1. marlin model 60
2. marlin 336 in 30-30 win
3. ruger m77 hawkeye in 30-06
4. ruger gp100 .357 (6 inch)
5. .38 snub (preferably S&W)
this would be my basic "do everything" list.
i prefer the marlin 60 to the 10/22 for two major reasons: 1) you dont have to triple the price of the gun in accessories to make it shoot as good as the marlin and 2) i save a bunch of money not having to buy magazines (really who can have just one?
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i could actually ditch the 30-06 because my 30-30 will take care of anything i will realisticly need to as far as hunting, but if i ever get to hunt out west i would rather have the longer range and higher power '06.
the gp100 would be a backup for hunting, a primary for woods-walkin', and a fun range gun for accuracy practice and for working up some hot-as-your-heart-desires handloads if that is what floats your boat.
the snub .38 is the carry gun. it is the type that you can always have on you in many different positions in any style of dress. will also share ammo with the gp100. in a snub, i would want the S&W for the smoother trigger because it will aid in accuracy with that tiny little barrel. i have an sp101 and, while i do consider it a decent substitute, i still plan on grabbing a S&W .38 whenever i find a good used one that calls to me.
this list is my plain slice of wheat bread. the only problem with plain wheat bread is that some folks prefer white, rye, or even asiago focaccia. but in the end all we have is dry bread, and what is bread with out butter, or pb&j? that is where we have to spruce up the base list and throw in lots of other awesome stuff like an ar-15, ak-47, saiga-12, benelli m4, stoger coach gun, brown bess, S&W 500, mosin nagant, colt python, desert eagle, two of each glock, p-51 mustang, pf9, barret .50cal, lorcin .22, mini-14, ithaca 37, lcp, lcr, taurus judge, bond arms .45 derringer, colt SAA, mares leg, the kitchen sink...etc...etc...
variety is the spice of life and i do love a little variety in the gun case!