Since Cooper and everyone else has argued over the terms General Purpose and Scout rifle, I figured I would use a different term.
What I am thinking of is a rifle that is light enough and comfortable enought to carry with you 24/7 or as close to that as one can manage.
The primary shooting uses for it (for me) would be plinking, varmints, & if needed Goblins. If I lived in Alaska or Africa I would probably want a bit more gun, because defense against Dangerous Game would be added to the list.
For me I see no point in carrying a rifle that doesn't have much more power or range than a handgun, so it would need to be chambered in a true rifle caliber. But I want it to be comfortable to shoot and carry a lot. To be easy to carry it needs to be light wt, & to remain comfortable to shoot in a light wt gun it needs to have low recoil. So it won't be chambered in a magnum cartridge.
Because of where I live, I can't carry a rifle openly most places. So the rifle needs to be either very compact or takedown so I can carry it cased without it being obvious that I have a rifle with me.
I think the following rifles fit my needs/wants fairly close. Ruger's M77 MII Compact: 5.75 lbs, 16.5" brrl, 36" OAL. Remingtons M7. Savage M99 [takedown version]. And on the larger side the Blaser.
Caliber would be 243 or perhaps 22-250. The Ruger with a Robar modified McMillian folding stock sounds very interesting. With the stock folded OAL should be around 26". If detachable mags are wanted either the Ruger or Rem can be modified to use M1a mags.
Would probably use a 1-4x or 1.5-5x scope. But might use a fixed 2.5x or 4x. I already own a Steyr Scout, but I think my idea of an always rifle would be easier to carry (with folding stock it would be about a foot shorter than my Scout) concealed or low profile. And the 243 has plenty of power for varmints, deer, and goblins as Art likes to point out. But the 243 should be much more fun to plink with in a light rifle than the 308. I think a 90 grain bullet would probably be main bullet, but 70 grain varmint bullets would give less recoil for plinking and varmints.
Would like to hear responses to this idea. Would also like to hear what you would like for an Always rifle. This isn't supposed to be a GP rifle like Cooper's idea. More of a fun to shoot and easy to carry rifle mainly intended for fun shooting, but with enough power, range, & precision to deal with Goblins if need be.
What I am thinking of is a rifle that is light enough and comfortable enought to carry with you 24/7 or as close to that as one can manage.
The primary shooting uses for it (for me) would be plinking, varmints, & if needed Goblins. If I lived in Alaska or Africa I would probably want a bit more gun, because defense against Dangerous Game would be added to the list.
For me I see no point in carrying a rifle that doesn't have much more power or range than a handgun, so it would need to be chambered in a true rifle caliber. But I want it to be comfortable to shoot and carry a lot. To be easy to carry it needs to be light wt, & to remain comfortable to shoot in a light wt gun it needs to have low recoil. So it won't be chambered in a magnum cartridge.
Because of where I live, I can't carry a rifle openly most places. So the rifle needs to be either very compact or takedown so I can carry it cased without it being obvious that I have a rifle with me.
I think the following rifles fit my needs/wants fairly close. Ruger's M77 MII Compact: 5.75 lbs, 16.5" brrl, 36" OAL. Remingtons M7. Savage M99 [takedown version]. And on the larger side the Blaser.
Caliber would be 243 or perhaps 22-250. The Ruger with a Robar modified McMillian folding stock sounds very interesting. With the stock folded OAL should be around 26". If detachable mags are wanted either the Ruger or Rem can be modified to use M1a mags.
Would probably use a 1-4x or 1.5-5x scope. But might use a fixed 2.5x or 4x. I already own a Steyr Scout, but I think my idea of an always rifle would be easier to carry (with folding stock it would be about a foot shorter than my Scout) concealed or low profile. And the 243 has plenty of power for varmints, deer, and goblins as Art likes to point out. But the 243 should be much more fun to plink with in a light rifle than the 308. I think a 90 grain bullet would probably be main bullet, but 70 grain varmint bullets would give less recoil for plinking and varmints.
Would like to hear responses to this idea. Would also like to hear what you would like for an Always rifle. This isn't supposed to be a GP rifle like Cooper's idea. More of a fun to shoot and easy to carry rifle mainly intended for fun shooting, but with enough power, range, & precision to deal with Goblins if need be.
It is not a question of "need" so much as "want". Is a Sports car or SUV truly practical for most people? Yet, how many people have or want one?
Loads into the original GI mags, the only modification is the barrel and the ammo, everything else is 'as issued'...Put on a folding Paratrooper stock and it should fit your specs.