Today's range trip convinced me that I should have a rifle between 22lr and 30-06 that is good for 200yds. I want something fun for the range and an AR15 would be just right, but it would be cooler if this rifle fired a cartridge older than 223.
My criteria are:
1. a decent trigger. My savage accu-trigger has spoiled me, standard issue M-16 triggers are good enough, but anything noticably worse like a primitive bullpup is not acceptable.
2. Accuracy and Ballistics: 200 meters. 8 inch groups off sandbags. much less recoil than any 30-06. (4 MOA is better that I can do without sandbagging the rifle and myself.)
3. Retro cool points, cartridge introduced before the 223. Best if cartridge predates 1955. Modern production rifle is no-issue, just similar to something produced before my time.
4. Reasonable price, say no more than $1000 and preferably that $1000 gets several mags and a case of ammo. Factory ammo, Brass, and dies available. (but not necessarily at every gun shop.)
5. Fun at the range, faster shooting than my bolt actions, good ergonomics to shoot off hand. This is not for hunting or home defense, but any rifle is better than a sharp stick if I change my mind.
Leading Options
1. Arsenal AK 7.62x39. the cartridge was born in 1943. After market triggers available if I want to tinker, but the Arsenal is good without tinkering.
2. Mini-30. 7.62x39 again. Ruger fandom is in my blood.
3. M1 Carbine. getting slightly harder to find. but lightweight and user friendly.
4. 35 Remington Model 8 ( or similar). maximum retro cool points if one can be found that isn't broken or under museum glass($$$$).
5. Marlin 336 30-30. sold everywhere, less expensive, more cast boolits, shooting cheap until TEOTWAKI and beyond.
6. AR15 but in 222 rem or other older caliber.
7. Other lever action, lower recoil cartridge i.e. BLR, Savage 99
8. Lower end AK. I will spend the purchase price on tools and parts to make the trigger and ergos better.
9. Any other semi-auto I don't know about.
Lets hear what members like to play with at the range.
My criteria are:
1. a decent trigger. My savage accu-trigger has spoiled me, standard issue M-16 triggers are good enough, but anything noticably worse like a primitive bullpup is not acceptable.
2. Accuracy and Ballistics: 200 meters. 8 inch groups off sandbags. much less recoil than any 30-06. (4 MOA is better that I can do without sandbagging the rifle and myself.)
3. Retro cool points, cartridge introduced before the 223. Best if cartridge predates 1955. Modern production rifle is no-issue, just similar to something produced before my time.
4. Reasonable price, say no more than $1000 and preferably that $1000 gets several mags and a case of ammo. Factory ammo, Brass, and dies available. (but not necessarily at every gun shop.)
5. Fun at the range, faster shooting than my bolt actions, good ergonomics to shoot off hand. This is not for hunting or home defense, but any rifle is better than a sharp stick if I change my mind.
Leading Options
1. Arsenal AK 7.62x39. the cartridge was born in 1943. After market triggers available if I want to tinker, but the Arsenal is good without tinkering.
2. Mini-30. 7.62x39 again. Ruger fandom is in my blood.
3. M1 Carbine. getting slightly harder to find. but lightweight and user friendly.
4. 35 Remington Model 8 ( or similar). maximum retro cool points if one can be found that isn't broken or under museum glass($$$$).
5. Marlin 336 30-30. sold everywhere, less expensive, more cast boolits, shooting cheap until TEOTWAKI and beyond.
6. AR15 but in 222 rem or other older caliber.
7. Other lever action, lower recoil cartridge i.e. BLR, Savage 99
8. Lower end AK. I will spend the purchase price on tools and parts to make the trigger and ergos better.
9. Any other semi-auto I don't know about.
Lets hear what members like to play with at the range.
