All Purpose "mans rifle"

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Not a huge fan of old milsurp guns, except as collectables. YMMV.

I'd probaly go with a good bolt-action hunting rifle from Savage, Winchester or Remington in .308 with 22-inch bbl and a Leupold 3-9x40 scope. Good for hunting and usable for target/sniping practice. You could make changes to create a better hunting gun, or a better target/sniping gun but I think this is a reasonable compromise.
 
Another excellent often overlooked lower cost option to the ruger scout is the Rem7600 pump

These are almost always astoundingly accurate (100% free floated bbl and bolt head) and can be configured a variety of ways from iron sighted wood stocked flannel shirt deer gun to collapsable stocked aimpoint sighted tacticool
 
let's see. in the realm of military to civilian rifles the enfield no4 is a good choice. sporterized examples can be found at just about any pawn shop and hunting ammo for 303 is pretty easy to get a hold of. I love the enfield action and for a general purpose, varmint-elk hunting round 303 is hard to beat. there are a number of scope rails available for them that mount in 5 minuted without drilling and tapping new holes in the reciever. I have a springfield 1903A4(sniper model) and they are really fun. I love shooting it it long range and anti varmint operations are really fun as well. however the A4 is rare and VERY expensive and I'm kindof a purist when it comes to milsurps so unless you find one that has already been sporterized, which is also not very hard to find at your local pawnshops, I recommend against "bubba-ing" a nice 1903A3.

if you want a current production, lightweight, bull barrel rifle there is the remington 700 with the stainless fluted barrel. they are a little spendy as far as 700s are concerned but you will have the accuracy of the heavy barrel but the fluting will cut down on weight.
 
I have to say, when I hear "all purpose man's rifle", "Marlin 336 in 30-30 or 35 Rem" immediately comes to mind. There is nothing more manly and all purpose than a good lever gun with an aperture site.

Next up would be a Rem 700 platform in 30-06

I suppose an AR-10 would fit the bill as well.
 
Which rifle puts these two types of guns together(modern hunting rifle and serious range rifle) and comes out with a decent compromise?

Remington 700 Sendero is about the only box stock rifle I can think of that will perform well in the feild and as a long-range target rifle. But be ready to raid the piggy bank, as they're over $1,200 these days.
 
While the Sendero is a respectable choice and about the last Remington worth owning I would opt for it's Savage counterpart the 111 Long Ranged Hunter, just as much performance and about $400 less money.
 
A manly rifle? Nothing puts hair on your chest quite like something that starts with .416 or .458. The criteria of "bolt action" and "all purpose" might have to add "flinch machine" and "shoulder dislocator."
 
I want a new Model 1895 Winchester lever action in the manly .405 Winchester calibre. I think it would make me feel like Teddy Roosevelt. Bully!
 
To me, any of the mouser-action 30-06's from the 60's-70's....think J.C. Higgins, Sears, etc. Not glorious, but realistic, reliable, affordable, and rugged.
 
Only have about $200 into that Mosin as long as you don't count labor. I bought it all bubba'd up and not functional. Kept me out of trouble.
 
Savage, Remington, Winchester, or CZ 308 or 30-06 standard weight rifle. The Winchester and CZ bolt and firing pin assembly is very simple to take apart to clean. All are good rifles. Put a good quality scope and sling. Get a reloading press and dies, powder, bullets and you are ready to go.
 
the ruger scout is an awesome rifle.. i like it a lot.. i wonder if something similar can be done, with the larger detachable box magazine to a savage action?.. perhaps someone could machine one to take M14 or FAL mags?
 
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