Only one caliber?

A Handi-Rifle in almost any caliber would take anything you'd want, or need to shoot there. I have one in .243 Win that I keep in the hall closet for such uses, but I could just as well be a .22 Mag. Accurate shot placement means everything!

For longer shots on smallish targets, or out to 300 yards on medium game and eastern coydogs, I have an accurized Rem 700 that is considerably more accurate. For deer out to 450 yards, I use .270 Win handloaded in my accurized Rem.700 BDL Stainless.

JP
 
With your choices listed the .308 will be your best choice just for the sheer versatility of the round. Load up and shoot 1000 yards, load down and shoot prairie dogs. Load for accurate and go shoot at your local fun matches or load for deer, bear and hog. Then there is that thing about getting mil surp to plink with or save for your zombie scenario's. Win win all the way.
 
I am also considering a used Winchester Model 88 or 100 in 308. I had one 50 years ago (a Model 88 Lever action) and loved it, but the 100 is very similar and would be easier for my bride to use.
Click to expand...

I killed my first Michigan whitetail with a Winchester Model 100, chambered in .308, back in 1964; but if I had to choose between it and a Model 88 (the limitations posed by your bride on your deciding between the two not withstanding), I'd opt for the lever-action. There is an old recall on Model 100s concerning a problem with the firing pin and I'm not sure the issue can still be resolved very easily. Although I believe the Model 100 has an inherently better trigger pull than the Model 88, the state where I do most of my deer hunting (Pennsylvania) incomprehensibly forbids the use of semi-auto rifles to hunt with-so my choice is an easy one.

I think you'd be well-served with either Winchester but I'd be awfully tempted to hold out for a Model 88 chambered in .358 Winchester (though I'd be the first to admit, Model 88s chambered in this fabulous cartridge are hard to come by and they fetch a pretty high price tag when you finally do find one :().
 
caliber???

Another vote for the .308 cartridge.
Click to expand...

Would that be .30 Carbine, .300 Savage, 30-40 Krag, .30-30, .308 Win., .30-06, 300 H&H, 300 Win., 300 Weatherby, 300 RSAUM, 300 WSM. 300 UltraMag?

If I had to pick one cartridge to live with, it'd be the .30-06.

Pete
 
Given that you are trying to arm a recoil-sensitive wife, here is my experience. The only rifle my wife has found pleasant to shoot is Ruger's Mini-14; it can be shot repeatedly without losing sight of your target during recoil.

With the right load this cartridge is sufficient to guard the orchard and will easily reach all corners of a three-acre plot. This is not an expensive rifle to own or shoot, and it is pleasant to practice with. An added bonus is the high cap mag in case the deer decide to gang up on you!
 
I'll take .308 for $100 please, Alex.

The .308 is widely used by snipers and hunters. The heavy bullet means that it won't shoot as flat as - say a .270 or .300 Win Mag. However, it can certainly take down a target from - say 500 yards.

If I could only have a single rifle for hunting/self-defense - it'd be the Browning BLR in .308.
 
Man, just looking back through the replies so far I'd have to say .308(specificly .30 caliber) has been the band leader..:rolleyes: I kinda figured that the .30's would lead it but I had to ask!:)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top