A true rifleman's rifle

[khaos]

I am fortunate to have amassed a great bunch of true rifleman (shooting buddies) in my life. A few still live close enough that we get together, but a fair amount have moved out west and down south. We had a spirited discussion last week that I want to bring here. I made the comment that I finally added "the purest example of a true rifleman's rifle" to my collection and was a little embarrassed that it took this long to do it. Turns out everybody had a different idea what that might be. So here is my question to the rifleman out there: What is the purest example of a rifle to you?

 

[RJ556]

Although I have a Winchester M70 Featherweight in 308 Win. that could easily fit that description, I would probably say it is my Ruger #1 in 30-40 Krag.

 

[El Numero Uno]

Agreed with RJ556; there was a time that it would certainly have been a Pre-64 Winchester Model 70. Now, I favor the Ruger No.1; a true classic in it's own time!

 

[patrickjames]

#1 300 H&H

 

[Boxhead]

From that factory that would be an FN Mauser Supreme without question.

 

[Rocdoc]

Some of you are close, the all time classic is Winchester Pre '64 model 70 in 30-06.

 

[gunman42782]

Ruger 77 MK2 in 30/06!

 

[Eddies M77]

Some of you are close, the all time classic is Winchester Pre '64 model 70 in 30-06.

Even though it is doubtful I will ever own one, I will agree with you. The only one that might come close in my humble estimation is a Pre '64 model 70 in .270 Win. These are the rifles that I read about when I was young that my heroes carried with them on all the exciting hunts that piqued my interest and turned my heart toward fine firearms. But my heart was turned toward the Ruger with a M77 in a .25/06 around 1980 and it has suited me just fine.

 

[mattsbox99]

Without question, the Ruger No. 1!

 

[khaos]

I just eat this up. Rifleman are a very pure strain of human form.

My idea of the purest rifleman's rifle has to be a single shot (because shooting something twice is just silly), iron sights (because telescopes are for looking at the planets), heavy barrel (because we're men and we can carry it), chambered in the caliber that is truly the grandfather of all that is good in the field, the .375 H&H.

A Ruger #1-H chambered in .375 H&H

Anyone that has ever dropped a hammer on a belted magnum round has the .375 H&H to thank. It turns 100yrs old in August of next year and we should all raise a glass to that.

I like everything about Bill Ruger's greatest creation (God rest his soul) and I like the .375H&H because, well, I want the critter to be extra dead when I get to it
Cheers!

 

[6mmsl]

Ruger 77 MK2 in 30/06!

Blued with a factory M77 synthetic stock- Leupold VXIII gloss 3.5 x10

 

[deadduck357]

My vote is for the versatile M77-GS

 

[Heliman]

Without question, the Ruger No. 1!

I agree.......100%!

 

[mike-c]

Greetings,
For me, it is the Ruger Hawkeye in the all weather stainless. Caliber is what fits your needs or desire. I currently have the 375 RCM and 308. I will purchase the 6.5 Creedmoor, as soon as, it becomes available in the all weather format.
The #1 is a fine rifle, but I do not own one at the moment. When I get around to it, I would like a 45-70 stainless #1 with iron sights. 8)

 

[Lloyd Smale]

dont own one but i guess if i had to pick one it would be one of the newer winchester control round feed 70s in 06. Cant think of a one gun for everything gun that would be any better. Lucklly i dont have to settle for a one gun that does everything.

 

[Snake45]

Some of you are close, the all time classic is Winchester Pre '64 model 70 in 30-06.

Even though it is doubtful I will ever own one, I will agree with you. The only one that might come close in my humble estimation is a Pre '64 model 70 in .270 Win.

A pre-64 M70 in .270 was the first thing that came to my mind when I read the question. Same in .30-06 would also qualify.

There are lots of suitable candidates, actually, depending on the rifleman himself. M94, '03 Springfield, nice classic Mauser sporter, Savage 99, etc.

Personally, I might lean towards a nice NM M14/M1A.

 

[208packinheat]

Like Snake said, my first impulse is to say a Pre-64 Win in .270, Jack O'conners gun. If in a 7X57 that would pull my heartstrings even more (I believe his wife's gun), but have never owned either! But...I do have to give the early M77 tang safeties the nod. Most riflemen THESE DAYS would find the pre-64 expensive, and most riflemen do not have that kind of money for a working rifle. I say a Ruger, M77 tang safety with sights (RS or ST) in the 7X57. Pretty classic design and look. To even make it more classic, the ST, with Redfield bases and rings with a straight tube scope, say an era Weaver K3.

You have asked a question that will get a similar response to "what is the best truck" (American only please) :wink: They will be varied and strike some emotion for a lively discussion. Oh well,...Chevy Duramax incase you wanted to know the "right" answer. :lol:

 

[Snake45]

Most riflemen THESE DAYS would find the pre-64 expensive, and most riflemen do not have that kind of money for a working rifle.

I don't think the OP stipulated any price point, or current availability.

If there's a price point or the restriction that it must be something in production NOW, then of course I'll have a different answer, and I suspect others will, too. Ruger 77 becomes a strong contender for me then.

 

[DeletedMember58]

"Ain't nothing in the world, you can't fix with three hundred dollars, and a 30-06!"

I would have to say that any well made, well finished, steel and walnut .30-06 qualifies. Bolt action or single shot.

 

[rangerbob]

I'd have to go with a controlled round feed M70 like my 30-06, or 7mmSTW, or 6.5x55, or 300RUM, or 7mmWSM, or 300WSM, or 325WSM,or 416 Rem, or my Featherweight in 7mm-08, or my M70 Westerner in 6.5WSM. My push feed 308 M70 Sporter may fit the bill also. Bob!!

 

[Bob G]

You guys are talkin' cannons and rocket launchers here. I thought Lucas Mccain carried a Mod '92 Winchester lever gun in 44-40 with a set screw in the large loop, so as to strike the trigger everytime the lever pushed a fresh cartridge into the tube; turning it it to an early assault weapon. :lol:

 

[psyclone66]

U.S. RIFLE, 7.62MM, M14

 

[RonS]

Model 1903 or 1903A3 Springfield, .30-06.

and of course the Winchester Model 70, but I never got one of those.

 

[TBear77]

The No 1 would be my first choice, if money isn't an issue. The new Ruger HM77RS in .308 is a close second.

Ted

 

[MMichaelAK]

It is either the Mauser 98 type action and a 24 inch barrel chambered in .30-06

OR

Ruger Number 1 H blued and walnut in .375 Holland and Holland.

a close second would be Ruger Number 1 in '30-06.

The only other cartridge to possibly consider would be 7mm Mauser as the Grand Daddy of them all in a 98 action but as good as it is, its not a .30-06.

 

[sargents1]

Hmm, I am kind of surprised no one picked the US M1 Garand. The M14 was close.

- Its a 30-06
- Nice lines
- Great sights
- Decent firepower

If not the M1, then I would have to vote for the Mauser 98.

 

[mattsbox99]

I'm wondering why the No. 1 gets such a notorious 'money' disclaimer. Except for the recent Lipsey's editions, regular run rifles are ~$750, plain old bolt actions are fast approaching $600, and most of Remington and Winchester rifles are well past that with Savage and Ruger holding the line as tight as they can.

 

[SteveRuger]

#1 300 H&H

Is my Vote! All Day long!

 

[kwg020]

I have a Mauser 98K and a Remington 1903A3. Either would qualfy in my book. kwg

 

[Heavy Barrel]

I'll take the 98's and FN's over anything,designed years ago and still copied.