Deerfield vs. Mini30 carbines.

J

Just4Fun

New member
Looking for a dual-purpose rifle. Want something that can be used for hunting (deer - boar) to plinking. Don't really want a 30-30 or 30-06.

What is your opinion on the above rifles?

The Deerfield carbine shoots a 44Mag and the Mini-30 shoots a 7.62X39mm round. Which would be the most versitile for deer or similar size game at fairly close range?

Any other recommendations?
 
I've used both cartriges on southeastern whitetail, both kill well within their range, neither one was terribly accurate with me operating the trigger, but were within "minute of deer" for sub 100 yd shots offhand. Based on trajectory I would opt for the 7.62x39. I am a big fan of the .44 in revolvers but for me it is too short ranged for rifle use (IMHO), also in the deerfield your limited to high velocity ammo and jacketed bullets (lead fouls the gas port). Not being a smart guy, but I would recommend a .243-.30 cal high power rifle for hunting and a .22lr of similar stock, action and safety for plinking. If you can budget it, mount the same scope on both rifles, that way plinking becomes practice. It's difficult to find a rifle that does everything well, they are rather specialized devices. Of course that may be my reason/excuse for buying lots of rifles. Have fun and good luck.
 
consider the SKS

If you decide to go with the the 7.62X39 you may want to consider an SKS instead of a Mini30. Every report I've ever heard of the Mini30 is that it is terribly innaccurate. Good quality high capacity magazines are very difficult to find if that is a concern to you. On the positive side the Mini will probably be easier to scope.

There are plenty of Romanian SKSs out there although you need to be choosy because some of them are a bit rough. I got a very nice one at a show for $130. Remove the bayonet, put it in a quality synthetic stock($30-$100, depending on what you want), add a Lyman receiver sight ($60) and have a trigger job done ($30 at The Machine Shop) and you should beready for anything. I think 2 moa would be reasonable to expect from this setup using quality ammo. There are plenty of scope mounting systems for the SKS but again, you must be choosy. A lot of them are junk.

It's just a thought. The SKS is a highly reliable, very robust rifle. When properly outfitted it should make a fine hunting rifle. I think it's a better and cheaper option than the Mini.

If you want to explore the SKS option further go to http://www.simonov.net
 
Have you considered a Marlin .44 mag lever action? I have the 1894P - it's a great all-around rifle and cheaper than a semi-auto.
 
You may also want to look at the Ruger 77/44 bolt rifle. It's short, light, and a good shooter. It too, is less than a semi auto. BTW, it also uses any 44 Mag bullet, lead, jacketed or otherwise. SamC
 
The Winchester 94 carbine

with a 16" barrel would be a good choice. 9 rounds of .44 Magnum plus one in the chamber. I have one in .357 Magnum and I love it. Would've preferred a .44, but the .357 was on sale at the local shop, and .357 ammo is cheaper than .44 Magnum.
 
thanks for the input guys..

I think I may end up getting both. SKS's are so cheap and fun to shoot I may just pick one up as a project and get another rifle designed for the hunt. Then saga continues..
 
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