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Best all-purpose rifle -- when I can afford only one?
self | 12/5/10 | NewJerseyJoe

Posted on 12/05/2010 2:59:58 PM PST by NewJerseyJoe

Hello fellow banglisters. I know I'm going to open a can of worms with this thread -- as does every "What is the best [gun type]" thread -- but I don't know a better-informed group of people to ask.

After enduring three years of the very worst of the bad economic times (unemployment, temp jobs, etc.), I'm finally in a position to increase my personal armory, in the next few months. I need a rifle -- I have only a Henry .22 survival rifle. Not bad for what it does, but it's not the same as a "real" rifle.

The catch is that I can afford one and only one -- and I want to get the most bang for my buck. My considerations are:

  1. Reliable
  2. Good reputation for quality and accuracy
  3. Relatively easy maintenance and cleaning
  4. Widespread availability of compatible ammo
  5. Durable under a number of different conditions and usage
  6. Versatile -- useable for hunting, security/protection, etc.
Estimated budget is $600 to $900; might be able to go a little higher, but I should be able to find something in that range. I had been looking at some of the Remington 700 series, but I don't know if they fit the bill, as I've described above.

If, in your opinion, I can't "have it all" with only one purchase, please tell me so.

Oh, and I should mention -- I live in New Jersey. Rifles that you would pick up at the corner store are ones that I might have to jump through hoops to get. :-(


TOPICS: Hobbies; Outdoors; Society; Sports
KEYWORDS: banglist; bestrifle; onerifle; rifle
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To: NewJerseyJoe
M-1 Garand. Might stretch your budget a bit, but you'll thank yourself for it. It will shoot, and shoot, and shoot, and shoot...

http://www.odcmp.com/

41 posted on 12/05/2010 3:34:29 PM PST by OKSooner (Obama confessed "his muslim faith" on the George Stephanopolous show on September 7th, 2008.)
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To: USS Alaska

I agree


42 posted on 12/05/2010 3:34:56 PM PST by stuartcr (When politicians politicize issues, aren't they just doing their job?)
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To: SVTCobra03

Thats a three strike , maybe 4, no-no in The People’s Republic of New Jersey !


43 posted on 12/05/2010 3:36:05 PM PST by Renegade
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To: Kirkwood

Good point. The Marlin 39A lever-action .22 was proseletyzed by none other than the late Jeff Cooper. Food for thought...


44 posted on 12/05/2010 3:36:13 PM PST by OKSooner (Obama confessed "his muslim faith" on the George Stephanopolous show on September 7th, 2008.)
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To: NewJerseyJoe
The Remington is a good rifle, but I would also recommend the Ruger 77 in stainless with a composite stock in .308. .308 is essentially the same cartridge as 7.62X51, and they can both be fired in that rifle. .308 or 7.62X51 is more commonly available than .30-06 because it has been the military caliber for about 50 years. Ballistics are so close to a 30-06 as to make no practical difference.

I have shot a Remington 700, and it was very nice. But I do like the integral scope bases on the Ruger 77. They have a reputation of being tough rifles.

The new rifles run about $500 to $700 on Auction arms.

If you have a little spare time, look into reloading your own ammunition. You can reload rifle ammo for about 1/3 the cost of factory ammo, and you can customize it to your own use. I have reloaded tens of thousands of rounds over the last 45 years, and it is a fun hobby in itself.

45 posted on 12/05/2010 3:37:14 PM PST by marktwain
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To: NewJerseyJoe

Thompson, fully automatic sub-machine gun.

Just kidding, everyone knows those are illegal.


46 posted on 12/05/2010 3:37:20 PM PST by 23 Everest (A gun in hand is better than a cop on the phone.)
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To: NewJerseyJoe
A Saiga carbine in .308 would be a good all around gun, and you can't beat the price. $450.

Not saying you can't get something quite a bit better, but you will also spend a lot more money.

check it out. SAIGA .308 SEMI AUTO RIFLE

47 posted on 12/05/2010 3:38:00 PM PST by smokingfrog ( ><{{{{{(0>)
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To: NewJerseyJoe

http://www.the-armory.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/Mosin_Nagant.html

http://www.mosinnagant.net/global%20mosin%20nagants/mosin_nagant_m9138_carbine.asp

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/mosin-nagant.htm

Just a thought,and with the budget you listed you can stock up on alot of ammo.


48 posted on 12/05/2010 3:46:29 PM PST by silentreignofheroes
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To: OKSooner
"M-1 Garand."

No, when the Zombies hear the clip eject ur a dead man.

49 posted on 12/05/2010 3:47:13 PM PST by billorites (freepo ergo sum)
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To: NewJerseyJoe

Consider these:
Marlin 336 lever-action in .30-30 Winchester. A solid rifle in a caliber easy to obtain, even in states still mired in the Soviet model.

VZ-24 Czech Mauser: Dates from 1924, but the prices are relatively cheap. 8mm Mauser has a good bit of surplus ammo out there. It is a Czech version of the German 1898 Mauser- bolt action, 5 shots.

WASR-10: AK-47 Semi-auto clone. Not expensive- about $400 or so. Finish and looks suck, but you pull the trigger and it goes bang, as long as the ammo is good. Lots of 7.62x39 ammo out there.

Just a thought: think about what you want the rifle for. Guns are tools, and like a lot of tools are specialized.


50 posted on 12/05/2010 3:47:35 PM PST by GenXteacher (He that hath no stomach for this fight, let him depart!)
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To: NewJerseyJoe

Given that NJ is so semi-auto phobic, you might also consider a Remington 760 or 7600 pump action rifle in .308, if those are legal. If not, the guys up thread are right that any Remington 700 or Ruger 77 is a good choice, as is a Winchester 94 in 30-30, and those are as politically correct as you can get. You can own those just about anywhere, even in foreign countries, the ammo is plentiful, they’re durable as can be, and 30-30 has good knock down power for any opponent out to maybe 300 yards.


51 posted on 12/05/2010 3:56:41 PM PST by Hardastarboard (Bringing children to America without immigration documents is child abuse. Let's end it.)
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To: NewJerseyJoe
Saiga in .223.

It's a "sport" version of the AK47, perfectly legal everywhere. It's an AK built in Russia so you know it's tough, reliable, easy to maintain. It uses the same round as any AR variant so ammo is made here. A new one can be had for well under $500.00 (I paid @ $350 for one in February).

52 posted on 12/05/2010 4:00:34 PM PST by wtc911 ("How you gonna get down that hill?")
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To: NewJerseyJoe

Here’s a NIB Saiga on gunbroker for just over $400.00. It’s the carbine (16” barrel). The rifle is about thirty bucks more (20.5” barrel).


53 posted on 12/05/2010 4:04:45 PM PST by wtc911 ("How you gonna get down that hill?")
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To: OKSooner
M-1 Garand. Might stretch your budget a bit, but you'll thank yourself for it. It will shoot, and shoot, and shoot, and shoot...

_______________________________________

I always thought so too, until I read SLA Marshall's Pork Chop Hill. The book is full of first hand reports of malfunctioning M1s.

54 posted on 12/05/2010 4:07:24 PM PST by wtc911 ("How you gonna get down that hill?")
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To: NewJerseyJoe

Best all around rifle is the AR15/M4 clone.

Most manufactures today make great guns in the $600 to 800 range. I have a DPMS M4 ($600) that has been as reliable as any gun I’ve ever owned. Maintenance is a breeze, even Army grunts can do it.

Ammo (5.56/223) is available world wide, magazines are cheap and plentiful, the guns are generally more accurate then you are capable of shooting them. Lethal out to 300m with open sights.

Open sights, scope, red dot, whatever you want is easy to use and install with a current model flattop with a removable handle/sights. My open sights return to zero when I replace them. Pretty cool.

AK47/74 is a close second, just not as accurate (generally, but there are exceptions) plus scope additions is tougher on AK’s. Ammo is cheaper though, but not by much.

AK’s are tough. If you need to bash in a door, the AK the weapon of choice for many. Great close combat gun, under 100m, hard to beat. If you want to shoot a deer at 300m, use a different gun. If you want to shoot bad guys at under 50m, never clean it, and occasionally use it crush something, the AK is hard to beat.


55 posted on 12/05/2010 4:08:52 PM PST by JimBianchi11 (The 2A is the cornerstone of our free society. Those that don't support it, oppose it.)
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To: NewJerseyJoe
The catch is that I can afford one and only one -- and I want to get the most bang for my buck.

Or, during deer hunting season, the most buck for your bang. ;-)

56 posted on 12/05/2010 4:14:33 PM PST by sthguard (The DNC theme song: "All You Need is Guv")
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To: NewJerseyJoe

People might want to scroll down to the restricted firearms list at this line before making recommendations. Those NJ gungrabbers really know how to spoil the fun. http://www.nraila.org/media/misc/nj.htm

I think the Remington 7600 in .308 was a good suggestion.


57 posted on 12/05/2010 4:16:15 PM PST by FreedomForce (A conservative 2012)
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To: SVTCobra03
"Am I missing something?” 1. Zombies 2. SHTF 2. TEOTWAWKI"

Why did I understand your message so easily? Must be from the same tribe long ago.

OK, I'll get one.

58 posted on 12/05/2010 4:17:29 PM PST by AGreatPer (Voting for the crazy conservative gave us Ronald Reagan....Ann Coulter)
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To: 23 Everest

“Thompson, fully automatic sub-machine gun.

Just kidding, everyone knows those are illegal.”

Not illegal, just subject to the 1934 Firearms Act in some states.


59 posted on 12/05/2010 4:20:06 PM PST by Nakota
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To: shag377
I wouldn't touch any Remington bolt rifle that was not built on the 700 action. Some of their cheaper combo's have a pressed in barrel instead of a barrel that is screwed into the action. The pressed in ones will shoot but you can't re-barrel them, they are disposable. Your choice is one of personal preference. The rem 700, ruger 77 and the new savage rifles will all do a great job for you. I completely agree with most of the posters about choosing the 30-06 or 308.
I have two safes full of firearms and work on many more. If I had to own only one rifle it would be a remington 700 30-06 topped with a Leupold 3X9 X40 scope. Even one of the less expensive Leupold's will serve you well for life.
My experience working with hunters and sport shooters is that there is a tendency to buy more gun than you can shoot well. I would stay away from all the magnums out there. They are not necessary for any game animal in the lower 48 and the ammo for them is outrageous. I'll get off my soap box. Have fun with what ever it is you choose. Keep us posted.
60 posted on 12/05/2010 4:21:11 PM PST by oldenuff2no (Rangers lead the way...... Delta, the original European home land security)
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