45/30-06OKIE
Member
Well shoot, I think I would be well served with my M1 Garand if I were to pick one rifle. Good ol 30-06.
One Rifle Hunter
- Thread starter ojibweindian
- Start date
Nature Boy
Member
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2015
- Messages
- 8,277
I want to….but the romance of having another rifle/cartridge in the shed that’s drawn blood keeps me spending money.
Arkansas Paul
Member
I only have one deer rifle, and have had the same one for about 15 years. It's also a Weatherby Vanguard in .30-06 and it does what I need it to.
There are several guns that are more fun or that mean much to me, but the '06 is a tool that does the job.
There are nicer rifles out there but this one has a lot of memories attached to it at this point. I'm pretty attached to it. That's not to say I won't ever buy another, but this one isn't going anywhere.
There are several guns that are more fun or that mean much to me, but the '06 is a tool that does the job.
There are nicer rifles out there but this one has a lot of memories attached to it at this point. I'm pretty attached to it. That's not to say I won't ever buy another, but this one isn't going anywhere.
redneck2
Member
At one time I was obsessed with having a variety of calibers. Multiple center fire .22’s, a .24, .25, etc. Had a couple safes full. As noted in one of the replies above, after a while I figured out it was a lot of cleaning and oiling and reloading components for a lot of calibers that would all do pretty much the same thing.
So anyway they all went away except the 7 mag for big game and a couple .22 center fires and a high quality .22 LR.
So anyway they all went away except the 7 mag for big game and a couple .22 center fires and a high quality .22 LR.
Boom Vang
Member
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2003
- Messages
- 224
Many moons ago, I temporarily had to give up reloading, and also downsize. This required a one-rifle hunting solution, with readily available factory ammo. I picked a Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather in .308. Hunted mostly whitetails, but easily killed a bull elk in open country at 320 yards with the .308. Used Hornady Light Magnum 165 BTSP.
When I was later able to resume reloading, the collection of rifles expanded
When I was later able to resume reloading, the collection of rifles expanded
Back years ago when I started hunting deer I only used one......................... a shotgun, I had a rifled barrel for deer, a smooth scoped barrel for turkey, & the stock barrel for squirrel & rabbit.
But then as I found more disposable cash I bought guns to fit the special needs I had for the prey I was hunting.
But then as I found more disposable cash I bought guns to fit the special needs I had for the prey I was hunting.
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
I’ve thought about it. I was a one rifle hunter for a few years: a Remington Model 7 in .308. But as I had more discretionary income and I became as much a hobbyist as a hunter, the rifles have proliferated. I need to downsize again, but not down to just one. I like variety.
DustyGmt
Member
Yeah I've played with that idea, somehow I still end up with all my guns at the end of every day. I do think that 3 or 4 are practical, the other ×××× number of guns are more for practice, training and as much as I bristle at the idea of calling guns a "hobby" or "entertainment", I feel things would be much simpler and I might even have the desire to shoot more if I only had one centerfire rifle, one shotgun, one handgun and one rimfire.
If I was doing things over, I'd probably grab a 5.56 bolt action and a few others as I mentioned above. But, I've regretted every gun I've ever sold but one. It's mental gymnastics no matter what you do, if you're passionate about something, you are always going to be in and out of phase with grief vs joy.
I respect the one man, one rifle philosophy though. There is an adage that is well known, "beware the man with one rifle........." but I also subscribe to the adage "two is one, one is none".
caribou
Member
One gun for everything? I did that with a Ruger 10/22, spring of 2000. Well, sort of, but heres the story;
Got our cache ripped off, nets , food guns and ammo. Getting set up on the last travelable days in late April, and bringing the kids in early May as village schools end and the rivers ice breakup is very soon after.
We arrived with our snowgos and sleds with bedding, cookware for us, Agnes, bro inlaw Joe, our 5 kids, (Our daughter Mary, 1 month old) 2 dogs and food for a couple days
Some one had taken the time to remove all of our gear cloths, gas and nets, guns food tents stoves, baby clothes, and what ever a guy would shove in an 12X 12 cache.
The only thing not taken was my boat and 20 horse Honda outboard, a case of toilet paper and our tarps. They also left one net. I found 2 box's with hip boots and diapers, a shower bucket, soap and shampoo.
It was obvious that a guy on the ground with a snowgo and sled and a guy in an airplane were working near every mining cabin on the northern Seward Penennsula, or at least the ones that were active and took whatever they could. One had hunted the area and knew my cache. We eventually figured out who it was and took it back in a bastardly manner, later that summer, an entirely different story..
Anyways, we were up against floods of sun melted water all over the ice and temps that kill snowgo engines......and wet enough and chilled to build a big fire, make a windbreak and stay untill dry, and plan to go home, or most of the way, and for lack of gas, ditch the gear and put everyone in the sled for the last 50 miles, or so we planned.
My friend Jerry who just so happened along, was passing by on his final ride stopped in for a conditions report, and break from the rough, bare Tundra riding, handed me over his Ruger 10/22, 2 spare clips, and a 500 round box of .22lr shells, with a ziplock bag of about 200 more shells. He topped off his snowgo's tank and gave us 15 gallons of gasoline and all the spare rope and line from his sled, He than offered me his .243 and only 4 shots for Bear protection, and left after coffee. We did not use the .243, thankfully, but it was there with the wife at camp, just incase.
We decided to stay and hunt, as we had a very basic means, and its what we do. Woo hoo for a Ruger 10/22!!
We waited for the breaking ice to go by and went upriver to a cache of traps and some tools there, along with a nice tent and extra bedding, etc. Matches and new lighters really helped out, as did 20 more gallons of gas as I was using my running outboards spark plugs to make fires every day. LOL!! It was a winter cache, so it lacked a few things we needed.
each passing day things got better; Ptarmigan, Geese, Muskrats, Beavers, Caribou , Seals and Ducks all were hunted and delt with very efficiently, with that Ruger.....We went up the river and back down to the sea as the ice break up progressed over as the ice went out, the ocean broke up and we were able to access more gas at the closest village, 35 miles away.
The Caribou were plentyful, we loaded up at the places they favor to cross water, and dried up quite a bit of meats and sinews, and sat tight while the ice went by.
The rivers Spring flood displaced Beaver and Muskrats, a couple Otters and plenty of birds coming in for mating season, the hunting was excellent, and so life was fun.
5 weeks later we headed out, Coasting along the Kotzebue Sound..... in a 12 foot boat filled with skins, dried meats, buckets of seal oil, Ivory and my bro inlaw. We made it to our home village to stash our Spring Catch, gas up and take our larger boat, a reload on summer gear, nets, clothes, and many other this and thats. After taking everyone to Kotzebue for 4th of July, we all went back to camp and got our fishin' on..
Was a lot of fun and I shared the rifle with my bro inlaw Joe untill we got home. We used the bag of shells and a couple boxes from the brick.
Not having mosquito dope or nets or coils was nearly murder, and a lingering memory of misery from that otherwise Fun and absolutely spectacular Spring in the Arctic.
Got our cache ripped off, nets , food guns and ammo. Getting set up on the last travelable days in late April, and bringing the kids in early May as village schools end and the rivers ice breakup is very soon after.
We arrived with our snowgos and sleds with bedding, cookware for us, Agnes, bro inlaw Joe, our 5 kids, (Our daughter Mary, 1 month old) 2 dogs and food for a couple days
Some one had taken the time to remove all of our gear cloths, gas and nets, guns food tents stoves, baby clothes, and what ever a guy would shove in an 12X 12 cache.
The only thing not taken was my boat and 20 horse Honda outboard, a case of toilet paper and our tarps. They also left one net. I found 2 box's with hip boots and diapers, a shower bucket, soap and shampoo.
It was obvious that a guy on the ground with a snowgo and sled and a guy in an airplane were working near every mining cabin on the northern Seward Penennsula, or at least the ones that were active and took whatever they could. One had hunted the area and knew my cache. We eventually figured out who it was and took it back in a bastardly manner, later that summer, an entirely different story..
Anyways, we were up against floods of sun melted water all over the ice and temps that kill snowgo engines......and wet enough and chilled to build a big fire, make a windbreak and stay untill dry, and plan to go home, or most of the way, and for lack of gas, ditch the gear and put everyone in the sled for the last 50 miles, or so we planned.
My friend Jerry who just so happened along, was passing by on his final ride stopped in for a conditions report, and break from the rough, bare Tundra riding, handed me over his Ruger 10/22, 2 spare clips, and a 500 round box of .22lr shells, with a ziplock bag of about 200 more shells. He topped off his snowgo's tank and gave us 15 gallons of gasoline and all the spare rope and line from his sled, He than offered me his .243 and only 4 shots for Bear protection, and left after coffee. We did not use the .243, thankfully, but it was there with the wife at camp, just incase.
We decided to stay and hunt, as we had a very basic means, and its what we do. Woo hoo for a Ruger 10/22!!
We waited for the breaking ice to go by and went upriver to a cache of traps and some tools there, along with a nice tent and extra bedding, etc. Matches and new lighters really helped out, as did 20 more gallons of gas as I was using my running outboards spark plugs to make fires every day. LOL!! It was a winter cache, so it lacked a few things we needed.
each passing day things got better; Ptarmigan, Geese, Muskrats, Beavers, Caribou , Seals and Ducks all were hunted and delt with very efficiently, with that Ruger.....We went up the river and back down to the sea as the ice break up progressed over as the ice went out, the ocean broke up and we were able to access more gas at the closest village, 35 miles away.
The Caribou were plentyful, we loaded up at the places they favor to cross water, and dried up quite a bit of meats and sinews, and sat tight while the ice went by.
The rivers Spring flood displaced Beaver and Muskrats, a couple Otters and plenty of birds coming in for mating season, the hunting was excellent, and so life was fun.
5 weeks later we headed out, Coasting along the Kotzebue Sound..... in a 12 foot boat filled with skins, dried meats, buckets of seal oil, Ivory and my bro inlaw. We made it to our home village to stash our Spring Catch, gas up and take our larger boat, a reload on summer gear, nets, clothes, and many other this and thats. After taking everyone to Kotzebue for 4th of July, we all went back to camp and got our fishin' on..
Was a lot of fun and I shared the rifle with my bro inlaw Joe untill we got home. We used the bag of shells and a couple boxes from the brick.
Not having mosquito dope or nets or coils was nearly murder, and a lingering memory of misery from that otherwise Fun and absolutely spectacular Spring in the Arctic.
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when my wife and I were first married we split the gift money we received and I bought a Remington 700 cdl in 30-06.
It was my first rifle I’ve ever owed and I love it.
it is heavy though to carry all day and it is long with its 24” barrel.
I like to wander around on some public land near me, and I used to use my model 94 but my eyes aren’t what they used to be so the iron sights are out, and I don’t believe in a scope on a model 94.
So i bought a Tikka T3x compact in .308. It is an inch longer than my 94, and it weighs 6.5 lbs. with a scope unloaded.
it is the only rifle I’ve taken out this year and I haven’t even sighted in my 700 in two years now.
It is a pleasure to carry all day (7 hours 15 minutes one day last week.) and it is very agile. I know I can hit a softball at 300 yards (off a rest!) with it using my hand loads, so it will work on some AG fields I hunt as well.
To answer your question, yes I am a one rifle man (I just own more than one).
It was my first rifle I’ve ever owed and I love it.
it is heavy though to carry all day and it is long with its 24” barrel.
I like to wander around on some public land near me, and I used to use my model 94 but my eyes aren’t what they used to be so the iron sights are out, and I don’t believe in a scope on a model 94.
So i bought a Tikka T3x compact in .308. It is an inch longer than my 94, and it weighs 6.5 lbs. with a scope unloaded.
it is the only rifle I’ve taken out this year and I haven’t even sighted in my 700 in two years now.
It is a pleasure to carry all day (7 hours 15 minutes one day last week.) and it is very agile. I know I can hit a softball at 300 yards (off a rest!) with it using my hand loads, so it will work on some AG fields I hunt as well.
To answer your question, yes I am a one rifle man (I just own more than one).
OP
OP
ojibweindian
Member
Totally understand that =D
My problem is.....i like #1 rifles, as in Ruger #1. They aint perfect but theyre in my blood.
Im looking at a minty 22 250 B model as next purchase. If so then could have my dads beater rebuilt into something a little different. Thatd give me 3 of the dang things.
Guess id be a Ruger #1 rifle hunter LOL
Im looking at a minty 22 250 B model as next purchase. If so then could have my dads beater rebuilt into something a little different. Thatd give me 3 of the dang things.
Guess id be a Ruger #1 rifle hunter LOL
md7
Member
Was a one rifle hunter for the better part of 30 years. Used, and still have, an M700 Mt Rifle in 270 Winchester.
I’ll keep that rifle, but moving forward I’ll be using the Bergara Ridge in 308 Winchester.
The trigger borders on excellent, the 18” barrel with suppressor is both quiet and not overly long (due to shorter barrel), it’s cerakote finish and polymer stock are almost impervious to weather, and it groups my hunting ammo into consistent 3/4” groups off a good rest and shooting table.
My left ear rings non stop after a shot taken about a year ago. Enough is enough, so I went the suppressor route and doubt I’ll go back.
I’ll keep that rifle, but moving forward I’ll be using the Bergara Ridge in 308 Winchester.
The trigger borders on excellent, the 18” barrel with suppressor is both quiet and not overly long (due to shorter barrel), it’s cerakote finish and polymer stock are almost impervious to weather, and it groups my hunting ammo into consistent 3/4” groups off a good rest and shooting table.
My left ear rings non stop after a shot taken about a year ago. Enough is enough, so I went the suppressor route and doubt I’ll go back.
someguy2800
Member
Nope. Not even a little bit. I was a one gun hunter for like 10 years. Lately my 444 handi rifle has taken the top spot in the roster and everything else is competing to be in the backup spot.
ThomasT
Member
I couldn't have said it better. But Townsend Whelen did when he said "The 30-06 is never a mistake". Its the round all others are measured against.
Lennyjoe
Member
I was for years with my trusty old Savage 110 in 30-06, but just recently added a 6.5 Creedmore to the hunting rifle list
Oldelkhunter
Member
- Joined
- Nov 8, 2023
- Messages
- 15
Still trying to get there to no avail Every time I sell a few I end up finding their replacements somehow.
When I was younger I owned 2 rifles , a 22 and a 30-06.
Every time I sell a few I end up finding their replacements somehow.When I was younger I owned 2 rifles , a 22 and a 30-06.
Gun-Reck
Member
- Joined
- May 16, 2023
- Messages
- 567
Great do-it-all round.
The 150 gr. Partition, over 55 gr. of IMR 4831, was my hunting load for the .270 Winchester for most of my life.
Would load Speer Hot-Cor's for training, and then switch to the Partitions for the field without having to re-zero.
Then switched to the Speer Grand Slam 150 gr., over 57.5 gr. of H4831, as an omni-load.
doubleh
Member
Another nope here. You do what you want, I'll do what I want.
NEVER subscribed to one rifle w multiple loads (to shoot variety of game).
Nope.
Its one load per rifle, for a specific purpose.
Did get a .30-06 for maybe out west, or for crappy weather here (synthetic).
Was gonna settle on 165's for deer or bigger.
But then got a .308.
Oops.
Might dump the .30-06 and get a .257 Weatherby Mag. If I ever get off my sorry butt and go after mule deer.
Nope.
Its one load per rifle, for a specific purpose.
Did get a .30-06 for maybe out west, or for crappy weather here (synthetic).
Was gonna settle on 165's for deer or bigger.
But then got a .308.
Oops.
Might dump the .30-06 and get a .257 Weatherby Mag. If I ever get off my sorry butt and go after mule deer.
.22 mag
.22-250 rem
.243 win
.257 mag
.308 win
.35 rem
Looks like I need 6 rifles to hunt the way I like.
If I was to go for elk I'd proly get a 7mm Mag. Had one years ago, about all I can take recoil wise anymore.
.300 winmag wasn't bad 20 years ago LOL
Never was a 1 gun guy, but then my dad had an FFL and was a gun nut.
Environmental influence or genetic?
.22-250 rem
.243 win
.257 mag
.308 win
.35 rem
Looks like I need 6 rifles to hunt the way I like.
If I was to go for elk I'd proly get a 7mm Mag. Had one years ago, about all I can take recoil wise anymore.
.300 winmag wasn't bad 20 years ago LOL
Never was a 1 gun guy, but then my dad had an FFL and was a gun nut.
Environmental influence or genetic?
OP
OP
ojibweindian
Member
Well, that didn't last long; I am a hypocrite, I guess.
Stumbled upon a CZ 557 in 6.5x55SE. Another one of those I've "lusted after for years".
I am, at the end of it all, an incorrigible rifle wh**re...
Stumbled upon a CZ 557 in 6.5x55SE. Another one of those I've "lusted after for years".
I am, at the end of it all, an incorrigible rifle wh**re...
dobedo
Member
I just cannot help myself; I have had a 30/06, 45/70, 30/30 most of my 50 years of hunting. I did sell the 30/06 some 40 years ago but recently picked up a BHA lever action .500 S&W carbine. Since I reload it just means I can shoot a lot more just less expensive to do so.
dobedo
Member
I had a 1978 M77 in 30/06 non sportorized which I bought for $199.00 bucks back then. It was one of the best shooters I have ever used.
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