Ones size fits all utility rifle

I guess it depends on what you're looking for in a utility rifle -- and I suspect there'd be a degree of regional specialization in any sort of requirements. Up here in AK, "utility" in most minds would include bear defense, for instance.

I'd like to have one go to gun that I have faith in.

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If you can only have one a .30-06 or .308 quality made bolt gun is the way to go. Then learn how to craft custom hand loads and you have a do it all rifle.

Almost any common rifle could match your criteria. Almost any common rifle COULD be used for any realistic average purpose.

Sure, a Saiga could do it. So could any number of AK clones. Or AR clones. Or lever-actions. Or bolt-actions.

Buy an $80 Mosin Nagant and an $80 can of ammo (440 rds!) and you could solve any problem you'll ever, realistically, face.

Buy a $3000 top end AR and it will do just as good a job.

Ruger is making their new Scout rifle now which seems aimed at folks who want one more rifle that can "do it all" that their other rifles can do. You might want to look at it. It can do it all, too. 'Course, it costs a good bit.

In the end, making a list of guns that COULDN'T "do it all" would take a LOT less time.

You could go with a lever action rifle in 44 mag or 357 mag. These two particular calibers can be used on a handgun as well.

call me sappyg but i like the saiga notion in 7.62 and i actually like them in their stock form though i don't own one personally. if it feels right then why not go for it? it fits all of your requirements.

everyones "do all" will be different anyway.

as long as yours does what you need it to do then you're set. i say go for it.

Sam1911 said:

Buy an $80 Mosin Nagant and an $80 can of ammo (440 rds!) and you could solve any problem you'll ever, realistically, face.

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True dat! 7.62 x 54R will take down anything that walks in North America (and most other continents as well) as far away as you are able to hit it!

And if "it" gets too close it will make a damn fine club!

I've sold over 100 of those rifles, and I just think they are the center fire rifle deal of the decade, if not the century.

And if "it" gets too close it will make a damn fine club!

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See? Nothing could be more RELIABLE than that!

But, more seriously, the difficulty in quickly reloading a bolt rifle using stripper clips (and especially rimmed cartridges, I'd say) may be a good reason to choose something else.

If cheap -- or "most value for the money" -- features prominently in your calculations, then a Saiga is a fine choice.

NEF Handi-Rifle seems to fit your criteria.

http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/Rifles/youth.asp

I second the lever action carbine.

I have a Marlin 1894 CSS in .357 and love it. I added Skinner Peep Sights to it and it is a blast to shoot. No recoil, very accurate and with a heavy .357 it is powerful enough to handle anything I might come in contact with.

I paid $675 for it and another $35 or so for the sights.

Snag one if you can find it and I think your search will be over.

M44 mosin nagant

Search for "Scout Rifles" or "Lever Scout Rifles"

What do you plan to do with it?

Growing up on a farm, my idea of a one gun utility rifle is a beat up 30-30. They are or at least to be cheap. They are reliable, pretty accurate, and will kill nearly anything you happen to come upon face to face on this continent. IMO, a farm truck cab is not well equipped without a trust, rusty 30-30.

I'd play it safe with an AK variant of some type

Hello friends and neighbors // .223 I went with Saiga ,, .357 Interarms(Rossi)Both work great the adjustable stock on the Saiga helps with the one size fits all theme.


The .357 gets more carry time because it matches cal. with my S&W 586. When I first got the Interarms it was to hold me over until I could find a nice Marlin. Now I don't even look for a better .357 rifle. I'd say it is hard to do better than a handgun/ rifle combo in .357/.38 (LRN in the rifle). With shot shells, hardcast,hollow points ... they fit most requirements for me within say 100yards.

I have a straight shooting Mosin and if you need to build up your arm strenght by all means carry it or a Garand all day. Either would make great do all rifles.

The M1 Carbine and Riger Blackhawk in .30carbine cal. is also a fun plinker/varmint combo. Almost as much of a joy to carry on woods walks as the .357 combo. 30cal. is a little pricer to shoot though.


Good luck finding what works for you.

I prefer an American made rifle, but prefer the 7.62x39 as the "All is" round. Pretty much leaves me with the Ruger Mini Thirty again. I have all the other rifles with the exception of the AR in 7.62x39.

If you can get over the price, a ruger scout might be something to look at.

decent caliber, detachable magazines, its short and light.

if you use it as a truck gun, you can store it unloaded and have it in action quickly, and a butt cuff with a couple magazines on it will give you 20 rounds.

If we are talking truck gun, my goto rifle is a suppressed SBR. Not too long and you don't blow out your ear drums taking a quick shot. If I have to take the time to plug, I'd rather have a .22 lr.

cheap, reliable, dont have to worry about apperances? marlin 30-30. easy to find ammo @15$ a box and will keep working into your grandkids life.