Don't know why I went down this road

[Rod WMG]

I ordinarily don't think in these terms and I sure don't intend to get rid of any guns. In spite of that I've been considering which one of my guns would be the do it all/one rifle to keep. Maybe I'm just rying to keep my mind busy.

Anyway, I've tentatively chosen my stainless Guide Gun in .45/70. Cat sneeze loads will work and it can be "spiffed up" some too. Elk would likely be the biggest thing on my agenda these days and it would handle that well. Stainless is self-explanatory for me.

The only thing that bothers me is my eyesight. I have a peep installed on it and it works well. If I needed a scope I'd add that, but I'd sure hate to.

The truth is I'd get bored with one gun, but this is one of the very good ones.

[Hobie]

Every time I needed such a gun I got/kept a .30-30. A .357 Mag rifle would be nearly as good.

[Modoc ED]

This'll stir the pot.

I think you make a good choice. The only limiting factor I see to your choice with iron/tang/receiver sights is range. I'd say you'd be pretty much limited to 200 yards using any of those sights. Not that the rifle/cartridge is limited to 200 yards as far as killing power but rather assured results.

I'd use the same set-up for my .444 Marlin and .30-30s and as with your choice, I'd be limited to the same 200 yards or at least that's as far as I'm comfortable with taking a shot on game -- deer/elk/bear/hog.

For myself, I'd rather have a scoped .30-06 (with back-up iron sights) if I were limited to just one rifle -- hence one round.

EDIT: The only .30-06s I have are bolt action (Savage 110 Scoped; Sporterized Model 1917 Engield with receiver sight) and one Remington Model 760 Pump Action also with receiver sight. The Remington is a first year/first month production model (February 1952) and works flawlessly to this day -- shoots accurately too. I guess this is sacriledge on this Lever Gun Forum but HEY!!! it's what I've got.

[Rod WMG]

I could have chosen a number of rifles/rounds. The '06 Sako has been my favorite rifle for many years, but lost out to the Guide Gun mainly because of the area I would use it in these days, which is mostly dense woods...and because the GG is stainless. A bolt gun has always been my go to, but my thinking has changed some.

[JohndeFresno]

I'm thinking more like this...
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/presi ... 2811625808

It'll keep me pretty busy reloading, however...

[Rod WMG]

Hey, I like it, but my presses are single stage!

[Meeteetse]

It never fails, one of these posts comes up and I go through two weeks of hand-wringing. Oh dear, what would I do, what would I keep or select. . Funny thing is I usually end up with the same choice. . . . .a 30/30, however lately I've been considering that it might be nice in a limited-gun situation to have a handgun that was the same caliber. That may be cheating in a one-gun only scenario, but what the heck. Having said that, my Browning .357 lever and my Marlin .44 mag lever must be considered, especially when paired with same caliber Blackhawk handguns.

Oh Woe is me how will I ever make a decision. . . . .

[rjohns94]

Rod - you will appreciate this. The WWG co-pilot in .457/45-70 I bought from you would be my one gun for the entire country. My NKJ in .357 is perfect for around here where I don't really tangle with black bear. If I was to stay in the North East and have to deal with the bears, perhaps the Marlin 1893 in 30 WCF.

I grab my .357 every morning from its place by my bed/bunk and it goes in the truck with me everywhere. I plan on hunting with it as soon as the Marlin makes meat (I owe it to the Marlin to go hunting since its been in a collection and not used for decades) and I could very well retire all my rifles before I let it go. The co-pilot made meat this summer. I like a rifle/pistol combo and the NKJ '92 in .357 and the S&W 60-3 in the same would be a pretty sweet combo to have to rely on. Glad I have choices though.

[Mdl53]

Thought I'd jump in on this as no one else mentioned it. But....if I were down to 1, I think I'd pick an 1895...preferably in 30-40 but an '06 would probably be a little more practical.

[bogus bill]

I own probley 15 more exspendsive and fancier rifles than this remington pump in 30-06. I inherited it from dad. When I think about it, it is the fastest handeling, good power, light and handiest rifle I own. Dad put a peep on it and it is accurate.

[Bogie35]

Right now, I do own only one rifle.
BUT, it's a Marlin 336 in 35 Remington...and I love it!
I still think a 12 Gauge auto loader is the most all around gun, but I could get a lot of use out of the 35 Rem.

bogie