Hey guys, just got my last rifle for a while, next comes colledge, but I think I've got a pretty good 4 rifle battery for starters anyways what do you think?

What should I add next for a big bore? I already have

1 375 ICL on an enfield action
1 358 Norma on mauser action
1 M-1 in 30-06
1 ruger 10-22

pretty well rounded battery if I do say so my self what are your oppinons?

Seeing as how you live in Alaska you are in pretty good shape rifle wise. I would recommend a handgun. My choice would be a 4to5" or so 44 Magnum. Either a S&W or a Ruger Single Action. Both are handy enough to be a holster gun while hunting, backpacking, or just bumming around in the woods. If you do not reload you can buy commercial reloads at 44 Special velocity levels for practice and for those times you do not need full power loads.
I recommend you take that Garand and shoot in some High Power Rifle Matches. It will really improve you shooting, and give you something to look foward to when you are studying in college.

There are some pretty neat gunshops in Anchorage.
The Gunshop/Art/Bookstore downtown had quite a few British and European guns when I was there about 2 years ago. They had the only British drilling I have ever seen. The rifle bbl was on top [like the new Blaser]. If I remember it was a 360x12x12. It was an original between the wars British gun, I cannot remember the makers name.

I just turned 18, so I cant legaly own a handgun, I do pack my fathers P-14 that will become mine in 3 yrs though, just didnt include what I dont personaly own

as for matches, we realy dont have many up here, atleast not any I am aware of, I would realy love to get into that though

[ 06-26-2003, 11:22: Message edited by: Dark Paladin ]

Do you own a 12ga of any description?

yes, I didnt throw them into the rilfe fourm, but I own a M-500 in 12ga w short and long barrels, a Winchester m-37A in 20ga and a 1100 also in 12ga

A good 22/250 or .243 would also be a good addition and a 12g shot gun and then you would have the lot covered

I was thinking for a next gun would be a light caliber, Africa is not in my near future, so I dont realy need a 416 rigby YET....somthing along the lines of a 223-270 or 7mm for lighter caribou and maybe hunting deer in the lower 48

Dark,

A .416 Rigby is a real nice calibre to own it's not really about need

Dark Paladin
Since you will be in college, and that can strain any budget you might find a 308 Win rifle useful.
They make great deer to caribou rifles. Also you can buy surplus military ammo fairly cheap so you can still do a fair amount of shooting with out spending your study time reloading.
A 150gr bullet with 42gr. of IMR3031 hits right with military ball in several rifles I have tried it in, that way your hunting load and your plinking load use the same zero.
I have had very good luck with the Remington mod 7. They are short light and very accurate. I have shot them at 600 yards on paper and was suprised how well they did. It would make a good mountain rifle for sheep, goats,black bear and still have enough punch for a mountain grizzly. It is not a bad wolf rifle either.

well, my dad and I own reloading equipment, and he has both a .358 win and a 375 H&H so I dont think I will run out of ammo that I can make or pilfer for my cannons anytime soon, but the 06 will do anything the 308 will and I already have one of those

As PC alluded to a varmint calibre is technically missing from your battery.

maybe a 223? Not a powerhouse by any means but in line with what NE 450 said military calibres can make for cheap plinkers.

karl.

Dark Paladin,

Off to a great start, very good for you! I thought I would make a recommendation that might help you in building up a collection.

If you put together a list of things you would like, for instance my list includes 257 robertsAI, 7x57, 6.5x55, 224 Clark etc etc. then save money when possible, and keep your eyes open. Rifles that you have in mind will pop up from time to time for sale and if you have the money on hand you can take advantage of great deals.

As far as next caliber to get, I would get something like you said, between .223-.270. The .270 I would skip because close to the 06 which you have. a .243 or .257 Roberts would fit the bill very nicely for a smaller game gun. And you already have some older pieces so you appreciate the fact that it doesn't have to be new to be great. My brother shoots a little 788 in .243, fantastic rifle, you can get them for a great deal sometimes.

Red

For a big bore, it would be pretty tough to beat the CZ-550 416 Rigby. The 358 Norma you have is about as good an all around rifle as there is. You can use a 225 gr @ 2900 fps for everything, and plenty of range, or stick with the std 250 gr @ 2700 fps, which is still plenty flat shooting.

If you want a flat shooter, the 300 win mag is a very hard round to beat, and extremely versitile for a traveling hunter. 165 gr @ 3300 fps will shoot plenty flat, and with an X bullet, provides sufficient penetration for anything in the 700# or under range.

If you just want something mild shooting, and inexspensive to feed, a .223 is a good round. I can't see taking deer with a .223, but, for varmints and paper, it's tough to beat.

The one gun I keep telling myself to get is a Winchester or Marlin 30-30 cowboy gun. There are lots of them on the used rack in town, and most bring all of $150. No, not an exciting round, but with a couple of bullet molds and a cheap set of Lee dies, you can do alot of shooting.