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  Provided I had plenty of brass for it. But, from personal experience, it's Hard on fox pelts. Been there done that. Phil Shoemaker : "I went to a .30-06 on a fine old Mauser action. That worked successfully for a few years until a wounded, vindictive brown bear taught me that precise bullet placement is not always possible in thick alders, at spitting distances and when time is measured in split seconds. Lucky to come out of that lesson alive, I decided to look for a more suitable rifle." | |||
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If it were reversed, (yeah, the 270 would have a high BC 165 grain bullet, and some 180's, but everyone would still love the 130's and 150's), the 30-06 would be a "forgotten round," just like the 7x57 far outshines the 8x57. Imagine that the US military adopted a .270 Win in 1903, just a speeded-up "7mm/6.8". Then a writer named "Elmer OConnor" tauted a big bad 30-1925, and campfires were never the same. If the comparison doesn't seem fair, then explain the grand ol' 338-06. Oh yeah, too big for coyotes and pronghorn. As if. So make mine a 338 WinMag. +-+-+-+-+-+-+ "A well-rounded hunting battery might include: 500 AccRel Nyati, 416 Rigby or 416 Ruger, 375Ruger or 338WM, 308 or 270, 243, 223" -- Conserving creation, hunting the harvest. | |||
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and Elmer Keith who publicly advocated larger bores, sent an off the public record personal letter to JOC admitting the 270 was a perfectly fine elk rifle...and add the fact that Keith personally chose his custom .280 OKH to take a pile of game in Africa. Keiths technique of intentionally firing through brush/obstructions was a primary reason for him advocating larger dia-heavier bullets. ...probably in the pot luck hope that at least half the remaining weight of a larger cal(tumbling)old cupcore might actually end up making it To the animal...  | |||
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 Good God, man, you've gone MAD!PHILISTINE!  HEATHEN!!  Ever since the beginning man has wanted more...of everything. The .270 wcf was DESTINED (insert Darth Vader moji)to be begotten sooner or later, and in one form or another. Why? lots of case volume = lots of speed with a smaller bullet. The only surprise was that CraCraCRAZY  bullet diameter. Why it wasn't a 6.5 or 7mm of some type is still up for debate (a mere 90 years later!).For those who aren't keen on history, you have to look back no further than the 300wsm, 300rum, et al.  Maverick & Goose said it best in 1986: "I have the need - the need for speed!" That's why the .270 happened...it was only a matter of time  The word of the lord! friar Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain. | |||
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The hammer of Thor hisself! .358 norma mag. Flat enough for our prairie shooting, and more than enough OOOMPH for antelope to brownies. | |||
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If I could only have one gun it would be a pump shotgun with a rifled slug and choke tube barrel. Not ideal for anything but covers a lot of bases, especially for someone who hunts upland game, turkeys and waterfowl more often than big game. | |||
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How about we redefine this question to one rifle caliber/cartridge for the lower 48? Pick your poison! If I'm truly picking one caliber/cartridge for the lower 48, I would be very tempted to select the 300 WSM. Can be light weight, loaded heavy, or light, and is not limited due to velocities when shooting heavy for caliber bullets. I realize it's not one of the classics, but it covers a lot of bases, and can be very pleasant to shoot in lighter loads. My other considerations would be the 308, 30-06, and a 280, or 280 AI. If I didn't own a gun, and had to go and buy one gun, based on current knowledge, and knowing I'll be carrying it to hunt elk, mule deer, whitetail, antelope, hogs, and varmints, it would be the 300 WSM, or 30-06. | |||
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O bother, you convinced me. Over the years I've hunted with borrowed 30-06's and borrowed 300WM and 300Weatherby's, but I've never owned a 30 cal myself. Yes, I can see a 300WSM as an ideal all around rifle. A few years ago my wife and I met another hunter in the Sierras (Cal). We all had Tikka T-3 rifles. Mine 338WM, my wife's 270Win, the the fellow hunter, . . . 300 WSM. The 300 WSM is a great round, (but so is the 300WM, 270, 7mRM, 300 Weatherby and 338WM, etc.) +-+-+-+-+-+-+ "A well-rounded hunting battery might include: 500 AccRel Nyati, 416 Rigby or 416 Ruger, 375Ruger or 338WM, 308 or 270, 243, 223" -- Conserving creation, hunting the harvest. | |||
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Answer is still .416 Rem. Mag. Second choice would be a .338 Win. Mag. Third choice any of the .300 mags. | |||
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If I could have only one rifle, it would be a Kimber 84L in 30-06. I love the way it fits and is nice and light. Yes, I know some have had bad barrels, but I'll risk it at some point. When you think of everything folks have done with an '06 (and just think of the bigillion factory loads available), how can you ever want for more, inside of 400 yards? friar Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain. | |||
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Use guys are still stuck on strictly big game hunting. The Africans have done it all with the 308 and before that the 7×57 and 303 . But since we don't have any pacaderms here then a smaller diameter bullet that would do everything well . The 6.5 Creedmoor. Phil Shoemaker : "I went to a .30-06 on a fine old Mauser action. That worked successfully for a few years until a wounded, vindictive brown bear taught me that precise bullet placement is not always possible in thick alders, at spitting distances and when time is measured in split seconds. Lucky to come out of that lesson alive, I decided to look for a more suitable rifle." | |||
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Nice +-+-+-+-+-+-+ "A well-rounded hunting battery might include: 500 AccRel Nyati, 416 Rigby or 416 Ruger, 375Ruger or 338WM, 308 or 270, 243, 223" -- Conserving creation, hunting the harvest. | |||
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I've spent a lot of time with the 416 Taylor and 416 Remington. I've had 2 of each. All of them custom built. Not really fancy but custom anyway. . Killed boat loads of game with them. But if I had to pick one rifle for all down south hunting. Ain't no way I would pick a 416. Not saying I don't really want another 416. I would very much. But at least I can justify it. With the right load they do make fine deer rifles. But if all you have are Little black bears and ruminates I just can't see it. Phil Shoemaker : "I went to a .30-06 on a fine old Mauser action. That worked successfully for a few years until a wounded, vindictive brown bear taught me that precise bullet placement is not always possible in thick alders, at spitting distances and when time is measured in split seconds. Lucky to come out of that lesson alive, I decided to look for a more suitable rifle." | |||
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Yep the 338Win takes a lot of beating, 165gr (if still available) for sure 185gr TSX to 300gr Woodies Used a 30/06 for years on every thing, including Africa, still have it but use the 338/06 on ever thing now & 9.3X62 (great if you don't shoot under Red Stag in size & under 400yds as we mostly do) & a 458Win . Oh but one yep 338Win ! | |||
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My Mark V in a .378 Weatherby Mag(no muzzle break, to noisy) 300 grain TSX or SAF. works great from prairie dogs up to the big nasties. | |||
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Of course I will have to be the odd man out. I would choose an old NRA Model 52 I had with a pair of scopes. My NRA had a 2" Unertl on it and I could literally pick which eye of an elk to shoot out at 100yds. I would be absolutely confident of supplying my needs with it. With a supressor it would be even more efficient. Very little in the U.S. that could not be taken with a brain shot that the 22lr is perfectly capable of making. Ammunition is inexpensive and you could carry a whole lot in a small package. SCI Life Member NRA Patron Life Member DRSS | |||
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The perfect canidate is sitting in my safe. It is a Steyr Mannlicher Model M Professional .30-06 with Meopta 6x42 scope with #4 reticle in Warne QD mounts | |||
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A world too horrible to contemplate, but I would have a 30-06. | |||
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If I could only own one rifle it would be a 30/06. Ten years ago when I was not quite so old it would have been a 338. I love both calibers but the 338 really hammers game. velocity is like a new car, always losing value. BC is like diamonds, holding value forever. | |||
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I don't believe Jack O'Connor could be bought off, he could be reasoned with, but was way too hard headed and orny to be bribed and I knew him personally..He simply liked the 30-06 for what it was and that to him was an all around N.A. caliber.. My favorite deer rifle is the 250-3000, my favorite elk, Moose or Brown Bear rifle is the .338 Win. and for Brown Bear and Bison I like the 300 gr. Woodleighs. My favorite DG Afican rifle is the 404 jefferys. BUT, the above favorites would not be my pick for a "one gun to shoot and hunt with forever", I would pick the 30-06 as its suitable for Coyotes, Rock chucks, rabbits, elk, moose, brown bear and will even get you by in Africa on the big 5 if your careful and under control. A proper shot on an elephant and there is no stopping that long 220 gr. solid. Its the best compromise all things considered. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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Yup +3. Would be my choice, too ________ Ray | |||
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NICE! | |||
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Ray, if you had a nice wood-stocked 3/4 MOA 338WM lying before you and a nice wood-stocked 3/4 MOA 30-06 lying before you, are you saying that you would pick the 06 if the condition was that it became yours to keep hunting with it uniquely? The 338 has some nice flat nose solids, too, surely a better choice on an ele, or the southend of a large, wounded northbound animal. Anyway, I've found them both equally effective on guineafowl, but the 338 wins on hartebeest. +-+-+-+-+-+-+ "A well-rounded hunting battery might include: 500 AccRel Nyati, 416 Rigby or 416 Ruger, 375Ruger or 338WM, 308 or 270, 243, 223" -- Conserving creation, hunting the harvest. | |||
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I agree. I've popped the heads off as many grouse and ptarmigan with the 338 as I have the 06. I just think there is a lot more small game that will be shot over time than big game. Phil Shoemaker : "I went to a .30-06 on a fine old Mauser action. That worked successfully for a few years until a wounded, vindictive brown bear taught me that precise bullet placement is not always possible in thick alders, at spitting distances and when time is measured in split seconds. Lucky to come out of that lesson alive, I decided to look for a more suitable rifle." | |||
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We're on the 4th page of this thread, and thus far besides myself, there's been only one other person who selected a drilling as the only gun if they could own only one. I don't get it. A drilling is the only logical choice for a one gun battery. It does it all: Home defense, big game in NA and everywhere else except maybe Africa, plains game, small game, waterfowl, birds, varmints, and plinking. It seems folks are more stuck with .270 vs .30-06 instead of versatility. I have two JP Sauer Sidelock drillings in my safe now. If all had to go but one, I would keep the 12x12x8/57. With two 12 gauge slugs and a .318 round nose at 196 gr, I think I can handle anything I would have to. Plus I can put in two 7.5 oz bird shot for upland game, then put in #4's for turkey and waterfowl. I just don't get the thought processes in these posts; I thought the answer was obvious. JP Sauer Drilling 12x12x9.3x72 David Murray Scottish Hammer 12 Bore Alex Henry 500/450 Double Rifle Steyr Classic Mannlicher Fullstock 6.5x55 Steyr Classic Mannlicher Fullstock .30-06 Walther PPQ H2 9mm Walther PPS M2 Cogswell & Harrison Hammer 12 Bore Damascus And Too Many More | |||
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Following this train of thought, the logical answer would be something more along the lines of an H&R Handi-Rifle.  Aut vincere aut mori | |||
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I do at least ten times as much small game hunting as I do big game so that makes sense, except for the cost. | |||
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My old Rem 700 with its Pac-Nor barrel, Shilen trigger, and McMillan stock in 30-06. | |||
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Quite honestly, an H&R Handi Rifle doesn't compare to the versatility of a drilling. With a drilling, there's no changing out barrels, you just decide what shotgun ammo you want to use for that day, load it up, and go hunting. Plus, you always have the rifle cartridge as a back up for whatever type hunting or exploring you may choose. The versatility of a drilling is unmatched. Regarding cost, how much do you all have invested in multiple rifles and shotguns? I'm sure most have more money tied up in several guns that could have been invested in one good quality drilling. For $3500 or less, a hunter can find an excellent quality drilling that would cover all their hunting needs. But this is all "what if" stuff, because most of us want more guns than we really need. JP Sauer Drilling 12x12x9.3x72 David Murray Scottish Hammer 12 Bore Alex Henry 500/450 Double Rifle Steyr Classic Mannlicher Fullstock 6.5x55 Steyr Classic Mannlicher Fullstock .30-06 Walther PPQ H2 9mm Walther PPS M2 Cogswell & Harrison Hammer 12 Bore Damascus And Too Many More | |||
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Probably a 30-06. -------------------- THANOS WAS RIGHT! | |||
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Like others have said I would likely choose a .30-06. I bought a Winchester model 70 featherweight when they started making the classics. I can find little wrong with the rifle or the caliber for general use. I often find myself going over which rifle to take on a hunt and even though I own others that .30-06 always comes to mind as fitting most hunting situations I find myself getting ready for. Roger ___________________________ I'm a trophy hunter - until something better comes along. *we band of 45-70ers* | |||
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I'd want a 'vierling' with a .22LR under the rib... | |||
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When I consider the political or economic conditions that would bring about the choice of one gun a hunting rifle isn't on my list. M1A maybe with as much ammo as I could carry or a 12gauge shotgun with as much ammo as I could carry. It would depend on a lot of things which I would choose. Hope I never have to make that choice. Steve | |||
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Although I rarely hunt with mainstream cartridges, if I could only have one rifle, it would be a 308 Win. | |||
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I don't think a drilling is entirely necessary, although it would be a great choice. My one gun only is my 16x9.3x74R. Have a .22lr insert for the 16ga barrel, so all bases are covered! | |||
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I have decided to ammend my answer. 338 Winchester Magnum. | |||
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30.06 or if I could hunt elsewhere .375 H&H USMC Retired DSC Life Member SCI Life Member NRA Life Member | |||
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Sorry, but my mind just can not imagine just one gun for everything period. No such thing in existence. | |||
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308 winchester, 1:10 twist 180 grn nosler accubonds, 23 inch bbl, leupy 3.5x10 scope Mike Legistine 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. | |||
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I also love the .308! I chuckle every time I read the "What I've learned on AR" post. Totally agree, but that's the great thing about this forum. Many opinions, and many experiences. | |||
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