What would be the one rifle to have if you could only have one?

Even though the OP's question might be intended only for the US situation, it makes a lot of sense for people living in the UK etc who can't just go buy as many guns as they can afford.

They first interview with the police department as to why they want/need a gun...

In Germany you attend a class, first study the classical theory etc, and earn a license. It's not very cheap, and then a record is kept of how many rounds of ammo you have, which are stored along with the rifle at the club etc.

This is Diane Feinstein's, Chucky Schumer's (and many other "leaders' ") dream come true.
 
either my mini 14 tacticool (yeah it's got all kinds of crap on it) or a SA M1A national match with a scope. probably the mini. small, light, versatile and the nato/military/LE/civilian popular ammo should be easy to find (or take). i keep thinking about the taurus circuit judge in .410/.45lc. no barrel changes birds to deer and everything in between. SD too.
 
M

My M1A Scout. Wish I was taking it on this deployment instead of an M16. It'll take near any game with just one round to the COM including the two legged type, even SAPI plates aren't great protection against it after a hit or two.
 
This would be tough. My answer would depend a lot on the circumstance.

1. Home Defense, hunting, not TEOTWAWKI, money is no object: probably an 12" barrel AR in 6.8 SPC. Piles of ammo stocked up. Spare bolt, etc on hand. QD scope, QD red dot, BUIS, flashlight etc. Hell, M203, suppressor..... :rolleyes: :)

2. HD, Hunting, competitive shooting, no one shouting "Wolverines" :) , but the ammo isn't free: Probably a rugged and reliable M1A SOCOM 16 with QD scout scope on hand. Or, more likely, a solid 16" or 18" AR in 308 with QD scope, QD red dot, irons, etc. This would make sense with off-the-shelf ammo availability and my supply of .308 brass.

3. Lost and alone, no spare parts, no Red Dawn invasion ;) - defense and hunting: 5 lb, stainless, M92 Puma .454 Casull with wheel gun in compatible .45LC.

JR
 
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when i got my rifle permit ( i live in NYC and we have to apply for a long gun license, we also can get only one every 90 days) i was faced with a question of what rifle to buy that would be jack of all trades when i go out hunting and to the range.... got myself 1970s Sako 30-06 with leupold 3-9x40 for $1000 on gun broker. gun probably had 20 rounds through it and was in a safe most of its life. it looked brand new not a mark on it. to this day the best purchase i made.
 
SR420 has it right

Springfield M1A or variant.

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The right caliber and the right platform.

This is a proven hunting round used by many hunters for all sorts of different game. More than capable of taking deer, hogs, and anti-varmint roles killing coyotes, woodchucks etc...

A proven battle rifle that served the U.S. Military well.

"Although the M14 was phased out as the standard-issue rifle by 1970, M14 variants are still used by various branches of the U.S. Military as well as other armed forces, especially as a sniper rifle and as a designated marksman rifle, due to its excellent accuracy and effectiveness at long range. Special active units such as the OPFOR units of the Joint Readiness Training Center use M14s. Few M14s were in use in the Army until the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars. Since the start of these conflicts, many M14s have been employed as designated marksman and sniper rifles. These are not M21 rifles, but original production M14s"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Designated_marksman_rifle

The M21 variant - a proven sniper rifle used by Carlos Hatchcock - arguably the greatest sniper in history.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Hathcock

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M21_Sniper_Weapon_System

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XM25_Sniper_Rifle

Also, history has shown this round to be remarkably effective in anti-zombie operations.
 
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Very tough to answer in the given format. If a situation like that ever came up where only 1 rifle could be used for everything, that would mean something happened to all my others and I'd likely be left with little choice other than the 1 left. If I were able to choose which that one would be, I'd have to say some sort of bolt action .30-06
 
.22

If I had to feed myself with the least amount of work, .22LR any day. Cheap, easy, accurate. One of the .22 / .410 combo weapons would be perfect provided it is a decent one with good barrels and the ability to swap chokes.
 
If I had to feed myself with the least amount of work, .22LR any day. Cheap, easy, accurate.
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Feed yourself?

I hope you like eating crow cuz that's what you'll be eating after you run out of squirrels and rabbits.

Me - I like pork, it's the other white meat!

Good luck putting ham on the table with a .22
 
Another vote for the M1A / M14 platform

In bullpup configuration...

You still have a rifle that can reach out 900+ meters but it's short enough to be manuverable:

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That sound you just heard was the theoretical bank account in my head getting emptied in the process of acquiring that...then I realized that most bullpups have a habit of mistreating us left-handed shooters.

If I had to pick just one, I'd go with my AR. We can debate the caliber and the platform all day, but I know what it can and can't do, and, more importantly, what I can and can't do with it.
 
I would have to have my remington 597 chambered in .22lr, it never jams, its accurate, Is extremely light, you can carry a lot of ammo with you,and it's also good for hunting. I've killed about 3 120lb wild hogs with my .22lr and all three dropped dead instantly with one shot each between the eye and ear.
 
Feed yourself?

I hope you like eating crow cuz that's what you'll be eating after you run out of squirrels and rabbits.

Me - I like pork, it's the other white meat!

Good luck putting ham on the table with a .22
Click to expand...

A .22 will easily kill a hog and for that matter during small game season in national parks are rimfire only.

If we are talking about feeding ourselves a .22 will put down just about anything just not fast/ethically.
 
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