[chaim]

What would you pick if you could only have one rifle? One rifle for plinking, home defense, hunting (if you hunt), target shooting, fun, etc.

This is not a SHTF thread, lets not even go there. Simply, what would you want if for whatever reason you could only have one?





For me I pick a .44 or .357mag lever rifle. I don't hunt but if I did either out of a long gun (with proper loads) would be fine up to and including most deer. I don't do serious target shooting so I don't need something 1MOA or less. However, lever rifles are great fun (my favorite), and in a pistol caliber I'd have maximum flexibility. These are strong enough that I could use them on the 100 yard rifle range yet I would be allowed to use them at an indoor pistol range. Either caliber (perhaps slightly downloaded to control for overpenatration) would be great for home defense out of a long gun. Reloading makes either reasonable to shoot (and both are cheaper than most rifle calibers in factory loads). Also, the .357 could also shoot .38spl which isn't too bad even in factory loads.

[sm]

Model 70 in '06
Incurable sentimental old fart that I am, I'll deny if quoted of course. :)

[dakotasin]

700 bdl in 338 win mag.

[ACP230]

I'd have to pick my M1A.
The most accurate rifle for long strings of fire I have.
Fires cheap .308 for plinking and shoots my handloads with cheap FMJ bullets like match ammo.

I would prefer that no one try and tell me I can only have one rifle, however.

[Black Snowman]

I'd have to say the Steyr AUG system. Can rebuild it pretty quickly with the various actions and barrels to make it whatever happen to need at the moment. If I was stuck with one gun it would fit more of my needs than any other. Especially since I don't hunt big game. It's kind of cheating since it's convertable but hey, if I can only have 1 rifle I might as well shell out for the tax tags and all that.

[RustyHammer]

M1 Garand

[ojibweindian]

Yugo M48A.

I just like the Mauser action.

[Skunkabilly]

AR-15. Too bad I can't get one yet.

Easy to find parts and mags and ammo for WTSHTF :D

[ChairborneRanger]

I'd have to vote for an AR-15A2 in .223/5.56. Lots of choices in terms of manufacturer, accessories, ammunition price and quality choices, etc. Just a good all-around, modern, rifle system.

[Jack19]

Put me down for the AR too. Everyone I've had has been ultra reliable, accurate, and I like the ergonomics.

[Brian Williams]

I think I would take my 1894c in 357.


But if I were looking at a more one rifle to rule them all, one rifle to find them and one rifle to bind them I would probably get a Win model 70 Lightweight in 308. Put a nice set of Peep sights on it with a good Leupold 2x7 scope in Warne removeable mounts.

[Kaylee]

What re1973 said, I think. Minus denying the sentimentality.

The defensive end of things can be covered almost always by a pistol, which leaves the rifle for doing what rifles do best... carrying around and hitting things far away. :)

-K

[PJR]

It would be a Sauer S90. The rifle gives you the option of several calibers by switching barrels. I'd want mine in 6.5x55, .30-06 and 9.3x62. Good enough for everything in North America.

[Smoke]

If you could only have one rifle...


...I wouldn't be very happy. :(

Smoke

[Tag]

Winchester model 70 in .308, just because ammo would be easy to find for years.

[cslinger]

M1 Garand there is just something about that rifle, it's lines, it's noises, it's history and it's performance.

If I could only have one it would be a Garand.

[cordex]

Select fire AR-15.

I like options.

[Soap]

Kimber 84M in .308 topped with a Leupold 2.5-8x.

[Balog]

Synthetic stocked M14 (or all USGI M1A on a forged receiver).

[12-34hom]

A quality heavy barreled - [carbine] - [223 caliber] of a Ar -15 - topped with armored Ziess scope - low magnifcation.

12-34hom.

[Rupestris]

If I could have only one I'd probably reload so I could go with a non-surplus ammo.
Make mine a Nesika Classic Hunter in .243 w/a leupold Vari-X III

if you could only have one rifle

Does that mean I get to keep my shotguns and handguns?:D

Rupe

[hillbilly]

Only one?

Okay, an Ishapore Enfield 2A in .308.

But thank goodness I can have more than one.

hillbilly

[Atticus]

FAL

[Kurt]

I will take a FAL.

With a scope on it, I can do what the bolt actions can.

But the FAL is far more versatile, and is able to cover many other situations too. That's exactly what I'll want if I'm ever limited to only one rifle.

[Smoke]

Daniel Flory:
Kimber 84M in .308 topped with a Leupold 2.5-8x.

I like the way this guy thinks.

If I was really limited to one. The Kimber might be it.....or a Cooper.
.308 sounds about right too.


Smoke

[Archie]

Ole.

1896 Swede in 6.5x55, converted to a semi-scout rifle.

[chaim]

...Incurable sentimental old fart that I am, I'll deny if quoted of course. re1973, which part would you deny, the "old fart" or the incurable sentimental? :D

Easy to find parts and mags and ammo for WTSHTF GRRR :)


quote:
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If you could only have one rifle...
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...I wouldn't be very happyYou and me both

quote:
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if you could only have one rifle
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Does that mean I get to keep my shotguns and handguns?Yup, I'm just after finding out what rifle we'd prefer in such a situation.

As a student of psychology (my bachelors degree is in psych) I have to wonder if these threads give a small insight into our personalities. What insights I don't know. Well, at any rate, they are fun sometimes and I haven't seen a straightforward "one rifle" thread in a while (unless it was a SHTF thread).





Some interesting ideas so far, keep them coming.

[Andrew Wyatt]

It'd be a toss up between my dad's model 70, and my enfield number4mk2.

when i get my scout done, it'll be that, of course.

[wanderinwalker]

Hands-down an AR-15 Match rifle.

Why? I'm not a serious enough hunter to justify keeping my Mountain Rifle as a one-and-only gun, and I don't simply plink so a .22LR isn't quite adequate either. With the AR I have an NRA Service Rifle, with a 5-round mag and proper ammunition a passable deer rifle, with a .22LR upper a plinker and trainer, and with a flat-top upper I could even make a varmint rig, which I've always wanted to try if I get to such an area.

Makes sense to me anyway. YMMV. :)

[Warner]

I'll take a mag-fed semi auto in 7.62X51, and probably a FAL metric pattern gun. It may be a bit weighty, but I have seen five and ten round magazines that allow these guns to seem more nimble when so equipped for carry concerns. It would be a rifle that's effective on so many different levels.

chaim,
I think our choices speak more to experience and awareness levels more than they offer any substantial insight into true personalities.

When I think about our country's newest security concerns, and add in a close look at the rest of the world, I cannot fathom how a considerable portion of most individual mandated singular rifle decisions wouldn’t factor in some effective personal security measures.

Instead of any particular insight into personalities on a SHTF foray or something else, I often see attempts by many to take some ‘high road” (no pun) and ridicule the security concerns of others. Maybe this aspect should be analyzed too.

When I read that type of post, I cannot help but see an incomplete thought process in action, and often from someone who is looking at the world from only their small slice of the pie.

[E=MC^2]

Lightweight .308 bolt-action.
Optics must read "Made in Austria" on the bottom of the tube.

This is MY perfect rifle.

Winchester Model 70 Compact
Swarovski 1.5-6X42
Leupold Dual-Dovetail mounts

Gets better than 1/2MOA. Weighs in at exactly 7lbs. It took a group of 3 Whitetails last weekend at 277yds(lazer ranged). Two tags left. Final weekend of 9-day season coming up.

[telewinz]

Colt Car-15 lightweight, compact, easy to fix, rapid fire, quick accurate follow-up shots, high magazine capacity for dealing with brown bears:what:

[WYO]

If I could only have one, it would have to be a .30-06. I guess I'd go with something like a Remington 700 Ti in that caliber with a 2.5X8 Leupold Vari-X III.

. . . . or a Garand.

[sm]

chaim
:D
Your the psych major, you figure it out. ;)
I'll be your first guinea...err...
48 y/o WM likes blue and wood ( leather slings too) , classic lines,likes the reliabilty of a bolt, the ability to tailor loads as need, shot his first as a wee lad, had his pet rifle stolen, and shot one in fun matches with Iron sights only. [will admit never spent a lot of time with scopes].

Self Dx: I'm a CWGs

:)

[Kobun]

HK G3.
If it works here in Norway, it can tackle anything.

[JohnKSa]

A good quality relatively compact 45-70 levergun.

With lighter loads it should be great for self-defense.

With the right loads and bullets the 45-70 will punch a 46 caliber hole all the way through any game that walks.

If ammo and reloading supplies really get scarce, it will work just fine with black powder and lead bullets. That's what it was made for, after all...

For plinking you can load light and use lead balls instead of bullets.

The only thing it won't do is shoot flat past about 150 yards. On the other hand, with the 500 grain bullets, some practice and a laser range finder, you should be able to wreck someone's day from a looong way away.

[ReadyontheRight]

M1 Garand

[Crownvicman]

Toss up between my M1924 Yugo Mauser and my 1894cs Marlin. The Marlin may cover more possible situations, but damn, I just trust that Mauser.

[Nando Aqui]

HK91
With the ARMS claw mount and scope - take it off for iron sights, back on for reliable zero. Plenty accurate. Digests any ammo, no adjustments needed. Clean it once in a while - good to go!

[Cableman]

AR10A4 in 308.

[Beetle Bailey]

I hate to say it, because I prefer bolt-actions, but either an M1A or an FAL.

[only1asterisk]

Kimber M84 in .308 with leupold sounds good to me, as does the model 70 in 30-06 or 338,


David

[geekWithA.45]

because I can never make up my mind between my ar and my m1a.

I'd have to pick the m1a.

Wait! The AR!

Wait! The M1A!


Uh.....OK, you'll have to pry them BOTH from my CDH.

My pistols defends my house.
My AR defends my pistols.
My M1A defends my AR.

[T.Stahl]

I'd trade my Enfield No4 and HK SL8 for one other rifle. A new HK G3A3.

[Schuey2002]

HK33A3 clad in "baby poop" er, um.. I mean in Desert camouflage.. :cool:
http://hkpro.com/image/hk33ESA3.jpg

[Fire1]

I think cableman has the right idea--AR-10A4 .308. I like mine with the 20in SS bbl, and a good variable scope.

[vrwc]

CETME or HK91/G3 in 7.62 nato

[Ky Larry]

If I could have a hand gun and a shot gun, I'd take my Remington 700 ADL .30-06 with Leopold Vari-X III 3X9 scope.
If I could only have one gun, I'd take one of those Savage combo-guns with a .30-06 barrel on top of a 12 gauge shotgun barrel.

[goon]

If I could shoot a rifle all day, every day for the rest of my life, I would pick one of my M-39s.
They aren't as practical as my .308 and they aren't as tactical as my AK, but they are undoubtedly the most fun to shoot.
Any gun will do for defense, but not as many will do for pure fun.
If I am gonna pick one for the rest of eternity, you can bet that it will be one that is fun to shoot.

[JNewell]

The Remington 700 LTR in .308 might be a good nomination. Highly accurate, quite compact, good general purpose chambering. Only drawback is that at about 7.5 pounds it's on the heavy side.

[David4516]

Winchester Model 94 in .30-30 (Pre-64 of course)...

My second choice would be a good bolt gun (proably Ruger M77 or Winchester Model 70) in any of the following calibers:

.308 Win
.30-06
.270 Win
.280 Rem
.30-40 Krag
7mm-08
8mm Mauser


Ya I know its a big list, but any one of those calibers will kill a deer or man, and could be used on larger game such as elk if need be (though .30-40 Krag and 7mm-08 might be a little on the light side, but would work in a pinch...).

[MP-44]

Mannlicher Schoenauer model 1903.

[RCL]

Custom built .62 cal. Hawken flintlock with a round ball twist and a full length fancy maple stock. :D

[Zark-9]

Marlin 336 (stainless) in 30-30

[Dionysusigma]

Hate to say it (because I'm an AK fan)... :(

most likely an AR-15. It fits everything as far as the plinking, home defense, hunting, target shooting, and other requirements go. Only bad thing is price (and supposed reliability).

[GD]

It would be my 1938 Finnish M28/30.
It is very accurate.
I could use it for hunting deer.
I can appreciate it for its history.
The stock is simply beautiful.
The rifle is totally reliable.
I am paying less than 10 cents per round and so I can afford to shoot it.
What more can one ask in a single rifle?

[Baba Louie]

Today my answer would be the lowly Ruger MkII RSI in .30-06.

Yesterday it would've been the lowly Win 94AE in .30-30.

Who knows what it'll be tomorrow? :D

Adios

[Chris Rhines]

An AR-15 of some type, especally if I could salt away a .22LR upper. Everything I really want to do I can do well with an AR pattern.

If I was restricted to a single caliber, I might pick an AR-10 in .308, instead.

- Chris

[Mannlicher]

Golly, what a silly question. Give up three safe's full of rifles? NOT.

But if I had to, I would keep the M1A. It can do it all.

[Feanaro]

If you could only have one rifle...

I would cry. :(

Seriously though, an HK91 or a respectable clone. I like it, it fires 7.62X51 NATO/.308 Winchester(good for hunting deer... uhh, bipeds. ;)), it's accurate enough for me and it's reliable. And I just plain love it. :)

[xtrarnds]

Remington M700 SSDM in .308 Win first choice...second choice would be my Bushmaster 20" A3...