What is the most versatile rifle you own?

[timeforchili]

If you could own just one what would it be?

I ask because I was thinking about picking up a 30/30 on monday. I'm going to a friends farm for some handgun plinkin and he's going to bring his rifles too. I want something that will be able to be accurate and easy to handle. I probably won't have the funds to get a second rifle any time soon to i want it to have a wide range of applications (taking out moose at 1000 yards is not one of them.)

I looked for a similar thread for about 30 seconds so if this is a duplication of past threads, my apologies in advance.

 

[Bubbajms]

That I own? Probably an SKS. Does fine near and far, reasonably inexpensive, yatta yatta yatta..

 

[paddling_man]

If you lived in another State (I assume since you're posting on Indiana Gunowners that you live in Indiana,) then I would advocate the 30-30 lever action as one of the great versatile rifles of North America.

In Indiana? Since you legally can't hunt with a 30-30? Maybe the same rifle in .44 mag or another pistol cartridge that you can legally hunt with as a brush rifle <100 yards.

 

[IndyMonkey]

Thompson encore

 

[rhart]

TC Encore. New barrels for 200 to 250 or so.
Looking forward to getting my 445 sup mag babl anyday. It will fire the 445 sup mag, 44 mag and 44 specials.

If your gonna get a lever gun, you might consider a caliber that you can deer hunt with. Better resale too in a 357, 44 mag or 45 LC.

 

[42769vette]

on a caliber only bases i dont like the 30-30. if i were to pick a versatle caliber for everything id probably go 7mm rem mag. you can load them with light bullets (i think 110 gr is the lightest) for coyotes and general plinking, but you can alot load them heavy for elk size game. plus recoil is pretty mild on them.

 

[timeforchili]

on a caliber only bases i dont like the 30-30. if i were to pick a versatle caliber for everything id probably go 7mm rem mag. you can load them with light bullets (i think 110 gr is the lightest) for coyotes and general plinking, but you can alot load them heavy for elk size game. plus recoil is pretty mild on them.

Your opionion is 7mm is best caliber for a lever action all around? Is it realitively easy to find in different loads? As my first, i'm not looking for a muzzle loader.

 

[IndyMonkey]

First thing you have to come to grips with is the lack of knowledge of rifles in this state.
Rifles as a whole are pretty useless here. When I first started hunting out west I searched and searched for a gun shop that could help me with a good large game rifle and loads. I ended up searching the Internet and making my own descisions.

I guess it would be like going to Montana and asking about slugs.

 

[42769vette]

Your opionion is 7mm is best caliber for a lever action all around? Is it realitively easy to find in different loads? As my first, i'm not looking for a muzzle loader.

your post didn't say you were set on a leveraction. i dont think they make a 7mm rem mag leveraction but i could be wrong on that. i was thinking more along the lines of a bolt action.

as far as finding factory loadings i dont think its to dificult to find a light bullet in a factory load.

the 7mm rem mag is not a muzzleloader.

if you are set on a leveraction i would recomend a legal deer gun. even if you dont deer hunt a indiana legal deer rifle has much better and easier resale than a 30-30. 30-30s are a dime a dozen. if you go to a gun show you will find tons of folks wanting to get rid of there 30-30. its just not a very good round ballistically. i have one now that i break out and shoot somtimes but its basically a truck/tractor gun.

 

[Slow Hand]

I feel that my lever action .357 is probably the most versatile firearm I own. You can shoot target loads in .38 brass on up to my handloads of a 195gr bullet at 1600fps. Anywhere inbetween and all with accuract, decent capacity and quick shots available. I've got one of rmy two year old son, and I'm looking for another one since my wife is pregnant! Kids can start shooting one as soon as they can hold it because of the light loads and honestly, I can shoot the hot loads all day with litte discomfort. I really think it's a great rifle, and I've got plenty that cost several times more than this one did.

The .30/30 is a great round as well, just not quite as versatile. If you handload, you can come up with a great variety of loads for it as well.

Doug K

 

[singlesix]

Browning makes a leveraction in 7MM as well as many other calibers.

 

[jy951]

I vote for T/C Encore for hunting purposes.

 

[timeforchili]

your post didn't say you were set on a leveraction. i dont think they make a 7mm rem mag leveraction but i could be wrong on that. i was thinking more along the lines of a bolt action.

as far as finding factory loadings i dont think its to dificult to find a light bullet in a factory load.

the 7mm rem mag is not a muzzleloader.

if you are set on a leveraction i would recomend a legal deer gun. even if you dont deer hunt a indiana legal deer rifle has much better and easier resale than a 30-30. 30-30s are a dime a dozen. if you go to a gun show you will find tons of folks wanting to get rid of there 30-30. its just not a very good round ballistically. i have one now that i break out and shoot somtimes but its basically a truck/tractor gun.

i was referring to the Thompson encore as the muzzie i wasn't considering. Thanks for the input, i was set on a 30/30 but i think you may have talked me out of it along with the info from doug K.

thanks guys

 

[timeforchili]

First thing you have to come to grips with is the lack of knowledge of rifles in this state.
Rifles as a whole are pretty useless here. When I first started hunting out west I searched and searched for a gun shop that could help me with a good large game rifle and loads. I ended up searching the Internet and making my own descisions.

I guess it would be like going to Montana and asking about slugs.

ok................................

 

[Hondo]

This is kind of like are blonds better than red heads...everyone has an opinion...but since you asked...I would say .270...

I have several highpowered rifles but the .270 i have that is a sporterized version of a mauser action, an be loaded down to 55gr rounds for varmits and push 185 gr loads for most all North American game. It is not the gun I ould select for a gun battle for all around use it would be my choice if I could only have 1 rifle...

 

[42769vette]

i was referring to the Thompson encore as the muzzie i wasn't considering. Thanks for the input, i was set on a 30/30 but i think you may have talked me out of it along with the info from doug K.

thanks guys

glad i could help

 

[38special]

I'd say the .30-06. You can use it for everything from coyotes to large game, as well as a battle rifle (in the case of a SD) or sniper-ish rifle for the bolt.

I love em and I have 2.

 

[SSGSAD]

7mm, .308, or 30-06... probably the most "versatile" cal., of all...

 

[7.62shooter2]

I'm partial to the 308 (7.62x51)

 

[musclecarr]

Remington model 70 300 win. mag.