Essential long gun collection

[ml1209]

What would say would be good to have?

A pump-action 12 ga
A rifle in .308, either in bolt-action or semi-auto
An AR-15 in 5.56
A .22LR rifle, either in bolt-action, lever-action, or semi-auto


Does that pretty much cover it

[fernando1027]

An ar-15 5.56 ......

[Beiruty]

The term collection starts to have a meaning at 12 items...

[C-dub]

A collection?

Something in 30-06 like a Garand or 1903 Springfield. A lever gun or three in various calibers. Maybe even some kind of black powder rifle.

[MaduroBU]

12 ga, 20 ga, .22, .308. I think that the pattern of each rifle is user dependant.

[cmgee67]

12ga shotgun, 22 LR, AR-15 5.56, and some kind of .30 cal rifle. I am didnt specify on the last because some people will choose different .30 cal rifles. The most common is most likely going to be a .308, 30-06, or 30-30.

[montgomery]

I took the liberty of numbering the list so far, plus my 2 cents takes it to 9, 3 shy of the 12 collection minimum:

1. 12 ga shotgun
2. AR-10 (7.62 or 308 equivalent)
3. AR-15
4. 22LR
5. 30-06
6. 30-30
7. AK-47
8. 338 Lapua
9. 50 BMG

[anygunanywhere]

I took the liberty of numbering the list so far, plus my 2 cents takes it to 9, 3 shy of the 12 collection minimum:

1. 12 ga shotgun
2. AR-10 (7.62 or 308 equivalent)
3. AR-15
4. 22LR
5. 30-06
6. 30-30
7. AK-47
8. 338 Lapua
9. 50 BMG

You need multiple firearms in several calibers like .22LR and 12 ga because. Because need.

[Middle Age Russ]

What you consider essential may or may not be the same as what I consider essential. Even so, a good starting point on an "essential long gun collection" for most gun owners would probably include the following:

Rimfire rifle for plinking, practice, pest control
Shotgun -- 12 ga. pump or semiautomatic for fowl hunting and/or defense
AR-15 in 5.56x45 for defense, training and varmints/game up to medium size
Centerfire Rifle in a heavier caliber for hunting larger game

Remember that 2 is 1 and 1 is none, so each of these should be duplicated to ensure you have what you need when you need it.

YMMV, of course.

[Liberty]

What would say would be good to have?

A pump-action 12 ga
A rifle in .308, either in bolt-action or semi-auto
An AR-15 in 5.56
A .22LR rifle, either in bolt-action, lever-action, or semi-auto


Does that pretty much cover it

I agree with most of the above except I think its a little restrictive.
Big fan of 16 gauge, a little easier on smaller folks. Also I think the action isn't so important. Semi-auto, double Barrel or pump will work for most people.
I like .308 but any full power .30 cal is a good choice. 30-30 30-06 or .308 Nothing wrong with a Lever action either
My personal preference is towards the AR-15, although I believe something like the mini 14 would work well for some people.

[Beiruty]

Long rifle and Shotguns

A) Shotguns:
1) Beretta 678 EELL Diamond Pigeon 12Ga, Go big or Go home
2) Beretta X400 Xtreme 3 1/2 12 Ga Turkey/Waterfowl magnum shotgun
3) Beretta 1309 Tac, protect your nest eggs
4) Vepr 12ga Semi-Auto, bit modified for some 25 rds drum dump.

B) Semi Automatic Rifles:
1) Yugo SKS M59, classic to the bones, minute of meal rifle
2) Polish Tantal AK74-S side folder, a bad boys chopper/mopper
3) SIG M400 Carbine, if you cannot have the M4 get the M400!
4) SIG 556 Patrol, some bulky biceps are required, Tacticool loaded.
5) SIG 522, Trainer for those who needs training. Steel Whacker for the metal matches.
6) Rock River Advanced Hunter and Tactical Rifle 5.56 18" Competition trigger. Do it all, Day/Night Hunting, Gun and Run.


C) Bolt Action Rifles:
1) Beretta, Tikka T3 30-06 SS Lite, Super lite, Super Accurate Super Inexpensive
2) Beretta, Sako A7 243, a true 3-in-hole rifle. That 0.1MOA at 100 yards
3) Steyr Mannlicher SSG04 300WM, medicine for your hasslers from 1200 yards away

D) Single Shot Rifle:
1) H&H Buffalo Rifle in 45-70 dressed in indian leather. Wife thought that it is a true Indian Trophy so I had to have it
2) Gamo Supersonic Quiet 0.17 Air Rifle. Yeah it is called rifle even when it is not considered a firearm.

[Soccerdad1995]

Here's mine. For 3 types of collections.

Essential:
Bolt action hunting rifle (30-06 or .308)
AR-15
Pump action 12 gauge

Nice to have (add the following):
Rimfire rifle (10-22, etc) - move this to the essential list if you have any kids
Lever gun (preferably in 30-30)
AK-47
Hunting rifle in .270 cal

Hey, I've got some extra money and I really like long guns (all above plus the following):
Other MSR's like a Tavor, SCAR, etc., etc.
Long range precision rifle
Home defense shotgun (KSG, DP-12, etc)
Collectable guns (M1 Garand, etc)
More of the guns above in various calibers, etc

[Jusme]

I agree with the OP choice of calibers, as well as the platforms. The "collection" could be expanded, by expanding the platforms. All of the calibers, can be made in most platforms, to expand their effectiveness, in several scenarios. The important thing, is that these calibers/gauges, should be readily available, unless you have a surplus of reloading, supplies.
The only thing I might add, would be long guns, in pistol calibers, i.e. 9mm, 38/357, 45acp/45lc. But the original list is very comprehensive.

[WildBill]

What would say would be good to have?

A pump-action 12 ga
A rifle in .308, either in bolt-action or semi-auto
An AR-15 in 5.56
A .22LR rifle, either in bolt-action, lever-action, or semi-auto


Does that pretty much cover it

Except I would stick with bolt actions for the .308 and 22LR

[Ed4032]

The term collection starts to have a meaning at 12 items...

12 is not a collection. First of all that does nothing toward having several of the same gun because you’ll need one to shoot and one to keep pretty. Then maybe one more because it’s a different caliber. They get lonely.