You know though... there's something to be said of The Tamara Approach.
There's some rifles I've owned that were great for the educational aspect, but I doubt I'll ever own again, or really want to -- SKS for example, or (non sequitor over to pistols) a Glock. Not that they're bad guns, just that they didn't do anything for me really. But I only
knew that 'cause I was able to tinker and play with 'em for an extended period of time and get to know them.
There's others I'd consider buying in the future, again for the "how does it work" educational value that I'd likely never keep long term.. prolly I'll try an AK variant for the same reason one of these days, or a CETME to learn how the roller lock really works, or somesuch... but even if I did, it wouldn't be with the intention of keeping them... stamped steel and loading pallet wood just doesn't appeal to me. More, well.... it's kinda like the books you buy in college. Some are worth keeping around forever. Quite a few -- despite the fact you can get a lot out of them -- are best off being returned to the bookstore at the end of the semester.
So yes, even if the combined value of just the hits I've taken on trade-ins over the last five years might buy something nice.. I look at it as buying a first-person education. Which is worth something in itself.
Now.. all that said... I've never had *that* much in guns at any one time or alltogether compared to a lot of the folks here... , but....
..if I put it all into just a few, as the original question goes... it'd prolly be just about enough for a nice .22 bolt (my CZ is great, add a nice American stock and glass and its there), a self-loading carbine of some variety (prolly a lighter-weight 16" flat top AR), and -- the best part -- a really nice bolt action with pretty wood. Prolly a Win70 classic in .30-06. Those three would suffice, I think.
-K