American Rifle

[Firewall]

I'm considering a new rifle just as a "toy". I don't hunt so enjoyment of shooting is more important to me than power, however I don't want to limit myself to a .22 either (I have one anyways). It won't be shot frequently enough that ammunition price becomes a big deal, and I may even reload eventually. I would however like to stick to fairly common calibers.

So what are your thoughts? What goes right next to the baseball and apple pie?

By the way the blame for this new potential purchase goes to Alexander Rose's book Biography of an American Rifle. Good read if you haven't already or at least the 50% I've made it through is.

My poll options are a little vague, feel free to post specifics

 

[cbrgator]

If you want a "toy" get an AR.

 

[John828]

"Other" sure covers a lot of territory as a poll choice.

 

[shaggy430]

Winchester Model 70 30-06.

This is the most vague poll of all time.

 

[wrs840]

I'd love to have a WWII-era Springfield-Armory Garand, but you can't get much more "American" in a fun and more affordable rifle than a 30-30 lever.

I currently have two Mossberg 464s (not exactly classics yet, but American-made, and look "right" with the straight, non-checkered stock) and I like 'em. It takes about 50 rounds-fed for the feed ramps to wear-in and get them cycling smoothly though...

Les

 

[imacauk]

I voted other. To me an american rifle is a bolt action in a good walnut stock. Lots of blued steel. Probably chambered in .30-06 or .270

 

[Firewall]

I thought it was common practice for someone to choose "Other" then specify what in a reply

 

[gga357]

What about a '92 .357, .44 or .45colt. If you already have a revolver in one of those calibers then then fun will only end when the ammo runs out.

 

[gga357]

If not the lever then +1 on the bolt action, wood, blued, 30-06.

 

[Firewall]

What about a '92 .357, .44 or .45colt. If you already have a revolver in one of those calibers then then fun will only end when the ammo runs out.

That's a good idea, I'm a big fan of one of Uberti's 1866 Yellowboy in .44 magnum. Something about the octagon barrel is appealing to me

 

[R.W.Dale]

I voted AR, a rifle that's well on it's way to filling the niche occupied by the American levergun for the past 140 yrs

 

[Kevin5098]

M1 Garand!

Not sure how an Uberti qualifies as "american as apple pie". With a CMP Garand you get an American Made Icon (even if it was designed by a Canadian). I could see the others meeting the OPs requirements as well as long as they are the original American Made versions. The Garand does it for me since it came from "the greatest generation" in American history.

 

[marsche]

To me, the American Rifle is a 1903 Springfield in 30-06. But, to bring it up to date a Winchester model 70 made before 64 or the current ones made by FNH. The FNH company is not truely American, but, the rifle is made in the USA and it is as good or maybe even better than the pre 64 models - my opinion.

 

[freakshow10mm]

The American rifle to me is the one gun that is used for everything. Hunting, defense, recreation, and work. The rifle will differ between people.

 

[kmrcstintn]

I voted lever action .30-30, but there are others that I like also...

slide action Remington 760 and bolt action Savages

 

[Nugilum]

"American" rifle to me would be the lever action.

The Garands and ARs was/are widely used throughout the world, but a lever action makes me think of the Old West.

 

[Smokin Gator]

The Uberti 66 copies are not made in 44 mag. They are very cool though along with the Win. 73 copies. As far as a fun gun the pistol caliber lever actions are sure that. If you want a magnum you can get either the Winchester/Rossi 92's or Marlin 94 models. They both are made with either round or octogan barrels. I've got two Marlins, a 44 mag and a 44-40. Mark

 

[jfrey]

"American Rifle" = Remington 700 BDL in 30.06 (early model)

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Semi- M1 Grand!!

Bolt- Remington 700 in 30-06, deeply blued barrel and a high grade walnut stock.

Of course I still like my tactikewl '700 in .308.

 

[ChristopherG]

Lever actions bespeak the myth of the American frontier. They are fast and fun to operate. They feel good in the hand and make me feel like a capable rifleman. To me they are the American rifle.

.44-40 or somesuch would probably be the bestest way to stay true to the myth that they convey, but I'll tell you the funnest caliber they come in: .357 magnum. So much fun to shoot it's sure to be a beloved range toy and you'll end up shooting it more than you think, so being able to shoot relatively inexpensive (and easy to reload) ammo will be more of a boon than you expected!

 

[Cosmoline]

I'd say it was the classic long barrel flintlock that evolved from the work of the great Pennsylvania gunsmiths and came to be known by a variety of names and take on a variety of styles. This was the rifle that armed the long hunters and sharpshooters. It won the west before there was a west. It also served as the basic design platform for rifles all the way through to the cartridge era.

 

[Macgille]

I voted for all of them. I own all of them. I shoot all of them. Funny thing though, when I go out to plink at long ranges (400-500 yds.) I take my Mauser k98. go figure.

 

[Tim the student]

American rifles are either 1903's, Garands, 30-30's or AR's.

Of any of those, nothing screams "Bad A$$ American" like a Garand.

 

[Mr_Pale_Horse]

What, no love for the CIWS? Eat depleted Uranium!!!!

 

[Sav .250]

Baseball, apple pie an a Savage 99 in .250 cal. Now, that`s American.