Favorite for frequent plinking?

[Squeaky Wheel]

Along the lines of the "shooting=therapy" thread in General Discussions, I primarily shoot paper targets (1) for the fun of it, and (2) as a form of stress relief. I'm wanting to have more range time, yet keep my ammo costs reasonable (meaning I plan to start hand loading very soon). I like a certain amount of recoil (rules out 22LR), yet not something that's overly heavy on recoil (.444, 45-70, etc.).

I already have an M-1 Carbine (USGI) and a 1903 Springfield A3, so this will be something other than those 2. Also, I'm looking for something other than M1 Garand and M1A (love these rifles, but they're not for me for this particular purpose -- long story!). My son shoots the M-1 Carbine when he comes with me to the range, so I need another fun rifle for me. I absolutely love my 1903 Springfield, but I don't think it's the best fit for my idea of a range fun gun.

I'm not a fan of black tactical rifles. This is strictly for fun of shooting, often. I'm thinking of something like a Marlin 1894 in .44 magnum (or possibly .45 Colt). What's your fun gun for making holes in paper targets, gives you good range stress relief, yet keeps your hand loading costs reasonable? BTW -- I don't intend to ever do my own bullet casting (either buy cast bullets or jacketed).

My intended use is strictly punching holes in paper targets (no hunting, zombies, etc.). Also, I'm not interested in competition, shooting jackets, and that sort of thing -- strictly pleasure shooting (is there any other kind?) at the range. My range has a 4 seconds between shots rule (which is fine by me), and I'm not interested in rapid fire.

BTW -- I'm not necessarily limiting myself to a certain action type (lever, bolt, semi), although I'm not crazy about the idea of a single-shot rifle. I'm also not keen on the idea of a Mosin because I don't want to deal with the extra cleaning required for corrosive ammo (and the Mosin may have a little too much recoil for my intended use) -- cool rifles though.

Thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts and suggestions.

 

[mainecoon]

A Ruger Mini-14 would be fun. Ammo is not too expensive, at least compared to other centerfire cartridges.

 

[Robert]

What's your fun gun for making holes in paper targets, gives you good range stress relief, yet keeps your hand loading costs reasonable?

My AR does everything from competition to Prairie Dog to just plinking. Cheap to load for or buy ammo, cleaning is simple and easy and it is just plain fun to shoot.

 

[Teachu2]

Get a S&W M&P 15 Sport and paint it whatever colors you want. It's just fun to shoot. I have also avoided "black rifles" for 4 decades - but it's really fun to shoot! Ammo is about as cheap as you'll get in centerfire, and it's extremely fun to shoot!!!

 

[Ranger30-06]

Rifle: An AR-15. Lotsa fast action fun! Down in NC though the M1 Carbine was ridiculously fun for popping cans!

For a pistol, you can't beat a nice heavy 3rd generation S&W. I have a .40, but a 9mm is better on the wallet.


When I plink though, I like to use calibers with uumph to em. I wanna make those cans FLY!!!

 

[almherdfan]

I just hit the range this afternoon with my 10/22, mini-30 and MN 91/30. So, let's split the difference and go with a mini-30. The 7.62x39 is pretty cheap, has some recoil (but nothing compared to the 7.62x54r) and the mini is just so much fun to shot. I have 5rd, 10rd, 20rd and 30rd mags.

 

[Claude Clay]

great question Squeaky W.
besides what i bring for serious work my Trailside with its L&G red-dot
tags along frequently. it fits M41 mags so i can load 100 rounds the nite b4.

M1894 357/38 is fun. if not that, than a Puma 45LC
or a 6.5 x 55 Swede....or K-31

 

[Geno]

When I go to the family farm, I have a 3.5 hour drive each way. As such, I take several rifles for plinking and shooting steel. However, my favorites include my Savage Mark II .22LR for trigger-pull practice, and my M700 Police .308 Win for shooting 3.5" steel targets at 300 yards. Taking the .22LR also allows for barrel cool-down time.

Geno

 

[G.barnes]

You could look at a cmmg dedicated .22 upper for about 350 brand new and any mil spec complete lower. Then if you want to use centerfire cartridges you can get any upper from .223 to 7.62 in a complete upper and would have a cheap fun plinker plus on that can reach down range if you choose to do so.

 

[jaysouth]

Handi-rifle in .357 mag with Bushnell red dot sights.

 

[splattergun]

Marlin model 60 .22 to slow down, think and shoot for 75yd accuracy. Ruger p89 9mm indoors when I get cabin fever. SKS 7.62x39 when SOMEthing's gotta die, even though it's just a paper zombie.
Reloading for stress relief through focus and precise measurement repetition.

 

[JFrame]

My absolutely favorite gun to shoot is a T/C Contender with 14" .22LR super match barrel.

Yes -- I am a weirdo!


.

 

[arizona98tj]

You kept mentioning it had to be fun but fun can be had at a variety of distances. Did you ever mention how far you wanted to shoot?

 

[Sergei Mosin]

Ruled out two of my suggestions - AR and Mosin - right off the bat!

Mosin recoil is no worse than that of an 03-A3, btw.

As you mentioned the Marlin 1894, I'd check out the Henry line. They have lever-action rifles in several centerfire calibers - .357 Magnum would probably be my choice. Better quality than the current Marlins, too.

 

[Squeaky Wheel]

Yes, I forgot to mention the distances that I shoot -- either 50 yards or 100 yards.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

Sounds like an SKS or an older Marlin 1894 in .357 mag would be perfect. If you reload the .357 cartridge is easy and in budget.

 

[Squeaky Wheel]

Nothing against Mosins -- actually, I sort of like them. However, I don't want to deal with corrosive ammo.

 

[LoonWulf]

I load for my mosin, if your going to be reloading any way its a good option. I normally take my Mini-14 for goofing off between the bigger rifles. The Mosin almost always goes along as well. I realy prefer plinking with my .22 pistol tho, hitting things out at 200-250yds isnt much of a challenge with any of my rifles, but with a .22 pistol 100yds can be fun. 300ish is as far as i can stretch out here most of the time and making 2 or 3 hits on a bowling pin free hand for a mag is a real hoot.

 

[LS240]

Funny that as soon as I read the thread title, the words Mosin Nagant popped into my head. I've never had more fun shooting any rifle than I have with my Mosins. It's a shame you're ruling them out right away. The corrosive ammo is really not a big problem. It takes me maybe an extra 5 minutes to clean each rifle after a range trip. And I left one of my Mosins uncleaned for several days after a range trip specifically as a test. I found absolutely no signs of rust, but then again I live in the high western desert and there's very little humidity here. There is commercial ammo in 7.62x54r which is non-corrosive if you're that worried.

As for recoil, forget it. It's a big heavy rifle which soaks up the recoil very well. My very first range trip with a Mosin I shot over 200 rounds through it with the original metal buttplate and nothing more than a t shirt for padding. I had absolutely no discomfort in my shoulder during or after shooting. Mosins are great big pussycats.

 

[Southyness]

Remington 700 in .223, cheap enough, fun, Plentiful ammo that's cheap and 100's of hand loading options

 

[C'Thulhu]

Henry Golden Boy. It's the most accurate gun I've ever shot. I can hit shotgun shells at 50 yards without even really trying.

 

[henschman]

A pistol caliber carbine would definitely be the cheapest to feed and easiest to reload for, and would give you some recoil. Something like a Kel-tec SUB-2000 or a Hi-point carbine in 9mm or .40, or a Marlin 1894 or other lever gun in .38/.357.

If you want a rifle caliber, the next cheapest that you can easily reload for is 5.56. I would get a good AR in whatever configuration suits you. If you don't like black, they make furniture in any other color you could want... and then there is always the good old rattle can. Don't let something as superficial and inconsequential as color dissuade you from buying a great rifle.

Or if you aren't stuck on reloading, the Russian calibers are dirt cheap for range blasting ammo. An AK in 5.45x39 or 7.62x39 would be a great choice. Both of those calibers are dirt cheap right now, especially the 5.45. It is down to pistol ammo cheapness. You CAN reload for them, but there isn't as wide of a selection of brass and bullets as you have for the 5.56 or others.

 

[imsobored]

Im going to get me a zastava pap in 7.62x39
Sent from Samsung Galaxy using tapatalk

 

[Dr. Sandman]

Cleaning a Mosin after corrosive ammo can be done in a matter of minutes. I usually go "black powder protocol" on it and just use soap and water. After you do it twice, you won't be intimidated any more. Plus, cheap ammo is still available. If you don't own one, I'd recommend getting one. It's what I thought of until I read to the end of your post. The Henry in pistol caliber was mentioned earlier, does it kick enough for you? Mine in .357 hardly kicks at all. Many pistol caliber long guns are a little "dissatisfing" to shoot. But if you're going that route, how about a tommy gun?

 

[nathan]

I usually like to bring the Mosin 44 , i like the big boom when shooting beside guys with twinky .223 ARs. That cheap Mosin will take their breath away, hahhhaaa. Mosin is ugly compared to their modern expensive toy but it will shake them up by the mere concussion. Priceless.