Multi-Purpose Rifle

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Dr MoonUnit

New member
I've been in the market for an excellent firearm for multiple purposes. First and foremost it would be a way to provide food. Living in Oklahoma doesn't require anything bigger than a 30-30, in my opinion but I like the option of taking larger game so a bigger caliber is also under consideration. Secondly it would be used for self defense. Not looking for an AR or AK. I understand a bolt action to most people isn't going to be a be-all self defense gun but if i'm in a firefight that requires a semi-auto, I've failed anyways.

I walked in the local gun store to put a used 336W on layaway. It's post 64. But it was gone. I noticed a nice .308 bolt action. A barely used Tula TOZ-122 with a scope on it. Not sure of the maker. They were asking $400. Seemed steep to me. Another firearm I really liked that almost felt out of my price range was the CZ 527 in 7.62. This seems to be my favorite. Love CZ's.

Other firearms are the usual. Stevens 200, Savage Edge, Marlin XS7 or so forth. For a bolt action it will either be 7.62x39 or a .308. Just stuck on those choices. I know, totally different rounds but it's how I am. And in the Lever action the 336 in 30-30 is my choice.
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What would you choose and why?
 
My Marlin 336 in 30-30 is the favorite rifle in my collection and it shoots further and more accurately than I can so it does not limit my use, I do! I cast and reload my own 30-30 bullets so I can load down for plinking or load up for hunting what is available in my area. I would not sell it for any price. If I lived somewhere with much larger game or longer distances I needed to shoot I'd use something else in my closet.
 
Dr MoonUnit said:
Living in Oklahoma doesn't require anything bigger than a 30-30, in my opinion but I like the option of taking larger game so a bigger caliber is also under consideration.
Click to expand...

What about distance? I know for a fact there are lots of places in OK where one can shoot beyond 150 yards.


I guess if those were my only choices I'd take the CZ527. What is the Savage Edge chambered for? If it were going to be my only rifle, I'd rather one chambered for a flatter shooting cartridge.
 
I haven't made up my mind yet. I love the CZ 527 but it's 600 plus.

And those aren't the only Bolt Actions I am considering. Just seeing if others have suggestions.

If not the .308 then a .270.
 
well, in my humble opinion....It sounds like a scout rifle in .308 would be right up your alley. Ruger makes a good one, but spendy. Though a guy could build one his own self for pretty cheap.
 
CZ 550 in 308.
Remington 700 in 308.
TC Venture in 308.
Ruger 77 in 308.
Tikka T3 in 308.
Savage 110 in 308.
Anything in 308.
Not that I'm a fan of the 308, but it will go way above and beyond the 30-30 in performance.
 
A TOZ is Russian made and the ones I have seen were pretty rough.
I'd rather pay more for a free world rifle.

The CZ 527 7.62 is 7.62x39 "AK" and comparable in ballistics to the .30-30.
Nearly.
It does let you plink with cheap surplus ammo with less accuracy but louder bang than a .22.
 
Just a thought, but have you considered a used Savage 99 in say 300 savage?
Handy leveraction [like the 336]. Pointy bullets are okay because of the rotary magazine and ballistics significantly above the 30-30 and getting into the range of the .308. Ammo is still available and easy to reload. There are lot's of them out there on the used market.

Mike J.
 
I have a 527M carbine in 7.62x39mm, the only 527 in that caliber. It is one heck of a rifle, detachable 5 round mags, smooth action, and I love the single set trigger. I and a local gunsmith are kicking around a few ideas to make it even more of an "everything" rifle. :) I can hit a man sized target with no difficulty with handloads at 200 yards, example of my best group at 200 yards below,(I am not a great shot),

527at200yardstarget.jpg


But it is an excellent rifle, and light enough and rugged enough I would be hapy to carry it in the field all day.
 
I hunt, compete, and would not be under-gunned for defense/offense with my M-1A, so that would be my answer to silly what one gun questions.

Similarly, a cheaper option is a K-31. Simple, cheap, mag fed, good caliber, accurate enough to be interesting.

Third, there is always a Garand in my closet.

So, I guess my rule is must start with 3! :) I have ARs, just don't see them being as useful for all around guns.
 
For multipurpose, which in my mind would include small big game and elk size animals, Nothing beats a 30-06. The .308 would do. A 30-30 would not suit my purpose.
Jerry
 
.300 Savage

I agree with michaelcj, I use my Model 99 in .300 Savage on coyotes with 110 grn spitzers and 150's for cougar & deer, with 165's & 180's reserved for elk & black bear in that order, all at 200 yds or less in the woods in western Washington. I reload however, because it's pretty pricey round these parts ($40.00=20 rnds).
I have seen model 99's on gunbroker as low as $350.00. my .02 cents
 
Someone already beat me to the Ruger Scout rifle idea, its SD advantage over some others listed being a shorter (more wieldable) barrel and available 10 rd box mag (and theoretically could accommodate an even higher cap "M1A/M14-type" magazine--not likely available from Ruger, but I wouldn't doubt aftermarket at some point.

A little more "pure" hunting oriented .308 but still reasonably compact would be to find a now discontinued Remington Mt Rifle DM. It also has a modest (but still longer than Ruger Scout) barrel at 22". As the "DM" suggests, it has a detach mag and, while not a 10 rounder, would still be relatively easy to change out in a SD role. I believe the CZ550 and perhaps others listed are detachable mag as well, and in a bolt intended to do double duty as SD, that'd be a requirement IMO.
 
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.308 carbine

Some type of bolt .308 carbine with a compact midrange scope is pretty well near ideal GP.

The "scout rifle" concept is not accepted by all, but a compact, portable .308 bolt, conventionally scoped with something tough and reliable (that means small and mid powered to me 2-7x max) will carry easy, hit hard and far, and ammo will be very common and easy to come buy.

The bolt, even in its push feed varieties, is a reliable and proven mechanism and will with stand all sorts of use, and a fair bit of abuse, and even sheer neglect for a brief while.

A synthetic Savage would be a good start. You could get the barrel bobbed professionally, say 20", and be on your way.
 
There are about a 1000 different platforms better for HD than a bolt gun. Ok, maybe not a 1000 but it's way down the list and I don't care how short of a legal barrel you put on it or where you mount the scope. So if HD is on the menu than look for something alse.

Look hard at the lever actions. .30-30, .357, 44, are all good. Also look hard at a Mini-30 and maybe an SKS (cough, choke, cough). Truth be told a pump shotgun with a couple different barrels is probably your best bet.

LK
 
L_Kilkenny wrote:
" There are about a 1000 different platforms better for HD than a bolt gun. Ok, maybe not a 1000 but it's way down the list and I don't care how short of a legal barrel you put on it or where you mount the scope. So if HD is on the menu than look for something alse. Look hard at the lever actions. .30-30, .357, 44, are all good. Also look hard at a Mini-30 and maybe an SKS (cough, choke, cough). Truth be told a pump shotgun with a couple different barrels is probably your best bet."

LK,you make excellent points. I think the bolts that have been mentioned (including by me) are "IF one insists that a bolt (try to) do double duty." My choice too would be the Mini 30/Mini 14-6.8 or Marlin 336/Win 94, but they're limiting on longer range deer and elk, if that's a criteria. That brings into the equation the AR .308 types (Rem etc) whick kicks this into another zone and IIRC the OP wanted to stay away from ARs (and AKs). Another possibility is the Win 88 lever in.308, which is actually a bolt action with lever actuation. The 88 also has a detach mag. Then there's the Savage 99.
 
Hear what you're sayin GAK but you just can't have all things. A bolt action rifle would be the last gun out of the locker if HD was a concern. Heck, I think I'd rather use my 10/22 or my .22 Bersa and those would be far from first choice. Just too many WAY BETTER OPTIONS than a bolt gun for HD. Basically, you aren't gonna find a gun good for both HD and 300 yard deer/elk. Considering he was originally looking at a .30-30 and the 7.62x39 is on his list of potential cartridges it doesn't appear that the need for a bolt action with a bigger cartridge is a concern.

So yours and mine suggestions of a lever gun or Mini 30 are his best bets. But generally you won't catch me using any rifle for HD.
 
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