One rifle to do it all

[K95]

Hi Guys
I have in my possession a new in the box old left handed Sako long Finn bear action ( L161 ). It is my plan to build a custom rifle on this action. I know the cost of this exercise isn’t going to be cheap so I want it to be useable on a wide range of game. Having thought long and hard on this I have come up with the 375 Ruger cartridge.
l know it is some what small on large dangerous game but it is still legal, and it may be a little big for the smaller stuff which will be what it is mainly used on.
I know it is a compromise but it’s the closest compromise I can think of. What do you think of my decision and what other calibers come close to the mythical all rounder. Your opinion would be appreciated.
K 95

 

[John Wasmuth]

.375 Ruger is a fine cartridge.

 

[John Wasmuth]

What cartridge is it at present?

 

[Alaska Luke]

I like my Ruger 375. Remember a things.
1. Too light and it will kick hard.
2. To heavy and you will buy a 30-06 and do 95% of your hunting with it.

 

[Flipper Dude]

I partial to the 375 H&H. Not ‘cause it’s better, I simply like the romance of the ol’ cartridge. If that’s not something that matters to you, the Ruger is a fine cartridge.

 

[Ridge Runner]

One caliber do all?...I believe there are a couple of similar posts already on this topic here on AH you can refer to.

Get the Carmel coated popcorn and other snacks ready and have a good supply of your favorite beverage nearby.

I mean no offense or to be condescending what so ever....but.....your . And it has begun before I can complete my response.

My 2¢.....No such thing as a one gun does all! .... unless you are limiting yourself to specific size animals, a specific location, and plan on using a variety of bullet weights, softs and solids.... (and powders if your reloading).

Medium size critters/varmints to Moose, black bear, gemsbok, wildebeest the one gun would be the 30-06. Bigger animals like eland and the dangerous 7 and grizzlies hands down the 375 preferably H&H.

Smaller critters/varmints like rabbits, squirrels, prairie dog, meerkats, mongoose, etc, up to coyote, jackal, lynx, etc maybe 17 WMR, 22 LR even better any variety in the 22 calibers, or 6mm calibers: 22 mag, 22 hornet, 220 swift, 222, 223, 6mm, 243, etc.

For mountainous or open terrain for longer range shooting probably the .270 or more preferably a 7mm Rem Mag or perhaps a 300 or 338.

Bottom line is depending on what, where, and how you are hunting there is always a better caliber, a better bullet/ cartridge for the job.

As long as you hunt within its limitations and none of the dangerous 7, the only "do all" firearm is a shotgun. The shotgun, and my preference would be 12 or 10 gauge. The shotgun allows for use of various shot sizes for fowl, buckshot and slugs for bigger game.

 

[John Wasmuth]

You can hunt anything on earth with a .375 Ruger or H and H or a 9,3x62. Use the right bullet for the given game. It’s not rocket surgery

 

[Newboomer]

You can hunt anything on earth with a .375 Ruger or H and H or a 9,3x62. Use the right bullet for the given game. It’s not rocket surgery

No question--375HH. Several loads and it's universal.

 

[John Wasmuth]

No question--375HH. Several loads and it's universal.

But will it fit in the receiver he has? I’m not overly familiar with the l61

 

[WAB]

Personally I’d probably lean to the 9.3x62. It will get used more in NA and will get the job done when you’re in Africa.

However, I take serious exception to the title of this post. ONE RIFLE??? Did you forget that you were on AH??? Any more of this and you may have to surrender your membership!

 

[John Wasmuth]

Or turn in your man card……

 

[TucsonFX4]

I would say there is no such thing as one cartridge to do it all.

Besides, there’s no fun in that.

 

[K95]

I’m sorry guys, I must have given the wrong impression. It’s not the only firearm I own. I have a safe full of rifles and a lovely 23 Winchester 12g. All the Weatherby cartridges up to the 340 and 9.3 x 64 Breneke in two Blasers rifles, a R8 and the K95. It’s just my first custom rifle and I didn’t want to build a rifle that wasn’t going to see a fair bit of use and become a safe queen. This would be my go to rifle for Africa and Alaska. 230-250 grs for the longer range and smaller game and a 300 -350 gr for the close up big game variety.

 

[John Wasmuth]

Saul Goodman, .375 Ruger and never look back.

 

[WAB]

I’m sorry guys, I must have given the wrong impression. It’s not the only firearm I own. I have a safe full of rifles and a lovely 23 Winchester 12g. All the Weatherby cartridges up to the 340 and 9.3 x 64 Breneke in two Blasers rifles, a R8 and the K95. It’s just my first custom rifle and I didn’t want to build a rifle that wasn’t going to see a fair bit of use and become a safe queen. This would be my go to rifle for Africa and Alaska. 230-250 grs for the longer range and smaller game and a 300 -350 gr for the close up big game variety.

You’re describing the 9.3x62!

 

[John Wasmuth]

9,3x62 be right fitting and less work

 

[Alaska Luke]

If I were doing it from the ground up here is what I would do. Use a 20 inch barrel to keep it handy. Use a fiberglass stock with a solid bedding job so you never worry about weather. Install solid iron sites for backup. I prefer QD ghost rings if I take the scope off. The iron sites should be of the type that won't get bumped off zero over time (no dove tails). Learn your recoil tolerance and keep it just heavy enough that you can shoot it comfortably. Add a tough 2-10 scope and maybe a backup 1-4 type scope and you are set.

Now after all that... if I had the money for a custom rifle I'd probably invest in an unbreakable Nightforce scope and put it on a stock rifle. Never worry about the scope again

 

[K95]

There seems to be a lot of support for the 9.3x62. That is a great caliber and I had one 30 years ago, took it to Africa on my first Safari there. My hunting buddy uses one on everything from foxes to buffalo. I changed to the 9.3x64 which is the same only more. In fact it does the same as the 375. Both are great Sambar cartridges here in Australia.

 

[K95]

What cartridge is it at present?

At present it is just an idea and a left handed Sako action

 

[Frederik]

Boring to have only one rifle and being a member of AH.

If you get to the chance to hunt DG one day I'm sure there will be money to buy a DG rifle.
The 375 can do it all but its not the best tool for all.

I don't know where you normally hunt or what animals you normally hunt but if I ahd to take one rifle to hunt 90% of all living creatures and could work and will work in emergencies on DG it would be 338 Win Mag.

Big enough to centre punch vital areas from any angle with big antelope/elk/moose/bear/bison.
Flat shooting enough to shoot long range in mountains sheep/ibex/elk/kudu
Hard hitter with 250gr and can be used on DG if need be. Not legal but will work has more energy than the 9.3's

The only place it will not work properly unless you reload is on short shooting distances on small game. Otherwise load heavy and slow.