Another thought for consideration. I USED to have a Ruger Scout rifle chambered in .223. Mounted a Vortex scout scope on it. I never was comfortable with the view from the scope, or the rifle choking on rounds. So much the pity, it was a beautiful gun. Maybe the magazine's fault for being adapted to the smaller cartridge. Anyways, I never felt good with it on the range, much less up close. Make sure your optics match your purpose.
Pops has one of these in 30-06. Handy carbine!
I agree about the unorganized militia. However, the whole theory behind the 2nd Amendment is that the militia is to be as well armed as the regular army. You'll never get to that point without semiautomatic or automatic weapons. The OP's requirement that the gun not be semiautomatic pretty much takes the militia argument off the table. Two further observations:Regardless of whether the word “hunting” is included in the OP requirement, it is certainly within the purview and interest of the unorganized militia of the United States to be able to hit the target of choice at 400yds...that unorganized militia includes every free adult who is of age.
I agree about the unorganized militia. However, the whole theory behind the 2nd Amendment is that the militia is to be as well armed as the regular army. You'll never get to that point without semiautomatic or automatic weapons. The OP's requirement that the gun not be semiautomatic pretty much takes the militia argument off the table. Two further observations:
1. The "constitutional" militia must remain unorganized. Self-organized "militia" groups (such as the ones we've seen in the news lately) run afoul of Presser v. Illinois and lose their constitutional status. So what we're really talking about, as a militia, is an aggregation of individuals.
2. This has little to do with personal defense, as implied in the OP.
I guess so. Theoretically, militia arms, in the constitutional sense, must be comparable to what the army is carrying. (For example, semiautomatic versions of the army's fully automatic ones would pass muster, whereas guns that the army hasn't issued in 50 years would not.) But note that, under the Heller case, militia weapons aren't the only ones that are protected under the 2nd Amendment. A wide variety of weapons, including your bolt-action Mauser, might be suitable for personal self defense (outside the civic defense implied by the Militia Clause). Now, a 400-yard capability might be important for a civic defense, but it certainly isn't for a personal self defense. It's tough trying to sort all this out.So, you're saying that my kar98k and a bandoleer of clipped fmj doesn’t qualify as a rifle for the unorganized militia?
Awwww, I was all set to suggest a Springfield M1A, but I guess I'll jump on the Ruger GSR bandwagon. 400 yards means I'd be wanting a traditionally mounted scope, though.
View attachment 988006
That rear sight is fantastic. Can I ask who makes it? Did you have to drill/tap for it, or would you use the existing rail mount holes?
I guess so. Theoretically, militia arms, in the constitutional sense, must be comparable to what the army is carrying. (For example, semiautomatic versions of the army's fully automatic ones would pass muster, whereas guns that the army hasn't issued in 50 years would not.) But note that, under the Heller case, militia weapons aren't the only ones that are protected under the 2nd Amendment. A wide variety of weapons, including your bolt-action Mauser, might be suitable for personal self defense (outside the civic defense implied by the Militia Clause). Now, a 400-yard capability might be important for a civic defense, but it certainly isn't for a personal self defense. It's tough trying to sort all this out.
I agree about the unorganized militia. However, the whole theory behind the 2nd Amendment is that the militia is to be as well armed as the regular army. You'll never get to that point without semiautomatic or automatic weapons. The OP's requirement that the gun not be semiautomatic pretty much takes the militia argument off the table.
A 30-30 is not a slouch within its capabilities, but it’s not a 400 yard gun either.Marlin 336. Probably the handiest and fastest action gun I have ever used that’s not a semiauto. People give the 30-30 grief but it’s not a slouch. Next option would be a Remington pump rifle in a light caliber like 223 or 243.
Do you have a source for your interpretation of “acceptable” militia weapons?