Probably a Ruger MKII [or Hawkeye] Stainless w/ a good variable power scope in .223 Rem. Reasonably cheap to shoot (especially if you reload), ammo is light (and easy to come by), and with the right bullet (Barnes 'X') it will get the job done up to Mule Deer at reasonable ranges (although I don't recommend it as a “deer rifle”). A Ruger Mini-14/Ranch Rifle would I suppose be okay, but probably not [quite] as accurate. Of course there are the “black rifles,” but they are pretty pricey, and tend to freak out the tourists...
The 6.8mm Rem. SPC would of course be a step up, but ammo would NOT be as easy come by.
For SERIOUS hunting...the 30/06 wins hands down. Squirrels to Elephants (with the right bullets), and you can get ammo ANYWHERE that they sell ammo at all (even Russia, I checked when I was there). There ARE MUCH better squirrel guns, and MUCH better Elephant guns, but the ol' aught-6 will get the job done if you can shoot it well.
Loyal
A real shooter can't choose just one
It all depends on the use. A gun is a tool. Different tools are made for different uses.
When my wife and I started dating, she asked why I needed so many guns. I pointed to my 700 in .30-06 "this is my elk rifle", and to my Winchester Model 41 in .30-30 (Dad's rifle actually. I've been holding it "in trust" for about 20 years) and said "this is my deer rifle". That lead to a short side discussion about the differences between elk and deer. I went on to point out my squirrel rifle, my bird gun/deer gun for heavy brush (870 Express with interchangeable 20" slug barrel and 28" mod choke - if you were going to get just one to meet many needs, this is it), my bear repellant (S&W 629), criminal repellant (Sig 229/40), and my small critter repellant/exterminator (Ruger single six 22 LR/22 WMR).
Since then, the collection has changed some but mostly increased. I have a different primary use for each new acquisition. Sometimes she accepts the explanation as reasonable, sometimes she just rolls her eyes.
This one is to carry when I'm in the field and might run into a meth lab and its owner.
This one is for carrying when I'm wearing a suit.
This one is for business casual.
This one is just in case the economy totally fails and society falls into anarchy.
This one is perfect to teach our daughters to shoot.
That last one is too big for our son, but he's old enough to start learning, so this one is to teach him.
This one isn't really mine (wink, wink), it's for our oldest daughter.
This one's just fun to shoot.
This one I got for you honey. No, really. I was going to surprise you!
Oh, I thought I talked to you about that one. Um, I was going to trade in one of the other ones. I have to see if it works better first. Yeah, in a few weeks. I'll let you know...
A real shooter can't choose just one
> This one isn't really mine (wink, wink), it's for our oldest daughter.
My wife has her dad's S&W Model 36 in her nightstand.
A real shooter can't choose just one
>
> This one isn't really mine (wink, wink), it's for our oldest daughter.
>
MY WIFE IS WISE TO THIS ONE. AFTER THE LAST 3 RIFLE PURCHASES I SAID "THESE ARE FOR THE BOYS". HER RESPONSE "THEY ARE 1 & 3, THEY DON'T NEED AN AK47 YET".
A real shooter can't choose just one
Get them while you can, those who that fear personal responsibility and accountability are now, and will continue to try, to disarm this nation. They have not realized that it is the second amendment that allows all the other rights in the Constitution and it's Amendments to have any meaning. The Constitution is being walked on now, but with and armed citizenry, when they have had enough will demand and enforce a return to the guidance of the documents that created and then made this country great. Don't forger the ammo.
jud
