The Steyr scout is a neat rifle, but lacks something in the accuracy department after a couple of rounds (thanks to the very light barrel) and is also very expensive. It is truly a unique rifle, and if you can afford one, why not. (around $2k)
All Purpose Rifle
- Thread starter HoosierQ
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rangerruck
Member
I agree with , have shot, and currently own the cz, the saiga, and the lever 3030, but get the 3030 in winny, not marlin, much heavier, the winny is much more handy.
35 Whelen
Member
I for the most part agree with the 30-30 guys. but, a really, truly all-around practical rifle:
Crater the scope? No, problem. Grab a quarter and remove the scope. The back up sights are pre-zeroed. Like to plink? Cast bullets are almost free and very accurate. (See group on the left) Very light (7 lbs.), and handy (18 1/2" bbl.). Will shoot everything from light cast bullets at pistol velocities to 180 gr. premium bullets with enough powder to down an elk.
Proven itself many times:
These are available by Savage and they're fine rifles too.
35W
Crater the scope? No, problem. Grab a quarter and remove the scope. The back up sights are pre-zeroed. Like to plink? Cast bullets are almost free and very accurate. (See group on the left) Very light (7 lbs.), and handy (18 1/2" bbl.). Will shoot everything from light cast bullets at pistol velocities to 180 gr. premium bullets with enough powder to down an elk.
Proven itself many times:
These are available by Savage and they're fine rifles too.
35W
Funderb
Member
sks with a compact scope on it.
AStone
Member
You're getting lots of good advice in this thread.
I couldn't/wouldn't argue with most recommendations.
Speaking only for myself, it'd be either my Marlin 336 in .30-30
or the 1894C in .357 Mag, depending on the situation.
Either are great for SD. The 336 is better for medium sized game,
but the 1894C is a pound lighter and smaller for foot travel,
and eats the same rnds as my model 65.
I would live happily with either of them.
If not one of those, then a Ruger Frontier in 7mm08 like RBernie's.
I couldn't/wouldn't argue with most recommendations.
Speaking only for myself, it'd be either my Marlin 336 in .30-30
or the 1894C in .357 Mag, depending on the situation.
Either are great for SD. The 336 is better for medium sized game,
but the 1894C is a pound lighter and smaller for foot travel,
and eats the same rnds as my model 65.
I would live happily with either of them.
If not one of those, then a Ruger Frontier in 7mm08 like RBernie's.
alaskanativeson
Member
If you're in an area you have to use pistol ammo in a rifle for it to be legal to hunt with that makes this a lot easier. For all around I'd get a .357 since it will work for everything up to deer and the rounds are cheap enough to practice regularly with.
El Tejon
Member
1. You don't see them unless you go look for them. Last .30-30 I purchased was at a pawn shop for $100. Tons of rifles can be found at the Indy 1500 or other gun shows in the state.
2. Again, for the 1, 238th time on THR, you can hunt with a rifle in Indiana. Which gun shoppe is telling you this fiction? Some fat stool sitter without a clue no doubt.
Both centerfire rifle cartridges and "pistol" caliber carbines usually found in lever actions. I prefer a bolt gun, YMMV.
Remember, it is within your best interest to allow your software to make your hardware decision. It's cool, go to school. Get a class, borrow a rifle if you have to. Find out what is optimal for what you wish to do.
George Hill
Member
http://www.madogre.com/PowerHouse/CZ527Carbine.htm
Another recommendation for the CZ 527 Carbine.
I has become my favorite "Take to the Mountains" gun... even more so than my customized Marlin .30-30.
I've killed coyotes with my Vector Arms AK out to 300 and with the 527 Carbine, just shy of 600 yards. But yes, that was really lobbing it out there, but it did the job.
Another recommendation for the CZ 527 Carbine.
I has become my favorite "Take to the Mountains" gun... even more so than my customized Marlin .30-30.
I've killed coyotes with my Vector Arms AK out to 300 and with the 527 Carbine, just shy of 600 yards. But yes, that was really lobbing it out there, but it did the job.
armoredman
Member
I too, would like to try this CZ 527 7.62x39mm carbine. Sweet looking rifle!
I load this caliber, and it is decent in the Yugo SKS, but there's only so much you can do with an SKS!
Edit to add - would it not be nice to have two of these, one in 7.62x39mm, and one in .223, to take advantage of whichever is the loss leader sale ammo at the time!
I load this caliber, and it is decent in the Yugo SKS, but there's only so much you can do with an SKS!
Edit to add - would it not be nice to have two of these, one in 7.62x39mm, and one in .223, to take advantage of whichever is the loss leader sale ammo at the time!
Last edited:
Monkeybear
Member
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2006
- Messages
- 1,178
armoredman- Just wait until you handle one. Its just about the fastest pointing rifle I have ever held.
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
I would like to have one of the CZs in 6.5 grendel.
jpwilly
Member
Are you apposed to the Mini 30 or SKS in 7.62x39mm or how about a M44 Mosin Nagant in 7.62x54R?
woof
Member
Everybody talks about the cz carbine in x39 but that carbine in .223 is a joy. No you won't hunt deer with it but really there is no all purpose rifle nor should there be. See my post in best .223.
Napoleon_jo
Member
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2008
- Messages
- 2
Just posting to add, if you like your .22 mag, you could look at .243's too
squirrel sniper
Member
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2008
- Messages
- 122
How bout a 7.62x39 AR 15?
rbernie
Contributing Member
They are The Bees Knees, so long as you don't mind being limited to MGW ten-round magazines. This 500lb hog was taken with a 7.62x39 16" AR15 with Sierra 125gr handloads.
A lightweight 6.8SPC AR15 has the same or better ballistics and the advantage of 25rd mags. I'm probably phasing out the use of the 7.62x39 brush carbine in favor of one in 6.8SPC.
Doesn't Ruger make something
called a Ranch Gun or the like? I know I sound really ignorant but I have seen this and the name of this carbine or rifle seems to imply something to toss in your pick-up or sling over your shoulder and be an all around utility gun. Check it out.
called a Ranch Gun or the like? I know I sound really ignorant but I have seen this and the name of this carbine or rifle seems to imply something to toss in your pick-up or sling over your shoulder and be an all around utility gun. Check it out.
So everything from squirrels to hunting deer..... ok...well, i was going to go with a saiga in 223, but now i'm wondering if an M1 carbine might fit the role. Its nice and light, its a cheap round to shoot, they are pretty darn accurate out to 200 yards. You can't scope one easily though...
My options would be saiga, sks, or a carbine.
My options would be saiga, sks, or a carbine.
jpwilly
Member
YUM that pig looks tasty!
james_bond
Member
Yes sir, Mr. moewadle here you go
http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firea...Grey%AE%20Frontier%20Rifle&bct=Yes&type=Rifle
http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firea...Grey%AE%20Frontier%20Rifle&bct=Yes&type=Rifle
35 Whelen
Member
GOON that was (is?) indeed an FR-8. Still in the original stock, albeit quite modified. It's my "if I could only have one rifle, rifle." ANd that's saying alot considering I own close to 20 centerfire rifles.
35W
Hokkmike
Member
Here is mine: (yes - a cut and paste)
The Sako Finnlight
Sako's recently-introduced Finnlight is my favorite of the current Sakos. Light, handy, handsomely proportioned and ideally suited to hunting in the toughest conditions, the receiver, bolt, and barrel's stainless steel construction offers maximum corrosion resistance.
As with all Sako rifles, the stainless steel barrel of the Finnlight is made by cold hammer forging. Rather than being slimmed down to minimum dimensions as with other lightweights, it is made to standard size and then fluted to reduce weight, making for greater rigidity than a light barrel. Except for a short section just ahead of the receiver, the barrel is free-floated.
Three of the four receiver sizes are available in the Finnlight configuration. The medium (size III) action is offered in .243 Win., 7mm-08 Rem. and .308 Win. Barrel length is just over 20 inches and weight (empty, without scope, bases, or rings) is 6 pounds. The long action (size IV) is chambered for the .30-'06 and its offspring (.25-'06 Rem., .270 Win., .280 Rem.) plus the 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser, with a 21 inch barrel and a weight of 6.5 pounds. Two popular magnum cartridges, the 7mm Rem. and .300 Win, are available in the size V action, with 22 1/2 inch barrel and a weight of 7.5 pounds.
And here is my chosen caliber:
In Europe, and especially in Scandinavia, the 6.5x55 cartridge is ever popular. On this side of the pond, what the cartridge lacks in number of fans is made up for by their enthusiasm. It is an efficient cartridge, with light recoil and good ballistic performance. Fired at high velocities without excessive recoil, bullets in the 140 grain range in 6.5 caliber serve up high ballistic coefficients. And though American shooters haven't exactly flocked to the various 6.5s in the past, the .260 Rem., which was initially developed for metallic silhouette shooting, has gained a following with deer hunters who appreciate its fine combination of adequate power and light recoil.
The Finnlight in 6.5x55 has a rifling twist of 1:8 inches. Personally I don't see much need for bullets heavier than 140 grains in this caliber, but for shooters who like the classic long, lean 160 grain round-nose bullets, the quick twist should be adequate to stabilize them. The barrel throat is long enough to accept these bullets and the magazine, designed around the longer .30-'06 family, has plenty of space for the longer OAL of the 160 grain loads.
Top it off with a 2X7 or 3X9 quality scope of your choice and you are ready for groundhogs to moose!
The Sako Finnlight
Sako's recently-introduced Finnlight is my favorite of the current Sakos. Light, handy, handsomely proportioned and ideally suited to hunting in the toughest conditions, the receiver, bolt, and barrel's stainless steel construction offers maximum corrosion resistance.
As with all Sako rifles, the stainless steel barrel of the Finnlight is made by cold hammer forging. Rather than being slimmed down to minimum dimensions as with other lightweights, it is made to standard size and then fluted to reduce weight, making for greater rigidity than a light barrel. Except for a short section just ahead of the receiver, the barrel is free-floated.
Three of the four receiver sizes are available in the Finnlight configuration. The medium (size III) action is offered in .243 Win., 7mm-08 Rem. and .308 Win. Barrel length is just over 20 inches and weight (empty, without scope, bases, or rings) is 6 pounds. The long action (size IV) is chambered for the .30-'06 and its offspring (.25-'06 Rem., .270 Win., .280 Rem.) plus the 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser, with a 21 inch barrel and a weight of 6.5 pounds. Two popular magnum cartridges, the 7mm Rem. and .300 Win, are available in the size V action, with 22 1/2 inch barrel and a weight of 7.5 pounds.
And here is my chosen caliber:
In Europe, and especially in Scandinavia, the 6.5x55 cartridge is ever popular. On this side of the pond, what the cartridge lacks in number of fans is made up for by their enthusiasm. It is an efficient cartridge, with light recoil and good ballistic performance. Fired at high velocities without excessive recoil, bullets in the 140 grain range in 6.5 caliber serve up high ballistic coefficients. And though American shooters haven't exactly flocked to the various 6.5s in the past, the .260 Rem., which was initially developed for metallic silhouette shooting, has gained a following with deer hunters who appreciate its fine combination of adequate power and light recoil.
The Finnlight in 6.5x55 has a rifling twist of 1:8 inches. Personally I don't see much need for bullets heavier than 140 grains in this caliber, but for shooters who like the classic long, lean 160 grain round-nose bullets, the quick twist should be adequate to stabilize them. The barrel throat is long enough to accept these bullets and the magazine, designed around the longer .30-'06 family, has plenty of space for the longer OAL of the 160 grain loads.
Top it off with a 2X7 or 3X9 quality scope of your choice and you are ready for groundhogs to moose!
armoredman
Member
redneckrepairs
Member
- Joined
- May 3, 2005
- Messages
- 1,117
The savage scout works fine for me , I just took a coyote out of my cattle herd yesterday at a little over 400 yards with mine . I have a few rifles but somehow that little scout just jumps in the pickup with me when i head out .
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