If you could only own three.........

[chet]

I know it seems foolish for most of us to only own three rifles, but if 3 is all you could have:

what caliber would they be?

how would they be set-up?

what purpose would they serve?

I know we've mulled over this type of scenario before, but I keep changing my mind :roll:
Lets exclude rimfire for now (everyone needs a good 22lr).

My current theory is:

#1 Kimber 8400 325wsm w/leo 3.5-10x40 b&c
Light enough to pack all day in the Rockies
Kills big critters deader than dead (moose/elk rifle)

#2 M70 action, 280AI, 26" custom med-heavy fluted tube w/leo 4.5-14x50
Long range killer, no deer is safe
Very capable elk rifle (maybe not worth packing on a high country mulie hunt)

#3 M70 coyote light, 22-250, w/leo 4.5-14x50 varmint
varmint rifle - nuff said!

My number 2 rifle would make a nice back-up gun to #1 and #3
A 338wm would also make a nice choice for my #1
A 264wm, 7rm, RUM, etc lots of good choices for a #2 (I just like the 280AI)
A 243win (6mm rem) would make a great #3

What 3 rifles would you have?

 

[HeathSexton]

.30/06 slinging 180's - 2.5-8 VX3 - Ruger Hawkeye - could be used for nearly anything
.45/70 slinging 405's - 2x scout scope with backup peeps - 1895G - can be used for anything
.223 Rem slinging 55's - 4-12x40 - probably a Savage - kills most stuff

I would also slip in a 12 gauge shotgun when you weren't looking.

 

[FOTIS]

Three for the whole world?

three for N. America?

Three for big game only?

 

[chet]

ummmmmm.......

lower 48/most of canada

red fox to moose

 

[FOTIS]

From What I have now.........
223
300 rum
378

Just one of the hundred variations I can create with my battery! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[SJB358]

Man, I would never do this, BUT here are the first round picks

45-70 (M1895G)

270 WSM (M70 Laminate)

338 WM (M70 Stainless Stalker)

My second choices would be

45-70 (M1895G)

264WM (M70 Sporter)

35 Whelen (M700 CDL)

Leupolds for everything listed. That is what I have in the current safe. I skipped the varmint rifles, cause heck the 270WSM or 264WM will still slay some coyotes or more importantly, wolves! I don't shoot anything much smaller. Scotty

 

[DrMike]

What a cruel dilemma to pose! However, if there were but three in my safe, I do believe I would continue to shoot my .280, my .356 and my 9.3 X 64 as soon as it is here.

 

[ScreaminEagle]

If I could only keep three they would be:

My Remington 700DM in 280
Redfield 3-9x50 scope
Full bedding job with pillars & Free floated barrel
Timney Trigger set at 2lbs
(working on a load now)

My Remington 700 in 257 Roberts
Soon to have new Vortex Viper 4-12
Full bedding job with pillars & Free floated barrel
Trigger job @ 1.5lbs
48gr. of H414 pushing Nosler 85gr Ballistic Tip

My Remington 700 in 22-250
Vortex Viper 6.5-20x44
Fully bedded into Richard's wildcat stock
Timney trigger set @ 1.5lbs
THIS GUN CAN SHOOT!

 

[JD338]

I don't think I could do just 3. :lol:

338 RUM with a Mark 4 4.5-14x40mm M1 dials for big game and long range

280 AI with a VX-3 3.5-10x40mm CDS for deer and antelope, short to long range

1895 Guide 45-70 with a VX-3 1.75-6x32mm for deer and bear

JD338

 

[6mm Remington]

We hate you Chet! Why would you do this? :mrgreen: :lol:

This is a no brainer because I own two right now!

Ruger #1B in 6mm Remington ( :shock: ) 6x42mm Leupold scope shooting 100 gr. Nosler Partitions from the little stuff up to sheep, deer, antelope, Mountain Goat, etc.

Ruger #1B in 30-06 4x Leupold scope shooting 165 gr. Nosler Accubonds or Partitions

I feel I could shoot the bigger stuff with the 30-06 by only upping the bullet weight to either 180 or 200 gr. AccuBond or Partition for big bears or Alaska moose. I don't have a bigger gun, but If I did, I'm kind of partial to a Marlin with a 22" barrel in 45-70 with a small Leupold variable or a fixed 4x.

 

[FOTIS]

pssss


Do not let the wives get a whiff of this thread! They might think this is doable.

 

[Hegland]

I have two trains of thought here, but will limit each to what I already own:

Practicality -
.223
.270
.338

Sentimental -
.243 (Was my first)
.30-06 (Both grandpas took it to war)
.338 (No real reason here, but what the hell... 8) )

 

[BK]

From What I have now.........
223
300 rum
378

Just one of the hundred variations I can create with my battery! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

OK, POP, make it easier... what three number 1s would you pick!

Oh wait, I guess that's not really easier, is it?

 

[SJB358]

We hate you Chet! Why would you do this? :mrgreen: :lol:

This is a no brainer because I own two right now!

Ruger #1B in 6mm Remington ( :shock: ) 6x42mm Leupold scope shooting 100 gr. Nosler Partitions from the little stuff up to sheep, deer, antelope, Mountain Goat, etc.

Ruger #1B in 30-06 4x Leupold scope shooting 165 gr. Nosler Accubonds or Partitions

I feel I could shoot the bigger stuff with the 30-06 by only upping the bullet weight to either 180 or 200 gr. AccuBond or Partition for big bears or Alaska moose. I don't have a bigger gun, but If I did, I'm kind of partial to a Marlin with a 22" barrel in 45-70 with a small Leupold variable or a fixed 4x.

David, when are you getting your 45-70? Won't need that little ole 30-06 when you do! Scotty

 

[BK]

Hmm, if starting over...

We'll see what they're like when they come out, but one of the Kimber Montana .280AIs would be a good first start. Leupold VX3 3.5-10x40 (matte, duplex) with M1 elevation knob.

Maybe a Winchester M70 Extreme Weather in .243 as a light deer/antelope/predator/varmint rig. Probably the same scope.

Now, do I go with a dedicated HB varmint rig, or a thunder boomer? Hmm, probably the big bore. Don't really shoot enough vermin to justify it. So maybe a Ruger Hawkeye SS .35 Whelen, or a blue/walnut Hawkeye 9.3x62, or an M70 .375H&H. Probably one of the new Leupold fixed 3x scopes, or a VX3 2.5-8.

Wow, I consider myself a Remington guy, and not one made the list. A Mountain Rifle in .280 is a very close second to the Kimber.

 

[Songdog]

Ruger 10/22....

Rem. 7 .223AI.... 1/8" twist... 21" sporter pipe... 3-9 Leup with turret... Talleys... 7.5#s all up.

SS Win. 70 in .375 H&H... 23" pipe... same glass/talleys as the .223AI.... 9#s all up.

Ain't a big game critter on the planet that the ole' Three Seven Five can't handle with aplomb.... out to about 6 bills or so... when properly applied.

 

[BK]

Ruger 10/22....

Rem. 7 .223AI.... 1/8" twist... 21" sporter pipe... 3-9 Leup with turret... Talleys... 7.5#s all up.

SS Win. 70 in .375 H&H... 23" pipe... same glass/talleys as the .223AI.... 9#s all up.

Ain't a big game critter on the planet that the ole' Three Seven Five can't handle with aplomb.... out to about 6 bills or so... when properly applied.

OP specified that you get a .22LR as a freebie... you get one more. Just curious.

 

[Songdog]

Why then I'll throw in another SS Remmy.... this one a 7mm Rem.... 24" sporter pipe.... same glass as the other two.... weighing in at a paltry 8#s even.

 

[BK]

Not a bad combo, although I think I might go .280 versus your 7mag. Not a huge difference.

 

[Elkman]

Chet set the parameters then listed 6, scotty listed 6 so I feel secure in my ability to also go outside the lines.

My remington 700 in 223

My model 70 in 300 win mag for every thing else

If I got to hunt the big bears a 338 if not
Kimber 45 Auto