Let's assume that you already have a .22LR rifle of some sort. You want an "all-purpose" centerfire rifle...what action type? Semi-auto, lever, bolt, single-shot, etc.? Caliber? Would you want something to match a handgun caliber that you have? Let's assume that this rifle would be capable of taking most typical North American game animals up to deer size, wouldn't break the bank buying ammo, and could potentially be useful in a survival situation. Also, please keep the purchase price at a level that the average person would be able to afford.

This is just a hypothetical question. I've got some centerfire rifles in various calibers...just thought it would be interesting to hear the forum's opinions if "you could only have one".

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'Merica!

I'll play............assuming I already have a rifle in .22 LR, then my one centerfire rifle for all other chores would be a Bolt-Action 30.06.

It's large enough to handle virtually any big game. Shoots flat enough to reach out and touch game at long distance and the ammo is readily available in many different weights.

Bolt-action because it would have be capable of quick follow-up shots and they are accurate and reliable. You have your pick of just about any manufacturer as almost all of them offer a rifle in 30.06, so find what you like in the price range you can afford.

Matching a handgun caliber is not a priority, IMO.

OK that's my .02's worth.

Don

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Laus Deo! <><

M1A.
Accurate enough to hunt with, good long range ballistics, enhanced mag capacity to be a crowd pleaser, and a proven design.
Additional benefit of plenty of replacement/upgrade parts available.

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Hold my beer and watch this!

Bolt action .30-06.

Lever action .44 Magnum. It can take any game, and is handy enough for self defense use.

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John

Give me any good .30-06 bolt action and I would be happy. My SIG SHR970 for instance

Winchester M1 Garand

"woodsltc" said it all for me above and saved me the typing !

Happy to oblige!!

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Laus Deo! <><

Another vote for 30/06 bolt action with a 6X scope.

Either a semiauto or bolt action .308, but the 'ought six is a good choice too. .30 caliber seems to be the answer.......to me anyway.

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Even older, even crankier....

>Quote Would you want something to match a handgun caliber that you have? unquote<

My first thought was 308 that would be easier on the shoulder than my 7mm rem mags that I may sell, since I have no practical use for a high power cf rifle anyway. I already have a Marlin 44 mag to compliment my three 29s. I'm already set.

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9tenz

I actually answered this question once. My BIL, who didn't grow up hunting, wanted to start and wanted to know what rifle to get. I recommended a Rem Md 700 BDL in .30-06 which was what he bought. We sighted it in and he hunted a couple of days before deciding he would never take up hunting. A couple of years later(this was the mid-80's) I had a AR-15 carbine made form parts that I was never happy with. I traded for the '06 plus cash from him. Couple dozen deer later I concluded it was the best trade I ever made.

Only 1?@.@! Ok if you insist. My pick would be a .308, in either a good bolt gun or a Remington 760/7600 pump rifle. .308 is just about EVERYWHERE and you can still find surplus ammo from time to time for it. Nothing wrong with the '06 either, I just like the slightly more compact short action guns.
And that new Savage Scout rifle does look intrigueing for only $700! Dale

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"Long live the S&W 3rd. Gen.!"

I have a lot of rifles. I inherited from my dad a remington 760 pump 30-06. He had put a peep, sling and pad on it. Dad shot his last buck with it in his mid 80s. It sat in the back of the safe for 10 years. After all, I have many more exspensive and rare bolts, levers and even a bar.
About a year ago I shot it off the bench. Big surprise! It is accurate, light, dependable, fast repeat shots, powerfull, and you can buy a fine one used for about $350s! That is a very hard combo to beat!
I like levers too. Actualy I have taken more deer years ago with my winchester 94 30-30 with a peep than I have with all my bolts etc. Another is a winchester 88 lever I have in 308. I really like my .357 92 lever copy. But for the money its hard to beat that pump remington!

Remington 700 in .308 ..with a 3x9 Leupold

I'd go with my lever action 30-30

Inexpensive ammo, very portable, appropriate for up to Deer sized game and beyond very capable self-defense arm. Put some optics on it and you will do much better than I did during this 100 meter fire and advance excercise...

Bolt action 30/06.

I'd probably go for a Savage Model 99 Featherweight from the late 50's. Mine is a .243 but I'd have it in .308 if I only had one choice.

If the rifle had to take deer size game, be virtually indestructible, could be used for SHTF, and cheap ammo!? I vote AK47/74. The 7.62 is about $0.25 per round the 5.45 is $0.15 per round.

If it really does come down to affordability , this is a no-brainer. A carbine-length Mosin-Nagant and all the ammo ya can afford. Rifles are around $100 and ya can buy a thousand rounds for another hundred. Plenty powerful and accurate enough for hunting and it's most certainly proven rugged enough for combat.

Barring a zombie invasion and if I could have access to my reloader I would stay with my Marlin 45-70's. You can cast and load bullets for any animal on the planet and a 22 and/or shotgun would take care of small stuff.

Good Logic from Mkk41 and mball...

I like Mballs's idea as well. Also MR makes the BFR handgun in 45-70 so ammo could be split between rifle and handgun. Not a very practical handgun but still....

It is hard to vote against a bolt action 30-06. but the one I would choose would be a .280 Rem. in a 700 Remington of some type. I have killed a truck load with this caliber. All of my center fires are Remington 700s.

I hate these scary threads!!!Just one rifle? Oh the horror!!!

At 70, my biggest concern would be self defense and the occasional deer if any are left after the Big SHTF. I have a number of CFs, but would probably go with a Marlin .44 or its sister the .357. I have revolvers in those and the ammo should be readily available.

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Term limits!

I'm so good, any rifle will do.

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James L. "Jim" Rhiner

Marlin 1894C .357. Pretty versatile. Pretty cheap to shoot if one reloads. Lots and lots of fun.

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Georgia On My Mind

I'm gonna go with a synthetic stock M1A. Battle sights and a Loopy of some kind, like a 2.5-10.

Strictly in the bounds of the question would leave me to answer with my AMD-65 7.62x39. It is short, cheap, VERY reliable, relatively inexpensive to shoot, will take any game(food wise), and is perfect for when/if the SHTF because every interloper trying to kill us will be from foreign soil and using this round. JMO

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Go big or stay home

The odd thing about answering the question is that I'd pick a caliber I've never owned.

I'll agree with most that the obvious answer to the question would be to choose the '06 but I think I'd go with a bolt action 300WM. It uses the same bullets and can be loaded down to emulate the '06. Plus it can be loaded full bore for long distance performance.

Like the '06 it can be used for everything from varmints to the largest of the North America ungulates.

Any bolt gun with open sights, caliber .24 to .30.

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SV,14,17,21,28,29,39,66,586

I could get by with my very 1st centerfire, a Model 70 chambered in 308. I have many others, but I could cover everything I do with a 308.

Bolt action for ease of maintenance and reliability - .270, .308, 30-06 = eenie, meeni, minie, mo

Winchester M70 .30-06

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Regards,
Guy-Harold Smith II

OP, - "Also, please keep the purchase price at a level that the average person would be able to afford."

That's about $2000 or better. And 7.62x51 ammo hasn't been cheap in quantity for years.

I'll take my Rem. 700 in .300 ultramag. Took it out to
S.Dakota and shot a prairie dog at measured 1058 yards
to get into the Varmint Hunters 1000 yard club. It has enough
energy to stop anything on this continent as well.


chuck

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They hold no Quarter

Springfield Model 1903/1903A3 .30/06.
It don't get any better!

My usual response would be a Garand, any make as long as condition was good. However with the limitations of deer sized game and I already have a 22 I'd probably pick a non Chinese SKS. Easier to carry than the Garand, enough power for deer at woods ranges and reliable as many bolt actions.

Since i only hunt in the Republic of TEXAS, I'd be content with the 30-30. I can reload for whatever is available.

M1a in .243. But I'll have to settle for my 1894c.

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Regards, Ron
USASA 1965/69

Sir, IMHO you can't go too far wrong with a good bolt gun in .30-'06. I rather like the old '03-A3--good sights, good trigger, controlled feed, parts readily available, it can be quickly reloaded with stripper clips, and the bolt can be easily stripped and cleaned in the field.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

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Wishin' don't make it so.

Another vote for a bolt action 30-06, shoots anything form 110 to 250 grain bullets with great accuracy...NEVER had a deer get more than 10' after a shot.

Hard to say. If out west where black tail & elk then '06. If antelope is an option then 270. East would probably be shotgun + slugs (non-centerfire but viable).

My first choice would be a Winchester Model 70 stainless classic in .30-06 with a 2.5/3 to 9/10 variable scope and backup iron sights. My second choice would be the ubiquitous Remington 700, again in .30-06 with the same sight options. Either is a good rifle and will do the job accurately on any North Amrican game animal at ethical ranges; I'm just partial to Winchesters.

Russ

This would work fine; Winchester M70 in .30-06. Scope is a nice, clear Lyman in 4X. What else do you need?
Bob

SKS. Ammo is cheap, powerful enough for most small & medium game. The rifle is simple & reliable and can be accurate enough.

I have a Howa in 308 Win. and I am happy with it. Although I think I would be just as happy with a 30-06 spr, 6.5x55 Sweed or 270 Win.