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

Big Squeeze · Apr 20, 2011

chet":2kvoe46g said:
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?

...........................Assuming there is enough hunting versatility with any three individual cartridges/calibers to satisfy any need, I don`t think it is foolish at all to only own three rifles.

The three rifles that I would have, are the three I own. Within reason, they can overlap hunting duties with each other. I don`t varmit hunt.

300 WSM Ruger Frontier compact carbine (Conventional scope a 2.5-10x32 Sightron S2 and 2.5x Leupold scout scope)........ This little fast `n handy 35.5" oal BLASTER can duplicate 26" barreled 30-06 AI ballistics. Great hog/elk or any other game hunting compact for the timbers or brush and is wonderful to carry. And should a long shot be needed, nearly a ton of downrange energy at 500 yards with a 200 grain Nosler AB.

338-378 Wby MK5 Accumark w/brake; 4.5-14x40 VX3.........Other than a long ranged super big game hammer, not too much to say about this one. Will be used in more wide open country, and for any NA big game,,,,"it" desires.

375 Ruger Alaskan w/1.5-5x20 VX3.........In my thinking, why carry around a heavier and longer 375 H&H rifle which won`t handle nearly as well, when I can get the same ballistics from a rifle that is about 6" shorter at 40.75" long. The Alaskan does exactly that. And from the box, it is one extremely accurate DG rifle. Is very handy, is not pretty and is durable in any weather. No need to ever worry about wood warping, dings dents, or scratching. Within 300 yards; bison, moose, big bears, throw in some elk and even a few hogs here and there. Would make a great one rifle for Africa too.

All three are different and distinct. Within reason, they can overlap many hunting duties. Aside from varmits, no better three caliber combo than a 30, a 338 and a 375.

SJB358 · Apr 20, 2011

That is a pretty serious trio BS! Can't imagine you would want for much more than those. Scotty

joed49 · Apr 20, 2011

My choice for 3 would be

300 H&H Mag in a sporter barreled rifle

.25-06 bolt action

.22-250 bolt action

To be honest I could do away with the .22-250 and survive on the 2 rifles above. I did that for a good many years.

But, there may come a time when hunting habits and terrain change. If I hunted heavily wooded areas there'd be a .30-30 in there instead of something.

You have to figure out what your use for a rifle is before anything. I haven't hunted anything large in years, I could probably rule out the 300 H&H for that reason although I prefer not to.

YoteSmoker · Apr 20, 2011

22 Hornet, 22-250, 7 Rem Mag will take care of fox to moose. My pre-season hunting will consist of 5.56, 9mm, and 308 for the most part.

jmad_81 · Apr 21, 2011

First I would have a mental breakdown! only three would be hard for me to do.

I would have to go with these I guess,

Savage 280 AI topped with VXIII 4.5-14x40 LR.
Winchester stainless classis 338 WM topped with VXIII 3.5-10x40 B&C.
Ruger African 375 R topped with VXIII 2.5-8x36.

Now my wife would have these three,
DPMS 20" .223 topped with a Mark AR 4-12
Savage 12 243 win. topped with a Mark II (now the Mark AR line) 6-18.
Remington 700 7-08 Topped with a FFII 3-9x40 BPLX.

And I guess my 15 month old daughter Payton can have the Rem 700 338 Edge topped with a Viper Vortex 6.5-20x50 target dot. She could also have her great grandpas Rem. 270, and his M1 carbine.

And 22 LRs for everybody :lol:

filmjunkie4ever · May 4, 2011

Call me square but here are my three choices...

Remington Model 700 25-06 with a 4x12x40mm Leupy for coyotes, antelope, hogs, sheep etc. shooting either the 85 or 100 grain ballistic tips, they both group excellent!

Winchester Model 70 30-06 with a 3x9x40mm Leupy for mule deer, elk, caribou shooting the 165 grain accubonds at 2750-2800 fps mv.

Mauser 98 338-06 with a 2x7x33mm Leupy for Moose, Bison, South-bound Grizzly, Black Bear shooting either the 225 grain Accubonds or 250 grain Partitions.

And of course I woul add my 22 Rimfire, 12 Gauge Mossberg, and Ruger 45 to the unmentioned necessities folder.