Quoheleth
Member
I'm looking for a lighter-recoiling, do-it-all rifle. For me, that means a range plinker and scout rifle/go-gun should that need ever arise. I do not hunt; I do not do three-gun, shoot silhouette or other run-n-gun games. In my battery, I have a Garand and a Marlin 336 in .30-30. I don't want to replace these two, but supplement them and if I had to grab one rifle, this one would be it.
What I am looking for is a relatively light and compact gun. I like the idea of sights on the rifle, just in case, and easy-to-mount optics.
My wife hates guns and black guns in particular. I cleaned a friend's AR and AK and she had a cow, calf and a whole herd of pigs thinking those were mine. But less threatening and tactical-appearing guns she can tolerate. I don't want an SKS or M1 Carbine. I've narrowed my list to the Mini14 or a 77/357.
The Mini-14 is my first option. Semi-auto, .223/5.56 is available all over the place, it runs well with brass or steel cases, high cap mags are now available, the Garand-style action is dead-nuts reliable and the newer models are more accurate than the previous generations. I do not reload for this round and don't plan to.
The 77/357 is my second option. Bolt action, it is also nuts-reliable and stout enough to handle hot .357 mag stuff (if it can handle .44 Mag, it can handle .357). Magazine capacity is limited (5+1) and extra mags are expensive, I gather. I do reload for .357 and that makes this a very inexpensive shooter - especially with cast lead bullets.
Both guns seem to be in the $600 price bracket.
What do y'all think? Semi auto or bolt action? True rifle caliber or pistol caliber in a carbine?
Would love to hear your opinions of both rifles and which way to go.
Thanks
Q
What I am looking for is a relatively light and compact gun. I like the idea of sights on the rifle, just in case, and easy-to-mount optics.
My wife hates guns and black guns in particular. I cleaned a friend's AR and AK and she had a cow, calf and a whole herd of pigs thinking those were mine. But less threatening and tactical-appearing guns she can tolerate. I don't want an SKS or M1 Carbine. I've narrowed my list to the Mini14 or a 77/357.
The Mini-14 is my first option. Semi-auto, .223/5.56 is available all over the place, it runs well with brass or steel cases, high cap mags are now available, the Garand-style action is dead-nuts reliable and the newer models are more accurate than the previous generations. I do not reload for this round and don't plan to.
The 77/357 is my second option. Bolt action, it is also nuts-reliable and stout enough to handle hot .357 mag stuff (if it can handle .44 Mag, it can handle .357). Magazine capacity is limited (5+1) and extra mags are expensive, I gather. I do reload for .357 and that makes this a very inexpensive shooter - especially with cast lead bullets.
Both guns seem to be in the $600 price bracket.
What do y'all think? Semi auto or bolt action? True rifle caliber or pistol caliber in a carbine?
Would love to hear your opinions of both rifles and which way to go.
Thanks
Q