Now that I have finally finished college and given up on graduate school (too many pinheaded ultra liberals at that level for me) I am laying the ground work for replacing all the guns I sold to pay for college.

I need lots of input as I plan on putting together 5 rifles to cover all my big game needs. To keep cost down, and because I dearly love tinkering with guns, I am favoring either factory guns or do it yourself semi-customs ( i.e. gunsmith rebarrels that I stock myself) rather than full blown custom rigs.

The tentative candidates are:

1) .257 Roberts in a synthetic or laminate stocked "Mountain Rifle" style w 1.5-6 or 2-7 scope for walk around varminting and general purpose deer hunting.

2) 7mm Remington Magnum with a 26 inch barrel, synthetic or laminate stock and a 4.5-14 or 6.5-20 scope for long range deer and Elk sized critters. (I used to really favor the .300 win mag for this type of work but as I get older the lighter recoil of the 7mag is getting more appealing).

3).338-06 .350 Remington .35 Whelen with a 20-21 inch barrel synthetic/ laminate stock 1-4 1-5 scope or good ghost ring style sight for whitetail/Elk in thickets or black bears in a swamp ( we got some whoppers 600#+ down in eastern NC)

4) .416 Taylor/ Rigby/ Remington or a .425 Express W/ 20-22 inch barrel synthetic stock 2.5x Leupold and good iron sights for big critters such as Brown Bears and in case I ever make it to Africa.

5) .223, 22-250, .22-243 or .220 swift in 26 or 28 in a heavy barrelled varmint configuration with 8-32 or 6-24 scope for ground hogs prarie dogs and paper punching.

Right now the leading contenders for these rifles are Savage ( I am highly intrigued by Midway's barrel swapping propostion), CZ 550 series, and Winchester Model 70s. The new Remington j-lock guns I've handled down at the local shooting emporium seem awfully junky to me.

Thanks for your help.
HBB

One way to go, of course, is the Blaser R93 with standard and "Safari" forearms, standard and magnum bolt heads, plus barrels in .22-250, 6.5x55, .30-06 (standard bolt head), and .375 H&H and .416 Rem Mag (magnum bolt head).

Hillbillybear,

Member #7 Wow.

Excellent question. There are also many good actions not mentioned like Mauser and Ruger. The current bargain still available are the Beretta Mato Rifle which are built on Dakota 97 actions and are going new (as closeouts) for around $500.

Oddly enough I also live in NC, and have 5 primary game rifles.

My choices are:

Semi-custom Cooper Varmint Extreme .223 w/Leupold Gloss 3.5x10 AO VariX III and standard Duplex Reticle, Leupold mounts and rings.

Factory Beretta Mato 7mm Rem Mag. w/Leupold Matte 3x9 Vari X II and German #4 Reticle, Leupold QRW Bases and Burris Z Rings.

Factory Ruger MKII Express .300 Win Mag. w/Leupold Matte 3x9 Compact, Ruger rings.

Custom Sako AII in .358 Winchester, Shilen #3 barrel 22" long, Brown Precision Kevlar Stock, Custom 3 position model 70 style safety, Black T teflon finish, Leupold Sako Rings, Leupold Matte 1.75X6 VariX III scope and heavy Duplex reticle, weight 7.3 Lbs loaded and ready to go.

Custom Oberndorf Mauser Sporter in 375 H&H. Put together on a 1927 Sporter action by Emil Nordheim, it features a light (.625 @ Muzzle) 25" barrel, engraved action and floorplate, Low swing Mauser safety, Lever type floorplate, Circassian walnut stock, Horn forend tip, Leupold bases and low rings mounting a steel tubed Weaver K2.5, with Weaver style duplex reticle.

All your selections appear sound, except for your choice of a 4.5x14 or egads a 6.5x20 for a big game rifle. Think no more than 10x and a 40mm or less objective, for any big game and you will be right on.

If you live in the Raleigh area or are stopping by please feel free to drop me an e-mail and you may shoot any of the above to get your ideas solidified.

regards,

Bob

1. A .22LR, possibly a Ruger 10/22 you can transform into a tack driver and great looking rifle with the numerous after market parts available.

2. One of the .22's, or maybe one of the 7mm's, such as the 7mm-08, .284, etc.

3. A .30-06 in CRF form. This way you can always rebarrel to .338-06, .35 Whelen and others if you are not pleased with it.

4. The next obvious step would be "The Alaskan," called so when introduced around 1958, and one of the most popular cartridges in Alaska. This one is the .338 Winchester Magnum.

5. In reality there is no need for another rifle past the .338 WM for hunting in North America, but if you still want more power for specialized hunts where you want to use a "stopper," then bypass the .37 versions and step on the .416's realm.

You will noticed that I bypassed the .300 Magnum's. The .300 WM is also a very popular cartridge in Alaska, but the heavier .33 bullets from 225 to 300 grains offer more punch for bear hunting. One can also use lightweight .33 bullets from 160 to 210 grains to closely match the ballistics of the .300 WM.

I also bypassed the .375 H&H, which is a great and very famous cartridge worldwide and one of my favorites, only second to the .338WM. My reasons are as follows: A .33 caliber 275-grain Swift A-Frame has enough SD to penetrate as much if not more than a similarly constructed .37 bullet. In fact, .33 bullets work in the same fashion up to 300 grains.

The .37 bullets offer a slightly wider hole through game, but there is not a "huge" difference or step UP from the .338WM to the .375 H&H, except as follows: The .375 H&H is in "its waters" when bullets from 300 grains and heavier are used. There is where the .375 H&H offer its mighty punch, and exactly where the .416's take over.

This is easy now if you said two we might have trouble
1 22 rimfire in want ever action trips your trigger.
2. a 223 or 22 250 in a heavy varmint type
3. 30-06 for every thing elk on down.
4. 338 win mag if you need something bigger.
5. An 416 taylor or rem. for the real big stuff and the thought of it just to keep the elephants out of your garden.

I'd agree with P Dog Shooter on everything but #4&5, there I'd pick the 375H&H and 416 Rigby (I like the classics). Besides they give you a good reason to take up reloading.

[ 12-28-2002, 04:43: Message edited by: Tailgunner ]

Shadow Beretta Mato's are built on Dakota 97 actions?

HBB, there's nothing "wrong" with any of your idea's about cartrides. I'd probably do a 223, 257 Roberts, 30-06 & 375H&H (all with 22" bbl's). If you wanted to be really "practical" you could ditch the Roberts and do a 243. I don't like wildcat's so the Taylor would be out for me. I guess #5 would be a long-range rig of some sort... probably a 270 WSM or 7mm WSM or 7mm RM (as you said) with a 24-26" bbl. The 375 would eliminate the need for anything in the 338-06 class and 416 Taylor as it does the duty of both.

A 22-250, 270 and 338 WM will do everything (with room to spare) that needs doing on this continent with today's bullets.

For me, to simplify further (since I have no plan's/desire for brown bears) a 22-250 and 300 WSM would do it all (23" bbl's).

My launch-pad preference for all the above is the M70... specifically Stainless M70's topped with matte black Leupold's.

Brad

5 gun battery? Your prospects look promising, but you have quite a bit of overlap. Try these suggestions and see how you feel about them.

1) 22LR tube fed semi-auto, lever, or pump. Everyone should have a nice, fun plinker.
2) .22-250 10x scope, 26" barrel, a long range tack driving outfit, consider a muzzle break.
3) .25-06 w/ fixed 6x scope. your 'goto' walking varmint/deer rig. 24" #4 barrel.
4) .338-06 24" barrel and 2-8x scope. Long Range elk, to up close swamp bears, to african plains game, to alaskan bear. ~200gr Noslers will do it all with authority.
5) 12ga Benelli. Just like the .22, this is a must have. Also, you can get rifled chokes/barrels for the benelli shotguns now.

As for the 416, get that when africa actually becomes a reality, until then it's quite unnecessary. And unless your thinking about elephant and buffalo you'd be fine with the .338. ... But I defer that point to an african hunter....

Now the funny part, I just listed my 5gun battery (except it's 338-06AI) This battery works! And BTW, a 7mag though a great cartridge is redundant for me. There are so many great combinations for what you're trying to do!

[ 12-28-2002, 06:15: Message edited by: waldog ]

The first gun to buy is a pump shotgun. This will take all game and provide home defense also. My choice for a quality, classic and lightweight gun is a used Ithaka 37 Featherlight. Any gauge from 12 thru 20 will do it.

Next a .22LR is wanted. It seems the 10/22's are popular.

Third since the game season is over get a 6MM of some sort for varmints and even deer. I would not get a really heavy one. I have them and it gets old unless you don't hunt with it.

For the 7MM Magnum I suggest the 7MM WSM if your going to reload.

For a heavy caliber I have .375's. Get what you want but I would not get a .416 Taylor because it's a odd ball and you might need to borrow or buy ammo. This is an important rifle to be conservative on and get a standard item. This means the .375 H&H or the .458 Win. Perhaps a .458 Lott.

For a scope start with a new Leupold VX1 2X7. These are only $179 mail order. Weaver mounts are basic, adequate, light, strong, detachable and available everywhere.

Good luck and remember that the marksman can make almost any gun perform and marksmen are made and not born.

I'll give you mine for kicks!

1. 22mag
2. 30-06
3. 338mag
4. 375 Weatherby
5. 416 Remington
Now your set to hunt anything in North America.

We get to chose 5,Heres my best shot
#1..22lr preferably a 10-22(lots of bolt ons)
#2..223AR,Colt Elite(here again lots of boltons)
#3..22-250,8twist bull barrel(easy custom)
#4..6.5x55 or 708,lets make it a carbine
#5..Tuff one here?.7Mag or 338? depending on use
Of corse you could do it with one.The TC Ancore can be fitted to these barrels & many more including Muzzleloader,shotgun & pistol=CJ

Here are my choices for what there worth !!

1. 22/250 heavy barrelled ( I have a rem vssf)

2. 6.5x55 in a cz 550 American, loaded with 120 gr bullets

3. .375 in a cz 550 safari (loaded with lighter bullets & used like a 30/06 as recoil is very manageble)

4. .416 Rigby in a cz 550 Safari (loaded with 410 gr woodleigh's for big'bad stuff)

5. Marlin 1895 in 45/70 for brush hunting(not ported)

It would be a given that you would also own a 12 gauge and a 22lr & these would not be counted in your 5 centerfires.

But if I had to only own 5 centerfire rifles this would be it. The CZ's would be decked out with McMillan stocks.

Rate my choices

regards PC.

#1 12ga 3" pump shotgun
#2 223 rem
#3 Something in 25 caliber(250 Sav, 257 Roberts, 257DGR, or 25/06
#4 300 Win mag
#5 375 H&H or 416 Rem

HILLBILLY,

I think you've got it covered very well. North America, Africa, Asia those choices should do it all.

hillybillybear,

i'm from eastern nc as well and am just about to graduate from college. i think you've got what you want figured out. the most important thing in guns is to have confidence in what you are carrying.

i'm essentially in the same situation you are. with few exceptions, i need to work on my battery of rifles. by and large, i want to choose the same action and have my guns setup very similarly.

here's what i'd recommend:
Rifles
#1 light rifle for varminting, our tiny deer, etc. - .257 Roberts is fine; .243 would work well too.

#2 Beanfield rifle - a 7mm mag of any flavor would be excellent. you're probably fine on elk and certainly any kind of deer. .300 mags are a lot of recoil.

#3 Bear gun - I disagree with you here. I have a Marlin Guide Gun. It's handy and will certainly do the trick. Unless you're hunting in Hyde County in some place eat up with bear, by and large you'll be hunting over dogs if you're succesful. A good revolver might be a better choice as some people won't let you shot around their dogs with scopes. Cody Partin killed his 800+ pound bear with a shotgun. Get this gun last and think long and hard about it. I'm not a fan of a bolt action carbine, but if you are then there is nothing wrong with a .338-06 or .350 rem mag. Supposedly they are reintroducing the Rem Model 600 in .350 rem mag in 2003.

#4 Big Bore - I'm no expert here. I wouldn't play around, though. Go for a .375H&H or .416 Rigby. You'll probably be happier with a 24" barrel, too.

#5 True varmint gun - I'd stick with .223 or .22-250 just because of ammo availability. Cheap surplus is always an incentive for .223.

Of course, everyone needs their favorite .22.

You didn't ask, but here is my advice on the other two categories:

Shotguns
#1 Waterfowl gun - With the advent of Hevi Shot, I don't think the 3 1/2" shell is that necessary. I'd go with a Benelli M1 12ga with a 26" barrel. It's light enough to serve double duty on upland birds as well. (Although I have no complaints about my Winchester Super X2, I wish I'd have gone this route.)

#2 Deer / Turkey Gun - Get a gun with a short barrel that can serve double duty. I've got a Rem 870 with a 20" Barrel that accepts Rem Chokes. It can have a turkey choke or a rifled choke for slugs. Quick, light, and effective.

#3 Proper Quail / Clays Gun - Get a nice 20ga semi or over / under that fits you like a glove.

Handguns
#1 .22 - Pistols teach excellent marksmenship skills. Get an autoloader or revolver of some quality to help you train. I love my S&W 41.

#2 Large Bore Revolver - I think a good wheelgun has it's place in the deer stand. I'm probably gonna get a .480 ruger or .454 in the next year or so. I'd leave off the scope.

#3 Defense / Plinking - Glocks aren't pretty, but they work. My 17 rewards me when I exercise good technique. I'd go with whatever Glock makes you happy.

Best of luck with gun collecting! The Dixie Gun Shows are always good places to find a deal.

My five would be:

1. .22LR in a cz 452

2. 22-250 in a Rem. 700

3. 25-06 in a Win.70

4. 7mmRem.Mag. in a Win.70

5. 338Win.Mag or 375HH in a Win.70

416's would be nice to have but not needed in N.A
If I had one, I would definately find a use for it, nonetheless.


Daryl

Hillbillybear,

I like your choices but would make a few suggestions.

First Id make the 257 an AI, you get so much more for so little in that caliber.

A 7MMRM is a great round but a 280 does nearly the same thing with much less powder.

For the brush gun you might consider the venerable 358 win, especially if you might enjoy a classic lever gun in your battery (blr or savage 99), but the others you mentioned here are not only fine choices as well, but adequate for anything up to and including Grizz.

Someone mentioned the 375 H&H, that might be a good choice for your really big critter category.

Lastly I would throw in a vote for the 223 (AI??) with a bull bbl. Everyone should own one of those little honeys because they are so accurate and such a pure pleasure to shoot, not to mention the rediculously low cost of ammo, and a 223 and a 257 would compliment each other quite well.

I disagree about the overlap statement, I think youve covered things quite well.

Ok, my five:
For factory ammo shooters
1) 12 gauge pump
2).22LR
3).25/06
4).338 Win
5).45/70 lever action

For reloaders:
1)12 gauge pump
2).22lr
3).25/06
4).358 STA
5).45/70 lever action

Many thanks for the responses. Definitely a lot of food for thought. Keep em comin.

Shadow: How do you like the Beretta Mato? My Gun dealer has had one ( Synthetic version in .270 win)languishing on the shelf for a over a year now. Nobody in this neck of the woods ( Western NC) seems to care for them. It feels wonderful. I'm just waiting for him to give in and sell it to me for cost.

Has anyone else used A SIG 970 SHR? I had one I sold to my father that shoots 1/2 inch groups to almost the same POI with both Remington 140 gr BT and Hornady SST Factory stuff. Its a Swtich barrel and I have thought about one to fill my battery with but it is somewhat limited in caliber choice and its also a bit on the heavy side and ugly as sin itself.

On the rifle for long range work, how about one of the Lazzeroni Sakos in the 7.21 long version. Anybody have any field experience with these rifle?
A local so called "rifle expert" told me they were junk. But I think his "vast" experience may have only consisted of one or two range sessions but by his own admission he "knows rifles and if he can't make it shoot nobody can."

It's taken me 40 years to figure this out and acquire the following rifles for North American Hunting....

22Magnum: Remington 597LSHB for quick and easy target practice or lightweight varminting to 125yds (bench or walkabout)

223 Remington: Remington 700P Light Tactical Rifle for short to medium range varminting in "walkabout" format but likes the bench or bipod too....

25-06: Remington Sendero for long range varminting and medium game from a bench or bipod

308 Remington Model 7SS as a "walkabout rifle" for any game in the US other than elk, moose, and bears. I use it mainly for whitetail.

375H&H Winchester Mod 70SS Classic CRF for the big stuff.

Handguns are a different story for a different time....

$bob$

22LR
223Rem
270Win
7mmRem Mag or 300Win Mag
338Win Mag

Hillbilly
I think your choices would suit you well, though I would pick a 250 savage over a roberts and I would drop the 7 mag for a 280 or 270.
I believe the people who choose a 300 mag and a 338 together show a lack of experiance in both.

Get whatever you like. As long as one of them is a 30-06 or 7mm mag the other four are probably unneccesary anyway.

For the varmit rig, I would say the .223, really cheap to shoot, very mild recoil, you can actually see the bullet impact. The barrel will last twice as long as a 22-250. I love the 22-250, I have one, but it's not what I grab for paper punching and just blasting.

The 257 Roberts is a sweet round, and mine shoot's light bullets and heavy bullets very well.

The middle weight would be a 7mm Rem mag, and with the 26" barrel like you say they really perform well.

Next up, the 35 Whelen, it's a great round, and you can shoot pistol bullets for fun.

For the heavy rifle, the 416 Taylor sounds fine, build one on a VZ-24 action, or a Mark X magnum action. My heavy rifle is a Mark X .458win I got a steal on, and unlike some people, I can exceed 2100fps with 500's, who needs a Lott?

The more I hunt, the more I like to keep things simple. Simple cartridges, simple rifles, and simple scopes just seem to work better longer, and under a wider variety of conditions. I'm like Brad in that I have no use for wildcat cartridges or the complications they bring to the table. Standard factory cartridges will do it all and save you a lot of headaches.

I like a basic battery of rifles that are really well-made, accurate, and reliable. Too many guys have a safe full of mediocre rifles that they seldom use. You're better off getting just a few that are of high-quality (but simple!), and then put your money into hunts instead of more guns.

For big game, not including African hunting, I could be very happy with a two-rifle North American battery that combines a .270 Winchester with a .338 Win. Mag. You can easily and comfortably hunt all NA big game with that combo and never ask for more.

As an alternative (the one I'd likely pick for my own needs), you could get a three-rifle battery that includes the aforementioned .270 Win. combined with a .300 Winchester and a .416 Remington. In this case, you'd be set for all of the world's big game, including Africa's thick-skinned stuff, and you'd still have a simple, basic battery of rifles that'll do it all.

AD

5 Rifle Battery for North America?

1. 22 rimfire capable of shooting shorts

2. 22MAG

3. 30-06

4. 30-06

5. 30-06

Elim,

Beretta Mato's are built on Dakota 97 actions, Lothar Walter barrels, and B&C stocks (at least the syntheic version is.

Hillbillybear,

I like my Mato very well, accurate and the action is very smooth. The best "bargain" out there currently.

Bob

Here is what I'd go with although it will be tough to whittle it down to just 5 because of some predjudices and favorites.

1) .22RF of some kind

2) .223 or 22-250 in a semi-heavy barreled bolt action.

3) .280Rem, handles a wide variety of bullet weights and is pleasant to shoot and works for most everything; 120gr HPs for coyotes, 140s for antelope and deer, and 160s for elk. Also can be handloaded to be right next to the 7mm Mag for velocity and uses the same bullets. Can also double as your backup elk rifle.

4) 338-06 Oh yeah! What a sweetheart!! That 210gr Nosler bullet is an elk thumpin' son-of-a-gun! (speaking from personal experience here).

5) 45-70 Marlin 1895 lever action! Sorry but I had to add it. Not a guide gun and not a .450mag, nope, get an honest to goodness 1895 45-70. It is a great up-close and personal rifle for hogs, deer, bears (of the black variety) and even elk in timber.

Gee seems this is what I've got sitting in the safe. Makes me wonder why there are all those others in there though.

[ 12-28-2002, 22:16: Message edited by: Elkslayer ]

Basically hard to argue against your cartriage selections. So I won't try.
I'm with the other poster on your scope selection. Unless you insist on a spotting scope mounted on your rifle, I'd stop at a 10X as my top magnification. Heck, I've killed ground squirrels at well over 300 yds.with a 8X.
For your precision varmit rifle(s), I'd want a scope with a adjustable parallax.
For your custom rifles, I'd consider an older Remington rifle rebarreled. I wouldn't go for a custom laminate stock. They offer very little over a good piece of walnut. A quality synthetic has much more to offer than any laminate does except price.
I much prefer Winchester M70 Classic, the Ruger Mk.II, or the older Remington 700/721/722 or 600/660 actions for customizing over anything else. I suggest you buy and read Frank DeHaas's book "Bolt Action Rifles" before customizing anything. E

Hillybilly, the Sako Lazzeroni's are the TRG's (M995). I suggest you do a search here for what's been discussed about them before. I have one in 338 Lapua, really the only complaint I have is that the stock doesn't fit me. Other then that it's a pretty good rifle. - Dan

1. 223 Rem. (Remington or Tikka for accuracy) This would be in sporter weight (22" or 24" barrel) and be a walk-around varmint hunting/calling rifle. Cheap ammo, easy to reload, and lots of practice, long barrel life.

2. 25-06 Rem. 26" long heavy barrel (Sendero, Savage long range, whatever) This is loaded with 100 gr. bullets (3400+ fps) and doubles as a long range varmint and deer/antelope rifle (with one load) for stand/benchrest type hunting.

3. 270,280,30-06,7mm-08 (your choice of brand) of sporter weight (22" or 24" barrel) for lighter big game hunting and back-up for the heavier rifle(your choice of brand). First choice for me would be a 270 (130 gr.)for identical trajectory to the following 300 Win (180 gr.). These two rifles could be set up almost identically for they will account for 95% of the game you take.

4. 300 Win. as all-round big game rifle in a 24" sporter weight barrel (your choice of brand). This one rifle can do most everything with the 180 grain bullet-near, far, big, or little.

5. 375 H&H (22" or 24" barrel) in CRF (Ruger or Winchester) in QD mounts with iron sight back-up.

Gentlemen
My choice would be
#1 12ga Perazzi O/U game gun
#2 5,6X57
#3 270 win or imp
#4 300 Wby
#5 375 wby or 375-404

Just five? I have some more guns I would like to include in the battery

/ JOHAN

.223, Rem M7
.223, AR-15 HB flat top
.308, Rem 700 7.5 lbs, all up
.308, Rem 700 heavy tactical, 14-15 lbs
.338 WinMag, 8.5 lbs all up.

MM

Only five?!!!

OK My Ultimate Five

1 22 LR - Small Game and plinking
Kimber Super America

2 .223 Rem - Varmints and Predators
Cooper Arms Varmint Extreme

3 .243 Win - Long range varmints and deer
Kimber 84M

4 7mm Rem Mag - Deer to Elk
Dakota Arms 97 Lightweight Hunter

5 .338 UM - Everything else
Rem 700 BDL SS

Everything here is also available from several large manufacturers for cheaper versions.

[ 12-29-2002, 04:36: Message edited by: NV Guide ]

Allen, after experimenting with over twenty five different cartridges I've concluded the 270 and 338 WM fit my needs perfectly for big game in NA... the rest go into the category I call "mental gymnastic's." It's hard to convince someone who's just starting out on this journey of discovery that's the case, but most arrive at a simple solution (like the 270/338 WM) if they stick to this hobby long enough!

Good Hunting,

Brad

1. 22lr. for shooting a 10\22 or a quality bolt gun. and for the odd gopher on the landscape.

2. 257 A.I. heavy barrel for yotes and for deer. 4-12 or 4-16 on top. it would be for the southern part of the province. with 100gr. barnes it would handle any deer here and 85gr. noslers for yotes.

3. 7mm rem or a 280 rem in a sako or a tika 3-9 scope on top. for our big mulies and white tails up here in saskatchewan.

4. 338/06 light weight synthetic stock with a low powered scope 1.5-5 on it. for the bush and game like elk and moose.

5.and last but not least a 375H&H for fun and the stuff that would rather kill or maim me than to die.

i already got 1 and 3, the 257 is being made and the 338\06 will be after that. and maybe down the road the H&H will be down the road. toss in a muzzle loader and that would do.

Count me in the .270 and .338 camp, especially if you will shoot factory ammo.

If you handload, you can stretch those a bit and think in terms of categories, with anything from a .257 Roberts to one of the .300 magnums at the low end and a .300 magnum up to a .375 at the high end.

There is something to be said for having them all on the same action, same stock, etc. Personally I would go with the Winchester or a good Mauser, though I have a hodgepodge of both right now.

Also consider any "special needs" -- for instance, I think everyone should have a loaner rifle in a light-kicking caliber for introducing new hunters to the sport. I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a .257 Robts. or 6.5x55 to fill this niche.

If you still want more than 2 rifles just because rifles are an engaging hobby for you, this will also free up 3 slots in your self-imposed limit. Those can serve as the equivalent of what museums call a temporary exhibit gallery ... buy something, play with it, work up some loads, accurize it a bit and sell it. I'm trying to brace myself and do the same.

BTW I also have a Beretta Mato -- bought in the super sale when Galyan's closed them out. Mine is a .338 and I like it a lot, my only warning is to check the feeding from the detachable magazine exhaustively at every possible bolt speed, including live fire. Mine is going back in Jan. for warranty service -- firing the first round bounces the second one forward and it drops low enough for the bolt to pass over it.

John

The .270 & 338 mag is a great combo, but he said 5 rifles, the .223 is a must. You really don't need a 416 for North America. The .243 is a great coyote rifle, but the .257 will do just as well, and it can shoot 120's. So many choices, that's why I have 40 something rifles.

John F and GSF... shame on you for being roberts fans... please consider the 250 savage or just get a 25-06.