"Must Have" rifle types in your battery?

[bearhunter]

It all depends on what you can afford and what you intend to shoot with the firearms you acquire.

Always purchase the best quality available at the time you have funds available, often, "used" is the best option, especially if you know what you're looking for.

The types and amounts differ depending on what venue you're pursuing, Match, Hunting, or Collecting.

If you have a desire to do it all, the sky is the limit.

At one point in my shooting endeavors, I had over 800 collectibles, Mausers, Lee Enfields, MAS, Garand, and many other types from all over the world, including many early custom sporters, a few double rifles, and shotguns.

When asking how many or what type, that's way too broad of a question to answer unless you have a specific venue in mind.

 

[bearhunter]

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?”

Why do you have to justify it??? If you want them and can afford them, without imposing hardship on your family, go for it.

As the venerable Alan Lever used to say "HE WHO DIES WITH THE MOST TOYS WINS"

 

[Botts]

Do we have to take the listed categories? Because I think I'd combine more than a few of these categories. Especially with modern optics, we can cover quite a few of these boxes with one rifle. And today's plethora of options within one cartridge means I likely wouldn't have a light centerfire rifle.

My "attainable" must have rifles would be:

1. Heavy Target Rifle: 22" 6.5 Creedmoor with a Meopta Optika6 3-18x50
2. Hunting Rifle: Tikka T3x Lite in .300 WSM with Razor LHT 3-15
3. Rimfire: Tikka T1x with Meopta Optika6 1-6.
4. Handy Rifle: 18" Tikka T3x 6.5 Creedmoor and Optika6 1-6.
5. Carbine: 14.5" 5.56 AR-15 with TA-11 or 1-6x optic.

My unattainable list would only change a little:
1. Heavy Target Rifle: 22" PGW M15 in 6.5 Creedmoor with a Meopta Optika6 3-18x50
2. Heavier Target Rifle: 24" 300 PRC with Tangent Theta 5-25x56
3. Long Range Hunting Rifle: 22" 7 PRC Alpine Hunter from Snowy Mountain Rifles with the Swarovski Z8i 2-16x50.
4. Light Hunting Rifle: 22" 6.5 Creedmoor Full Curl from SMR with the Swarovski Z5i+ 2-10x42
5. Rimfire: Tikka T1x with Meopta Optika6 1-6.
6. Handy Rifle: Tikka T3x rebarreled to a 18" 300 PRC with Razor Gen III 1-10x24 and OCL Hydrogen suppressor.
7. Carbine: 14.5" 5.56 AR-15 with Razor Gen III 1-10x24 and KAC QDC/CRS-PRT suppressor.

 

[maifire]

Why do you have to justify it??? If you want them and can afford them, without imposing hardship on your family, go for it.

As the venerable Alan Lever used to say "HE WHO DIES WITH THE MOST TOYS WINS"

I was referring to the OP’s statement. It needed reason and consideration to be a must have.
As my post stated, maybe 19 is a better number to catch all of the reasons; but I hope that Mr Lever realized that family is the trump card that wins the game. Any game.

 

[9.3 Hunter]

That all??

 

[bearhunter]

I was referring to the OP’s statement. It needed reason and consideration to be a must have.
As my post stated, maybe 19 is a better number to catch all of the reasons; but I hope that Mr Lever realized that family is the trump card that wins the game. Any game.

Mr Lever often cautioned his customers about such things. Toys do not come before family, but on occasion, when they're chosen well, they can be a real treasure, both in monetary and memories when they're needed.

A recent example of this, PRIMERS. If you bought lots at $25-$35 per 1000, when the shortages hit, figured out how many you need to last out your shooting career and sold the excess last year, at going prices, you made out like a bandit on the stock market.

It's on the level of you can't win the lottery if you don't buy a ticket

 

[Overwatch3985]

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.

#1. Colt SP1 Carbine
#2. US Rifle Cal. 30 M1
#3. Winchester Model 1866 .38
#4. M1903A4 Springfield
#5. Colt SP1 Rifle
#6. Norinco M311 Clone
#7. Winchester Model 1894 SRC .30-30

Doesnt fit the specific criteria at all but those are the 7 id keep. Only addition would maybe be a 98 Mauser in 8mm or my Browning A Bolt in 7 Rem Mag

 

[slinkylegs]

I don't require seven for my purposes, but I have to keep my collection smaller due to personal circumstances.

1. A 22lr for gophers/plinking. (CZ 452 Varmint)
2. A 22lr for hunting in the bush. (CZ 452 Scout with quick detach rings)
3. A varmint/predator gun (Tikka 204)
4. A deer rifle (Just picked up a Howa 6.5 Grendel, but have been using a Husqvarna 1640 in 6.5x55)
5. A larger game rifle for elk, moose, bear (Husqvarna 1640 in 9.3x62)

 

[a j cave]

MY picks in 22 a bench gun an accurate bolt for gophers etc, 22 cf a hornet and a 223, a 17 Rem because it’s fun. A hunting rifle mine a 280 and 45-70. Shotguns are extra. If I’m doing black powder I’ll need another 6-7 . Plus pistols. 7 is a good start, but just that. A start.

 

[chasseur]

There is also the fun factor which in some cases out weighs the need factor.Some guns are just plain fun to have and play with

 

[Milt Dale]

My list includes my Wife's rifles.
-2 .22 semi auto Wildcats, plinking and grouse
-Tikka T3 7-08, Vanguard .270 deer.
-Vanguard 6.5x300, Winchester 70 CRF .338. Moose and Elk open country.
-Vanguard .375 Ruger low power scope, Husqvarna 1900 9.3x62 open sights, bush rifles, calling moose.
-Ruger Scout 450 Marlin open sights, Lee Enfield .303 open sights, Marlin 45/70 camp/truck gun open sights[my only lever].
-2 20 gauge pumps, more grouse.
-1 12 gauge pump, geese, ducks.

 

[Dogleg]

Awhile back a friend and I were trying to decide if we could get by with 2 dozen. Pretty sure that could be done without giving up anything; but the only thing that that we agreed in for sure is that anything over 100 was just silly. Not that there’s anything wrong with that

 

[bearhunter]

Awhile back a friend and I were trying to decide if we could get by with 2 dozen. Pretty sure that could be done without giving up anything; but the only thing that that we agreed in for sure is that anything over 100 was just silly. Not that there’s anything wrong with that

Nothing silly about having more than 100 cherry picked firearms at all.

When I sold off most of my collection, after a bout with Cancer, I managed to set up a very nice nest egg to enhance my retirement fund.

There were three very notable categories which brought in the most cash, pristine Mausers from just about any country, P08 pistols (Lugers) and Martially stamped Colt single action army revolvers.

I didn't collect them with any purpose in mind, but was very choosey about condition. I mostly had very little idea what I was buying at the time but if I liked it, condition was excellent to NIB and had martial acceptance stamps, other than the Lugers, I bought them if I could afford them. Sometimes, by the original factory shipping crates.

Of course, back then they were often a "glut" in the market and I often had opportunities not open to the vast majority of people.

Alan Lever's name opened a lot of doors and I met a lot of people when on buying trips with him.

The thing is, if you aren't going to shoot the firearm, buy the best, put it away in a cool, dry place, lock the safe and open it 35-40 years later, multiply what you paid for it by 100+ X and sell, if so inclined.

You don't want to leave it for the family to sell, if they have no idea of what's there or give it to an uninformed Executor or Lawyer to sell off.

I sold a p08 into the US at auction, Rock Island, for $6500 US last fall. By the time it was all said and done, taxes paid, brokerage fees, etc I cleared about US$4000. I would have been lucky to get a third of that in Canada, on a good day if I had been allowed to sell it here.

I've done the same with Mausers. An unpopened crate of BYF42 K98s, with accessories. Rock Island suggested that I allow them to open the crate, sell them separately, keep appropriate accessories with each rifle and sell the crate by itself. That was a very good auction for me and them.

If you're going to buy clunkers, don't expect good returns but shoot them and enjoy them and if they're still useable, pass them along.

Not every type of firearm is a "collectible" so have fun with them in the field or at the range. Sky is the limit as long as you aren't causing distress with your family. If your wife/husband has decided they're "anti-firearm" ditch them. Life is too short to suffer with such fools.

 

[Grizzlypeg]

My absolute minimum would be a 22 rimfire plus a bolt action that is adequate for deer. With those two, I wouldn't be deprived of any hunting I do. Everything beyond that is just toys, but I do like my toys.

 

[Dogleg]

The silly part is the lengths we went to to justify them all. The categories got increasingly speciallized; weasel gun, bad weather weasel gun, longrange weasel gun, light carrying weasel gun, single shot weasel gun , muzzleloadng weasel gun and several heirloom weasel guns.
I really should sell 100 or so,

 

[TT1900]

My absolute minimum would be a 22 rimfire plus a bolt action that is adequate for deer.

My thoughts as well. My CZ 452 Scout and Sako 85 Black Bear have the necessities covered. Only other rifle I own is an Izhmash .22, but that’s just for fun and not a “must have”.

 

[AB3006]

Turns out I must have a rifle I didn't think I "needed"

Just bought a Husqvarna 1640 in 6.3x62. When it gets here, she'll get a Burris Fullfield or Droptine.

I mean for this one to be my elk medicine this season.

 

[22to45]

A 7x57, I have a 98 mauser, or a swede. either one does not use too much powder and punches out of it's weight class. A 7mm rem mag. Just because it uses bullets the mauser uses, and the same powder is fine. That would do me for big game, a good 22 lr, Of course the magnum could be swapped for lots of rifles, an '06, a 270, any of the 280 cartridges. That would do me fine.

 

[Bartok5]

My short list:

.22 LR - Ruger 10/22 Takedown in Magpul Backpacker Stock



.2233/5.56 SwissArms PE90



7.62x39 - Izhevst AKMS



.308 - Colt USA LE-901 Monlithic Modular Carbine



6.5 CM - SIG Cross Bolt-Action Precision Hunting Rifle



6.5 CM - Tikka CTR Bolt-Action in KRG Whiskey Gen 6 Chassis

 

[The Kurgan]

That AKMS is yours? WOW. You are a lucky man.