First Real Rifle

M

Mutatio Nomenis

Moderator
It's Mutatio Nomenis here. I haven't posted in a few months and I'm just saying that I'm alive and prospering. Anyway, I'm about to turn 18 in 16 days and I need some advice.

I sold my AK-103 back in December for about $4200 with a complement of bayonet, cleaning kit, and 1800 rounds of FMJ and 900 rounds of JHP, donating an equal mix of both. In its stead, I got a 20 inch Lupara type shotgun.

I am now looking at getting a real, full-sized battle rifle. I am unable to decide what to get. There are just a few points.

#1: Bolt action preferable.
#2: Ammo must be available and not cashtratingly expensive. I don't plan on plinking very often.
#4: The weapon must be legal for most states.
#5: The caliber must be great enough so that in the event of having to use the rifle aggressively, I will likely not need to apply more than one shot.
#6: Not really an issue on the gun, but I am a comparatively little guy (5'5"), but I'm used to shotguns. Recoil is not an issue short of anti-materiel or anti-armor rifles.
#7: Bayonet; I'm not expecting to need to stab anyone, but 'tis preferable to be prepared for the unlikely fight rather than risk the unpredictable bringing it to you.

Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks.
 
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How about an '03 Springfield. It's a proven battle rifle with an awesome history behind it. It shoots 30-06 (as you probably know) which would give you a great range of factory rounds to choose from depending on whether you were target shooting or hunting.
I have a friend who collects U.S. military rifles and he loves his, though I have not shot it yet.
Or were you looking for something more contemporary?
 
If you wanted something shorter and quicker handling, you may have to go to a semi-auto. Like an M1-A (.308) which would fit all your criteria except bolt action.
But the '03 seems to fit your list.
 
how about one of the many tacticool rifles out there in 308.

savage has 10 model 10s and one modle 110 that fit into this nich

the model 10fcpxp at 9.6 lbs it not to heavy and it comes with rings,base,leupold tactical 3.5-10X40 scope and harris bipod and HS precision stock for for the low price of $2908 or so witch if you look at what all u get thats not bad

or any of the others they have will be a nice piece
 
Take your pick:
Springfield 1903/1903A3
Short, Magazine, Lee-Enfield in any of the egestions
Mauser Gew98, K98k, Vz24, M24/47, etc, etc, etc
Berthier M05, M05/17, M17
Mauser 71, 71/84
Mannlicher-Carcano M1891, M38, etc
Mannlicher M95
Oviedo Mauser 1916
La Coruna Mauser 1943
FR8
FR7
Schmidt Rubin 1891/1911/K31
Mosin-Nagant M91
Do I need to keep going on and on and on and on? You could buy just one of every major bolt action battle rifle from the 20th Century and have a house full of rifles before you knew it. And then you could start buying rifles from the 19th Century . . .
 
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