Must Have Rifles & Calibers

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You need a Swiss rifle and a Finn Mosin at the very least. Plus a Garand and a Springfield 03 or Eddystone Enfield.

Plus the CZ 452 is an essential rifle.
 
Only a sissy would have a gun collection sans a .577 T-Rex. You need one of those... to be macho and such.
 
You might think about your end objectives. If it's just to own a bunch of random guns, then get what you want. If there's something you like to participate in, then fill those gaps.

For example, I like to hunt and plink/target shoot. I've got a .22, 22 mag, two .223's, 22-250, 25-06, 44WCF, .45LC, 45-70, 45-90, and a 7mm mag (1000 yards). I'm not into milsurps, so the only ones I have are a SKS and 1911. If I were to get another center fire, it would be .204 Ruger since I don't have one. If you're not a varmint hunter, a .204 makes little sense.

FWIW....if you don't reload, I'd get a press and related stuff rather than another gun. I see a lot of guys that have lots of iron but don't use them much. Reloading can change that.
 
The way I see it, rifles fall into the following categories:
Hunting - (small game, short range),
Hunting - (farm pests, long range, and medium sized game)
Hunting - (medium to large game)
Hunting - (large, dangerous game)
Plinking
Self Defense / SHTF scenarios.

I've left out collecting as a purpose, as I'm only addressing the utilitariun side of this.

You have:
Ruger_______10/22______________.22LR (plinking)
Ruger_______Mini -14____________.223 (plinking/SHTF/Defense)
Springfield___M1A Loaded _________7.62/.308 (plinking/SHTF)
Remington___700 CDL____________.30-06 (Hunting-medium to large)
Stag________AR-15 M4___________5.56/.223 (plinking/SHTF/Defense)
Stag________AR-15 M2___________5.56/.223 (plinking/SHTF/Defense)
Marlin_______1894SS____________.44 mag (Hunting-medium to large)

I was looking to add over the next 6 months:
Ruger________Mini -30____________7.62/39 (plinking/SHTF/Defense)
Springfield ____Scout_____________7.62/.308 (plinking/SHTF/Defense)
Winchester____70________________7mm Mag (Hunting-medium to large)
AK__________AK-47______________7.62/39 (plinking/SHTF/Defense)
Remington_____700______________.270, 7m-08 (Hunting-medium to large)
Marlin________1894_____________ .357 mag (Hunting-medium)
AI ___________AW______________.338 Lapua Magnum (target/SHTF)

The 338 Lapua could qualify as a dangerous game gun iff you get it in a configuration you can easily shoot off hand. Also I'm assuming many states will not allow hunting with autoloaders...

So, strictly from a utilitarium side you lack:
Hunting - (small game, short range) -- ie: a manual action (bolt?) 22lr
Hunting - (farm pests, long range, and medium sized game) -- a bolt action in 223 or similar caliber, or you could swap the 270/7mm-08 for a 243 or 25-06
Hunting - (large, dangerous game) -- Bolt action 375 H&H or larger
 
chemist308,

Thank you for filling in the missing pieces. Your understanding of my question is perfect. any manufacturers you would recommend for the calibers(purposes) you suggest?

Also what is the biggest difference betwen the 270 & 243? and could the .243 supplant the .22 bolt?

YES I am into hunting plinking/targeting and would like 1 or 2 rifles for long distance sniping, my reason for the AI AW in .338 Lap. (I've read seen & heard from guys like Zack what they can do and I'd liek to be able to have a 1,000 yard + rifle in the collection).

Thank you again for a great post.
 
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Well do tell, which one would meet your standards?
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I have often thought I might like an M1A, but since I already have an M1, I doubt I'll spring for one anytime soon. Having said that, and knowing I sound somewhat contradictory, I don't much care for semi-auto's. That would eliminate most of the rifles on the list.

I tend to go for lever-action and single-shot rifles. There are two model 94 Marlins on his list, I have one in .41 Magnum, but would trade it in a heart beat for a quality repro 92 Winchester in that caliber.

From the tone of your post, you obviously thought I was slamming the OP, but I was not.

I was simply stating a fact. Different people have different tastes. There isn't anything wrong with his selection, but I say again, there is only one gun on that list that I would even consider buying.
 
Talk about a question that has opened a "Can of Worms"! My response would be "anything that makes you happy" ... that your wife will let you have (if your married) without using it on you! Or, if you don't reload yet, buy half as many firearms and a decent reloading set .... then you can afford to shoot whatever you want!

marlin1888
 
Also what is the biggest difference betwen the 270 & 243?
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27 vs 24 cal. For hunting purposes, one will pretty much do what the other will do within reason. The 243 is flat shooting, fires a lighter round and will absolutely drop a deer. The 270 is flatter shooting than the 30-06, but no 243. My interpretation is this: if you don't have a good 30 cal and hunt groundhog, coyote, and might also go for deer, get the 243. If you don't have a good 30 cal and want to hunt deer and an occasional elk, get the 270. But if you already have a 30-06, why get the 270? Basically, I said 243 or 25-06 to get you a comprimise to the 270 you wanted and still get you a varmit rifle.

...and could the .243 supplant the .22 bolt?
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Never. A rifle that you can use without going deaf, and fires rounds with no recoil whatsoever, yet capable of going through a 2x4 edge-ways--and all that at $10 - $20 per 500 rounds! Such a gun is irreplacable for things like squirrel, pests and variety of other small game.
 
I'd say a 1895 .45-70 (I like the Guide Gun) and an FN FAL would be good additions.

Unless you reload, I'd get a .50 BMG instead of the .338 Lap. Believe it or not, the price of quality ammunition is about the same and with the .50 BMG, you can shoot "cheap" surplus.
 
Savage 12VLP in 223 Rem, 22-250 Rem, or 204 Ruger. Not really meant for the field unless you are stationary. At the range, lookout....
 
You'd asked about brands. Although I'm partial to Ruger, others aren't. My advice is read the reviews and pick a well reviewed model that fits you like a glove. For me that was the M77, but their manufacturing quality has likely changed over 20 years... If you get the Ruger, you can get all of your calibers in the same model--even the style of the 22 is close--which helps you get used to one gun, per say.
 
I would look at the .280 Remington over the .270 if you reload. The advantage other than VERY slight ballistics, is that you can use the same bullets in others 7's like 7-08, 7 mag,7STW,7X57, etc.
 
Why so many mediocre rifles?

You asked for feedback. Here's my take on your collection.

You Own
Ruger_______10/22______________.22LR
--Fun gun, but mediocre accuracy and funky factory trigger. Many owners spend buckets of cash accessorizing these things and still end up with a clunker. I'd dump it and get an Anschutz or a 40x.

Ruger_______Mini -14____________.223
--Mediocre gun. Known reliability problems. Cheap wood and low-grade metal finish. I'd dump it.

Springfield___M1A Loaded _________7.62/.308
--Rip off pricing. Many poor components that need to be replaced. Too heavy, and hard to scope for hunting. It has been completely eclipsed as a high-power competition rifle. The S.A. synthetic stock is junk. Unless you like to "play army", polish this up and sell it.

Remington___700 CDL____________.30-06
--If you have this, why do you need another Rem 700 in a Deer Hunting caliber?

Stag________AR-15 M4___________5.56/.223
--M4forgery? Does it have one of those uncomfortable silly adjustable stocks? How accurate is it? Consider putting a good trigger in the gun, sell the Stag upper, and putting a quality upper with a decent scope on top.

Stag________AR-15 M2___________5.56/.223
--What is it used for? You may want to adapt it for three-gun matches or service rifle. Otherwise, ARs are a pain in the butt to keep clean. Unless you use it for competition or varminting, you might be happier selling it and putting the money into a good custom varmint rifle with a premium barrel and good optics.

Marlin_______1894SS____________.44 mag
--Nice gun. Action will benefit from slicking up. Trigger needs to be tuned. But this, and the Rem 700 are the only real "keepers" in your collection, IMHO.

You plan to Buy
Ruger________Mini -30____________7.62/39
--Mediocre accuracy. Low-grade materials. Poor resale value. Pass.

Springfield ____Scout_____________7.62/.308
--WAY overpriced. Not clear what the purpose of the gun is. Poor accuracy for the price. Many quality issues with Springfield parts. You should replace Op Rod, gas system, and bolt components with GI parts. Pass.

Winchester____70________________7mm Mag
--Look for a used gun. Are you sure you want a controlled feed rifle. Will you be hunting elk or large game? If not, this duplicates your .308 for hunting. Pass.

AK__________AK-47______________7.62/39
--Mediocre accuracy. Crummy trigger. Most of the scope mounts are wobbly. Fun as a blaster. Good as a defense rifle. Everyone would like to have one sooner or later. Just buy a quality version.

Remington_____700______________.270, 7m-08
--Fine choice if you want a deer rifle. But you might be happier with a varmint cartridge. Better yet, buy an ADL and put a custom barrel on it. Part out the factory stock and barrel. OK choice for a deer gun.

Marlin________1894_____________ .357 mag
--What's the purpose? If you are shooting cowboy action, the Uberti 1866 and 1873 clones will run rings around the Marlin. Marlin build quality is inconsistent and the action is very stiff and clunky. Good value compared to the Ubertis though. But resale value is poor. Only buy this if you have to have a lever gun and can't afford more than $400. Purchase? Maybe.

AI ___________AW______________.338 Lapua Magnum
--Excellent rifle, but expensive parts and the stock is very uncomfortable for a lot of people. Ammo is extremely expensive and recoil, even with a muzzle brake, is unpleasant. You'd probably be happier with a Lapua TRG-42 in 300 WM if you want a Sniper Type rifle. But a real AIAW isn't going to get any cheaper. Ask yourself if you're really going to shoot the thing or whether it will be a "safe queen". Pass.

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Why not sell some of the junky stuff and get at least ONE true quality rifle with outstanding accuracy. That should both help you become a better shooter and should provide more satisfaction when you go to the range. If you don't reload for your rifles yet, you should learn how to do so before you think about spending a penny more on long guns.

If I were you I'd look for a used .223 Savage 12BVSS with laminated stock and Accutrigger. Sell off the factory tube, skim bed the action, send it to Fred Moreo to "time and tune" the action and screw on a PacNor prefit barrel. Buy a good Zeiss Conquest or Leupold 6-20x scope. That will deliver half-MOA accuracy (or nearly) with good reloads and give you years of satisfying shooting.

12bvss_sala.jpg


Alternatively, try to find one of the older Tikka Master Sporters in .223 Rem.
 
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