Multi purpose rifle

F

Fieldtestornothing

Joined
May 23, 2006
Messages
680
Hey all, figured I would put some idea's out there and see if I can get some advice and feedback.

I am looking for a multi-purpose rifle for a Vehicle/non-Vehicle bug out, hunting, and self defense rifle. I would like to have a something that is light, reliable, fires a cartridge that is hard hitting and common, and is accurate out to 300 yards. I am more interested in a non military rifle. I have several AR's and M1A's that would fit the bill but the disadvantage is that I would want to be capable of breaking down the firearm into a ruck for discret movement, yet have the long range capability at my disposal without looking like a militant. My multi purpose rifle now is a Lever 30/30, which I love and it rides comfortably in my truck all the time ready to deliver the goods in the case of emergency. I have fired it extensively and am comfortable with it. I am most interested in a 'scout' concept type rifle though. I have a williams peep on my lever and it is fast and accurate, but I would like some magnification.

Recently I noticed that Browning released a 81 BLR breakdown Lever in .308 with a optional scout mount. It seems to have all the advatages that I am looking for. Unforunately, I have never owned a Browning. Does anyone have any experience with the BLR rifle in any configeration? Again Reliability and accuracy would be my primary issues.

Thanks all
 
I dont know whats arond that breaks down and is accurate to 300yrds, Why not a marlin 336?, its around 40", not break down, but still a nice rifle.
 
Savage made a take down model 99 for years. They were dropdown dependable and came in .250 ,303 , 30-30 and 300 savage. These havn't been made in years but it shouldn't be to hard to find one . You ould check in at 24 hour campfire they have a savage forum there.
 
When you add 'take-down' to the requirements, you have to start talking about much, much higher price ranges. There really isn't an economical way to get that feature, unless you get some lucky find of an older break-down model rifle and have the heart to bubba it into a scout type rifle.

Since you seem to like leverguns, you should look at Wild West Guns. If you've got the spare cash, they make a very nice breakdown lever action, meant for just such duties.

http://www.wildwestguns.com/CoPilot_And_Guide_Rifles/copilot_and_guide_rifles.html

Beware the sticker shock!
 
kel-tech makes a pretty cool rifle in .223. takes ar mags and has ak type sights, and is fairly inexpensive. i believe under 500.00.

built in bipod, and folds in half for storage. is also pretty light.

my friend has one, it shoots well and is accurate.
 
I've actually seen and shot the Wild West co-pilot linked in the post above. It's a GREAT rifle, but, yeah, wow.
 
Have you thought about a Thompson Encore? Single shot, break down and scope stays. I Believe standard barrels come in up to 300WMag. I have one reciever and 22wmr, .308, .223, 7.62, 12 ga, and 300WM for mine. I can take one gun and a couple of barrels and be ready for just about anything in NA.
 
Pick up a 308 or 30-30 scout. It can do about anything you want. I keep building them for some odd reason. You can't do much worse.
 
Savage 99s are available in .308, which would meet your ammo requirements. They aren't too expensive, either. The buttstock is held on with a long stock screw, so it can be at least somewhat "takedown" for packing. The actual takedown 99s are dear.
 
I have a Browning BLR in .358 WIN. I don't like the trigger pull, very rough. I need to get a gunsmith to do some magic for me. I think it's a fine rifle but they could do better.
 
Fieldtestornothing said:
Does anyone have any experience with the BLR rifle in any configeration? Again Reliability and accuracy would be my primary issues.
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From my experience, reliability and accuracy are synonymous with the Browning name. I have an A-bolt 270, but my buddy has a BLR in 308. It is a beautiful gun, and a great shooter. He has never had any trouble with it. Hard to go wrong with a Browning, IMO.
 
Folks here may feel differently, but I'm going to say this anyway:

I feel that this really does not have anything to do with wilderness and survival, and doesn't belong in this forum. I have nothing against the discussion of firearms, but it should be done in the appropriate forums.

As I understand it, this forum is for the discussion of wilderness skills in short term survival situations, which arise from the pursuit of recreational activities in the wilderness (whether that be hiking, hunting, four wheel driving, mountain biking etc.) One of the reasons I enjoy participating in this W and S forum is that it has this 'recreational' bias, and is not tinged with the violent extremism which is common on other survival forums.

In my opinion we should really do all we can to discourage the kind of delusional extremism which leads people to think they need powerful rifles to defend themselves in some kind of fantasy end-of-the-world scenario. In particular, we should not encourage it on this forum.

J.
 
Introducing a firearm discussion means we're violent and extremist? A firearm is a great survival tool. I have small kits on my two main scout guns. They're for survival, as I don't really hunt unless I would need to eat in an emergency situation. No one is talking about zombie killing, or fantasy. I don't know about you, but my survival kit includes a firearm. Does that make me an extremist?
 
My contribution to the ongoing violent extremism:

I'd get this guy in .308, or maybe .243. It doesn't break-down, but it's not very long overall, very light, and you can't break it. The only downside is that the felt recoil in .308 is significant in such a light rifle.

280L.jpg


Ruger Frontier Rifle in "target gray."
 
jh205 said:
Folks here may feel differently, but I'm going to say this anyway:
In my opinion we should really do all we can to discourage the kind of delusional extremism which leads people to think they need powerful rifles to defend themselves in some kind of fantasy end-of-the-world scenario. In particular, we should not encourage it on this forum.
J.
Click to expand...

After rereading Fieldtestornothing's post, I saw nothing alluding to "delusional extremism" or end-of-world fantasies...his comments were looking for a bug out (i.e. survival/hunting) rifle that didn't look military. I understand your concern, but extemism can swing both ways...try not judging so quickly.

As for my answer, I like the Scout set up. Although my pic has been my M1A Bush, put into a scout format with the forward scope mount. With a 5 rd mag, it works just great as a hunting rifle (although it is a little heavy). If you're looking more for a hunting package, I really like Ruger's new Frontier Rifle, and I read just recently that Savage is going to bring the Scout back. I know Kifaru built a great bolt rifle with take down barrels (plus different caliber offerings)...but that's about as bad as Wild Wests. Finding a break down is going to be difficult without looking into some $$ custom work. Any .30 caliber would work great to put meat on the table and keep larger prey at bay.

ROCK6
 
Robert H said:
Introducing a firearm discussion means we're violent and extremist? A firearm is a great survival tool. I have small kits on my two main scout guns. They're for survival, as I don't really hunt unless I would need to eat in an emergency situation. No one is talking about zombie killing, or fantasy. I don't know about you, but my survival kit includes a firearm. Does that make me an extremist?
Click to expand...

sounds like real world common sense.

people tend to forget the police ETC. are just crime historians.

just wait till the next major storm or worse.

you will be on your own.
 
oh ya like like the 308 cal. in a Remington pump. less jams then an semi. auto.

in survival firearms always look to military calibers.
 
I would go with a bolt action .308 or .30-.06 with a composite stock and rifle sights for durability. You can still add a scope but the sights would be there if needed. Its not a break down, but it suits all your other needs. You could try to find a short model or have a gunsmith alter one for you. Just my .02 cents.
 
jh205 said:
Folks here may feel differently, but I'm going to say this anyway:

I feel that this really does not have anything to do with wilderness and survival, and doesn't belong in this forum. I have nothing against the discussion of firearms, but it should be done in the appropriate forums.

As I understand it, this forum is for the discussion of wilderness skills in short term survival situations, which arise from the pursuit of recreational activities in the wilderness (whether that be hiking, hunting, four wheel driving, mountain biking etc.) One of the reasons I enjoy participating in this W and S forum is that it has this 'recreational' bias, and is not tinged with the violent extremism which is common on other survival forums.

In my opinion we should really do all we can to discourage the kind of delusional extremism which leads people to think they need powerful rifles to defend themselves in some kind of fantasy end-of-the-world scenario. In particular, we should not encourage it on this forum.

J.
Click to expand...

I think it's fun how you say you don't mind firearm discussion, but then equate even the notion of carrying a firearm to being a violent extremist.

A gun is a tool, a person is the weapon. The gun is the best tool available for personal protection and for procuring food. These two possibilities are more than a little important to me in a 'survival' situation.

Your last paragraph is especially interesting. Is the only possible time that you imagine a need for self-defense going to be in an 'end of the world' scenario? That's a neat-o concept. Or would you prefer to use a rifle of diminutive power for self defense, rather than the 'powerful rifle'? Or will you reach into your pack and grab your trusty knife to fight the bear/wildcat/murdering rapist hopped up on meth armed with a shotgun? Is it more of a fantasy to imagine that your Ka-bar offers you more (or equal) protection than a firearm, or to simply be responsible for your own safety and travel armed?
 
The original poster is wanting advice on a rifle to be used for both hunting and self-defence, with the emphasis being on its self defence capabilities. This is a legitimate question for a self defense forum, or a firearms forum, but it has nothing to do with wilderness survival.

In all honesty the last thing this forum needs is discussion of delusional "bug out" scenarios and the kinds of weaponry needed for them. There are plenty of forums on the net for that kind of discussion, and this forum isn't one of them and I'd rather that it stayed that way.
 
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