Best all purpose rifle catridge in a manual action.
- Thread starter doubleg
- Start date
- Status
sacp81170a
Member
Lever action, 30-30 or .44 mag. Good to 100 meters, in a guide gun configuration, light, handy, and a decent club at close quarters.
revjen45
Member
Bolt-action in .30-06 with a variable scope.
Anteater1717
Member
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2006
- Messages
- 586
A pump .308 like a 7600 with a 18" barrel.
Clipper
Member
I agree with the short barreled pump, but I like the .260 Rem if it can be had...
Frog48
Member
.30-06 Springfield or .308 Win.
Kalashnikov
Member
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2005
- Messages
- 399
54R, or 10mm in a small carbine.
Nameless_Hobo
Member
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2007
- Messages
- 191
A BLR, perhaps?.308 or .30-06, you'll have the accuracy and range of a bolt gun, with the speed of a levergun.
However, they're not high capacity guns, and magazines are expensive.
A lever is easier to "learn" to shoot fast. You'll have to practice to be able to shoot a bolt action fast and accuratly.
A Lee Enfield is pretty fast to shoot for a bolt, but .303 is british, so it'll be harder to find than American calibers.
Personally, I'd either go for a Remington 700 or a Ruger. Have decent iron sights put on, a 10 round magazine and a good scope and you'll be ready for anything. Of course, some will tell you back up irons are useless, but it's better to have and not need than need and not have.
However, they're not high capacity guns, and magazines are expensive.
A lever is easier to "learn" to shoot fast. You'll have to practice to be able to shoot a bolt action fast and accuratly.
A Lee Enfield is pretty fast to shoot for a bolt, but .303 is british, so it'll be harder to find than American calibers.
Personally, I'd either go for a Remington 700 or a Ruger. Have decent iron sights put on, a 10 round magazine and a good scope and you'll be ready for anything. Of course, some will tell you back up irons are useless, but it's better to have and not need than need and not have.
TSH77769
Member
A remington pump in .308 or .30-06 with a knox stock and extended mags and a 16" barrell.
tsh77769
tsh77769
I can agree with Nameless Hobo on the BLR, but not sure how they do in dirty environments where cleaning supplies are hard to come by. The handling qualities are GREAT, at least for me, and I prefer the short-action. (Mine are in .308.) Ergonomics/handling figure greatly into practical accuracy. While heavier, my Winchester Model 70 in .375 H&H has good ergonomics/handling, and a round of .375 H&H will get someone's/something's attention. While everyone writes and talks about autoloaders with hi-cap mags, I would feel far from helpless with a .308 BLR or my .375 bolt rifle. For that matter, I would not be helpless with a Ruger No. 1, especially if accompanied by a good service-type handgun. FWIW, when Rita was bearing down on us, I drove around with a .308 BLR, not my AR15.
Caliber: .308, hands down. Range, penetration, precision, wide range of projectiles. Capable of large game, but not at the expense of high-dollar ammo and higher recoil. Milsurp ammo available.
Firearm: Mauser-style bolt gun, 16-21" bbl. Ever try to rack a pump gun while using a rest? Sucks. Ever use a lever gun while low prone? Bolt gun works as easily or easier in every situation. Rifles true to the Mauser pattern have high-performance extractors, controlled-feed, durable iron sights.
Scout Rifle concept would seem to fit the bill, too.
-josh
Firearm: Mauser-style bolt gun, 16-21" bbl. Ever try to rack a pump gun while using a rest? Sucks. Ever use a lever gun while low prone? Bolt gun works as easily or easier in every situation. Rifles true to the Mauser pattern have high-performance extractors, controlled-feed, durable iron sights.
Scout Rifle concept would seem to fit the bill, too.
-josh
Gator
Member
The .308 will do everything. So will a .30-06, but the .308 has a shorter, handier action.
MKEITH
Member
+1 for the .30-06.
Charles S
Member
I don't know that there is a best....If you live in Alaska the best is....If you live in Florida the best is.....If you live in Texas the best is.....
If I lived in Alaska I would select the 338 Win Mag.
Living in Texas I would select the 270 or the 308.
If I was pressed to choose one cartridge for all of North America for the average shooter I would have to pick the 30-06. It can be pressed into service as a varmint rifle (it will not do the job well) and can shoot up to 220 gr bullets in factory loadings. With proper loads and good shot placement it will take the largest Bears in North America. In the right rifle with the right loads it will shoot respectable 1000 yard groups (something the 308 has trouble with). The recoil level is manageable for most shooters, the rifle selection is incredible.
I however am happy that I am not limited to one rifle. A respected gun writer once wrote that there is no shortage of all purpose rounds, just a shortage of all purpose rifleman.
If I lived in Alaska I would select the 338 Win Mag.
Living in Texas I would select the 270 or the 308.
If I was pressed to choose one cartridge for all of North America for the average shooter I would have to pick the 30-06. It can be pressed into service as a varmint rifle (it will not do the job well) and can shoot up to 220 gr bullets in factory loadings. With proper loads and good shot placement it will take the largest Bears in North America. In the right rifle with the right loads it will shoot respectable 1000 yard groups (something the 308 has trouble with). The recoil level is manageable for most shooters, the rifle selection is incredible.
I however am happy that I am not limited to one rifle. A respected gun writer once wrote that there is no shortage of all purpose rounds, just a shortage of all purpose rifleman.
LeonCarr
Member
Remington 7600 pump in .308, bone stock without a bunch of unnecessary add on stuff, just extra magazines and ammo 
.
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
.Just my .02,
LeonCarr
koja48
member
Bolt-action '06 (.308 would be a good choice also, but I've never owned one . . . yet.).
Langenator
Member
I'm amazed that nobody has mentioned the 6.5 Swede or 7x57 Mauser.
Both are ballistically extremely slick for long range shooting, milder recoil for quick follow ups at closer range.
Both are ballistically extremely slick for long range shooting, milder recoil for quick follow ups at closer range.
sm
member
Define "long range".
Model 94 in 30-30
Model 70 in '06
Either one with the '06 being the longer range choice of course.
Model 94 in 30-30
Model 70 in '06
Either one with the '06 being the longer range choice of course.
Jeff F
Member
If I could only have one rifle it would have to be my Enfield. I love that rifle. Only thing is that .303 British ammo is a little hard to find some places. I've been on the hunt at the gun shows for a arsenal reworked Enfield in 7.62 NATO but so far no luck.
ec-10
Member
.308
Sorry, couldn't resist posting the pic.
Sorry, couldn't resist posting the pic.
TimboKhan
Member
I don't know why I always get sucked into these threads, but more and more I lean towards .30-06...
+1 on the 260. It will do near anything the 308 will do, and tends to do better at long range thanks to good, high BC bullets. Low recoil makes it a pleasure to shoot. It's the 6.5 Swede in a more effecient case and a shorter action.
- Status
