I've got rifle fever!

S

Salamander42

Joined
Mar 21, 2007
Messages
945
Yeah, I know this is a knife forum and all, but I love it when talk turns to firearms, and I really value the input I've gotten from folks here before, so here we go again.

I'm fairly new to firearms. . . bought my first, a Ruger 22/45 last spring, followed by a Colt Commander a few months later. Now I'm starting to look at rifles and shotguns. I definitely want both, but I can only afford one right now, and right now I'm drooling over about half a dozen different rifles.

My original thought was that I wanted to get as much out of my first rifle as possible. I wanted to be able to hunt up to deer sized game with it, use it for home/personal defense and ideally have it in a caliber that wouldn't be too expensive to shoot a lot of for target practice and plinking.

First I figured a lever gun in .357/.38 would be just about ideal. .357 would be good for defense at home or out in the woods, and it's legal to hunt whitetail with here in Indiana. .38s would be fun for target shooting/plinking, and I imagine smaller game/varmints.

Then I started to fall in love with older military rifles, like the M1 Garand and SKS. They didn't really seem to fit my needs though, and I started looking at the M1 Carbine (which I really like) and the Ruger Mini 14 (design similar to the M1/M14).

Then I saw a Ruger PC4 (.40S&W carbine) at a local shop. It's not the best all around, but I like the look and feel of it and the price is right (~$430) and it comes with 3 mags which are the same as those used in the Ruger P series hand guns. I think it would be fine for defense and for varmint hunting, and even though it's not legal to hunt with I don't think I'd hesitate to take a shot at a deer with it in a survival situation. I'm seriously thinking about going for it if it's still there tomorrow or Monday, but I know I should probably wait and keep looking for a lever .357.

Finally, the latest thought I've been having is to go for something in a .22. Again, it's not the best all around, but I already have a hand gun in .22 and 1000+ rounds of ammo for it, and realistically I'll probably use the rifle for target shooting and plinking more than anything else anyhow. I've heard it said numerous times that everyone should own a .22 and a shotgun. If I go for something like a Ruger 10/22 then I'll probably also be able to afford a Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 fairly soon.

So, what do you all think? I've pretty much stopped obsessing over the military surplus rifles for now (though I still want one or three) but the lever gun, PC4 (if it's still at the shop) and the .22 are all very attractive options to me. I could afford the .22 or the PC4 right now, but I might have to wait a little while on the lever gun unless I stumble on a used one at a good price.

Thanks in advance for your thoughs and advice!

-Chris
 
Just from what you have said I would personally suggest getting the .22 and a shotgun. After that go ahead and decide on your rifle.

With a .22 and shotgun you can hunt pretty much any north American animal. The .22 covers small game. The shotgun will handle birds and small game with birdshot and can also take large game with slugs. You can increase the range of your slugs by using a rifled choke tube.

As to which rifle you should get, there are tons of choices. I wouldn't say that a long gun in a pistol caliber is really a rifle though. The pistol caliber limits your effective range quite a bit.

Just my thoughts. I could ramble on for quite awhile but I'll try to keep this short.

SDS
 
I think you hit the nail on the head!! :)

Buy a 10/22, get plenty of extra mags for it, preferably STEEL LIPPED mags, I suggest both factory 10 round AND Butler Creek Steel Lips. They'll perform the best for you. Get a few bulk packs of ammo stocked up and you'll be in good shape.

Then the Remington 870 is my next agreement. If you buy a 28" Vent Ribbed Express, you can get a 20" Improved Cylinder with rifle sights for about $140 and look at an extended mag tube for about $40. Then you'd have a good defensive shotgun setup as well as a good setup for using rifled slugs for deer hunting, two uses in one! ;) The longer barrel also has the Rem choke system so you can change chokes for different loads/birds/etc.

With these two long guns, your 22/45 and the Colt Commander you can take care of all but the longest of your shooting needs. When it's time to look at long range calibers, I'd suggest looking at two 'inexpensive' options: 1) NEF single shot rifles in almost any caliber you want or 2) military surplus such as Russian M44's in 7.62x54R, these are equal to a .30-06! ;)

You can't go wrong with a good 10/22 and an 870! If you can find good deals on used ones you might save a few bucks too!

Good luck!
 
Hi,

The most versatile firearm you can own is a pump shotgun. It will do everything you want right now. Home defense, small game hunting, big game hunting, and fun target shooting.

They are generally pretty inexpensive to buy. And ammo while more costly than .22, is still less than center-fire ammo. And like the .22 is available everywhere.

dalee
 
Go get a surplus moisin nagant for $75, and get an inexpensive .22- if possible a gunsmith approved $70 bolt action, but a modern marlin .22LR 925r should be doable for $160 (I have experience with the nagant, do not know the marlin intimately, it's just one I was recently browsing as a 'cheaper than a 10/22' rifle). Blow $100 on ammo and slings n things and are in with 2 for under $350 and can go have fun and hunt. The nagant will NOT give you garuanteed 100 yard head shots on elk, but you can do the job if you pay attention.

I'm not sayin that you can't do what you want with one, but the truth is that big game and small game really DO tend to use different guns for good reason. What you don't need is hi cap semi autos. Save some money getting something simple, even single shots for the .22. For home defense I guess I'd go with a large caliber lever gun if I wanted to hunt in a place where semi-auto wasn't legal. .44mag or 30-30 (or 30-30 improved if you can afford one. That's quite a round)
 
If you're looking at other lever guns - I'd consider a BLR in .308 or a good ol' Marlin 30/30.

Otherwise, a shotgun will cover the most practical bases - as dalee100 already mentioned, and a .22 will provide great entertainment at an even greater cost.

Go with the choice that's calling your name the loudest - it'll be the most fun out of them all and probably the most rewarding too.

Good luck!
 
What some of the other folks said, especially if you are in Indianna, and haven't hunted deer yet.

The .22 of your choice and an 870 would be just fine. You don't need an extended mag, really.

Then..if you want to hunt deer with a rifle...well, almost any .30 cal milsurp will work. Last year I got 3 deer with an old Mauser action, and 3 others with a Mosin-Nagant 7.62x54 M44. But 30-06, or .303 or...8mm will do just fine.

I live in Wisconsin, and recently got my first 30-30....didn't use it at all this season. Got the deer with the Mosin...long shot, and a 30-30 150 gr drops 7.5 inches or so at 200 yards, and something like 26 inches at 300 yards.

Be safe, have fun.
 
I really have no recommendation other than...Marlin’s Newest .45-70: The Model 1895SBL. Its a big bore lever gun that will easily handle deer and Home Defense.

Because I really want one...and if I mention it enough times it'll mean good Karma.

ST_model1895SBL_200903-A.jpg
 
Man, I have a 336 and it's a great all around lever gun in .30-30, but I so want one of those .45-70s in stainless with the 18in. barrel.
 
I suggest a .22 for starters.
I've always had a love for a good old lever gun.
I've got 2 in 357, 1 in 45LC, 3 in 30-30 and 2 in 45-70, original Winny '92 in 38-40 made in 1906 and I can't forget my Norinco lever action 12ga!!!!
I took out 1 of the 45-70s today when we were plinking and the guys loved it!
The lever gun gets my vote as the handiest gun ever made, caliber will be up to you!
 
You said you had looked at the Ruger Mini 14 but want to go up to deer sized game.

Look at the Mini 30 instead. It fires the 7.62x39 cartridge. Ammo in that caliber is not that expensive - if not as cheap as it once was. It has ballistics that are roughly equivalent of the .30-30 which definitely puts it in the deer hunting ballpark.

It is the same cartridge used in the AK47 so it most certainly will work for self-defense purposes.

John
 
Go with the Mosin. I've got several, they are great guns, you can't beat the price, and it seems that at least around me that the supply is thinning. Dunhams sports has them on sale alot (this week included) for around 80 bucks. The 762x54R is some of the cheapest center fire ammo you can get. Even if it's not what you want, still buy one. They won't be around forever. Check the bore and make sure it's in good shape, theres all sorts of great sites with mosin info.
 
cmdionne said:
Go with the Mosin. I've got several, they are great guns, you can't beat the price, and it seems that at least around me that the supply is thinning. Dunhams sports has them on sale alot (this week included) for around 80 bucks. The 762x54R is some of the cheapest center fire ammo you can get. Even if it's not what you want, still buy one. They won't be around forever. Check the bore and make sure it's in good shape, theres all sorts of great sites with mosin info.
Click to expand...

I remember when woolworths back in...1987? 88? had gotten a huge surplus lot of stuff and you could get garands for $69, and m1 carbines for $100. Look at the prices now! I used to find sks rifles all over for $60-$70 used back in 1995, and now? So listen and grab one whether it's near top of your list or not, because it will cost $200 or more after a while.
 
Before buying that PC-4, I would go over to www.thefiringline.com and research opinions on its reliability, accuracy, and durability.

I have a Mini-14 stainless Ranch Rifle. I like it but I think the price is awfully steep these days.

The Mosin is one of the better bargains, both for the rifle and ammo. The 7.62x54R round performs somewhat like a 7.62 NATO (.308), which is plenty good enough to take deer-sized game. Certain versions of the Enfield in .303 also have those factors in their favor.

DancesWithKnives
 
I have a Rossi 92 in .357 magnum. It's the short 16" barreled version. It's a very handy rifle while in the woods and one of my favorite rifles that I own. It recoils much like a .22 when I shoot .38 specials through it. I would not hesitate to shoot a whitetail deer with my Rossi as long as it's 50 yards or less. I would limit myself on range because of the caliber and my skill, or lack thereof, with open sights. (My preferred deer rifle is my Remington 600 in .308) I've also heard that .38 special works quite well for rabbits.

I own four Mosin Nagants, one M38 and three M44's. I think they are a bargain as long as you find a good one. One of my M44's won't shoot worth a darn. I've tried all sorts of different brands of ammo and bullet weights. If you decide to look for a Mosin Nagant make sure you check it's crown. I've found a few with nasty dings on the crown.
 
Plainsman said:
I think you hit the nail on the head!! :)

Buy a 10/22, get plenty of extra mags for it, preferably STEEL LIPPED mags, I suggest both factory 10 round AND Butler Creek Steel Lips. They'll perform the best for you. Get a few bulk packs of ammo stocked up and you'll be in good shape.
Click to expand...

I have a 10/22 with several factory 10 rd. and Butler Creek steel lipped 25 rd. mags. The 10 rounders are more practical, and the 25 rounders are pretty much just for fun.

I'd also like to pick up a used Moss 500 or Rem 870, or even a Norinco 870 clone (I've read surprisingly good things), but I haven't really started serious looking yet.
 
Indiana can only use shotgun, muzzle loader or straight wall handgun rounds for deer hunting.
My choice would be the lever 357, aka cowboy assault rifle..
 
I've got a Marlin .357 and it's a great gun. You couldn't go wrong with a 10/22 and a Remington 870! Both should be readilty available used.
 
Thanks for all of the great advise everyone!

Out of curiosity, are there any other rifles in .22 that anyone would recommend? Something around the same price range as the 10/22? I was checking them out at Gander Mountain today and the only thing I didn't like was that they almost felt TOO light. There was a used one there with a nice heavy bull barrel and a scope that I liked the feel of, but it didn't have iron sights, which I'd like to have. I'm not too picky about action type. . . If the 10/22 is the best or close to the best .22 auto for the money, what would be the equivalent lever action and bolt action .22s?

-Chris
 
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