bullfrog99
New member
If you only own one or two rifle(s) (ignoring rimfires) What are you packing, and why?
any "One Rifle" owners out there
- Thread starter bullfrog99
- Start date
I have a .444 marlin( early style ), and a Howa 1500 in .30-06. The Marlin was my dad's, and the way it hammers deer has to be seen to be believed! It wears open sights and is my close range, anything on the continent rifle. The .30-06 should need no explanation... everybody should have one, and if I were limited to one rifle for all the hunting I will ever do, this would be the one. It wears a simple 4x redfield scope in leupold mounts. Nothing fancy, but it will group an inch with preferred loads for three shot strings. I could not ask for more!
Pat Brophy
Pat Brophy
Mike Kilo Niner
New member
Springfield M1A and Spanish FR-8, both in 7.62x51mm. The M1A is the new aquisition -- seems like a lot of people are getting them this summer (me included).
M1A
Accurate, reliable military-style rifle with outstanding iron sights. Pop in a five rounder and it's great for hunting. Pop in a surplus 20 -- you're set for any "other" situation. A tad on the heavy side, but nothing a few more pushups can't take care of.
FR-8
Lighter, cheaper and handy -- my first centerfire rifle. It's accurate enough, and there's just something delightful about old military mausers. The peep sights are decent -- though I'm planning to drill them out to a more "ghost ring" style aperture.
The caliber of both is sufficient for all but large, dangerous North American game, and there's plenty of cheap surplus ammo to allow for frequent practice.
One day I'll probably build a scout-style rifle on a left-handed Model 70 action, but at present I don't have the money or the pressing need. Between my Mauser and my M1A, I've got all the hunting iron I need for right now.
M1A
Accurate, reliable military-style rifle with outstanding iron sights. Pop in a five rounder and it's great for hunting. Pop in a surplus 20 -- you're set for any "other" situation. A tad on the heavy side, but nothing a few more pushups can't take care of.
FR-8
Lighter, cheaper and handy -- my first centerfire rifle. It's accurate enough, and there's just something delightful about old military mausers. The peep sights are decent -- though I'm planning to drill them out to a more "ghost ring" style aperture.
The caliber of both is sufficient for all but large, dangerous North American game, and there's plenty of cheap surplus ammo to allow for frequent practice.
One day I'll probably build a scout-style rifle on a left-handed Model 70 action, but at present I don't have the money or the pressing need. Between my Mauser and my M1A, I've got all the hunting iron I need for right now.
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
I'm a many-gun owner, but mostly a one-gun user. I'll take my Ruger 77 in .223 for turtle-shooting, since I don't really care all that much if I don't hit.
If I'm truly serious, I stay with my 30-year old "pet" '06. I'm sorta used to it after all this time, and offhand shooting is pretty much a reflex.
Same for shotguns. I've got a nice Beretta semi-auto, but if I'm serious about doves I drag out the old 30" Model 12, too-full choke and all. Again, a 30-year pet.
Same for pistols; I have one particular 1911 for social situations.
FWIW, Art
If I'm truly serious, I stay with my 30-year old "pet" '06. I'm sorta used to it after all this time, and offhand shooting is pretty much a reflex.
Same for shotguns. I've got a nice Beretta semi-auto, but if I'm serious about doves I drag out the old 30" Model 12, too-full choke and all. Again, a 30-year pet.
Same for pistols; I have one particular 1911 for social situations.
FWIW, Art
1911Fencer
New member
a ruger m77mkII in .223 with a highpower scope on it for putting little holes in paper from long distances and a Marlin 336 in .30-30 with open sights on it for an all around work gun. (hogs, deer, cans...
M@
M@
1) Bushmaster Dissipator Carbine: great for developing iron sight competence, and a decent tool for the unlikely urban combat scenario where I live.
2) FR-8 Spanish Mauser: 7.62 NATO iron-sighted bolt gun. Not perfect for any one thing but great for learning how to "ignore" recoil. Too bad it might be junk; mine might have excessive headspace. BTW, anyone know a trustworthy gunsmith in the L.A. area (including SF and SG valley). Might have to replace with a precision .308 (700 P$$).
3) I acutally own a third I'm trying to get rid of... Romanian SKS. Have no need for it.
2) FR-8 Spanish Mauser: 7.62 NATO iron-sighted bolt gun. Not perfect for any one thing but great for learning how to "ignore" recoil. Too bad it might be junk; mine might have excessive headspace. BTW, anyone know a trustworthy gunsmith in the L.A. area (including SF and SG valley). Might have to replace with a precision .308 (700 P$$).
3) I acutally own a third I'm trying to get rid of... Romanian SKS. Have no need for it.
JosephBoeckner
Moderator
hm...
well excluding rimfire none
lol-1 remington 522 viper in 22 LR and am getting a mauser and thought about getting an SKS but decided on the mauser for now and SKS later.
well excluding rimfire none
lol-1 remington 522 viper in 22 LR and am getting a mauser and thought about getting an SKS but decided on the mauser for now and SKS later.Dan Morris
New member
If I only had one gun, due to my demography, it would be a 30-06 bolt. It will handle from antelope to elk.
Dan
Dan
Other than my Remington viper 22, I have but only one gun. Romanian AK-47 WASR 10. Black fiber stock (not the Dragonov type, just a like replacement for the old wood stock), all black components including side rail mount for 3-9x40mm scope or red dot. Going off on a tangent for just a moment...DOES ANYONE LIVING IN UTAH HAVE A RED DOT SCOPE THEY WANT TO GET RID OF?
The reason for getting and only owning the AK:
1) Not as expensive as an AR-15, which was my first chioce.
2) Will last longer than said AR-15 (I'm not good at cleaning).
3) Fires 7.62x39...will destroy all sorts of house hold apliances really fast. (I love living out in the desert).
4) As long as there are 3rd world nations I will always have dirt cheap parts and accessories.
5) Looks really cool.
6) Did I mention that everything about it is really cheap? I love it. I'm poor AND have a cool rifle that kicks ass.
7) Will take a beating (I like to go shooting for an entire day and drop at least 500 rounds - have yet to drop 1000 but look foreward to it).
In th beginning my dad bought me a 22. I had fun with it but the near BB like power did not thrill me. Years past and I found myself with the hunger. I'm not the kind of guy that like to spent money and don't like to have 10 of everything. I like to get something good for little money that suits all of my needs. I wanted to get an AR-15 for years and still do but couldn't get myself to buy an $800 toy that would only be used for obliterating old computers and cases of soda pop. Not only that but there was still something not quite right with the small .223 . The AR's strength lies in it's tacticalness and that's not what I needed. I finally found an AK for a good price (accedentally while shopping for an AR) and I must say: I haven't fired that many rifles...7 I think is it. But the AK-47 is by far the coolest of them all. Everything I need in a "plinker" is there. I love my AK and plan on using it for a long long time. If I had just a little more money, howerver, I would have bought a VEPR II.
Why do you ask?
The reason for getting and only owning the AK:
1) Not as expensive as an AR-15, which was my first chioce.
2) Will last longer than said AR-15 (I'm not good at cleaning).
3) Fires 7.62x39...will destroy all sorts of house hold apliances really fast. (I love living out in the desert).
4) As long as there are 3rd world nations I will always have dirt cheap parts and accessories.
5) Looks really cool.
6) Did I mention that everything about it is really cheap? I love it. I'm poor AND have a cool rifle that kicks ass.
7) Will take a beating (I like to go shooting for an entire day and drop at least 500 rounds - have yet to drop 1000 but look foreward to it).
In th beginning my dad bought me a 22. I had fun with it but the near BB like power did not thrill me. Years past and I found myself with the hunger. I'm not the kind of guy that like to spent money and don't like to have 10 of everything. I like to get something good for little money that suits all of my needs. I wanted to get an AR-15 for years and still do but couldn't get myself to buy an $800 toy that would only be used for obliterating old computers and cases of soda pop. Not only that but there was still something not quite right with the small .223 . The AR's strength lies in it's tacticalness and that's not what I needed. I finally found an AK for a good price (accedentally while shopping for an AR) and I must say: I haven't fired that many rifles...7 I think is it. But the AK-47 is by far the coolest of them all. Everything I need in a "plinker" is there. I love my AK and plan on using it for a long long time. If I had just a little more money, howerver, I would have bought a VEPR II.
Why do you ask?
ks_shooter
New member
Savage 11FC .243 w/ 3X9 B&L
I knew that I could only afford one rifle in the conceivable future so I looked long and hard and bought this one. Shoots 3/4 MOA on paper with handloads for target fun. Has nailed two whitetails (one at 200 yards) and I have no doubt that it could whallop a coyote just fine with some 75 gr HP loads (though I haven't had a chance to test this theory yet). So far I haven't needed anything else - no elk/moose around here. It's a fine rifle. Someday I would like to replace the plastic factory stock with a nice laminate, but since it shoots so well and is fairly light - I haven't gotten motivated enough to do it. Sure would look purty though!
To follow up on another thread - my rifle has iron sights and I use Leupold QR Weaver rings. If I manage to break my scope at an inoppurtune moment or it fogs up, I can quickly ge the scope off and do a descent job out to 100 yards with the buckhorn sights. Rifles without sights looked naked to me (IMHO). I would like to find a receiver peep sight that would fit onto the back QR Weaver base - this would probably extend my useful range out to 200 yards with iron sights (at least for deer), and still be fairly quick to put into use.
I knew that I could only afford one rifle in the conceivable future so I looked long and hard and bought this one. Shoots 3/4 MOA on paper with handloads for target fun. Has nailed two whitetails (one at 200 yards) and I have no doubt that it could whallop a coyote just fine with some 75 gr HP loads (though I haven't had a chance to test this theory yet). So far I haven't needed anything else - no elk/moose around here. It's a fine rifle. Someday I would like to replace the plastic factory stock with a nice laminate, but since it shoots so well and is fairly light - I haven't gotten motivated enough to do it. Sure would look purty though!
To follow up on another thread - my rifle has iron sights and I use Leupold QR Weaver rings. If I manage to break my scope at an inoppurtune moment or it fogs up, I can quickly ge the scope off and do a descent job out to 100 yards with the buckhorn sights. Rifles without sights looked naked to me (IMHO). I would like to find a receiver peep sight that would fit onto the back QR Weaver base - this would probably extend my useful range out to 200 yards with iron sights (at least for deer), and still be fairly quick to put into use.
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i am a two rifle owner, leaving out a .22lr. One of them is a sporter, made in a mauser 98 action, cal 7x57 mauser and equiped with a 4X fixed scope. I have some experience with 30.06s, .308s, 6.5x54s and 243.s. This last seems too light for my tastes. I have not found any hunting situation for which the 7x57 would be noticeably surpassed by any of these other cartriges, and the beasts I have put down that were too big for it ( nevertheless, they fell dead...) were too big too for the 06. Unless I was moving to Africa ( a dream...) I would not want another rifle, and even if my dream came true, the little 7 would certainly be the most used one, next to the 9.3x64 that I would buy. BTW, I only use 175 grain psp or 162 solid bullets in it.
Other rifle I have: a rossi lever action in .357 mag. Every senior brazilian have a sweet spot in his heart for winchesters mod 1892 in 44.40, for this is the rifle that won our west, and east, and north, and south. I find the little rossi, a faithful copy of the 92, more effective in medium game at distances 50 to 80 yds than the 44.40. More accurate too. Many times, when going hunting freal goats in dense brush, I helitate a lot between these good rifles
Other rifle I have: a rossi lever action in .357 mag. Every senior brazilian have a sweet spot in his heart for winchesters mod 1892 in 44.40, for this is the rifle that won our west, and east, and north, and south. I find the little rossi, a faithful copy of the 92, more effective in medium game at distances 50 to 80 yds than the 44.40. More accurate too. Many times, when going hunting freal goats in dense brush, I helitate a lot between these good rifles
Legionnaire
New member
Like Art, I've collected a number of rifles, but the one that sees the most field use is a Remington Model 7 in .308 with Leupold VX-II 2-7x compact. Light weight, quick pointing, and hunting accurate. I recently put it in an H.S. Precision stock and it is sweet. It has taken more deer than all my other rifles put together.
For punching paper at long range, I use a Remington 700 VSSF, also in .308, with a Leupold VX-III 3.5-10x Long Range Tactical M3 mounted in Badger Arms base/rings. Sub MOA with match grade ammo. Have used it on targets out to 900 yards.
There are others, but these get far and away the most use.
For punching paper at long range, I use a Remington 700 VSSF, also in .308, with a Leupold VX-III 3.5-10x Long Range Tactical M3 mounted in Badger Arms base/rings. Sub MOA with match grade ammo. Have used it on targets out to 900 yards.
There are others, but these get far and away the most use.
I Only have one rifle as I traded off my (1966) Marlin .30-30 a mistake I now regret. However The one I own and love is a Savage 110 E(I think) in .30-06 with a bushnell buckhorn 3-9x. From day one this gun amazed me and it still does the open sights were great and the scope is best for the price. Six years of a beating and it is still producing 1.5 inch groups @ 100'
Purely Magic
Purely Magic
tubeshooter
New member
Well, I originally picked up a Marlin .30-30 with the idea that it would be my one-and-only. Black bear is about as big-'n-bad as it gets in my neck of the woods, and I felt pretty sure at the time that an absolute max range of 200 yds. would be fine... and I still do. I think it's a decent choice for introduction to centerfire, and when you factor in things like ammo cost/availability, recoil & cost of rifle itself, it's still a pretty solid choice for a number of applications if you recognize the limitations.
After awhile, I started to see that .30-30 (which is about as cheap as it gets hunting-caliber wise) is still a bit pricey to plink with if you're not going to reload... not to mention that the gun isn't really designed with high-volume shooting in mind anyway.
Besides, I didn't want to dog out my first "real" rifle by shooting the living bejeezus out of it.
So I got what feels like the perfect solution for me; a Romanian SKS. Still about the same power (a little less, I admit), but a *lot* cheaper to shoot, and I don't feel nearly as bad if I treat it a little rough. That's what it's there for; a beater gun just for messing around & having fun.
That's all I have as far as centerfire rifles, and I'm fine with it.
-tubeshooter
After awhile, I started to see that .30-30 (which is about as cheap as it gets hunting-caliber wise) is still a bit pricey to plink with if you're not going to reload... not to mention that the gun isn't really designed with high-volume shooting in mind anyway.
Besides, I didn't want to dog out my first "real" rifle by shooting the living bejeezus out of it.
So I got what feels like the perfect solution for me; a Romanian SKS. Still about the same power (a little less, I admit), but a *lot* cheaper to shoot, and I don't feel nearly as bad if I treat it a little rough. That's what it's there for; a beater gun just for messing around & having fun.
That's all I have as far as centerfire rifles, and I'm fine with it.
-tubeshooter