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5 Rifles You Should Own To Cover All The Bases
Your rifle can be your best friend, but that doesn’t mean you should have just one. You can have many, and don’t let anybody tell you otherwise!
While certain rifles, such as the AR-15, are incredibly versatile, there is a reason why so many different types of rifles exist. Some are better suited for hunting or long distance shooting or home defense.
Almost any rifle can fill multiple roles with the right accessories. Source
Whether you’re a prepper or simply enjoy various shooting sports and activities, I believe these five types of rifles will ensure you’re covered to handle almost any task at hand.
Understanding Your Goals
It’s always better to have a gun than not, but simply put, certain guns will help you achieve your goal(s) significantly better than others.
If you are looking for a home defense rifle, you’re probably not going to search out a bolt action .22 LR; however, if you’re planning to hunt small game, that bolt action .22 LR may be precisely what you want.
Running with those same scenarios, an AR-15 can be ideal for specific home defense scenarios but would not be the best for hunting small game.
The point is that certain rifles and calibers, for that matter, serve specific purposes better. So understand your needs before buying the first rifle you find.
The Rifles
AR-15
If it came down to you only being able to have one rifle, it should be the AR-15.
It’s ergonomic, easy to use, and accepts a wide variety of high-capacity magazines. Additionally, you can modify and customize them even better to suit your specific needs. The changes can improve your accuracy, distance capabilities, and ability to protect your home and family.
A 14.5-inch barrel is a sweet spot for many, in addition to a 16-inch barrel.
Many of the calibers you can find an AR-15 chambered in can technically be used for hunting, and depending on your chosen round, they can also be decent at shooting longer distances.
And for you preppers out there, if you think you’ll ever find yourself in an actual SHTF scenario, 5.56/.223 ammo and magazines should be one of the easiest to find.
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There’s a reason why the AR-15 is one of the most popular firearms of all time.
Ruger 10/22
I always recommend that every shooter has at least one rifle chambered in .22 LR. Why? It’s simple.
Name a better rifle for teaching a first-time shooter, saving money on ammo, or harvesting small game…I’ll wait. You probably can’t name one!
Although the .22 LR round is not considered a top defensive round, it still can protect you, all while providing a laundry list of other benefits. And what’s arguably the most popular rimfire rifle in the world? The Ruger 10/22.
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You can customize it endlessly! Source
There is a 10/22 model out there to suit anybody’s personal preferences, and they won’t cost you an arm and a leg (typically). They are as reliable as rimfire gets and have a fantastic amount of aftermarket support. From accessories to magazines, you can find anything you can think of for the Ruger 10/22.
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Long Range Hunting Rifle
AR-15s and Ruger 10/22s are great, but if you’re trying to take down medium to large game at several hundred yards, you will want a dedicated long-range hunting rifle.
Often chambered in higher-powered rounds such as .308 Winchester, 6.5 PRC, or .30-06 Springfield, to name a few, these will help ensure you’re able to ethically harvest your target thanks to increased accuracy and stopping power.
A quality scope is a must-have on a long-range rifle.
Many popular hunting rifles are bolt-action and typically offer lower-capacity magazines, so you’ll want to grab a few extra to have loaded and ready to go!
AR-10 Battle Rifle
If you think the AR-15 is great, you’ll love the AR-10! Offering the same aftermarket support and ergonomics but increased stopping power, the AR-10 is the one you’d want if the zombie apocalypse ever winds up happening!
From a quick glance, you may have mistaken it for an AR-15. Source
The main difference between the AR-15 and AR-10 is the caliber(s) they are chambered in. The AR-15 is most commonly chambered in 5.56/.223, while the AR-10 is most commonly chambered in .308 Winchester/7.62×51.
The larger and more powerful rounds result in additional recoil and typically a lower-capacity magazine, but neither factor should deter you completely. AR-10s are ideal for the SHTF scenarios where you never know what you’ll be up against… two-legged or four-legged!
Classic Lever Action Rifle
Almost nothing is as fun as rapid-firing a lever action rifle. Who doesn’t want to bring out that inner cowboy for some fun at the range?!
They aren’t just fun; they are also reliable, configurable, and frequently chambered in some hard-hitting calibers. With training and practice, they are suitable for everything from hunting to competitions to defensive scenarios.
Lever action rifles aren’t so boring after all! Source
With modern technology and innovations at an all-time high, you’ll find a plethora of lever-action rifles that are nothing like your grandfather’s used to be. If you want a tactical setup, you’ll find one quickly. Conversely, if you’re looking for an old-school classic wood-grain rifle, you can easily find those too!
What About Other Firearms?
Yes. Simply yes.
I know we touched solely on rifles in this article, but I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t also stress the importance of other firearm platforms, too! Handguns and shotguns are also fantastic to have in your collection and play their respective critical roles.
Don’t let anyone tell you that you can only have a certain number of firearms! If you feel you need another one, go for it. Whatever you need to feel the most prepared is what you should have.
As always, stay safe, train hard, and have fun.
