What would your third rifle be . . . . .

[dmftoy1]

If you already had an AR and a 10/22?

I figure I want to add one more rifle to the safe and then my life will be complete. ( Yeah, right. )

Anyway, I've been trying to figure out what that rifle would be. I'm the kind of guy who can't hit much with Iron sights beyond say 100 yards, and with a scope I'd be happy to hit an 8-10 inch circle regularly at 200 yards. I've been leaning towards one of 4 rifles but can't decide:

1. M1A
2. Savage Bolt .308 (left handed)
3. AK-47
4. Marlin Guide Gun (45-70)

What would you do for your "third gun"?

Have a good one,
Dave

 

[Rob1035]

A good, accurate bolt gun would be my 3rd choice, after a AR (military rifle) and 10/22 (plinker)

 

[NMshooter]

Think I would put several thousand rounds down range through each of those rifles before thinking about what I wanted next.

 

[22-rimfire]

Depends on what your intended use is as far as the gun goes. For hunting, I would suggest a Model 700 Remington in something like 270 win, 30-06, or 308. Remington makes left handed rifles. For compromise varmit and deer rifle, probably a 243, but I prefer something a little larger for deer again in a bolt action rifle such as Model 700 Rem.

 

[Darkside852003]

A good, accurate bolt gun would be my 3rd choice, after a AR (military rifle) and 10/22 (plinker)

+1

 

[djl4570]

1. Remington 870 12 Gauge with 18" bbl
2. Pre 64 Winchester model 94 in 30-30
3. M1A or other M14 pattern rifle.
4. Remington 700P in .308
5. Marlin Guide Gun (45-70)
6. Winchester model 94 in .44 Magnum.

 

[dmftoy1]

I'm ashamed to say that I've put several thousand downrange through the AR and my skills have only improved marginally. I have had a blast though and I'm now in the process of reloading all that empty brass, so it's been a very good experience.

Have a good one,
Dave

 

[adaman04]

THe Savage probably gets my vote. Actually a Remington 700 would, but the Savage is a good rifle. The Marling Guide is so sweet though! Ask yourself what you want to use it for I guess. Good luck.

 

[gulogulo1970]

I'd buy the 308 bolt gun.

M1A's are nice but they are more of a pain to hunt with and harder to mount a scope. And with a scope and mount they make a heavy gun just that much heavier.

 

[Devonai]

US Rifle, M1, caliber .30.

 

[mmike87]

The Savage bolt. I really liked the Savage and the Accu-Trigger, however the standard black synthetic stock is a real POS. If you get the synthetic stock, try and get the McMillian stocked version, or plan on getting it re-stocked.

That had to be the flimsiest stock of any bolt gun I tried while on my hunt. The beefy HS Precision stock on the 700 Police was a big selling point for me.

The Marlin Guide gun in .45/70 (the "other" .45) would be a close second. This will likely be my next rifle. The .45/70 totally kicks butt from everything I have heard and read, although I have never shot one personally.

 

[Preacherman]

The fundamental question is: Why do you own a rifle?

If it's just for fun, then anything will do.

If it's for general-purpose use (i.e. hunting, self-defence, plinking, etc.) then get something with the versatility to handle all these tasks. Your AR won't handle the hunting part very well, as the caliber is too light, so I'd look to a good .30 caliber rifle to fill that need.

If your primary purpose is self-defence, or disaster preparation, then a very good rule of thumb is to have two of your primary weapon. This is so that if your rifle goes down due to mechanical problems, or some other difficulty, you have another, backup rifle available immediately. Also, if you have to send one off to a gunsmith for repair, you have a replacement already on hand in case of need. I have at least two of each primary weapons system, and sleep better for it. (Old combat habits die hard! )

 

[rbernie]

30-30 levergun, probably a Marlin.

 

[cslinger]

I am up in the air over suggesting either the M1A or the Bolt Gun. Most of me thinks its time for a bolty.

Chris

 

[SpookyPistolero]

First and foremost, if you feel you've reached a 'plateau' of some kind in your practice, then maybe a good shooting school is in order? If your AR is reliable, then getting some solid training with it seems like a pretty prudent and fun thing to do.

If not, I'll fall into the bolt rifle camp. Another niche 'for fun' filled in.

 

[2k5Adam]

Springfield Armory M1A Model M25 modded out with a nice scope, bipod, and big clip:

 

[Stinkyshoe]

Depends what you want. According to Bostons gun bible the order should be

#1) An MBR- an accurate semi- 308 (m14, FAL, Garand)
#2) A good CQB carbine- the Ar-15
#3) An extreme accurate scoped bolt gun in 308
#4) a 22lr (1o/22) or marlin m60

and then he goes on and on with more

I would say it depends what you want to do. Since you have the ar and the 10/22, i'd get a scoped bolt gun in 308. Maybe a Savage in the size of something you can carry for hunting but also use for long range shooting.

 

[Bigfoot]

Savage bolt in .308, well maybe 300WSM but either way and your set for hunting or LR target.

 

[brentwal]

Based on our choices, the Savage.

 

[dmftoy1]

Thanks guys!

I did kind of "lie" about it being a third rifle as I have 2 AR's. I got into a "building" kick last year and ended up with 3 and 2 of them I had to keep.

My skills do improve the more I shoot, but it's depressing to me to see some of groups people post here. Off of a rest at 100 yards if I REALLY concentrate I can produce really really nice groups. When I switch to seated, prone, or offhand they are just plain ugly. I do make a point of practicing each of the positions at every session though and I'm sure it will improve.

As far as what I intend to use it for . . . .right now in Illinois "plinking" is about the only use for a rifle. I think I might do some service rifle competitions eventually but that's what the second AR is for. I'd like to get something in a "bigger" caliber and eventually when I retire (say 25 years) I plan on moving someplace where I could hunt with a rifle. I like the .308 idea, but keep wondering if I'm getting something that I just won't have the skills to utilize. (??) Being lefthanded I also always lean towards auto-loaders, but figure I could learn on a lefty bolt.

Have a good one,
Dave

 

[dfaugh]

Well, for me

The best way to improve my shooting skills is with an accurate gun...Otherwise, you'll never know if its you or the gun...With that in mind I'd definitely lean towards a bolt gun, with a decent scope

 

[Red Tornado]

Normally I'm with the "Get a Garand" crowd, and I think you should...

However, in your situation, I agree with the Savage in .308 selection for the third rifle. Add a scope and you should get well under 8 inches at 200 yds.

Your fourth rifle should definitely be a US Rifle, caliber .30, M1 Garand.
RT

 

[wanderinwalker]

I'd suggest heaping dosage of ammo for your ARs and 10/22. Go use it. Practice your offhand and sitting and prone shooting. I'm a Master-class Highpower shooter and I STILL have days where my position shooting looks like garbage.

Now to just have another rifle, I'm going to advocate getting another semi-auto, either an M1A or an M-1 Garand. The M1A is nice because .308 ammo is available much more cheaply than .30-06 for an M-1 Garand. But I do have a fondness for the M-1 myself, I mean, after getting the M-1 thumb and all. Not sure how the M1A stacks up for a lefty, but I feel the M-1 isn't too friendly, though I know many a lefty has used one.

I recommend another semi-auto as I have found with all of the shooting I do with self-loaders, going to the bolt gun seems a bit awkward. With practice it can be done, however simplicity is handy. Just aim and squeeze til you run out of ammo. And from my experience in competition, a properly tweaked semi-auto will not hold you back in the accuracy department, especially if you're not shooting from a benchrest. The bolt gun DOES have an advantage when mounting optics, so unless you go an AR-10 for a .308, that is something to consider. (And yes, I know there are ways to mount scopes on most other semi-auto MBRs, but I feel the AR has the best system for this option.)

 

[browningguy]

The Savage in .308 would be a perfect third rifle.

 

[rockstar.esq]

The Savage in .308 would be a perfect third rifle.

+1


If you aren't going the crew served route...

I do have to mention that I wonder if you are speaking of your offhand accuracy before. If this is your supported / prone accuracy I think you might do better with some instruction prior to purchase. It might just help to have a friend watch you to determine if your form is off or if you have a flinch. If a buddy loads your AR mag with a few live shells followed by a snap cap you'll see a flinch quickly. Not to mention you practice clearance drills.