Other than a .22, what is the next best rifle to own?

[cbc58]

Other than a .22, what is the next best rifle to own in terms of using it for hunting and possible self-defense ?

 

[sailingaway]

A .22 is pretty small caliber.

Beyond that, I'll leave it to the experts.

 

[Origanalist]

Other than a .22, what is the next best rifle to own in terms of using it for hunting and possible self-defense ?

.30.30 is a great all purpose rifle.

 

[ghengis86]

Something along the lines of the .308/30-30/30-06. Common caliber, plenty of power, plenty of range. Personal defense with a long rifle would only be appropriate for defense of a perimeter. A shotgun/hand is best for defending your person; rifle for defending your property.

An AK variant would probably be the most economical for both the gun and ammo. It would excel at personal defense and out to a moderate distance (1-300yds depending on set up), but might not be the best for hunting.

AR-15 is popular and the .223 is lethal, but round placement is more critical. Depending on where you are, procuring could be difficult.

I'd say a Remington/weatherby/Savage, bolt-action rifle with detachable 5-7 round magazine in .30-06 or .308 would give you the most versatility.

Oh, a Browning BAR in those calibers would be even better

 

[foxtrotterz]

30-30 is not an ideal caliber for engaging threats beyond 100-200 yards. Wouldn't you prefer the buffer zone of 400-800 yards? Both .308 or 30-06 are good, but I wouldn't knock a well built AK or Mosin in a rifleman's hands. Is budget for gun or ammo a concern? Prices are clearly inflated, but I would still buy if I didn't have a tool to protect my Liberty and family.

 

[NCGOPer_for_Paul]

I like a .223. That's what I have.

Was told it's a perfect SHTF tool, because it's good for just about anything that you may need.

 

[Origanalist]

30-30 is not an ideal caliber for engaging threats beyond 100-200 yards. Wouldn't you prefer the buffer zone of 400-800 yards? Both .308 or 30-06 are good, but I wouldn't knock a well built AK or Mosin in a rifleman's hands. Is budget for gun or ammo a concern? Prices are clearly inflated, but I would still buy if I didn't have a tool to protect my Liberty and family.

You are quite right, and if you are aware of the threat at that distance a different calibre is called for.

 

[pacelli]

I agree with what others have said. I'll just add this-

In the current environment, the best rifle you can own is one that is (A) on the shelf / in stock and (B) there is ammunition available for you to purchase.

That being said, the next run in the arms market will be bolt action guns. In most areas, there should still be some .243 ammo on the shelves.

 

[tod evans]

30/06 if you live on the plains, 45/70 if you live in the woods.

 

[MikeStanart]

Buy a large amount of ammo first. Then buy the rifle.

 

[Aeroneous]

Buy a large amount of ammo first. Then buy the rifle.

Both are kind of useless without the other. Why would it matter what order you bought them in? Plus let's say the OP spends a bunch of time collecting hard to find .223/5.56 ammo... by the time they collected enough the AR-15 might be banned. Or what if the rifle they want is just not in stock? That's not uncommon right now. Then you have a ton of ammo you can't use. This could easily be the case with any other semi automatic rifle.

 

[Icymudpuppy]

The .30-06 is the most versatile round in America. Not only was it the US military's round for the M1 Garand (WWII infantry semi-automatic rifle) and the 1903 Springfield (WWI infantry bolt action rifle), it is still used by many 3rd world military branches making government surplus loads still readily available. it is also a favorite of Big-Game hunters and can take down any animal found wild on this continent including Moose, Bison, Polar Bear, and Musk-Ox. The round is found in many variations depending on your intended use. So specialty loads for big-game as mentioned, medium game such as deer and pronghorn, and small game such as Coyotes and Groundhogs are available in both factory and handloads. It is great for sniping and can accurately reach ranges of 1200 meters by a trained marksman using a quality firearm and long-range ammo.

For all around versatility and availability, you cannot beat the .30-06.

 

[pcosmar]

Depends on a number of factors,, your local terrain being one.
Open country,, or wooded/jungle.
Defense or hunting. A scoped long gun is not great for close combat.

And there are a multitude of very fine arms available,, so in any category there are choices.

There are many good or great guns.. there is no "best".

 

[Koz]

The .30-06 is the most versatile round in America. Not only was it the US military's round for the M1 Garand (WWII infantry semi-automatic rifle) and the 1903 Springfield (WWI infantry bolt action rifle), it is still used by many 3rd world military branches making government surplus loads still readily available. it is also a favorite of Big-Game hunters and can take down any animal found wild on this continent including Moose, Bison, Polar Bear, and Musk-Ox. The round is found in many variations depending on your intended use. So specialty loads for big-game as mentioned, medium game such as deer and pronghorn, and small game such as Coyotes and Groundhogs are available in both factory and handloads. It is great for sniping and can accurately reach ranges of 1200 meters by a trained marksman using a quality firearm and long-range ammo.

For all around versatility and availability, you cannot beat the .30-06.

Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner. I couldn't agree more. .30-06 is the most versatile rifle in N. America. More people in Alaska use this caliber than any other rifle and they have brown bears there. That caliber has taken more deer than probably all others combined. If you are only going to own one rifle for everything this is the one you want. You can get it bolt action or semi-auto.

 

[ClydeCoulter]

Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner. I couldn't agree more. .30-06 is the most versatile rifle in N. America. More people in Alaska use this caliber than any other rifle and they have brown bears there. That caliber has taken more deer than probably all others combined. If you are only going to own one rifle for everything this is the one you want. You can get it bolt action or semi-auto.

Lever action is cool too

 

[tod evans]

Lever action is cool too

Looks a lot like the ol' 94's with just a tad more wallop..

 

[oyarde]

Looks like everything has been covered.

 

[erowe1]

When you talk about self-defense, something to use against someone breaking into your home would ideally be more powerful than a .22 but less powerful than some of the others mentioned. If you live in a populated area a .308 could shoot through your house and into your neighbor's. This is part of why a lot of people like shotguns for home defense. .223's are another possibility (as in the dreaded assault rifles that no one could possibly have any legitimate use for), or pistol caliber carbines. Those last options wouldn't be appropriate for large game, though.

 

[Icymudpuppy]

When you talk about self-defense, something to use against someone breaking into your home would ideally be more powerful than a .22 but less powerful than some of the others mentioned. If you live in a populated area a .308 could shoot through your house and into your neighbor's. This is part of why a lot of people like shotguns for home defense. .223's are another possibility (as in the dreaded assault rifles that no one could possibly have any legitimate use for), or pistol caliber carbines. Those last options wouldn't be appropriate for large game, though.

Load has more to do with it than caliber. A Full Metal Jacket NATO load .223 will go through multiple walls. A lead exposed hollow point .30-06 varmint (groundhog) load will not.

 

[TheGrinch]

Yep, 30-06 is definitely the best all around caliber, but if you don't need it for anything bigger than deer, then I want a .270 really bad when my tax return comes in. The small tradeoff in stopping power is made up for by supreme accuracy, and a favorite of professional shooters.