If you Had to be a one gun man for hunting North America, hunting game from Elk down to Javelina, and Coyotes.
How would you pick your poison, and what would she be?
I know we're all thankful that this isn't the case with most of us on this forum. But if the unimaginable happened, and you could only grab one, which one gets the nod as "Old Trusty" the one you take when you can't make your mind up on the others?
Stories are welcome!

Although my go-to rifle is a .270 Winchester when meat has to hit the ground, if left to only one it would be the venerable 30-'06. I handload, and that would allow me to tailor a load for probably anything except maybe the great bears.

One rifle for North American only....
For Elk and down, 300 Win Mag
For Brown Bear and down 338 Win Mag


One rifle for the world, 375 Weatherby.

.338 WM or a .375H&H. With preference going to the .338 for North America only.

35 Whelen.

You stopped at elk so,
I go 30,06. If you went to Brown bear .338 win.
...tj3006

.416 Rem.

It's the rifle not that the ballistics are needed. But, it's certainly never left anything lacking on this continent or the next.

This question has been posed many times here on AR, on every other gun forum, and in countless hunting camps across the country for decades. I would go with the most popular big game round in the world: 30-06. The 308 would come in a close second. If factory 7x57 ammo was loaded to 270 Win pressures, and if it were as common in stores as 06', I would choose the 7x57. However, given the ubiquitous nature of the 30-06, it would be my choice. I used to think the 06' is boring. Glad I came to my senses!

tc98- what would be your answer to your question?

Matt

quote:

Originally posted by tc98:
If you Had to be a one gun man for hunting North America, hunting game from Elk down to Javelina, and Coyotes.
How would you pick your poison, and what would she be?
I know we're all thankful that this isn't the case with most of us on this forum. But if the unimaginable happened, and you could only grab one, which one gets the nod as "Old Trusty" the one you take when you can't make your mind up on the others?
Stories are welcome!

300 Winchester Magnum

quote:

Originally posted by ColoradoMatt:
This question has been posed many times here on AR, on every other gun forum, and in countless hunting camps across the country for decades. I would go with the most popular big game round in the world: 30-06. The 308 would come in a close second. If factory 7x57 ammo was loaded to 270 Win pressures, and if it were as common in stores as 06', I would choose the 7x57. However, given the ubiquitous nature of the 30-06, it would be my choice. I used to think the 06' is boring. Glad I came to my senses!

tc98- what would be your answer to your question?

Matt

Likewise, the 30-06 would have to be the one. I have a couple of 270's, a 280 AI, and a pair of 300 WSM. Because of loading options etc. the 06 wins. Though, new bullet options over the last 20 to 30 years have definitely leveled the playing field. For Elk, and under, the .270, and .280' or even the 7 mag if you
don't mind belted cases, are serious contenders. Then comes the short action option. The .308 wins IMO.
Like you, the old standby, 06, and .270 sometimes bore us. Gun sales, in the US depend on it.
This thread helps me come to my senses!

.300 H&H

9.3x62 - kills everything in NA with room to spare!



------------------------

quote:

Originally posted by tc98:
If you Had to be a one gun man for hunting North America, hunting game from Elk down to Javelina, and Coyotes.
How would you pick your poison, and what would she be?

Since you said gun and not caliber it is an easy choice, my Blaser R8 and then any barrel I wanted to buy.

One gun for North America, Elk and smaller?

I'd probably go with a 7mm Rem Mag. I'm rather fond of the 7's.

If we were to include the big bears then .375 H&H or a 9.3x62.

I have a very accurate OM 70 in 300 H&H.

There are only three animals in the world I would be uncomfortable shooting. Elephant, Rhino, and Cape Buffalo. Even those three, with a PH backup with a B-I-G double I'd take a good shot.

ISS

quote:

Originally posted by ColoradoMatt:
This question has been posed many times here on AR, on every other gun forum, and in countless hunting camps across the country for decades.

+1

My North American hunting experience is limited. However this experience has convinced me most hunting, if not all, is well handled by the 30.06, shooting a 180 gn projectile through a 24 in barrel. The more I hunt with that cartridge the more I love it. Some years ago somebody told me God shoots a 30.06 ! Amen I say !

I would choose a .300 H&H rifle. I have one that was made for me and to my specifications that would do the trick. Good arguments could be made for the various 7mm magnums, the .30-06, the other .300 magnums, and a few other cartridges. But I prefer the H&H cartridge for it's butter smooth loading and extracting, the ability to handle the extra long and/or heavy bullets, it's extra margin for pressures. And, because I would have to work to come up with a bad performing load, I also choose the 300 H&H for being a very forgiving cartridge for reloading.

However, if the "one gun" requirement meant only one gun from all rifles and shotguns, then it would have to be a Paradox gun since that one gun serves equally well as a bore rifle and as a shotgun.

I can think of no better pair for North America than a .300 H&H magnum rifle and a 12 gauge Paradox gun. I can think of no better pair for the world than a .375 H&H rifle and a 12 gauge Paradox gun.

But opinions are like you-know-whats. Everyone has one.

Thank goodness we don't need to live within such restrictions.

338 Winchester Magnum

.375 H&H

quote:

Originally posted by Crazyhorseconsulting:
.375 H&H

Nice one. That would probably be my second choice, or perhaps as a short-barreled 375Ruger alternative.

.333 Jeffery!.

As mentioned in my last post. I would choose the 30-06. I actually don't have that special gun at this time, but I am keeping my eye out for a 700 Mtn. Rifle, or a Sako Classic in a caliber that does a lot, but is comfortable to carry, and comfortable to shoot.
If I decide to go to Africa, I would certainly buy a rifle suited for Éland, Kudu, and smaller.
What I have not understood, (I'm not saying I disagree) is why the large, heavy carry, heavy recoil calibers are as popular as they are for Elk, and smaller North American game.
I have never fired a .375 H&H, or a .416 Rigby, or a .338 Win Mag. am I missing the boat?
Please tell me why I should consider these as viable options. I consider myself a good listener, and am open to sound reasoning. Who know's, I may read something here that gives me the uncontrollable .375 fever!
Thanks for your comments, and for sharing your experience.
TC

I have been there and done that. When I did it my single hunting rifle was a 300 Weatherby Mag. It works too. It went all over North America.

Today, while I don't have the Weatherbys after I became Winchesterized , I could easily choose that again. The 30-06 would always be a great choice and classic too.

Sometime I think about a having a sale and doing just that. Calling up Mark Penrod and getting just one custom rifle made to hunt out my years with. But I havent done it yet.

I probably did more hunting when I had the 300 Weatherby Mag plus one pump 12 gauge and one OU 12 gauge than I do now with a safe full of various rifles and shotguns. So there is a good side.

If Africa was on the menu, then the 375 Weatherby Mag for me. Of course the 375 H&H would be the classic choice.

You can scroll around here on AR and find lots of good stories about the various calibers and applications in the field. Boddington has 2 good books on safari rifles and American big game rifles that are worth having on your shelf.

quote:

Originally posted by tc98:
As mentioned in my last post. I would choose the 30-06. I actually don't have that special gun at this time, but I am keeping my eye out for a 700 Mtn. Rifle, or a Sako Classic in a caliber that does a lot, but is comfortable to carry, and comfortable to shoot.
If I decide to go to Africa, I would certainly buy a rifle suited for Éland, Kudu, and smaller.
What I have not understood, (I'm not saying I disagree) is why the large, heavy carry, heavy recoil calibers are as popular as they are for Elk, and smaller North American game.
I have never fired a .375 H&H, or a .416 Rigby, or a .338 Win Mag. am I missing the boat?
Please tell me why I should consider these as viable options. I consider myself a good listener, and am open to sound reasoning. Who know's, I may read something here that gives me the uncontrollable .375 fever!
Thanks for your comments, and for sharing your experience.
TC

The big guys are popular because they are nothing to be afraid of IF you have a decent pad and a rifle that fits. And they can handle ANYTHING.
To answer your OP, I couldn't make a choice unless really forced to and even then I don't know what it would be. Like someone else said, if forced to have only one rifle, I would probably sell them all and start with my favorite gunsmith and a clean piece of paper.

One gun for everything? It has to be a Drilling in 12x12x either 8x57 or .30-06. Covers everything

quote:

Originally posted by tc98:
As mentioned in my last post. I would choose the 30-06. I actually don't have that special gun at this time, but I am keeping my eye out for a 700 Mtn. Rifle, or a Sako Classic in a caliber that does a lot, but is comfortable to carry, and comfortable to shoot.
If I decide to go to Africa, I would certainly buy a rifle suited for Éland, Kudu, and smaller.
What I have not understood, (I'm not saying I disagree) is why the large, heavy carry, heavy recoil calibers are as popular as they are for Elk, and smaller North American game.
I have never fired a .375 H&H, or a .416 Rigby, or a .338 Win Mag. am I missing the boat?
Please tell me why I should consider these as viable options. I consider myself a good listener, and am open to sound reasoning. Who know's, I may read something here that gives me the uncontrollable .375 fever!
Thanks for your comments, and for sharing your experience.
TC

Back in the early 80's I read OConnor and read Keith. I hunted successfully with a 270Win and hunted successfully with a 338WM. I remember more long tracking jobs with the 270 than the 338.

Once, a long tracking job with the 338 underlines its advantage. A warthog at 225-250 yards turned as the trigger released. The blood and green trail was not promising. After about 400 yards we found a pile of guts, but no footprints. the warthog lost his intestines. About 100 yards later we found the pig lying on the ground and gave it a finishing shot. Would the 270 have done the same? It is difficult to say, but the 270 may have let it get away under identical circumstances. But that is only an assumption and cannot prove a point. We we can say is that animals shot with the 270 would sometimes drop on the spot or stagger and fall, but on the whole they seemed to go farther than those shot with the 338. The extra power of the 338 seemed useful, and the recoil was relatively mild. (Of course, this was Africa, where a 458 was a point of comparison. The 338WM was just nice, enough to know that the rifle fired, but nothing to be distracting.

I could see myself using it for everything, from guineafowl to roan, or deer to elk.

What a terrible thought, only one rifle?

Come on with it! N308. Is it the .308, the new .280, or do you have something I don't know about that would be considered? I'm bettin .308

The practical side of me says stainless synthetic .280. But my heart says .308 and hope I never have to make the choice.

Right now, aside from my Dad's 30/40 Krag, I am a one gun man.

8x57 is all I have left & I wouldn't feel undergunned for anything on this continent shooting 200gr bullets @ 2700+ fps.

When finances dictated, I sold my 280 & 7mm-08. Never entertained getting rid of the 8x57.

As you said "one gun" and not "one cartridge" I have to get in the boat with mdstewart and I have it already. My Thieme & Schlegelmilch drilling in 16 X 16 over 9.3 X 75R. As I type this the right shotgun barrel of the drilling has a 22LR einstecklauf installed so I have all bases covered.

One gun? .35 Whelen. Pistol bullets for varmints. 200 grainers-225 grainers for deer and like sized game. 250 grainers NP's for elk and larger. Maybe dust off the hoarded supply of Barnes 300 grain Originals for big bears, moose, or the occasional bison (I live on the Kansas plains). My Remington stabilizes the Barnes 300 grain Originals perfectly, despite what may be written about the too slow twist. Go to cast bullets for practice and plinking.

One gun ? What a horrible thought !

Easy choice for me.....7mm Rem Mag, 160 nosher partition or accubond.

I'd probably go with my good shooting 7mm mag. Bigger calibers are nice for the big stuff, but I want a rifle that can reach out there if it has to and one I'm not afraid to shoot prone if the situation calls for it. Also it's nice and light, which is a nice feature. It wouldn't be my first choice for big bears, but I'll bet it would get the job done.

I'd go with our tried and true 270. Sierra 90g HPBTs for varmints and 150g Partitions for everything else.

338WM…………………………...

Another vote for 338 WM.

Questions like this makes my head hurt. But instead of showing my knowledge of rare and esoteric calibers, I'll just say a 30-06 loaded with 180gr bullets. So very common but it works. First time, every time.

That said, it's been years and years since I shot anything with an '06.