Favorite rifle and favorite cartridge

Status
Not open for further replies.
Speaking of Winchester Classics. This is my SS Classic in 30-06 made in 1999 sitting in a McMillan Edge stock. I can't imagine a more perfect all around rifle. It still retains the original bulletproof Winchester trigger design. Weight as shown is under 7 1/2 lbs.

006.JPG

The rifle above would probably be the last one I'd part with, but this one gets hunted with a lot more lately. This is a 2008 production Extreme Weather in 308 also in a McMillan Edge stock. While it is a model 70, the newer guns use a different, more complex trigger. I've never had an issue with it, but trust the original design better. This is a bit lighter and recoils less. As a result it just gets shot more. If I were ever to hunt something a lot bigger than GA deer I'd still take the 30-06 above.

2013 cohutta 014.JPG
 
While the .308 I showed is my favorite rifle and cartridge; this 1999 Winchester New Haven made old trigger style Stainless Classic .270 WSM is my go to "deer gun" , it went to Africa and took all plains game perfectly and 15 years later is still exactly sighted in for the California mandated Federal 130 grain TSX load . It has a sweet trigger with just adjustment and a fiberglass bed job with the ugly but very functional stock ! That factory federal load off the bipod is an 1 MOA load out to 600 yards .
080_zpsa7bea077.jpg .
 
Last edited:
My Dad had this built shortly before he died. It's a .221 built using a xp-100 action, not sure on the barrel make, it a Lee Sixx stock. I know Lee Sixx built it. This thing shoots half inch groups all day, never heats up, hardly any recoil, and only uses 18gr of powder. Its deffinately my most pleasant rifle to shoot. 20180612_112215.jpg
 
My "favorite" rifle is a Remington 700 in .243 that I bought used in '88. This is the one where factory ammo was wandering all over the paper at 200 yds. It is also the rifle that, with my reloads, had a 7-shot string 1.5" wide by 2.5" high @ 200 yds. It was only this size as there was one flyer off to the side.
The scope is a Simmons 3-9x and those 200 yd. shots were at 9x.
Rem 700 rt.jpg
 
Favorite rifle? My pre-64 Winchester 94, hands down.

Favorite cartridge? Man that's tough but everyone has to admit that they fell in love with shooting while shooting a .22 rimfire.
 
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1572/26605800935_366f570fc7_o.jpg

Right now, the true Czech VZ-58, in 7.62x39 (some are in .223). 'Basically' striker-fired with a short stroke gas piston, and Not... an AK derivative------

The milled receiver is also kinda nice. At 30-50 yards a scoped rifle isn't needed to make an orange juice jug 'dance' while tethered to a 3' weedeater cord. No transcendental rifle meditation on a normal bench-just basic fun.
 
Last edited:
There's lots of rifles I like, but none that give me the same kind of warm fuzzies that certain handguns do.

I think it's because so much of handguns comes down to fit - you can have an objectively good, well-made handgun that you just don't shoot well, while the best ones will fit you like a glove. When you find a handgun that feels good, runs well, and shoots well, it's almost you've stumbled upon a treasure, or found one that's made for you. Rifles are just a little more impersonal.

My favorite rifles, I suppose, would probably be a Rossi 92 (aside from loading it - the gate gets annoying), an M1 Carbine, a Delton lightweight 16" AR15, and a Model 700 in 270 that carries like a dream. A CZ 527 would be up there too if I ever found a scope I'm happy with. No doubt, the easiest way to my heart for a rifle is light weight.

As far as calibers, I'm not a die on the hill type for any of them. I have a completely unfounded and irrational dislike for 308 (but 243 and 7mm-08? A-OK! :thumbup:), but there's no calibers I have a similarly unfounded-and-irrational enthusiasm for.
 
Last edited:
It's kind of interesting... there are very few AR's on this thread. I guess a lot of it is how you define the OP question. I 'favor' the AR for a lot of things, but I consider them and the 5.56mm cartridge more of a 'tool at hand' than my favorite; maybe sort of like your favorite 1/2" ratchet in the toolbox. I 'love' almost all of my rifles, some have sentimental value, some are just crazy, some are greater than the sum of their parts. My 'favorite' rifle probably changes based on which side of the bed I get up on, the phase of the moon, or what I had for dinner... but let's give it a go...

Runner Up #1... Savage 99F in .308

Bought this rifle on a fluke... I had always wanted a 99 for some dumb reason, friend of mine had one. I found it was the absolute ideal mix of balance, handling, function and form, and just a fun rifle to shoot, and easy on the eyes for sure.

A6t84j1m.jpg

Runner Up #2... Browning 71 in .348WCF

Another fluke of a rifle and cartridge, and another lever-action. Like most Brownings, very simple aesthetically, but fantastic fit and finish, with an action like a bank vault door. The .348 cartridge is nothing to sneeze at, either; at once challenging to reload, and quite rewarding. I've had this rifle out past 1200yds, believe it or not, that with a 20" barrel.

FWUHd0Gm.jpg

Winner, Winner! Chicken dinner... Springfield M1 Garand

My Garand is a piece of junk. It is, and I'll admit it. A FedOrd rebuild, reparked, puttied up stock, banged up furniture... but boy does it shoot. I've always defined the Garand as a very 'physical' rifle to shoot... everything is slam! bam! pow! ching! ...there is a lot going on. It's a man's man of a rifle to operate and shoot. I can't think of another rifle I have that is this much fun to shoot. Further, I love the .30-06 cartridge... it's big and physical too, all the while being svelte and carrying an understated capability. No belts, no rebated rim, no tricksy name, but good to go with bullets from 110grn to 220grn (and probably more...) using whatever powder you happen to have handy... and what is more sexy that a loaded en bloc clip of .30-06???

Me and the Garand out shooting in southern Nevada...

BejuzKJm.jpg

Honorable Mention... Springfield M1a Socom16

What the M1 Garand lacks in sophistication, the M1a makes up for. Another 'physical' rifle, but somehow more refined... more *gasp!* AR-like. There... I said it. And that may be more my Socom16 version... short barrel, synthetic stock, muzzle brake, CQB sights. Another rewarding rifle to handle and shoot... but it does lack the personal character of the M1 Garand.

CPrTRZym.jpg
 
Charlie98 said:
It's kind of interesting... there are very few AR's on this thread. I guess a lot of it is how you define the OP question. I 'favor' the AR for a lot of things, but I consider them and the 5.56mm cartridge more of a 'tool at hand' than my favorite; maybe sort of like your favorite 1/2" ratchet in the toolbox. I 'love' almost all of my rifles, some have sentimental value, some are just crazy, some are greater than the sum of their parts. My 'favorite' rifle probably changes based on which side of the bed I get up on, the phase of the moon, or what I had for dinner... but let's give it a go...

Runner Up #1... Savage 99F in .308

Bought this rifle on a fluke... I had always wanted a 99 for some dumb reason, friend of mine had one. I found it was the absolute ideal mix of balance, handling, function and form, and just a fun rifle to shoot, and easy on the eyes for sure.

View attachment 893852

Runner Up #2... Browning 71 in .348WCF

Another fluke of a rifle and cartridge, and another lever-action. Like most Brownings, very simple aesthetically, but fantastic fit and finish, with an action like a bank vault door. The .348 cartridge is nothing to sneeze at, either; at once challenging to reload, and quite rewarding. I've had this rifle out past 1200yds, believe it or not, that with a 20" barrel.

View attachment 893853

Winner, Winner! Chicken dinner... Springfield M1 Garand

My Garand is a piece of junk. It is, and I'll admit it. A FedOrd rebuild, reparked, puttied up stock, banged up furniture... but boy does it shoot. I've always defined the Garand as a very 'physical' rifle to shoot... everything is slam! bam! pow! ching! ...there is a lot going on. It's a man's man of a rifle to operate and shoot. I can't think of another rifle I have that is this much fun to shoot. Further, I love the .30-06 cartridge... it's big and physical too, all the while being svelte and carrying an understated capability. No belts, no rebated rim, no tricksy name, but good to go with bullets from 110grn to 220grn (and probably more...) using whatever powder you happen to have handy... and what is more sexy that a loaded en bloc clip of .30-06???

Me and the Garand out shooting in southern Nevada...

View attachment 893854

Honorable Mention... Springfield M1a Socom16

What the M1 Garand lacks in sophistication, the M1a makes up for. Another 'physical' rifle, but somehow more refined... more *gasp!* AR-like. There... I said it. And that may be more my Socom16 version... short barrel, synthetic stock, muzzle brake, CQB sights. Another rewarding rifle to handle and shoot... but it does lack the personal character of the M1 Garand.

View attachment 893855
Click to expand...
Thank you for your post. I agree with you and was a little surprised that there are not many AR rifles in thread. Several bolts, levers, and old school auto loaders like your garand and m1a.
 
WisBorn said:
Thank you for your post. I agree with you and was a little surprised that there are not many AR rifles in thread. Several bolts, levers, and old school auto loaders like your garand and m1a.
Click to expand...
With me, one of several ARs in particular rates overall highest but it seems such a pedestrian answer as to be passed up for lack of depth.

I have one particular M-4 that is seven kinds of joy to shoot, cheap, low-recoiling and easy on my ears. Dead nuts accurate and reliable as a 12 dollar hammer but it just doesn't seem right elevating it to my FN/Browning High Power, DCM Garand or lifelong Golden 39.

Kinda like when you're prattling on about the joys of your; Marlin, Winchester, whatever.... .22 and someone chimes in about their own misguided pleasure in owning some down-market stuff like a Nylon or 10-22.:evil::neener:

Todd.
 
My favorite rife? That's gotta be my Marlin 336CS I got from my Dad when I was about 13.

Cartridge? .308... I have shot more 308 in my life than any other cartridge and I have more 308 slingers in the safe than anything else. I just know what it does when it leaves the barrel like second nature
 
My favorite rifle is probably my old Savage Model 10 Tactical in .260 Remington.
The other two I use are a Ruger K77VT in .308 and a Savage 110 HS Precision in
.300 Win Mag. All three are topped by Nikon scopes, have heavy barrels
and have Harris bipods.
They just plain work and produce .5 moa groups. The reason I
favour the Savage 10 in .260 is the light recoil. I hear all the
blah blah blah about stuff like the creedmore and such, but the
.260 will do everything those rounds can and better. Every Savage
rifle I have ever owned or used has been accurate right out of the box.
Both my present Savage rifles have been no exception.
 
index.php


index.php


Top pic: Dad's first gun, Winchester model 67 22LR.

Bottom pic bottom gun: Western Field 740A-EMN (aka Marlin 336) .30-30 Winchester. My go to hunting rifle for many years.

I have plenty of other hunting rifles and rimfire rifles, it is tough to pick out a "favorite". These would be the last two I would part with if I had to get rid of my firearms.
 
ApacheCoTodd said:
With me, one of several ARs in particular rates overall highest but it seems such a pedestrian answer as to be passed up for lack of depth.
Click to expand...

I don't think it's so much of a shallow answer... I am quite fond of my AR's, probably because I lived and slept with one for a few years. I am insanely fond of my little LRB lightweight carbine, for example. But I am NOT a fan of the 5.56mm cartridge... not so much as I tend to favor .30 cartridges. The .22's have their place, for sure, it's just not my favorite... particularly handloading for one.

montanaoffroader said:
Top pic: Dad's first gun, Winchester model 67 22LR.
Click to expand...

The first rifle I ever sat down and spent some time behind was a friend's Winchester 67. It was incredibly accurate and made me feel like a hero. I made my mind up right then to get one as soon as I could. A few years later I laid down $79 for a Marlin model 15 single-shot; it wasn't quite the rifle the Winchester was, but it was everything I'd hoped it would be. I still have that rifle, too.
 
I have two favorites...

1. The most fun to shoot hands down is my .44 mag Rossi. Running that lever is just old school cowboy cool, and the modern red dot is so fast on target. At 100 yds, and in I'm quick, don't miss, and got 10+1 rounds of Leverevolution .44 mag.

8nCwQjz.jpg

2. Shooting small groups is always an ego trip, and my little .243 is easily the most accurate thing I own. It's a laser, and more than enough gun for anything I'll probably ever need to shoot.

yFTJ3AS.jpg

Now, if 7mm Mauser was easier to find in store shelves... different story. Got a couple of them I absolutely love. Same for .303 British. Got a No 4 Mk1 scout rifle I'm almost done with that's looking to be real fun.

Favorite cartridge... again, I got two, well, three, or 4...

1. 7mm Mauser. To me the perfect round. Plenty powerful, accurate, and not so much recoil as to make it a chore to shoot. Only thing I hate is it's fall from popularity making it hard to find. End up ordering on line, and having less choices. Really wish this one had stood the test of time better. Makes me want to get into reloading. It's the perfect cartridge. No wonder so many others are based off it.

2. Tie between .223/5.56, and .243. The .223/5.56 is flat shooting, and accurate enough to go zero to 300 without holdovers on a 50 yd zero. The .243 is also flat shooting, and accurate, but with more punch. Both have light recoil.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

WisBorn
  • Locked
Favorite Rifle? Favorite Cartridge?
2 3 4 5
Replies
117
Views
5K
Reloadron
Reloadron
C
  • Locked
favorite five rifle cartridges
2 3 4 5 6
Replies
141
Views
5K
Hunter0924
H
S
  • Locked
What's your favorite rifle cartridge..?
2 3 4 5 6
Replies
133
Views
8K
homers
H
LoonWulf
  • Locked
Favorite Rifle...and WHY?
2 3
Replies
72
Views
4K
woad_yurt
W
1948CJ2A
  • Poll
Favorite 6.5mm?
2 3 4 5
Replies
111
Views
3K
someguy2800
someguy2800
Back
Top