If you could only have one rifle...

[chaim]

What would you pick if you could only have one rifle? One rifle for plinking, home defense, hunting (if you hunt), target shooting, fun, etc.

This is not a SHTF thread, lets not even go there. Simply, what would you want if for whatever reason you could only have one?





For me I pick a .44 or .357mag lever rifle. I don't hunt but if I did either out of a long gun (with proper loads) would be fine up to and including most deer. I don't do serious target shooting so I don't need something 1MOA or less. However, lever rifles are great fun (my favorite), and in a pistol caliber I'd have maximum flexibility. These are strong enough that I could use them on the 100 yard rifle range yet I would be allowed to use them at an indoor pistol range. Either caliber (perhaps slightly downloaded to control for overpenatration) would be great for home defense out of a long gun. Reloading makes either reasonable to shoot (and both are cheaper than most rifle calibers in factory loads). Also, the .357 could also shoot .38spl which isn't too bad even in factory loads.

 

[sm]

Model 70 in '06
Incurable sentimental old fart that I am, I'll deny if quoted of course.

 

[dakotasin]

700 bdl in 338 win mag.

 

[ACP230]

I'd have to pick my M1A.
The most accurate rifle for long strings of fire I have.
Fires cheap .308 for plinking and shoots my handloads with cheap FMJ bullets like match ammo.

I would prefer that no one try and tell me I can only have one rifle, however.

 

[Black Snowman]

I'd have to say the Steyr AUG system. Can rebuild it pretty quickly with the various actions and barrels to make it whatever happen to need at the moment. If I was stuck with one gun it would fit more of my needs than any other. Especially since I don't hunt big game. It's kind of cheating since it's convertable but hey, if I can only have 1 rifle I might as well shell out for the tax tags and all that.

 

[RustyHammer]

M1 Garand

 

[ojibweindian]

Yugo M48A.

I just like the Mauser action.

 

[BerettaNut92]

AR-15. Too bad I can't get one yet.

Easy to find parts and mags and ammo for WTSHTF

 

[ChairborneRanger]

I'd have to vote for an AR-15A2 in .223/5.56. Lots of choices in terms of manufacturer, accessories, ammunition price and quality choices, etc. Just a good all-around, modern, rifle system.

 

[Jack19]

Put me down for the AR too. Everyone I've had has been ultra reliable, accurate, and I like the ergonomics.

 

[Brian Williams]

I think I would take my 1894c in 357.


But if I were looking at a more one rifle to rule them all, one rifle to find them and one rifle to bind them I would probably get a Win model 70 Lightweight in 308. Put a nice set of Peep sights on it with a good Leupold 2x7 scope in Warne removeable mounts.

 

[Kaylee]

What re1973 said, I think. Minus denying the sentimentality.

The defensive end of things can be covered almost always by a pistol, which leaves the rifle for doing what rifles do best... carrying around and hitting things far away.

-K

 

[PJR]

It would be a Sauer S90. The rifle gives you the option of several calibers by switching barrels. I'd want mine in 6.5x55, .30-06 and 9.3x62. Good enough for everything in North America.

 

[Smoke]

If you could only have one rifle...

...I wouldn't be very happy.

Smoke

 

[Tag]

Winchester model 70 in .308, just because ammo would be easy to find for years.

 

[cslinger]

M1 Garand there is just something about that rifle, it's lines, it's noises, it's history and it's performance.

If I could only have one it would be a Garand.

 

[cordex]

Select fire AR-15.

I like options.

 

[Soap]

Kimber 84M in .308 topped with a Leupold 2.5-8x.

 

[Balog]

Synthetic stocked M14 (or all USGI M1A on a forged receiver).

 

[12-34hom]

If it were a gas gun.

A quality heavy barreled - [carbine] - [223 caliber] of a Ar -15 - topped with armored Ziess scope - low magnifcation.

12-34hom.

 

[Rupestris]

If I could have only one I'd probably reload so I could go with a non-surplus ammo.
Make mine a Nesika Classic Hunter in .243 w/a leupold Vari-X III

if you could only have one rifle

Does that mean I get to keep my shotguns and handguns?

Rupe

 

[hillbilly]

Only one?

Okay, an Ishapore Enfield 2A in .308.

But thank goodness I can have more than one.

hillbilly

 

[Atticus]

FAL

 

[Kurt]

I will take a FAL.

With a scope on it, I can do what the bolt actions can.

But the FAL is far more versatile, and is able to cover many other situations too. That's exactly what I'll want if I'm ever limited to only one rifle.

 

[Smoke]

Daniel Flory:

Kimber 84M in .308 topped with a Leupold 2.5-8x.

I like the way this guy thinks.

If I was really limited to one. The Kimber might be it.....or a Cooper.
.308 sounds about right too.


Smoke