Time for my first centerfire

[Jguy101]

Looking to buy my first centerfire rifle for SHTF duty and occasional plinking, and maybe some hunting in the future. The Saiga seems like a great choice, but I'd rather not have to buy extra mags for it. Here's what else I'm considering so far:

Marlin 336
SKS
VZ 24 Mauser

Of these, what would you recommend? Any other options, preferably with irons and $400 or less?

 

[scythefwd]

What will you be hunting and at what range? That will limit you more than your SHTF scenario. What type of accuracy are you looking to get? Will you be shooting paper much? If so, is ammo costs going to be a factor?

 

[Jguy101]

I'd most likely use it for deer at close or medium range, but that won't come for a while anyway. I'd also do most of my plinking with my .22, but ammo cost is still an issue for me; I'd like to either reload or be able to stock up on cheap/surplus ammo.

 

[Agent Smith]

Get this:

http://www.k-var.com/shop/product.php?productid=17015&cat=353&page=1

Accepts military surplus magazines. Use 5 rd mags for hunting. The 7.63x39 cartridge is perfectly suited for hunting deer size game. Ammunition is cheap and readily available. In fact, Hornady has a V-max loading that would be perfect for hunting/SHTF.

Bottomline: Look no further. The K-VAR sale is ending in the coming days...
These were running $850+ a month or two ago.

 

[PT1911]

that is kind of a strange list in that they are nothing alike... What is your purpose for the gun you end up getting? will it be primarily range fun with occasional hunting possibilities... if so I would discourage the 336 and suggest the SKS. If primarily hunting I would suggest the 336... if relatively only range work with possibilities of customization, I would recommend the Mauser.

 

[svaz]

The SKS is a good all-around long gun. You might also consider the Mosin-Nagant M44. Yeah, it's a boltgun but it's nearly indestructible; yeah it only holds 5 rounds but it's 5 real rounds; it's compact, cheap (~$100), sports a bayonet, and ammo comes in 440 'Spam cans'; the fireball is impressive.

 

[knights_armorer]

of those choices i like the sks.

but i also like the mauser you listed, and the m44 suggestion above

 

[Maverick223]

Close range hunting + SHTF duty + occasional range sessions = Marlin 336 IMO.

The SKS would also fill the roll, but I think the Marlin suits your uses a little better, and I am just not a big fan of the SKS (would rather have a cheaper Saiga 7.62x39 and have to wait a little while to convert it).

 

[Dannix]

Get this:

http://www.k-var.com/shop/product.php?productid=17015&cat=353&page=1

Accepts military surplus magazines. Use 5 rd mags for hunting. The 7.63x39 cartridge is perfectly suited for hunting deer size game. Ammunition is cheap and readily available. In fact, Hornady has a V-max loading that would be perfect for hunting/SHTF.

Bottomline: Look no further. The K-VAR sale is ending in the coming days...
These were running $850+ a month or two ago.

Wow, I'm really tempted to go for this guy.

Arsenal is the way to go, if you have the green, for the best non-butchered AK, yeah?

 

[rangerruck]

I like the saiga; cheaper than all the rest, comes with a 10 round mag.
16 inch bbl, for heavy woods walking- what's not to love?

And yes, right now the converted saiga by K-var has got to be, hands down, the best
deal going in rifles. Just nothing else can compare to the handiness, weight, ease of care,
accuracy and durability; that's right I threw in accuracy in there.