Hunting Rifle Battery for Life.

18 July 2001, 05:44

John S

A number of the readers here might not be rifle cranks and really view them as tools to be used on the hunt.
these types generally want a good dependable rifle in an adequate caliber for the job at hand, but nothing more.
If we were to design a battery of say four rifles for someone to hunt worldwide with, what would the calibers be? This battery is not subject to much changing as years go by. This fellow will buy it and keep it, replacing is only an option if the original is stolen or demolished in some way.
He isn't going to be replacing scopes every other year either, as one new milestone or another passes by. He/she is a hunter and wants to spend the money hunting and not tinkering with guns.
I'm sure there are those reading this that say, "Yes, that is me!, so tell me what I need to buy and let's get this over with so I can start saving up to hunt Africa or Alaska or Texas or wherever I can go."

18 July 2001, 05:52

Mike375

John,

22/250, 270, 375 and 416 Rigby.

Good overlap with both the 2 small ones and the 2 big ones.

All 4 calibers "read well in articles" so unhappiness won't set in. All 4 will never be replaced by something new.

Those 4 will cover it and the owner can sit at home and relax with waht he has. Effectiveness and happiness

Mike

[This message has been edited by Mike375 (edited 07-17-2001).]

18 July 2001, 06:39

Kernel

From a center-fire perspective, I would agree for the most part with Mike375, except I'd swap out the 22-250 with a 220 swift. Wicked little caliber. Although I don't currently own too many more than 4 rifles, I would sure hate to be limited to only four. My philosophy has always been that the name of the game is acquisition of firearms. That's what I tell my wife anyway

18 July 2001, 06:42

Jim in Idaho

Mike pretty well nailed it. I might change the .22-250 to a .223 but that's just personal perference.

However, there is one more that I would HAVE to add and that would screw up the nice balance in Mike's post.

The .22 Long Rifle.

Now which of the others do you give up? Or how do you re-arrange the coverage?

18 July 2001, 06:43

Sheister

22-250 with 6.5 x 20 Leupold scope

270 with 2.5 x 8 Leupold scope

338 with 2.5 x 8 Leupold scope

416 Rem. Mag. with 1.75 x 6E Leupold scope

Anything on this planet would perish with this battery, and another selection would probably not be needed unless somebody genetically engineers something we haven't encountered yet. Jurassic Park maybe? - Sheister

18 July 2001, 07:31

smallfry

22-250

280 rem

375 H&H

500 N.E. 3"

mmmm hard decision though

18 July 2001, 07:39

Mike375

smallfry,

Remember John's post was on a "worldwide" basis.

When you do the Australia leg of the trip where you might shoot animals in the hundreds, you will wish you had a 270 instead of a 280.

I am sure there is someone in Australia apart from myself who has seen a 280 Remington

Mike

18 July 2001, 07:42

smallfry

Mike375... I know... that was one of the hard parts... I would just assume take a 270.
BTW is the 25-06 big in AU?

18 July 2001, 07:49

Mike375

smallfry,

Some 25/06s which are mainly rebarrels. Hardly ever a see a new rifle in 25/06.

Down here it is 223, 22/250, 243, 270 and 308.

308 is more popular than the 270 in lower price rifles like ruger and Howa but 270 more populat inh M70, Sako and Rem 700. Similar situation exists with 223 and 22/250.

Bigger calibers are mainly BRNOs in 375 and 458

Mike

18 July 2001, 07:51

DB Bill

Volquartsen .22LR (semi-auto), .22BR Dasher, Lazzeroni .30 Patriot and Lazzeroni .375 HellCat.

18 July 2001, 08:20

<buffalo_buster>

I would go with the following battery.

.22 LR (Any good Semi auto)
.25-06 (Long Range rig for medium size game)

The above mentioned two will do the varminting work as well.

.30-06 for thin skinned non-dangerous game hunting, and for the reason that everyone should have it.

.375 H&H for critters that bite or gore, and for the reason that its .375 H&H.

18 July 2001, 09:01

JLHeard

Well, I can tell you the four that I have

.243 Ruger M77

.300 H&H M70

.35 Whelan Ackley Imp. M70

.375 H&H M70

I realize the .35 isn't really needed between the .375 and .300, but it makes a nice close country elk gun. I'm also short a "big gun" (.416, .458, etc), but I feel confident there isn't much I want to hunt I can't with the .375.

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It is not enough to fight for natural land and the west; it is even more important to enjoy it. While you can. While it's still there. So get out there and hunt and fish and mess around with your friends...Enjoy yourselves, keep your brain in your head and your head firmly attached to the body, the body active and alive, and I promise you this much: I promise you this one sweet victory over our enemies, over those deskbound men with their hearts in a safe-deposit box and their eyes hypnotized by desk calculators. I promise you this: you will outlive the bastards.

- Edward Abbey

18 July 2001, 09:25

Santala

223

7x57

338 (Win, Wea., RUM, etc.)

416 (Rigby, Rem, RUM, etc.)

Wonder why I have all those other guns in the vault?

Steve

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Every man dies, but not every man really lives!!

18 July 2001, 09:45

<T. Kanaley>

257 Roberts
300 H&H
375 H&H
416 Rigby

Wasn't too hard a decision.

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www.miltsparks.com
holster@ix.netcom.com

18 July 2001, 09:58

<Pumba>

John,

Thanks for posting another great topic.

I would like to recommend the following four rifle battery:

1) Heavy Rifle
- Caliber - 416 Remington
- Bullets - 400 grain Swift A-Frame softs and 400 grain Speer African Grand Slam solids.
- Winchester Model 70 Classic action, with a 0.500" longer bolt handle
- Krieger #5B 24 inch barrel
- Five round magazine
- Leupold 1.75 x 6 - 32mm Vari-X III matte, duplex scope
- D'Arcy Echols and Company scope rings
- This rifle should be built and tested by D'Arcy Echols and Company (435) 755-6842 - legend@bridgernet.com

2) Medium Rifle
- 340 Weatherby
- 210 grain and 250 grain Swift A-Frame bullets
- Winchester Model 70 Classic action, with a 0.500" longer bolt handle
- Krieger #4B 26 inch barrel
- Five round magazine
- Leupold 2.5 x 10 - 45mm LPS scope
- D'Arcy Echols and Company scope rings
- This rifle should be built and tested by D'Arcy Echols and Company - (435) 755-6842 - legend@bridgernet.com

3) Light Rifle
- 270 Weatherby
- 150 grain Swift A-Frame bullets
- Remington 700 long action, with a SAKO or M-16 extractor, 0.500' longer bolt handle, Jewell trigger, and a PME Model 70-type three position safety
- Krieger #3B 26 inch, fluted barrel
- Four round magazine
- Leupold 3.5 x 10 - 40mm Vari-X III matte, duplex scope
- Gentry Featherlight scope bases and 1" low rings
- This rifle should be a Lightweight Strata model built by Lex Webernick of Rifles, Inc. - (830) 569-2055 - www.riflesinc.com

4) Varmint Rifle
- 243 Winchester
- 55 grain and 70 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips bullets. 85 grain Nosler Partition bullets.
- Remington Model 700 short action, with a SAKO or M-16 extractor, 0.500" longer bolt handle, Jewell trigger, and a PME Model 70-type three position safety
- Kreiger #3B 26 inch 1-in-12" twist barrel.
- Four round magazine
- Leupold 4.5 x 14 - 40mm Vari-X III matte CPC scope
- Gentry Featherlight scope bases and 1" low rings
- This rifle should be built by Mark Penrod of Penrod Precision - (219) 982-8385

Good Hunting !

[This message has been edited by Pumba (edited 07-20-2001).]

18 July 2001, 10:08

John S

My own picks would be as follows:

.22LR Bolt Action

.223 rem. Bolt Action

300Wby magnum M70

416 Rigby Mauser*

If I wasn't a varmint shooter I would go like this:

.22LR

270WCF

338 Win mag.

416 Rigby*

* This could be switched for a 416Rem. M70

18 July 2001, 10:19

<bigdog>

Well this is what I have;

243 Win. general purpose varmit rig, 55-85 gr bullets

7x57 my choice for deer size game, 120-150 gr bullets

338 Win/35 Whelen my choice for bigger than deer size critters, 225-250 gr bullets

416 Taylor for the big stuff, 300-400 gr bullets

P.S. Add a back up rifle in 30-06, 165-180 gr bullets

That's my 2 cents worth

18 July 2001, 10:30

<JoeM>

Hello

22-250
30-06
340 Wby Mag
416 (any of the versions)

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Safety & Ethics,Accuracy, Velocity, Energy
Joe M

18 July 2001, 10:33

For me this took some thinking but here goes,

.22 long rifle ( ammo easily packable )

30-06 ( can easily be adapted to varmints with lighter bullets )

.375 H&H, I shouldn't have to explain this one.

.416 Rigby ( personal favorite)

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JR

18 July 2001, 11:30

<David J. Moses>

.22 long rifle (you can do a lot with a .22 lr)

30-06 ( .270 Win, 7x64 or .280 Rem as substitutes if you may travel to lands which prohibit rifles with military calibers)

.458 Win Mag since it will take care of anything the other two can't

A combination gun of some sort so that winged game might be engaged. Maybe a Drilling in 12/70-9,3x74R to be used as a medium bore if you feel you need a little more jam than the .30-06.
[/B][/QUOTE]

18 July 2001, 11:30

BigB

220 Swift
300 win Mag
375 H&H
470 Nitro express

18 July 2001, 13:21

Brad

Heck, I can do it with three:

22-250
30-06 (or 270 if you must)
375 H&H

In fact I have those three plus only one other centerfire (I'm a bit of a "less is more" kind of guy) which is a 7-08 in a featherweight/mountain rifle configuration. It's not needed as the 30-06 (or 270 if you want) can do it's work.

Really, the 22-250, 30-06 and 375 H&H are VERY MUCH alike in that none of them are "ideal" for anything, but neither are they "wrong" for anything either!

I call it the "30-06 approach" to hunting... it works, though it isn't particularly glamorous!

Brad

18 July 2001, 14:06

<Terry P>

Hello,

22LR

243

3006

375HH

Good hunting,
Terry

18 July 2001, 15:06

<holtz>

John,

Good question!

.22 LR
6mm-284
.270 Win.
.338 Win.
.458 Lott

One other possibility, a specialty rifle for the rain forest of the N/W, a .44 mag Ruger Deerstalker I'm having restocked as a mannlicher - for those very close shots.

18 July 2001, 15:13

Brad

Terry P, I'd be as happy with your picks as my own!

Brad

18 July 2001, 15:20

<R. A. Berry>

The selections of JR and John S are most sensible to me, but this is really a hard choice. Only four? Well here goes:

223 Rem.:
In a Cooper single shot sporter bolt action, Model 21. I might be able to load squibs to resemble a .22LR, and use the full power loads for long range varmints and even deer. Yes I confess to shooting deer, coyotes, and bobcats with this gun.

375 H&H:
It will do it all.

416 Rigby:
It will do it all.

510 JAB (510/460 Weatherby Improved Jenkins and Berry):
Just for kicks and more than enough whomp for anything conceivable. All kinds of uses for this can be devised. Brass and bullet availability, quality, and economy make it the most versatile of big bores. That is why there have been so many similar rounds, starting with John Buhmiller necking up the 378/460 case in the 1950's. Then came the 510 Wells Express, and there was a 505 Barnes Supreme round that used the variant .505 caliber bullet, then there came the 500 A-Square, next the 510 JAB, then came the 50 Peacekeeper, the latest 510/460 Long clone.

Yes I am a sick puppy.

Practically speaking:
22 LR
223 R
30-06
416 Rigby

But the one gun battery would have to be: 375 H&H

------------------
Good huntin' and shootin',
RAB

[This message has been edited by R. A. Berry (edited 07-18-2001).]

18 July 2001, 16:06

smallfry

ughhh... I see alot of 243s posted here... just be careful... a person can fall asleep shooting this cartridge.

18 July 2001, 17:23

Saeed

John,

222 Remington, 6mm Ackley, 270 Ackley and 375/404.

------------------
saeed@ emirates.net.ae

www.accuratereloading.com

18 July 2001, 18:29

Pete Millan

I'd go with:

222 Remington

7X64

300 H&H

375 H&H

Cheers

pete

18 July 2001, 18:46

Mike375

Saeed,

How come you let that factory 222 Rem onto your list?

I would have thought at least a 222 Improved

Mike

18 July 2001, 18:50

rcasto

I know the question stated rifles, but one might want to fit a 12 guage in there somewhere.

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RC

18 July 2001, 19:55

<DWL>

quote:
Originally posted by John S:
A number of the readers here might not be rifle cranks and really view them as tools to be used on the hunt.
these types generally want a good dependable rifle in an adequate caliber for the job at hand, but nothing more.
If we were to design a battery of say four rifles for someone to hunt worldwide with, what would the calibers be? This battery is not subject to much changing as years go by. This fellow will buy it and keep it, replacing is only an option if the original is stolen or demolished in some way.
He isn't going to be replacing scopes every other year either, as one new milestone or another passes by. He/she is a hunter and wants to spend the money hunting and not tinkering with guns.
I'm sure there are those reading this that say, "Yes, that is me!, so tell me what I need to buy and let's get this over with so I can start saving up to hunt Africa or Alaska or Texas or wherever I can go."

RE. The key is the last paragraph. I am talking about availability of ammo. The only problem I can see is in countries that don't allow military calibres.

22lr
.223
30-06
375 H&H

thanks DWL

19 July 2001, 09:24

Saeed

Mike,

Funny enough I was asked this same question by a friend here too!

I have a Sako 222 Remington here that my grandfather gave me donkey's years ago. It was my very first center fire rifle, and I love it. So it got included.

------------------
saeed@ emirates.net.ae

www.accuratereloading.com

18 July 2001, 22:40

POP

Let's see...

223 (mine is currently Improved 40*)

25-06

300 Ultra Mag

378 WBY

I already own rifles in these calibers hence my choices.

------------------
"If guns are outlawed...only outlaws will have guns!

"We should not say the Greeks fight like heroes. We should say that heroes fight like Greeks"... Winston Churchill

19 July 2001, 01:19

<mike aw>

I think I answered this once but here goes..
22 Hornet custom on a kimber action
280 Custom on a pre 64 action
338 Dakota 76
416 Rigby
I do not intend to buy another rifle(yeh...right) because I feel this is an ideal battery for hunting anything anywhere.

19 July 2001, 07:10

<maral>

- Custom Ruger No 1,cal 6,5x55. Kahles 6x42 and 8x56 in claw mounts.
- Krieghoff Classic S/S rifle 9,3x74R. Kahles 1,5-6x42.
- Krieghoff Trumph drilling 20-20-8x57IRS, Kahles 1,1-4x24.
- Mauser M 98 Magnum,cal 416 Rigby. Kahles 1,1-4x24

Lets hope I neverhave to manage with only 4 guns/ calibers for my hunting!

19 July 2001, 09:21

Mark in SC

.22/250 Ackley
6mm Remington
.300 Jarrett
.375 H&H

------------------
NRA and GOA Life Member
Do your part to protect our 2nd Amendment rights and preserve our hunting heritage!

19 July 2001, 10:00

<Fat Bastard>

Threads like this make me feel guilty. I've got a dozen long guns in my safe, and I still don't have all the bases covered.

But picking from what I own:

Any decent .22lr
.30-06 w/Leupold 1.5-5
.375 H&H w/Leupold 1.5-5 (currently being built)
.73 caliber smoothbore carbine firing "pre-fragmented" rounds, aka 12-gauge pump

19 July 2001, 10:05

Canuck

If I had to pull the 4 rifles from my own cabinet, to hunt with for the rest of my hunting life wherever the hunting gods led me, it would be:

.220 Swift
6.5 Gibbs
300 Win Mag
.375 H&H

But before my bird-dog gets wind of my decision, I had better amend it. My final answer is:

.220 Swift
6.5 Gibbs
.375 H&H
12Ga shotgun

Not to waffle or anything, but I would be equally happy with the following arsenal, for all around use:

6.5 Gibbs (can cover the varmint end of the spectrum with 100gr bullets, and the deer/sheep/plains game+ sized game quite nicely with 140gr pills)
.45/70 (good saddle gun, bear protection while hiking, good brush gun for deer/moose)
.375 H&H (Elk, moose, griz, larger African game)
12 ga (to keep my dog happy, and my freezer full of delicious birds).

Canuck