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

[Cocked & Locked]

.308 or .30-06

One and only would probably be my Remington Mdl. Seven CDL .308. Its short and light...overall length 39" and 7 lbs 10 oz as pictured.

 

[michael thornton]

i would have to get a second job, or third!

 

[Iggy]

Winchester Model 70 30-06

 

[rodeo kid]

Well, I enjoy my AR-15 and my AK-47, but if I could only have one centerfire it would be an M14 from Fulton Armory. Springfield M1A would be my second choice if I had less money to spend. Gpd Bless.

 

[hittman77]

Hmmm ..... hard to decide.

Right now it's a toss-up between the MAK-90 and Ruger 44 Carbine.

 

[jj2am44]

I just bought it last night. Remington 700 Tactical SPS 308.

 

[oldman45]

It would have to be a bolt action for accuracy and dependability.

It would have to be a long range caliber.

It would have to be capable of bring down large game as well as mid size game.

It would have to hold a minimum of three rounds.

Therefore it would be my Browning Gold Medallion 7mm mag.

 

[gizamo]

The reality is that a shotgun in at least 20 gauge will kill anything in N. America. Mice to Moose.

Just sayin.....

 

[oldman45]

The reality is that a shotgun in at least 20 gauge will kill anything in N. America. Mice to Moose.

Just sayin.....

Not real sure about that statement. While it is accurate on face value, there is a lot of difference between killing quickly and fatally injuring.

I would not want to use a 20 ga on a grizzly bear at any range. It is common knowledge that a .22 will kill with a well placed shot. I may not be that good of a shooter. I do not want to be within shotgun range of many of the animals I may need to shoot.

 

[2152hq]

I'd probably just keep either my Sedgley 03 Springfield sporter 30-06 or BSA Enfield MkI SMLE.

Just 'cause I like 'em, shoot them well,, and they fit the OP's description.
There are others at hand but they go outside the criteria (cost, ammo availability, ect) originally posted.

 

[NE450No2]

If I could have only one it would be a H&K 91 in 308.
I have been using one since 1977. They were affordable back then, they are kinda spendy now.
However with magazines costing 97 Cents for aluminium, $1.97 for steel, even at the current price of the rifle, if you buy a lot of mags, things even out...

For most people I would recommend a M1-A, in the barrel of your choice.
They are easialy avialable, accurate and reliable.

If your life depends on a rifle, having one with 20 round magazines, can make a BIG difference. For hunting 5 round mags can be used and make the rifle more handy.

Just this deer season I killed 2 wild pigs, a deer, and a turkey with a H&K 91.
Over the years I have taken several deer and antelope with one as well.

I like Garands, a lot. Their main disadvantage is that they do not take a scope very easily. With training the 8 round enblock clip is not that much of a disadvantage over a 20 round mag, especially of ALL your ammo is already in the 8 round clips.
There are the most affordable Battle Rifle.

IMHO Sporting Bolt Rifles just do not cut it for a Personal Protection Rifle for the Bad Days.

 

[Wyo]

I have a LMT/MWS rifle in 308 that would likely get the nod. This is the one the British army adopted and is more than accurate enough for hunting, self defense and general purpose use. Failing that, I'd be happy with any good 308 bolt rifle.

 

[bushmaster1313]

If you can only afford one centerfire rifle your biggest problem will be paying for ammo and repairs.

Mini-14 in .223
Ammo is relatively cheap.
Rifle is reliable and accurate enough.

If you want a hunting rifle, get a pre-64 Model 70
If you can only have one you want it to have some class:

 

[TAROMAN]

Only one - an M1:

 

[mtgianni]

If I had to get down to one, it would be the BLR in 308. It has accounted for gamefrom moose to rabbits, shoots cast and jacketed and a military issued caliber so cases are available.

 

[LOBO]

My choice...

This custom built .243 win on a Remington model 700 action would be my choice. Using 105 gr Hornady A-Max or 115 gr DTACs, this .243 win will shoot inside many larger magnums from 0 - 1200 yds. Load up some Barnes TTSX bullets, and you'll be good for just about anything in the lower 48.


Remington model 700 action
Holland lug
Krieger #5.5 contour barrel
McMillan HTG stock (pillar & glass bedded)
Shilen trigger
R&D Precision DBM trigger-guard (accepts 5 & 10 round AICS magazines)
Badger 20 moa rail
Seekins Precision rings
Leupold MKIV 4.5-14x40mm

 

[JBev]

One gun solution: FAL

If you are in a "what if" scenario, you MUST consider sources and availability of ammo. 308 Win is available in hardware stores, 7.62 NATO will be available from either friend or foe forces, one-way or another, and it will take anything in this hemisphere.

The FAL is as reliable as an AK, almost as powerful as the 1903 or Garand, has an adjustable gas system, and a spring retracted firing pin, so it will shoot mil-spec or commercial hunting ammo with no problem. There are also scope mount dust covers available that work fine (DS Arms makes one). A well-built one is a 1-2 MOA rifle, not sniper material, but, probably more accurate than you are, and adequate for 85% of your needs. Not as pretty as the M1 Garand, but, not as picky about ammo and carries 2X+ as much. Not as compact as an AK, but, with 2x the effective range. Not as accurate as an AR-10, but, easier to clean, less finicky, and more rugged. The only alternative would be a CETME/HK91/PTR91...

 

[rwsmith]

I've used the heck out of.......

30-06 is an amazingly versatile round and can even be used at extreme low power of about 1700 fps. It has covered anything I've wanted to do.

Nowadays I don't feel like I need a rifle with that much power and would probably center around a 6 mm round. A 6mm can be used to hunt here, but I don't plan to use it for that. Fine target accuracy would be my goal now.

 

[Cal44]

My Browning lever action in 308 Win:

 

[BAM-BAM]

Throw some things into the mix....................

CZ 527 carbine in 7.62x39 .... W/ a Leupold 1-4x20 scope and 6-8 5 round mags.....


The Ruger Mini-14/30 with a mix of 5,10,20 rd mags..... w/ a 1-3x20 Weaver scope.....