Help me choose my next purchase...

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BigBL87

BigBL87

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I posted something similar in another forum, so sorry if it looks familiar. I have one spot left in my small long gun safe and likely will have some extra cash soon, so I think its time to round out the safe.

What I already have:

Mossberg 500 Home/Field combo (12 gauge)
Savage Mark II FV (22lr)
SAR B6P (9mm)
Crosman Vantage (.177 air rifle, for legal in town practice)

I have a soft cap of $300, MIGHT be able to push it to 400ish. I don't hunt, mainly plinking and home defense. Even if I do start hunting, Illinois is a shotgun only state anyway when it comes to deer. Coyote are pretty much anything goes. Being able to be used for coyote/feral dogs in an emergency would be a plus. Here are things I've considered so far...

Ruger 10/22 - Because I've heard everybody needs one.

Hi Point 995TS - Unlike their pistols, I've heard their carbines are ugly but legit. I like having a centerfire of some kind do deal with coyotes/feral dogs if the need ever arises since I live on the edge of town, and I already stock 9mm for my handgun.

Keltec SU-16 - Kind of as a poor man's AR since it takes AR mags and I don't need it to incredibly rugged.

Savage Axis (223) - I like the idea of having a companion to my Mark II with more range and oomph, and 223 is a lot less costly than 308 or 30-06 since I don't reload.

AK47 or SKS - These are kind of a stretch in my price range and I'd be stuck with more beat up examples in all likelihood because of my budget, but I've thought about them.
 
If hunting coyotes is a priority or interest, the Axis seems like a no brainer to me. If they are only targets of opportunity, not something you actively pursue, I'd try to hold out for an AK or SKS. Lots of fun and utility and will still have no problem taking coyotes should the opportunity present itself.
 
The Axis makes sense to me. for the reasons cat_IT_guy mentioned.

2nd choice - it is the 50th anniversary for the Ruger 10/22. Time tested classic rifle. Good investment. Personally, I like the idea of having at least two guns of the same caliber in case one fails, I have a backup.
 
Coyotes/feral dogs aren't so much an interest as a contingency. I'm not going to actively try to hunt them but if they threaten someone or a pet, I'd like to be able to handle it.
 
1st choice for me would be the savage axis, you will bw able to ahoot moderate ranges with success. Cloae second would be an SKS because they are great well rounded guns that fill alot of niches.
 
Just to clarify, I am open to other ideas as well if you guys thing something would fit better, those are just the ones I've thought about. I like the idea of the Axis, does anybody have any experience with the Axis with the non-Accu trigger? I love the Accutrigger on my Mark II but you have to pay a good bit more for a 223 with the Accutrigger. One of the bad parts about the Axis too is I'd need to pay for a scope, rings, etc as well but I could probably manage that over time.
 
Honestly, I'm pretty open to anything. I've even thought about a semi auto shotgun, but in my price range I can't get anything decent. Main things I'd like are cheap ammo and easy maintenance if possible. That is why most of what I have listed is 223, 22lr, or 9mm. The AK/SKS I've heard are relatively cheap to feed as well which is why they are included.

I do know if I get a 22 I want a semi since I already have a bolt, but outside of that action isn't a big deal. I've looked at lever guns but can't seem to find any non-22lr lever actions in my price range.
 
SKS... inside your budget, ammo is not too expensive, battle tested, kind of a semi-auto 30-30. I've seen a lot of variation in price but I wouldn't be concerned about a beat up stock.

If you check these out pay attention to how the stock fits you, they seem to have been built for small people. Stock extender/recoil pads are available.

Allen's Armory has a good rep here are some of his chinese SKS'...

http://ganymede.meccahosting.com/~a0000ae7/aaresult.php?PageId=48
 
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I like the 10/22 50th anniv. contest winner design. Bought one for my wife and she loves it. She hits 4" plates at 75yds consistently.
 
Budget .223 bolt action or SKS. Either should be just what the doctor ordered, based on your criteria.


SKS will probably be a little more fun to plink with. Bolt .223 should be a bit more accurate overall. Can buy (relatively) cheap ammo for both in bulk. Really a toss-up. No wrong answer here.
 
zerobarrier said:
I like the 10/22 50th anniv. contest winner design. Bought one for my wife and she loves it. She hits 4" plates at 75yds consistently.
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I'm very tempted by that, just saw it today. I've basically brought myself to deciding between the 10/22 and Axis. I like the power of the Axis, but I'll end up investing more since I'll want to get a scope (thinking another Mueller like I have on the Mark II, but higher power). With the 10/22 I could add a cheap red dot and call it good, but I lose the power of the 223. Axis would probably round out the collection better too, but I'm not sure how much ammo I'd be able to stock for it (lots of house projects in the near future).
 
I have a Mueller APV 4.5-14x on my 22mag and I like it. I think it would be fine on a 223 Axis. Or on the 10/22 you don't even have to add optics since it has iron sights. The Mueller APV would be real nice on the 10/22 plus they come in stainless to match the rifle, bonus.
 
zerobarrier said:
I have a Mueller APV 4.5-14x on my 22mag and I like it. I think it would be fine on a 223 Axis. Or on the 10/22 you don't even have to add optics since it has iron sights. The Mueller APV would be real nice on the 10/22 plus they come in stainless to match the rifle, bonus.
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The APV is what I have on my Mark II, heck of a scope. If I pick up an Axis, I was thinking about stepping up to a Mueller 8.5-25×44AO Tactical, just for the extra distance.

And for a 10/22, I don't think I'll put a magnified optic on it at all if I get it. I figure my Mark II is for precision and a semi auto would be for laying down cover fire, haha. Really though, if I get a semi auto 22 it'll be to compliment my Mark II.
 
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If you can own an SKS in Illinois, that would be the top choice in your range.

Every serious collection needs a real battle rifle. The SKS is the only real battle rifle in your price range. And it's still very effective and relevant by todays' standards. The SKS is an outstanding rifle, and quite popular for people on a budget.

If you cannot get a SKS, then you need a high caliber bolt action rifle. In your price range, you can likely rule out modern rifles. Instead, focus on nice examples of historic bolt surplus bolt guns. The Mauser and Mosin Nagant are quite popular, the latter moreso due to affordability of the rifle an ammo. For under $400 you could score an excellent MN rifle and 440 rounds of ammo, which will last the typical shooter many years.

Have fun and good luck.
 
My one qualm with the Mosin and SKS are with the ban on importing Russian arms, it makes me nervous about the price and availability of those calibers. I'm also not crazy about the stripper clips for the SKS but I could deal with that for sure.

As far as saving more, I'm looking at a back-pay check (been out of contract for 2 years in a job where we can't strike) and I talked my wife into letting me use a small portion of the back pay for another gun. Outside of that I really don't have the opportunity to save up much as we work on our house.
 
While your concerns about rising cost may have merit (my Mosins have doubled or tripled in value, as has the ammo), right now, today, you can spend your $300 budget and get a fine bolt action Mosin ($150) and probably 750 rounds of ammo for another $150. There is still no better long gun and ammo package available.

750 rounds of ammo will likely last you many years, and in the coming months or years, you can add to your ammo cache. 7.62x54r won't be MORE expensive than other common calibers, so you won't be worse off.

You can't even get a decent modern bolt action for $300 unless you find a rare used item. The 8mm Mausers are fine weapons but their costs have risen and 8mm surplus ammo is scarce, but you can buy modern 8mm ammo.

As for the SKS and stripper clips - they are a good alternative. I too prefer detachable magazines. But stripper clips is a learned skill just like anything else, and you also can load 10 rounds individually without much effort. Oh, and you can also - if legal - install a larger fixed box magazine so you have 20 or 30 rounds on tap instead of 10. So you'll have more available without a reload.
 
Fair point on the SKS, and now I'm really thinking about it. Especially with the link posted above with them around $300, seems like a good deal. I don't plan on doing any LONG distance shooting (probably 100 yards max, maybe out to 200 if I get a crazy thought) so it seems like the range is about right. And, the more I really thing about it, I imagine AK's will be around for years and years so I doubt the ammo will disappear.
 
I remember when a good SKS was $125 or so... bummer how much they have gone up. Anyhow, an SKS is a great all round rifle to have. You can't hunt with an AK but you certainly could hunt with an SKS if it came to that....
 
Yep, if I were starting a homestead defense gun collection on a budget, I'd get

Handgun
Shotgun
Battle rifle. The SKS would be on the top of my budget list. Excellent rifle, design, and caliber.
 
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