Would an AR be your only rifle? (what rifle type would an only rifle be?)

One rifle...it would be:

  • AR (hunting as primary use)

    Votes: 27 12.4%

  • AR (primary use anything but hunting)

    Votes: 53 24.4%

  • Bolt action (hunting as primary use)

    Votes: 55 25.3%

  • Bolt action (primary use anything but hunting)

    Votes: 12 5.5%

  • Other semi auto (hunting as primary use)

    Votes: 10 4.6%

  • Other semi auto (primary use anything but hunting)

    Votes: 24 11.1%

  • Lever action (hunting as primary use)

    Votes: 17 7.8%

  • Lever action (primary use anything but hunting)

    Votes: 8 3.7%

  • Everything else, to include a break open multi barrel/multi cartridge firearm, single shot, etc

    Votes: 11 5.1%
  • Total voters
    217
  • Poll closed .
Status
Not open for further replies.
It would be an AR in 5.56 for me. It can take down pretty much any of the game we have in these parts if I actually have to use it to feed myself; but I'm thinking if there is a situation in which I'm forced to grab one rifle and head out the door, I am going to be a lot more worried about those 2-legged varmints. In dealing with them, I'm thinking the ability to carry a lot of ammo would be a very good thing -- and playing the odds, the 5.56 does well at the distances you are most likely to be needing a fighting rifle at. If I'm mostly expecting to use it at just 0-300m, I might as well go with something that is light, low recoiling, for which I can carry a lot of ammo, and for which I can scavenge mags, ammo, and parts off BG's who have no further use for them!
 
Didn't vote because honestly it wouldn't matter all that much to me. I could get by with a lever or bolt gun as good as a auto.
 
mavracer said:
Didn't vote because honestly it wouldn't matter all that much to me. I could get by with a lever or bolt gun as good as a auto.
Click to expand...

Would you choose a lever? Or would you choose a bolt? Or would you choose a semi auto?
 
I hate this question because of the amount of variables. So I voted all other. I think in a survival/worst case/gotta have meat scenario, I want the least amount of moving parts possible. KISS. I'm also assuming that we wouldn't be able to just hop online and order some new parts next day aired to our shanty in the deep woods. I'm thinking a break over with iron sights in 243 or 7mm-08. But also, how available is ammo for this question? That dictates my caliber choice.
 
BigBore44 said:
I hate this question because of the amount of variables. So I voted all other. I think in a survival/worst case/gotta have meat scenario, I want the least amount of moving parts possible. KISS. I'm also assuming that we wouldn't be able to just hop online and order some new parts next day aired to our shanty in the deep woods. I'm thinking a break over with iron sights in 243 or 7mm-08. But also, how available is ammo for this question? That dictates my caliber choice.
Click to expand...

However available ammo is right now, and however available you expect ammo to be in the future.
 
Would you choose a lever? Or would you choose a bolt? Or would you choose a semi auto?
Click to expand...
I'm perfectly capable of running any of the three.
Browning BLR, Ruger GSR or AR10 in .308 I'll let you chose which one I can have.
 
I'd have to vote for a bolt action .22 magnum. Accurate enough and enough power to take down anything I 'need' to take out and quiet enough. I'm voting as an all around rifle as well as a SHTF rifle. I can carry a TON of ammo if need be. It won't destroy a squirrel and will take a deer as well as being LEGAL (certainly not ideal) for deer hunting in my area.

I'd take a semi-auto .22 magnum as well, but rather have a nice tube fed bolt gun.

I don't see myself ever having to fend off hordes of zombies and have no desire for an AR.
 
Ruger Mini-14 5.56X45mm/.223 Remington with ATI stock, red dot, Weaver K2.5. I have plenty of ammo and magazines. It's plenty accurate, will shoot just about any kind of ammo (unlike my brother's HBAR), is "strong like bull," folds, and everyone in my family can use it well.

Then, I thought about an H&R/NEF with scads of barrels. Nope. Definitely the Ruger,...maybe.

ECS
 
If I were limited to one rifle in one caliber, it would be a bolt action rifle in an easy to find intermediate cartridge. Most likely a 30-06.
My needs include the ability to reliably and efficiently kill elk at 300+ yards if need be though.
 
I would take my bolt 308...Why? Because I have the ability to make as much ammo for it as I want with no electricity. If I had the cash, it would probably be an AR-10.
 
planetmobius said:
Bolt action 30-06. It does everything.
Click to expand...

Nothing does everything.

Not well or kinda-well, anyway.

I don't think I'd reach for a bolt action .30-06 as my home defense gun, for example. I don't think I'd use it for a defensive carbine/pistol match either.
 
Officers'Wife said:
30-06 for home defense? Completely worthless, just ask any veteran of WWI, WWII or Korea.
Click to expand...

Which bolt action .30-06 did they opt for in houses?

Refresh my memory.

Additionally, this isn't the 1920's. We have more and better options now than we did 90 years ago.
 
That would and still does depend on their preference. Options are just that, options. There is also the option of a 1911, Brownings, Glocks and Walthers. Yet there are more than a few diehards out there that depend on revolvers.

The 06, is a excellent cartridge and the bolt a useful platform for those versed in the character and performance. And while it is no longer a military cartridge, the only reason it was discontinued was to create interchangeability with weapons of other NATO countries not from it's lack of effectiveness. I personally feel much safer defended by a man with a bolt action he was practiced with than the guy with the "modern" option that believes newest will overcome personal inabilities. In the end a good machine operator and perform miracles with outdated equipment, the mediocre operator is going to blame the machine.

Item last, in an emergency I would walk three steps to get my Enfield if hubby's AR was within reach. Simply because I have the edge of many years of experience with the Enfield and fired the AR two times with one cartridge, the first and the last.
 
Last edited:
I've settled on the FN FAL as my general purpose rifle.


I'd go with an AR in 6.8 as a close second...
 
Warp said:
Which bolt action .30-06 did they opt for in houses?

Refresh my memory.

Additionally, this isn't the 1920's. We have more and better options now than we did 90 years ago.
Click to expand...

The 30-06 is as good or better home defense round than the .223 is a hunting round.
 
Last edited:
If I read the OP correctly, and it assumes the ability to have multiple uppers in various calibers, (and one lower were able to accommodate those varied chambered uppers...) then yes, I would consider an AR as my only rifle.
 
Good question as posed.
I much prefer to hunt with a bolt or a lever gun. I prefer a shotgun for HD. Since this is a "I can only have one" question I believe I would go with the AR. Based on my current circumstances I can kill any type of animal around with the .223. I would have the option of relatively long distance shots as well as the versatility of semi auto with "hi-cap" magazines. I could hunt, defend and attack using the AR if needed.
It isn't the best gun for all my needs but when I am forced to choose just ONE it is probably the best out there.
 
Well, if the rule is one rifle, then I'd rather settle on a 30-06 for home defense than a 5.56 for moose and bear.
 
Well, if the rule is one rifle, then I'd rather settle on a 30-06 for home defense than a 5.56 for moose and bear.
Click to expand...
Since they make bolts and autos in both calibers, that really has nothing to do with the OP's question.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

C
  • Locked
Would an AR be your only rifle?
2 3 4 5 6 7
Replies
171
Views
6K
d2wing
d2wing
C
  • Locked
  • Poll
Favorite type of rifle
Replies
17
Views
2K
wanderinwalker
wanderinwalker
marksman13
  • Locked
  • Poll
What is you deer rifle chambered in?
2 3 4 5 6 7
Replies
161
Views
7K
gamboolman
gamboolman
C
  • Locked
Only five more rifles
2
Replies
29
Views
3K
thumbtack
T
W
  • Locked
For a hunting rifle what would be your choice of only one hunting rifle?
2 3 4 5
Replies
107
Views
5K
280shooter
2
Back
Top