The just one rifle.

My Handi-Rifle with 5 barrels: .22 Hornet, .30-30, .45-70, .410 and 12 gauge ;) -

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I'm not too far off, have a 375 and a 308, the 7mmRM has moved down the road, shotgun too, I just never used it and have found I like shooting rifles a lot more(plus I no longer have a pile of bulky shotgun ammo cluttering up my safe).

Still would really like to own a #1 in a medium or large bore chambering(9.3x62 is real tempting) and a 45/70 lever action but it'll be a while before I have the free funds to spend on those because of other hobbies and interests
 
suits me said:
Just one more spf needed and I become the one hunting rifle guy. Soon as the 308 goes the only hunting rifle I will own will be a ruger African. It's almost a relief. Guess I'll find out just how versatile the med bore really is.
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Mind if I ask why you just want 1 rifle? I suppose that's all one needs for strictly work, but I shoot for fun too. So if I were to go down to one rifle I think I'd have to go with the old 30-30 lever action. Does it all, relatively cheaply. and it's fun all day at the range too
 
I get it. Handloaded, the .375, pick your flavor, is amazingly versatile, combining good field accuracy, horsepower, and produces a flat trajectory, when slippery bullets are chosen. The primary downside of the .375 is the cost of shooting. Bullets that measure .375" have become awfully pricey if you purchase them by the thousand, or even in orders of 500, and while everything has gone up, .30 caliber bullets are more attractively priced, and cover 85% of the same duty.
 
madashell said:
For centerfire I could live with just a good .308 bolt action, probably a 700 action and shorter barrel. Could easily live with that.
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IF events unfolded in such a way that I could only hunt with one rifle, it too would be my .308. With the proper loads, you can take anything in north america IMHO. Load 100 gr. for varmints, 150-165 gr. for med. game, and 190-200 gr. for moose, grizzly, or whatnot. Load match bullets for plinking and you'd be all set. I have no intention of ever hunting african big game or going off continent. Bullet technology has advanced to the point that, once again in my opinion, you can get bullets that are absolutely devastating on even the largest north american game. There....... my 2 cents worth.
 
I did the downgrade to just one rifle...I shoot a 25-06 for everything now. I don't miss the others at all. It will work just fine on everything I can hunt here in Alberta. But if need be, my wife has her rifle, a 7-08... :)
 
I am downsizing as well, going with just a putter and a three wood, if it goes well I will dump the putter. Just kidding, the Op has more self control than I do, I use all my discipline to stay around a dozen total or about a golf bag full, hunting rifles, 22s and shotguns.Tried going down to two hunting rifles, didn't work for me.
 
James1873 said:
Mind if I ask why you just want 1 rifle? I suppose that's all one needs for strictly work, but I shoot for fun too. So if I were to go down to one rifle I think I'd have to go with the old 30-30 lever action. Does it all, relatively cheaply. and it's fun all day at the range too
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I got tired of seeing rifles sitting unused in the safe. Now I can devote my attention to the one rifle. It shoots flat, it can kill an elephant and if I want to use irons I can easily take off the scope
 
Boomer said:
I get it. Handloaded, the .375, pick your flavor, is amazingly versatile, combining good field accuracy, horsepower, and produces a flat trajectory, when slippery bullets are chosen. The primary downside of the .375 is the cost of shooting. Bullets that measure .375" have become awfully pricey if you purchase them by the thousand, or even in orders of 500, and while everything has gone up, .30 caliber bullets are more attractively priced, and cover 85% of the same duty.
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Not having 15 rifles kicking around of various calibers frees up a lot of bullet cash. I am still looking for a solid but as of right now I plan on only loading swift a-frames.
 
I personally wouldn't want to go to one rifle, but not far off. I think everyone should have a good .22 and .223 then a good 30 cal like .308, 300 wm or 30-06, and one handy bush gun like a 30-30.
I've met so many people who have a multitude of rifles and are not overly competent with most of them.
 
One 22. Marlin model 60. One m/l. Pos traditions. One handgun. Ruger redhawk. And soon just one rifle. Dad has hunted with the same marlin 30-30 his whole life, he bought it new in 1954. That'll be my backup rifle one day.
 
xdmer said:
Well there goes that theory lol, I applaud your effort to simplify, still doing that myself. Only one rifle, now thats tough.
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I quote all of this because the only reason I have what I have is she doesn't pause long enough in the workshop to see them. I cringe when I realize I got my first RC K98 2-3 years ago (probably 2 but 3 sounds better) and now have 8 in 8mm, lol. I sob, no I don't, but giggle. Three are in a nice display case as I am proud of them. Others have much finer examples but I doubt I ever will. The rest I am taking my time, shooting them and seeing which are the most accurate. RC K98, Yugo K98, M48A, M48B. Playing with reloads and getting outside. I could very well have much less and be happy with one. I bit the 8mm bug and it seems endless, perfect hobby. Commendable to get to one if that is your goal. One day I will have to sell them all. Not now though, not now.
 
Ah, now getting bit by the bug makes sense, so many rifles in the same caliber and action style. I can see why you pair it down .. but it must be so tempting for collectibles. Those in the display case must have a permanent home.
 
I don't think I could get under 6 or so centerfires.

Maybe 6 "hunting" rifles but when including heavy barrel varmint/target rigs and "walking varminters" the numbers rise quickly. I use my 224" ands smaller rifles less than the others but I can't seem to part with them. But 4 Sako AI's is a bit overkill.....but if you are going to have too many of something , Sakos are a good one to go with...:)
 
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