You can have only One Rifle, which one do you pick?

[ARNETT44]

The last 30 minutes at work was spent discussing If you can have only one rifle, In North America, Times are not so good, which Rifle and what caliber would you pick?
70% went for the M-14 and 15 % for FNFAL both 308. 10% want and AR-15. The last 5% Sporting rifles 308 or 30-06, and one for .270.
I picked the M-14. Can take down any man or beast in North America, popular caliber and relatively available then other calibers, parts ok to come buy. Has range and durable. Were most of the reasons for the M-14 vote.
PS dont inform employer!

 

[JohnnyOrygun]

I agree I would go with the M-14, large caliber (compared to M16) and fully capable of taking any game in North America, with in reason. Excellent accuracy and as you pointed out, parts are readily available. Especially as compared to HK or FAL. Another choice might be an AR10 (I think that's the designation) in 308, but the M14 wins in availability of mags and parts, at least that's my perception... which could be fully wrong. I am not expert, just play one on TV
IMO & YMMV, usual disclaimers
JohnnyOrygun

 

[seeds76]

I think AR parts would be more readily available than an M14. Heck, everyone and their mom now has an AR and .223 since they're more affordable and heavily manufactured. Isn't .223 an okay hunting caliber for survival at least?

The AR platform might be a little more easier to be mobile with too.

 

[rangerruck]

anything in 22. a brick, or 50 rounds of 22? less than 20 bucks, and can be carried, all of it, in your various pockets of regular clothes. plus, as long as you are a decent shot, and can get close, it is plenty enough to kill most of your edible food.

 

[LEVRLOVR]

Probably the winnie 94 thirty thirty, hmmm......yeah, definitely so.

 

[UKJ]

This a good question, for the sake of the argument, I'm going to ask myself, what if a law got passed that limited everyone to just one rifle purchase.

I think I would have to hit the credit card with some ferocity and actually by an FN SCAR from Gunbroker.

Why? I'd like a piston driven AR platform where I could swap calibers and still have aftermarket access to spare parts, mags, etc.

The M-14 would be next option.

 

[H2O MAN]

M14

I would pick one of the MK14s SEI has built for me... probably the Mod 0 with it's medium heavy barrel.

 

[theheadhunter]

well sense hunting means the most to me, i would have to say something like a thompson center, so i could buy multiple barrels but have one gun

 

[3pairs12]

Now that I have re read the entire question, I would go with a M1A.

 

[gunsandreligion]

probably a marlin 45-70 with the ammo selections availible you can take everything from deer to elephants.

 

[22-rimfire]

I would probably go with a 22LR or 22WMR rifle of traditional design.

I hunt larger game with handguns anyway.

 

[SwampWolf]

A Merkel drilling chambered in .308 and .223/5.56 with a twelve gauge barrel underneath. A .22 rf adapter recessed into the stock. In addition to the factory open sights, I'd have a Burris 2X7 variable mounted in Leupold (or their equivalent) quick detachable rings/mounts. If I could have only one rifle...

 

[gvnwst]

A AR with a few extra uppers in other calibers than .223, or maybe a AR-10 in .260 or 7mm-08.

 

[BornAgainBullseye]

with ammo being hard to find at best there has been a round that has been on the shelf everyday. because it is not a military cartridge except for its limited use in nam. That would be the .270 Winchester. I would have a bolt action of very good quality in .270 over any of those if I was in a pinch. Ill also put it this way. Shooting more draws more attention. Id rather sneak in, shoot once, and sneak out. Those who stand around and continue to fire will draw counter fire.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Ruger 77 MkII/Hawkeye---stainless--.30-06.

Not the prettiest or the most accurate--but accurate enough---but it is the most rugged rifle currently produced.

If I could have only one---that would be it.

 

[jerkface11]

AR15 with multiple uppers.

 

[texas bulldog]

i thought about it a bit, and as much as the traditionalist in me wants to pick a lever action, i have to go with an AR. the part of the question that specifies "times are not so good" makes me want a semi-auto with the most widely available parts and ammo possible. that pretty much defines the AR in this country. while it wouldn't be the best hunting choice ever, i think i could make do with it in a pinch in my part of the country (no elk, no bears, smaller deer). and defense of myself and family would be a much bigger priority than hunting (at least for me).

 

[jerkface11]

That's the beauty of an AR though. Unlike the other guns people are picking you aren't limited to one cartridge. You could have a .223 a .458 socom AND a .300 WSSM. But it's still just one gun.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

A 20" barreled rifle built off a Surgeon .308 tactical action, most reliable

 

[Akdude]

My Polytech legend ak 47/s

 

[pktrkt]

Available parts, cheaper mags, changeable uppers, its gonna be hard to beat the AR platform for a one rifle system.

 

[Joe Demko]

Savage Model 99 in .300 Savage or .308. If it is only a "times are not so good" thing, the I assume all laws are still in place and being enforced. So, I'll want something legal and suitable for hunting in PA. It might as well also be something nice with an air of class about it.

 

[BushyGuy]

Ar15 is the perfect all around rifle for me , low in recoil and good in accuracy and cheap for ammo!

 

[benzy2]

If I were to truly go only one rifle I would dump the budget and pick up a registered M16 lower and a bunch of uppers in everything from 22lr to 9mm to 5.56 to 7.62x39 etc. Then I would be as happy as I could get from one rifle. If I were to pick one rifle I currently had to take with me it would be the Garand. To damn much fun and it takes care of anything I would run into.

 

[HoosierQ]

Now for Something Completely Different...

One of the two below:

Savage Model 99 - .243

Winchester 95 Musket - 7.62x54R

...there...you...go!