all-purpose rifle?

S

Summerland

Joined
Oct 13, 1999
Messages
567
If you had to choose an all-purpose rifle, what caliber and maker would you choose?
(let's say, for example, that you lived in a rural area, farm/ranch)

I know that speaking of an "all-purpose rifle" makes just about as much sense as an "all-purpose knife", so let me forstall any criticism by saying that I'm not looking for something large enough to shoot Cape Buffalo, or small enough that I would be limited to plinking. Nor an expensive sniper-quality instrument, or something so big I have to mount it on a jeep!

If you can't bear to limit it to one choice, give two.


 
Generally:


Caliber - 30-06 or .308 depending on whether you hand load or not and whether fairly minor differences in weight and action length are important.
Logic - arguably the most versatile cartridges available. Excellent availability anywhere in the country and almost anywhere in the world.

Action - Turn Bolt, front locking lugs, controlled feed a plus but perhaps not required.
Logic - strongest, most accurate action type commonly available.

Magazine - Fixed of detachable Box with a capacity of four to five rounds. Does not extend below the line of the stock on the bottom. Hinged floor plate on fixed box.
Logic - most compatible with cartridge and action. does not interfere with carry or handling at point of balance.

Stock - Fiberglass or composite
Logic - most stable and durable.

Barrel - 22" medium sporter weight
Logic - best compromise in weight and performance.

Sights - Optical, scope, low power or variable with very low bottom end. backup Post front with peep rear. -
Logic - again best, most versatile combination.

Safety - three position on bolt shroud or cocking piece preferred
Logic - proven function, Visual and tactile reference.

Accuracy - ability to place three shots into two inches or less at 100 yards, starting with a cold barrel, firing shots in rapid succession.
Logic - More than adequate for .99.8% of situations encountered (actually 4 to 6 inches from a rapidly acquired improvised rest would probably suit me just as well in the field.)

Manufacture - Any one of many.


Mike
 
Get a Remington 700 ADL or BDL. Options would include a sythetic stock to take bumps and bangs better (I still like wood)and a magazine floor plate you can drop to remove unfired rounds instead of having to unload by working them through the action. This is a well proven rifle, simple to operate, price is right (check WalMart or Kmart for end of season sales), very accurate out of the box and parts and service are readily available. I recommend .308 or .30/06 for caliber. You can get 110 grain up to 180 grain (220 in /06) ammo and this covers alot of ground and shooting situations. Ammo is available anywhere from surplus miitary (cheap) to premium stuff. You can spend more or you can spend less but everything considered this rifle is the benchmark for all other production rifles except perhaps a pre '64 Winchester Mdl 70 (if you can find one at big $$$$$$) Good Luck Weldonk
 
Steyr Scout Rifle in .308. Best all around gun I have found to date. A tad pricey, but from whacking elk to exploding squirrels (sky rats) a fine multi-use instrument.

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copfish@aol.com
 
If you don't want to spend big $, you should check out the new Remington Model 710 that's featured in the April issue of Shooting Times. You can probably buy one for around $325 and that includes a scope. It's chambered in .270 and 30.06. Looks pretty good for the $.
 
Mike's (aka MNH) advice is very sound. MY only additions would be to recommend either a Remington Model 700, Remington Model 7, or a Browning A-Bolt.

AJ
 
It seems to me that there are two main types of civilian rifle shooting: big game hunting, and other.

The clear choice for taking game such as deer and elk is a bolt action in some type of 30cal. These are also useful as target rifles, and for area defense, but they're not great for 'plinking'. I'm partial to the Win Model 70, but there are many good bolt actions out there.

For shorter ranges (hunting and defense), and for simple screwing around, semiautos are perfect. AR15, Mini 14, etc. Ammunition is cheaper, you can also take small game.

Also, consider a .22. The ruger 10/22 seems to be the standard (I love mine).

Look at the www.thefiringline.com forum.

db

 
I like copfish's choice a great deal. The Steyr scout is lightweight, accurate, versatile and rugged. If I were limited to only one rifle, this one would definitely be at, or very near, the top of the list. I would also be quite content to rely on a scoped H&K 91 in this role, adding some weight in return for increased sustainable firepower.

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Semper Fi

-Bill

[This message has been edited by Bronco (edited 03-02-2001).]
 
I agree that the Steyr is a beautiful piece. It's also about $2K, for the rifle alone. That's out of my price range.

The more I think about it, the more I would advise AR-15. The only problem I can see with it is that, at least here in Colorado, you can't legally hunt deer/elk with a .223.

db


[This message has been edited by Dave B (edited 03-02-2001).]
 
I'd have to go with the Savage 110FP in .308 for a general-purpose rifle.

Sweet action, shoots about 1/2-1/4 MOA out of the box, and only runs about $450 without glass. Looking to pick me up another in the near future--I was stupid enough to let mine go back at college. Traded to a friend of mine for a Beretta and 2 pre-ban mags. Now I've sold the pistol, and I miss my Savage!!!!



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Vaya con Queso!!!
 
.243 cal, bolt action with a good scope. Where I live only small animals roam the range. 200lbs and under, nothing ran away yet.
 
ar10 in 308 is an awsome gun but the true all pupose cal. is .50bmg j/k
sig 970 is a good rifle because you can change the caliber

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after they take our guns away they're comin after our knives
 
If you just want to plink, it's hard to beat the good old 22 LR, especially for ammunition cost. I second the 30 calibers, especially in .308. I believe that's the NATO 7.62, so international availability would be good.

For practicality, Marlin makes some excellent small carbines that use handgun ammunition. That would be a nice plinking/defense weapon, especially in locales that frown upon handguns.

Or you could start at the 22's, work your way up, and buy one of each.
biggrin.gif
 
MNH and Kalindras pretty much covered it. Get a synthetic Savage bolt action .308 and don't look back. Savage gives you the most bang for the buck and the .308 has all the bases covered.

Jim McCullough

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Next time you feel your life is sooo tough, read this- Some American Heroes
 
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