What next rifle?

[bigben55]

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?

 

[mauser9]

Like the idea of the Marlin 336. One solid gun! A bolt 22? Been happy with my Ruger American compact in 22 magnum. Nice accurate woods varmint gun topped with a Vortex 2x7 32 scope. light for carry and has a satin bluing. My Rem 700 in 06 has always been a good gun since 84.

 

[TheTinMan]

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?

Two suggestions - both lever actions.

The Browning BLR is a handy lever action with a box magazine. They've been chambered in many different cartridges. Mine is in .308 but there are 7 chamberings today from 243 to 300 Win Mag. The takedown version is neat, plus you can clean the barrel from the breach. (Do not try to disassemble one of these.)

BLR Lightweight '81 Stainless Takedown - Browning

Then there's old thumper a.k.a. the 45-70. Doesn't everyone "need" a Marlin 1895? This is a new-ish 1895 Guide Gun:

 

[CH4]

Hmmm
Your current list looks pretty well rounded. Perhaps a bolt gun in 6.5 CM or similar caliber, something between 22 and 30 cal… or something larger like a 338 WM. Hard to say without knowing it's potential use

 

[Rpg]

I'd like a larger caliber bolt gun.

Back in the day that's a 35 Whelen (sp?). Or 350 Remington Magnum. Various 338's fill the bill pretty well too.

These all offer a step up in recoil compared with the guns you have now as well as a bit more thump and penetration.

I pick guns that are appropriate for hunting out here in Colorado.

 

[S-W4EVER]

AR10 in 7.62x51 NATO or a 12 gauge Shotgun.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

+1 on a good 45-70. Browning made 1886 Winchesters from 1986 until about 2000, then Winchester started marketing the Japanese made guns.

I think a "Combination Gun" is also a good choice. One barrel Shotgun one barrel Rifle. Most commonly seen as Savage Model 24 and in 22/410. I like their Camper Special, Model 24CS 22/20ga, 20" with ammo storage in the butt stock. I also have 357/20ga and 30-30/20ga.

Many older European versions were in the side by side configuration and most commonly a 16ga pair of barrels with a third barrel in a rifle cartridge from 22 Hornet up to 9.6mm, 68mm long (Elephant getter). Post WWII versions often O/U with the rifle on the bottom and a 12 ga on top. I like the A. Zoli in 6.5 X 57R and a 12 ga upper barrel. This isn't a military cartridge and is permissible for hunting in most countries of the world. These were reasonable thru the 1970's but gun dealers want a fortune for everything now.

Ivan

 

[Narragansett]

Well, you do not say where you live, or if you are using this for hunting. Also, whether or not you are recoil sensitive like me. I tend not to go above 30-06. I don't like the punishment.

Also you do not say if you are a hand loader.

I like to shoot long distances and develop loads to specific distances.

You also do not mention any budget constraints, but I will offer my selection, based on caliber and rifle. I pretty much tend to like rifles built on a Mauser action, wood stocks, and medium to heavy weight barrels 22-24" long. Sako actions are good too. I would go for rifles built from 1955 to 1980.

The Belgium made Browning safari grade bolt action rifle is an excellent choice, Built on the Mauser action. The Sako Mauser built 1946 to 1961 I believe came in 2 calibers only. 30-06 and 270 Win. I would look for a 270. Remington 700 and Winchester M70 are other good choices. I would opt for the Browning.

Calibers. 22-250, 6mm Remington, 270 and 308 Winchester. If you can stand a bit more recoil, the 300 Winchester magnum is a good long distance round.

As you can see, I am a bit conventional.

Good luck

 

[LittleCooner]

Go for a 17 Winchester Super Magnum Rimfire. Your friends will be impressed. And small varmints will fear you. Ruger is chambering their 77 bolt gun in this great new round.

 

[Heinz]

I think your grouping would benefit from a US style battle rifle in either 30/06 or 308. My choice would be an M-1 although the M-14 may be more technically advanced. I have a CMP rebuilt M1 my oldest son is happy with

 

[smoothshooter]

Bolt action .223.
One of the most generally useful gun/cartridge combinations you can own.

 

[bigben55]

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.

 

[kb1903]

next rifle

can't go wrong with a nice US 1903 or 1903a3. Historic rifles with plenty of accuracy and available ammo.

 

[TIMETRIPPER]

The new Rossi model 92s are THE best buy going in the lever rifle category. I would suggest to get the stainless version and up grade the sights with Steve Gunz's kit. He also offers up grades for the magazine follower and ejector spring.
I had a 16" barreled, blue model and foolishly sold it. A 357/38, it was the handiest gun I've ever owned and chambered everything loaded, both 357 and 38 Special lead RNs or SWCs. An accurate rifle too.

John

 

[bigben55]

That's the one I have, a Rossi 92 in .38/357. I got the short barrel, blued. It's a fun, handy gun for sure! I do agree, the sights are not the best. Tell me about the Steve Gunz sights.....

The new Rossi model 92s are THE best buy going in the lever rifle category. I would suggest to get the stainless version and up grade the sights with Steve Gunz's kit. He also offers up grades for the magazine follower and ejector spring.
I had a 16" barreled, blue model and foolishly sold it. A 357/38, it was the handiest gun I've ever owned and chambered everything loaded, both 357 and 38 Special lead RNs or SWCs. An accurate rifle too.

John

 

[clang444]

In no particular order:

An M1 Garand. Get one at the CMP North Store at Camp Perry. Make sure you meet the requirements too shop at CMP.

As SKS, preferably a Russian one. Don't "upgrade" it to s pseudo black rifle, leave it stock and add a recoil pad/stock extender if needed (the stocks tend to be short).

A lever action .22 - a Win 9422 or a Marlin 39A. Spend the money and get a nice old used one.

A slide action .22 - There are plenty of nice older makes and models, but a Rem 572 will do the trick and may one of the more affordable options.

 

[H Richard]

You need something in the varmint killing range. 22-250, etc, with heavy barrel, bolt gun, capable of under 1" at 250 yards.

 

[K Harris]

You do not have a bolt action between 22LR and 30-06. Nor do you have one larger than 30-06. The only other "gap" I see is a 45-70 lever action, and possibly a 22LR lever action.

 

[mtgianni]

I would spend the money on a handloading outfit. Then the rifle that followed would be something like the 6.5 Creedmore. I would find a 6.5 x55 Ruger or a 260 Remington with better ballistics in the 6.5 caliber and target shoot to my hearts content.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

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?

Whatever SPINS YA PROPELLER...........It's different for all of us

 

[6string]

Ugh, all these "vanilla ice cream" rifle recommendations!!!

Clearly, you NEED a turn of the century German Schuetzen rifle chambered for the 8.15mm x 46R cartridge!

Seriously, though, schuetzen is a GREAT target game. You typically shoot at 200 yards from the standing position. Bullets are invariably cast lead, and typically you handload your cartridges right at the bench, using the same case over and over again.
The rifles are most often equipped with precision iron sights, or sometimes with a scope. Set triggers adjusted to a very light "hair trigger" pull are the norm.
The scoring rings are quite small.

Schuetzen is a great target discipline if you want to master offhand rifle shooting.

Or, if you just have to sit down to shoot, you could buy a benchrest rifle in 6mm PPC.
Why not jump right in and get a heavyweight "rail" gun???

If you like hunting, recoil, and spending lots of money, you can't beat a Holland & Holland double rifle, preferably in a stout safari cartridge like the 470 Nitro Express. They are still hand made, one by one, built to order. Prices start at $100,000.

Anyhow, those are just MY recommendations!

 

[weatherby]

A nice double rifle in something heavy hitting.
A single shot maybe a rolling block.

 

[cmansguns]

more "plain vanilla" (but super fun!) recommendations

As other have stated: Classic, iconic, semi-auto 30-06 M1 Garand,
iconic Winchester 94 (in 30-30 of course) to keep your JM camp company, Savage 340E sporter in 22 Hornet for those elusive Ohio whistle-pigs, prairie dogs, wood chucks, or whatever you call them out there. Classic blue (or parkerized) steel and walnut.

 

[Bald1]

Can you deer hunt with any rifle or are you limited to the straight wall cartridges? If so it's time for a Ruger 77/44.

 

[petepeterson]

.22 Magnum.
I find it very useful for killing critters when the range isn't point blank.
Pretty reasonable to shoot, as well.

 

[bigben55]

Oddly enough, I deer hunt private land in Indiana where most and rifle is legal. If I went back to hunting deer in Ohio, I got a nice CVA Inline, a few BP sidelocks, or I could use a 12ga slug gun.

Can you deer hunt with any rifle or are you limited to the straight wall cartridges? If so it's time for a Ruger 77/44.

 

[Birdhunter6]

While an M1 or an M1A is a good suggestion, IMHO, 1 centerfire bolt action just isn't enough.

The .300 Magnum and .338 Win would be good choices if there's a elk in your future. If you are thinking in terms of prairie dogs, coyotes, wood chucks or just something thats a joy on the range, a heavy barrel bolt action in 22-250 or .223 comes to mind. While the .223 wouldn't shoot as far or as flat as 22-250, it would share ammo with your AR.

 

[biku324]

Ruger #1 in 30'06 or 338 Win Mag.

 

[SweetMK]

Rather than a specific rifle,, or caliber,,
how about a specific goal,, ??

My goal was to own a "one hole gun"

I did not care the caliber,, I simply wanted the result.
I tried over a dozen guns 22LR on up to 7mm-08,,
none were one hole capable,,

THEN, i found a "NEW" gun at Green Tops Sporting goods store,
They bought ALL the display guns from the Las Vegas Shot Show,,
that were hand built to show off the "NEW" Remington 700 Sendero.
They had at least a dozen calibers,, one of each,,
I selected the 300 Win Mag.

It took a month of tinkering,, but, I found a reload that allows that gun to shoot "one hole"

Trust me,, achieving that is WAY MORE FUN than buying another hunting rifle.

Oh,, some guy at work brought in his target he shot that had 3 holes in it,,
I photocopied the target, three times,,
I took it home, and shot out his hits at 100 yards,,
duplicating his hits,, with 9 shots.

THAT gun was my favorite purchase,,,

 

[2152hq]

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. .......

You don't 'need' any other rifles for what you do.
You don't care for the BigBore stuff.
You don't HandLoad.

Unless you have a specific passion for something (say, like Pre-War European Sporters,,or Winchester pre-64's, etc),,or a specific caliber to fiddle with because it's an odd one and takes extra effort to load it and the firearm may well be a rarity as well,,,then you seem to have all the bases covered.

You can do everything you want to do, where you are (Ohio), with what you have.
Buy ammo,,or get into handloading.