Favorite Thirty Cal Rifle

[Rick_A]

I've always liked the Russian Dragunov SVD rifles, especially after getting to play with one. The ergos and balance were perfect for me and the performance is plenty good for any practical purpose. Having passed on affordable examples in the 90's I later found these Dragunov-ish Romanian guns. After handling some and reading up on them, I was sold. They are based on a reinforced RPK receiver and despite being much more crude, they shoot comparable to the Drag and it shares a similar balance and ergos.

After owning a Remington 700VS for years, it was sold to fund this:

It is fun, reliable, lightweight, has mild recoil, ammunition is inexpensive (though can get a little tough to find at times) and it has accuracy similar to a typical sporter barreled bolt gun. My example is based on a 1974 vintage gun with some minor modifications.

Though it may be an unconventional choice, this big AK was it for me as a thirty cal "all rounder."

This is a typical 100 yard five-shot group. Not outstanding but it'll do.

Interesting reticle:

What's yours?

 

[mg357]

M1 Carbine

 

[walnutred]

For a while I was issued a NM M14 and to me that is still the ultimate.

 

[ErnieDeBord]

I love Remington PSS with Leupold 6.5x20, with target turrets of coruse, Regards Ernie

 

[Raider]

For semi-auto, the M1A or the M1 Garand. For a bolt rifle, the Sprringfield 1903 or 1903A1. Either is all I need.

Charlie

 

[opscwo]

M1 Garand, M-14, Ar-10, Steyr model M 30-06, Gap 308, HS precision 308, Rem 700 300WM,

 

[feralmerril]

I live in the dark ages. I own 8 various .30 caliber rifles. I know one would do. Winchesters 94, 64 in 30-30s, 88 in 308, 95 in .30 army (30-40), model 70 in 300 H&H; browning safari in 308; Belgium browning in 30-06 and a remington 760 pump in 30-06.
They all can do the same job. Here is a hard to belive twist. One of my favorites is the remington pump 30-06. I inherited it from dad. He shot his last buck with it at about 86 years old. I had it in the back of the safe for years. Finally I thought I would check it out. It has a peep sight and I found it accurate. Its probley the cheapest of those 8 guns. It also is the lightest and fast handling. Maybe my 94 is a little lighter, maybe my BAR might be slightly faster fireing. In the real world where I live they ALL will do the same job. I believe when I start riding the trails again next summer I might start carrying this one on my atv.

 

[Bkreutz]

M1 Carbine

Same for me. ('44 Winchester)

 

[Kitgun]

Old school cool in a Cal. so nice they stamped it on barrel twice
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm7/frenchbaypics/knifes/bth_insurpics007.jpg

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Same for me. ('44 Winchester)

Same for me, too! Followed closely by my Marlin 1894 in .357 Magnum.


Regards,

Dave

 

[feralmerril]

I also have a .357 in a rossi puma and a .44 mag in a browning 92. I like them both but didnt mention them as I though the thread mentioned .30 calibers. I like the cheaper 357 more than the premo 92 browning as the 357 is a lot sweeter shooting then the .44 yet will still do most of what I occasionly carry it for. Wish I had bought it in the 92 browning when I bought the .44. They had both the 357 and mag together that day 35 years or so ago for the same price.

 

[wbraswell]

Staying with the spirit of the OP, I pick the Garand, although I would like to have a Dragunov. In a perfect world, I would have a Colt Monitor.

 

[galena]

I live in the dark ages. I own 8 various .30 caliber rifles. I know one would do. Winchesters 94, 64 in 30-30s, 88 in 308, 95 in .30 army (30-40), model 70 in 300 H&H; browning safari in 308; Belgium browning in 30-06 and a remington 760 pump in 30-06.
They all can do the same job. Here is a hard to belive twist. One of my favorites is the remington pump 30-06. I inherited it from dad. He shot his last buck with it at about 86 years old. I had it in the back of the safe for years. Finally I thought I would check it out. It has a peep sight and I found it accurate. Its probley the cheapest of those 8 guns. It also is the lightest and fast handling. Maybe my 94 is a little lighter, maybe my BAR might be slightly faster fireing. In the real world where I live they ALL will do the same job. I believe when I start riding the trails again next summer I might start carrying this one on my atv.

feralmerril, take care of that rifle........it is a treasure!

 

[hangnoose]

30 CALIBER FAVORITES

Favorite 30 caliber round, 308. Favorite military platform 30 cal, m14, AR10, Garrand.

 

[feralmerril]

Thanks. I want to find a couple more magazines for it and maybe a hi capacity magazine. This rifle shoots 30-06, weighs half what a garand does and probley is just as accurate. Almost as fast, and push comes to shove carrying it a guy doesnt look like a wannabe SF if that ever might be a factor. Guys with tons of articles and tests on whats best it all really boils down to about two guns will do (varmint and larger game) for the almost 50 or more calibers and 500 various model guns out there that they try to sell you. Just about every rifle ever made will do one or both of those jobs INCLUDING a military senerio. I have accumilated many guns but I really cant honestly justify 90% of them, I just enjoy having them.

 

[ACP230]

Springfield Armory M1 A.
My most consistently accurate rifle.
The one I shot my last couple years of NRA Highpower Matches with.

 

[zzzippper]

M1A, best match rifle ever.

 

[BigBill]

My brand new Russian izmash saiga in 308win is hard to beat in accuracy and reliability. It shoots 1 1/2" groups with iron sights benchrested at 100yds using surplus south African 308 ball ammo with a 16" barrel. I just reworked a norinco m14s in 308 and I hope it shoots better than my saiga. The saiga cost me only $289. With two ten round magazines , the function and dependability of the new Russian izmash saiga is unmatched.
This Russian ak/akm designed rifle spits out the 308 round like no other semi auto I have shot before. These saiga sporting rifles rock. I should of purchased a Russian dragunov many years ago.
I been hearing rumors that saiga is no longer making rifles. This will drive the prices sky high for sure.
I wished they offered the saiga in 7,62x54r.

We have to look at some of the winning match rifles lately at camp Perry? The Swiss K31 is on the list. The Swedish mausers have always been there.

I chose my Chinese norinco m14s over the m1a because of its 5100 steel forged receiver. There's lots of rumors about this norinco m14 clone but Fulton armory posted an article on there sight that tells the truth about it. I like its chromed lined bore and chamber too.

 

[carpriver]

I still like the M-1 Carbine, it light weight, low recoil, and it is accurate.

 

[finesse_r]

While I used to prefer the M-14, none of the civilian versions I have tried have seem to measure up to my memories of the old M-14. What I choose today is either my Marlin 30-30, and my Ruger mini-30. The Marlin's I have are incredibly accurate out to 100 yards or so and great for hunting in the woods and brush were I live, and the Mini-30 provides plenty of firepower if that is ever needed.