Posted on 02/21/2014 1:18:26 PM PST by Chuckster
Seeking advice from experienced shooters. I am considering a New Rifle. I am in Alaska and the gun will spend a lot of time on a boat. I want something compact, light and semi-auto. I am trying to decide between an AR pattern or a Garand style action. I would prefer a .308 but the wife will likely be using it as much or more than me and her vote is for the Mini14. I think that is too light a caliber, and .223/5.56 ammo is hard to come by locally.
Any way, the Mini14 is half the price of the AR or any .308 I've seen so I turn to the experts here on FR for advice.
Good choice
I had a friend from Homer who used a 22-250 to keep his freezer full of moose meat. If you can brain pan em’ it is doable, but I wouldn’t want to irritate brown bears with a .223, not to mention the fact that mini-14s aren’t exactly known for their accuracy. If I planned on spending time in brown bear country, a 338 Win mag in stainless bolt action would be my minimum choice. The wife would have to get educated on the virtues of dependable bolt guns and dangerous game. You might also look into some of the AR-10 type rifles. Some of them are very accurate. I’m pretty sure you can get a Browning, BAR, in 300 win mag, and maybe 338. That would be a good choice. A Remington 7400 might be another, and a 44 carbine wouldn’t be bad for close up work. Never underestimate the virtue of big holes. Talk to Alaskans who spend a lot of time hunting and in the company of big bears.
You can pick up a Wyndham AR 15 HBC for about $900. We have one ands its extremely accurate as well as lighter than the Bushmaster.
I would think in Brown Bear country the Mini 14 would be to use on yourself in case you are attacked. :-)
Check dealers for an M1A scout. It’s a .308. See how the wife handles it. With a five round magazine you’re talking about 50% more weight than the 6 to 7 lb. Ruger. More accuracy, more power, more range. I had short barreled M1A, like the scout, with a folding stock. It was a great shoot from the hip rifle.
There is a new spring set you can get for that problem that will prevent a double tap or full auto if dirty.
I bought a Mini-30 about a year ago and love it. Recommend it to anyone.
7.62 x 39...
cheap plentiful ammo, can drop an sks in a mudpuddle, shake it and shoot it...
lots of special goodies to buy to “spruce” it up too..
I totally agree! Love my Marlin 30-30. Wouldn’t trade it for anything. For all the reasons you list and several others. And it’s just plain COOL!
Sorry, not from Alaska, but I’ve hunted there and roamed the Alaskan back country and carried a 45-70 Marlin lever gun and Ruger Alaskan in .454 Cassul. There are some big, dangerous critters there. The .223 is a varmint round.
My late wife carried a .308 short barrel M1-A with a synthetic stock fitted with a scope and laser pointer. She was 5-2 and 125#.
I watched a tv program about a Arizona sheriff and he wanted to equip his deputies with lever action 30-30s. Man o man the 30-30 round would friken knock you down big time
They certainly do. Had a 14, sold it after one trip to the range.
Aim Surplus has 1080 rnds of 5.45 X 39 for just $170.
Looks like they sold out already.Actually, I’m looking for a good deal on 5.56 NATO.
I forgot about 30-30 lever actions. That’s a great choice! So easy to shoot and take care of.
;-{)
An AR type would likely be more accurate and certainly more versatile and easy for a woman to fire.
If you want better terminal ballistics for larger critters, look at 6.8 SPC (Stag arms, good with 16” barrel).
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