3 most useful rifles...
- Thread starter CalamityJane
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PAPACHUCK
Member
.22 semi-auto
AR or AK or SKS
.308 or .30-06 bolt action
All bases covered.
AR or AK or SKS
.308 or .30-06 bolt action
All bases covered.
General Geoff
Member
.22lr
.30 autoloader
.50BMG
.30 autoloader
.50BMG
jklinstein
Member
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2006
- Messages
- 75
Ruger 10/22 (.22lr)
AK clone (7.62x39)
.308 (scoped bolt rifle or scoped FAL).
AK clone (7.62x39)
.308 (scoped bolt rifle or scoped FAL).
MCgunner
Member
I could live with just TWO rifles if I absolutely HAD to. A long action bolt gun in something close to .30-06 in ballistics (my own personal choice was 7mm REm Mag) and a good, accurate .22 Rimfire. I don't really have a use for much else, but you might want a .22-250 or similar if you like shooting varmints at long range.
Fortunately I have other guns. I don't like autochuckers as I reload my brass, have a bias against them and bolt guns are more accurate, generally. For ONE ACCURATE GUN, the bolt is the way to go. You can keep your black guns, I would have no use. Ain't no zombies or black helicopters I'd worry about. However, I do agree that a good shotgun is ALWAYS necessary and THE go to for most survival situations. I'd get a shotgun BEFORE I bothered with a rifle. You can turn one into a rifle for 100 yards, at least, with slugs. A good pump shotgun with a slug barrel and 28" interchangeable choke smooth bore would get me by even without a rifle. That said, I like rifles.
Fortunately I have other guns. I don't like autochuckers as I reload my brass, have a bias against them and bolt guns are more accurate, generally. For ONE ACCURATE GUN, the bolt is the way to go. You can keep your black guns, I would have no use. Ain't no zombies or black helicopters I'd worry about. However, I do agree that a good shotgun is ALWAYS necessary and THE go to for most survival situations. I'd get a shotgun BEFORE I bothered with a rifle. You can turn one into a rifle for 100 yards, at least, with slugs. A good pump shotgun with a slug barrel and 28" interchangeable choke smooth bore would get me by even without a rifle. That said, I like rifles.
GarandOwner
Member
I might get flamed for this but.......
Armchair rambos will tell you to go get an AK or an AR for "home defense" both are overkill for what you need.
One rifle would do all 3 for you, home defense varment and some hunting:
M1 carbine. Im a WWII buff so I'd recomend that, it has .30 cal bullet, has good accuracy and is not overpowered as other mentioned rifles if you use it for home defense. (though since I live in the suburbs, personally i think any rifle is overkill for in home defense)
Another that would be good, get a bolt action in .308 or .30-06 and leave your shotgun or handgun for home defense. An AK wont be accurate enough to hit the wolf attacking your sheep at long range and an good AR is pricey.
If you get the rambo urge and want an AR, get it in .308 so you can also use it for hunting......but I just say this because .30 cal is my favorite flavor
Armchair rambos will tell you to go get an AK or an AR for "home defense" both are overkill for what you need.
One rifle would do all 3 for you, home defense varment and some hunting:
M1 carbine. Im a WWII buff so I'd recomend that, it has .30 cal bullet, has good accuracy and is not overpowered as other mentioned rifles if you use it for home defense. (though since I live in the suburbs, personally i think any rifle is overkill for in home defense)
Another that would be good, get a bolt action in .308 or .30-06 and leave your shotgun or handgun for home defense. An AK wont be accurate enough to hit the wolf attacking your sheep at long range and an good AR is pricey.
If you get the rambo urge and want an AR, get it in .308 so you can also use it for hunting......but I just say this because .30 cal is my favorite flavor
gunnerh
Member
MY 2 cents worth: Ruger 10/22 1.5 million shooters can be all wrong (WAG) It cover most of my shooting around the place. Next a 22 centerfire Ruger M77 22/250 is my choice. next an AR-15 fun to use and it PO's pinko, commie, ACLU, ineffectant suck up liberals. Next a .243win bolt gun light recoil and easy to shot well. Next a 7X57mm,7mm-08,6.5X55mm or 270win all great rounds for hunting meat. Next aMarlin 30/30 just because. Next a 308win, 30.06, 7mm mag or 300win mag for longer range,bigger game. Next a Browning BLR 358win I love this gun. Next a 375 H&H mag or 375 Ruger for the occasional escape tiger. Next 458 win mag just in case you get to go to Africa. Next a 50 BMG M2HB belt feed semi-auto Just because. Last but not least a large safe to keep them it. You with also need a 45 and pump shot gun protect your safe.
The Deer Hunter
Member
Obviously some sort of .22lr. My Remington 700 in .30-06 and maybe a 7615 in .223. I probably wont have to worry about the 7615 getting banned anytime soon and its would be perfectly suitable for home defense and even small game hunting.
Wolfgang2000
Member
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2007
- Messages
- 376
My main stocking rifle calibers are:
22 LR
7.62x39
308
22 needs no explanation.
7.62x39 is inexpensive, hits hard, and works just as good for coyotes and it does deer. It's also what I keep at the back door, (a bubafied SKS), for varmint's (2 or 4 legged) and such.
308, My main deer round. I have a couple hunters plus a FAL. Never had to chase a deer after a good hit, or even a mediocre hit. For "MOST" of the lower 48, it's all you need. Even though it is getting expensive now, it is still available in both surplus and sporting loads.
I'll have several rifles in those calibers, and I may have other rifles in different calibers, but these are the ones stock the SHTF ammo for.
22 LR
7.62x39
308
22 needs no explanation.
7.62x39 is inexpensive, hits hard, and works just as good for coyotes and it does deer. It's also what I keep at the back door, (a bubafied SKS), for varmint's (2 or 4 legged) and such.
308, My main deer round. I have a couple hunters plus a FAL. Never had to chase a deer after a good hit, or even a mediocre hit. For "MOST" of the lower 48, it's all you need. Even though it is getting expensive now, it is still available in both surplus and sporting loads.
I'll have several rifles in those calibers, and I may have other rifles in different calibers, but these are the ones stock the SHTF ammo for.
TCB in TN
Member
Will just add my .02 as well.
.22 rf no one should be w/o a decent .22 rifle and while I like real nice rifles such as the Marlin .39, or the Ruger 77/22 and the like, if I were limited through budget or some other reason I would start with a little Marlin 60 or other variant bought used through a gun or pawn shop. They can usually be had for $60 or less and as such are simple to buy 3 or 4 of them for the price of a "nice" rifle. They will eat just about any ammo you want to feed through them, will give you quite acceptable hunting accuracy, and for the money they are just darn good guns. Buy a couple of cheap fixed 4X scopes and you are ready to hunt all the small game you want (as well as outfitting any other folks around to help you).
30/06 bolt rifle (any major brand, remmy, ruger, Mossy, etc), with a decent 3 x 9 scope. The reason for the 30/06 is simply ammo availability. It is easy to find ammo for it ANYWHERE and if you want to stock up on ammo, the surplus market is better for 06 ammo than anything else out there currently. As has been stated before the 06 will will anything you need it to inside of 500yards and if you know how to do your part, it will go out pretty well even a little further.
As for my Home defense rifle well it would NOT be a rifle. I would buy a good used 12ga (Mossy 500) with an 18in barrel with plenty of 00 buckshot and slugs. I would also invest in a a scoped rifled slug barrel to use the shotty as a second hunting rifles and a cheap 28in barrel to use with light shot for small game if needed. BTW in many cases a good used shotty can be bought for $150 or less, giving you the option to add more than one to your collection.
Now limited to 3 "rifles" that is what I would do.
.22 rf no one should be w/o a decent .22 rifle and while I like real nice rifles such as the Marlin .39, or the Ruger 77/22 and the like, if I were limited through budget or some other reason I would start with a little Marlin 60 or other variant bought used through a gun or pawn shop. They can usually be had for $60 or less and as such are simple to buy 3 or 4 of them for the price of a "nice" rifle. They will eat just about any ammo you want to feed through them, will give you quite acceptable hunting accuracy, and for the money they are just darn good guns. Buy a couple of cheap fixed 4X scopes and you are ready to hunt all the small game you want (as well as outfitting any other folks around to help you).
30/06 bolt rifle (any major brand, remmy, ruger, Mossy, etc), with a decent 3 x 9 scope. The reason for the 30/06 is simply ammo availability. It is easy to find ammo for it ANYWHERE and if you want to stock up on ammo, the surplus market is better for 06 ammo than anything else out there currently. As has been stated before the 06 will will anything you need it to inside of 500yards and if you know how to do your part, it will go out pretty well even a little further.
As for my Home defense rifle well it would NOT be a rifle. I would buy a good used 12ga (Mossy 500) with an 18in barrel with plenty of 00 buckshot and slugs. I would also invest in a a scoped rifled slug barrel to use the shotty as a second hunting rifles and a cheap 28in barrel to use with light shot for small game if needed. BTW in many cases a good used shotty can be bought for $150 or less, giving you the option to add more than one to your collection.
Now limited to 3 "rifles" that is what I would do.
mossberg
Member
.22, .270, 12 gauge.
HM2PAC
Member
My choices:
.22LR (Semi)
.30-06 (Bolt)
.308 (EBR)
.22LR (Semi)
.30-06 (Bolt)
.308 (EBR)
mustanger98
Member
My $.02... Definately include a .22LR lever or bolt and capacity don't matter; 1 shot or 15. Now, for the bigger stuff... you can include a .223 bolt or semi auto if you're wanting to go light shooting coyotes and be just fine. I'd definately suggest getting a Winchester .30-30 or Marlin 1894 .357mag... maybe both... and a .30-06 military rifle... either a M1 Garand or a 1903/03A3. Keep in mind that the 1903/03A3 won't be nearly as narrow of a range of .30-06 ammo as the Garand.
If you have a .357 revolver, a 1894 Marlin in the same chambering would be a real good companion to it.
I also suggest that you use aperture rear sights on everything you can.
If you have a .357 revolver, a 1894 Marlin in the same chambering would be a real good companion to it.
I also suggest that you use aperture rear sights on everything you can.
HankB
Member
.22 rimfire, of course.
.223 EBR . . . OK for varmints and good for self protection, especially if used with expanding bullets. (YOU don't have to adhere to the Hague Accords!)
.30/06 bolt action w/scope. Good for long distances, and a pretty darned good choice to hunt anything other than elephant, rhino, Cape buffalo, African lion, giraffe, eland, and the big bears. (And it's accounted for more than a few of each!)
.223 EBR . . . OK for varmints and good for self protection, especially if used with expanding bullets. (YOU don't have to adhere to the Hague Accords!)
.30/06 bolt action w/scope. Good for long distances, and a pretty darned good choice to hunt anything other than elephant, rhino, Cape buffalo, African lion, giraffe, eland, and the big bears. (And it's accounted for more than a few of each!)
marksman13
Member
Bolt action rifles in 22LR, .223, and .308. Should cover all the bases. I wouldn't worry about a rifle for home defense if you already have plenty of shotguns and pistols. If you just have to have one though get an AR15. Ammo availabilty will be good for all three of these calibers and they should handle all of your hunting needs.
RSVP2RIP
Member
22lr, .234win, .375H&H
davidjblythe
Member
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2007
- Messages
- 126
A semi or bolt .22 LR
A semi defensive weapon in any of the intermediate calibers (5.56, 7.62x39...)
A bolt hunting rifle in any of the larger calibers, starting after .22LR. The game in the region will have a large bearing on what caliber you would need. I would imagine most people would be fine with a .308 or .30-06. Some areas might require a magnum for large, dangerous game.
A semi defensive weapon in any of the intermediate calibers (5.56, 7.62x39...)
A bolt hunting rifle in any of the larger calibers, starting after .22LR. The game in the region will have a large bearing on what caliber you would need. I would imagine most people would be fine with a .308 or .30-06. Some areas might require a magnum for large, dangerous game.
XD-40 Shooter
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- Joined
- Sep 6, 2007
- Messages
- 912
1) 22 LR, I'm thinking a Ruger 10/22
2).308 bolt action
3).223, Mini-14 or AR
4) SKS, I have to throw this one in, I have one and its a total blast to shoot, plus its durable as all get out.
2).308 bolt action
3).223, Mini-14 or AR
4) SKS, I have to throw this one in, I have one and its a total blast to shoot, plus its durable as all get out.
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
Marlin 39M 22lr
Marlin 1894C 357mag
Win Model 70 Compact Classic 7mm-08
I don't need much more than this to do all my shooting around eastern PA.
Marlin 1894C 357mag
Win Model 70 Compact Classic 7mm-08
I don't need much more than this to do all my shooting around eastern PA.
JustsayMo
Member
On my grandmother's family's homestead they put food on the table, kept varmints outta the garden and kept dozens of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren busy and out of trouble with a 22 rifle. So my first choice is a 22 rifle.
Next I'd choose a 30 caliber rifle with the same action as the 22 rifle. Versatile enough for a wide spectrum of game and known to be quite lethal on humanoids at respectable ranges should the need arise.
Lastly I'd go with a large bore rifle for Elk, moose and bears.
I'd hate to limit myself to just three but if'n I had to, that's what I'd pick.
Next I'd choose a 30 caliber rifle with the same action as the 22 rifle. Versatile enough for a wide spectrum of game and known to be quite lethal on humanoids at respectable ranges should the need arise.
Lastly I'd go with a large bore rifle for Elk, moose and bears.
I'd hate to limit myself to just three but if'n I had to, that's what I'd pick.
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