Time for a new centerfire rifle - under $350

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Wedge

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Looking to get another rifle, plinking and target, probably not used for hunting. 50-100 yards, iron sights. $350 would be about the limit, leaves me $$$ for ammo or reloading supplies. I am probably a month away from making the purchase, so I am trying to narrow down my options.

I have a Mosin Nagant M44. It is fun for the blast factor, but after 2 magazines it gets old, real fast. So I am looking for more of an intermediate round.

I also reload so ammo costs are not a huge concern.

I have a C&R and don't have an SKS...I know...top of the list. Plus they are drying up and not getting any cheaper.

I've always liked lever actions so I was considering a .30-30.

I like the looks of the Saiga.

I think that the SKS makes the most sense and will probably be the most accurate for the ranges indicated. Saiga has the most possibility. The .30-30 has the most nostalgia/history.

What else am I missing in intermediate cartridge offerings in the $350 or less range?
 
Interesting idea, but I am probably looking for a little more than a pistol caliber carbine. Less than a .308/.30-'06/7.62x54R

I wouldn't categorize 8mm Mauser as an intermediate cartridge.
 
SKS, the main reason they have poor accuracy is because of the cheap (quality) ammo, and seeing as you reload it would probly become a decent shooter.

The 30-30 would be a good choice to, reloading for it would make it a good deal cheaper to shoot and lever rifles are always fun.

That didnt help a bit did it? :cool:
 
I personally like the Marlin 336 in 30-30. Here local a good used one come in around $250 otd at most pawn and gun shops and Walmart has them in the $350 range new. I have seen them sell used from individuals (especially after Christmas when the bills come in) for $150 to $200.

As for accuracy, well I disagree that the SKS is more accurate than a good 30-30. In my experience most SKSs (and I have owned and shot quite a few) are no better than 2 1/2 to 3 MOA (at best) while most of the Marlins I have had can get better than that (both with open sites).

As has been stated there is little difference between the 30-30 and the 7.62x39 from a ballistics standpoint. Either one are fun guns for plinking and close range hunting.
 
Depends:

Scoped or not?

Willing to go used or new only?

Without knowing more, it would be real real hard to beat a thutty-thutty levergun. Or maybe a Stevens 200, but they have an unattractive plastic stock.
 
Nothing bad to say about either the SKS or the Marlin lever actions.
You can find a really nice used 30-30 well within your price range and in excellent shape. One local shop has probably about a dozen of them along with a few Winchesters. Prices range from $219 to $289 and some even have scopes.

I've had a couple SKS's and would like to get another when I can afford it. They're also great rifles and are more accurate than AK's in my experience.

The Stevens are basically just Savages so they're likely to be great rifles but they don't have iron sights installed from the factory.

Saigas seem cool but are likely to mangle brass (AK's do that) and you'll need extra magazines to be happy with one so that's something to consider in your budget.

Also, you might want to try some reduced handloads for your Mosin. You can use 123 grain .311 bullets to load light recoiling rounds for plinking. Should also be good up to medium sized deer. IIRC, IMR 4350 is a good powder for experimenting with lighter loads in full power rifles but you'll have to check a reloading manual to be sure.

You may also want to check out a full sized Mosin. The 91/30 or M39 won't kick as much as your M44.
 
my sks is more fun than my marlin 30/30. the 357 lever gun more fun than either, but a good 357 for under 350 may be tough to find.
you could get a handi rifle. pick a caliber, get more barrels for 100 a pop, and you can ream them out for wildcatting fairly easy.
 
K31, or if you really want to save money, just put a slip-on or lace-up recoil pad on the M44. I once shot an M38 that way--40 rounds no problem, I stopped only because it was time to go home.
 
Thanks guys.

I've used the slip on pads before on my slug gun and turkey guns and it made a world of difference. Range I frequent most often requires shooting from a bench.

Not really looking for another bolt or a break action right now. Slide/pump, lever or semi for this one. Why? I don't have any of those actions in a rifle.

I think I am leaning towards an SKS at the moment. Mostly low cost, high quality, C&R, semi-auto and cheap ammo. Plus I can reload for it for a little more if I wanted and have MUCH better ammo (I reload for my 9mm because I wasn't happy with the cheap ammo...)

Also, in my researching today, it seems that the SKS makes for a reasonable introductory Appleseed rifle. High probability I will do that if I got a reliable/decent shooter.
 
Since you have a Mosin already, here's what you need. Ammoman has the Czech training ammo. http://www.ammoman.com/images3/76254RHC-4.jpg

It's 45 grain hollow core at around 3400fps, so the recoils about like a .223 from a 9 pound rifle. It's not as accurate as ball ammo, but for 50 - 100 yard plinking, it's a blast. Literally and figuratively.
RT

Oops, here. http://www.ammoman.com/index.htm
 
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the sks since you dont plan on hunting with it. a lever action .35 rem if you think you might hunt with it.
 
Thanks again for everyone's input.

I had really discounted the K31, and probably unfairly because I thought I didn't want another bolt action. But the more I thought about it and from the range reports and videos I have seen the K31 is well worth it!

So...my hope is to actually buy 2 rifles. An SKS AND a K31. SKS because ammo is cheap and fairly plentiful and a K31 because of build quality and even though the ammunition isn't "cheap" it isn't that expensive and the PRVI 7,5x55 is boxer primed and brass cased so easily reloaded. Most reports I have read stated that the PRVI ammo was near equal to the GP11 stuff, and being reloadable is icing on the cake.

There we go. Get to exercise the C&R, save a little bit of history and still spend less than I would on a new gun.
 
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