The Accurate Reloading Forums
Bare-Bones Rifle Battery
06 January 2008, 00:07
DGR ShooterBare-Bones Rifle Battery
Not sure if this is the right forum,but some of these recent discussions/polls have got me to thinkng...
If you were starting from scratch to build a rifle battery to hunt the world over, what would you choose?
I think every game
animal can resonably be placed into one of four catagories:
1: Varmints and small predators
2: Deer, Sheep, small African plains game, ect.
3: Elk, Moose, Black Bears, and large African plains game
4: Large bears, The Big Five, and other dangerous game
Please choose only one rifle/cartridge per catagory
I think my battery would be:
A Cooper Rifle in 22-250
Winchester M70 Featherweight in 270WSM
Winchester M70 Classic Stainless in 375H&H
An Empire Rifle in 500 Jeffery
What's yours?
06 January 2008, 00:14
fredj3381-M700 22-250
2-M70 280rem
3-M77 338-06
4-M70 404jeffery
I have others that cross over, but these will do fine.
LIFE IS NOT A SPECTATOR'S SPORT!
06 January 2008, 00:25
ConAbsolute bare bones if you allowed reloading of ammunition ...
1. 22RF (practice and fun)
2. 243Win or 25/06
3. 416Taylor
4. 12guage U/O
If you wanted to use just factory ammunition ... replace the Taylor with a 375H&H. I'd also have a 375Ruger but factory ammunition is probably still not as widespread as I'd be comfortable with if travelling.
Cheers...
Con
06 January 2008, 00:38
DGR ShooterReloading is allowed and encouraged
06 January 2008, 00:40
jimatcatthats easy... .225 win m70,...243 win m70,...338 win mag m70,...458wim mag m70...what else???
go big or go home ........
DSC-- Life Member
NRA--Life member
DRSS--9.3x74 r Chapuis
06 January 2008, 01:05
ted thornBare bones
.22 rimfire practice and small game
.223 rem. varmits
30/06 spring. deer all types
.375 H&H everything else...large bear or Africa
You did say bare I chose these for ammo price/availibility
________________________________________________
Maker of The Frankenstud Sling Keeper
Proudly made in the USA
Acepting all forms of payment
06 January 2008, 01:14
Juggernaut76Cooper 21 .222 Rem
Sako 85 Greywolf 7mm/08
Wby Mk V .340 Wby
Wby Mk V .416 Wby
Praise be to the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.
06 January 2008, 01:32
RH outfitterMy bare bones essentials would be my,
TC encore pro hunter in 22-250rem
Browning Abolt in 25-06rem
TC encore pro hunter in 338winmag
CZ550 in 460 wby
Like some of the other guys, I have many rifles that cross over but these are my goto live without choices.
"Speed is the key."
06 January 2008, 02:21
MarkHBare bones is a 375 H+H with a good variety of bullet choice from 155gn for varmint to 350gn for the Big Five.
Mark
Hunting is getting as close as you can, shooting is getting as far away as possible.
06 January 2008, 02:27
bartschequote:
Originally posted by fredj338:
1-M700 22-250
2-M70 280rem
3-M77 338-06
4-M70 404jeffery
I have others that cross over, but these will do fine.
Considering your classification restrictions that's about as good as any.
roger
Old age is a high price to pay for maturity!!! Some never pay and some pay and never reap the reward. Wisdom comes with age! Sometimes age comes alone..
06 January 2008, 02:41
z1rI think I'd build a Ni-MH, I like rechargables.
Aut vincere aut mori
06 January 2008, 03:16
MikeyB1: I don't really hunt varmints or predators, but I would take a Ruger 77/22 for rabbits and squirrels.
2: Tikka T3 Lite in .270 Winchester.
3: Weatherby Mark V Synthetic in .300 WBY.
4: Remington 798 in .375 H&H.
________
"...And on the 8th day, God created beer so those crazy Canadians wouldn't take over the world..."
06 January 2008, 03:32
Jeff SullivanI am trying to downsize my rifle inventory right now and have gotten down to:
*Sauer 202 Outback 22-250
*Marlin 336SS 30-30
*Sauer 202 Outback 270 WCF
*Blaser Professional Tracker 308
(I have tripled up on this one, but...)
*Blaser Professional 9.3x62
For what I ever intend to hunt/kill, this should do it all.
06 January 2008, 03:40
buckshot1)I'd have a nice 22, probably a 52 Winchester.
2)A custom 1909 Mauser action in 257 Roberts would make a nice crossover gun.
3)It would be Un-American not to have a 30-06. A model 30 Remington would be nice to have.
The next two would definitely be built on Mauser actions, probably in the classic "British" pattern too.
4)The classic 375 H&H has earned its keep.
5)A 416 Rigby would round out my battery.
06 January 2008, 03:52
WPN.22LR
.30-06 Springfield
.375 H&H Magnum
12-bore
The first two would be bolts, the last two doubles.
A few choices are:
Kimber 22 SuperAmerica .22LR
Borden Rimrock Standard Hunting Rifle .30-06
Holland & Holland Royal Double Rifle .375 H&H Magnum
Perazzi MX-8 O/U 12 gauge
I think Ted Thorn has it right, but I don't shoot varmints and I do shoot birds.
It's one thing to dream about these things and another to make hard choices. My last .22LR was a CZ 452FS but I no longer have it. If I were to get another .22LR I might opt for a Kimber and have it restocked in a full-length Mannlicher. A winchester 52 would be another good choice as someone else above said. I also sold my last Perazzi as I don't shoot targets much anymore and got rid of all of the other calibers in my rifle battery.
As it is I've winnowed my battery down to three long guns: a .300 Win Mag Echols Legend and a pair of 12-bore TR White round-body SxS's.
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06 January 2008, 04:32
Idaho Sharpshootermy Ruger 77/22H
my CZ 9,3x62FS
my Enfield 550 Gibbs
Rich
DRSS
Knowledge not shared is knowledge lost...
06 January 2008, 05:07
DGR ShooterThanks for all the responses, keep um commin'
Couple of modifications to my original question. For the purposes of this discussion, let's assume everyone has a 22lr and a 12ga shotgun, as no gun collection can really be co
mplete without those two. Also, this can be a wish list, you don't have to own all the guns you choose to list. I should have set those parameters from the start. Sorry-my bad
06 January 2008, 05:15
ElCaballeroSince you asked for 4:
223
6.5x55
300 mag (win or H&H)
416 rem
The top two could be:
30-06
375 H&H
06 January 2008, 05:21
namibiahunter1. AR-15 .223 Rem
2. .338 WinMag Ruger M77
3. CZ 550 Safari .375 H&H
4. Custom P17 .416 Taylor
...although there is an awful big gap between 1 and 2 which I would fill in with .308 Win or 7x57 Mauser.
Namibiahunter
.
06 January 2008, 06:11
WPNquote:
... let's assume everyone has a 22lr and a 12ga shotgun, as no gun collection can really be complete without those two.
You forgot a handgun. My vote goes to a 1911.
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06 January 2008, 08:35
Mike_Dettorre300 WSM
375hhmag
Anyhting those lighter calibers can do, I can do with 150 grn bullets in the 300 WSM.
Recoil is not an issue for a light loaded 150 grn WSM and althought I am burning more powder...I think that the $2000 plus dollars I save will buy me 80 lbs of powder which should last quite awhile.
MikeLegistine actu quod scripsi?
Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.
What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
06 January 2008, 17:25
robthomA .222Rem or .22-250 Varmint rifle, depending upon range /environment.
.338-06. You can go light and fast or fairly heavy and still have reasonable velocity. Additionally, it seems to hit a bit harder than a .30-06.
However, reloading is not legal in every country, so, in these circumsatances a .30-06 makes more sense.
At the top end, it would depend upon what you hunt and the environment. The biggest factor will be the law - what the state allows you have.
It is difficult to obtain permission for expanding hunting bullet heads in the UK in diameters bigger than .30 cal.
I would suggest the venerable .375H&H or a 9,3x62 would make a sensible top end rifle for most people. Comparatively low recoil, so easier to shoot accurately, and readily available ammunition.
06 January 2008, 18:17
jeffreysaw122 RF
223 Rem
300 win mag
375 H&H
Put these in the firearm of your choice
covers alot of ground for me.
"I will not go quietly, I will not lie down!"
Don Henley
06 January 2008, 18:41
GrumulkinIf it were really "bare bones" it would be one rifle; a 375 H&H Magnum; I could do it all with that.
If it were bare bones North America, it would be the 300 Weatherby Magnum. Ah...but you've given me 4 choices. If I could pick 4, they would be:
22 LR (it's unpatriotic not to have one)
22-250
300 Weatherby Mag.
375 H&H Mag.
06 January 2008, 20:48
Dave BushA Blaser R93 with barrels in .223, 30-06, and .375 H&H would do the trick.
Dave
Dave
DRSS
Chapuis 9.3X74
Chapuis "Jungle" .375 FL
Krieghoff 500/.416 NE
Krieghoff 500 NE
"Git as close as y can laddie an then git ten yards closer"
"If the biggest, baddest animals on the planet are on the menu, and you'd rather pay a taxidermist than a mortician, consider the 500 NE as the last word in life insurance." Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading (8th Edition).
06 January 2008, 20:50
phurley5From my present Battery I would select the following. 1- .243 WSSM, 2-.270 WSM, 3-.358 STA, 4- .416 Remington. My second group from my rifles would be. 1-.257 Wby, 2- 7mm STW, 3-.338 Lapua, 4-.416 Rigby. Good shooting.
phurley
06 January 2008, 21:26
TBEAR991.22 rimfire
2.7mmstw
3.308 norma mag
4.470 capstick or nitro express
of course put calibers in favorite rifle choices
DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR
06 January 2008, 21:54
gumboot458........an accurate 223 ,, AR or the new mini 14 Target ..........................................9.3x64 Brenneke ................................416 Remington mag......----------------------------With the Mini 14 I can load up 22 Hornet equivalent loads for close in fox and coyote .,and full velocity loads for wolf to 400 yards ..,.,.,.The 9.3 with 250 or lighter monometal bullets shoots flat enough for 500 yard shots at small ruminates and large at closer distances ., IME the 270-300 mags tear up more meat , but arn,t nearly as good for the heavy ruminates .........The 416 will do everything else..........near and far .... .....A 6" plus barreled revolver as a fairlet constant companion ....for me 7 1/2" 480 Ruger Super Redhawk ........
.If it can,t be grown , its gotta be mined ....
07 January 2008, 00:20
mstarlingThank the Constitution of the United States that this is not necessary. But ... if I absolutely had to and monies were limited:
1) an accurate .223 AR for small game up to deer
2) 338-06 or .338 Win Mag deer through bear
3) 9,3x62 or .375 H&H for bigger game
4) .416 Rigby or .458 Mag of some kind for the largest game.
Monies a lot less limited:
1) an accurate .223 AR for small game up to deer
2) 338-06 or .338 Win Mag deer through bear
3) 9,3x74R scoped double rifle for intermediate stuff
4) 470 NE double rifle for the big stuff
Exactly which ones would depend on what I could afford to keep.
I like a lot more choices though
The desired inventory:
1) an accurate .223 AR
2) .308 bolt rifle
3) .338-06 on a commercial Mauser action
4) .338 Win Mag on pre-64 M70
5) 9,3x62 bolt and 9,3x74R DR
6) .375 H&H M70 SS Classic bolt rifle
7) .416 Aagaard on a commercial Mauser action
8) .416 Rigby CZ bolt rifle
9) .458 AR bolt rifle on a commercial Mauser action
10) .470 NE DR
Mike
--------------
DRSS, Womper's Club, NRA Life Member/Charter Member NRA Golden Eagles ...
Knifemaker,
http://www.mstarling.com 07 January 2008, 00:46
BaxterBI have go with an 06 for everything my 375 is alittle big for, (the varmint/06 combo to keep skills up :-)) and then a 470 nitro double. All I need is 9 grand for the Merkel I like and I;m done. :-)
_BAxter
07 January 2008, 08:57
JKSMY bare bones battery.
.17HMR for my ground squirrel addiction.
.220 Swift for yotes and chucks.
.338 Lapua for mulies and elk (and maybe brown bears).
458 Lott for everything from squirrels to African DG and maybe the Alaskan bruins.
John
There are those that do, those that dream, and those that only read about it and then post their "expertise" on AR!
07 January 2008, 22:13
HankinColoradoFrom the factory:
1. Ruger #1 .22-250
2. Ruger #1 7x57
3. Ruger #1 .338 Winchester Magnum
4. Ruger #1 .416 Rigby
From my favorite gunsmith:
1. Ruger #1 .225 Win
2. Ruger #1 7x57R
3. Ruger #1 .35 Whelen
4. Ruger #1 .416 Rigby
Hank
Life, it's good...
07 January 2008, 22:33
Allan DeGroot1: Varmints and small predators
223rem Rem 700VSSF
2: Deer, Sheep, small African plains game, ect.
7mmMag (or 30-06) Rem700
3: Elk, Moose, Black Bears, and large African plains game
338Mag in a Rem700 AWR (or XCR)
OR a Custom built Win 70(CRF)in a laminated stock.
4: Large bears, The Big Five, and other dangerous game
416Rem Rem700AWR (or XCR)
Or again a stainless steel Win 70Classic
in a laminated stock.
Under some circumstances hunting Moose or Elk
(In bear country) I'd switch my preference
to a 375H&H in the same rifles loaded with
260gr partitions
AD
If I provoke you into thinking then I've done my good deed for the day!
Those who manage to provoke themselves into other activities have only themselves to blame.
*We Band of 45-70er's*
35 year Life Member of the NRA
NRA Life Member since 1984
07 January 2008, 23:03
505EDIf I had to get by:
Blaser R93 offroad
22-250 barrel
308 win barrel
9.3x62 barrel
I could also get by with one scope it would be a swaro PH 2.5x10 on the SR rail.
That is my barebones. thank goodness I dont have to!
Ed
DRSS Member
08 January 2008, 01:59
raybass1: M700-.223
2: MKII-.270 win
3: M700-35 Whelen
These are the ones I have.
This one is a want and would complete my collection.
4: Hawkeye-375 Ruger
Straight shootin to ya
08 January 2008, 02:56
MileHighShooter243
300wsm
375 H&H
If you think every possible niche has been filled already, thank a wildcatter!
08 January 2008, 21:29
Woodjack222rem
30/06 or .338/06
.416Ruger
08 January 2008, 21:55
SDhunterTrue bare bones common sense approach
223
30-06
375 Ruger
My stuff:
22-250
270 Win
338-06
9.3x64 Brenneke
416 Rigby
09 January 2008, 00:56
Dr. LouNot again... how many ways can this question be asked?
****************
NRA Life Benefactor Member
09 January 2008, 01:10
CRUSHER1 5.7X28
2 25-06 OR 25WSSM OR 257 BOB ALL THE SAME TO ME
3 338 WIN
4 458 LOTT
VERITAS ODIUM PARIT