Overlapping rifle utility

[Z_Infidel]

Hopefully this can be a fun discussion:

I am trying to decide which rifles I really want to have in my collection to create a rifle battery that will be practical for my uses without too much redundancy. I am not discounting the fact that it is okay to own a rifle just because you happen to want it (like my Enfield).

I also own a Bushmaster and NEF single-shot in .223 but I don't want them to figure in this discussion. I may even sell the Bushmaster soon (yes it is a very good rifle).

I already own a Marlin 1894C in .357 Mag. Great little carbine, fun to shoot, good for varmints etc... within its range.

My interests are in having a rifle I can use to hunt at least deer-size game, and I can't see taking shots out past 200+ yards or so. Some day feral hogs might also be on the list.

I see a .308 bolt gun or .30-30 lever as possible candidates for this. A .44 Mag lever gun might also fit the bill for shots within 125 yards or so.

The .308 bolt gun would allow longer distance and bigger game to be sought, and would provide for a longer range target gun, and would be well equipped with an optical sight and perhaps backup irons. I'm thinking a Winchester M70 Featherweight would be to my liking. I'm sure that in addition to hunting I would enjoy shooting this rifle for accuracy at the range.

On the other hand, a .30-30 is very quick handling and is a good deer gun as long as the range is reasonable. I would probably not scope it, but would install a good ghost ring sight. Ammo isn't cheap, and it would not be a plinking gun.

The .44 Mag would be good for deer within its range, ammo isn't exactly cheap but is more affordable than .30-30. It holds more rounds, might be a better defensive arm in some situations and might be better for plinking. But I think having the .44 Mag might make my .357 lever gun redundant and unnecessary. I'm not sure though... the .357 has proven very effective on woodchucks, etc...

That's the other point: I see some overlap within the caliber range, as in:
.357 Mag - .44 Mag
.44 Mag - .30-30
.30-30 - .308

Each one can stand on its own merits, but there is some overlap with each step upward in caliber.

So what combinations (assuming I don't want to buy all four ) do you guys think would be the optimal choices?

.357 Mag / .308 bolt
.357 Mag / .30-30
.357 Mag / .44 Mag / .308 bolt
.44 Mag / .30-30 (sell the .357)
.44 Mag / .308 bolt (sell the .357)
etc...

I know there is no definitive answer to this, I'd just like to hear some opinions on the issues I brought up and try to glean from the collective wisdom on the forum!

 

[Eskimo Jim]

Z-
Here is a short summary of my dilema and how I went about solving it.

I wanted a rifle that could handle just about anything that I could encounter in North America.

I picked up a Ruger 77 Mk II with rifle sights on it in 30-06. It is walnut with a blued barrel. The 30-06 can be loaded for just about anything in North America according to a wide variety of people that I talked to, books and forums that I read. The open sights on it gave me the chance to practice basic marksmanship without having to spend $$$ on a quality scope. The 30-06 can be loaded light all the way up to 200gr bullets. Ammunition can be found just about anyplace in North American and in just about anyplace in the world.

My wife owns my rifle's understudy, a Ruger 77/22, same set up on sights. We can use the 22 lr to train our children to safely use a firearm. This rifle can be used for initial training, varmints and cheap fun.

Sure the 30-06 might be overkill for brush hunting, but I also have the flexibility for distance. Shoot, throw in your 44mag carbine or 30-30 and you have a close range brush gun. Maybe change the 77/22 to a 10/22 in 22 mag or 17rimfire mag if you'd like to up the cost of ammunition and range.

What I lack is a rifle for serious social work. I'm thinking that a Garand or M1A would work best for me bacause the 30 cal rounds could be reloaded for 308 or I could just use the same 30-06 for the Garand and the Ruger.

Sounds like you have your bases covered.

Good luck.

-Jim

 

[BusMaster007]

Tough decisions.
Keep the Bushmaster in .223 for varmints/plinking/self-defense.
The NEF could go.
The .357 could go.

Is your Enfield a .30-06?
Will that serve you for a deer rifle?
Is it scoped or do you want it unscoped?

You might consider getting a Ruger Redhawk 5.5" bbl. .44 Mag. for your sidearm.
Good size and strongly built. Can take the harshest loads in .44.

A bolt-action rifle in either .308 or .30-06 for hunting/target/military/police ammo use.
.308 ammo can be had from cheap milsurp to expensive target quality.
A Remington 700 ADL is a common rifle and inexpensive.
The BDL is fancier and maybe even more common, especially in .30-06.
The 700 LTR in .308 would give you a shorter rifle built for accuracy.
Accessories abound for the Remington 700.

These choices would narrow it down to a .44 sidearm that can be used with either Special or Magnum ammo - and -
a .30 caliber combination hunting/precision shooting rifle - in addition to -
your .223 varmint/defense rifle.

Got a .22 and shotgun yet?

 

[Z_Infidel]

The .22LR and shotgun are both covered. (figured it was a given )

Defense INSIDE the home is covered. The .357 lever is no slouch if additional range is needed.

Enfield is .303 British - good shooter, kinda long and heavy for carrying all day though it could be done and would serve admirably. I prefer to keep it in its original unscoped form.

Thanks, keep 'em coming.

 

[Brian Williams]

I am partial to my Win Compact classic in 7mm-08, it will knock down like the 308 and still be a easy round to shoot. It fits in real well with my 1984c marlin.

 

[Rupestris]

.357 Mag / .308 bolt

With the right round the .357 lever gun can be used on deer within 100 yards and the .308 bolt gun will cover the rest.
A .357 can be used at most indoor ranges. The ammo is relatively cheap and you can get that sweet little single action revolver you've had your eye on to compliment the lever gun.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Short answer: Keep the .357 Magnum, buy a bolt-action in .308 (or .30-06.)

Long answer: Here is my two cents. I'm not extremely knowledgeable when it comes to .357 Magnum vs .44 Magnum, but it seems like if you are willing to buy a full up rifle-caliber rifle you might as well just keep the .357 you already have. If you want something heavier than a .357 (where you might think about going to the .44) your .308 definitely meets that requirement. Plus it would be much more versatile, especially for long range shooting. If you have the .308 for serious rifle work, why spend the extra money to go from .357 to .44 just to bring your light gun up a few more notches? Regarding a bolt-action, the caliber would be up to you. I'm very comfortable shooting .308, despite being 5'11" and 150 lbs (skinny). My younger brother is the same build and has no problems either. The last two years my .308 has dropped my deer in their tracks, with no need for a second shot. Both shots were around 150 yards. Riflewise, I use a Remington 700 ADL. I've been very happy with it and at around $400 the price is right.

Additionally, I have to say DON'T SELL THE BUSHMASTER!!! An AR-15 is pretty versatile. You can use it for varmints or home defense or match shooting or 3 Gun or what have you. Sadly, I don't own one yet, but it seems like the kind of gun you would regret selling. If you are going to sell it, sell it to me cheap.

 

[Skofnung]

My vote goes to getting a Winchester Model 70 Featherweight in .308.

I used to have a .44 Mag carbine, but I sold it. It was a great gun, but the ammo was kind of expevsive for what it was and the trajectory (out of my rifle, a 16" Winchester Trapper) was not up to snuff for me. It was fine out to 75 yards or so, but it dropped off very quickly after that. Of course shots at deer or hog in these parts rarely go over that, but it was not worth keeping with all things considered.

Keep the Bushy. You will regret letting her go.

Don't sell the NEF, it is worth more than you can get for it.

If you must sell anything let it be the carbine, but if at all possible, keep it too.

JMO

 

[BigG]

The Steyr Scout was the fruit of a consortium of dedicated riflemen's idea of the one rifle that could do most anything. Not perfect in any particular discipline, but a jack of all trades, if you will. I think they succeeded pretty well.

 

[BusMaster007]

I noticed I said .30-06 for the ENfield. I was thinking SPRINGfield...

I went through all these good replies and had a thought:
How about an extra UPPER for the AR15 in a bigger caliber?
There are some interesting combinations out there if you look around the internet for something to top off the AR15 lower...

 

[Z_Infidel]

Yep, they have been good replies. Thanks to everyone who has contributed.

While I am still a ways off from a purchase decision, I am leaning toward getting both a Marlin 336 in .30-30 and the Winchester M70 Featherweight in .308.

I like the 1894C too much to get rid of it, and I think it really covers most of the utility that a .44 Mag carbine would.

The .30-30 for a brush hunting / general deer gun which could also serve well in a defensive roll with the right sights.

The .308 for more serious field work and target rifle with good optics. Plus I just really want to own a fine American made rifle in a major caliber.

I will still have a bit of redundancy between the three rifles mentioned, but not so much that each can't be justified as for practical usefulness.

Still undecided on keeping the Bushmaster. It's a fun rifle to shoot and uses affordable ammo, is very accurate, and practical in a defensive role. However, I find myself pulled more toward the classic styles and I can't imagine myself being in a situation where its firepower would be critically necessary. It doesn't get used nearly as much since I bought the 1894C, and it's such a good rifle that I think it deserves a good home where it will be shot a lot more than it is. If I do sell it, I won't be simply pawning it off to fund another purchase.