Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: bustedoldman on November 17, 2022, 10:11:20 AM

Title: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: bustedoldman on November 17, 2022, 10:11:20 AM: I'm still in the process of reducing my collection down to one safe.......So if you could have only 3 bolt action rifle calibers (.24 or larger) what would they be and why? Also feel free to suggest a manufacturer/brand/model etc etc.
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: wadu1 on November 17, 2022, 10:17:49 AM: To keep it reasonable, personally I would look at this group. One in 6-7MM range, one 30 of some sorts and a large bore 35+.
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: blackpowderhunter on November 17, 2022, 10:29:36 AM: many will probably disagree with my love of the .300 wby..
but, for 3 rifles of .240 or larger...
a 6.5 creedmoor or prc for a "small bore", 7MM-08 for a "lighter" load mid range type gun, and a 300 wby or 300 win mag. for heavier bullets/longer ranges
i don't see why you'd "need" anything bigger than a .30 caliber but that's just me using logic and reasoning, and when talking about guns lets throw logic and reasoning out the window :chuckle:
love my weatherby accumark for a factory rifle...
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: jrebel on November 17, 2022, 10:49:49 AM: Calibers: 6.5, .30 and .338

Chamberings would be: 6.5 creed or prc, 300wsm, 338 lapua.

This is specific to bolt rifles. I also need a few lever guns in my safe. 45/70 or .450 marlin :o
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: thinkingman on November 17, 2022, 10:53:54 AM: If only 3, and I'm thinking sporting, hunting and the post-apocalypse world, two would be NATO cartridges, .223/556, 308/7.62x51, and the third would probably be another medium bore...Likely a 6.5CM or 7-08.
They would have fast twist rates and detachable mags.
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: bustedoldman on November 17, 2022, 10:57:35 AM: Quote from: jrebel on November 17, 2022, 10:49:49 AM
Calibers: 6.5, .30 and .338

Chamberings would be: 6.5 creed or prc, 300wsm, 338 lapua.

This is specific to bolt rifles. I also need a few lever guns in my safe. 45/70 or .450 marlin :o

These were similar to my thoughts as well....Yes just downsizing to 3 " Hunting/LR" bolt guns, there will still be 5 lever guns in there and varmint cal bolt guns also.
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: pianoman9701 on November 17, 2022, 11:27:44 AM: .243, .30-06, .50 BMG. If you'd accept a lever action, then switch out the BMG for a .45-70.
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: Fidelk on November 17, 2022, 12:33:51 PM: .300 WSM

.300 win Mag

.303 British
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: Pathfinder101 on November 17, 2022, 12:54:34 PM: 6.5 CM (go ahead... flame me... :chuckle: )
7mm Rem Mag
300 Win Mag
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: X-Force on November 17, 2022, 01:12:23 PM: 223, 6.5 CM, 300 win mag.

Just because they cover hunting in Washington.
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: mcrawfordaf on November 17, 2022, 01:20:09 PM: 22-250, 6.5 PRC, 300 WIN or RUM
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: timberfaller on November 17, 2022, 01:45:18 PM: 257 Bob
6.5 Swede
280 AI
338-06 AI

I know that is 4, but hey, one extra is a bonus!! :tup:
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: highside74 on November 17, 2022, 02:38:32 PM: 223. For varmint hunting
7mm-08 or 6.5 for deer/bear
7mm or 300 for elk/moose
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: wheels1 on November 17, 2022, 02:42:01 PM: 7 saum or wsm 300wm maybe 375 if you ever want to go for something really big
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: GASoline71 on November 17, 2022, 03:36:05 PM: I only need the Lord's caliber...

.300 WinMag

Gary
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: RB on November 17, 2022, 03:57:56 PM: My grandmas 7mm Mauser, a Winchester model 70 stainless in .300 WinMag, and another Winchester model 70 stainless in .375 H and H! Covers everything on the planet, currently :)
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: ghosthunter on November 17, 2022, 05:15:18 PM: .223, 7mm 08, 30.06
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: JWBINX on November 17, 2022, 05:33:18 PM: 6.5 creed
300 Win or Wby
375 H&H
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: Magnum_Willys on November 17, 2022, 05:35:46 PM: Quote from: jrebel on November 17, 2022, 10:49:49 AM
Calibers: 6.5, .30 and .338

Chamberings would be: 6.5 creed or prc, 300wsm, 338 lapua.

This is specific to bolt rifles. I also need a few lever guns in my safe. 45/70 or .450 marlin :o

Pretty much. AI on the Lapua.
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: mburrows on November 17, 2022, 05:38:26 PM: 6.5 prc
308
300wm
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: Mike450r on November 17, 2022, 05:43:51 PM: .257 wby
6.5-.300 wby
.300 wby
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: bigdub257 on November 17, 2022, 05:47:59 PM: 257 Weatherby
6.5 PRC
300 Weatherby
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: jamesjett on November 17, 2022, 06:15:39 PM: .223, .308, and 7MM Rem Mag. Mod 70’s
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: buckfvr on November 17, 2022, 06:29:59 PM: 24, 26, and 28 calibers

.243, 6.5cm, .280 AI

Savage actions
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: JimmyHoffa on November 17, 2022, 07:20:54 PM: .264 win mag, .30-06, .375 H&H (the .30-06 could almost be substituted with an 8 x 57 Mauser)
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: Jpmiller on November 17, 2022, 07:41:51 PM: .308 win.

7mm rem mag

340 wby

All blued over walnut stocks.

I don't like this question though, "only" and guns don't mix well in my book :chuckle:
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: shootem on November 17, 2022, 11:46:36 PM: .243
300 win mag/wsm
.375 H&H

Ammo available everywhere, countless types of bullets, and will take any game in the world. What more are you looking for.
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: Dan-o on November 18, 2022, 12:02:02 AM: Quote from: shootem on November 17, 2022, 11:46:36 PM
.243
~~300 win mag/wsm~~ 7MM Rem Mag
.375 H&H

Ammo available everywhere, countless types of bullets, and will take any game in the world. What more are you looking for.

I'm right there with you on your choices and logic.
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: Shoofly09 on November 18, 2022, 12:06:48 AM: 223
270 Weatherby
300 win mag
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: hunter399 on November 18, 2022, 12:22:13 AM: This is choose three.
I got to say 243 is starting fancy me more lately.
243
308
7 mag
Are my current go to.
If I had to replace one 270 win would be in there.
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: TVHunts on November 18, 2022, 03:45:45 AM: .223
.264 WM (really any caliber from the 6.5 family)
.338 WM
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: bear on November 18, 2022, 05:06:41 AM: 270 win, 300wsm, 300rum
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: Farmer72 on November 18, 2022, 09:02:25 AM: I would stick with the main 3 I use.

6mm Rem (good deer or varmint)
270 Win or WSM (Mainly use the Win but have been leaning towards the WSM lately)
8mm Rem mag
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: gundogr on November 18, 2022, 09:07:21 AM: I guess I'd stick with three of the ones I have and load for -->

.270WM, 30-06, 300WinMag

( I know it is a pretty narrow gap but I think it covers anything I would want to hunt )

(however, really like the big bores and levers so honorable mention would have to be 450M, 45/70, 450BM, 458SOCOM)...
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: Mulie87 on November 18, 2022, 09:13:26 AM: 223
308
300 win
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: jdb on November 18, 2022, 09:14:37 AM: Right now I’d say .243, 7mm08, and my ruger 77/44
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: HooknoseHunter on November 18, 2022, 09:38:47 AM: .270 Win
.338 Win Mag
.375 Ruger
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: elkrack on November 18, 2022, 10:58:16 AM: Quote from: Pathfinder101 on November 17, 2022, 12:54:34 PM
6.5 CM (go ahead... flame me... :chuckle: )
7mm Rem Mag
300 Win Mag

:chuckle:

6.5 prc
Any .284 calibers
300 win mag
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: Oldguy on November 18, 2022, 11:36:25 AM: .223
.243
7mm mag
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: Houndhunter on November 18, 2022, 12:04:13 PM: 6.5-300wby
300wsm
338mag
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: MountainWalk on November 18, 2022, 02:02:38 PM: 30’06, 375 H&h or Ruger, 338wm or 35 whelen
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: kselkhunter on November 18, 2022, 03:41:33 PM: I don't know what guns are in your collection so it's hard to say. My collection has reproduced this year thanks to Measure 114 (OR resident now), so lots more options to choose from now. LOL.

If just talking bolt action rifles, I would go 35 Whelen in Mauser action for the larger bore (really just medium bore but 250gr out of a 35 Whelen is my upper limit for recoil), 7mmRM X-bolt stainless as the utility do-everything rifle, and Ruger 77/357 because then I could share my 357 ammo between the revolvers and the third rifle. If we removed the bolt action part of it I have the levers in a Rossi 357 and Marlin 356 Win so could swap out the 35 Whelen or 77/357 if mixing in lever. Yes, I'm a 35 cal nut, sorry.

If we didn't want to count a pistol caliber bolt rifle, then I'd swap the 77/357 for my 25-06 in Mauser action. Although really the 7mmRM and 35 Whelen kind of cover everything and the 25-06 would be superfluous.....then again just go to a single 30-06 and load it up and down in bullet weights and you only need one gun for antelope to grizzly. LOL.
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: pbg on November 18, 2022, 04:20:36 PM: So for me Its
270 WSM
300 WIN MAG
375 H&H
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: wadu1 on November 18, 2022, 05:13:37 PM: If I had to choose between the ones I own. This would be my list 6.5 Sweed, 30-06 and 9.3X62. If I kept them all in full stock then it would be .223, 6.5X55 and 9.3X62
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: MeepDog on November 18, 2022, 05:42:36 PM: .243WIN for teaching future youth to shoot + great for deer
.308WIN for ammo availability and versatility
300WSM for big and tough animals

The 1 rifle to rule them all is in the middle :twocents:
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: BigGoonTuna on November 18, 2022, 05:52:40 PM: This is a painful one for me, but a very practical 3 rifle battery for me would be a .270 Win, 30-06, 375 H&H.

I would set the .270 up as an open country gun with something like a 3-18 scope, the 30-06 for more all around use with a 2-7 or 3-9 scope, and the .375 as a close in sledgehammer with a 1.5-5 scope. Not a lot of bases left uncovered here especially if you handload.
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: metlhead on November 18, 2022, 06:20:02 PM: I'd keep my Savage 30-06, Winchester 30-06, and although it ain't a bolt gun, my Rem 742, in '06.
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: MeepDog on November 18, 2022, 06:28:00 PM: Quote from: metlhead on November 18, 2022, 06:20:02 PM
I'd keep my Savage 30-06, Winchester 30-06, and although it ain't a bolt gun, my Rem 742, in '06.
:chuckle:
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: Taco280AI on November 18, 2022, 06:33:16 PM: A custom 280AI setup for longer ranges with a 145LRX

A lighter weight 308 Win for closer hunting with a 150TTSX

Done

I've considered a larger 7mm, but why? Seven deer with the 145LRX from 50ish-510 yards, zero bullets recovered, only one deer ran at the shot and only made it about 40 yards. One elk around 200 yards, only one shot was necessary, but he was attempting to get up so hit him again. Zero bullets recovered. Sub half MOA accuracy.

The 150TTSX, performance on game TBD. Sub half MOA accuracy.
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: NRA4LIFE on November 18, 2022, 08:42:46 PM: 3 is impossible.
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: jrebel on November 18, 2022, 09:31:20 PM: I started down this road a couple years ago. It wasn't to necessarily cut back on rifles....but rather to cut back on the amount of reloading components. I ended up cutting the .308, .270 and .243 rifles and reloading components.....there is just so much overlap in todays modern cartridges. I do miss the .270, but the 6.5 creed and 7mm-08 are ballistically similar in short action chamberings.

In bolt guns I kept.

.223, 6.5, 7mm, 30 cal and .338. Lots of options without having .243 and .277 cluttering the shelves. I've considered cutting the 7mm's from the herd to....but both the 7-08 rifles I have shoot so well.
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: jasnt on November 18, 2022, 11:06:58 PM: 243 win
284
300win mag
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: boneaddict on November 19, 2022, 05:21:15 AM: 30-06
25-06

And look room to spare for either a safe queen or a lever gun.
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: C-Money on November 19, 2022, 05:43:56 AM: .243 win
7mm-08
30-06
I feel like I want a 25-06 or .270win in there...But I'd roll with these.
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: Wetwoodshunter on November 19, 2022, 08:00:28 AM: 6.5 creed or .243 - set it up medium range for use on deer/antelope
.300 WSM - because it always comes out of my safe. Mine is a Christensen Ridgeline, suppressed with a TBAC Ultra Gen 2. (No earplug, no problem, no recoil)

Done, now you have 2 guns…
But if you want to go north and the .300 WSM isn’t enough with a monolithic
.35 Whalen or .338-06 - set it up as a short barrel super thumper brush gun

I don’t see any reasons why the .300 WSM wouldn’t come out of the safe for me. No interest in griz in my future.
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: asmith on November 19, 2022, 11:57:36 AM: 270 is all you need with different loads. Will take down any animal in Washington.

If I had to chose a second, it would be 30-06 as ammo is readily available and easy to find.

No need for a 3rd in these types of guns.
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: Timberstalker on November 19, 2022, 12:02:00 PM: 6.5x284
28 Nosler
.300 Win Mag
Title: Re: If you had to choose 3....
Post by: fowl smacker on November 19, 2022, 04:38:28 PM: 6.5 creedmoor,.30-30, and 300wsm