Favorite gun ?

[NHlever]

It seems in recent years that most guns we see in the gun stores are .22's, shotguns, or "deer rifles". I think something has been lost with the passing of rifles that are really pleasant to just do some target shooting with, or to take on a "walkabout". I've carried a pretty good mix of guns around the ridges in the area, and enjoy shooting at the range too. Currently, some medical issues keep me from spending as much time in the woods as I would like, and I'm in the market for something just fun, and accurate to shoot mostly cast bullets in. What are all your favorites? I'm not in to military stuff too much ( was on the receiving end of too much of that), but I certainly have played with more than my share of Mausers, etc. I wish one could find some of the modest rimmed cartridges in lighter single shots, or even bolt guns. Cartridges like the 25-35, 32-40, and 30-30 are sure fun to work with but when found tend to be found in the "deer hunting version". It's not that I don't like those a lot (I was looking at two bull moose through the scope of my .35 the other day), but am looking for something a bit different to play with. With older eyes, it would be nice if it could be scoped easily. So, what does everyone like, or what would they like if it were available??

[dubber123]

Well, I have to ask, whats your price range? That can make a huge difference. So you are looking mostly for something in the 30-30 class?

[Scrounger]

NHlever, Two suggestions:
1. A Contender Carbine. It can be had in any of the calibers you listed or literally dozens more. And you don't have to limit yourself to just one barrel/caliber. Light (<6 pounds), handy, reasonably priced.
2. Marlin or Rossi/Puma in .32-20, .357, .44 Mag, or .45 Colt. (Why doesn't Rossi bring their 1892 copy out in .32-20? Do you suppose no one has ever told them how many they would sell?)

[Railbuggy]

My converted Saiga.

[scb]

I gota go with Scrounger and the Contender Carbine (with a thumbhole stock).

[badgeredd]

It seems in recent years that most guns we see in the gun stores are .22's, shotguns, or "deer rifles". I think something has been lost with the passing of rifles that are really pleasant to just do some target shooting with, or to take on a "walkabout". I've carried a pretty good mix of guns around the ridges in the area, and enjoy shooting at the range too. Currently, some medical issues keep me from spending as much time in the woods as I would like, and I'm in the market for something just fun, and accurate to shoot mostly cast bullets in. What are all your favorites? I'm not in to military stuff too much ( was on the receiving end of too much of that), but I certainly have played with more than my share of Mausers, etc. I wish one could find some of the modest rimmed cartridges in lighter single shots, or even bolt guns. Cartridges like the 25-35, 32-40, and 30-30 are sure fun to work with but when found tend to be found in the "deer hunting version". It's not that I don't like those a lot (I was looking at two bull moose through the scope of my .35 the other day), but am looking for something a bit different to play with. With older eyes, it would be nice if it could be scoped easily. So, what does everyone like, or what would they like if it were available??

FWIW, if you want a lever, like a Marlin 336, I'd suggest you look into an old wildcat. I recently built a 35/30-30 (30-30 necked out to 35 caliber) which I dearly love. It is fun to shoot! I've played with cast boolits only in it and I am amazed at the fun I'm having loading for and shooting it. I've loaded 158 Semi-wadcutters to custom 264 grain flat nose. FUN!!!!!!!!!! I have about $500 in the rifle and it'll be the last one I'd let go...assuming someone else would want it. Obviously not a rifle that has a great re-sale value unless one found the RIGHT buyer, but it is for me and I could care less about resale. Nice to carry and I have shot 1 1/2" groups with a couple boolits. Any way it is MY fun gun.

Edd

[jack19512]

I don't have near as many rifles as most on here do but I have an assorted mix of around 25 rifles and I have to say one of my favorites is my Marlin 1895 CB 45/70.

[NHlever]

Well, I have to ask, whats your price range? That can make a huge difference. So you are looking mostly for something in the 30-30 class?

I'm retired, so money is a consideration, but not the only one. I mentioned the 30-30 class cartridges because they have attributes that I like. The brass is thin enough to expand to fit the chamber with low pressure, they can be loaded to be reasonably quiet, and yet can still be potent enough for larger game if needed. I was just reading some of Ed Harris' old articles, and he likes the .38 special case for those uses too. I load cast in my .308, but it takes a bit of pressure to avoid sooty cases, etc. Actually, I think the 30-06 is more forgiving in that respect, but not quiet.

[Heavy lead]

I have about 20 favorite guns a year. It's a curse. But nevertheless, if I could pick something of the nature you are talking about it would be to find an old Savage 99 in 25/35. I have seen two of these and thought they must have been fairly common (right in a row in two different places), so I held off. Big mistake, never seen one since. Second choice, and more readily available would be a 99 in a 250 if I could find the right speciman.

[dubber123]

Well, Scroungers idea of a Contender carbine is a great idea. For an inexpensive gun, I really like my Savage 219 in 30-30, and it really likes cast. One of these might be a low cost option. The triggers do seem to need work alot though.

A short Marlin lever would be a good choice too, especially since you mention scoping it.

[Scrounger]

Here's some pictures of my suggested guns:

[crabo]

My choice would be a lever .357. It will shoot cast quite well, but with the proper boolits and loads is a good deer and hog cartridge.

Just think how cheap you can shoot it with the Lee 125 cowboy boolit loaded with 231, BE, or Universal. I love the 125 loaded with 6 grains of Universal in a magnum case.

The 1894 Marlin will scope great with a red dot or turkey scope.

[NHlever]

NHlever, Two suggestions:
1. A Contender Carbine. It can be had in any of the calibers you listed or literally dozens more. And you don't have to limit yourself to just one barrel/caliber. Light (<6 pounds), handy, reasonably priced.
2. Marlin or Rossi/Puma in .32-20, .357, .44 Mag, or .45 Colt. (Why doesn't Rossi bring their 1892 copy out in .32-20? Do you suppose no one has ever told them how many they would sell?)

I have tried to really warm up to the Contenders, but so far it really hasn't happened. My BIL has one that I've shot a lot, and he sure has taken a number of deer with it in PA.

I agree with you on the Rossi in 32-20, and I think Winchester was on to something with the 25-35's just before they shut the doors... ( had one on order, but never got it)

[NHlever]

Well, Scroungers idea of a Contender carbine is a great idea. For an inexpensive gun, I really like my Savage 219 in 30-30, and it really likes cast. One of these might be a low cost option. The triggers do seem to need work alot though.

A short Marlin lever would be a good choice too, especially since you mention scoping it.

I like the Savage 219's, and had a Hornet years ago that I got talked out of. The last nice one I saw around here was going for around $400, and I thought that was a bit much........ must have been wrong because it didn't hang around long!

[NHlever]

Here's some pictures of my suggested guns:

Hmmm, they really look nice. I may just have to go handle a Contender carbine again......... it's been a long time since I did, and I know a place that has a couple.

[Snapping Twig]

http://

For all around fun up to @ 100 yards, there's not much that beats this old .308 bore Mini 30. It prefers 150g boolits and H4198 with its 1 in 10 twist, and I'd venture to guess that there's not much in the lower 48 that could withstand one or two to the boiler room.

This rifle has an older Butler Creek stock that elongates the shoulder to trigger length, making it fit me well. Short, powerful, acurate (mine is!) with low recoil and fast follow-up - perfect woods rifle.

Recently I picked up a Lee 155g mould for it and I'm modifying the tip into a wide metplat by using a FP top punch in the sizer. If I can get them to shoot as good as the j-word boolits all will be right with the world and I'll never go back to j-words.

[dubber123]

I like the Savage 219's, and had a Hornet years ago that I got talked out of. The last nice one I saw around here was going for around $400, and I thought that was a bit much........ must have been wrong because it didn't hang around long!

I agree, I wouldn't pay 400$ for one either. Mine is pretty nice, wood good, case color excellent, blue on the bbl maybe 80%. I paid 200$ for it within the last year from a regular gun shop.

It was the first one I can remember seeing though. The cast trigger guard and stamped trigger are cheesy, but for 200$, it's OK.

[Scrounger]

I have to agree that the Contender would be about 1 pound lighter than a Marlin but I am just not a fan of the single shot.

But then again some people love them lol.

To me their versatility is their biggest selling point. With one frame (action) and stock, you can have barrels to shoot everything from squirrels (.22LR, .223 Rem) to deer (7TCU, .30-30) to elk (.375 Win, .375 JDJ, .45-70). And in pistol calibers you can choose from .32-20, .357 Magnum, .357 Maximum, .44 magnum and several others. And you can buy all the barrels you want without having to order through a dealer, used ones for maybe $175 to $250 new.

[Shooter6br]

Like my Ruger NO 1 in 45-70 SS and laminate stock Topped with a Leupold 2x 7 with heavy duplex I shoot cast at about 1350 to 1450 fps. Accurate and fun!

[mooman76]

I have allot of favorites but I think the one I have that is the most fun to shoot is my M1c.