Family Heirloom

[singleVI]

If i wanted one factory rifle to use for the rest of my life and past down generations, what rifle should this be? Im thinking hard about a Ruger M77 with a Leupold scope. As for the caliber, since I want it to last it deff. wont be a magnum or hyper-velocity round. I want it to be mild like a .257 Roberts or 6.5x55 Swede. Which round would be better and why? If anyone can think of a better combination I really want to know.

[jwinva]

 This is not a mild round but I just bought my two grandsons each a Remington 700CDL in .30/06.

[Gregory]

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?value=001B&cat_id=035&type_id=013


In 7mm-08,.308, 25/06, or .270

[Chuck White]

7MM-08 Remington!

Reason: 
It comes from a generic, medium length case (308 Win) so it isn't overwhelming in the recoil department!
It doesn't come in dead-last in the power and performance department either, in fact in some cases, it leads the way!

Just an all-'round good cartridge!

[beemanbeme]

I'd echo the 7-08.  It's gonna be around for a long time.

[jro45]

I'd say the 270 Win or the 30/06 would be the way to go. These calibers are well known and the 30/06 just turned 100 years old.

[Don Fischer]

I just did that except it won't be the only rifle I use. I have wanted for a long time the mod 70 in 6.5x55 so this past year I bought one. It has a 1-4x Redfield on it. I think an heirloom should reflect YOU and what or who you are. The brand of rifle and the cartridge mean less than the attachment to where it came from. As an heirloom passed down to grandchildren and great grandchildren, a 110 Savage used by Grandpa has more value than a 16ga Purdy that wasn't, if it reflects who or what you are. I have a watch, a ladys Elgin, that will go to my grandaughter also. My father bought it in 1943 for my mother, when they divorced my mother gave it to my grandmother and she wore it the rest of her life. It's probally not worth $10 but to me it's priceless!

[jvs]

.308

[Stan in SC]

.308

[dw06]

I think an heirloom should reflect YOU and what or who you are. The brand of rifle and the cartridge mean less than the attachment to where it came from.

I 2nd that.My Dad passed away in nov 1998,just a few weeks before deer season,we had hunted togeather for 28 short years.He left me his remington 700 30-06 carbine that he bought when the 700s came out,told me he wanted me to have it and to use it not retire it.Well long story short,just couldn't use it in 98 and 99.But have used it since 2000 and have taken 10 bucks including this years and three of the biggest I've ever taken.Not worth much to anyone else,but there is no amount of $$ I would take to part with it.
 So pick one that is you,and someday it will remind the person using it of you.

[K.K]

I agree with going with a proven caliber. .270 Win, .308, or 30-06 aren't going anywhere and are generally accurate and certainly stood the test of time.