Rifles... Our favorites
- Thread starter marine6680
- Start date
armoredman
New member
That's a weird thing to say right after my post...
The CZ 527M has never been adopted by any military for any purpose and at an MSRP of less than $750 I doubt it would qualify as an "upscale" rifle. I could be wrong.
Perhaps I misunderstood you?
Mosin-Marauder
New member
What's wrong with military guns?
Major Dave (retired)
New member
Win M70
Short Action Carbine, push feed, in .243.
It is very small and light weight - just perfect for "sneaking and peeking" in the East Texas Piney Woods, where the terrain is hilly, and the understory is thick.
Short Action Carbine, push feed, in .243.
It is very small and light weight - just perfect for "sneaking and peeking" in the East Texas Piney Woods, where the terrain is hilly, and the understory is thick.
Tucker 1371
New member
I'm a huge fan of the M14/M1A in any configuration. I've turned mine into an abomination with a Rogue Juggernaut Stock but I plan to build another one day and keep it classy, all wood and steel.
Bushmaster1313
New member
Favorite rifle?
This is a real hard question because any rifle I didn't really like is no longer one.
However, my DPMS Lite Hunter in .243 Winchester has a lot going for it:
1) Chambered for my favorite rifle cartridge (.243 Win.);
2) New Jersey legal, semi auto, black rifle;
3) The color matches my Leupold 1x4 scope;
4) Official sticker signifying non-assault rifle status.
This is a real hard question because any rifle I didn't really like is no longer one.
However, my DPMS Lite Hunter in .243 Winchester has a lot going for it:
1) Chambered for my favorite rifle cartridge (.243 Win.);
2) New Jersey legal, semi auto, black rifle;
3) The color matches my Leupold 1x4 scope;
4) Official sticker signifying non-assault rifle status.
Pinky Carruthers
New member
FAL
"Guns can be a work of art ..... but a work of art is a liability in the field."
Do keep in mind that those lightweight upland German game rifles with the full-Mannlicher stocks and Shnaubel (not even trying to spell this correctly
) forearms were designed specifically for use in the field. Cape guns could have all the fancy wood and engraving/inlaying in the world on them (and some do 
) and it won't have one whit of impact on how the gun performs on a charging animal.
When a gun becomes too nice or dear to use, that is the liability. And it can come from either cost or sentimental value. For guys willing to drop the coin for a safari hunt (either as a hobby or as a one-time event), going in for a masterpiece of a rifle over a bland field gun is small potatoes in the grand scheme of things. For many, if they manage to bring the gun home as a testament to their adventure, they would probably be reluctant to shoot it again (sentimentality, cost, and all the horrible PTSD flashbacks of tiger attacks, no doubt), so for them, the extra fanciness makes it all the better as a museum piece.
"I am disappointed to read most like military guns and only one classic upscale rifle was mentioned."
As much as we complain and moan about military procurement practices, they do ultimately tend to settle on good designs, that work well, are made well, and stem from solid designs. Add to that that governments have historically been far more willing/able to spend inordinate monies on infantry arms than most civilians, and you can readily see why military rifles are so popular. A K31 may be uglier than a commercial Mannlicher Shoenauer (itself a 'military deisgn'
), but it can likely hang with them in every other category, and probably cost more to produce in the first place.
The 'cheap infantry arm' of which we are acquainted today is actually a fairly recent phenomenon (i.e. 1960's). Prior to that, battle rifles and even submachine guns were cutting edge technology given very high devotion in terms of quality, workmanship, and innovation. It's no coincidence that rifle development has more or less stalled the last 50 years once we learned how to make them cheap but still 'good enough'
TCB
Do keep in mind that those lightweight upland German game rifles with the full-Mannlicher stocks and Shnaubel (not even trying to spell this correctly
) forearms were designed specifically for use in the field. Cape guns could have all the fancy wood and engraving/inlaying in the world on them (and some do ) and it won't have one whit of impact on how the gun performs on a charging animal.When a gun becomes too nice or dear to use, that is the liability. And it can come from either cost or sentimental value. For guys willing to drop the coin for a safari hunt (either as a hobby or as a one-time event), going in for a masterpiece of a rifle over a bland field gun is small potatoes in the grand scheme of things. For many, if they manage to bring the gun home as a testament to their adventure, they would probably be reluctant to shoot it again (sentimentality, cost, and all the horrible PTSD flashbacks of tiger attacks, no doubt
), so for them, the extra fanciness makes it all the better as a museum piece."I am disappointed to read most like military guns and only one classic upscale rifle was mentioned."
As much as we complain and moan about military procurement practices, they do ultimately tend to settle on good designs, that work well, are made well, and stem from solid designs. Add to that that governments have historically been far more willing/able to spend inordinate monies on infantry arms than most civilians, and you can readily see why military rifles are so popular. A K31 may be uglier than a commercial Mannlicher Shoenauer (itself a 'military deisgn'
), but it can likely hang with them in every other category, and probably cost more to produce in the first place.The 'cheap infantry arm' of which we are acquainted today is actually a fairly recent phenomenon (i.e. 1960's). Prior to that, battle rifles and even submachine guns were cutting edge technology given very high devotion in terms of quality, workmanship, and innovation. It's no coincidence that rifle development has more or less stalled the last 50 years once we learned how to make them cheap but still 'good enough'
TCB
johnnydollar
New member
Custom .243 Win. built on a commercial FN Mauser action.
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bamaranger
New member
heirloom
No question, for me, if I had to grab one and lose the others, it would be my Granddad's M88 Win....308. Pap, my Dad, and me have all hunted it, and bamaboy will someday too. There are a ton of memories wrapped up in that old lever rifle.
The M88 is a looker too!, sleek, well balanced, and the old gal will shoot into an inch with 3 rds and go 1.5 for 5, always, with W-W 150 gr Power Points. Its been out in the snow, the rain, hot cold, at least 4 states, and I dunno how many deer its killed, Pap shot a bunch w/ so said my Dad. Only real negative is the trigger is a bit mushy, you cannot get sloppy with your trigger work on that old rifle. I've got the factory box too. Mailed by Montgomery Ward to Paps house in 1956.
I really ought to hunt it a bit this year.
No question, for me, if I had to grab one and lose the others, it would be my Granddad's M88 Win....308. Pap, my Dad, and me have all hunted it, and bamaboy will someday too. There are a ton of memories wrapped up in that old lever rifle.
The M88 is a looker too!, sleek, well balanced, and the old gal will shoot into an inch with 3 rds and go 1.5 for 5, always, with W-W 150 gr Power Points. Its been out in the snow, the rain, hot cold, at least 4 states, and I dunno how many deer its killed, Pap shot a bunch w/ so said my Dad. Only real negative is the trigger is a bit mushy, you cannot get sloppy with your trigger work on that old rifle. I've got the factory box too. Mailed by Montgomery Ward to Paps house in 1956.
I really ought to hunt it a bit this year.
I'm a single shot shooter, my all around favorite is probably a remington rolling block. It is simple, strong, versatile, accurate, but most importantly it is easily one of the most pleasurable to use.
ATM my favorite is an old winchester 1885 Schuetzen rifle in 32-40 win.
John
ATM my favorite is an old winchester 1885 Schuetzen rifle in 32-40 win.
John
Niantician
New member
My Marlin 1894 44mag. It was one of the last made in Ct before both the Company and the state turned to crap.
Unlicensed Dremel
Moderator
People in this thread may want to peruse this fairly recent thread with a lot of pics, if you haven't already - same / similar subject matter:
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=547519
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=547519
Geezerbiker
New member
Sorry no pix but I have 2 favorites and out of a safe full that's hard. It's like being a parent and having a favorite child...
Anyway my favorite bolt gun is a 1909 Argentine Mauser converted to .308 with a FN made barrel and in a Boyds thumb hole saltNpepper laminated stock. It's not done being fitted to the stock yet but it was a great shooter in the old modified military stock and I also plan to Duracoat the barrel and action.
My other favorite is a H&R single shot .45-70. It's light, accurate and fun to shoot. I put a Williams target knob peep on it and I only shoot cast bullet loads from it.
I have about 5 second favorites that are nothing special but good shooting rifles. The most notable is a Win 670 Ranger in '06 with an older Weaver scope. Next is a 94 Win .30-30 with a Redfield peep. Both of these are great shooters.
I don't keep a rifle that isn't good shooting except for my first .22 that is a total piece of crap but my late uncle Chuck gave it to me...
Tony
Anyway my favorite bolt gun is a 1909 Argentine Mauser converted to .308 with a FN made barrel and in a Boyds thumb hole saltNpepper laminated stock. It's not done being fitted to the stock yet but it was a great shooter in the old modified military stock and I also plan to Duracoat the barrel and action.
My other favorite is a H&R single shot .45-70. It's light, accurate and fun to shoot. I put a Williams target knob peep on it and I only shoot cast bullet loads from it.
I have about 5 second favorites that are nothing special but good shooting rifles. The most notable is a Win 670 Ranger in '06 with an older Weaver scope. Next is a 94 Win .30-30 with a Redfield peep. Both of these are great shooters.
I don't keep a rifle that isn't good shooting except for my first .22 that is a total piece of crap but my late uncle Chuck gave it to me...
Tony