What rifle to get?

[AK Gun Man 88]

I have no need for this rifle, however I just want to add a new one to the collection. I will more than likely use it to hunt medium game at least one time. Maybe just an all purpose rifle too...I dont know. My list is narrowed to Browning 30-06 lever action, Remington 7600 30-06, Marlin 45-70 guide gun, ruger 44 mag bolt action, marlin 44 mag lever, sks, or bolt action 7.62x39. What would you get?

 

[redbullitt]

I really like the 4570 guide guns. Just be careful and look it over VERY well if you buy a newer rem model. Took me a long time to find one that was passable. Fun cartridge to shoot, and it can be very versatile if you reload.

That ruger 44mag bolt would be dang tempting too, especially if you have the option of suppressing it.

 

[robmints]

Cz 527 carbine in 7.62x39

 

[Sock Puppet]

What do you define as medium game? At what distance do you plan on hunting them? These is a significant difference between an .06 and a .44.

 

[Mike1234567]

Out of those you listed, since I already have a .30-06, I'd opt for a .45-70 because I've always wanted one.

But... I want a .458 SOCOM even more.

 

[jmr40]

What do you already have? Hard to say which would be best for you without knowing.

 

[tuj]

.45-70

 

[red rick]

From your list I would pick the bolt 7.62x39 .

 

[torqem]

I've never understood the entire "collecting" thing. Anyone with money can buy all that stuff. The issue is, what can you do with it. Basically, since little kids can shoot fine scores slowfire, what separates the men from the boys is how FAST you can hit with it,how many times.

 

[d2wing]

The BLR in -06 will kick but a good call I also like the 7600, can't go wrong with the 06, I don't get the attraction of the others but whatever floats your boat.

 

[Ohio Gun Guy]

Here's a vote for the SKS over a bolt gun in 7.62x39.

Here's why. A bolt gun in 7.62x39 would need "better" ammo. To me the draw of 7.62x39 is, it's cheap, but decent stuff. get some russian ammo, 250.00 +/- per thousand... An sks for 400 +/- (Pick your make). Add 100 - 150 for a russian (Nice though). And you've got a plinker, fun gun, and something you can take hunting (Similar to 30-30).

Otherwise a I like the 30-06 or 45-70 Leveraction

OR Just get the cash and go to your favorite gun store and see what follows you home.

 

[Revoliver]

If you don't already have a .30-06, then a .30-06 (or even .308) hands down is the best choice for a medium game getting general/all purpose rifle.

If you already have a .30-06/.308, then then you already have your intended purpose covered and I'd opt for either the ruger 77/44 or the marlin .44 lever. That way you have an excuse to get a .44 mag revolver (or semi) to go with it later on.

 

[d2wing]

I do wonder how a bolt action with good 7.62 x 39 would shoot.

 

[bannockburn]

I could go for a nice CZ 527 in 7.62x39. Have lots of ammo for it and it would complement my Hungarian AK quite nicely.

 

[Cee Zee]

The SKS is a rock solid rifle with decent accuracy. It won't win any benchrest competitions but it will sure knock down a deer at 100 yards easy enough. Of course in most states that let you use rifles you will need some kind of device to limit the number of rounds you can load at once. But there are other good uses for that rifle too. Ammo is still cheap compared to other centerfire ammo. I love both of mine. They're fun to shoot mainly. And it's cheap to shoot them. And if you ever have to join a band of renegade kids who won't submit to Russian rule somewhere in the Rocky Mountains then you're all set. You can find stashes of ammo laying all over the place too. People call them "power ups". Seriously it is a nice rifle despite what some might say. Everybody should have a battle carbine of some kind IMO. It's your civic duty.

 

[AK Gun Man 88]

I should of mentioned the game and my current rifles. Medium game...caribou and wolf. I have garand, tc encore ph with 338 wm and muzzleloader and 45/70 barrels, tc contender 7/30 waters, couple ar's, savage 111 338 wm with 10 detachable mag, cut down mn 91/30, 22 bolt action, 12 gauge pump, and few pistols. I have no need for this new rifle more of a want. Been awhile since a new gun came home with me. Im pretty set on ammo brass powder and primers.

 

[StrawHat]

Considering what you already have, expand your horizons some.

Winchester 1895 in 405 WCF.

Any bolt action in 411 Hawk or the 411 Ryan.

Any bolt action in 35 Whelen or 358 WCF.

A good single shot chambered for one of the English Express cartridges.

Any and all of these are suitable for cast bullets and large enough so expansion is not a big concern. And since they are pre-expanded, they can be loaded to be easy ont he shulder.

It just depends how far inside or outside of the box you want to go.

 

[Cee Zee]

If hunting medium size game is your goal I'd probably look at a smaller caliber. A .260 or a .243 would likely be my choice. I'm thinking about one myself. I have a 30.06 and a .223 plus a 7.62 x 39 or two. But I'd like to have a .243 really. I don't really have anything that needs that size of a caliber to hunt or any varmints but they're great plinking rifles IMO. Very accurate and so is the .260. I like Savage rifles myself along with CZ and a bunch of other brands but I'd probably look for a Savage. I've had very good luck with them.

 

[chris in va]

My SKS refused to feed any hollow points. Jammed solid on the chamber face. A crescent shaped piece of metal resembling chrome jammed the firing pin channel and locked it up as well. It didn't help it was a Yugo with all that crap on the barrel.

I've had much more fun with my CZ carbine in x39. I reload and cast, so I can play around with numerous charges and weights. My current experiment is a 155gr lead bullet running about 1200fps. Feels like a 9mm.

The gun is very light and shoulders like it belongs there. The iron sights are actually quite good. I read quite a few posts about hunting with the little gun and the Federal Fusion ammo seems to be the most effective.

 

[JN01]

A bolt gun in 7.62x39 would need "better" ammo.

Actually, I was looking at the CZ 527 on their web site, and they suggest it will probably work better with the (cheaper) steel cased ammo: "Built to CIP specifications, our 7.62x39 chambers are ideal for shooting steel-cased surplus ammo. Designed to shoot .311 bullets, some American brass ammo may not perform as well as the imported steel-cased variety because of SAAMI brass dimensions and varying bullet diameters."

http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-527-carbine/

 

[Fremmer]

That Remington pump gun in .30-06 is perfect for an all around gun.
The 7600 is a cool rifle.
Add some nice glass!

 

[ExAgoradzo]

I like my Mar 44 mag and my Remlin GuideGun.
The BLR appeals to me: but the SKS is on my list as I have no 'battle rifle' and I'm not allowed to get an AK or AR...
Greg

 

[Agsalaska]

I have the 7600 in 30-06. Actually it i a 760 but its basically the same gun. Mine is a killer. I love the slide. Smooth as silk.

A bolt 7.62x39 would be pretty cool too.

 

[nulook45]

I know its been said that 30/06 is the way to go but for medium sized game down a .308 is a much better choice it comes in almost any type of rifle . Pump ,semi auto, lever and bolt . extremley accurate . and fairly affordable as well as being able to get surplus ammo to pratice with .

 

[Agsalaska]

I know its been said that 30/06 is the way to go but for medium sized game down a .308 is a much better choice it comes in almost any type of rifle . Pump ,semi auto, lever and bolt . extremley accurate . and fairly affordable as well as being able to get surplus ammo to pratice with .

Not to change the subject, but what makes a .308 a 'much' better choice over a 30-06 for medium size game? I understand everyone has their opinion, but I need an explanation on that one.