One rifle to do it all?

[huntaxhunta]

Winchester Model 54 carbine 30 W.C.F.

 

[TX Badger]

Obviously, there will be trade offs bc no rifle will be ideal for both gophers and moose. So what is the smallest moose cartridge? Personally, I would say 270 WSM or 7 RM. Though you could go smaller if you limited your range. These 2 will still be heavier recoiling rifles than I would prefer for volume shooting and barrel life will not be stellar. But they'll shoot high bc bullets a long ways.

If I were you I'd build a custom, long action, Rem-age set up so you can do the barrel swaps yourself (once you've done it a few times, it takes less than 30 min.) And since you are not that concerned about weight, I'd skip the Proof barrel and spend your barrel money on 2 barrels in more ideal cartridges. I like 25-06 and 7 RM. Though you could go down to a 6mm and up to 30 cal to have and even wider range.

I'll insert my repeated appeal for high bc .257 bullets here. I've been down this same "one cartridge" path without the moose or even elk requirement. If there were a few suitable vld bullets in the 130- 135 gr. class, the 25-06 would be the ideal gopher to mule deer round. 85 gr bullets at over 3600 fps and 130's (that should rival the bc's of any current 6.5 bullets) launched at over 3000 fps. file under "pipe dreams"

 

[TC338]

I haven't read the entire thread but but my choice would be a Curtis Custom action. Either the axiom with the WTO switchlug or their vector with its proprietary switch barrel system. Run ai mags and with a barrel and bolt change you can run anything from .223 up to the wsm's or Saum's. Check out the videos Curtis Custom has on Facebook about their Vector action. You could also run the SS line of wildcats and go from 6mm to .338 with the same bolt and mags. The numbers on all the SS cartridges are amazing.

 

[Canhunter35]

One gun:
I would go with a 6.5 barrel on a long action with barrel nut so you can do the swaps yourself. I'd probably try out a 260ai, guys push the 140s near 3k and if that didn't work the barrel could be reamed out to a 6.5x284. For myself I'd go 6.5 over 7mm as I do a lot more coyote, varmit, and deer shooting than moose and elk and it'll do just fine within reason on the big animals.
Or you could do something like this:
http://www.sako.fi/rifles/sako-trg/trg-m10

 

[Tidus56]

I haven't read the entire thread but but my choice would be a Curtis Custom action. Either the axiom with the WTO switchlug or their vector with its proprietary switch barrel system. Run ai mags and with a barrel and bolt change you can run anything from .223 up to the wsm's or Saum's. Check out the videos Curtis Custom has on Facebook about their Vector action. You could also run the SS line of wildcats and go from 6mm to .338 with the same bolt and mags. The numbers on all the SS cartridges are amazing.

I can't seem to find the info on the Curtis Vectors switch barrel system. I'll keep looking but how does it work?

 

[TC338]

I can't seem to find the info on the Curtis Vectors switch barrel system. I'll keep looking but how does it work?

I can't seem to find the info on the Curtis Vectors switch barrel system. I'll keep looking but how does it work?

Look them up on Facebook. There's a couple videos showing the swap.

 

[TC338]

I can't seem to find the info on the Curtis Vectors switch barrel system. I'll keep looking but how does it work?

https://m.facebook.com/ccustom/

 

[TX Badger]

I'll throw in one more option. A 264 Win Mag with a 7.5 twist barrel for a do it all cartridge. There are a couple 150+gr bullets that are either out or will be shortly. That would get you from flat shooting varmint bullets to big game.

 

[Kimber7man]

I'd go with a 6.5 Gap 4S (or 6.5 SAUM) like this one with a S&B PMII 10x42 scope.

 

[Terry3006]

Kimber7man,
That's one nice rifle !

I have a 30-06 non typical from GAP (barrel cut to 23")I've been shooting for the past year. Currently it has the B&C stock but I have a Manners super light on order and should be installed later this year.
I've been shooting 2 loads, 168TTSX@2870fps and the 180 Berger Elite@2750fps
I have a Nightforce compact 2.5-10x32, MV reticle. The 180 loads match the reticle real good and the 168TTSX loads match the reticle out to about 400 yards. My rifle shoots both loads same poi at 100 yards.

The rifle now has a 20 moa rail. When the new stock comes in I'm going to change over to Talley lightweights to get the rifle around 9 lbs.

 

[WyoHunter1]

I think there is a flaw in your plan. One rifle?
I would at least have 2.
I don't think I would be launching $1 to $5 bullets at prairie poodles.

 

[Rick Richard]

One rifle? Ain't possible. The itch gets to you sooner or later for another.

 

[Slam-O]

Another vote for 280AI.... One rifle?.... Is it possible?...

 

[WyoHunter1]

Another vote for 280AI.... One rifle?.... Is it possible?...

I say no. But I don't have any self control and I am an impulsive buyer.