Recently read an old article, “The Dirty Dozen”, It was basically a list of 12 rifles that you could hunt the world with. Some very specialized and other geared towards general purpose rifles. It got me thinking, I don’t think I need 12. I have gotten my list down to 6, to include 1 pistol and 1 shotgun.
#1. Everyone needs a 22 Long rifle For plinking and small game. Growing up in PA equaled lots of time in the woods chasing squirrels as a boy. Still love to get out there in the fall for some stress free hunting. My rifle is a Marlin 880, nothing special, even a cheap scope is worth more than the rifle, but accurate as all get out.
#2. 257 Roberts (The Bob), I have used in for everything from groundhogs to Whitetail, and a lot of stuff in between.
I used to lug around an old Ruger M77, with 26 inch barrel, great rifle but would make a better anchor. A few years ago, I ordered a Shaw Mark VII in this caliber. Since then it has been my go to rifle. I just can't seem to leave this one in the safe.
#3. 30 06, no surprises here. One of the calibers that should be in every gun safe. Mine is a Ruger #1, just because they look so cool. One of the most accurate guns I have shot, and easy to carry in the field.
#4. 375 H&H, I love this caliber. I didn't understand how general a caliber it really is until I started loading for it.
I have used it to tag out on a few whitetail and a nice bull elk. This will be my rifle, if and when I ever get my moose tag.
1 Shotgun, This might be cheating but I am including my Browning Citori Combo, comes with both 12 and 20 gauge barrels.
1 Pistol, For me it will have to be a Ruger Bisley Blackhawk in 45 colt. I probably shoot my 44 special more, but if I had to limit it to just one the 45 with its ability to be loaded from pipsqueak to magnum is just more versatile.
A lot of general use calibers, but able to get just it done in just about any situation. I would love to include a 22 pistol as well, but I would be breaking my own rules.
What does your list of must haves look like?
#1. Everyone needs a 22 Long rifle For plinking and small game. Growing up in PA equaled lots of time in the woods chasing squirrels as a boy. Still love to get out there in the fall for some stress free hunting. My rifle is a Marlin 880, nothing special, even a cheap scope is worth more than the rifle, but accurate as all get out.
#2. 257 Roberts (The Bob), I have used in for everything from groundhogs to Whitetail, and a lot of stuff in between.
I used to lug around an old Ruger M77, with 26 inch barrel, great rifle but would make a better anchor. A few years ago, I ordered a Shaw Mark VII in this caliber. Since then it has been my go to rifle. I just can't seem to leave this one in the safe.
#3. 30 06, no surprises here. One of the calibers that should be in every gun safe. Mine is a Ruger #1, just because they look so cool. One of the most accurate guns I have shot, and easy to carry in the field.
#4. 375 H&H, I love this caliber. I didn't understand how general a caliber it really is until I started loading for it.
I have used it to tag out on a few whitetail and a nice bull elk. This will be my rifle, if and when I ever get my moose tag.
1 Shotgun, This might be cheating but I am including my Browning Citori Combo, comes with both 12 and 20 gauge barrels.
1 Pistol, For me it will have to be a Ruger Bisley Blackhawk in 45 colt. I probably shoot my 44 special more, but if I had to limit it to just one the 45 with its ability to be loaded from pipsqueak to magnum is just more versatile.
A lot of general use calibers, but able to get just it done in just about any situation. I would love to include a 22 pistol as well, but I would be breaking my own rules.
What does your list of must haves look like?
. The shotgun is a no-namer basically, but it shoots really nice and the .300 RUM would have been in a M70 Winchester platform had I bought it.
