Hunting rifle or tactical shotgun?

OttoJara · December 28, 2012, 02:00 AM

I've got a couple bucks in my pocket burning a hole and I can't make up my mind. I'm looking at a 2006 Marlin 336W 30-30, and a new Mossberg 500 20" Persuader. The Marlin is $300 and the parkerized Mossberg is $350. I do have a couple shotguns already and I do have a couple hunting rifles too. I have a M4 already so I do have tactical covered there. What would you chose?

**Art Eatman** · December 28, 2012, 09:44 AM

I probably wouldn't do anything, right now. Money goes away faster than it comes in, and it doesn't sound like you have any real need for more guns. If you're not already reloading, odds are that buying some gear would be rational, as well as a couple of manuals. Maybe some hunting ammo, but .223 and .308 is way over-priced for the moment.

OttoJara · December 28, 2012, 12:02 PM

I have plenty of ammo for all my guns, I could use an extra couple hundred in 223 but I have enough for now. I have 10 high cap mags and a bunch of toys to go with. If I don't end up buying another gun, it'll turn into more landscaping in the yard. I'd prefer the gun.

jimbob86 · December 28, 2012, 12:12 PM

Got a handloading set-up?

That'd cushion you a bit when these panic buying sprees happen.

OttoJara · December 28, 2012, 01:31 PM

" it doesn't sound like you have any real need for more guns. "

WOW! You sounded just like my wife with that statement. Are you sure you can say something like that on this forum?

JK, I don't reload but I've thought about it. I have some expensive caliber guns, 45-70, 35 Remington, and getting to be 223. I'm just not sure of how to start or what to start with. The 30-30 would be to ease the pain of shooting the 35 Rem.

Thanks for the input, I really do appreciate it.

j3ffr0 · December 28, 2012, 04:18 PM

I would think the Marlin 30-30 would be the wiser choice. I would like to have one, and probably would not pass it up at $300. The Marlin seems like it would be more useful, more fun, and a better value. Of course it all depends on what you'd want to do with it.

Have fun choosing!

OttoJara · December 28, 2012, 05:23 PM

I am really leaning far to the Marlin because they aren't making JM 336s anymore. I can get the Mossberg off the shelf any day, but now that Remington has Marlin and not doing them justice, it would be nice to have an original from North Haven Ct.

Old Grump · December 28, 2012, 06:23 PM

I'd go lever action, it always is a nice choice in heavy cover and doubles pretty good for Home Defense. Besides they is just plain fun to shoot.

**Art Eatman** · December 28, 2012, 08:00 PM

I regularly point out "need", although I'm talking from a utility standpoint. If you can afford those guns which are in the "want" category, go for it.

OttoJara · December 28, 2012, 10:12 PM

No worries Art, I just got home with the Marlin, I'm very happy, it looks great next to my 35Rem. Like a father and son. Now for some optics, I'm thinking Nikon Prostaff 2-7X32.

breakingcontact · December 28, 2012, 10:23 PM

Hows about a nice 22LR or 22mag?

OttoJara · December 28, 2012, 11:34 PM

I have a S&W 15-22 with 8 25rd mags, I am looking for a nice 22mag.

breakingcontact · December 29, 2012, 12:57 AM

With the ridiculous price of ammo, I may get into 22mag as well.

jimbob86 · December 29, 2012, 03:31 AM

Quote:

JK, I don't reload but I've thought about it. I have some expensive caliber guns, 45-70, 35 Remington, and getting to be 223. I'm just not sure of how to start or what to start with.

This IS the Information Age, and you are posting on one of the most heavily trafficked gun forums in existence, and it does have a Reloading section, complete with stickys on how to, dozens of threads on getting started (I know- I've posted in many of them). Don't know what to start with? Ask me, and I'll give you my opinion ...... but do so in the handloading forum .....

http://thefiringline.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=9

rrruger · December 29, 2012, 02:07 PM

Quote:

I do have a couple shotguns already and I do have a couple hunting rifles too. I have a M4 already so I do have tactical covered there. What would you chose?

I would choose the one that would cut me the biggest break with the judge when I had to defend myself against a bad guy bleeding in the living room.
The Zombie Killer or the Hunting Rifle?

Tucker 1371 · December 29, 2012, 05:24 PM

Handgun? Sounds like all your bases are covered on long guns. How about ammo? Mags for your AR? Optics? Pawn shop near me has an EOtech 552 for $250

December 28, 2012, 02:00 AM	#1
OttoJara Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2008 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Posts: 443	Hunting rifle or tactical shotgun? I've got a couple bucks in my pocket burning a hole and I can't make up my mind. I'm looking at a 2006 Marlin 336W 30-30, and a new Mossberg 500 20" Persuader. The Marlin is $300 and the parkerized Mossberg is $350. I do have a couple shotguns already and I do have a couple hunting rifles too. I have a M4 already so I do have tactical covered there. What would you chose? __________________ The early bird may get the worm, but, the second rat, gets the cheese. "A fear of weapons, is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." Sigmund Freud

December 28, 2012, 09:44 AM	#2
Art Eatman Staff Lead Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX, USA Posts: 20,947	I probably wouldn't do anything, right now. Money goes away faster than it comes in, and it doesn't sound like you have any real need for more guns. If you're not already reloading, odds are that buying some gear would be rational, as well as a couple of manuals. Maybe some hunting ammo, but .223 and .308 is way over-priced for the moment. __________________ You're from BATFE? Come right in! I use all your fine products!

December 28, 2012, 12:02 PM	#3
OttoJara Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2008 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Posts: 443	I have plenty of ammo for all my guns, I could use an extra couple hundred in 223 but I have enough for now. I have 10 high cap mags and a bunch of toys to go with. If I don't end up buying another gun, it'll turn into more landscaping in the yard. I'd prefer the gun. __________________ The early bird may get the worm, but, the second rat, gets the cheese. "A fear of weapons, is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." Sigmund Freud

December 28, 2012, 12:12 PM	#4
jimbob86 Senior Member Join Date: October 4, 2007 Location: All the way to NEBRASKA Posts: 5,263	Got a handloading set-up? That'd cushion you a bit when these panic buying sprees happen. __________________ TheGolden Rule of Tool Use: "If you don't know what you are doing, DON'T." http://nefirearm.com/

December 28, 2012, 01:31 PM	#5
OttoJara Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2008 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Posts: 443	" it doesn't sound like you have any real need for more guns. " WOW! You sounded just like my wife with that statement. Are you sure you can say something like that on this forum? JK, I don't reload but I've thought about it. I have some expensive caliber guns, 45-70, 35 Remington, and getting to be 223. I'm just not sure of how to start or what to start with. The 30-30 would be to ease the pain of shooting the 35 Rem. Thanks for the input, I really do appreciate it. __________________ The early bird may get the worm, but, the second rat, gets the cheese. "A fear of weapons, is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." Sigmund Freud

December 28, 2012, 04:18 PM	#6
j3ffr0 Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2012 Location: VA Posts: 145	I would think the Marlin 30-30 would be the wiser choice. I would like to have one, and probably would not pass it up at $300. The Marlin seems like it would be more useful, more fun, and a better value. Of course it all depends on what you'd want to do with it. Have fun choosing!

December 28, 2012, 05:23 PM	#7
OttoJara Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2008 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Posts: 443	I am really leaning far to the Marlin because they aren't making JM 336s anymore. I can get the Mossberg off the shelf any day, but now that Remington has Marlin and not doing them justice, it would be nice to have an original from North Haven Ct. __________________ The early bird may get the worm, but, the second rat, gets the cheese. "A fear of weapons, is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." Sigmund Freud

December 28, 2012, 06:23 PM	#8
Old Grump Senior Member Join Date: April 9, 2009 Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in a little hut in the woods Posts: 3,127	I'd go lever action, it always is a nice choice in heavy cover and doubles pretty good for Home Defense. Besides they is just plain fun to shoot. __________________ Good intentions will always be pleaded for any assumption of power. The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern will, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. --Daniel Webster--

December 28, 2012, 08:00 PM	#9
Art Eatman Staff Lead Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX, USA Posts: 20,947	! I regularly point out "need", although I'm talking from a utility standpoint. If you can afford those guns which are in the "want" category, go for it. __________________ You're from BATFE? Come right in! I use all your fine products!

December 28, 2012, 10:12 PM	#10
OttoJara Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2008 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Posts: 443	No worries Art, I just got home with the Marlin, I'm very happy, it looks great next to my 35Rem. Like a father and son. Now for some optics, I'm thinking Nikon Prostaff 2-7X32. __________________ The early bird may get the worm, but, the second rat, gets the cheese. "A fear of weapons, is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." Sigmund Freud

December 28, 2012, 10:23 PM	#11
breakingcontact Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2012 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 656	Hows about a nice 22LR or 22mag?

December 28, 2012, 11:34 PM	#12
OttoJara Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2008 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Posts: 443	I have a S&W 15-22 with 8 25rd mags, I am looking for a nice 22mag. __________________ The early bird may get the worm, but, the second rat, gets the cheese. "A fear of weapons, is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." Sigmund Freud

December 29, 2012, 12:57 AM	#13
breakingcontact Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2012 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 656	With the ridiculous price of ammo, I may get into 22mag as well.

December 29, 2012, 05:24 PM	#16
Tucker 1371 Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2008 Location: East TN Posts: 1,688	Handgun? Sounds like all your bases are covered on long guns. How about ammo? Mags for your AR? Optics? Pawn shop near me has an EOtech 552 for $250 __________________ LCpl Williams, Evan T. USMC-R, 02-08-2010 ~ D Co, 4th CEB, Engineers UP!! OEF 21JUN-20SEP2011 REV. 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.