Versatile Rifle?
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SpeedAKL
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For a combo of deer and HD? Look at an AR10-pattern rifle - highly accurate, moderate recoil, excellent ergonomics, easy configurable for a variety of roles. The only downside is price. A Saiga .308 (basically a scaled-up Kalashnikov) is a good cost-conscious alternative.
Tough criteria...
What distance for deer hunting?
The most versatile rifle for hunting won't be the best one for home defense.
.38 SPL/.357 Mag, .44 SPL/.44 Mag, or .45 Colt in a lever gun. This will get you out to 100-125 yards for deer hunting, and would work for HD.
.223, 7.62x39, 6.5 Gremlin, 6.8 SPC would be a few in an AR or AK platform. .223 maybe nor for deer hunting. These will get you out to 150-200 yards for deer hunting (good enough for 80-90% of deer hunting distances, in the eastern woods it might be closer to 95%).
I would consider where your neighbors are before using any kind of rifle for home defense.
You could also go with a 12GA or 20GA shotgun for HD with "00 Buck", then put a scope and a slug barrel on it for hunting season.
What distance for deer hunting?
The most versatile rifle for hunting won't be the best one for home defense.
.38 SPL/.357 Mag, .44 SPL/.44 Mag, or .45 Colt in a lever gun. This will get you out to 100-125 yards for deer hunting, and would work for HD.
.223, 7.62x39, 6.5 Gremlin, 6.8 SPC would be a few in an AR or AK platform. .223 maybe nor for deer hunting. These will get you out to 150-200 yards for deer hunting (good enough for 80-90% of deer hunting distances, in the eastern woods it might be closer to 95%).
I would consider where your neighbors are before using any kind of rifle for home defense.
You could also go with a 12GA or 20GA shotgun for HD with "00 Buck", then put a scope and a slug barrel on it for hunting season.
A 7.62x39 works well on deer at moderate ranges (think 30-30) and can be had in various military guide if you want a compact semi for home defense. The again, a bolt action rifle will serve as well.
The already mentioned AR-10 fits the bill, as well as something like am M1A scout or FAL congo. The latter two won;t have the accuracy of the AR, but are certainly 'minute of deer' and you won't lack for firepower in an SD situation.
The Saiga 308 that SpeedAKL mentioned is a comparatively inexpensive solution for a full power semi rifle, and there are also 7.62x39 versions if you don't want a full blown military rifle. Ruger makes their Mini-30 and also offerers their ranch rifle in 6.8 SPC, and there are any number of companies making AR-15s in 6.8 SPC. 6.8 is really at the lower end for deer sized game, but usable at moderate ranges.
223 rifles will even serve but may not be legal for hunting in your area and require precisely placed shots and sort range.
It might help if you could give us an idea of your price range and typical use.
The already mentioned AR-10 fits the bill, as well as something like am M1A scout or FAL congo. The latter two won;t have the accuracy of the AR, but are certainly 'minute of deer' and you won't lack for firepower in an SD situation.
The Saiga 308 that SpeedAKL mentioned is a comparatively inexpensive solution for a full power semi rifle, and there are also 7.62x39 versions if you don't want a full blown military rifle. Ruger makes their Mini-30 and also offerers their ranch rifle in 6.8 SPC, and there are any number of companies making AR-15s in 6.8 SPC. 6.8 is really at the lower end for deer sized game, but usable at moderate ranges.
223 rifles will even serve but may not be legal for hunting in your area and require precisely placed shots and sort range.
It might help if you could give us an idea of your price range and typical use.
clance
Member
Wouldn't use a rifle for home defense. It's to easy to blow through walls and either wound/kill a love one or a innocent by-stander.
You would be better served by looking at a shotgun with interchangeable barrels (Vent rib, Rifle slug, and 18.5" Riot) if you want a mulitipurpose weapon.
SpeedAKL
Member
M1A is another great choice, particularly if you don't want to use a scope
srkavanagh6621
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I have a M1A scout squad and just recently took a pretty nice buck with it at 80 yrds. pretty easy shot with the rifle but its sure a fun gun to have around. I sure wish I could keep it but money is tight and im trying to get rid of it if your interested maybe we could make a deal. I do have it scoped with a nikon prostaff and with reloads it shoots usually under 1 inch at 100 yards. The buck I hit sure hit the ground hard without even taking a step. Its a great all around gun.
A shotgun with 00 buck has more penetration against wallboard than a 5.56 rifle. And there are options for reduced penetration with heavier rifles.
It's also not a problem to scope an M1A with a good brookfield type mount. You'll just need some sort of cheekpiece. Or use an Ultimak type rail and a long eye relief scope. The scope doesn't necessarily have to be on the receiver.
It's also not a problem to scope an M1A with a good brookfield type mount. You'll just need some sort of cheekpiece. Or use an Ultimak type rail and a long eye relief scope. The scope doesn't necessarily have to be on the receiver.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Sorry guys but I wouldn't consider a heavyweight .308 semi-auto as very versatile. Too much unnecessary beef for hunting and way too much blast and noise to be busting a a home invader across the hall at 2am. Not to mention their expense.
Make mine a 6lb levergun in any chambering similar to .30WCF.
Make mine a 6lb levergun in any chambering similar to .30WCF.
For that money get two guns, one for HD and one for deer hunting.
good guns for HD:
Shotgun
.30 Carbine
AR
AK
pistol caliber carbine (9mm, 40, 45)
Then the options open way up for a deer gun. Spend $400-$600 on a deer rifle, get one with iron sights, put a $350 scope on it, and you'll still have a grand for a HD gun or two.
Cosmoline
Member
Most any good rifle will do what you're suggesting. In fact you don't really need a scope if the irons are good. Or you can simply have the scope on quick release mounts. The CZ 550's have great iron sights on them.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
I agree, get two guns that are ideally suited for their respective purposes. You'll probably never need your home defense gun but you might be dragging that 9lb battle rifle over hill and dale for the rest of your days and all for no good reason.
Kachok
Member
For the best in defence and hunting the only two anwsers would be the AR-15 in 6.5 Grendal or 6.8 SPC either one is a monster of a defence round and accurate and powerful enough to hunt deer to 200 yards in an AR platform. Avoid the 223 for deer class game hunting, it is too small a caliber/ too light a bullet/not enough energy for most deer hunting.
The other is the R25 semi auto in .308, 7mm-08 or 260 rem. While much heavier then the AR-15 platform this pack even more power for hunting situations.
The other is the R25 semi auto in .308, 7mm-08 or 260 rem. While much heavier then the AR-15 platform this pack even more power for hunting situations.
IMHO it is a Marlin lever action 30-30, I've yet to hear a convincing argument that has lead me to change my mind. The Marlin 336 rifle is a simple and rugged design and easy to operate and maintain. It will work well in the thick woods where shots are up close and personal, and out to 200 yards which is well beyond the distance that the majority of the deer are taken annualy. Contrary to popular belief the majority of deer harvested nation wide, not just a partricular geographical area of the country is under 100 yards.
The Marlin can be set up with peep sights, a traditional mounted scope, or you can set it up as a scout rifle. You can pick up a good used Marlin 30-30 for next to nothing if you look around, and a new one won't break the bank either.
Remington makes a 125gr managed recoil loading which would be my first pick if the rifle was to be used indoors. Most folks that have used this ammo state that it tracks very well with 170gr loads, and no or little sight corrections are required. Ammo is all over the place for this ubiquitous cartridge both cheap and expensive. Hornady makes the famous 160gr LeverEvolution and will be offering a 140gr MonoFlex loading next year. If extra range is required these two loadings will do it with ease. Then there is the Federal 170gr Partition bullet for larger game and of course the traditional Rem, Fed, and Win offerings.
The 30-30 has been around for over 100 years for a reason, because it simply works regardless what the detractors will lead you to believe. There have been many cartridges that have come and gone that far out paced the ol' 30-30 by a good margin. However they slipped into literal cartridge oblivion while the 30-30 keeps on trucking along, there will be many more that will come and go too.
Here is another thread on why another fella shares the same opinion.
http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/index.php/topic,79408.0.html
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sappyg
Member
336a makes a convincing argument for the marlin in 30-30. the only thing i could add would be the 357 or 44 mag chambering in the same rifle though a rifle is not the first thing that comes to mind for home defense.
ironhead7544
Member
Scout rifle comes close. Would have to use frangibles for the house.
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