What would be your picks of only 3 rifles to own for everything, hunting and self defense?

I’m gonna grab my AR in 6.8 SPC first. I’ve got enough ammo to last through the foreseeable future, so no concerns there.

Second, I’m going to grab my POF Rogue in 308 with my Pulsar Trail 2 on top of it. That will handle any hunting I want to do that can’t be accomplished with the 6.8.

Third, eh…I don’t know. Maybe my No. 1 in 30-06 just for nostalgia. Maybe my Fierce Carbon Rival in 300 Win Mag. Maybe I turn the whole damn thing on its head and put the Trail 2 on my 6.8. Grab my Waypoint to fill my 308 needs and let the third rifle be a toss up.
 
HHmm,
OK 3 if money was no object
Ruger 10/22
AR10 in 6.5 Creed
Bolt action .375 for things to big for the 6.5 to handle

If I can add #4
Something in .50 BMG with Black tip bullets to shoot holes in things the others won't work for. (of course not legal in CA)

I have more than 3 but if I could only keep 3 of the ones I have
Ruger 10/22
AR in 5.56
Rem 700 in 7mm Rem mag
 
Last edited:
Well, I have some guns that I never want to be without…but this is an exercise in practicality…make believe practicality, I guess.

1. Ruger SFAR
2. Ruger PC Carbine
3. Ruger 10/22

I think I see a trend here…:D
 
Sticking to things I own,

AR-15 rifle in 223 (would need to be re-assembled). I do not expect I would use it much, but long term ammo availability & spare parts for the other AR-15 would be nice. I do have lots of brass and a good stockpile of 223 projectiles (I have never been able to get cast to work in 223).

16.25" AR-15 in 357 AR Max (near twin to 350L). Shoots good enough for deer at 175 yards with my cast bullets.

TC Contender handgun with probably 4 barrels. One would be a bottleneck round (10" 7 TCU) that reaches out past 100 yards, so this crosses over into rifle function without the buttstock. If NFA rules "went away", a detachable buttstock would be attempted. My 7.4" stub tube 32 ACP would be my "go-to" 22LR substitute. My 7.875" 38/357 and 10" 22 LR would be kept "just in case". This gun would have the potential to be fired more than the other guns. Again all ammo would be based on my own cast bullets.

My stash of lead, powder, primers and material for reloading primers is currently good enough for many thousands of rounds for each of the above.

The above assumes I get to stay at home.
 
They would be used for hunting and self defense.

Ruger MKII 30/06, Ruger Mini 30 is univerisal and Ruger 10/22 for small game.

An interesting old chestnut! I'll qualify this by stating that the original question could be viewed as all the hunting I actually do or all the hunting I might ever want to do. I haven't actually hunted in many years, so none of my rifles are really "hunting guns" also any rifle could be pressed into that use. If our ancestors killed megafauna with rocks & sticks even a .22LR will be a luxury!

I suppose I'd go with three that I already have:
  • PWS Mk114 Mod 1, .223 Wylde. It's set up with a Comp M5 and a 3X Aimpoint magnifier, CD Rein and a sling. Loaded up with 77gr Black Hills this one is my main HD gun.
  • PWS Mk116 Mod 2, .300 Blackout. It wears and Aimpoint Pro and a CD OWL. It's backup to the first one and really fills the same role but with an another caliber (and larger bullets).
  • PWS Mk116 Mod1, 7.62x39. Same basic gun but I have it equipped with a Primary Arms 1x6 LPVO. A bit heavier bullet, an optic to reach out and another fairly economical round to give me more options.
Granted, if I ever decided to hunt again I'd probably drop the x39 and get a Howa or Browning bolt gun in ought-six or .308 Win. And I will probably regret ditching the Marlin Papoose! Anyway, if I can only keep three rifles then I will exercise the loophole and keep my Beretta 1301 since it's not rifled.;):cool::D
 
Id be quite happy doing everything with an AR and 3 uppers......cept i dont really like ARs.

So...

.22 bolt gun, Christensen Ranger at the moment

Autoloading .223 similar. Mini-14/30

Heavy(ish) bolt gun. .375 Ruger Browning Abolt.

Still need to get another Mini, already have the other two.
 
M1 Garand, .62 caliber flintlock Jeager rifle, and a Brown Bess musket. Technically, the musket is not a rifle, as it is not rifled, but she has rifle sights, and shoots a solid projectile, and pretty much functions in a rifle role.
 
Last edited:
Today's three.
Weatherby MarkV 7rm
Savage Axis 243 win
Cabela's 50 cal ML

I currently live in an apartment while we wait for normalcy to start building our house. A rifle for home defense doesn't make sense. As a deer hunter the top three cover my needs.
Check back later for revisions :cool:
 
Back
Top