100yrds to 500yrds if I feel the need.

And no I don’t take shots at game at 500yrds before someone decides to quip in on that.

 

[struff55]

Anything the govt says we shouldn’t have should be in our safes…

how many of those are in your safe
you are a rebel

 

[maple_leaf_eh]

The category of stalking rifle made me think immediately of a Win.94 in 30-30! The more pragmatic choice would be something like a Browning lever or a Remington pump in .308 - because progress moves forward and what was the cat's pajamas in 1894 has been improved. I would think, 100-yd maximum snap-shooting distances, slim lines, lightweight, 2 or 3 power scope, fast repeater, and detachable magazine. And a tooled wide leather sling.

 

[conor_90]

Iron sighted bolt gun in a med bore magnum with a low power scope for really ####ing #### up

Lightweight single shot for general and mountain hunting

Bolt 223 for target shooting

S/S Bolt action in an intermediate cartridge for all of the above

Bolt 22 for small game hunting



Duck gun- semi auto

Side by side for upland


So I need a side by side I guess.

 

[kjohn]

I pretty much have given up hunting whitetail now, and still do hunt upland.

A really nice looking Steyr straight pull, sporterized, 8x57, is on the EE. I have a couple of them. Nice and light, wicked old classic cartridge.

 

[iron cat]

I previously posted that I could use only one gun, but that is for big game hunting.
I also shoot fullbore rifles in both
223 and 308, smallbore matches in
22LR, Schuetzen rifles as well as 45/ 70 long range BP.
These are not for hunting however
Cat

 

[Meroh]

1. Centerfire rifle in a versatile cartridge (for you) with appropriate optic (e.g. 243 to 30-06 to 300 WM). Southern Ontario we have a maximum of .270; my go-to is a Zastava M70 in 6.5 x 55 with a Riton 4 -18 x 45 scope. Great varmint rifle, great Deer rifle.
2. CZ 455 in an Oryx chassis; Riton 6 - 24 x 55 scope. Benchrest.
3. Lightweight stalking ("woods loafing") rifle in a smaller centerfire cartridge (222, 223, 7.62x39, etc.) Don't own one.
4. Lightweight stalking rifle in a medium power centerfire cartridge (e.g. 243, 7mm-08, 308, etc.) with iron sights and/or lower power optic. See No. 1.
5. Dependable utility rifle for truck, RV or trunk (SKS, mauser 98 sporter, Enfield sporter, etc.) with iron sights and/or small optic. CZ 452
6. CRF dangerous game rifle or higher power lever gun, etc., with great iron sights (take your pick). Husky 9.3 x 62 commercial FN Mauser.
7. All-weather centerfire rifle in a versatile cartridge for those inclement periods. See No. 1.

 

[209jones]

I like falling block actions the best, have a .218Bee & .223 for gophers, & 7-08 & 300H&H in those. 7-08's are all purpose, 300 is a hunting gun.
Break actions are next, a 7RM and a 30R Blaser, 7RM is a singleshot mountain gun, 30R is a SxS bush gun.
Was going to only have one bolt gun left on retirement, but bought a couple more in the last 6-7 yrs, both 6.5CM, one range gun, one for hunting. The "only" bolt gun I intended to keep was a 7-08 I've had since 1985 or 86.

 

[sillymike]

7 "must have" sporting rifles

1 - Something in 22lr... Because it's inexpensive and plentiful
2 - Something in 308. Because it's it will handle most games in my neck of the wood... And should things go to hell in a hand-basket, formally-gov-bought ammo ought to be available for pickup...
3 - Something in .223. Because it will dispatch bothersome critters, has more reach than the 22lr... and ammo availability.
4- Something in 7.62x39 or 7.62x54R... because you ought to have built a stockpile of it while it was cheap and plentiful.
5- A shorter (25"-26") SxS shotgun. Good for upland (which is what I like to hunt the most). Loaded with 00 buckshots, ought to be able to dispatch most uninvited critters
6- Something in 22 hornet. easy enough to reload, and not powder-hungry.
7- Something in 44mag, to share ammo with the revolvers

 

[StickMan Actual]

-CZ-858.
-And a Bergara.22 bolt gun with an optic.

All I'll need.

 

[maifire]

The challenge would be to justify 7 total. Rimfire, centrefire, shotgun, pistol.
Of course, i could never! Lol
Having a uniquely specific use is fun but that means your thread should be “which 19 firearms are a must?”