Maybe so 100 years ago, but everyone I ever met with one rifle was just getting started. I’m a practical sort of fellow so if you want a practical gun collection that you can use in just about any situation.
1. The 223 Remington 5.56 Nato. The Rifle: the AR-15, also known as the American Battle Rifle. Usages: Home Protection, Target Shooting, Varmit hunting. Very accurate, little recoil, high rate of fire. There are many variations, ammo is very available.
2. The 7.62×39 Russian. The Rifle: CZ-527 Carbine. This maybe the best Youth Deer Rifle made anyone can shoot it and its very accurate, with almost no recoil. It is the new 30-30, ammo is everywhere as far a practice while good hunting ammunition is also readily available.
3. The .308 Winchester. The Rifle: Ruger Gunsite Scout. This one is for the person that only wants one rifle, it will work. Very accurate and just plain tough, it can do anything but I think its at its best as a Deer Rifle or Gide Gun. It is all weather and ready for anything. Ammo is everywhere as this is a NATO cartridge; once it play second fiddle to the 30-06 but with the new powers it is the short action equal.
4. The 30-06 Springfield. The Rifle: The Winchester Modle 70. This really needs no introduction. This cartridge and the .308 have to be the twin All Americans, so of course you must have both sooner or later. Ammo is everywhere, recoil is just about all you want to handle if you are just after deer.
5. The 300 Magnum and they come in many kinds. The Rifle: The Remington Modle 700 CDL in 300 Winchester Magnum. A good Elk and Mule Deer rifle for the Western Hunter. For shooting past 300 yards with a 30 caliber rifle if needed. It kicks a bit, ammo is available and its very accurate.
6. The 375 H&H Magnum. The Rifle the Winchester Model 70. Going hunting in Alaska for Brown Bear, or Elk at Medium range this works good. Your ready for Cape Buffalo and even Eleph
ant should you want a Safari Rifle. This is an international cartridge for really big game.
7. The 45-70 Government. The Rifle: The Henry All Weather 45-70.
The ultimate Wild Boar Rifle, The Ultimate Alaska Guide Gun. It is at home in the Eastern Deer and Black Bear woods, It will shoot stem to stern on a charging Grizzly, or right through an elephants skull or the engine block of a poachers truck if need be. I wish I had one as an Alaskan Game warden. But I got one now.
Summary: 5 out of 7 are Military cartridges although the 300 Win Mag has been used as a sniper. 4 are 30 caliber and many will say if you have a 30-06 you don’t need a 308 or a 300 Magnum. The jump from 300 magnum to 375 is the practical advancement. The 45-70 is in a class by it self, it will do just about anything out to 200 yards…Pass it on.