You can only afford/have one. Which one?

[Catshooter45]

If you don't like these threads, stop here and hit Backspace. 

Here's the problem: you can only have one long gun.  Whether this is because your in financial straits or some law doesn't matter.  Since this is the H&R forum, we should stick to them.  Let's do this in two parts: Your limited to one frame and one barrel, one barrel only.  Part two is you can have one frame and any five barrels.  These have to serve you for the rest of your life and do everything you need doing with a long gun.  You can reload/cast, but components are gonna be expensive and hard to find for many years to come.

What's your choises?


Cat

[je265]

If I could only have one long gun I would pick a 12 ga 28" modified choke. I could use it with slugs and buckshot for big game, BB's or #2 shot for predators, and whatever size shot I needed for anything from turkeys to squirrels. I know this is the rifle forum but if I could only have one gun that is what I would choose.

If I could add a barrel I would pick a 30-06 for big game which would greatly extend the range of my 12 ga. I wouldn't hesitate to use the 30-06 for smaller stuff like predators but would probably use it for big game and use the shotgun for everything else.

I know my choices aren't too sexy but I'm a simple guy and like to stick with stuff that works.

[45-70.gov]

if  i can have my other guns...but only one handi
it would be  my  357mag

i assume you mean  only  one  gun and it  MUST  be a handi
then  my choice would be   one of the 45-70s.......the stainless  varmint  is  my favorite one

part 2.......
45-70
357 mag
44 mag
12 gage
22 lr
[30-30]
[223]


If you don't like these threads, stop here and hit Backspace.  

If you don't like these threads, stop here and hit Backspace.  

i have a post like this  i am going to post soon!!!
just warning those that hit back space

[Lefty Dude]

I start this off;

My one and only would be my SB2 action with the 3 1/2" chamber turkey barrel. I shoot & Reload All Brass magtec 12 ga. shells. My 75 shells, A pound of Unique & a bag of # 6 shot will last a long time with 7/8 oz of shot per shell. All the loading is by hand with hand made loading tools.

Next; The SB2 action, again the 12 ga. barrel, 223, .308 & 44 mag. & 22 Hornet.

[S.E.Ak]

12ga then add 45colt reamed to 454,22lr,45/70,357mag reamed to max

[LONGTOM]

The 12 ga pump for me as my one gun only.
For the five barrels-
1 - 30/30
2 - 45/70
3 - 22 rim fire
4 - 30/06
5 - 12ga
I could live with these!!!



LONGTOM

[Slufoot]

Part 1 = 30-06

Part 2 = (1) 30-06 (2) 22LR Versa Pac barrel (3) 12 Ga with screw in chokes (4) 45-70 Govt (5) 45-70 barrel converted to a muzzleloader

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

[JeffDavis]

Here we go again!

Hands down for me is the 357 Maxi for the only gun. So many variations, so little time. Casting supplies are longer lasting, great versatility in loads from cat sneeze to lion roar.
easiest to find components or ammo with ability to use 3 cartridges and the same dies to reload.

1) 357 Max  all around gun from squirrel to deer.
2) 223 Rem   long range varminting
3) 12 Gauge  bird hunting, close range self defense
4) 45/70 Govt  large, dangerous game, vehicular defense/offense
5) 30/30 Win   mid range deer/hog/man

All cartridges share at least 2 capabilities
  a. common to find components or loaded ammo
  b. proven history
  c. versatility
  d. reliability in a single shot action

There are other things I am sure I can think of, but it's late~

[Tommie D]

Part one: .410
Part two: .410, .22 Hornet   (you can have the other three barrels)

[jeepmann1948]

Sounds like we have trouble brewing in Handi city....... What self respecting Handiholic would ever be caught with just one? Mine would be a Savage 24V 357 Max over a 20ga with screw in chokes (18" barrels). Dag nabit it aint a Handi but if I could only have one thats what it would be.
Merry Christmas
George

[gendoc]

 part 1
my "commie handi"  as others call it..... i call it my 39, most reliable and accurate of all 28 i got.

part 2
39
4570
220 swift
tractor blaster 45/410
whelen

all above based on
as long as we can still handload.......if not, it would be my 17m2.   

[PHATINJUN]

Part 1 = 12 ga Imp cyl.

Part 2 = 17HMR Versa Pack BBL,.223 24"Fluted,30.06,.45 Huntsman, R73 .32 H&R Mag Revolver   Merry Christmas to ALL. Kurt

[bigvarmnt]

OK I'll play, 45/410 sb2 frame, reamed to 454 or 460?? with new syn. camo stocks.

I think that would be considered a Survivor weapon

Part two: 1. 30-06
              2. 45/70
              3. 12 guage with chokes

Don't see any "NEED" for others and won't be able to afford them in the future
I'll use the extra money for components so I can shoot these more

Merry Christmas To All

 

[gcrank1]

I) 45-70
Can reload everything from round ball for small game thru the big, heavies and even make some shot loads in cups to keep from leading and consistent patterns.
II) .22LR
    .30-30 (can be loaded from 32-20 on up)
    OR
    .357Mag/Maxi (same thing, light to top loads)
    20ga.

[Shu]

Too easy.
1) 45-70

1-5) 45-70

The problem that initiated the - there can be only one, simple answer to that 45-70.

Next problem, I already have your answer... 45-70

[gendoc]

OK I'll play, 45/410 sb2 frame, reamed to 454 or 460?? with new syn. camo stocks.

I think that would be considered a Survivor weapon

Part two: 1. 30-06
              2. 45/70
              3. 12 guage with chokes

Don't see any "NEED" for others and won't be able to afford them in the future
I'll use the extra money for components so I can shoot these more

Merry Christmas To All

 

be careful there BV...
the 45/410 barrel is made from shotgun grade steel.... it can't handle the pressures of the casull or .460

[bikerbeans]

part 1,

444M as it is a CF rifle and can be a 410 slug gun for deer, varmits and small game.  Also it can marginally shoot birdshot.

part 2,

444m & 20 ga smoothbore for hunting and my (3) 45 cal rifles for plinking.

BB

[PHATINJUN]

If it came down to limited supplies I would go with.

17HMR Versa Pack .32 cal Huntsman .32H&R Mag Rifle .32H&RMag Revolver 12 ga Huntsman. I would modify every thing to use Sm Rifle Primers. Kurt

[petemi]

I've gotta believe my one would be the .45-70 and the barrels would be:

20 ga. 22 inch modified.
.357 Maximum
.223
7.62x39
.445 Supermag

Pete

[MSM]

  .45-70.

  MSM

[Catshooter45]

Some pretty good answers.

Shu,

Are you sure you want the 45-70?  Come out and tell us what youreally want!

My one and only . . . mmm.  Sometimes I think the 38-55, other times it's the 45-70.  The 30-30 is pretty durn versitle too, that's fer sure.

Twice in my life, due to financial reasons I've been reduced down to one firearm.  Let me tell you, it sucks.

Thanks for playing boys!  Got more?


Cat

[Shu]

I pretty much like the 45-70, you can make some pretty light loads for small game and some bone crushing numbers for the big stuff. I am sure there are some pretty good other choices but I can shoot from 170 grain bullets to 500 grain bullets and never change powders. I like to shoot so economy is a factor. You can read cheap into that if you want.
I shoot alot of cast bullets. My normal load is 12.0 grains of Unique and a 400 grain cast bullet. This gives 900-1000 fps. Perfect for up to 100 yards and with practice you can stretch a bit further. This load is quiet and it don't beat the heck out of you. I don't hunt the big bear or moose there just aren't any in the desert. I can slide over to the coast for some hog hunting or them small coastal deer.

Now of course if I wasn't so pigheaded I might of said the 358 winchester as a good all around caliber also. You can easily hunt all North American game with it also.

For single shots though I am stuck on them rimmed cases. I know there is no logical reason but that's just me.

[Catshooter45]

I agree.  With all of it, actually.

There is just something about the 45-70, isn't there?  I also prefer the rimmed cartridge in the H&R.  You know when I look at it I prefer the rim in just about all firearms.  Not all as I'm a large user of the 45 ACP, but pretty close.  And here I am hijacking my own thread!  Shhheesh.


Cat

[pmeisel]

When I first had to really make this decision, the answer was a 12 gauge.  Lived in a shotgun-only-for-deer state.

Now?  If it could only be one.... I could live with my .444 Handi.....

[stimpylu32]

I a truely " The SHTF " one gun , hands down it would be my 12g Tracker 1 on a SB-2 frame , with the proper ammo , it will take anything in North America be it 2 or 4 legged . 

If it came down to simple $$s , then its my BB 223 , ammo can be had just about anywere , even the good / old US Army if need be .

stimpy

[thejeeper]

Part one: .410
Part two: .410, .22 Hornet   (you can have the other three barrels)

X2 on this way of thinking! They will both do pretty much whatever you need them to do.

[petemi]

Part one: .410
Part two: .410, .22 Hornet   (you can have the other three barrels)

X2 on this way of thinking! They will both do pretty much whatever you need them to do.

I don't know where you guys live, but I wouldn't tackle the 500 lb. blackie in my back yard with either.

Pete

[Tommie D]

Pete you underestimate the .410 slug.
No, I wouldn't go hunt bear with it on purpose even though it works great on deer in my T/C Contender, but in a survival situation between me and a bear, I would not hesitate to use a .410 slug if that's all I had.

[Doublebass73]

Part 1 - my 16 gauge MOD choke Topper 88
Part 2 - 22 LR Versa Pack barrel, 45 Colt, .357 Mag, .410 & 45/70

[nova71]

For part 1 it would be my 357MAX

For part 2
1) 357MAX
2) 308
3) 20ga
4) 44mag
5)243 win

I pick these mostly because I have reloading components to last for many years