IRS refund burning a hole in my pocket

SEOhioan · May 7, 2012, 08:35 AM

1st post, so I apologize in advance:

I'm moving to a farm in southeast ohio and plan to celebrate moving with a new gun. We'll have ~100acres (1/2 wooded, 1/2 open, rolling hills) and plan to grow an assortment of crops and raise chickens, goats, cows. Currently, my long-gun collection includes a .22LR, .22mag, .357 M92, .40 sub2K, AR15, 12 gauge pump. The area to which we are moving has many coyotes and a few feral hogs.

I'm interested in moving up to a larger caliber. If I'm being honest, the gun will be mostly for plinking (no further than a couple hundred yards and won't obsess over tiny one-hole groups, but would be nice to keep them on a pie plate), but am also interested in having something capable for hogs and home/ranch defense (AR15 goes to the wife in this scenario). I'm not a hunter. I'm just considering semi-autos at this point and want something reliable, durable and reasonably accurate for the above mentioned purposes. I'm pretty much sold on one of the 3 calibers which follow, but am open to suggestions re: gun selection. Here's what I'm considering:

1. 7.62x39: SKS or AK (probably Saiga)
2. 6.8 SPC II: either new gun or complete upper
3. .308: FNAR or some form of .308 AR

Now obviously the correct answer is one of each, but I don't think I can talk to wife into that (yet). Money isn't much of an issue, but all things being equal, I'd like the more economical option overall. Thanks in advance for your input.

**Art Eatman** · May 7, 2012, 08:55 AM

Hogs/home defense/plinking? The SKS would do as well as anything. Low investment cost, relatively inexpensive ammo, adequate for hogs. And if it and an AR aren't enough for home defense, your problem is a lack of helpful people on your side of the argument.

plouffedaddy · May 7, 2012, 09:03 AM

Put me down for the SKS or an AK as well. Both proven platforms that are easy to maintain, durable, and will keep a 4'' group at 100m even with the crappiest ammo out there. Easily MOPP (minute of pie plate) guns. Plus, they're very reasonably priced compared to the other options and that'll be an easier sell to the wife

Wyosmith · May 7, 2012, 09:06 AM

Well of those 3, the 6.8 AR is the one that will cover the bases best.
A 308 is nice, but a 6.8 is super effective on deer and of course, it would be just as effective on enemies. In Ohio I'd have to assume a deer is the largest thing you'd ever have opportunity to shoot. So a 308 would give you a level of power you can't use as a rule.

The SKS or AK would do well too, but with less range than the AR and a more curved trajectory. Generally the AKs are less accurate then the ARs, but there are exceptions in both guns now and then. Ammo for the 308 is more expensive than the 6.8 if you reload your own. If you buy factory ammo only, the 6.8 is the most costly. Of the 3 the 7.62X39 is way less expensive than either of the other two.

The FN and the AR are both better option than the AK or the SKS for scope use. The SKS and the AK can be scoped, but the design of the mounts is not as easy strong or convenient as either the AR or the FN.

The SKS is the least expensive, the AK being next in line. The FN and the AR are going to be similar in price depending on what kind of goodies you buy for the AR. A low end build on an AR can be about $850 and a high end build can go over $2,000. So the AR is the most versatile, but at a price.

Have fun!

1911Alaska · May 7, 2012, 10:14 AM

If I were you I would not get the Saiga. I had a Saiga 7.26x39 a year ago. The thing kept jamming on me. Literally every 2 shots it would jam.

There is a lip or something there, that as soon as you shoot, the bullet comes up from the magazine and right before it reaches the chamber there is that lip that the round would constantly be getting caught on.

If your handy with a dremel I am sure you could take care of this problem. There is also a ring? or something there you can buy and put it there. I will see if I can find what I am talking about so I can show you.

Get an Ak or an SKS. They are great guns, I have shot numerous ones and never had problems. EXCEPT in the Saiga 7.62x39 that I bought.

HDTVSELLER · May 7, 2012, 05:02 PM

a 7.62x54r dragov is a good choice you get cheap ammo, hard hitting bullet , and long range on ak platform.

stu925 · May 7, 2012, 09:15 PM

I'd vote for the SKS if range will be 200yds or under. Beyond 200 I'd go with an M1A in .308 or maybe pick up a Garand from the CMP.

Stu

SEOhioan · May 8, 2012, 09:25 PM

Thanks for everyone's input. I was leaning towards an SKS before posting, but figured I'd get some other perspectives. Regarding the Civilian Markmanship Program: I know very little about it. From what I understand there is a limited supply of Garands available at reduced cost, but I believe there is some sort of stipulation about who qualifies. Can anyone fill me in? 30-06 was not on my initial list of calibers, but if I can put my hands on a Garand at a rock-bottom price, I'd be crazy to pass it up.

stu925 · May 9, 2012, 08:46 PM

Here's a link to the CMPs eligibility requirements:
http://www.odcmp.com/Sales/eligibility.htm
Most of the requirements are pretty easy to satisfy. Get that Garand while they are still available. I need a little more in my Garand fund and then I'll be ordering mine.

Stu

May 7, 2012, 08:35 AM	#1
SEOhioan Junior Member Join Date: May 7, 2012 Location: Southeast Ohio Posts: 2	IRS refund burning a hole in my pocket 1st post, so I apologize in advance: I'm moving to a farm in southeast ohio and plan to celebrate moving with a new gun. We'll have ~100acres (1/2 wooded, 1/2 open, rolling hills) and plan to grow an assortment of crops and raise chickens, goats, cows. Currently, my long-gun collection includes a .22LR, .22mag, .357 M92, .40 sub2K, AR15, 12 gauge pump. The area to which we are moving has many coyotes and a few feral hogs. I'm interested in moving up to a larger caliber. If I'm being honest, the gun will be mostly for plinking (no further than a couple hundred yards and won't obsess over tiny one-hole groups, but would be nice to keep them on a pie plate), but am also interested in having something capable for hogs and home/ranch defense (AR15 goes to the wife in this scenario). I'm not a hunter. I'm just considering semi-autos at this point and want something reliable, durable and reasonably accurate for the above mentioned purposes. I'm pretty much sold on one of the 3 calibers which follow, but am open to suggestions re: gun selection. Here's what I'm considering: 1. 7.62x39: SKS or AK (probably Saiga) 2. 6.8 SPC II: either new gun or complete upper 3. .308: FNAR or some form of .308 AR Now obviously the correct answer is one of each, but I don't think I can talk to wife into that (yet). Money isn't much of an issue, but all things being equal, I'd like the more economical option overall. Thanks in advance for your input.

May 7, 2012, 08:55 AM	#2
Art Eatman Staff Lead Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX, USA Posts: 20,937	Hogs/home defense/plinking? The SKS would do as well as anything. Low investment cost, relatively inexpensive ammo, adequate for hogs. And if it and an AR aren't enough for home defense, your problem is a lack of helpful people on your side of the argument. __________________ You're from BATFE? Come right in! I use all your fine products!

May 7, 2012, 09:03 AM	#3
plouffedaddy Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2011 Location: Carolina Posts: 2,960	Put me down for the SKS or an AK as well. Both proven platforms that are easy to maintain, durable, and will keep a 4'' group at 100m even with the crappiest ammo out there. Easily MOPP (minute of pie plate) guns. Plus, they're very reasonably priced compared to the other options and that'll be an easier sell to the wife __________________ Mrgunsngear's Youtube Channel Certified Glock Armorer

May 7, 2012, 05:02 PM	#6
HDTVSELLER Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2007 Posts: 248	a 7.62x54r dragov is a good choice you get cheap ammo, hard hitting bullet , and long range on ak platform. __________________ What would the world be like without guns!!!!

May 8, 2012, 09:25 PM	#8
SEOhioan Junior Member Join Date: May 7, 2012 Location: Southeast Ohio Posts: 2	Thanks for your input Thanks for everyone's input. I was leaning towards an SKS before posting, but figured I'd get some other perspectives. Regarding the Civilian Markmanship Program: I know very little about it. From what I understand there is a limited supply of Garands available at reduced cost, but I believe there is some sort of stipulation about who qualifies. Can anyone fill me in? 30-06 was not on my initial list of calibers, but if I can put my hands on a Garand at a rock-bottom price, I'd be crazy to pass it up.

May 7, 2012, 09:06 AM	#4
Wyosmith Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2010 Location: Shoshoni Wyoming Posts: 598	Well of those 3, the 6.8 AR is the one that will cover the bases best. A 308 is nice, but a 6.8 is super effective on deer and of course, it would be just as effective on enemies. In Ohio I'd have to assume a deer is the largest thing you'd ever have opportunity to shoot. So a 308 would give you a level of power you can't use as a rule. The SKS or AK would do well too, but with less range than the AR and a more curved trajectory. Generally the AKs are less accurate then the ARs, but there are exceptions in both guns now and then. Ammo for the 308 is more expensive than the 6.8 if you reload your own. If you buy factory ammo only, the 6.8 is the most costly. Of the 3 the 7.62X39 is way less expensive than either of the other two. The FN and the AR are both better option than the AK or the SKS for scope use. The SKS and the AK can be scoped, but the design of the mounts is not as easy strong or convenient as either the AR or the FN. The SKS is the least expensive, the AK being next in line. The FN and the AR are going to be similar in price depending on what kind of goodies you buy for the AR. A low end build on an AR can be about $850 and a high end build can go over $2,000. So the AR is the most versatile, but at a price. Have fun!

May 7, 2012, 10:14 AM	#5
1911Alaska Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2012 Posts: 120	If I were you I would not get the Saiga. I had a Saiga 7.26x39 a year ago. The thing kept jamming on me. Literally every 2 shots it would jam. There is a lip or something there, that as soon as you shoot, the bullet comes up from the magazine and right before it reaches the chamber there is that lip that the round would constantly be getting caught on. If your handy with a dremel I am sure you could take care of this problem. There is also a ring? or something there you can buy and put it there. I will see if I can find what I am talking about so I can show you. Get an Ak or an SKS. They are great guns, I have shot numerous ones and never had problems. EXCEPT in the Saiga 7.62x39 that I bought.

May 7, 2012, 09:15 PM	#7
stu925 Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2010 Location: New York Posts: 852	I'd vote for the SKS if range will be 200yds or under. Beyond 200 I'd go with an M1A in .308 or maybe pick up a Garand from the CMP. Stu

May 9, 2012, 08:46 PM	#9
stu925 Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2010 Location: New York Posts: 852	Here's a link to the CMPs eligibility requirements: http://www.odcmp.com/Sales/eligibility.htm Most of the requirements are pretty easy to satisfy. Get that Garand while they are still available. I need a little more in my Garand fund and then I'll be ordering mine. Stu