Anyone own only one centerfire rifle?

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goon

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Lately I have been looking at simplifying my collection. Not that I don't love all types of guns, but I have just come to the conclusion that I am usually happier with less stuff that I have to maintain or carry with me every time I move. So I got to thinking about maybe thinning it down to one rimfire rifle, a shotgun, a couple handguns (they are small so moving them isn't hard) and one centerfire rifle.
Is there anyone out there who only has one rifle?
If so, what type and caliber and why? How does it suit you? Any disadvantages?

What do you guys think?
 
WASR 10 7.62x39 mm.

But I'm looking to expand my collection, not contract it. :D It's a good and potent caliber, and I like the rifle. The only downside is that ammo is currently expensive, but that's the case with pretty much every caliber b/c of the Chinese buying all the metal for their industrial boom.

In reality, I was debating between an AR-15 and an AK clone. I went with the WASR 10 b/c at the time ammo was cheaper and the gun was cheaper, too. I couldn't afford an AR-15. Now, of course, I want both just to have 'em. I have a long list of wanted guns. My wife hates to look at it. :evil:

Downside relative to AR-15 is that with AR-15 you can buy uppers in different calibers.
 
Well I only have one for now...

I have a Bushmaster AR15 but I also have the .22 conversion for it...So it's one rifle with two calibers. I am just starting out and there will be more rifles to follow :evil: If I could only have one an AR 15 would be it.... you could use it for tactical training, put a reddot on it, scope it out and use it for long target shooting, use it for home defense and also buy a Ciener .22 conversion for $130 and plink all day for nothing
 
If'n I had to slim down to one centerfire rifle? My Bushmaster XM15A3, 20" GI

How does it suit me? It's black and bad. I'd hate to give up the M1A but the .223 is cheaper & ubiquitous. The GI barrel & A2 stock balances very well for me. I kept the HBAR target upper to scope it. The A3 top is versatile, I could kit the thing out with all those wanker rails and accessories if I wanted to play bench ranger. Infinite spare parts.

Disadvantages? Depends on what you want to do with a rifle. Can't hunt deer, shoot 600 yds, etc. But you could fit it with uppers to do all sorts of stuff, including 6.8 - handy if you need to engage multiple deer targets.
 
For along time I only had a Mini-14 (.223 Rem) as my only centerfire rifle. Most of it can be attributed to lack of money. I did and still do have a .50 caliber muzleloader. In Indiana a .22 rimfire and a 12ga shotgun make up most of your hunting guns. The muzzle loader was for more time deer hunting and an extra deer.

Would I go back to one centerfire, not willingly. I'll side with what others have stated, my Bushmaster AR-15A3 would be the one rifle I'd keep. Replaces the Mini-14 hands down and then some.
 
If I could only have one rifle, I'd keep my Bushmaster.

AR's are kinda like cheating in this regard, because I'd get several uppers... .223 for most shooting, 6.5 Grendel and/or .50 Beowulf for deer hunting, etc. :D
 
Right up until June of last year, my Ruger M77 in 308Win was my only centerfire rifle.

Since then I've added
* Mosin and 98 Mauser (more for display than shooting)
* SKS and AK-47 (because I heard about the AWB that some folks were attempting to get passed).
 
Yes - an Arsenal SA M-7 with a milled receiver, an incredible rifle.
 
If you are not worried about the future zombie hordes, then any rifle , in either 243 or 30.06 will be best , preferably in stainless, synthetic.
If you do worry about the future zombie hordes, that at least I KNOW are coming, then any ar or ak style rifle in 223 or 762.39 is acceptable.
the 243, or 30.06 will handle most anything in north america you want to kill, or eat.lots of both of these rifles out there, lots of mags, lots of bullets, all dif type sizes and shapes, lots of stores sell them, new or used, shops , shows, or pawn shops.
 
Not a chance. I hunt therefore I need at the very least two guns, one for varmints and one for large game.

Add to that a semi-auto for self defense, and I've got to have three minimum.
 
I'm already married BUT couln't imagine only having one rifle??? I've always collected rifles and frankly I enjoy the variety!
 
2 centerfire rifles

In order to cover all possible uses, I think you really need two centerfire rifles. One semi-auto like an AR-15 for self-defense and varmits. And one bolt action rifle with a scope in a larger caliber like 308 or 30-06 for your larger game hunting and long-range needs.
 
You could always get an H&R Handi-Rifle, and just swap out barrels on it. They offer barrels in basically every caliber, for $90. I'd keep my .30-30 lever action if I could only have one.

Josh
 
You'll regret it.
Now if you're about to go broke...I'd sell my guns as well. Keep one or two and put the rest of the money to food and ammunition to hunt with.
I'd keep either a .308 or .30-06 bolt action, a shotgun, a pistol and a .22 rifle. If it had to be just one, then the .308 is for me.
 
no, i do not own one nor could i...
but, if i was to pare down to just one, it would be a 7.5 pound 7 rem mag - probably built around a remington 700 action. prairie dog shoots would get a little fatiguing, but i could make that work.

but, in your decision making process, make sure you evaluate your priorities. if you are a hunter, an 8-pound 25-06 could probably cover most of your bases. if you are a varminter and/or target shooter, a solid ar-15 could do a lot. if your big game hunting gets into elk and bigger, a 7 rem mag or 338 win mag could cover it all... good luck on your quest - i'd want no part of it!
 
After thinking this over a little more, two is definitely a smarter way to go than one. I think I will stick with the FAL I already have and add a Marlin 30-30 with a scout scope (because I like the concept and I still have the scope) when I can afford it.
They should cover most anything I need a centerfire for and the Marlin (really on my wishlist) would realistically do ALMOST everything the FAL will do. (Note that I said ALMOST !)
I'm also thinking my FAL could stand to lose some weight, and about 4" of barrel. But that's another thread.


I have just found that I have a streak of minimalist in me. I know a lot of old hunters (like my dad) who have lived their whole lives with only one rifle, a shotgun, a .22, and a couple handguns.
My grandfather made it from 1907 to 1992 with only a 99 Savage, an old 12 gauge SxS, and a .22 LR (He never even owned a handgun !).

At least for me, sometimes I think that less can actually be more. I love guns but I have just found that having 50 of them around isn't practical for me.
I would rather have a couple really good, dependable guns that I can shoot well and use to their fullest potential than have a whole lot that I only have marginal skill with.
 
Here's an idea for you, what would be the most versitile overall long gun that you can use to hunt everything from birds to elk, be just as effective as a submachine gun at close range, and have large rifle caliber killing power at 100 yards?........

A good 12 gauge shotgun. You can shoot everything from bird shot to hard cast slugs which are ideal for taking down a grizzly bear. With a lot of the newer slugs on the market, you can get 4" groupings at 100 yards with a Remington 870.
 
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