AusVarmint

I have a .204 stainless/synthetic bolt action... Given 2 people using the 'collection' give me the other 4 centrefire rifles you would put in the gunsafe if you were shooting from bunnies to pigs/goats.....do I/we even need 4 more ??? !!!

mate, if you already have a 204, that will handle all the mentioned game from rabbits to foxes at short to long range (100-300m).
I would say that if your only going to be hunting pigs and goats then you will only need 1 other rifle in a medium game caliber such as 25-06 or 270. Even a 308 would be fine. If you use a good SP bullet of around 100-140gr, that will handle most things. \

I reckon a nice tikka T3 hunter would be a good choice.

cheers.

204- you already have for bunnies
22-250. long range fox
25-06. goat
30-30 or a 45. pig
338 lap. and for whatever moves sitting on a hill far away."deer"

not the perfect choice although i wouldn't mind these Cal's sitting in my safe

all the best
al

.22LR,.204 which you have,6.5x55,338/06 ...............................or a .338wm should have me covered,

Edit..........Actually for what you mentioned I would stop at the 6.5x55........................more than enough.




Regards Chris.

My Pick would be ,

20 PPC..............Bunnies,Foxes and Cats

222 Rem............Because I reckon I will always own 1

220 swift...........Long range everything from Go ats down

25/06,260 Rem...I cannot decide which, one has the advantage of a short action and bigger pills and the other because it is not a pope.

300 Rum........... For one day when I go north with Buff Buster.

Thats five.......... so what about a Rimfire

22lr
20 practical (204 if your buying a factory gun) for varmints
243win for hunting
284win for hunting
12G shotty (I use a 20g but either will do)

Considering the OP is talking about rifles for himself and up to and including pigs and goats I can see some overkill in the replies....
spose you cant kill em any deader than dead.




Regards Chris.

Id have
.22lr
22 Hornet
223
6.8spc
308W
300 WM
Cheers Ron

That's easy - bolt action in .308 / .270 or .30/06 or similar mid bore with a 3-9X40 for open country and spotlighting.

Lever action carbine in .44M or .30/30 with low range variable scope for scrub use.

And a rimfire - either a good .22LR, .22M or of course .17HMR.

A 12g shotgun of some sort is also handy to have.

I'd probably take:

22lr for the bunnies in close - I know it's not a CF but I can't go without one.
204 for the bunnies and foxes at range
223 for a little bit of everything
270
and a 308... might be a bit much, but it if you want to stop something why look elsewhere...

D.

For the game you mentioned, I'd go with the following:

22lr: just because they are so bloody handy, and quiet
204: you have, rabbits and foxes out to 400m
30-06: because no goat or pig will argue. Such a versatile calibre in my opinion, 125gr pills scream out of them for a flat shooting pig and goat rifle. Plus they are samba legal and you can take it up north with confidence if you get the opportunity !

Just my thoughts!

Cheers BB

sorry i didn't read the post properly... for the game you mentioned:

22lr
204 ruger
25-06
300 winchester mag
and a 12g shotty

You cant go wrong with the .25/06 or 6.5x55 both very versatile and excellent on pigs and goats

For what you are after I'd look at two more rifles - and spend the rest on the best glass you can afford.

Rifle 1 - medium hunting rifle. 25/06, 260 Remington, 6.5x55 Swede. Will knock the stuffing out of just about anything in southern Australia (legally or not). Howas, Tikka T3s or a good 2nd hand rifle are the go here in a lightweight configuration.

Rifle 2 - a dedicated range rifle to practice with. For you I'd probably favour a 308 in something with a longish heavy barrel and target oriented stock. For me I'd go with a 6.5x47Lapua or similar. Ruger VT, Remington Varmit/Sendero, Tikka Varmit/Tactical or similar.

Rifles 4 & 5 cannot add to this for your purposes, but instead of buying Redfield or VX1 Leupold scopes, spend the spare $2000 on high quality optics on your medium and target rifles. The medium rifle would look good with a nice 3-12x44 scope from a maker like Zeiss, Meopta, Kahles, Minox (notice the thread of thought?). The range rifle would work nicely with a 6-24 target scope from almost any reputable supplier. This rifle will double as a nice stable varmiting rig for larger varmits.

You must have a 22lr - but the question was about centrefires.

If you must, you could consider a little lever gun in 30/30 or 44Mag.

And before you ask, NO I don't practice what I preach. The cabinet has over 30 in there, with two more on the way. (but only 5 or 6 get regularly used - don't tell the wife)

If i had to choose only a small amount of calibres to cover all types of shooting it would be the following:

Rifle 1 - 20x47 (or another big 20 cal) - varmints up to 1000y with 55gr bergers
Rifle 2 - 270 - everything from roos to deer
Rifle 3 - 375 H&H, RUM ,etc - for everythign else

the funny thing is out of the above i only have a 270 and a 20x47 being built.