One Rifle

[canemaker]

If you could on own only one rifle for deer and varmint hunting in Kentucky, be it in the north, south, east, or west part of the state, what caliber would it be? And why.

canemaker

[KYhunter79]

I'd say .243 or 25-06 would be the most apt handle each well.

[Bray]

Probably a .30-06 or .308. Both offer very light weight bullets apt for varmints while providing heavier bullets for deer and even elk. The .30-06 has long been considered the do it all rifle. It has taken game from every continent and can handle anything from ground hogs to elephants (there are recorded instances where the .30-06 has cleanly handled elphants). Hard to go wrong with anything in Kentucky.

[mwezell]

My vote would be the 30-06. It's just so versatile and bullet selction is so wide.
If i could only have two, i guess they would be a 30-06 and 22-250.

But then again, everybody needs an AR-15 don't we?---Mike Ezell

[killinmammals]

I go with an 06 too. What do you mean everybody needs AN ar-15 Mike...everybody needs SOME ar-15S!:D

[A.K.A. GROUSEGUNNER]

6.5-06. or 6.5x284. the .264 bullet comes in a wide selection as well.

[C.L.Button]

7mm-08 ;)

[Multidigits]

30-06 is a fine caliber, but it's not much of a varmint choice. I'd rather have something faster and flatter shooting for long range and geherally smaller targets. With deer in the mix, that boils down to the 24 or 25 caliber guns as the best all around choice. I prefer the 6mm Rem over the .243 as it a tad faster. The .25-06 is a good one but will tear out hides a bit more unless you use a non-explosive bullet.

[westkybanded]

I'm surprised that nobody has thought of the .22 magnum??

Nobody said it had to be a legal caliber ;)

Darn accurate out to 100+ yards, and fully capable of harvesting deer, coyotes, groundhogs, fox, coons, squirrels, ect. without an incredible amount of meat damage. PLUS... You can lug around 2-300 rounds in a cargo pocket with little ill effects.

[killer]

.270 or 25-06 would be my choice if it were equal between deer and varmint.

[raven_over_easy]

30-30 oh yeah!!!

[Auk1124]

Surprised no one has said .243 Win yet. Okay, I will. :)

[nwest]

25-06 Or 243 WSSM

[steelslinger]

.308win, why?.........just my personal favorite

[KYhunter79]

I didn't know this was another give your favorite rifle thread. :Dlol. I shoot a 30-06 too. But, the damage on a yote with an ought-six is pretty rough.

[Bray]

I didn't know this was another give your favorite rifle thread. :Dlol. I shoot a 30-06 too. But, the damage on a yote with an ought-six is pretty rough.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_11_50/ai_n6209996/pg_2

I have had pretty good luck out of the 110 grain bullets. You used to be able to find them around but I haven't seen any for a while. I just reload them now.

[KYhunter79]

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_11_50/ai_n6209996/pg_2

I have had pretty good luck out of the 110 grain bullets. You used to be able to find them around but I haven't seen any for a while. I just reload them now.

I've been looking for something light like that to shoot and haven't found anything. :( On gunbroker they have the 55grain accelerators, but that is the only place I have found them.

That's a good article. It said the 110 grain load was a little too hot to shoot a whole lot, though.

[headoftheholler]

.45-70 . . . . It Leaves A Big Hole. :)

[SigSense]

You asked for one rifle for deer/varmint, and that's a tall order. For both, I'd advise the 7.62/308. Many reasons, but Military Surplus 7.62 is cheap and plentiful for practice etc. 308 is not the most powerful round out there, but a great compromise. I use 168 grain 308's for deer with no problems.

[Bray]

I've been looking for something light like that to shoot and haven't found anything. :( On gunbroker they have the 55grain accelerators, but that is the only place I have found them.

That's a good article. It said the 110 grain load was a little too hot to shoot a whole lot, though.

The 110 load I was using wasn't as hot as what they were talking about. You used to be able to find the match grade ammo that wasn't the FMJ. Deadly stuff.

I don't have any expeirance with the 55 gr. rounds i bet they would be mean though.

[Jim in Annville]

7mm rem mag. load it light hunt for hogs. load it heavy and hunt for grizzlies. load it medium hunt for deer. I just load it heavy and hunt everything....lol:D

[Quickdraw Limpsalot]

25-06, 257 Roberts, or .243 Win.

[Hoosier5]

.243, .270 or .308. Any would be a good choice.

[25-06]

25-06 for me!!!! 115gr BST for deer and the 75gr BST for yotes and such!!!

[KodiakJoe153]

I love my 06, but i've started liking the remington .260 since a buddy got one and I've seen what they can do.:confused: There a killing machine do you reload? if so I'd probaly go with the .260 it's a wicked little bullet. I've seen them do more destruction than my 06 does.

[7mmx2]

I love my Rem 7mm Mag!

[duckaduck]

30-30 Or 7mm Mag

[canemaker]

I would like to thank everyone that replied to my thread. I started this mainly to satisfy my own curiosity as to what " A One Rifle Battery" would be comprised of.
I also like the .257 Roberts, .260 Rem, and the 25-06 for all around Kentucky hunting weapons.....Howerver there is absolutely nothing wrong with any of the caliber's mentioned.

Thank ya'll once again,

canemaker

[smoke-pole]

I would probably say it would have to be a 243 win. flat shootin and very versetal cartridge.

[turkeytalker]

IMO a 30/06 is about as good as you could do.


Of course a 55gr accelerator is gonna blow a yote to pieces,but anyone lookin to hunt fur knows the type of bullet to use in this situation.

[Rem7600]

30/06 loaded with a Swift 110gr. Varminter bullet. Easy on the shoulder and ears. Coke can accurate at 100 yds.

[wormy8378]

25-06 love it

[hunter115]

My old Savage model 99 chambered in 308. Shoots great, reliable lever action.