Need Help Deciding on Next Purchase

[clickpop]

Trying to round out the (quite small) collection a bit, which currently consists of a Glock 26 and a Kel Tec P11. The budget currently allows me to choose between picking up both a Savage Axxis .270 and a .22 plinker, or a WASR style AK 47.

The AK makes a great home defense firearm and is a large enough caliber to drop game if needed.

The .270 is a much more capable game-bagger, but is not a great defense weapon.

The .22 provides something for my daughter to learn on in a few years, and provides cheap plinking fun and the ability to drop small game.

The .270 cartridges are too long to reload on my Lee Pro 1000, while the AK's 7.62x39 can be done on my existing equipment. This one is sort of a wash, because the .270 would see far fewer rounds so it wouldn't be a terrible burden to handload for it.

 

[mdauben]

I don't see much point in the .270 unless you do hunt. It's a great choice for that role, but does not really excel at any other role. Id say everyone should have a .22, although that opinion took a knock during the .22 drought that is just now sloooooowly coming to an end. AK makes a decent multipurpose choice hunting, target, self defence and even plinking if you handload.

 

[Plan2Live]

As I see it, it depends on the niche you are trying fill.

 

[TwoEyedJack]

You could consider a short-action cartridge like a .308, 7MM-08, or .243 for big game hunting. That would probably allow you to use your existing equipment and have a nice hunting rifle. Our family has a few .270s, a 7MM-08, and a .308. They are all more than capable of taking deer out to any reasonable range.

 

[M-Cameron]

go with the WASR....they are a blast to shoot and are a very capable rifle.....and come november, you wont be able to find them in stores.

 

[CB900F]

Clickpop;

A couple of thoughts occur to me:

1. Rather than the Savage, see if your LGS would make you a better deal on a Ruger 10/22 and the Ruger American Rifle (RAR). Also, I wouldn't go the .270 route if it were me, as has been stated it's a limited use cartridge. There are better options available in the RAR for your stated use(s).

2. You might think about an A/R platform also. Build or buy the lower you want & get uppers to suite. That would mean a dedicated .22lr upper & perhaps a 6.5 Grendel for light hunting and home defense use. A/R prices have dropped significantly & I'd think that could probably be done within your budget parameters.

3. Get a CZ 452/455 quality .22 and a 12 gauge shotgun. The CZ's are generally considered to have the best price/quality ratio in the market these days. They are fully capable of excellent accuracy also. There are frequent reports of MOA accuracy at 100 yards with 'em! The shotgun is truly excellent for home defense, and hunting to about 100 yards. Switching barrels on something like the Remington 870 is dead easy & also low cost.

In retrospect, I think option three is probably the most versatile and cost effective. But it's your nickle and your choice.

900F

 

[hso]

The AK makes a great home defense firearm and is a large enough caliber to drop game if needed.

What type "home" do you live in? If you're in an apartment, single family subdivision, or on several acres in a rural area the "great" part may be different.

 

[Reloadron]

Need Help Deciding on Next Purchase

This is one of those beats the heck out of me. Among the problems is I have no clue what your taste in guns is or likely will be based on your relatively small collection. For example the AK. I never was and never will be an AK fan or enthusiast. Likely sold a thousand of them beck in the gun shop days but me? The gun never really tripped my trigger. Fun to shoot? Heck yes, just not me. As far as a home defense gun? Beats me as I haven't a clue what your home is or the layout so I really can't say if an AR or AK would be practical or even any rifle for that matter.

The 270 Winchester is a great choice for a hunting rifle, not really my idea of a fine target paper punching rifle but a great hunting rifle if you hunt. Me? I have adequate hunting rifles and seldom hunt anymore so I would not be looking to add a 270 Winchester to my collection.

Now as to a 22 LR? My thinking on a 22 is you can never have too many of them in rifles or handguns. This despite the recent difficulty in obtaining 22 LR ammunition. I just happen to like 22 rimfire guns. They kept the kids amused for hours and now they keep the grand kids amused. Again, can never have too many 22 LR rifles or handguns.

If I were to add another rifle? Likely another 308 or maybe 7 mm-08 or something in the 6 mm or 6.5 mm family. Likely some spawn of the 308 Winchester. That is just me, my taste and what I happen to enjoy shooting. It's all a matter of personal taste, God, you really have to love America.

Well anyway, from what you mention? I'm getting another 22 LR.

Ron

 

[J-Bar]

I hesitated to make a post because I do not want to sound overly critical, but it just sounds like you have money burning a hole in your pocket, and I don't think that is a good reason to buy any gun.

You already have a Glock and a Kel Tec...are they not adequate for home defense? Are you rural or urban? Do you expect to have to repel home invaders inside the dwelling or are you wanting to pick them off the front pasture at 200 yards? Do you hunt? Have you ever hunted? What do you want to hunt in the future...big game, upland birds, waterfowl, prairie dogs at 300 yards?

Your present handguns suggest you prefer semiautomatics; do revolvers have any interest for you? "Rounding out a collection" could go either way; more semi autos or getting something different. Black powder revolvers are inexpensive and fun and offer a totally different shooting experience.

If you just gotta buy something, get a high quality .22 revolver (Smith and Wesson, or Ruger) or a .22 semiautomatic target pistol (Ruger, Browning Buckmark, Smith and Wesson 41). These will be fun to shoot, good training for your daughter, and they will hold their value in case you want to sell them in the future.

Good luck in accumulating more guns.

 

[TwoEyedJack]

The 270 Winchester is a great choice for a hunting rifle, not really my idea of a fine target paper punching rifle

If by "not a great paper puncher", you mean "inaccurate", I would share my experience with the .270 Winchester. I have two in my vault at the moment. A Remington 700 and a Ruger M77 Mark II. Both can put 3 shots into 3/8". Here is a group the Ruger printed a few weeks ago.



Granted most of my experience has been with .22 caliber varmint rifles. In my admittedly limited experience with larger bores, including three .270s, three .30-06s, one .308, and one 7mm-08, I have found the .270 to be the easiest to get to shoot in the threes. Your mileage may naturally vary.

 

[Reloadron]

If by "not a great paper puncher", you mean "inaccurate", I would share my experience with the .270 Winchester. I have two in my vault at the moment. A Remington 700 and a Ruger M77 Mark II. Both can put 3 shots into 3/8". Here is a group the Ruger printed a few weeks ago.



Granted most of my experience has been with .22 caliber varmint rifles. In my admittedly limited experience with larger bores, including three .270s, three .30-06s, one .308, and one 7mm-08, I have found the .270 to be the easiest to get to shoot in the threes. Your mileage may naturally vary.

How did I know that would come back and haunt me?

The 270 Winchester is a great cartridge and an accurate cartridge, it also has a very large and strong following for good reason. Figure after a few years development the cartridge was released in 1925 and today 90 years later remains a favorite says something. All I was saying is that for a target rifle the caliber would not be my first choice. Strictly as a target rifle. I am not saying it is a poor choice, merely not my first choice. I am not knocking the cartridge in any way, shape form or manner. Just so I am clear on that note.

Heck of a nice group there too!

Ron

 

[TruthTellers]

I agree with post #2. If you're not using it to hunt, .270 isn't a cartridge to get into when there are others that are better for target shooting and plinking.

I'd say if you don't have a shotgun to get a shotgun. If you shop around you can get a nice one that fits whatever role you need filled and for a good price. If you still have money left over look at a .22 rifle.

For the .22, do you have a preference between bolt action or semi-auto?

 

[TwoEyedJack]

Ron, thanks for the compliment, but it is really the gun when you are shooting off a concrete bench. Now if I had shot this off-hand, that would be an accomplishment! I would never pick a .270 as a target rifle myself, but one of my shooting buddies uses a 7Mag for group therapy!

 

[Reloadron]

Ron, thanks for the compliment, but it is really the gun when you are shooting off a concrete bench. Now if I had shot this off-hand, that would be an accomplishment! I would never pick a .270 as a target rifle myself, but one of my shooting buddies uses a 7Mag for group therapy!

Have one (7 Mag) and think it has been maybe 10 plus years since I shot it. That sucker just plain hurts and now if I shoot it, I flinch and know I flinch and can't not flinch. That rifle was great when I was younger and had a little more beef in my shoulder.

Agree as to the concrete bench but we do need to not yank the trigger or shake the rifle as it lays there.

Ron

 

[theleo]

I see the lack of a 12 gauge on your list of what you have. The 270 is great for hunting and everybody should have at least one 22. If you have neighbors anywhere close to you (inside 100 yards) I see any sort rifle chambered in anything larger than a 223 (even then I'd say a lighter varmint type bullet) being a large liability do to over penetration. Remington 870's are fairly cheap, an icon in the gun world, and are very legitimate hunting, plinking, and home defense tools. Should anyone ever break into my house a shot from my 12 gauge won't be expanding much. I just leave my 1 ounce trap loads in it and figure that load going 1300 fps is close enough to old 45-70 loads (as it will still be a very nearly solid ball of shot). I also don't have to worry about it going through the bad guy, my walls and into my neighbors houses.

 

[readyeddy]

Eventually you should get all three. But the first should be the WASR. There is always the possibility of an import ban, shortage or price increase for guns like these.

 

[BSA1]

Like Reloadron my .270 shoots small groups. With mine it is 1/2" at 100 yards. In fact with the excellent selection of bullets available today I have not seen the need for a larger caliber bolt action rifle. I also agree that the niche it fills is hunting.

For at least part of 2016 it is a buyer market for AR rifles / carbines. I would give some thought to a AR as there could be a big change depending on who wins the election.