Ramblin’ Mans Rifle

[Barbaroja]

If you all were going to move into an Rv/travel trailer(limited space) and travel around the US(primarily western states) What rifle/caliber would you bring along to cover any hunting needs that might arise, along with some target shooting. It would be very unlikely that I would be hunting something elk sized just due to limited storage space for that much meat at one time and cost of out of state hunting tags but if the situation arose I would be kicking myself if I wasn’t prepared. More likely game would be deer/pronghorn/black bear/coyote/paper.

I’ve currently got a .243win and 7mmRm as my current best options but they are both kinda marginal on either end of the spectrum. .243 is on the light side for elk/ bear and the 7mm mag is heavy for the pronghorn/coyote.

I know they can both work with proper loads but I would ideally have a rifle with one load that would work for all my needs that I could reload a bunch of before I leave home.

I’ll also say I prefer odd,less popular cartridges I know an easy answer would be 6.5 creed, 308win 30-06 but they don’t tickle me like the thought of a 7mm-08 or .280 rem ,etc.

So what would you do in that situation? One thought I had was a switch barrel rifle built on a savage model 10 action. Maybe 243 for the light caliber and a heavy hitter like a 338 federal or 358win for the heavy?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject. Oh and feel free to share some photos!

 

[marksman13]

25-06 is the route I would go if I honestly wanted a right down the middle cartridge and didn’t want something super common. You could also step up to 257 Weatherby Magnum. A 6.5x55 would also do what you are asking and still be off-the-beaten-path.

 

[Coyote3855]

My do it all rifle for the last 60 years is a Model 70 .30-06. Prairie dogs to elk, coyotes and pronghorns. So I would vote for the 7mm.

But think of this as a good excuse to buy a new gun. I understand your preference for odd calibers. MIght not be a good selection of cartridges for purchase or perhaps not available at all everywhere you roam. Assuming you need to resupply at some point.

 

[jmorris]

Not knowing what I might be using it for, I’m not really a one caliber/gun guy. It’s not uncommon at all for me to take more than one on any given trip.

So with that, if I were forced into picking one, it would be something like the R8 Blazer, where it’s actually a single firearm but I can easily change it to any number of calibers.


They also support rimfire rounds too.

 

[WrongHanded]

Travelling around the country means accepting that you will end up in places where uncommon cartridges are....uncommon. Plan accordingly.

 

[Barbaroja]

Not knowing what I might be using it for, I’m not really a one caliber/gun guy. It’s not uncommon at all for me to take more than one on any given trip.

So with that, if I were forced into picking one, it would be something like the R8 Blazer, where it’s actually a single firearm but I can easily change it to any number of calibers.

View attachment 1135839
They also support rimfire rounds too.

Yes I’m also of them type to bring some extras on a trip lol. This rifle would be in addition to a scoped Rimfire rifle, a 12ga shotgun, magnum revolver and concealed carry weapon

 

[Barbaroja]

My do it all rifle for the last 60 years is a Model 70 .30-06. Prairie dogs to elk, coyotes and pronghorns. So I would vote for the 7mm.

But think of this as a good excuse to buy a new gun. I understand your preference for odd calibers. MIght not be a good selection of cartridges for purchase or perhaps not available at all everywhere you roam. Assuming you need to resupply at some point.

It’s a great excuse for a new gun. 30-06 did cross my mind. As to resupply I have every intention of leaving the home base with all that I need. That said I’ll be returning to where my reloading stuff is periodically should I need to restock.

 

[M65Man]

Your question is barking right at what I think about a lot anymore and especially this rainy morning! Because my circumstances make me dream about this a lot anymore. I'm soon to be 64, retired-disabled but mainly because my lungs, breathing. Won't get into the boring details but I know I'd personally benefit to leave Ky and load up and move to Arizona-N.Mex!
But that ain't gonna happen, but I sure think about a long fall visit time just once Feely roam and hunt Mule Deer, Antelope and why not throw in a Black Bear!
And ive already got the guns & loads to do it. My 30-06 would cover it all with versatility it's capable of, some I've already loaded.
But the 7mm-08 or 7x57 is the one I'd love to dive into, a caliber that intrigues me that I've never even touched! Kinda decided I'd get a new Mod 70 few years ago in 7mm-08 but wound up buying a Mod 700 in 270, no disrespect intended but IMO the boringest rifle and caliber I ever owned!
But as good and capable I know the 06 to be I get more pleasure out of my 3 30-30s, and I love still hunting getting close with either my Mod 94 or 64.
But I'd also love to go the old Mod 86 or a Mod 71 in 33 or 35WCF and the 348. Nothing gets my interest like the old wcf rifles and cartridges.
And I'd love to sample the old Mannlicher 6.5 full stock for a ground hunting rifle! Why I'd be interested in using an old Savage 99 in 300 Savage also!
But a very interesting post and thought to me that I sure relate too!

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Start by planning your trip. Figure out what you plan to do at each stage of the journey. For example, if you plan to go prairie dog hunting in South Dakota you'll need a varmint rifle.

 

[Barbaroja]

Start by planning your trip. Figure out what you plan to do at each stage of the journey. For example, if you plan to go prairie dog hunting in South Dakota you'll need a varmint rifle.

Ahh but you see, that’s not the question. It’s what rifle would you pick to do anything you may encounter. I have no travel plan except to go where I feel like and enjoy myself.

 

[hoardingthemanual]

If you’re the type of person that avoids society and gatherings of more than 2 people, then you might have trouble finding obscure cartridges in small towns. Of course, those are also the places where time stands still so you might could find the antique jackpot. Still, for preparedness, it seems silly to risk it. Every day we chase death just to call ourselves brave. The fact is everyone alive can drop dead any second, they face death as well. Excesses of energy, I suppose. Life lived between the ears. Good luck, old sport.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Ahh but you see, that’s not the question. It’s what rifle would you pick to do anything you may encounter. I have no travel plan except to go where I feel like and enjoy myself.

There's an old saying, "If you don't know where you're going, any road will get you there -- but you probably won't like it when you arrive." Without a travel plan, you'll miss a whole lot of things you could have enjoyed,

 

[Mosin Bubba]

If it was me, I would pack a 243 and worry about an elk gun once I had an elk tag in hand.

I'm sure you have thought of this, but I would be more worried about having a gun for protection than for hunting. 911 responses aren't the fastest in places like central Idaho.

 

[Dr T]

Perhaps a T/C Encore with several barrels. An advantage for an RV is that it is easy to break down into separate components and store in cubbyholes.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Perhaps a T/C Encore with several barrels. An advantage for an RV is that it is easy to break down into separate components and store in cubbyholes.

Now THERE is the answer!!

 

[Pudge]

Ahh but you see, that’s not the question. It’s what rifle would you pick to do anything you may encounter. I have no travel plan except to go where I feel like and enjoy myself.

.270 in a nice Model 70

And a copy of: Hunting Big Game in North America

 

[adcoch1]

I'd have a 7mm-08. And I love the encore idea as well. But a 7mm-08 bolt gun with a mid powered scope would be great as a do anything rifle. Make mine a model 70 in stainless...

 

[Barbaroja]

There's an old saying, "If you don't know where you're going, any road will get you there -- but you probably won't like it when you arrive." Without a travel plan, you'll miss a whole lot of things you could have enjoyed,

Come in guys don’t worry where I’m going I’ve got more plan than I’m letting on here but it’s irrelevant to this thread.

If you’re the type of person that avoids society and gatherings of more than 2 people, then you might have trouble finding obscure cartridges in small towns. Of course, those are also the places where time stands still so you might could find the antique jackpot. Still, for preparedness, it seems silly to risk it. Every day we chase death just to call ourselves brave. The fact is everyone alive can drop dead any second, they face death as well. Excesses of energy, I suppose. Life lived between the ears. Good luck, old sport.

Please read the post again. I’ll be leaving home with plenty of ammo, I don’t need to try and find obscure cartridges on the road. I’m not risking anything, who’s calling themselves brave?

 

[Barbaroja]

If it was me, I would pack a 243 and worry about an elk gun once I had an elk tag in hand.

I'm sure you have thought of this, but I would be more worried about having a gun for protection than for hunting. 911 responses aren't the fastest in places like central Idaho.

Very possible that I go this route but it’s more fun to buy a new rifle for the situation.

 

[d2wing]

I have a Tikka in 7-08. Near ideal for anything and I recommend it. I think a .243 would cover most bases for you. I also like the 7 RM. My longest kills are with a 7MM RM. It has over 1000 ft/lbs. energy out to any reasonable range you can make an ethical shot on. The .243 is light for Elk, Grizzly bear and Moose but you are unlike to hunt them in the U.S. The Elk is possible though and can be taken with a .243 but I wouldn't. I'd take both if you were thinking big game too.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

A good rimfire rifle and a couple bricks of ammo, in addition to anything else.

 

[marksman13]

I don’t know why it’s so hard for some folks to just play the game. OP asks a specific question and any number of members come rushing in to make an argument for anything other than what the OP asked about.

 

[LimaCharlie]

I would start with researching the state laws where I planned to travel. Some states recognize an RV as a home and some don't. State game laws can be tricky. Some state game laws prohibit carrying a loaded long gun in a vehicle.

My minimum collection would include a 30-06 rifle, a 12 gauge shotgun, and a 357 magnum revolver. Even a rural mom and pop bait and tackle shop would likely have ammo for your guns.

 

[LoonWulf]

7 mag would be my choice from your on hand options. Single load of a hard-ish (probably monometal) 160 weight class bullet at about 3000-3100fps.

From your choices and buying new, id go with the 7-08 and 140-150 monometals.
2900 with a 140 is plenty enough oomph for most things.

I do think the 6.5s hit a sweet spot for this type of use. The creed to PRC performance range being the most practical.
If i wanted to shoot a less common round ds go with the 6.5-284, or x55 in a tikka t3x or similar.
Either of those should be able to drive a 140 grain glass projectile at about 2900-3,000 feet per second. That will actually duplicate the trajectory and, in my experience, penetration of a similar 160 grain class 7 mm bullet at the same speed.... Kinda like a 7 mm Remington Magnum light.
Again, if you shoot monos, you should have less substantial damage done to smaller targets.

As others have said tho, you can have your cake and eat it too with a swap barrel. Im assembling another on a savage 111 action thats ostensibly going to be my dads long, long range rifle, as well as his hunting rifle.
In your case is probably do a 6mm CM and a 300wm or something similar....Encore makes it alot easier, and probably what i should have done
....cept im not an encore fan.

 

[Barbaroja]

I don’t know why it’s so hard for some folks to just play the game. OP asks a specific question and any number of members come rushing in to make an argument for anything other than what the OP asked about.

Thank you. This is more frustrating than anticipated lol. I guess people don’t read before they respond as I keep getting suggestions for things that I can “find ammo in a small town!” Despite my multiple postings that I will be bringing more ammo than I will conceivably need.
Big thanks to those who have given actual responses.