Help me decide what to buy....

Howzitbra · December 9, 2019, 07:52 PM

Ok, I’ve got the itch to buy another rifle and I’d kinda like some opinions.
What I have is a Win Model 70 30-06, Savage 6.5 Creedmoor, Ruger 10-22, and an Ar-15 223/5.56.
What does the firing suggest as my next rifle?
I deer hunt with a bow and a rifle. Doubt if I would ever hunt anything bigger than a whitetail. You never know though

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Blindstitch · December 9, 2019, 10:29 PM

Lever actions are always a good choice.

reynolds357 · December 9, 2019, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howzitbra

Ok, I’ve got the itch to buy another rifle and I’d kinda like some opinions.
What I have is a Win Model 70 30-06, Savage 6.5 Creedmoor, Ruger 10-22, and an Ar-15 223/5.56.
What does the firing suggest as my next rifle?
I deer hunt with a bow and a rifle. Doubt if I would ever hunt anything bigger than a whitetail. You never know though

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

For some reason the next rifle on my bucket list is another 6.5x55.

jonnyc · December 9, 2019, 10:47 PM

Something semi-serious in .308, or something fun in 7.62x39

Nathan · December 9, 2019, 11:15 PM

Something big...9.3x62 through 458 lott in a Ruger M77 or Win 70 or CZ550

Pathfinder45 · December 10, 2019, 02:01 AM

I would start looking for a pre-64 lever action Winchester. Not necessarily a 30-30, but it wouldn't be a bad choice. 30-'06 ammo can be reloaded using bullets intended for the 30-30, ya know.

TrueBlue711 · December 10, 2019, 09:33 AM

Hmm you have a good lot for most needs/wants already: For both deer hunting and long range shooting, you already have that Creedmoor. For plinking, you got the 10/22 and the AR. Home defense (if using a rifle), the AR again. And for hunting game bigger than deer, the 30-06.

Maybe a question to ask yourself is when you're at the gun range and you see what others are shooting, are there times you go "man, I wish I had that gun"? Also, what's your budget?

Personally, I would go with either a PCC like a CMMG Banshee, a lever gun in .357 or .44 next, or a heavy hitting semi auto like an AR-10.

ilmonster · December 10, 2019, 09:43 AM

As others have said, you have long range covered (6.5CM), plinking and blasting (10/22 and AR) and hunting (30-06), although a 30-06 might be overkill.

If you only hunt whitetails, how about a lever action. Maybe a 30-30, or even a .357 or .44? Lots of options depending on what floats your boat. Henry in all those calibers (and new 38-55 which is interesting) - beautifully made. Marlins in all manner of configurations (cowboy, hunting, long or short barrel). A "previously enjoyed" Winchester 94 with some stories behind it. Or for S&G's, a 45-70 for a bang flop on a whitetail, and downloaded for range fun (chucking fist sized chunks of lead downrange with the trajectory of a mortar shell).

Should also ask yourself, what do you see at the range that makes you think, "wow, that's cool/interesting..."

Howzitbra · December 10, 2019, 12:45 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions! Yeah maybe a lever action is in my future. I’ve never owned a lever action before. Lately I’ve been hunting in a lot of thick dense woods.

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reinert · December 10, 2019, 01:23 PM

Howzitbra,

If your game is whitetails mostly these days, and your shots are fairly close, even out to 200 yds., I'd suggest you hunt around for a nice VINTAGE Marlin 336 lever gun in 30-30 Winchester that's drilled and tapped for a scope from the factory (I believe every rifleman needs a 30-30 in their arsenal, but that's just me). Next, hunt for a vintage M8 4x Leupold compact scope and mount it on the rifle. That could very well be a rig for your needs, and a good scratch for that itch (IMO).

I've got one set up as such (early 60's vintage 336), and it's a wonderful, very accurate deer rifle. Just filled my two doe/fawn whitetail tags last week with two shots; one @70 yds., the other @150 (Leupold range finder usage). I think you'd really like a 30-30 if you've never had one. I like the 150 grn. Speer, Soft Point Flat Nose bullets for my 30-30 reloads. But even if you don't reload, 30-30 ammo should be readily available most anywhere they sell ammo.

Merry Christmas, and have a good hunt for a new rifle!

reinert

T. O'Heir · December 10, 2019, 02:27 PM

You looking for a boring, same old, same old, commercial hunting rifle, that will never increase in value or a 'soon to be gone' proper battle rifle?
The CMP still has Service Grade(Good to Very Good condition)M1 Rifles(there ain't no rifle that's quite like an M1) for $750.00(paid $175Cdn for mine 40 years ago. It's worth about 2 grand now.) There are hoops to jump through to qualify. Shoot the matches even if you don't have to(it's fun and you'll meet some great people.).

December 9, 2019, 07:52 PM	#1
Howzitbra Member Join Date: April 6, 2011 Posts: 23	Help me decide what to buy.... Ok, I’ve got the itch to buy another rifle and I’d kinda like some opinions. What I have is a Win Model 70 30-06, Savage 6.5 Creedmoor, Ruger 10-22, and an Ar-15 223/5.56. What does the firing suggest as my next rifle? I deer hunt with a bow and a rifle. Doubt if I would ever hunt anything bigger than a whitetail. You never know though Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

December 9, 2019, 10:29 PM	#2
Blindstitch Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2013 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 2,692	Lever actions are always a good choice. __________________ NRA Lifetime Member

December 9, 2019, 10:47 PM	#4
jonnyc Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,731	Something semi-serious in .308, or something fun in 7.62x39 __________________ 2024 PA Cartridge Collector Show; Aug. 16-17, 2024!!! Buy...Sell...Trade All Types of Ammunition & Ordnance PM or email me for 2024 show details.

December 10, 2019, 02:27 PM	#11
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	You looking for a boring, same old, same old, commercial hunting rifle, that will never increase in value or a 'soon to be gone' proper battle rifle? The CMP still has Service Grade(Good to Very Good condition)M1 Rifles(there ain't no rifle that's quite like an M1) for $750.00(paid $175Cdn for mine 40 years ago. It's worth about 2 grand now.) There are hoops to jump through to qualify. Shoot the matches even if you don't have to(it's fun and you'll meet some great people.). __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

December 9, 2019, 11:15 PM	#5
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,325	Something big...9.3x62 through 458 lott in a Ruger M77 or Win 70 or CZ550

December 10, 2019, 02:01 AM	#6
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	I would start looking for a pre-64 lever action Winchester. Not necessarily a 30-30, but it wouldn't be a bad choice. 30-'06 ammo can be reloaded using bullets intended for the 30-30, ya know.

December 10, 2019, 09:33 AM	#7
TrueBlue711 Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2011 Posts: 489	Hmm you have a good lot for most needs/wants already: For both deer hunting and long range shooting, you already have that Creedmoor. For plinking, you got the 10/22 and the AR. Home defense (if using a rifle), the AR again. And for hunting game bigger than deer, the 30-06. Maybe a question to ask yourself is when you're at the gun range and you see what others are shooting, are there times you go "man, I wish I had that gun"? Also, what's your budget? Personally, I would go with either a PCC like a CMMG Banshee, a lever gun in .357 or .44 next, or a heavy hitting semi auto like an AR-10.

December 10, 2019, 09:43 AM	#8
ilmonster Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 180	As others have said, you have long range covered (6.5CM), plinking and blasting (10/22 and AR) and hunting (30-06), although a 30-06 might be overkill. If you only hunt whitetails, how about a lever action. Maybe a 30-30, or even a .357 or .44? Lots of options depending on what floats your boat. Henry in all those calibers (and new 38-55 which is interesting) - beautifully made. Marlins in all manner of configurations (cowboy, hunting, long or short barrel). A "previously enjoyed" Winchester 94 with some stories behind it. Or for S&G's, a 45-70 for a bang flop on a whitetail, and downloaded for range fun (chucking fist sized chunks of lead downrange with the trajectory of a mortar shell). Should also ask yourself, what do you see at the range that makes you think, "wow, that's cool/interesting..."

December 10, 2019, 12:45 PM	#9
Howzitbra Member Join Date: April 6, 2011 Posts: 23	Thanks for all the suggestions! Yeah maybe a lever action is in my future. I’ve never owned a lever action before. Lately I’ve been hunting in a lot of thick dense woods. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

December 10, 2019, 01:23 PM	#10
reinert Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 646	Howzitbra, If your game is whitetails mostly these days, and your shots are fairly close, even out to 200 yds., I'd suggest you hunt around for a nice VINTAGE Marlin 336 lever gun in 30-30 Winchester that's drilled and tapped for a scope from the factory (I believe every rifleman needs a 30-30 in their arsenal, but that's just me). Next, hunt for a vintage M8 4x Leupold compact scope and mount it on the rifle. That could very well be a rig for your needs, and a good scratch for that itch (IMO). I've got one set up as such (early 60's vintage 336), and it's a wonderful, very accurate deer rifle. Just filled my two doe/fawn whitetail tags last week with two shots; one @70 yds., the other @150 (Leupold range finder usage). I think you'd really like a 30-30 if you've never had one. I like the 150 grn. Speer, Soft Point Flat Nose bullets for my 30-30 reloads. But even if you don't reload, 30-30 ammo should be readily available most anywhere they sell ammo. Merry Christmas, and have a good hunt for a new rifle! reinert