What New Rifle?

What New Rifle?

  • AR-10 in .308

    Votes: 22 13.8%

  • Nodak PSL in 7.62x54R

    Votes: 6 3.8%

  • Mannlicher-Schoenauer in 6.5 MS

    Votes: 11 6.9%

  • Chambers flintlock Jaeger in .54 cal (parts kit)

    Votes: 1 0.6%

  • AR-15, nice Danny Defense or comparable

    Votes: 53 33.1%

  • M-1 Garand, CMP high grade

    Votes: 40 25.0%

  • Other

    Votes: 27 16.9%
  • Total voters
    160
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C

Cosmoline

Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2002
Messages
23,646
Location
Los Anchorage
After years of only having a few old Mosins to shoot, I'm finally going to splurge next month and get one really nice new (or new to me) rifle. I've already got a good trail rifle, and the Mosins for range and such. I do not have a scoped hunting rifle, but my schedule is such that small game hunting is the only realistic hunt on my agenda for the next few years. Cost needs to be under two grand. This is about ten times what I'm used to spending on any firearm, so I thought I'd kick this out to the group for thoughts.

I have zero experience with AR's but right now the market is full of them and they're remarkably affordable. So this might be a good time to make that leap.

Never had a Garand due to high costs. It's not terribly practical but it would make a fun range gun.

Always wanted a fine Mannlicher-Schoenauer and I bought a box of 6.5 MS brass once just on hopes I could one day find a gun for it ;-)

The flintlock build is another option, though not really that new to me.

The PSL is probably the cheapest, but also the most risky. Reports are mixed with these.

And I'm sure I'm overlooking options so feel free to suggest! Practicality isn't really the issue this time.
 
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Since you mentioned small game hunting, and the fact you didn't have a scoped rifle, how about a good scoped .22?

Then you can take the other 1500 dollars and put it into another rifle of your choice. Maybe the Garand since you have long range and trail gun already covered. Or you could look at the new Ruger Scout rifle in 308. They seem to have good reviews as a scout rifle and as a medium range rifle as well.
 
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I should have added the Ruger scout. I was thinking about it, though the big magazine seems oddly placed.

I've got my old CZ 452, killer of squirrels. I may put a scope on it now that my eyes are over 40, but I don't think I'll get another .22. Jealousy issues and such.
 
I would give serious consideration to either a DSA FAL or PTR 91. I like the ARs and the .223 round but I really prefer the extra oomph provided by the 7.62X51 round. And if you price the cost of magazines into the equation the PTR is a big winner with steel HK mags as low as 2 dollars apiece, compare that to $26 bucks for a mag for the AR 10. Not to mention how cheap other parts are right now.
 
I don't think I'll get another .22. Jealousy issues and such.
Click to expand...

22's have no moral character, you cn keep as many around as you can afford.

They also have no loyalty. You'll need to watch them or they will run away with neighbors, relatives or significant others....

I'd figure out a use before I decided. If it is for plinking or general shooting, decided on an action you really like. I love my AR, but honestly I'd be happy with about 2 or 3 lever guns in varying calibers...which is a problem soon to be remedied. :)
 
You'll need to watch them or they will run away with neighbors, relatives or significant others....
Click to expand...

True enough. My old CZ actually did that. I bartered it back with the only thing that would work--another CZ 452 in better condition. But I don't need another .22 rimfire at the moment. I have been thinking about a .32-20 levergun, though. And the hornet sounds interesting.
 
Well slap a good scope on a good AR-10 and you'll be all set for some great medium to long range performance. I enjoyed the AR-10 I had briefly, but not enough to keep it. I'm glad I didn't buy it new as I was able to actually turn a small profit when I sold it. If you can be patient and find an AR-10 at a really good buy, they are really easy to turn around and sell if you find that it isn't for you.
 
I choose other. I'm a big fan of lever actions. That wasn't always the case as I used to really prefer semi-autos. Now, the lever action is what leaves with my about 75% of the time I take a firearm out. 30-30, 22 LR, and 45-70 all are great fun and range somewhere around 500 to 1000 depending on which one you choose. I'm finding lately that my friends rolling block single shot in 45-70 is also a lot of fun with that rear tang sight.
 
Other= M1A/M14S

If you like shooting the M1, you should try on one of the M14 types out there.

Springfield Armory
Fulton Armory
LRB Arms
762MM Firearms
Smith Enterprise Inc.


Try out a few others as well before pulling out your wallet, and see which one fits the best for you.

11B
 
M1A sounds interesting. There are a lot on the secondary market, which makes me a little leery. They're not light rifles, that's for sure.

What do you have in the big bore range? A 45-70 lever gun is a heck of a short to medium range thumper.
Click to expand...

I've got that covered with my Big Bore 94 in .450 Marlin. A bolt action .450 Marlin should be on that list, though. If such a thing can be found.
 
Marlin builds a big game rifle chambered for 338 Marlin Express. It features American engineering, American craftsmanship, and exceptional balance. The 338 Express hits hard like a 30-06 well beyond 300 yards or so but in a lever action rifle.

Good shooting to you.

TR
 
For the CMP Garands, why high grade? That's pretty much a collector's piece. If you want a shooting rifle, the service grades are where it's at. I just ordered an H&R. It came in looking like a brand new rifle (with a brand new stock). Throat and Muzzle were 2's. This thing shoots very well. You can get the rifle and 192 rounds of ammo shipped for about $700. With a $30 adjustable gas nut you can shoot any hunting or target 30-06 ammo you want.
 
Mebbe you should consider the AR-15 since it looks like the timing is right for it from what you describe.

I think if you are a gun owner an AR should be in your inventory. It's minuteman rifle of our time.
 
That .338 sounds interesting. Apparently it was Chuck Hawk's idea.

Re. Garand grades I'm no expert. I just want one that isn't a sewer pipe. .30'06 ball ammo is the big problem there. I cannot get loaded ammunition shipped to me through ordinary routes. It would have to literally be shipped on a barge from Seattle on a pallet. So I guess I could buy a lifetime supply ;-) Otherwise I either have to handload even the plinking ammo or rely on the local ammo supply outfits that charge a small fortune for the stuff.
 
Why not get a good bolt action chambered for .223? Lots of ammo and that way should you decide to add an AR at a later date you'll have plenty of ammo for it too.

Take a look at the Remington 700 SS 5-R milspec in .223. Have seen them for around $900. A good scope should run you another $600 or so, depending on how big a "Name" you want. Whole deal, including scope mounts should be well under $2000 and you'd not only have a good Varmint Rifle but a "tack driving " target rifle as well, depending on ammo quality.

I've got one in .308 and it's very rewarding to shoot.
 
Hey Cosmoline

Hey dude,

After reading your post it sounds like you are a rifle man with a do it yourself attitude. great! I would recommend the 556 AR 15. As im sure you know the AR platform is the best for folks who like to tinker.

I started with an inexpensive, but quality, double star. after many mods it is a super accurate, insanely fun rifle. I change optics often so feels like a new rifle with a new set of challenges.

Good luck!
 
I will toss out another idea. How about a really nice bolt action 22 LR with very nice wood stock? They're some really pretty ones out there. From OP, it sounds like you are just looking for something interesting rather than to fit a specific purpose.

FWIW, I just to back from a cruise to Alaska (Ketickan, Juno, Icy Straights). It sure is pretty up there.
 
I voted AR. Most people find them to be a joy to shoot. Great iron sights, easily upgradeable and can fill several roles. They really are very easy to learn to shoot well. My little sister (19 year old college student) was shooting the half sazed silhouette targets at 200 yards with my Noveske topped with a 1-4 powered Leupold. This was after maybe 30 minutes of instruction and practice. Very easy rifle to shoot well.

In your price range look at:

Daniel Defense... ($1100 and up)
Colt... (6920s can be had for under 1k now)
LMT... ($1000 and up)
KAC... (right at 2k but LOTS of upgrades, Stoners final revision of the rifle)
Noveske.... (Very accurate rifles, $1500 and up)
BCM.... (have both stainless and chrome lined models, $900 and up)
 
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