What next rifle?

[Ivan the Butcher]

If you are thinking of varmint hunting, I consider it a sport with 4 range categories, 1) Barnyard out to 75-100 yards Nice 22 LR or small 22 Centerfire (22 or 17 Hornet, 218 Bee, 221 Fireball) 2) Medium (one farm field) 175-200 yards Medium 22 Centerfire (222, 223) 204 Ruger. 3) medium-long out to 500yards: 223, 22-250, 243, 6mm Rem. 4) Long range 1000-1100 yards. The larger 6.5mm, 7-08, 308 Plama load (and if varmints include Russian Paratroopers, 300 Win. Mag., 338 Lapua Mag.)

You can shoot a groundhog at 10 feet, but what fun is that? I use my 38 EDC for that garden shooting. I know guys that like a challenge, like Prairie Dogs at 300+ yards with a 22 Hornet.

Next topic: 1880's single shots! I enjoy a Shiloe Sharp's 1874 45-70 and a Modern production Winchester Highwall in 38-55. You can use Black Powder or Smokeless. Standard hunting sights are good enough for groundhogs at 150-200 and factory ammo will be good enough for that.
With the heavier loads the Sharp's can hunt anything in the Western Hemisphere! (although, many hunters prefer more than one shot on thigh that will eat you!)

Do you need anything more than you already have, Not Really! If cost is a problem, you should stand pat.

Ivan

 

[SWFan27]

Because there's always a "next," right. As of now, I have the following:
●all the black powder rifles I could ever need
●a good JM Marlin 336 in .30-30
●a decent AR in .223/.5.56
●bolt action .22 and a 10/22
●bolt action .30-06
●Rossi lever action .38/.357

I'm looking for action/caliber recommendations, to better round out my collection. Thoughts?

A Henry Big Boy Brass 357/38.

 

[jake1945]

Next on my list:
Uberti 1873 Winchester cal. 45 colt
M1A cal. 308 in military clothes (stock, etc.)

 

[Muley Gil]

Because there's always a "next," right. As of now, I have the following:
●all the black powder rifles I could ever need
●a good JM Marlin 336 in .30-30
●a decent AR in .223/.5.56
●bolt action .22 and a 10/22
●bolt action .30-06
●Rossi lever action .38/.357

I'm looking for action/caliber recommendations, to better round out my collection. Thoughts?

What muzzleloaders do you own? I'm partial to the military arms from the era of the War of Northern Aggression.

 

[bigben55]

There's a nice .50cal Hawken percussion, a .50cal Flintlock Southern Mtn title, a .54cal flintlock, a CVA inline, and a Zoli Zouave. I love shooting black powder! Probably my favorite guns to shoot.

What muzzleloaders do you own? I'm partial to the military arms from the era of the War of Northern Aggression.

 

[BB57]

I have a .50 caliber Hawken but my favorite smoke pole is am 1859 Sharps Berdan Infantry rifle.

It’s an interesting design using a paper cartridge, the end of which is cut off by the closing breech block.

The breech block routes the flame from the musket cap down and then around a 90 degree corner to the center of the block and then around another 90 degree corner to enter the chamber. It will not function reliably with substitutes given their higher ignition temperature, but it’s great with FFg or FFg black powder.

The chamber has a floating cylinder in the chamber that presses back against the breech block when the charge is ignited which seals the chamber against the breech block.

The .54 caliber cartridges work well with a standard Civil war era cartridge box and tins.

It’s an interesting transition between the rifled musket and it’s paper cartridges and later rifles using fixed copper/brass cased ammunition.

 

[A10]

Some have suggested a Ruger No. 1, which is a great choice! Others have recommended a varmint rifle of some manner. I suggest you combine both and get a No. 1 in .375 H&H. You can take any varmint you like with that one!

 

[Fishinfool]

You have the basics pretty much covered. How about something more fun / range oriented? No matter what I am shooting at the range that day, I usually take my M1a .308 with me. Just a fun gun to shoot.

Or how about setting up a good .22 rf match rifle for some precision shooting at 50 and 100 yards? Something known accurate, like a CZ 457, or a Tika TX1, along with a decent $3-400 scope, some match ammo and a good rest. If you enjoy shooting & precision (small little groups) you can really go down the rabbit hole playing this game. Plenty of different .22 rf games / competition out there. I shoot ARA, which is basically 50 yard bench at small score card targets, where fractions of an inch matter. Some of the other games require accuracy and a lot of movement and range adjustment / positional shooting.

Alternatively, a 9mm carbine of some type (I have a Beretta and a CZ) cand be fun and cheap to shoot, doubling as a nice home defense weapon.

Larry

 

[Dgfrtsgt]

I moved to NE Ohio two years ago and traded to get a Mauser 30.06 thinking of using it for hunting. But only straight-wall cartridges are allowed. The Ma user is very light and handy but does kick. I have a 30/30 Winchester that is fun to shoot. And I definitely have ARs. Look at Bravo Co and Daniel Defense for a good AR. Buy quality, you only cry once. I recently attended a John Farnam class and going to another next month near Dayton. Good opportunity to shoot a new AR,just sayin.

 

[Notch8]

I agree with TheTinMan's recommendation of a Ruger No. 1 single-shot falling block. 7x57 or 7mm-08. A true classic.

 

[paknheat]

Get you a Model 71 Winchester chambered in .348.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[ruger 22]

You have a very good all around battery for most of North America and Canada. Perhaps a bit light on the high end for big bears/moose so perhaps a 375 H&H would be a good add. You really do not need anything in the 40+ calibers unless you wish to go to Africa and then you can always rent a rifle once you are over there. If you want to have just plain fun you can get a 458 Winchester and handload 45 cal pistol bullets and make yourself a nice squirrel rifle.

 

[Dgfrtsgt]

You might want to take a look at the M1 Garand. Check out CMP. They are awesome, heavy compared to today's rifles but a blast to shoot.

 

[Oldsalt66]

Arsenal SAM7-R, Zastava M70, or WBP Jack, in 7.62x39.

 

[smoothshooter]

Thx guys. Good suggestions, keep them coming. A couple follow ups...
-no, I don't handled
-I live in SW Ohio
-I hunt deer, turkey and small game
-have plenty of handguns and shotguns

I've thought about getting a big bore rifle. My goal is to have literally every gun I could conceivably ever need for any outdoor purpose, before I retire in a few years. I could get the 45-70, but they're pricy as is the ammo any while I could swing it, I don't see me shooting it all that much. Even moreso for bigger. My son has a nice milsurp rifle collection going, I've shot most every milsurp. He also has a $3000+ 6.5 Creedmoor rig that I've shot.

Thx for the reminder about the Savage Stevens O/U guns. I've always wanted a .22 over 20ga.

You really need to take up reloading.
Yes, components are pricey, but prices will likely come down a little in a year or two but if you like to shoot, being totally dependent on factory ammo (except for maybe 9mm) is a mistake. Even if you don’t feel the need to load a lot of ammo from the git-go, you need to have the equipment set up and be familiar with the process.

 

[Imissedagain]

As already stated, a Ruger No.1 Rifle.
458/375 or have a 458 chambered for 460.
Go big or go home...... bruises heal.
The No.1 Varminter is heavy and one in 223/25-06/22-250 or
6.5 Creedmoor with the Varminter barrel.

Seriously, a 12 gauge pump that chambers 3.5" shells.
With long and short barrels.

I started loading the No1H Tropical/458 with Lee Loaders and a hammer decades ago.
Cut the No.1H to 16.5".
Swings nice.
The long barreled/scoped rifle is a pic from the web.

 

[soonerbb]

I would recommend an AR in 6.5 Grendel with 20-24 inch barrel, low recoil and long legs....

 

[bobsguns]

I'm looking for action/caliber recommendations, to better round out my collection. Thoughts?

Well, there's .22 rifles & then there's .22 RIFLES.

I suggest a CZ MTR for reasons.

Ignore the flyer. I was sighting in the scope.

My .o2

 

[Imissedagain]

Steyr makes bolt guns that will shoot a ragged hole at 100yds.
A Winchester 52D got a good X count for the USAF smallbore team long ago.
Four position fun.
Won a Pewter mug in '68 at the Western Nationals.
Just turned 21, and this young NCO had a real beer.
Just an occasional Ale these days.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Seems like you got SW Ohio covered.

All I can suggest/add is check out CZs Rifles...... great rifles w/ Mauser actions [in 3 sizes] Good to great wood...... Sub MOA and best of all many can be had in Mannlicher stocks!!!!!