Picking a good/fun Small-game gun

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Cal-gun Fan

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Hey guys,
My dad and I are looking to go out into north-eastern Cali for a week and blast some coyotes, prairie dogs, and other small game.
Currently, my dad has an AR-15, a .243 and a .270 bolt guns, a Ruger 10-22, a 30-30 lever action, and some other stuff. I have a Ruger Mini-14.

I've been saving my money, and am looking to get another gun for myself. Dad has been thinking about maybe getting a Stag-Arms Super Varminter, but I want something for myself.

1. It has to be Semi-Auto/Bolt action, but I am also open to lever action.
2. I would like it to be somewhat versatile.
3. It needs to have fairly good accuracy at up to about 150 yards.
4. I don't want it to be extremely heavy.

Here are some that I would especially like/have been thinking of:
1. Some form of an AR-can you suggest any? What about the TNW SGP15?
2. What is the accuracy of a PPSH-41 like? I know there are some repros, and I am a sucker for historical guns...prob not a good choice though.
 
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Bolt action Hornady Rimfire magnum .17 - in either a Savage or Marlin ....

Use the money that you would waste on ammo on a good quality scope and you could probably shoot 300 yards with no issues.
 
Can't speak for the repros of the PPSh's, but they were originally envisioned to lay down overwhelming firepower. Construction was kind of crude - they were all function. I don't see one of them being a good choice.
Is .22 mag an option?
 
.243, They are everything you said you need. Light, Super accurate (long as you do your part,) very versatile and common enough that you can afford to feed it.
 
The obvious answer would be a AR or bolt action in .223. You can buy ARs for $600 and up, while you can buy a good bolt action for $300 and up. .223 is inexpensive, low recoil, can be bought in any store, and is more than enough for varmints.
 
Thanks, but I think that I'm interested in something in a bit bigger caliber, 20-30 cal.
Click to expand...

Since you already have an auto in .223 take a look at a Savage M10 P in .223. Another worth looking into is a TC Venture in .223 though I have never owned one. From the TC ad they are guaranteed to shoot 1 MOA from factory but most bolt .223's will do that with good ammo anyway.
 
I will second 330d on the .243 A good all around gun. Small enough for varmints and big enough deer. A common cal with a variety of bullet types and weights.
 
Open to a totally different suggestion?

STbigboy_111706inset.jpg


plinking fun? CHECK! runs light 38sp loads all day long!
small game? CHECK! 38sp wadcutters
big game? CHECK! 357Mag out of the carbine- not far from 30-30 ballistics.
fun to shoot? Check
gorgeous gun? Check.
 
I think any nice used bolt gun in .243 or .257 will do very nicely. There are some Light Magnum loads out there for either caliber that will really surprise you :)

I'd also be looking for some LeverEvo ammo for the old 30-30. Sight it in and have fun with iron sights at 150 yds :)
 
I'd probably opt for a 223 CZ rifle (Model 527 American) in your situation since you don't want a rimfire. However, a 22 WMR would do what you want. The 17HMR might be a little light.

Added: Since you only own a Mini-14, you really need to consider a 22 LR rifle also. It would be better for small game than a 223 rifle and a whole lot cheaper to shoot. Look at the CZ lineup or the Savage Mark II for the less to medium expensive choices that are very accurate on average.
 
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Another vote for a CZ-527 American in .223 or .204 Ruger.

Between myself and my hunting partner we have three of them.
And they will all shoot way under 1 MOA all day long.
The single-set trigger is worth the price of admission on a varmint rifle.

rc
 
What gun is that lever action above? Don't know the model.

@22-rimfire
I'm only 14, my dad has a .22lr. We pretty much share everything and I'm sure the 22 will be mine when I go off on my own, but Id also like to have a gun that I really worked for and such, like him and his guns. I do love the 22 though, have you played around with the Smith and Wesson MP15 22lr at all? The police at my dad's department often use them for training since they still get the muscle memory of an AR, and are shooting cheap ammo that doesn't break their limited budget.
 
At 14, you are at the magic age when you can shoot adult sized rifles and are old enough to do it right .... and of course, out shoot your Dad.

I thought the same thing about the 22 rifle when I was younger..... he kept it and I bought my own at 14 years old. Of course, I didn't need his rifle any more at that point. Years pass and I have lots of 22 rimfire firearms. They're my favorite overall. I'd love to get the Smith M&P 15 (AR styled) for plinking fun. From what I read, it is better than the Colt version.
 
Yeah, the 22 is an awesome gun. We just have a standard ruger 10/22 w/a cheap 4x scope, plus 2 22 pistols, but its just such an easy and user-friendly rifle.

Which reminds me...I need to get a 100 round drum :p
 
Okay, this is going to sound weird, but I'll just come out and say it. Get an AK-47. Now before you ban me from the forum, let me explain.:D My friend recently purchased a Century Arms AK47 in Bullpup configuration. (I think its Romanian.) He then put a cheap $10 scope on it that was designed for airsoft. Took it out to 100yds and proceeded to put 5rds (or so) into 1 1/2in! A couple days later, he had the chance to shoot at 500yds. All ten rounds were within 5inches!:what: That is why I recommend the AK. Also, seeing as you're hunting in California, do you live in California? If so, your standard AK wouldn't be legal. (Do to the 10+rd mag capabilities.) If that's the case, I highly recommend the Marlin bolt-action XL7 in 30-06. Or, their other line called the XS7 in .308. After 20rds of hard kicking hunting rounds through my '06, I was still able to put three bullets under 1 1/2in at 80yds. Haven't been able to try it at a longer distance yet.
Just my 2cents. Matthew
P.S. After recommending the AK for hunting varmints, am I still allowed to post on the forum?;)
 
Lol!
I do live in California, an hour north of San Francisco. Legality is not a problem, because my dad is a police officer. I have considered getting an AK, particularly the Saiga SGL-21 or whatever that looks like an AK-74 what with the muzzlebreak and buttstock, but fires the 762 round.
The AK would be a fun rifle to have, but right now I am kind of hoping to get a nice gun to keep for a while. What do you guys think of this one?

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/64396-1.html

I like the bolt actions suggested too-looking at them now.
 
So Cal-gun Fan, I noticed that you already have 6 firearms that you can use, are you proficient will all of the rifles that you mentioned?
They are all certainly capable of easily taking all the game that you mentioned, especially the 243 and 270. They are capable of taking game in excess of 300yds, and I am wondering if you have practiced at those ranges, with those weapons.

You might consider a long range bolt action in 22-250, and don't forget good glass for it.



NCsmitty
 
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