New shooter looking for rifle recommendations...

Grendel2001 said:

You've really piqued my interest with those Savage Mk II's! Specifically, the FV-SR may be just the ticket. Cheap ($235), has the accused-trigger, simple and presumably pretty durable with the synthetic stock and bolt action. I was looking at the Vortex Crossfire II 4-12x40 as an option. Would that be well suited to squirrel and rabbit?

Thanks for the suggestion!

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I think you'd be happy with that combo. Mine is the Mark II FV (heavy barrel, non-threaded) and I have a 4.5-14x42 Mueller APV on mine. I've thought about upgrading to something a little nicer, but even if I did I'd stay in that same magnification range. I find it to be a nice general purpose setup. I also dropped mine in a Boyd's laminate stock, it originally came with the standard cheap polymer one.

I've wrung a .6 MOA or so 3 shot group out of it, which I'm more than happy with.

redneck2 said:

. Any higher velocity small caliber will destroy too much meat if you’re hunting for food. .

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Only if you shoot 'em in the meat.

jmr40 said:

At the moment the only ammo that is in good supply is 12 ga., 22, 9mm, 223, and 308. Concentrate on guns that shoot that ammo and stock up. That is where I'd spend my money at this time.

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And .350 Legend for some reason. It was on the shelves around here all deer season (and NY is not a straight-wall-only state) and I routinely see it for sale online. Otherwise agree with the rest of your post. If I didn't already have rifles and stockpiles of ammo and reloading components, I would focus on exactly the chamberings you list.

Grendel2001 said:

I do worry a bit about the synthetic stock. I have no idea how good or bad that particular one might be but I know I REALLY don't like feeling significant flex in a synthetic stock and I absolutely hated the one on a Axis II I checked out a month or two ago. I would assume this one might be similar to that.

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Exactly how much stock-flexing recoil are you expecting out of .22LR? The "flexible" stock on my Axis II in .25-06 doesn't prevent it from shooting moa groups despite the 50x greater recoil than a .22LR.

Grendel2001 said:

Have you had any issues with rust? It seems a number of folks have noted that Savage's more affordable rifles can be prone to it?

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I do believe that my Axis is a bit more rust prone. I found a small rust spot on the barrel. I hadn't hunted in the rain, but I put it in a case after hunting without wiping it down and left it there for a month (or more). I've done that several times with my SS rifles and never had a problem (I realize that this is likely not a fair comparison, but this is why I choose SS whenever possible). I will likely get the Axis cerakoted at some point.

Grendel2001 said:

I do worry a bit about the synthetic stock. I have no idea how good or bad that particular one might be but I know I REALLY don't like feeling significant flex in a synthetic stock and I absolutely hated the one on a Axis II I checked out a month or two ago. I would assume this one might be similar to that.

The other option would be to go with their Mark II BV. I found some ~$350 and it is a bit different (weaver base instead of picatinny rail, and the barrel is 21.5" not 16.5") but it comes with a laminate stock. I'm not sure of the relative merits of Picatinny vs weaver, but if the synthetic stock is ok on the FV-SR I like the fact that it's a light weight setup and quite affordable. I could use the savings on that model to get it cerakoted and not have to worry about rust or durability issues. Have you had any issues with rust? It seems a number of folks have noted that Savage's more affordable rifles can be prone to it?

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Re: rust, I had one spot just forward of the scope where I got some surface rust at one point. Don't know what caused it, but I removed it and have been judicious with RemOil for a protective coat since and haven't had any issues. You can still see some slight discoloration in that spot if you REALLY look, but it's not a safe queen so it is what it is for me.

With the BV, you'd basically be getting the rifle I have as the B in the model signifies a Boyds laminate stock. I haven't had any issues with the Weaver mounts as far as scope mounting. I did have to send mine back to Savage initially due to a mount screw being cross threaded and stripping when I removed it. Savage was great about getting it fixed and sent back, though.

On centerfire rifles I prefer picatinny for more freedom on location and spacing, but with a 22 that's less of a concern as they are generally not spaced as far apart. I also think the longer barrel of the BV is preferable for the extra velocity.

Grendel2001 said:

Thanks everyone for weighing in!

I'm still not sure which way I'll go but I'm sorta leaning toward a Ruger 10/22 of some variety with a good optic (3-9 maybe? 4-12?).

17HMR seems a step up but it seems folks think it still has real issues in wind. 17WSM seems interesting but I have reservations about most of the rifles I've found in the "affordable" range. The non-LR 22 options have the same issues with affordability/availability/reliability over time (I was reading about blow outs with 22WSM rifles relating to brass issues - no thanks!).

Is the standard 10/22 the best price/performance option for accuracy and durability in the 10/22 family? I'm not sure how I feel about the potential accuracy of the Breakdown model and some of the higher end models get pretty pricey. Are they much more accurate?

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Key word is accurate!

Most stock out-of-the-box unmodified 10/22's are not going to (consistently) headshot a squirrel past 15 yards. And 3-9 is too much scope for 22 at small game range, better is probably 2-7.

I'd suggest a Savage Mark I over the Mark II. Well within budget and less to go wrong.

Same with, say 308. If you want accurate and reliable the suggested Remington 700 and Winchester Model 70 popped up in the thread multiple times for good reason. In early December I went cheap and bought a new Mossberg Patriot in 308 instead, lets just say it's still un-fired (it just came back from factory service).

Two options
1. 357 lever gun where you shoot 38s on small game and heavy 357 charges for medium game. This is a one gun solution.
2. 300bo you shoot small plinking charges at small game and any acceptable round at larger game. One gun solution.
My solution is #1 with matching sidearm. You could in theory do the same in a few calibers but I don't imagine much left of a rabbit with 44 special.

Our real problem isnt Which battle rifle to own, The threats are from Policies by Leftist District Attorneys regarding career thugs.

As for rifles, Texas citizens plus their National Guard will stop the Mexican Army before it gets very far.

OP, you’ve got some nice ARs, a 12 gauge shotgun, and a well made and respected 9mm.

Just my opinion….. a nice 22lr and a bolt action rifle with something like a 3-9 scope (243, 7mm-08, 270, 308, etc) would round out your collection nicely

for hunting, get a bolt gun. if you want to just shoot cans and what not - get a 10/22 or something like that. not that a 10/22 can't be accurate, but - out of the gate I'd put my money on a bolt action. 22LR standard is anecdotally the most accurate, but with modern powders they have zippier higher velocity loads and hollow points, so - it can do a lot. From a pure reliability perspective, any center fire cartridge is better. 22LR, just any basic box of common from any manufacturer, expecting 1 in 100 or 1 in 200 to misfire on the first firing pin hit is normal in my experience. that could really stink in the wrong moment, but - for small game, eh .. popular and been around forever and a day for a lot of reasons.

In 22, I would advise a Ruger 10-22, in 22 LR. The rimfire magnums will do some serious damage to most small game. There are many versions of it and they are all good. For a centerfire rifle, I have had excellent luck with my 2 Ruger American rifles. Those $400 rifles shoot as good (or better) than the sniper rifles I was issued in the mil. Heavy barrel rifles are not ideal for hunting, unless you are able to fire from substantial support and/or in the prone, such as out west. It sounds like the terrain in your area may require more minimalist support and offhand firing- so the lighter the rifle, the better.

I would venture to guess, just based on my stock of ammo, that the three most plentiful cartridges in most US homes these days are .22LR, .223/5.56 and 9mm, 12 gauge. If I were looking for a caliber/cartridge to have for SHTF these would be what I would pick.

Reasons:
1. small cartridges, easy to stock many rounds
2. relatively inexpensive so you can stockpile some when available
3. As stated above these are the most used/popular in my opinion, so, also the most stockpiled, so, the most likely to find
4. Since these are popular, most likely to be able to trade (give or receive)

.22 for small game
.223 with good shot placement for larger game
9mm for SD
and a 12 gauge shotgun for both hunting and SD.

Yes, game animals will likely go pretty quick, and a lot of folks don't know how to preserve the meat once they do take one, so they will also be most wasted. I suspect most armchair SHTF heroes will be shooting domestic animals, cows, chickens, etc since they don't really know how to hunt, and then if they do get lucky and get a deer, they will waste most of the meat.

But hey, you can always stock up on MREs that you can buy from Ebay.

d

As far as the stainless vs blue steel question it depends on how frequently you're outdoors and where you live. Most of the homesteaders in Alaska prefer stainless steel and synthetic stocks because of the harsh climate conditions there. You can probably get by with regular blue steel firearms there but as someone said already you'd better make sure you keep a good coat of oil on them otherwise they'll start having rust issues.

Grendel2001 said:

WHAT I THINK I WANT/NEED
- Something for hunting small game
- Something for hunting large game

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Small game- .22 LR Ruger Charger with a brace and a can, it can do double duty, and is quiet in a time when loud noise can draw unwanted attention. A 10/22 with a can (or full length supressed barrel) would be a decent choice also.

Large game-Though you have this covered with your shotgun, I suggest a crossbow-Again it can serve double duty, and is (fairly) quiet.

Love my Savage A22. Shoots like a dream.

webrx said:

I would venture to guess, just based on my stock of ammo, that the three most plentiful cartridges in most US homes these days are .22LR, .223/5.56 and 9mm, 12 gauge.
d

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Had a couple "relaxers", but pretty sure that's four. Maybe I'm not seeing double but one and a third.

Yeah the 12 gauge was an afterthought.

damn I’m old.

On CCI’s site .17 starts at $20/50 rnds.
Their .22lr is half that.
Yea, popular calibers are the first to fly off the shelf in a panic, that’s why I stock up for lean times.

.17 is a very good, flat shooting cartridge.
.22 comes in more options, including subs & shorts and shotshell.
Really depends on how small ‘small’ game is to you.
You’ll also have a much larger selection of rifles in .22lr.