wanting a new rifle, suggestions?

J

jason41987

New member
hello everyone... im looking to spend some money ive saved on a new rifle, partially from neccessity (hunting) and partially from paranoia (the world seems to be getting worse daily)... so im looking to buy a general purpose rifle, useful for shtf scenarios, survival scenarios, or general outdoor and recreational use...

i used to collect a few, but have had to sell of most due to financial issues (college related stuff). but im still a rather indecisive individual so i was just looking to get feedback and opions as to what you would think the best choice would be to have just one rifle, and since im really open to just about any option, it makes the decision that much harder.. but there is some criteria ive settled on

-id like reliability and accuracy
-preferably a full length stock vs seperate furniture
-would like something with more downrange energy than .223, but most .223 rifles can be converted to 6.5 or 6.8, etc, so ill leave that open
-bolt actions are OK
-semis are OK
-have owned, and learned that i do not like AK or SKS
-delayed blowback, long-stroke gas piston, or bolt action is what id prefer

so.... what are your personal suggestions to match this?
 
You didn't bring up budget, terrain, what you want to hunt, etc all of which will have a huge bearing on suggestions but you could do a lot worse than a lever action in .30-30, .357 or .44 for an public friendly, dual purpose carbine. And of coarse you have many AR options out there but you'll want to watch state regs to make sure you can hunt with them. Platform aside .243, .260 and and 7mm-08 are tops for cartridges IMO.

LK
 
budget id say $1500... depending on the rifle... im looking for one rifle to fill many needs, so a little more cost is ok

as for lever action, i doubt id go with a pistol cartridge.. 357 mag does in fact have 30-30 energy at the muzzle, but due to the poor aerodynamics of the bullet it does lose velocity fast, and drop quicker.. so id like to avoid pistol cartridges unless i was looking for something sub 150 yards
 
With your budget, you could easily get into a very nice used Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 (or Model 94 for that matter).

While they don't have the bells and whistles of the latest rifles, they are rock solid, have real walnut stocks with hand checkering, have real blued steel, controled feeding and are as accurate as any hunting rifle made today.

The common calibres are 243, 308, 270 and 30/06. A few were made in 257 Robers and other calibres, but they are generally locked up in collector's vaults. In any used rifle made in 30/06, check the bore well, as many of these were fired with corrosive military ammo and put away without cleaning.

The standard Pre-64s don't have an ounce of non-ferris metal in them, while the Featherweights have an aluminium trigger guard, floor plate and but plate.

So why consider a used rifle? They not only will provided a few generations of shooting pleasure if cared for properly, but with only a finite number made, they are also a great investment and represent the golden era of American gun making.

Model70s-2800-80.jpg
 
Take your budget and use half of it for the Scope. If not more. The rifle is only half of the equation. A 700 SPS is a good start but top it with at least a Nikon Monarch if not a Zeiss for best results.
 
well, im looking for something for more shtf than hunting/survival... about the only thing id consider used would be an M1 garand, or the M1 carbine, but the carbine is very short range... the bullets have way too much drag... though they do weigh less than an M4 does... ive always preferred rifles with the full wooden stocks vs those without.. they seem to be lighter too, ever compared a 22 inch garands weight against other similar size 30 caliber rifles?.. it weighs less than the FAL, G3, heck.. weighs less than a thompson M1928

one more thing though.. i dont intend to use a scope... i figure if i cant see it with my pretty decent eyesight, i probably shouldnt be shooting at it

but yeah.. i was looking for something more along the lines of a battle rifle first, hunting or survival second and am only considering a bolt action because i do have a very large amount of practice behind them, and can cycle them fairly fast if needed

and to hunter.. i enjoy reloading, but would like to be able to walk into any store and pick up ammo if needed
 
I agree that a lever gun sounds like a good option. Slower than a semi, but faster than a bolt (I know there are folks who can work a bolt like lightning, but that takes a lot of practice). 30-30 is a good caliber, in my opinion. It will let you hunt plenty of tasty critters, and should do nicely for home defense, as well.
If you prefer a bolt, I like the 7mm08 for a "do all" cartridge, but cost can be a factor. If ammo cost and availability are major issues for you, I would recommend .30-06 or .308. Ammo for them can be found pretty much anywhere at reasonable prices.
I don't have much to say on semi-autos, since I have never had one (unless you want to count my .22). I would say you should check your local hunting laws for limitations on what is legal. There may be a limit on magazine capacity, for example, or simply a rule against those "evil black rifles." If they are OK, others here can recommend some nifty calibers for you, but .308 is still my recommendation because of cost and availability of ammo.
Of course, if you plan to reload, limitations based on cost and availability are largely moot. You will also find that many calibers will have greatly expanded versatility if you reload.
 
Also, with a budget of $1500, you could afford to get one bolt as a dedicated hunter and a semi for SHTF, especially if you are not going to put scopes on them. Is there a reason you are limited to only one rifle, or is it just a personal preference?
 
Ever looked much into the Springfield M21 or an M14? Or something of that nature? Might be a hair over price range but i'm sure you could find something fitting. With your criteria that sounds like a winner. I believe they come standard with the peep sight. My girlfriends grandfather won several matches with an M14 with peep sights while in his Advanced Marksmanship Unit in Berlin and California. And .308 Win./7.62 NATO is an all-around go getter. Good luck with your decision. ;)
 
one-rifle is a preference, i will be moving around a lot in the near future and dont want to have to transport a small arsenal, but one rifle..

i might just get a USGI M1 garand barreled action and trigger group, maybe not in pristine condition, but one i could rebuild, refinish, maybe a new barrel with fresh rifling... and ive spent years carving wood for musical instruments, so i could get a block of walnut and hand-carve a replacement stock for it... would give me a project too which is a plus.. or an M1A

other options ive thought about so far was an mini-14 rebarreled to one of the .223 size calibers, like 6.8 spc, or one of the 6.5 options

i also like the old 1903 springfield, and 30-40 kragg rifle, but have also thought about a new remington 700 action in a 1903-esque stock
 
If you will be moving around a lot, I would recommend looking into the laws in the places you will be going, if possible. What is legal where you are now may cause problems in your next locale. When in doubt, tactical style rifles are more likely to be problematic, legally speaking, so you may want to focus your search on things like older Mil-surp stuff. If you are looking for new, a Mini 14 might work for you. Because they have a more traditional rifle style grip, they are exempt from many of the "evil rifle" laws. They are also fairly compact, which would make transporting it a bit easier.
 
i actually prefer the tradition style stocks vs the vertical pistol grip... just feels better, more secure to me... so thats not a problem
 
I am in the camp of buy two rifles, and two rifle hard case.

A Mosin Nagant 91/30 can be had for under $175 buy two span cans of ammo for it. Then add a Dragunov semi auto. Take the scope off if you wish to it has irons on it as well. That would leave you plenty of room in the budget to pay range fees with.
 
I like the ubiquitous .30-30 lever idea. If you're "focused" on just open/iron sights, then you won't miss not having a (decently mounted) scope on a Pre-64 94 Win. Slab sided styling carries in the woods like a dream, and quick to bring up to target. Also feed-as-you-go capability. New-ish Hornady Leverlution ammo extends its effective hunting range out a bit. If you think you might scope some day, I'll allow you could do a lot worse than an older Marlin 336--or a very early 80s (pre safety) Win 94 AE. .30-30 ammo's everywhere. Most underrated round ever IMO, made more versatile yet by the flex-tip Hornady spitzers..

Mini 30 comes to mind as well--basically an "auto .30-30" with the right bullet selection--amongst autos that still have wood furniture. I'd ideally pick a Mini 14 in 6.8 but understand Ruger's discontinued (?)--can always get used but...--but off-the-shelf ammo wouldn't be as easy as the x39.

As excellent as they otherewise are, the M1A/Garand family are real lumps IMO, as your "one gun," but they're obviously a choice with many merits. Between the two I'd pick the M1A for its larger mag cap and reloading/quick changeout configuration (your shtf concern) and .308 chambering.


Bolts? They don't quite effectively address shtf scenarios as well as the others, but a 20"-22" CZ or (discontinued) Remington Mountain Rifle DM in 7mm-08 and detach mag whould be a great all-round choice.
 
Based on the clarifications you have made as far as what you are looking for, and the fact that you prefer a traditional grip to a pistol style grip, I would say go for the mini 14. It comes in .223, so the ammo cost and availability issues are covered. You can get small and large mags, so it has versatility for compliance in different locales. It is fairly compact, and has a reputation for being rugged, so it will be good for travel, and it is well within your stated price range, which will allow you to spend more on ammo. Seems like it addresses all of your criteria, you just have to be prepared for all of the mini 14 haters who will give you crap. :rolleyes:
 
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