Out of these rifles...

which would you choose if you could only have one for the following (in no specific order): target shooting up to 200 yards, plinking, and HD. Majority of plinking will be done with a .22LR, but one of these will be by its side so ammo cost is an issue, but not to a significant degree.

Rifles:
- Yugo/Chineese SKS
- RAA Saiga
- Romanian AK47
- Marlin 336
- Marlin 1894
- Mossberg ATR100
- Hi Point 9mm Carbine

Which would you choose and why?

I have a 336 in 30-30. If you reload you could probably come up with something that's interesting and inspiring shooting targets at 200 yards. Something much more interesting for long distance shooting than the 1894 would be the 1895 45-70 . Except for the Mossberg I'm guessing the other ones on your list would just be spraying lead at 200 yards. Probably for 200 yard shooting I'd go with the 45-70 or the mossberg. and then take may chances with either for HD.

None of the above.

Don

I would definitely go with the Marlin 336, factory chambered in 35 Remington.

I should have noted when I said 200 yards. What I meant was that would be MAX distance and most of the time the targets would be 100 yards and in.

Saiga or Highpoint. Both cheap, the Saiga has the option to be converted to actual AKS looks/function later on if you want.

Marlin 336 35 Rem

Saiga.

Even though over a hundred is pushing it for an 1894 in .357, that gets my vote. Second would the 336, and third would be an SKS but not chinese, yugo's are inexpensive to so I'd look for one of those.

Saiga, in 223, 7623.39, or 308, allthough 308 ammo is going through the roof.
I just shot my 2 saigas today at the range and let a couple of other dudes shoot them as well, poppin fresh with open sites, on 3 inch circles at 100 yds, so easy and so Schweet!!!!

Is the Romanian AK47 worth the extra money when compared to the Saiga? Both in 7.62x39 caliber.

I would get the SKS.

Why? Dunno. Just how I feel right now I guess.

None of the above.

Don

Agreed - 1000%

Why did you guys even bother posting if your not going to tell us what you would use? Maybe we would like to know why you don't like any of the rifles listed.

I'm not trying to be a jerk or anything, just your not really contributing.

Out to 200? The 1894 isn't my top choice, but for home defense and range fun? Heck yes.

No matter what you choose, practice with it. a .22 you shoot a lot is more valuable than a black rifle you never touch.

...target shooting up to 200 yards, plinking, and HD.

The problem is, any of the rifles listed are suitable for plinking, many are suitable for home defense, and none are really suitable for target shooting. Kind of like wanting a car that goes zero to 60 in just a couple seconds, yet gets 35 miles to the gallon. Sometimes what you get when you try to get something that does everything, is something that does nothing particularly well.

Don

20" Saiga in 7.62x39 since you can plink w/ cheap ammo and keep a mag full of Hornady TAP for home defense.

Saiga

Saiga, it will smoke a romanian ak.

my friend matt in cal can shoot 400 yards with his sks with open sights and hit these metal plates id have a hard time doing it with my o6 but i have old eys and am not as good a shot. i think the sks isa good rifle i don't own one but with stripper clips and the price of ammo i think its pretty good set up this is just my own opinion

RAA Saiga.

-- Choice of 7.62x39, .223, or .308

-- Can convert to original configuration fairly easy

-- Can take high-capacity magazines with conversion (or surefire's if you don't)

-- Has scope rail

-- New Chrome-lined barrel

-- Not a parts kit or used surplus rifle.

-- Made in the Izmash Armory-- made the first and original AK

-- Utilizes a battle-proven and highly regarded (for reliability) Kalishnakov gas system.

-- One of the most accurate AK's available

-- I frankly prefer detachable magazines to the SKS stripper clips

-- For SD use, I wouldn't consider a bolt-action (Mossberg ATR100)

-- Personal choice that I like an intermediate calibier over a pistol caliber in long guns in terms of SD (Highpoint)



-- John

SKS.

For a .22 I'd go with the CZ-452. Accurate and has sights that adjust to sling lead that far.

Out of your choices for a centerfire if its just for plinking and HD, SKS.
If you add hunting, Marlin 336 30-30.
If you want to go a little bigger, the older milsurps like Mosins are fun at 200 yards. And they are pretty inexpensive. I used to routinely break clay pigeons with them with open sights.
I'd avoid the AK's and Hi-point. I haven't really ever been able to shoot an AK much past 150 yards and hit anything (except for a VEPR .223) and the Hi-point in 9mm just doesn't quite have the range to shoot that far. The 1894's are fun but are also a little short on range - even the 30-30 is stretched at 200 yards to some extent.
Can't comment on a Saiga but in .223 it might just work. In 7.62x39 you would be sort of lobbing them in a little more.
No comment at all on the Mossberg.

I've always liked the saiga's and for this I'd say one in .223 would do the trick. Ammo isn't as expensive as the .308 version nor is the gun, but it'll still have more range and accuracy than a 7.62x39.

Of the guns listed, Marlin 336 in .30-30. Wouldn't be my first choice for a general purpose rifle, but it's the one I'd select from the options given.

My top two choices are the Marlin leverguns. It's a toss-up.

336 in .30-30... this is IMO, believe it or not, a 200yd rifle. With the addition of a Williams Foolproof with target knobs, it becomes more shootable. With handloads, in lead it's a plinker even if it is the microgroove barrel; just use gas checks. 150gr CoreLokts and handloaded Hornady Interlocks will be good for hunting shots to 200yds and home defense.

1894 in .357mag... I'm not past deer hunting and shooting a deer with it out to 125yds with a handloaded Hornady 180gr HP/XTP. I don't mind trying to hit a target at 200yds (sometimes further if I have a chance) just to see if I can and I'd handload lead for that. HD... it'll do it. Given the target usage, I'd use that same Foolproof with target knobs. Otherwise, I'd just stick a 5D on it and call it good.

None of the above.
This post is almost as useless as this one:

None of the above.

Don

Agreed - 1000%

What is your choice, then? If you can't help, don't post, please.

The Marlin in 357 would be a great plinker, as would the Hi Point, but out to 200 would come up short. A Marlin in 44 mag might get a little closer. All would be great for HD.
The pistol caliber carbines are going to be about the cheapest to shoot, and they are a boatload of fun.

me too, 336

My reasons - I'd choose the 336 because it can do all those things with the right loads, I think it looks great and handles great, it is built like a tank and will be around for generations, and it's like money in the bank - you can always get what you paid or more for it.

I'd suggest an AR-15 type rifle for a general purpose rifle. But, that's only because hunting (presumebaly "deer hunting") is not one of your purposes.

RBH

I should have noted when I said 200 yards. What I meant was that would be MAX distance and most of the time the targets would be 100 yards and in.

Well, if you have a 200yd range, why would most of your target be inside 100yds? I shoot 100yds or less most of the time and it gets boring. If I had 200yds, I'd be seeing just what I could do out to there.

The above said, the 336 in .30-30 will reach 200yds with just regular ammo and stretch it to 300yds with that new LeveRevolution. This idea has deer hunting written all over it. 200yd capability to use on a 75yds-or-less shot.

Quote:
None of the above.
This post is almost as useless as this one:

Quote:
Quote:
None of the above.
Don

Agreed - 1000%
What is your choice, then? If you can't help, don't post, please.

35Rem,

Can't you read? I posted why none of his choices are suited for what he said he wanted the rifle for. It's easy (and cheap) to just give an answer with what is your favorite rifle.

Don

I say SKS: reliable, cheap, accurate. I prefer it to my AK for plinking, and think of them as almost equal for self defense. SHTF is a little different, but few rifles are as good at everything as the SKS.

Saiga 223
Quality in the build. Real value for the price. Plus you can always convert it to AK style later if you want. But the best selling point is you can get a NIB for just a bit more than a used SKS (plus you get to choose the caliber). That's a hard to deal to beat. :D