If you had to start again...

[geoshot]

A decent .22, which I already own, just needs a bit of tidying up
A 30-06, which again I own, can't ever see the need for another deer rifle now I have it.
Which leaves me a choice between 9.3x62, or .375H&H for a "big" rifle

 

[Hereford]

I wouldn't buy a Beretta for clays, thats for sure

 

[riflerob]

An Anschutz 1415-1416 22LR.
A Steyr Mannlicher SL in 223 with double-set triggers.
A Steyr Mannlicher SL in 270 with double-set triggers.

Got the first 2 sitting in my cabinet. The third is still being looked for ...

 

[drut]

Essential tools for me(vermin control):.22lr CZ452/.222 CZ527/12ga Hushpower/1Z27 Baikal 12ga,all workmanlike/utility guns but never the less enjoyable.Other rifles/shotguns I own/have owned:some give me pleasure(Brno 581.22lr),some have given me grief(Hatsun Escort 12ga:no direct problem but picking up ejected carts was aright P.I.T.A.).

 

[JabaliHunter]

I think that if I had to start all over again I would get:
a Sako 85 in .260 Rem
an Anschutz 1710 HDB in .22LR
a nice O/U 20 bore

 

[sharkey]

A 22mag in Ruger
22 250 in a win model 70 with CRF
270win in a Win model 70 with CRF
30 06 in a Win model 70 with CRF
338 win in a win model 70 with CRF
375 wby on a magnum action, preferably on a model 70 clone with 3 position safety, express sights, QR scope mounts & proper CRF.
458 Lott on a magnum action, preferably on a model 70 clone with 3 position safety, express sights, QR scope mounts & proper CRF.

All glass would have to be the the middle to top end Leupold, not European (as the add says "sorry, but you still make the best beer").

I could possibly trim down to the above with a few SxS 12G scatterguns in various configurations, & a few different dart projectors but I'd still be limited if I had to just work around this.

Sharkey

I curious enough to bump this.

Picking up on a recent thread enquiring on the popularity of the 338 win, it's clear that it's not a very popular chambering in the UK. Many folks can justify owning a 375 for pigs or for Africa & overseas, but not many appear to be interested in a 338? I have a couple of 375's & can still justify having a couple of 338's too. It's a very good small to medium bore & fills the gap between 30 & 375, so why the lack of interest?

Sharkey

 

[Trufflehunting]

30.06 for everything my choice of manufacturer is blaser R93

 

[8x57]

so why the lack of interest?

Sharkey

Probably because of the reluctance of many licencing authorities to grant firearms certificates for anything larger than .30 calibre in the U.K. In fact many have the ridiculous notion that anything larger in calibre than a .243win is especially dangerous and only suitable for the big five in Africa.

 

[sharkey]

Probably because of the reluctance of many licencing authorities to grant firearms certificates for anything larger than .30 calibre in the U.K. In fact many have the ridiculous notion that anything larger in calibre than a .243win is especially dangerous and only suitable for the big five in Africa.

There are still many who have 375's though. The 338 IMO would be better suited to shooting pigs on the continent & also plains game in Africa, yet its overlooked.

Sharkey

 

[jcampbellsmith]

Ok, I know we all have cabinets brimming with rifles, many fine firearms owned and sold and years of experience from which to draw from.
Q. If you had to start over knowing what you know now and rifles you have shot, what rifles would you buy first??
Matt

Matt

That's a superb question and to be honest I'm still searching for the answer 40 years on from asking my Dad to buy me a Brno 270 Win. Currently I favour 6XC, 260 Rem and 308 Win, but undoubtedly other calibres will creep into the gun cabinet in due course. I really like the 260 Rem, but not being able to easily purchase factory expanding or match ammunition is an issue. Whereas I've got factory expanding and match ammo for both the 6XC and 308 Win.

Best regards

JCS

 

[mchughcb]

Blaser bbf in 30-06 and 12/76

 

[stubear]

As someone who is just starting out I shall be using this thread as a basis for future kit purchasing hehe!

 

[Muir]

I wouldn't change a thing. What I learned and who I came in contact with shaped my life in ways that go beyond just guns, shooting and hunting. I'm pretty happy with the results.~Muir

 

[Kjf]

I wouldn't change a thing. What I learned and who I came in contact with shaped my life in ways that go beyond just guns, shooting and hunting. I'm pretty happy with the results.~Muir

Great reply, I agree it's all one journey/ learning adventure

ive got 22rf, 308 ,shotgun and air rifle

covers all my shooting needs

atb

kjf

 

[Dan Gliballs]

Over the years I've shot various rifles from an old Parker Hale that I wouldn't shoot a dog with to rifles worth more than my house and I'd still go and get my Tikka 595 243 and my Tikka 695 270, it goes without saying both would have moderators on them, IMHO there isn't a rifle out there which will deliver the same bang for your buck.

unfortunately, I just can't feel the same about the T3

Oh, I'd need an old BRNO 22 in there as well.

 

[phaedra]

Steyr SSG-04 in .308 because it's such a joy to load and shoot, Tikka T3 in 260Rem in the MTD TAC21 Chassis or maybe one of the new Rugers in 6.5 Creedmoor.

For fun shooting another Henry Big Boy in .44mag and a Handi Rifle in 300aac.

So pretty much what I have now apart from the Ruger which I may sell my T3 .308 to fund and end up getting it anyway!

 

[User00030]

I would keep my first rifle a sako A111 in 243 with an s&b 6x42, no mod no fancy aci or bubble levels. It shot incredible 2.0 inch groups at 100 paces (I had no fancy rangefinder). I refinished the battered walnut stock myself and and the blueing had turned purpe,i loved that thing. i shot an imense amount of hinds and roe does with it, when I sold it, it had grown roots into my back where it spent the majority of its life with me.

 

[levigsp]

So, I would start out with a catapult as I did over 60 years ago and then I would go on with my apprenticeship exactly the way I have done since those early days.

 

[Tim.243]

So, I would start out with a catapult as I did over 60 years ago and then I would go on with my apprenticeship exactly the way I have done since those early days.

I would still do my Tool making apprenticeship as that foundation gave me the ability to branch off in many types of work...


Secondary I would like to go back around 25 years and shag the bird I met on holiday again....as once was not enough..........

Tim.243

 

[joe soapy]

To go back to the question.
A beretta OU 12 bore for shooting in company.
An HMR for volume shooting,
A 243 for everything else in UK