1st long gun, help?

D

DonP

New member
Hi guys.

I've checked the archives and couldn't find this subject so here goes.

With all the crap going on out there I'm starting to get the growing urge to have a long gun at home. Rather than go out, buy a crappy used military rifle I see in some obscure caliber, then spend twice as much upgrading it, I'm asking for a little help making a good first choice.

I do a lot of pistol and trap shooting (using my old Browning pump field gun, not one of the $8,000 specialty guns for trap). My major long gun experience was with my issued M-16 A1 in 70 - 71 in Vietnam (1st Cav) so that's the gun/round I'm most familiar with. I have also worked with my dad's lever action Winchester and Marlin 30-30 for deer, bear and target work, both very nice guns.

Now that I'm semi-fat and old I like the idea of being able to "reach out and touch" a target from a distance if I ever have to. I'll probably wind up putting a scope on it to compensate for my failing eyesight.

For purely financial reasons I don't want to look at custom H&K's or any other high end rifles. I will probably never use it for hunting. My local stores seem to have a lot of military surplus bolt actions and AK 47 type clones as well as the usual expensive M-16 look alikes. But I'm not experienced enough to tell the difference between a used military dog from a wolf in sheeps clothing at this point and all the M-16 clones look the same to me. But I know a lot of you guys have been regular long gun shooters for years.

I'd appreciate any suggestions you might have on a rifle with readily available, affordable ammo. A semi-auto would be my first choice but a bolt action would be OK if it puts me in a better (reliable, accurate), more affordable rifle category. If there's a book or article I should read too please point it out to me.

I'll probably find a local range (rural Illinois) to sight it in after I do any required work on it and use it for "paper cutting" once a month or so.

Any help or advice is appreciated.

Don P.
 
DonP, I came to the same conclusion as you, only a whole lot earlier. We were in the US Army at about the same time. Because of my familiarity with the M16 I bought a Colt AR15 over twenty years ago. I would still recommend pretty much the same choice. Bushmaster makes excellent guns as do several others. Their has been some silly legislation passed that has increased the value of a "preban" rifle beyond the value of a "post ban" rifle. Cosmetics aside their is no real difference in performance of the less expensive "post ban" rifles except for a flash suppressor. I consider that desireable, but I do not plan on bayonet fights, so the rest doesn't really matter. You could also make do nicely with a SKS. You probably saw plenty of those in Vietnam. A Marlin or Winchester lever gun is also a viable option. I would still recommend an AR15. Probably a Bushmaster. Best. Watch-Six
 
Don,

For a first rifle, I'd consider a bolt action. Unless you have a hankering for a military style, I'd go with either a Remington 700 or a Winchester 70. Both are great guns that can typically be had second hand in excellent condition at very reasonable prices. Lots of choices in caliber to boot. If you want a gun to carry afield, avoid the heavy barrel varmint varieties. If you want a gun to shoot primarily at the range, the heavy barrels will add somewhat to accuracy. Too many variants to list, but an inexpensive starter is the Remington 700 ADL. The BDL version is a classic beauty (nice walnut stock with contrasting forend, nice checkering, and magazine with hinged floorplate) for a bit more money; same basic action though. My preference would be for a short action in .308

If you want a semi-auto military type that is similar to the M-16 you are familiar with, there are a lot of AR-type rifles out there. Not sure what you consider "a distance" for reaching out and touching. The .223 AR-15 variants would be fine out to 400 meters or so and Armalite, Bushmaster, and Colt all make good guns in this class. If you really want accuracy beyond 400 meters, your best option may be Armalite's AR-10 in .308. Or take a look at Springfield Armory's M1A . . . if you're willing to spend two to three times the price of a new Remington 700 ADL.

I'll be interested to watch this thread to see what others contribute . . .
 
Becareful what you call a "crappy used military rifle".

It is difficult to exactly point you in a direction, but here goes. In terms of semi auto less than $1k, you have:

1) AR-15s (your m16 look alikes {go with Bushmaster, Armalite, Colt (expensive) Rock River Arms.) smaller caliber, max range 500-800 meters, sometimes not as reliable, but you should know about that. They can be further broken down into full rifles size (20" or more) or carbine (16").

2) FAL larger caliber, guns are heavier than AR's, but I think better range.

3)AK very reliable, larger caliber than AR's, but not as accurate (some say).

4) (forgot about the) M1/M1A.

5) Commercial sporters (Remington, Browning, etc.) no hi cap mags like the 3 above

For a Bolt action (definitely going to be cheaper than going with a semiauto):

1) Commercial sporters (Remington, Win., etc) Good accuracy and usually much more range than the semi's above. Also more reliable than semi's.

2) Surplus military (Mauser, Enfields, Mosin-Nagants). If in good condition, very accurate, reliable, robust actions. Surplus ammo is very cheap and available. (caution: most are corrosive ammo)

That's the general stuff. I'm sure I missed a lot of stuff, but others will reply as well. I would say that you have to set a more firm price range, and/or a more firm distance to reach out and touch someone to be able to narrow your search.

In my conclusion based on what you wrote, I would get a good bolt action in .270 or larger and get a scope. It still be cheaper than getting a bare AR15. For medium and close range stuff, you have the shot gun and pistol. FWIW.
 
Are you looking more for a bolt action, or a semi-auto? Totally up to you, as there are plenty of recommendations to be made on either side.
 
WHile you are looking at M-16 lookalikes, don't count out the Ruger Mini 14. They can be had for under $500 and are reliable as all heck. IMHO, they are a great battle rifle and they are classified more as a sporting rifle, so they avoid a lot of state restrictions (Kalifornia comes to mind).
 
You already have a "close in" long gun with that Browning shotgun.

Perhaps consider a pump rifle in .243 or so. Maybe that your already familiarity with your pump shotgun, this could be a natural.

I have no current anything re new pump rifles, but I've an old Rem 760 in .30-06 that will certainly lay down some impressive firepower. 4-round magazines (that actually work) & are all but flush mounted.

Take a look if you can ...
 
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