Two Missions, Two Paths, One Gun

[Armored farmer]

What happened to that tree? Nice rifle.

It was a beaver who's eyes were bigger than his jaws!

Wow. I see that I neglected to mention that the rifle is a ruger American ranch in 7.62x39. I bought it because I could not like my sks's's(two). And had a bunch of ammo.
This has a 3x9BDC nikon, and is my beater atv, tractor, combine, truck gun.

 

[TarDevil]

I understand your desire to be "different" and not go with an AR-15/M4 pattern carbine

No, not sure you understand at all. This has nothing to do with me wanting to be "different."

I'm not going to beat around the bush here and tell you your desire to be different is logical or founded in anything but what your heart wants, because it's not.

I'm clueless. Are you saying I shouldn't get what I want? Should I get what you want?

if your wife is shorter in stature which most females are she can get a good stock fit for her if she needs to use the weapon.

She's taller than me with a long trigger reach, at 61 has an incredible figure most 30 year olds would kill for, and knows exactly what she wants.

millions of users both private and government have pretty well validated that the M4 platform in 5.56mm NATO solves a lot of problems that can be solved with a long gun.

I did mention I would hunt deer, I did not bore this crowd with all my other intentions. If you read all my post you should be aware I am considering an AR platform... but it will not be chambered in 5.56.

I appreciate your input and you make good points. Guns are tools, but guns also are pleasing and I'll take all input while considering the tool that pleases me (or makes me different, if you insist!).

 

[WrongHanded]

So you know you want to hunt with the rifle, and may wish to rely on it for self defense (whatever that situation looks like), but probably aren't going to shoot it regularly?

Any reason not to consider a bolt action in a common caliber with a detachable magazine and around a 20" barrel?

I'm going to assume you have handguns for defensive use, and I believe you mentioned your wife has a 12ga. Are you intending to use the dual purpose rifle for your primary home defense firearm? If not, I can't see a particularly good reason not to keep things simple.

 

[3Crows]

It was a beaver who's eyes were bigger than his jaws!

Wow. I see that I neglected to mention that the rifle is a ruger American ranch in 7.62x39. I bought it because I could not like my sks's's(two). And had a bunch of ammo.
This has a 3x9BDC nikon, and is my beater atv, tractor, combine, truck gun.

Looks like you need to whack a beaver with that Ranch Rifle! Beautiful set up, poor tree .

 

[TarDevil]

I bought it because I could not like my sks's's(two). And had a bunch of ammo

You know, I have several boxes of .257 Roberts. Been wondering what to do with them!

 

[TarDevil]

Are you intending to use the dual purpose rifle for your primary home defense firearm?

Oh no, that 12 ga fulfills that role. And yeah, a number of handguns with plenty of ammo.
I hope I shoot it a lot, if I stay off the water long enough. I would not completely rule out a bolt ranch rifle.

 

[WrongHanded]

Oh no, that 12 ga fulfills that role. And yeah, a number of handguns with plenty of ammo.
I hope I shoot it a lot, if I stay off the water long enough. I would not completely rule out a bolt ranch rifle.

This is absolutely me projecting my desires, but you might look into the Tikka T3X CTR. 10 round detachable mags and a 20" barrel in either 6.5CM or .308Win. Tikka bolts are amazingly smooth.

 

[pairof44sp]

I haven't had a chance to see one in person yet but I really like the concept of the Henery side gate loading levers that also have a removable tube for quick loading or quick unloading without working every round through the action.

BUT if it is going to be your wife's rifle you had darned well better take her along and let her pick out what she likes. If you pick out a rifle for her it is almost guarenteed that she won't take a liking to it.

Plus one vote here. A 24 inch 44 holds a lot of rounds, especially in 44 special. But it kind of chews up your thumb always loading through the gate.

OTOH, a 30-30 just seems like the gun to have if you only have one.

 

[Armored farmer]

Oh no, that 12 ga fulfills that role. And yeah, a number of handguns with plenty of ammo.
I hope I shoot it a lot, if I stay off the water long enough. I would not completely rule out a bolt ranch rifle.

Another pic of the ranch rifle out for a march woodswalk.

 

[Coal Dragger]

No, not sure you understand at all. This has nothing to do with me wanting to be "different."

I'm clueless. Are you saying I shouldn't get what I want? Should I get what you want?

She's taller than me with a long trigger reach, at 61 has an incredible figure most 30 year olds would kill for, and knows exactly what she wants.

I did mention I would hunt deer, I did not bore this crowd with all my other intentions. If you read all my post you should be aware I am considering an AR platform... but it will not be chambered in 5.56.

I appreciate your input and you make good points. Guns are tools, but guns also are pleasing and I'll take all input while considering the tool that pleases me (or makes me different, if you insist!).

Good luck with your decision, I suspect you already made it and are seeking validation.

So with that in mind if a lever gun is what you’re after the older Marlin 336’s are considered to be a lot better than the current guns. At least .30-30 isn’t difficult to find.

If you end up with a non 5.56mm AR/M4 variant your best bet for actually finding ammo and procuring a gun that works right is .300 Blackout. All the newer calibers are going to be hit or miss at best for finding ammo on a store shelf, and more than a few of them can be finicky about magazines and feeding geometry. The 7.62X39 has a decidedly mixed record in AR magazines due to the shape of the case.

I have yet to meet any Ruger Mini variant that I considered to be worth more than the raw materials used to build it given the existence of quality alternative designs. Others disagree and can add their experiences.

If you want to explore the AR-10/SR-25 platform and want something that doesn’t weigh a ton that also works right prepare to spend some coin. Not a lot of choices in the runs like a wood chipper and doesn’t weight 10lbs category for under about $2500 or so. The Daniel Defense DDM5 comes to mind, and of course the Knight’s Armament Co. SR-25 ECC. Stick to the 16” bbl in .308 if you want light weight and reasonable size, plus the .308 will give better ballistics per inch of barrel in a carbine than 6.5mm Creedmoor.

Also consider the Steyr Scout Rifle, prices have come down on those and you get a light compact bolt gun with integral magazine storage (ships with two magazines), adjustable length of pull so you can shorten it up a bit to run the bolt with authority, and an integral bipod. One neat feature is the magazine has two seating positions one for magazine feeding and one for feeding single load and leaving the magazine in reserve. I used to own one, and I regret trading it. Available in .308, 7mm-08, and 6.5 Creedmoor.

Again good luck.

 

[TarDevil]

Good luck with your decision, I suspect you already made it and are seeking validation.

I don't know why you insist on remarks such as this. This thread already has reversed two options I was considering. The ONLY thing I came here with firm conclusions is no 5.56.
Apparently it's a little insulting I didn't strictly follow your suggestion.

 

[TarDevil]

you might look into the Tikka T3X CTR.

What are the advantages over, say, Ruger American Ranch?

 

[lemaymiami]

Time to display my ignorance... I was away from firearms for quite a few years after retiring out from police work in 1995 .... In fact this is one of only two weapons sites I visit so point me in the right direction... I qualified with both M-14 and M-16 all those years ago before ending up on the other side of the world in 1971. A few years back in-country I went into police work but all of my long gun experience is with the shotgun - so other than 5.56 and 308 (and 30 carbine) most of the newer in between rifle calibers are foreign to this guy. I do have quite a bit of experience with almost every handgun round (as my Dad would say, "kid, I know more about that than I ever wanted to know..." ). I will admit though that pistol cartridge carbines are interesting - very interesting...

Where should I go to actually learn a bit about rifle ammo that falls between 7.62 and 5.56? Any help appreciated. I'm not a hunter at all (except for two legged critters...).

 

[Charlie Martinez]

I own two Marlin lever actions, a 1894 in 44 Mag. & a 336 in 35 Remington (which I prefer over the 30-30). Each has it's use but the 44 Mag gets shot much more often & it's my first pick for a SD, HD rifle. Nearly all the deer & hogs I have shot were closer than 100 yards & the 44 Magnum will handle deer & hogs at these close ranges very well. Unless you always hunt in wide open country I expect the same will apply to you. If your wife will also be shooting the rifle the 44 Magnum lever can be loaded down to 44 Special making it very mild in terms of recoil. As far as reliability I have used my 1894 in CASS competition many times & it has never jammed. The only drawback of the lever is slow reloading but the 1894 in 44 Magnum will carry at least 10 in the tube & another in the chamber, that's 11 total rounds. Not too shabby. Finally the 44 Magnum doubles as a handgun round & I like the idea of being in the woods with a rifle & handgun of the same caliber.
Of the rifles choices you listed I like the lever in 44 Magnum.

 

[WrongHanded]

What are the advantages over, say, Ruger American Ranch?

Oh, I don't know that there necessarily are any. Perhaps a better barrel. The bolt is probably smoother. I'm not sure what cartridges the American Ranch is offered in, but .308 is a popular and solid performer. The barrel is a fairly heavy one, which has both advantages and disadvantages. Weight would be the primary disadvantage, but you can get more rounds down range without it becoming uncomfortably warm.

Like I said, I'm probably just projecting my desires.

 

[LoonWulf]

Time to display my ignorance... I was away from firearms for quite a few years after retiring out from police work in 1995 .... In fact this is one of only two weapons sites I visit so point me in the right direction... I qualified with both M-14 and M-16 all those years ago before ending up on the other side of the world in 1971. A few years back in-country I went into police work but all of my long gun experience is with the shotgun - so other than 5.56 and 308 (and 30 carbine) most of the newer in between rifle calibers are foreign to this guy. I do have quite a bit of experience with almost every handgun round (as my Dad would say, "kid, I know more about that than I ever wanted to know..." ). I will admit though that pistol cartridge carbines are interesting - very interesting...

Where should I go to actually learn a bit about rifle ammo that falls between 7.62 and 5.56? Any help appreciated. I'm not a hunter at all (except for two legged critters...).

Maybe start a thread about it! You'll get a great deal of information, as there's literally a whole WORLD of stuff between the 5.56 and .308s
I think I've got a fairly new cartridges of the world I don't read anymore if you'd like it also.

 

[LoonWulf]

What are the advantages over, say, Ruger American Ranch?

It out of the box a nicer rifle....tho the locking bolt is a functional advantage on a bang around rifle. The only gun I've had the bolt open on was an American.

Personally (and again this is just me, and we all know I LIKE the Americans) I'd look really hard at what the CTR offers and see if it's worth double, or nearly tripple the cost. You may decide that it is, or you may not.

If your going with a bolt gun, especially in a "mini" round....223, 6.5grendel, 7.62x39 etc. I'd consider the Howa minis and CZ527s. They are smaller and lighter than most of the full size options, the Howas are about the same price as the Americans, while the CZ is about double, but they are nicer guns as well.

 

[TarDevil]

other than 5.56 and 308 (and 30 carbine) most of the newer in between rifle calibers are foreign to this guy.

Brings back memories... I remember thinking, "Surely we don't need all these cartridges."

 

[TarDevil]

If your going with a bolt gun...

If I do... and I could... I might get silly with cartridge selection, but wouldn't stick with the smaller rounds.

This discussion has been enlightening. I still like the lever action, and I'm about persuaded the .44 magnum is a good caliber. There's always that little S&W 629 to go along with it!

But I haven't decided on anything. AR. Lever action, compact bolt... so many choices.

 

[Armored farmer]

If I do... and I could... I might get silly with cartridge selection, but wouldn't stick with the smaller rounds.

This discussion has been enlightening. I still like the lever action, and I'm about persuaded the .44 magnum is a good caliber. There's always that little S&W 629 to go along with it!

But I haven't decided on anything. AR. Lever action, compact bolt... so many choices.

That sounds like an excellent plan.

 

[Buzznrose]

I bought a KS-47 recently and I love it! Shoots 2-3 MOA with cheap ammo, takes standard 10/20/30 round AK mags, nice and light, minimal recoil:

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa...tride-15-lightweight-m-lok-moe-ept-rifle.html

They go in and out of stock fast so you have to keep checking the web site. I originally bought the 10.5” pistol and liked it so much I bought a 16” rifle.

Love shooting it with the 20 round PMAGS, and 10 rounders are available too.

 

[TarDevil]

That sounds like an excellent plan.

My wife really likes S&W L frames. She's pretty much decided on the 4" 586... I might see if we can find a 629 for her to handle before we buy anything.

Edited to add: She isn't recoil sensitive.

 

[3Crows]

Well, dare I say, there is the Savage Scout. Some Gen 2 (18.5 inch barrel) are still about on reduced price and the Gen 3 is awfully compact in a .308 with a 16.5 inch barrel. Like many of my rifles it has three sighting options, iron sights, scout and standard scopes available and dedicated. My Scout has a couple of flush magazines for hunting but also has a few of the large capacity magazines. The bolts locks down for carry and it is built to persevere. And I could suggest a stainless Guide Gun for the same reason. Something about seven rounds of 45-70 that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside:

 

[David Hoback]

You know, I have several boxes of .257 Roberts. Been wondering what to do with them!

Taking advantage of the 257 ain’t a bad idea, even a little bit. The Roberts is an AWESOME cartridge! Although so overlooked....of old because of 308 & anymore because of the “almighty” Creedmoor.

 

[Cannibul]

I like my marlin 336, but i wanted a scope.
Here is my solution to your dilemma:
View attachment 939966 A lightweight, compact little rifle with pretty decent thump. A good shooter too.
I have 5rd, 10rd, and this 20rd (mini thirty) magazine.

I just got my Ranch in 300 Blackout. It takes AR mags. Less expensive and more available than Mini-30 mags.

With 125 gr bullets the 300 BLK and 7.62x39 are basically ballistic twins.

The advantage of the 300 Blk is you can make your own brass if you decide to reload, the bolt face is beefier, and there are a ton more bullet options.