If you could only afford one centerfire rifle.....

I'm going to out myself as a young pup here, but I would probably favor an AR10/M110. A relatively affordable, accurate, fast firing rifle in an extremely versatile caliber. The only question would be which one. If I were building my dream rifle, I'd probably end up in the low 5 figure range with all the accessories. But I'd have a rifle for everything short of Africa's Big Five. Going bare bones, I'd take something along the lines of a DPMS MK12 with a 3-9x in QD rings.
 
My choice, SOCOM 16 CQB.
Socom.jpg
 
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I go with the comments of .308 or 7mm-08 in bolt action for a 1 gun. And if I were buying a new one I'd give a hard look at the Tikka T3.
 
I already have it, I was with Dad in 1952 when he picked up his Model 70 Winchester in 270 WCF at the lumber yard/Winchester dealer. I added a Leupold 3x9.

So OP what am I to do with the rest of them? Guess I'll hold em for a while.

That way if I get into a survival thing I'll have my Colt HBAR or AR in 6.5 Grendel. Or my 7mm08, Oh what about the 300 mags? One could survive at long range.
 
I am most comfortable with an AR 15, and in a pinch, a 5.56 can be used to take a white tail deer. In today's world, the AR is the most versatile platform available. I haven't found any .30 cal. ARs that have got me excited, however.

For a good all-round, affordable bolt gun, a Ruger 77 MK II Compact in .308. I picked mine up, brand new for $260 plus tax a few years back. I like this rifle because of its compact size and its relatively light weight.

30.06 is still king in terms of ammo variety and availability, and you can pick up a number of name brand manufactures' offerings, new and used at affordable prices. A lot of hunters made the .06 take a lot of dangerous game around the world long before other stuff, larger and faster showed up.
 
I like a bolt gun in 30-06 although 270 is a close second. My personal choice would be a pre 64 M 70 although thre are lots of other good bolt guns out there that would do.
 
Almost too many budget priced bolt action rifle now to chose from. My choice would me a Savage Axis or Ruger American. More me the only hunting rifle round is a 308. A range of loads to chose from
 
Any cheap mosin rifle with the 203gr soft point Russian ammo @ $4.95 a box of 20. Or the 880 rd case of the Czech silver tip 7.62x54r ammo at $85 a case delivered.

Or a 30-06 rifle and the Russian Tula ammo for $1.99 / for 20rds, a box.

At the Backwoods Home Magazine online sight they did a article about using cheap military surplus rifles to put meat on the table. It was when surplus rifles were affordable. If you search it there it may come up.

If it comes down to surviving or not a good 22 rifle and a flashlite will get game. The difference between dying and living.
 
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woodsltc said:
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
Click to expand...

As far as I'm concerned everyone is entitled op their own opinion but this thread could have been terminated after the 2nd post as it more then adequately answered the question. A 30-06 is to hunting rifles what the 12 gauge is to shotguns. If you can only own one then that's the best choice.
The cartridge has more than proven itself over 100 years, rifles are available everywhere in every conceivable configuration as well as ammunition.
Jim
 
I'll jump on the 30-06 bandwagon, but I'd recommend the Remington 760 pump. been shooting one for 40 years. It will hold 1-1/2"groups at 100 yards and a little over 2" at 200. It is fast, light, and since the barrel floats free, it is unaffected by moisture. Mine hasn't changed zero in at least a decade. And, you might still be able to find 10 round magazines if you need added firepower.
 
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As I spend more time hunting smaller things than big things and have no plans to hunt outside of the lower 48 states a 243 bolt can be made to work. I have it, a Model 700 BDL with iron sites and QD 3X9 glass. Almost never use it, as I always have something better suited for the task. Include SD as well as hunting, a Mini 30, or perhapa a M1A.
 
Well, if forced to have only one, then there is only one choice...

My FAL Para. It's a Congo built by DSA. Reliable, accurate, and a very tidy package.



Keith
 
I've a Sako 75 Hunter in 30-06 with a Leupold 3.5x14 on it. Rifle is shaping up to be the most accurate '06 I've ever had. Had to cut the stock the thickness of the new recoil pad and fits even better. Will easily do 1" at 100 yds. I shoot 165 grain nosler nallistic tips under 55.5 grains of IMR 4350 capped with the CCI 250 magnum primer in federal brass. This rifle also likes the old match M72 load with the 173 grain military bullet and best part don't have to change the settings on the scope. For a bug out rifle my colt LE6920 in 5.56 will do very nicely. and for a shotgun one of my Rem 870's with an assortment of shot, slugs and 4/0 buck. And maybe my ruger MKIII with solids and hollow points. Frank
 
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