The General Purpose Rifle: a New Term for an Old Concept

[Grayfox]

My first thought was the M1A Scout Squad. Just barely makes the weight at 8lbs 8 oz., but might go a tad over with a full mag. I'm also not sure its legal everywhere. Some states are just nuts.
#2 would be a Winchester 94 Trapper in either .44 Mag or .45 Colt. But I don't think I could do 10" @ 300 yards with it.
IDK, I guess the only true all purpose rifle I own would be my old Ruger 77 in .308.

 

[mikep]

Both the link & the article "mentions" the scout rifle concept, but the article isn't about JC's Scout Rifle.

Yes, i’m aware of that. I shot my big mouth off before i read the article.

 

[KillerFord1977]

Here is my GP Rifle

 

[bc22wm]

There are a lot of differing concerns when determining a general purpose rifle, one of which is the owner's geographic and cultural location. For me in the Ozark highlands my Marlin takedown lever gun with 16.25 inch barrel in .30-30 will easily fit the bill as a general purpose rifle.

View attachment 92540

except make mine a Winchester.

 

[Skunkhouse]

Very tough question. I'm learning towards a shotgun

 

[bc22wm]

Very tough question. I'm learning towards a shotgun

The question was rifle, if we are going to add shotguns, NO QUESTION. Still a model 94 but it will be a Stevens instead of Winchester.

Image taken from the web.

 

[Winchester67]

I would say if one is worried about resupply the .308 chambering gets the nod.

 

[Sld1959]

I might choose the Savage 2400 with its .308 barrel over the 12 guage.

 

[Talyn]

I might choose the Savage 2400 with its .308 barrel over the 12 guage.

I have that exact 2400 combo but the 2400 has the rifle barrel under the shotgun barrel. Savage imported them (made by Valmet) from Finland.

The Savage 24 has the rifle barrel over the shotgun.

 

[Sld1959]

I have that exact one, and its very nice .

I have the older 22/410 combo that's whst it learned shooting on. I would not feel terrible if thst was all i had either, its very useful.

 

[Waveslayer]

AK 47 because it will work. No matter what happens to it. Or an AR in any caliber, it checks all the boxes.

 

[The Night Rider]

The only gun on my radar at all is a .38/.357 Lever action.

That's big enough for any animal I'm liable to encounter in Colorado.

 

[Hertervillian]

Ruger Hawkeye Compact 7mm08, 2-7 scoped. Enough readily available ammo on site.

 

[Belt Fed]

A general purpose gun will be different for different folks. what i like others will hate.

 

[Biggfoot44]

A one size fits all rifle makes about as much sense as a GP pistol or shotgun.

A * one size does most everything * centerfire ( non paramilitary) Rifle can undeed be a thing . As can a * one size does most everything * Shotgun .

The Rifle is being discussed in the thread . The shotgun is obvious :

12ga Pump , 28 in bbl . Old school was with Modified choke , new school is threaded for choke tubes .

* One Size Does Most Everyrhing * centerfire handgun is a bit of a stretch , and will require compromise / trade offs .

But the closest will be 4 inch , medium frame , adjustable sight .357 Magnum .

Yeah , you'll have to go old school " dress around the gun " for CCW , but it can be done . But you can't go much smaller and maintain somewhat plausable big game capability , or long range accuraccy .