This old question.



Suppose you could only have one rifle,what would it be and why?

For the type of hunting I mainly do, it would be my 6.5x55. I would replace the hardwood stock with a nice walnut one however.

If I could only have one rifle it would be a .375H&H Magnum or 9.3x64 because with such a rifle I could still hunt any animal on the planet and at any sensible hunting range out to around 300 yards.

I have shot pigs roos and goats with the majority of calibres from the 218 Bee through to the 460 and I think 270 is definitely better than anything smaller. Although I have never used anything in 6.5mm.



To me the 270 (and probably 6.5mm) is like the Commodore, Falcon or Magna for the family. Each one will do the job but some people might be car enthusiasts and want an HSV Commodore, Mercedes, BMW or whatever.



The bore size which for me provides the most enjoyment and interest is 375 and my preferred option there has moved from 375 H&H to 378 Wby. With the 378 I can load from mild 375 ballistics and if I feel so inclined I can hit the super charger button. I am very happy to give up some of the practical advantages that calibres like the 270 and 308 offer in exchange for something that interests me a lot more.



So for me it is 378 Wby. However, if I was to remove my interest in the calibre from the equation and select on the basis of effort in and results out then it would be the 270 Winchester.



Mike

.375 H&H Magnum, because I know it can handle anything and still is portable enough to carry.

Would be a bit rough on rabbits though.

For me a 9.3 x 62mm as it gives almost 375 ballistics but is still comfortable to shoot in a 7.5lb rifle.

Far Canal

Mate you're sick!! I'm not even going to answer this one - one rifle - I would have to emigrate!!

GG

I really think 3 centre fire is a minimum and you can never have to many.

7mm Rem if I was never going to shoot buff or anything bigger.

My 416sw or 416Rigby if it had to cover rabbits to elephants.

But I dont want just one..........LOL!
I would probably pick the 270 winchester, with a barnes X, it should deal with anything I would want dealt with.

A mini-gatling like big Arnie had in 'Predator' because I'm sure to hit something when I'm too old to see the bloody target!
Far Canal, you started this but you didn't tell us your own choice?

Silly question Bad Bottom,my Winchester P14 that I scored for free of course.







BTW,you are too old to see the target.Ha Ha Ha

Cricky, Far Canal is that rust you got on my free P14????

No rust here,I pull it out every night and rub it up and down with baby oil....er...I mean gun oil on the rifle.

The P14 of course!

Are you shooting "Combined Services" match sunday? I promise you a few shots with my new 50/70 Sharps!

Dunno,I'll see if I can get a 'leave' pass.

AS long as you load it up with the "Holy Black".

I'll take some pictures and bore everyone to death with them.LOL

.375 H&H in a cz 550 wearing a synthetic stock. I would have three scopes in detach mounts sighted for 3 different loads.

235 gr speers or 250 gr tapians
270 gr woodleigh's
350 gr woodleigh's

I could cover everything with that rifle and scopes.

I have to say that I expected someone to offer the 12 ga shotgun as their favourite " if only one " gun .

I suspect you couldnt find a more versatile weapon than a scatter gun - shoot solid slugs , buckshot , birdshot or a combination of them all together . For close in work its unbeatable , for home defence its damn fine and with the right slug loads its a fiercesome weapon out to 100 metres or more .

No one else thinks that obviously......

Oh yeah - Shaun - the only way I would own a P14 is if some one gave me one too.....

.270 WIN

Weidmannsheil

orion