Over the last couple years my gun battery got narrowed down a lot as I ended up selling a few guns off to pay bills. I want to start rebuilding one gun at a time but I want to rebuild it smart and minimal as I have decided I don't want a bunch of safe queens. I had rather spend discretionary income on hunting, trophy fees, a little traveling now and then etc. I have a few left that are not for sale but I want to start from scratch

I would like your opinions on the minimalist battery that I have come up with.

1 .22 No explanation needed

2. 300 Savage Mod 99 Good handling short to mid range gun. Huge selection of bullets for reloading. Not that hard to find factory ammo in most decent gun stores. Good for deer, hogs, black bear etc. and just because I think it would be neat. and I can use some of the same reloading components as number 3 below.

3 .30-06 or 308 Will handle Antelope to Moose. Very versatile all around cartridges. Doesn't bother me if everyone has one that still doesn't make them any less effective. 270 or 7mm-08 or 7mag could fill this slot if staying away from military cartridges.

4. 375 H&H have always wanted one and it will handle anything on the planet with proper shot placement. I would probably use it more than any of the others just because.

5. 458 for stuff that bits, stomps, gores etc and just because I want a Big Bore.

22 Revolver, 45 colt or 44 Mag revolver


Also in staying with mostly factory guns what actual gun would you get in each of the above?

If you were really wanting to stay trim and lean on the battery....#3 eliminates #2 pretty much. Change #4 to a 416 of some flavor and you have combined #4 and #5 with equal ability. And unless you are really seriously planning a pachyderm hunt, #4 could be left a 375 and #5 is just for bragging rights.

As many say...a 30-06 and a 375 H&H, will do it all, anywhere. Get matching M70's, say....the laminate SS Alaskan's, and go a'huntin!

As for the 22's...if I had my choice I think Ruger would be getting my money! A 10/22 and a Single Six? Good deal right there. Probably take a Ruger in the 40+ revolver as well.

Number 2 is up in the air is it could be changed to a 223, 243 or 7mm-08 or it could be eliminated altogether

This would by my choice.
#1 would be a medium weight, bolt action .223
#2 There is nothing wrong with a .300 savage, I think it's a fine choice.
#3 I would opt for the 7 mag
#4 The .375 is versatile enough to eliminate everything but #1
#5 I would opt for any .416 over the .458

quote:

Originally posted by Jarrod:
Number 1 is up in the air is it could be changed to a 223, 243 or 7mm-08 or it could be eliminated altogether

I think #1 is non-negotiable! I can't imagine a battery without a .22 rim fire let alone something like a 22-250. For those that won't hunt larger varmints and don't want to spend money on a better scope, perhaps a 17 HMR would better serve them.

For the minimalist I'd suggest skipping #4 and going with the .338 Winchester instead. I think it's more affordable and flexible enough to allow one to skip the 30 calibre family. With the money saved from the these choices, splurge on a 416 Rigby if you must.

Where handguns are concerned, I think everyone should own a S&W 617, a Sig for life & limb, and a 629 for hunting...

quote:

Originally posted by buckshot:

quote:

Originally posted by Jarrod:
Number 1 is up in the air is it could be changed to a 223, 243 or 7mm-08 or it could be eliminated altogether

I think #1 is non-negotiable! I can't imagine a battery without a .22 rim fire let alone something like a 22-250. For those that won't hunt larger varmints and don't want to spend money on a better scope, perhaps a 17 HMR would better serve them.

For the minimalist I'd suggest skipping #4 and going with the .338 Winchester instead. I think it's more affordable and flexible enough to allow one to skip the 30 calibre family. With the money saved from the these choices, splurge on a 416 Rigby if you must.

Where handguns are concerned, I think everyone should own a S&W 617, a Sig for life & limb, and a 629 for hunting...

I just edited the post above as I meant for it to say number 2 is up in the air not number 1

The trim battery:

.22 LR
12 gauge shotgun

Varmit rifle. .223-22-250
Medium GP hunting rifle, such as a .308
Boomer, .338 for NA only .375-.416 if Africa is on the Menue.

With either #2 or #3 there is no need for the other. Performance in the game fields is very similar for a 300 Savage, 308 or 30/06. Just pick one of these.
If it were me I would go with a 280 bolt gun instead. Your 375 will handle anything larger than deer or antelope and a 280 will do just as well on deer as a 30/06 but shoots flatter. Factory 280 ballistics can be improved considerably by handloading for a bolt gun.
Unless living in Africa or Australia I would go with 280, 338 WM, 416 RM. Add a .22 LR and a varmint rifle, 223,22-250 and a guy could hunt world wide with a near optimum rifle for everything.

I would say #1 would be whatever .22 rifle you like best. For me it would either be an old Mossy boltgun or Marlin lever action.

#2 Well I would go a Remington 760 as opposed to the Savage 99 but that is personal preference. Caliber could stay the same 300Savage as I know where your mindset is. Fast easy gun to use.

#3 I am with you here .308, 30-06, or similar caliber. This is the workhorse for most hunting in my world. Any rifle you like here as far as brands. I like Winchester and Remington myself. They fit my budget and shoot good.

#4 I would love a .375 H&H myself only reason I don't own one is I have no need for one. If I were to hunt big bear and moose though that would maybe change.

#5 You are on your own here. I would make that choice a varmint rifle in 22-250, or .243 as I love hunting groundhogs.

As for handguns I do no handgun hunting but everyone needs a .22 pistol and some carry guns. You have to go with what works for you there.

Whatever you chose, make sure they don't have those annoying 3 position wing safeties

A good .223 varmint rifle

A 6.5 R-Bar mountain rifle

A .338 WM

A .35 Wehlen

A.404
All would be quality bolt actioned rifles.
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..

The battery you listed sounds just fine as is. The only changes I would make would be a .257 Robert's or 6.5x55 as my light rifle and unless I had real designs on going to Africa for big stuff, the .375 H&H would be the largest rifle in my battery. Enjoy putting your dream battery together.

Change #2 to a 223 or even a 6mm or 257 and eliminate #5 and use the coin to upgrade optics on #1 - #4.

And actually you could eliminate #2 as the 30-06 can cover this. Just keep #1, 3 and 4 but that would leave one feeling deprived.

I'd lose the 300 savage-- 308 or 30-06 does the same thing.

i seem to like rugers a little bit.
the 22 would be a ruger bolt gun and the 22 handgun would be a ruger mark-2 target.
i'd go for a 280 also [it will do yotes through elk easily]
if i were gonna go H&H it would be both the 300 and the 375 and forget the other 30 cals.
matching rifles and optics for the H&H's.
something bigger for hunting biting stomping stuff elsewhere in the world i'd get a double rifle at that point.

get a revolver that starts in 4, a ruger hunter with the option of a dot sight would do to start.
then something bigger like a 480 ruger in a similar package.

quote:

Originally posted by buckshot:

quote:

Originally posted by Jarrod:
Number 1 is up in the air is it could be changed to a 223, 243 or 7mm-08 or it could be eliminated altogether

I think #1 is non-negotiable! I can't imagine a battery without a .22 rim fire let alone something like a 22-250. For those that won't hunt larger varmints and don't want to spend money on a better scope, perhaps a 17 HMR would better serve them.

For the minimalist I'd suggest skipping #4 and going with the .338 Winchester instead. I think it's more affordable and flexible enough to allow one to skip the 30 calibre family. With the money saved from the these choices, splurge on a 416 Rigby if you must.

Where handguns are concerned, I think everyone should own a S&W 617, a Sig for life & limb, and a 629 for hunting...

Wow, a 338 WM and 416 Rigby--my favorite pairing.

I would agree that #2 and #3 can be filled with one rifle in one of the 'three sisters': 270Win, 280 Rem, 30-06. If you wanted something truly 'light', then a 243 or 257Roberts would be fun. But with todays bullets one can cover a lot of ground with one rifle. My wife's 270Win shoots a Barnes TTSX 110 grain DEER bullet at 3400fps, which makes it flatter than anything she will ever need. (And Barnes lists loads up to 3500 fps for this calibre and bullet.)

#4 would have been better up until a few years ago. Now you have a 375 Ruger option.
The 375 Ruger is an inexpensive calibre with a smijin more capacity than the H&H. And the 375 Ruger would allow you to cover everything heavy beyond the 257 Roberts, if you wanted one, go-to, hunting rifle. For a practical, inexpensive inventory, then, you can have a 22LR, either a 243 or 257Roberts, and then either a 338WM or 375 Ruger. Three rifles that cover North America. If you want more coverage, with four rifles, then try
22LR,
270Win,
338WM, and a
416 Rigby handloaded to 6000 ftlbs.

That battery is FLAT shooting and any one of the last three could take elk or pronghorn, and the last one will let you walk tall anywhere in Africa. (My son took a guinea fowl with a 416Rigby a couple of months ago. Good camp meat. There was no 22LR available.)

On pistols, it all depends on your ears and their purpose.

quote:

Originally posted by Jarrod:
Gentleman before replying please read in the original post, #4 is NOT negotiable

So it needs to be the H&H version of a .375"? She'll work.

With a 375 you won't need a 416. You can go directly to a 500 Accurate Reloader Nyati.

22LR
270Win/280 Rem (staying away from military and plenty flat)
375 H&H (if Ruger is out)
450 Rigby, if staying "mostly factory", or 500 AccRel Nyati.

quote:

Originally posted by buckeyeshooter:
I'd lose the 300 savage-- 308 or 30-06 does the same thing.

A 300 savage has been in my family for years and I love the round. But I agree. To me is is something of a novelty really. The 300 and a 308 are so close to the same that you could use 300 savage data in a 308 for lighter loads. And I dont know of anyone who makes 300 savages anymore, so any factory rifle would be a used one. It is far easier to find factory 308 ammunition too. If your going to get a 99, the a 308 will cover you for #2 and #3. Nothing against the 300, but if your going for a minimal battery then a 308 is a no brainer.

For me if pnly North america was on the ticket I could live with:

.22
30/06
something flat shooting like a 264 win
if big bears would ever be on the ticket then add somethign in the 375/416 class.

If youwant to hunt Africa same battery and add somethign in the 375/416 class.

I realise that except for the Big 5-6 pretty much everythign else in Africa can be hunted with a 30 cal of some kind and a flat shooter like one fo teh fast magnums.

What no LR varmint rifle? A 10/22 can only get you so far. You are not going to be shooting coyotes out to 300 yds with it. #4 is redundant and can be combined with #5. I really don't see the need for .30 cal and you would be better served with a 338. remember you can always load down, but loading up can be a problem. So here would be my choice

.22 rim-fire- close range varmint
.243- LR varmint/ smaller deer size game
340 Weatherby or 338 RUM- Big deer/elk/moose/PG
404 Jeffery or a 450 Rigby- Everything else

If you wanted to add a 5th I would choose a 280AI

quote:

Originally posted by Jarrod:
Over the last couple years my gun battery got narrowed down a lot as I ended up selling a few guns off to pay bills. I want to start rebuilding one gun at a time but I want to rebuild it smart and minimal as I have decided I don't want a bunch of safe queens. I had rather spend discretionary income on hunting, trophy fees, a little traveling now and then etc. I have a few left that are not for sale but I want to start from scratch

I would like your opinions on the minimalist battery that I have come up with.

1 .22 No explanation needed

2. 300 Savage Mod 99 Good handling short to mid range gun. Huge selection of bullets for reloading. Not that hard to find factory ammo in most decent gun stores. Good for deer, hogs, black bear etc. and just because I think it would be neat. and I can use some of the same reloading components as number 3 below.

3 .30-06 or 308 Will handle Antelope to Moose. Very versatile all around cartridges. Doesn't bother me if everyone has one that still doesn't make them any less effective. 270 or 7mm-08 or 7mag could fill this slot if staying away from military cartridges.

4. 375 H&H have always wanted one and it will handle anything on the planet with proper shot placement. I would probably use it more than any of the others just because.

5. 458 for stuff that bits, stomps, gores etc and just because I want a Big Bore.

22 Revolver, 45 colt or 44 Mag revolver
Forgot to mention before MileHighShooter posted below but number 4 isn't negotiable but the others can be somewhat.

Also in staying with mostly factory guns what actual gun would you get in each of the above?

Just my opinion so take it FWIW
#1 10/22 Ruger I don't have one so I have no skin in this game, mine is an old Western Field bolt but you gotta have a 22LR to plink with.
#2 I don't have one of these either but they are nice woods guns, I have a M94 that my grandfather gave me for this application.
#3 Rem or Win in 30-06 plastic or wood, your choice. You can't go wrong with one of these out to 300 yards. Anyone who doesn't own a 30-06 is probably a communist.
#4 Only choice is do you want a P64 or a newer one? P64 have more sex appeal, new ones are probably better guns off the shelf.
#5 Your choice. If you gotta have one, I understand.
22 Revolver I would rather have a Ruger MkII. They are accurate and when I'm shooting 22, I'm shooting volume. Revolvers are too slow but to each his own.
45 Colt I assume you are talking LC not auto. for a LC a Ruger is hard to beat in about 5 inch, for an auto probably a Kimber.
44 Mag a M29 in what ever barrel length floats yur boat.
You have a pretty good gap between 22 and 308. You don't need to fill it if you don't want to. In 50 years I never have.
Thank you for your service to this great nation.

I don't think you can really have that attitude and stay in the game. Either you have excessive stuff because you love it or you eventually trim down, do without, find excuses and give up. Most guns you will tire of after a few uses. You have to keep exploring new stuff to stay active. You either accumulate a lot of stuff or you buy and trade it off for some thing new. If you have so little interest you will eventually give it up and sit at home in the recliner.
It is much cheaper to watch something brainless on TV.

quote:

Originally posted by SR4759:
I don't think you can really have that attitude and stay in the game. Either you have excessive stuff because you love it or you eventually trim down, do without, find excuses and give up. Most guns you will tire of after a few uses. You have to keep exploring new stuff to stay active. You either accumulate a lot of stuff or you buy and trade it off for some thing new. If you have so little interest you will eventually give it up and sit at home in the recliner.
It is much cheaper to watch something brainless on TV.

Long story short im rebuilding from scratch basically. I want to rebuild smart to start with. Have no idea where this stuff comes from about giving up and making excuses and all that. Not everyone wants to just accumulate just a bunch of stuff

quote:

I don't think you can really have that attitude and stay in the game. Either you have excessive stuff because you love it or you eventually trim down, do without, find excuses and give up. Most guns you will tire of after a few uses. You have to keep exploring new stuff to stay active. You either accumulate a lot of stuff or you buy and trade it off for some thing new. If you have so little interest you will eventually give it up and sit at home in the recliner.It is much cheaper to watch something brainless on TV.

The newest rifle I have, I have owned for 10 years, and I get a chance to shoot something everyday. I carry one gun for a while then I switch to another. When a person finds something that works for them, changing just for changes sake does not accomplish much, look at what happened in 2008.

Just because a gun has had a few rounds run thru it does not mean it should be got rid of for a "New" toy. Getting new toys is fun and I see nothing wrong with that. I just don't believe a gun out lives its usefulness after a few years use. Unless the bore is shot out, I do not see where sticking with a gun a person is familiar with and has used a lot is "Giving Up".

I have been at the business for a few years now and I get just as excited about possibly getting to shoot something now, as I did when I first started.

While I may not view the choices listed in the OP the same way anyone else does, I think they will serve the hunter quite well. I just do not believe in changing things up strictly for the sake of change. JMO.

Given the world we live in, I'd add a 12 bore pump gun and a 223 AR with at least 500 rounds for the former and 2000 plus 10 high cap mags for the 223.
"They" will be coming ..... only a question of when.

Just three: 1. .22 LR 2. 6.5x55 3. .375 H&H

i think it would work just fine,
but i would skip the 300 savage and just get a good lever in .308, and a couple of bolts, one a 7mm rem and the other probably a .338 win.
.375 hnh is great but un na a .338 is plenty of gun...tj3006

1.) 22lr For me a bolt
2.) 30-06 For me a Winchester model 70
3.) 404 Jeffery - for me CZ
5.) 12 ga for me ruger red label
6.) 22lr pistol
7.) 45 acp 1911

Sound just fine except for the absence of a shotgun.

You don't need #2 or #5 in my opinion.

quote:

Originally posted by Jarrod:
Long story short im rebuilding from scratch basically. I want to rebuild smart to start with.

If I had to start from scratch right now I think I would try to look at caliber/rifle selection from a "specialization" point of view and forget about what's versatile.

Most of my big game hunting is Mule deer, so that is what I would focus on first and foremost. There are a plethora of suitable calibers for that, but to have just one really outstanding rig for the purpose I think is the way to go. And also the aim would be to settle on one load for one rifle for that particular purpose. Another rifle, one load for Elk and so on. Just some food for thought. I think that makes more sense than multiple "versatle" guns relying on multiple loads for each one. Then you get the pleasure of having more than a one rifle for all battery, but it is narrowed down enough that you can also become very proficient with the few you do have because they are consistant.

Nothing wrong with keeping a versatile 06 around with a pet load for a back up rifle either..

Also you mentioned being able to use the same components. I am a huge fan of the 308, always have been. But another thing that I am a fan of is the fact that my 35 Whelen works equaly well with the same powders as the 308.. Whatever you decide, Enjoy..!

With a good .22 WMR and a .375 H&H, I could stay well fed for the rest of my life. A .30-06 in between would be a luxury.
Now if I could just bring myself to sell off about 40 rifles, I could start practicing what I preach.

My 2 cents on your list
1 .22- Yes 22-250

2. 300 Savage Mod 99- Since it's a family piece, keep it and take it off the list. Insert a Ruger, Win, or CZ 7x57

3 .30-06- yes

4. 375 H&H- yes

5. 458- Sure but maybe something more exotic.

45 colt- yes

not reading all the replies yet to me your list is fine i have a soft spot for the 300 savage and will always have one.as far as handgun choice i woul say you need 357 to carry


my list
#1 22 obvious
#2 204 ruger or
#3 300 savage
#4 308 norma mag
#5 470 capstick
handguns 22 revolver 357 mag revolver for me 475 linebaugh while 44 mag would fit most others better and 45 colt 1911 cause everone should own a 1911

My $.02:

1 - .22 always. Semi, bolt, or lever? Everyone loves the 10-22 but a good bolt Savage or Marlin will work.
2 - While I would rather have a lower caliber light gun like a 6mm or 6.5mm, I see why you want the shorter Savage for short ranges (brush?)
3 - 30-06, 308, 270, 280, 7mm Mag - would get a good bolt gun - Rem or Ruger are my favorites but so is the Vanguard.
4 - Guess the 375H&H is non negotiable, but I would try the 375 Ruger (in a Ruger action) for the hell of it.
5 - Will leave off with the 458.

As to the handguns you are on track, I wouldn't change them.

.22LR Magnum Research.
Savage 99 in .308 Win.
Mauser or Win model 70 in .375 H&H
Every thing else is fat but except the fact we all like a little bacon, some more than others.

A minimal battery for me would be
22LR Marlin 39 or bolt action
223 semi auto with plenty mags
30-06 or 308 Mauser or M70
375 Mauser or M70
12 gauge 870
45LC SAA revolver.

Without knowing all of your intended uses everything is guesswork but your battery seems a little spotty and duplicated on the heavy side.

1. A favorite 22 is an essential tool for affordable practice and varmint control. I'm partial to the CZ 452 in you favorite flavor, but mine is a 17 HMR and I find I shoot it way more often than my 10/22.

2. You are missing a varmint rifle - your choice 223, 204, 22-250, 220 Swift or as large as a 243 but that is what I percieve. You may never shoot varmints and not want an AR platform gun either in your battery so my take would be wrong.

3. The Savage seems an emotional choice rather than practical, but they are your guns and we all get to make emotional choices on our guns. I've been thinking of a handy lever gun for deep woods elk and one of these days might go for a Browning - maybe in the 325 WSM with a low power quick pointing scope so I'd get the knockdown I'd like and still reach across the canyon a little if needed. Honestly to be complete and minimal I'd add a 12 gauge of your particular preference here instead.

4. Your bolt action 30-06 is about as practical as it gets. You could almost decide to stop with it as the only centerfire rifle under 375 H&H.

5. Like some of the other posters the 375 seems an OK place to stop the battery unless you were planning multiple trips for Buff or Elephant.

Handguns aren't usually the best tool for the job but 22's are fun and cheap to shoot. I'd add whatever larger caliber suits your taste - for human varmints a Glock 45 would be my practical choice for hunting a big old revolver shooting a potent pistol caliber would be my choice. Personally my 357 with snake load is the only thing that gets much use in the pistol arsenal.