I know what cartridges I need to do this and I know there have been several of these posts in the past. However I still like to hear other people's opinions and I enjoy these type of posts. Some reason I must be doing something wrong with the search as I can't seem to find them.
Anyway I want to start putting together a well balanced battery of rifles for the long term that can be used to hunt the world over. From mice to elephant and a specialty rifle or two such as maybe a lever action etc for the close range woods stuff.
Although I reload these rifles should I prefer ammo to be easy to find for these rifles as I want to start stocking back brass, bullets etc. After I put this battery together I can then buy toys. But for this battery I plan to learn these rifles inside and out. Thanks in advance

I am thinking along the lines of a
.223
280 or 7mm or some flavor & a 30-06 because I just want one
338wm
375 H&H because I want it
458 of some flavor
45-70 lever rifle

Is a nice well rounded battery. It'll work. BUT ... the ONLY person you really have to please is you.

My battery looks a lot like this ... I've just got a couple of fillers at the high end

I very much like the progression of .308 caliber lighter medium to .338 WM to 9,3 or .375 and then on up. The middle range is remarkably useful and the bigger guns are authoritative when they are needed.

What's not to like?

swap the 338 for the 35 whelen...same smackdown and could be used in place of all up to 458.


280,30-06 and the 35 whelen can be done on the same brass. skip the 223 and throw in the 25-06 and you could do a switch barrel on all 4 and the next one you would need is the h+h

spend the money and make it a sweeeeeeeeet rig with one scope.

goodonya for the 45-70 awesome and use the bullets for plinking with the lott/458 win

If you're looking for a reason to shorten the list, I could argue that the 338 & 375 overlap a bit too much - almost redundant. Of course if you want both, then you should have both.

I would vote this way:

223 Rem (40 - 70gr) mice - small deer
30-06 Gov't (100 - 220gr) varmit - PG
375 H&H (235 - 350gr) PG - Big Five
458 Lott (350 - 550gr) Big Five stopper

Then whatever else you also want to play with.

Keith

quote:

I am thinking along the lines of a
.223 Excellent choice
280 or 7mm or some flavor & a 30-06 because I just want one The 30-06 is all you need for the intermediate. 280 and other 7mms are redundant
338wm delete this
375 H&H because I want it Yup.....a reqirement
458 of some flavor .416 Ruger to come (I hope)
45-70 lever rifle I have a M-92 in 44 magnum that beats this all to heck!

Where we deleted the .338 magnum we should add in a tastily chosen .22 LR.....great gun and never fail to find a use for it.

I think your list is close to perfect. I'd probably substitute a .22-250 for the .223, and make sure the .458 was a Lott. Keep the rest; the .338 can be loaded for longer range, & the .375 could substitute for the whole list in a pinch. I like the idea of playing with whatever floats your boat, but keeping those on the list as primary, essential hunting tools. Good post !!!

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:

quote:

I am thinking along the lines of a
.223 Excellent choice
280 or 7mm or some flavor & a 30-06 because I just want one The 30-06 is all you need for the intermediate. 280 and other 7mms are redundant
338wm delete this
375 H&H because I want it Yup.....a reqirement
458 of some flavor .416 Ruger to come (I hope)
45-70 lever rifle I have a M-92 in 44 magnum that beats this all to heck!

Where we deleted the .338 magnum we should add in a tastily chosen .22 LR.....great gun and never fail to find a use for it.

The only 22 I own is a Marlin lever action that my dad gave me. Not sure what kind of 22 I want, thinking maybe CZ??
And I could drop the 338 as if I need anything bigger than the 06 the 375 or 458 would handle it. and the 375 is just more romantic to me than the 338. I have never shot a 458.

http://www.rifleshootermag.com/ammunition/battery_1125/

this from a "pro"

hers my 2c worth;
22-250
300 wby
375 H&H
505 Gibbs
& a 308 for practice, practise, practic with cheap ammo.

Great choices, I really like that most of them are commonly available. I guess the 45-70 could be in a guide gun. If not I would recommend you put some kind of carbine in the mix. I have an inherited 30-30 that serves the purpose, maybe a little light but something short and quick would add to your collection. You may also want to think of both a heavy and light (walking) varmint gun if you are going to do a lot of that kind of hunting. If the 223 is a sporter, the heavy barrel could be a 220 swift, 243 or maybe the newer 204 for a little more range, or just another 223! You are also missing a muzzleloader.

While the 22LR and 375 would be sufficient the world over. It’s a lot more fun to have a safe full.

quote:

Originally posted by makeminestainless:
Great choices, I really like that most of them are commonly available. I guess the 45-70 could be in a guide gun. If not I would recommend you put some kind of carbine in the mix. I have an inherited 30-30 that serves the purpose, maybe a little light but something short and quick would add to your collection. You may also want to think of both a heavy and light (walking) varmint gun if you are going to do a lot of that kind of hunting. If the 223 is a sporter, the heavy barrel could be a 220 swift, 243 or maybe the newer 204 for a little more range, or just another 223! You are also missing a muzzleloader.

While the 22LR and 375 would be sufficient the world over. It’s a lot more fun to have a safe full.

I've got the muzzleloader already. It's a Thompson Center Renegade .50 Cal. Had it since I was very young as it was a christmas present. It kills everything that gets in front of it. It doesn't matter what kind of bullet or what powder charge you put behind it, it shoots with centerfire accuracy at open sight ranges. I think the thing would shoot rocks accurate.
I have a rem 870 12 gauge with 28 inch barrel but it doesn't fit me good at all.
and I do have a 243 that was inherited from my grandpa so it will always be with me.

Buy exactly what you have listed. Then add a 300Wby., a 243, an 8mm Mauser, a 35 Whelen, a 9.3x62, several .22 rimfires, a 17 HMR, etc. When you get to the point you think you have more rifles than you really need, you know you have a good start. But don't assume you are finished.

start with a 25 cal 100 gr tsx and go up 100 gr at a time untill you get to 600 then ad a 22 center and a 22 rim and any wierd stuff you like

like this

26-06 100
338wm 200
375h&h 300
416 rem 400
458 lott 500
500 a-square 600

Anybody without a 223 Varmint Rifle in their battery is nuts!
Second, get a 6.5-284 for the intermediate rifle
Third, a 300 RUM
Fourth, the 375 H&H
Fifth, a 505 Gibbs

One and two are cool in PF, the serious business three are all built on P17's

Throw in a CZ 22lr or a Ruger with about half a dozen 50 rounds magazines for ground squirrels, and you are good to go around the world. I could be happy with those six rifles, an old A5 Goose Gun, and my (grandfather's) M24 in 12 gauge.

Rich
DRSS

Combo for me is as follows:
Flat top AR15 w/metalic and optic sights, numerous mags and selection of ammo.
Win.M70 .257Roberts, sythetic stock, Leupold optics, good all around hunting gun up to deer.
Built Rem. 700/308, deadly accurate as far as you can see.
Ruger RSM in 375H&H plus RSM in 458Lott for whatever may come along.

PS: Ruger Vaquero 45LC, Ruger 10/22 and Win. Model 12/12gauge for most folks will do whatever is needed. Keep them in the front of the line up along with my M1 Garand.

dsiteman,

not a bad battery there, either.

Of course, you add the AR-15's and a couple of CETMEs for social occasions...but we can assume that. My long range welcome mat is a Savage 112 BV-SS in 7STW.

Good Choices, all.

Rich
DRSS

.204 Ruger (or .22-.250 Remington or .223)
.243 Winchester (can omit if need to cull 1)
.308 Winchester
.300 Winchester Magnum (or H&H or Weatherby)
.375 H&H Magnum
.458 Winchester Magnum (or Lott)

If need a lever gun, Winchester 1895 in .405 Winchester.

Of course one would need a good .22 LR!!!

Not to digress from the original intent of this thread, but if I had to choose just one long gun going out the door, based on the support line I have to go with it, would be the anvil tough Garand. Would have to have that Ruger 45LC along as well for it is a good companion to those wanting absolute dependable firearms. JMHO (Old school thinking still dominates since close to 7 decades walking around on this planet)

These would be my choices for a battery - do not have them all yet.

.22 lr
.17 hrm
.204 Ruger
.270 win
.30-06
.338 WM
.375 H&H
.404 Jeffrey

and a good 12 gauge - take your pick

I have

22LR
17HMR
22-250
270 win
338-06
9.3x64 Brenneke
416 Rigby
Model 71 Winchester in 348 Winchester

I am planning on building a couple 257 Roberts for my two sons to start with (8 & 6yo). In fact picked up a the donor rifles yesterday.

I really like your list.
One thing to think about is a combo pistol with your lever action. Something that shoots the same caliber.

I have chosen a 44 mag, but bought the Model 71 when it fell into my lap. But I was looking for a 444 Marlin.

quote:

.22 lr
.17 hrm
.204 Ruger
.270 win
.30-06
.338 WM
.375 H&H
.404 Jeffrey

If we are just building a "basic set" of hunt anywhere guns, a .338 Wim Mag is redundant if one has a .375 H&H and a .17 HRM is redundant if you have a .204 Ruger and a .22 LR.

quote:

Originally posted by Jarrod:

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:

quote:

I am thinking along the lines of a
.223 Excellent choice
280 or 7mm or some flavor & a 30-06 because I just want one The 30-06 is all you need for the intermediate. 280 and other 7mms are redundant
338wm delete this
375 H&H because I want it Yup.....a reqirement
458 of some flavor .416 Ruger to come (I hope)
45-70 lever rifle I have a M-92 in 44 magnum that beats this all to heck!

Where we deleted the .338 magnum we should add in a tastily chosen .22 LR.....great gun and never fail to find a use for it.

The only 22 I own is a Marlin lever action that my dad gave me. Not sure what kind of 22 I want, thinking maybe CZ??
And I could drop the 338 as if I need anything bigger than the 06 the 375 or 458 would handle it. and the 375 is just more romantic to me than the 338. I have never shot a 458.

Buy a Marlin model 66 auto loader. They're stainless steel and accurate as hell. I've had mine for seven years and wouldn't take for it.

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
Anybody without a 223 Varmint Rifle in their battery is nuts!
Second, get a 6.5-284 for the intermediate rifle
Third, a 300 RUM
Fourth, the 375 H&H
Fifth, a 505 Gibbs

One and two are cool in PF, the serious business three are all built on P17's

Throw in a CZ 22lr or a Ruger with about half a dozen 50 rounds magazines for ground squirrels, and you are good to go around the world. I could be happy with those six rifles, an old A5 Goose Gun, and my (grandfather's) M24 in 12 gauge.

Rich
DRSS

Ditto the list, anything .500 to .510 in a hunting round on top. Everybody needs a 375, only some people do not realize it yet. The 300 is a good choice cause you can load it as fast or slow as you want. The 06 is a nice round, but what if you want flatter, faster?

Everyones list will be different to refelect each persons preferences, budget and desires. AND of course what a person is into hunting/shooting. In my case I have narrowed down my "need" rifles to include:

.17HMR My Cooper LVT is my main ground squirrel rifle and I wouldn't be without it.

.220 Swift I got into the Swift years ago and you can substitute a 22.250 or .204 if you will. This is my longer range squirrel round and rock chuck persuader.

.338 Lapua Big jump from my varmint rifles but this is my mulie and elk round. Again, I got into this round many years ago and am set up for it. It works for me but I certainly don't say it is an ideal cartridge for everyone. If you enjoy a big .338 they cover a great range of game. Overpowered/overkill it may be for a lot of game but it will get the job done!

375 H&H Even though I have rifles that equal or exceed the old 375 I still have a soft spot for the 375 H&H. It shoots pretty soft and as John Taylor said kills all out of proportion to its ballistics. As an aside it makes a great varmint round with round nose bullets

.458 Lott I just love my RSM Lott! I haven't bagged dangerous game with mine but have killed hundreds of ground squirrels and mucho rocks with mine I just really enjoy shooting the Lott and although I shoot my Cooper HMR more I enjoy busting squirrels with the Lott sooo much better I usually load for around 100 Lott squirrel rations (3-4 days) and that fulfills my jones. The Lott allows you to shoot somewhat easy loads and also throttle up to full patch 500gr loads that get your attention. I like my RSM 416 Rigby, and in plains game mode it is a better round than the Lott, but if I had to choose one big bore it would be the Lott.

Not your typical rifle round up or one I'd recommend to most folks but thats mine

Edit to add: I have other rifles in fine calibers but this list is what I would keep if I HAD to whittle down the inventory to the bone.

quote:

Originally posted by Jarrod:
I have a rem 870 12 gauge with 28 inch barrel but it doesn't fit me good at all.

Unlike rifles I really love autos for my shotguns. No flies on the 11-87's in my book, I really love the upland specials! I don't think a shotgun barrel can be too short either.

I know you started this with only rifles but others have brought up handguns. No collection should be without a 44 mag 4" revolver, or something close to it.

Fun topic!

My ideal collection, if money wasn't an issue, would include
22
30/06
375H&H
470NE
12 gauge
This list would have me wanting for nothing more.

Here's what I have come up with

22lr
223
25-06 or similar
30-06 because you can find the ammo anywhere
300wm or 338wm
375 H&H
458lott
4 inch 44 mag revolver
12 gauge shotgun

Of course then later I will need a
22-250
220 swift
6.5x55
270
280
7RM
30-30
358
350RM
404
416
and 20 or 30 more
and then a few more shotguns and 5 or 6 more pistols a
and
and

416

505 gibbs

skip the win mags for a 45-70

can't ague with your choices at all,
But I would add a .257 bore of some kind. Probably a roberts.
And I would likly toss the .458 and get a .416.
...tj3006

This years battery;
Several 22s
No varmit guns as there's very little legal varmit hunting here and in years past I shot truckloads. Carma's catching up.
7 STW Deer sheep goats
338 Win. used to be my Deer gun. Now all around.
375 H&H backup for 338-416
416 Rem. Serious big game rifle for northern B.C.
458 Win. Meat packing all around fun gun.
Have sevaral others but can get by with these.

Here are some very practical guns that I have:

Brno 421 .22 (I use it for squirrels and plinking, but also take off the scope for iron sight practice since the sights, safety and trigger pull are like the Whitworth, below.)

T/C Contender stainless/plastic stock with three barrels, one a .50 muzzle loader for that season, a 22" .223 bull barrel for varmits (it's a .5" shooter) and with a 7/30 Waters 20" bull barrel that with reloads (120 grain TSX)makes an amazingly light and weather-resistant deer rifle out to 250 yards or so. It's takedown and will fit in the saddlebags of my Harley.

A CZ F/S 9.3x62 that will kill about anything with 232 to 320 grain bullets.

A Whitworth .458 Winchester Magnum

None of the rifles cost me more than $600 without scope and mounts.

why not have a 45-70 to go along with the lott/win mag???

25-06
338 Lapua
458 Lott

My current battery

243
300 Win Mag
375 H&H
404 Jeff (WIP)

quote:

Hog Killer:

223 Rem (40 - 70gr) mice - small deer
30-06 Gov't (100 - 220gr) varmit - PG
375 H&H (235 - 350gr) PG - Big Five
458 Lott (350 - 550gr) Big Five stopper

My sentiments exactly, and the 22LR and a 12 gauge shotgun.

quote:

Originally posted by fla3006:

quote:

Hog Killer:

223 Rem (40 - 70gr) mice - small deer
30-06 Gov't (100 - 220gr) varmit - PG
375 H&H (235 - 350gr) PG - Big Five
458 Lott (350 - 550gr) Big Five stopper

My sentiments exactly, and the 22LR and a 12 gauge shotgun.

For a minimum that would work great.
I would add something in between the 223 and the 30-06 I have a 243 so I guess that would work. 44mag just cause I like pistols and and one lever action rifle of some sort. Sounds good to me. and that is about the battery I will be working toward.

My Ideal Balanced out Battery when thinking about the shooting I have done and what I have learned and am now days leaning towards a bit of a rationilizeation would be (and may give you ideas);

22.250 (don't Own have .243 and .22 Hornet)
.264 Win Mag (don't Own, nothing in this bracket)
.300 RUM Own One
338/378 Weatherby (don't Own but have .338 win mag)
.416 Rigby Own one
.585 Nyati Own One
45/70 Lever Gun Own One
12 Gauge Lever Gun Own One
U/O 12 Gauge Own One
Pump .308 Rem with Aimpoit Own One
Steyr HS .50 BMG for more Fun (don't Own.....)

Other guns I have but possibly not in a Rationilization;

.458 Lott
9.3x62
.375 H&H
.404 J Custom Mauser (wouldn't sell at this point because it's a sweet custom rifle all bells & whistles)

quote:

Jarrod: For a minimum that would work great. I would add something in between the 223 and the 30-06 I have a 243 so I guess that would work.

Absolutely. We're only talking a bare minimum here. Between the 223 & 30-06, I use the 22-250, 250-3000, 6mm Rem, 270, 7x57, 7x64, 32-20, 30-30 & 308. If I had to pick one, it would be the 6mm.

22 LR, 22-250, 7 Rem Mag, .375 H & H, .416 Rigby