If you could only own one rifle

[Polaris]

The top ten list got me thinking. If you could only own one rifle for hunting any North American big game short of grizzly bears, what would it be? I'll add scope to this too. Total package must be under $1500. Criteria are field effectiveness, durability year after year, accuracy, and aesthetics.

My pic would be a CZ/BRNO (pre-war), DWM or Ludwig Lowe, or postwar FN mauser 98 action barreled in 30-06. Restocked with Richard's Microfit thumbhole Am. Walnut, and a Leupold fixed 4x scope. I'm fine with the 2 stage military trigger.

 

[JD338]

I'll play but thank God I don't have to pick 1 rifle for real!

Remington M700 LSS 338 RUM with a Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14

It will cover everything from mice to moose both near and far.

JD338

 

[Anonymous]

$1500!?!

I'd take a Wby Vanguard in .300 and stick a Leupold 4x on it and be well under budget.

With a little more budget a Nosler M48 .300WSM with a Leupold 4X....

 

[wildgene]

...just one???, set up for under $1500???

...Tikka T3 or squeaking in right under a Browning A-Bolt .300 WSM/ Leupold VX-3LR 4.5X14...

 

[Bruce Mc]

My Winchester Model 70 Sporter in 7mm Rem Mag topped with a Leupold VXII 3x-9x. And it would be loaded with 160 Accubonds.

 

[6mm Remington]

Ruger #1B in 30-06 or 280 Remington, 6x42mm Leupold scope, 165 gr. AccuBond or Partition in 30-06, 160 gr. AccuBond or Partition in 280 Remington.

Second choice either a Winchester Model 70 Classic Sporter with the laminate stock or a Ruger Hawkeye Sporter with the laminate stock in the same calibers and with the same optics and bullets.

 

[DrMike]

Wow! Tough choice. If I could go with only one rifle, I suppose it would be my Model 70 Featherweight chambered in 300 WSM or in 7mm WSM. I would be satisfied (not really) with either.

 

[taylorce1]

Ruger AW in .338 Win Mag or Alaskan in .375 Ruger, Leupold VX-II 2-7X33, or maybe the new VXR 2-7x33 with Fire Dot Duplex reticle. That should keep me at less than $1500 either way.

 

[ScreaminEagle]

Remington Model 700 in 280 Rem of course!!! Either a 3-9 or 4-12 scope and You could use different loads for different situations. Long live the 280!!!!

 

[6mm Remington]

Remington Model 700 in 280 Rem of course!!! Either a 3-9 or 4-12 scope and You could use different loads for different situations. Long live the 280!!!!

AMEN!

 

[Oldtrader3]

Hard choice, I suppose that given where I live and the local hunting, I would have to choose my .338 Federal Model 85 Sako ($750). Kahles 3-9x42 TDS scope ($500) with TPS mounts and rings.

Not sure that I could duplicate my custom Mark X Mauser in 7mm Rem Mag with Kahles 3.5-10x50 scope and TPS mount and rings for that money. It would be a good choice.

Either setup would work for my needs here in Washington for deer and elk. The other alternative would be Mark V Weatherby Eurosport, .340 Wea Mag with either Kalhles aforementioned scope. I would not feel naked with any of these choices.

 

[FOTIS]

378 bee or 416 bee

I own both so price is not an issue... I cheated.

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

As it has been said, thank God this isnt the real deal, having to choose only one but my only would be my Winchester Model 70 Classic 30-06 (bought it for 100 bucks and a trade in for $350 for a total of $450 on the rifle) with a 3x9x40 Leupold (it was $225 when I bought it new with the LRD reticle plus the $70 for getting click adjustments installed equals $295) on top. A military sling with Uncle Mike's QD sling swivels (had both already). And I wouldnt feel a bit bad about it either (all for a grand total of $745) :grin:

Wish I had a pic handy but most of you have seen her anyways.

P.S.- Second up would be my 300 WSM also in a Win 70....

 

[SJB358]

Man, I guess it would have to be either the M70 338 Win Mag or the M700 35 Whelen.. Both would do from mice to moose just fine. I think I could get by okay. They killed pronghorns with muzzleloaders and archery equipment, so not having a laser would be okay with me. That is a tough one though. I hate these discussions, if the wife saw this, I would be DONE!!! Scotty

 

[CatskillCrawler]

I would choose the one rifle I hunt the least with, a M700 BDL in 30-06.

 

[Greg Nolan]

Rem. 700XCR in 338 RUM. With handloads it will do it all, up and down the power spectrum.
Greg

 

[gerry]

I would pick my 35 Whelen, it's worked for me from blacktails to moose and will work fine on grizzly too.

 

[bullet]

WOW!!! one rifle, under 1500.00 for everything. OK, My M48 TGR 7mm-08 was purchased under 1500.00 and from varmint to moose with a whole lot of good bullets and weights to choose from for any task at hand in North America and I would say my M48 TGR was not only accurate but good looking. :mrgreen:

 

[Desert Fox]

My 300 Weatherby Accumark loaded with 180 grain bullet.

$1500 including scope or not.

 

[BP736]

Another vote for the 300 Weatherby. Mine is a Winchester model 70 classic sporter. It wears a 4-12 Leupold Vari X II. I have bigger rifles and I have smaller rifles so I guess this is a happy medium that will do it all... very effectively. I'd have a VERY hard time eliminating my 280 AI or my Ruger No. 1 280 from the herd. As previously said...glad this isn't real. My heart just skipped a beat just thinking about it.
BP