Building a Strong Foundation?

[Arisaka99]

*Mods, please move if it doesn't belong here*

Hello All!

If you were to start all over on the road to collecting guns, how would you prioritize what to get?

I'm a young married fellow with 2 young'ins and looking to get the best 'bang' for my buck and current uses.

At the moment, I have a 12ga shotgun with rifled slug and field barrels, an AR pistol in 300BLK, a 10/22, a Glock 23 in .40 S&W, and a Type 99 Arisaka that I have to handload for.

I've been considering a 30-06/308 or a 270 bolt gun for the versatility, and the fact (at least with the '06) that you can kill anything in N/America with the right load.

I would like to get an AR upper in 5.56(I have a bunch of ammo left), and maybe a few other calibers (6.8, 6.5 Grendel?) as money allows. Should I build a rifle lower?

Where should I go from here?

I'd like to be able to buy factory ammo since I'm not set up to reload at this point in time.

Thanks guys, I look forward to hearing what everyone has to say!

-Chris

[Winger Ed.]

I'd get a rifle next. All 3 cals. are fine and have huge followings.
The .308 will be a little bit lighter with the short action, and when you get around to it- it does well with cast boolits.

[justashooter]

minimize the number of calibers. get in tune with which way things are moving, and buy what is cheap when it is, with an eye towards quality and utility. right now ar15 are cheap, as are decent classic American made doubles and pump shotguns. grab S&W revolvers if they are cheap. they are effectively out of production. don't waste time on striker fired pistols beyond the one utility piece that you have. get a C&R and use it to buy good US made stuff that is over 50 years old directly. surplus imports are over with for now and climbing in price rapidly. building an ar15 is easy. use palmetto state arsenal as a parts kit source, with pre-assembled uppers.

[skeettx]

Buy the best you can afford and don't buy junk stuff, Keep what you buy and use it.
Buy common calibers they will do all you need done.
Find a friend who reloads !
Set up a gun fund for you and a fun fund for the wife, do not use "Family money" to buy guns.
Insure she has a fund and do NOT ask why she is using it and for what, it is her discretionary money!

My advise
Mike (Married 48 years to the same woman!)

[brass410]

Buy the best you can afford and don't buy junk stuff, Keep what you buy and use it.
Buy common calibers they will do all you need done.
Find a friend who reloads !
Set up a gun fund for you and a fun fund for the wife, do not use "Family money" to buy guns.
Insure she has a fund and do NOT ask why she is using it and for what, it is her discretionary money!

My advise
Mike (Married 48 years to the same woman!)

x2 married 38 yrs and this works

[Houndog]

EVERYTHING suggested on this thread is good information. If it were me the next purchase would be a 5.56 AR 15 in whatever configuration suits your fancy with at least 10 QUALITY magazines. Piglotzi and the rest of the democrap communists WILL make a run on their ownership very soon. Get em while you can for cheap and don't forget the ammo! As far as a hunting rifle, a name brand rifle in 30/06 and a QUALITY scope will pretty well fill out your arsenal. Don't go cheap on the scope! Leupold always gets the first nod from me Buy quality once, cry once and smile every time you use it!

[RU shooter]

To start with buy what suits your needs and not your wants if money is limited . I know when I say a young newly married and a couple small kids that always were hungry my funds were limited so I bought what I needed sometimes that was also the one I wanted but sometime not . Remember bills the mrs and kids come first . Pick common calibers like you mentioned the 30-06 is outstanding and very flexible . If wereme is look for an older 70's-90's era Rem 700 bdl or Winchester 70 both will hold their value if taken care of . Id rather have an older rifle like that then the new modern era plasticstocked stuff that's selling now .

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

offering advice is so subjective.

Here is what happened to me.
I started with a pistol...then there were 5.
I swapped a few of them for a Mil surp...then there were 10...then there were 25.
Then I swapped a fistful of Mil surps for a custom Mauser...then there were 6.
Then I started buying handguns again...too many to count.
Then I started casting, all of a sudden I needed a gun in every caliber.
Then I was overwhelmed
Then about 30 years after I had bought the first gun, I had an auction, sold most of them ...Best day ever.

Anyway, my suggestions to you, is to buy a revolver in 41 mag... a Levergun is sure to follow ;)

[snowwolfe]

I wouldnt buy another firearm until I had all the equipment needed to reload. Then you can tailor load the ammo for the guns you already purchased and the ones you want to purchase.
Its a good time to be buying components or firearms as the market has tanked on both since President Trump was elected.

[popper]

I'd add a 308W, AR10 or bolt as it looks like you hunt. What would you gain with 270 or 06? What cal is the 99? I did shoot a Garand 06, long, long time ago. Never shot a 223 and don't really see any purpose for it. Developed to reduce weight for battlefield. Yes, it works but so many others do also.
Might consider a 357/38 revolver if the mag fed get to be illegal.

[Petrol & Powder]

The Op's list is a good foundation although I think I could let go of that 300 BLK AR pistol.

A good bolt action in .308 will do just about anything and I would pick a short action 308 over a long action .30-06 every day of the week and twice on Sunday. It's not that the .30-06 is a bad cartridge (it's a fantastic cartridge) but that the 308 will do everything the 06 will do out to about 600 yards and do it in a short action.
A scout rifle configuration would be my choice if it was going to be a "one rifle does it all" weapon. That same rifle in 7mm-08 would be a VERY close second choice and maybe even a first choice if I was starting from scratch.

I'm a firm believer that everyone should have a good .22 rimfire rifle and the OP's 10/22 fits that need.

The one glaring hole in the OP's lineup is the lack of a 4" DA revolver chambered in 38 Special or .357mag. I'm not sure there's a better handgun out there for a "one gun" handgun than a good 4" DA revolver chambered in 38 Special. A good 4" S&W K-frame or a 4" Ruger GP-100 would be near the top of my "to be acquired next" list.

[shooter93]

For those of you who don't know him.....Chris is a fine young man who used to come to the chat room often to talk guns and had a huge interest in learning. I haven't seen him much since his marriage but I'm glad to see him still posting and learning.

[Arisaka99]

For those of you who don't know him.....Chris is a fine young man who used to come to the chat room often to talk guns and had a huge interest in learning. I haven't seen him much since his marriage but I'm glad to see him still posting and learning.

Thanks! I pop in from time to time. Mostly reading, but occasionally posting as time allows. Haha


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Arisaka99]

To start with buy what suits your needs and not your wants if money is limited . I know when I say a young newly married and a couple small kids that always were hungry my funds were limited so I bought what I needed sometimes that was also the one I wanted but sometime not . Remember bills the mrs and kids come first . Pick common calibers like you mentioned the 30-06 is outstanding and very flexible . If wereme is look for an older 70's-90's era Rem 700 bdl or Winchester 70 both will hold their value if taken care of . Id rather have an older rifle like that then the new modern era plasticstocked stuff that's selling now .

We have several pawn shops around with no shortage of old Remington’s, savages, and the like. What should I look for in an old wood stocked used gun?

I figured one of the older Rem700’s (or the like) would be a good workhorse and hand me down to one of my girls when they get big enough.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Arisaka99]

The Op's list is a good foundation although I think I could let go of that 300 BLK AR pistol.

A good bolt action in .308 will do just about anything and I would pick a short action 308 over a long action .30-06 every day of the week and twice on Sunday. It's not that the .30-06 is a bad cartridge (it's a fantastic cartridge) but that the 308 will do everything the 06 will do out to about 600 yards and do it in a short action.
A scout rifle configuration would be my choice if it was going to be a "one rifle does it all" weapon. That same rifle in 7mm-08 would be a VERY close second choice and maybe even a first choice if I was starting from scratch.

I'm a firm believer that everyone should have a good .22 rimfire rifle and the OP's 10/22 fits that need.

The one glaring hole in the OP's lineup is the lack of a 4" DA revolver chambered in 38 Special or .357mag. I'm not sure there's a better handgun out there for a "one gun" handgun than a good 4" DA revolver chambered in 38 Special. A good 4" S&W K-frame or a 4" Ruger GP-100 would be near the top of my "to be acquired next" list.

I’d like to have a GP100 in .357 one day, but have also looked at a smaller revolver to carry when the Glock is too big.

Why 7mm-08 over .30cal?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Houndog]

Let me start out by saying I own a 7/08 and like it VERY much, but the op isn't a reloader as of now and 7/08 ammo isn't as common as 30/06 in every podunk country store and is more costly to buy. The truth is anything from a 243 up through the 30/06 can fill the bill for a big game rifle most places. The 06,270,30-30,308, and 243 will be the least expensive rounds to buy off the shelf.

[sigep1764]

Winchester 94 30-30
AR15 in 5.56
90's to early 00's Winchester Model 70 in 270(its an M70 at a good price and I love mine)
CZ75 or variant
223 bolt gun, Axis or Howa
Marlin Model 60
Some of these I own and love, some are on my list. Ive sold guns. Don't do it. Not until its been sitting for 15 years and you decide to shoot it at the range just one last time. Then keep it for another 15 years and be happy the whole time.

[RogerDat]

The thing about reloading is the caliber and cartridge equipment costs helps one focus on firearm purchases. If you have to consider dies, maybe a powder, a mold or two, bullet sizer it tends to give one a reason to buy a 38 and 357 magnum because molds for one make bullet that fit the other. Same sizer, same dies even. Nice lever gun in same caliber then looks good. Buying ammo those two pistols and rifle might well be in three different calibers. Price brass too, some of the less common calibers the brass can be pretty pricey.

I think a decent .30 caliber bolt gun with scope is an excellent choice. I have mixed feelings about AR platform but the folks that point out they are a good value right now are correct. I am also not sure the purpose of the AR pistol but hey sometimes we own things just for the wow factor or because it pleases us. A firearm is a tool. Think about the job the specific tool is well designed to do, and buy tools that meet needs you have. Some folks like collecting, nothing wrong with that, me I would like to be able to say "I have that because it allows me to...." and what follows can be wack prairie dogs to hunt hogs, to hit target at 30 yards and fits in an inside the pants holster that I can wear with a t-shirt. Piece of history, or fun to shoot or... but if you have a decent reason to own there is a good chance you will keep it for a long time.

[samari46]

As someone said "a 30-06 is never a mistake". Old rem 700 or even a post '64 model 70 won't break the bank. Still a lot of surplus cases out there for this caliber. Scopes, don't skimp on them. Leupold is my favorite and a couple and do not regret the money. Handguns, definitely the 45 acp in a 1911A1 or clone thereof. Easy to load for, store bought hard cast bullets plenty of brass. Revolvers in either 38 special or 357 magnum. Ar market is swamped with bargains, buy a known brand ammo is also cheap. And again don't skimp on the ar's. 22's Ruger MKIII or MKIV, cheap,reliable and accurate. Reloading gear, good single stage to start as you get more proficient maybe a Dillon is your next step. Dies either RCBS or Redding. Reloading manuals, get at least two to double check powder charges,bullet weights. Hint, IMR 4350 was made for the 30-06 with 165 grain bullets. Frank

[Chad5005]

gp100 is a great gun 357 so it will shoot either and the 308w in a bolt gun is a perfect choice,short action is always my choice,7mm-08 is a good caliber,my wife shoots one but if youre only gonna have 1 308w ammo is cheap,reloading and casting for it a fairly easy

[Three44s]

So you ask what sort of bolt gun?

Young and on a budget but a great love for guns ......

I would suggest Savage.

Now I love the Remies and Winneys as much as the next guy. Mausers thrown in for good measure along with tang safety Ruger 77’s.

However the Savage brings versatility to the equation. They are clumpy looking but shoot like sin!

I personally do not like the Axis version and greatly prefer the regular Savage or Stevens lines the best there are a LOT of satisfied owners that own (Axis) them.

Take my first Savage, a long action blued bought slightly used with a wooden stock for $225. It came to me as a 7 mm Rem Mag and I have switched it to a varmint weight 25-06 and a 338/06. Another long action came as just a stainless action, began as a 300 RUM but ended up for now as a 257 STW.

If one finds a cartridge one just can not bear to have in another rifle you can always have one built on another platform or one could just realize that a rifles beauty can be something other than skin deep and accept Savage bolt guns as they are .... a whale of a shooter that can be owner switched with a minimum of tools along with some common sense and some self education.

Next subject: Reloading

I can not fathom what my gun craze would be without handloading! Period!

I do not differentiate between a guy with the cheapest of setups and the most lavish of layouts. I started with a RCBS Jr single stage press mounted to a home made stand, a Ohaus 505 scale, a Pacific trimmer and a plastic spoon dipping gun powder from a paper picnic bowl onto my scale. I added a Uniflow measure after while and then a trickler later but the press and stand served me for my first 35 years.

Simply put handloading is a bridge to a greater understanding of firearm performance .... there is no way around it.

Three44s

[Petrol & Powder]

I’d like to have a GP100 in .357 one day, but have also looked at a smaller revolver to carry when the Glock is too big.

Why 7mm-08 over .30cal?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sorry about the delay.

7mm projectiles occupy sort of a sweet spot in the world of ballistics. They combine a good weight with a good ballistic coefficient. The difference between a 30 caliber (.308" or 7.62mm) vs. a 28 caliber (.284" or 7mm) doesn't look big on paper but it is significant.

The 7mm Mauser cartridge, also known as the 7 x 57, is one of the oldest of the 7mm cartridges and the first in a long line of cartridges that use 7mm projectiles. That long line isn't an accident, the 7mm works.

The 7mm-08 captures a lot of excellent qualities. It is a short action cartridge, it has a flat trajectory, recoil is moderate, the bullet has enough weight to be an excellent hunting round and there are lots of bullet weights available for the 7mm. The 7mm-08 is based on the .308 Winchester and is basically nothing more than a .308 Winchester necked down to take a 7mm bullet.

The .308 Win (7.62 NATO) has the advantage of being a widely distributed military cartridge and has been with us longer than the 7mm-08 that was derived from the .308 Win. The .308 has some outstanding attributes and if I could only have one rifle cartridge, that would be the one I would want.
But if I wasn't already entrenched in the world of 30 calibers, the 7mm-08 might be where I landed.

As for arguments that the 7mm-08 is expensive or not readily available as a factory loaded cartridge, I'm not sure that's enough of a negative to steer one away from the excellent qualities of the 7mm. All factory loaded ammunition is expensive and although there's a lot of military ammunition available, it's all FMJ projectiles. So military ammo is fine for target work but you still need to buy commercial ammo for hunting or reload if you need something other than a FMJ bullet.

Cost and availability is a factor to be considered and cartridges such as .223 and .308 clearly have some market advantage. However, buying larger quantities of commercial ammunition can make those differences less significant.

As others have correctly pointed out, reloading opens up your world. You can spend your entire life shooting factory loaded cartridges and be very happy but reloading broadens your horizons.

Take your time, do your research and good luck.

[Shopdog]

Long action,30-06.... short,308. Because,you are probably less than an hour from some of the best Black Bear hunting in the east. The 308 has "maybe" a tiny bit more target application. The 7-08 is just an easy to shoot and tune,CB or JB that they rarely stay in the safe for long. They are a little better at dual purpose than the 30's for, varmints and big game.

Handguns,4" 357.

Handloading..... if you want to shoot,you almost have to do it. Bulk packed 223's and 9mm's are cheap..... so if that's all you want,go for it. Handloading is so much more. It's about self sufficiency and tailoring the ammo to EXACTLY how you want to use it. Think a cheap off the rack suit...... vs custom made Armani,except..... the Armani is cheaper than JC Penny. There just isn't any comparison. Factory is that.... you get 1/2 dz choices,maybe. Handload within pretty dang broad parameters,and you can customize the loads to suit just about any specs. Good luck with your project.

[Arisaka99]

So you ask what sort of bolt gun?

Young and on a budget but a great love for guns ......

I would suggest Savage.

Now I love the Remies and Winneys as much as the next guy. Mausers thrown in for good measure along with tang safety Ruger 77’s.

However the Savage brings versatility to the equation. They are clumpy looking but shoot like sin!

I personally do not like the Axis version and greatly prefer the regular Savage or Stevens lines the best there are a LOT of satisfied owners that own (Axis) them.

Take my first Savage, a long action blued bought slightly used with a wooden stock for $225. It came to me as a 7 mm Rem Mag and I have switched it to a varmint weight 25-06 and a 338/06. Another long action came as just a stainless action, began as a 300 RUM but ended up for now as a 257 STW.

If one finds a cartridge one just can not bear to have in another rifle you can always have one built on another platform or one could just realize that a rifles beauty can be something other than skin deep and accept Savage bolt guns as they are .... a whale of a shooter that can be owner switched with a minimum of tools along with some common sense and some self education.

Next subject: Reloading

I can not fathom what my gun craze would be without handloading! Period!

I do not differentiate between a guy with the cheapest of setups and the most lavish of layouts. I started with a RCBS Jr single stage press mounted to a home made stand, a Ohaus 505 scale, a Pacific trimmer and a plastic spoon dipping gun powder from a paper picnic bowl onto my scale. I added a Uniflow measure after while and then a trickler later but the press and stand served me for my first 35 years.

Simply put handloading is a bridge to a greater understanding of firearm performance .... there is no way around it.

Three44s

I guess I should’ve specified, I do have reloading equipment;(RCBS Rock chucker, Lyman scale, Redding powder measure) but have no place to have it set up, so don’t reload at the moment.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Wayne Smith]

And he at least knows how because I taught him and made sure he has some data books as well. All he needs is space and time and he will be back to reloading. In the meantime the 9mm and the .223 are the cheapest rounds to shoot, and for functional use grab the Arisaka - if you need ammo next time you guys are here set some time aside and we can load some - it is a 7.7-06, btw guys. It too will kill anything on the continent.

[Arisaka99]

Long action,30-06.... short,308. Because,you are probably less than an hour from some of the best Black Bear hunting in the east. The 308 has "maybe" a tiny bit more target application. The 7-08 is just an easy to shoot and tune,CB or JB that they rarely stay in the safe for long. They are a little better at dual purpose than the 30's for, varmints and big game.

Handguns,4" 357.

Handloading..... if you want to shoot,you almost have to do it. Bulk packed 223's and 9mm's are cheap..... so if that's all you want,go for it. Handloading is so much more. It's about self sufficiency and tailoring the ammo to EXACTLY how you want to use it. Think a cheap off the rack suit...... vs custom made Armani,except..... the Armani is cheaper than JC Penny. There just isn't any comparison. Factory is that.... you get 1/2 dz choices,maybe. Handload within pretty dang broad parameters,and you can customize the loads to suit just about any specs. Good luck with your project.

In regards to bear hunting, do you mean Shenandoah National Park? I've only ever bear hunted the Dismal Swamp, but that was back when I lived in Tidewater. I do love some smoked backstrap though.. Haha

[Arisaka99]

And he at least knows how because I taught him and mad sure he has some data books as well. All he needs is space and time and he will be back to reloading. In the meantime the 9mm and the .223 are the cheapest rounds to shoot, and for functional use grab the Arisaka - if you need ammo next time you guys are here set some time aside and we can load some - it is a 7.7-06, btw guys. It too will kill anything on the continent.

That is a fact, gents. Everything I know about loading/casting, I learned from Wayne! He set me up with equipment and showed me how to use it!

Wayne, I'll give you a shout next time I'm down that way!

[popper]

For another bolt gun I'd say Howa, Weatherby or Beraga. Plastic stock but shoot very well. Not sure I'd go into bear country with the 7.7 without at least a 10mm hot load. what case does the 7.7 08 use? SIL has an original bring back 7.7 uses different case. Shoots great. IIRC it's a Howa action and very good.
I guess the real question YOU have to ask is WHY you need/want more? Or 'there are lots of used around, what should I look for'? Expect <1/2 of MSRP back on anything you get. Gun guys are penny pincers.

[shooter93]

I'll toss in a couple things Chris if you don't mind an opinion of an ancient shooter who has recommended certain things to others over the years. The 30-06 is capable of taking nearly any game on the planet. About the only ones it isn't the best for would be Cape Buffalo etc. It could be done of course but not the "best" Easy to find ammo for in a huge number of loadings and bullet weights and even surplus ammo. Long action?....if the size is THAT critical take an inch or two off the barrel length to make it as compact as a short action any anything you shoot will never know the difference of a few fps. Easy to load for and a HUGE selection of components work. The 30-06 is arguably is greatest round ever devised as an "all round caliber"
For a handgun (and I don't own one in this caliber but have in the past)......the 357 magnum has tons going for it for many of the same above reasons. Especially loading when you start and factory ammo before that. And don't rule out bulk ammo especially in 38 special. I once got a young shooter started in handgun shooting and wanted to become very proficient with one. He was drooling over a number of high dollar semi's and I convinced him to but a Police trade in gun in 357 and to buy (at the time very cheaply) a few thousand rounds of bulk 38 specials and shoot.....shoot.....shoot. That is how you become proficient.
There is a lot of good information already posted here and a hugs amount of knowledge at this site. A lot of us here started just as you have and it took time to amass all we have now. Take your time.....choose QUALITY every time over quantity. You are better off with a smaller number of guns rather than 200 that you very rarely shoot and took funds away from what you want to do.....which is shoot.....smiles.
Again this is just another opinion but good luck to you and your family and I am glad to see you again.

Scott

[jimlj]

I'll second looking at a Savage. They may be inexpensive, but they are not cheap. If you want a revolver, and ever have a chance to pick up a Dan Wesson, I don't think you could go wrong. You won't be limited to barrel length. The least expensive rifle (center fire) that I know of using factory ammo is 7.62X39. I'm not a real fan of the AK, but I think the SKS is a fine rifle.

[alamogunr]

All these responses have some good thoughts behind them. The OP seems like one who will make thoughtful choices. My only advice is to make sure you remain focused on your young family. Include your children in your interests. They will grow up before you know it.

I think a preponderance of members here have already raised a family and are more focused on hobbies. I know I am. Our two oldest grandsons will be 22 and 20 withing a couple of months. Our two sons are closing in on 50 in the next couple of years so they will be like many here and getting really serious about retirement. I'm not saying that the OP should not spend some time with his hobby but balance things.

Looking back, I don't think I failed my family but between work and making sure they were taken care of, I can see where I might have done a better job in a few areas. I thank God that both our sons grew up to be good men and raised good sons and a daughter.

I hope this post hasn't been a downer for the thread. Others posted enough good advice that I couldn't improve on.

[Ed K]

I hope this post hasn't been a downer for the thread. Others posted enough good advice that I couldn't improve on.
Not a downer - good post, The OP seems to have a good head on his shoulders. Common theme for additions has been in the vicinity of a 30-06 bolt gun and 357 wheelgun. Beyond that you are collecting for the sake of collecting.

Reload - don't spend too much on factory ammo. Can't emphasize this enough.

Don't drain the family resources too much and enjoy what you have. When it comes to material possessions the human tendency is to never have enough. This is a failing and I know it has affected me at times.

[Wayne Smith]

Gentlemen, I've known Chris since he was 14 and he has had a good head on his shoulders all the time I've known him - with one or two Nothingexceptions!

7.7-06 is the 7.7 Jap with a 30-06 reamer run into it. Shoots the -06 case necked up with a .311 boolet. It will do anything the -06 will do. And you have it in your hands - I'd be comfortable hunting bears with it myself - black at least. Nothing on the east coast will stand up to it.

[lightman]

This thread brings back memories of being young, newly married with a young family and just starting a career! Or even before that, looking for a career. I've always had a side job and I used that money for my toys although the Family did get a fair cut out of it. I remember painting a house for enough money to buy a S&W Model 29. I built a 6ft box blade for enough money to buy a Colt Python. I helped a Brother-in-law mow yards one summer for enough money to buy a Browning High Power. And on and on, you get the picture! Like another poster said, Family comes 1st, and I tried really hard to be generous. Anytime I bought a gun the Wife got some little trinket or the boys got something. At around 19 or 20 years old I got my electrical license and buying guns got to be easier.

To me, a good foundation would be a 22 rifle, a shotgun, an assault style rifle, a bolt action rifle, a semi-auto handgun and a revolver. Let the order be dictated by your interest of by buying opportunity. Early on my gun buying was interrupted by getting set up to reload and again a little later to buy a safe.

When I started buying guns for the boys I bought them the same things and at the same ages. First was a 22 rifle, a Ruger 77/22. Then came a shotgun, a Remington 1100. And last was a bolt action rifle, a stainless Remington model 700 in 308. Both of the rifles got Leopold scopes. They still have these guns although they have bought several more for their selves.

In closing, I would suggest staying with the main stream common calibers until you actually get set up to reload. While rare, obsolete or Wildcat calibers are fun and rewarding they do cost more and can be harder to find. For example, A 6.5 Jap is harder to find than a 308 and a 357 Sig is harder to find than a 9mm.

[EDG]

A good foundation?
Stay away from new run of the mill rifles.
Look for rifles that are sure to appreciate.
Check out FN Mausers with Sears and Montgomery Wards type brands. Others include nice BRNO/CZ commercial Mauser bolt guns and waffle top Marlin 336 lever guns with Ballard rifling.
Buy quality single shots when found at bargain prices.
Just remember always buy quality at good prices.
Over the long term you will not be happy with cheap bargain rifles.
Also over the long term your tastes will change and some of your stuff you will probably tire of. Make sure you can get your money back
Then you can move on to your new intetests.
I guarantee you will not have guys lined up to buy your cheap plastic stocked deer rifle when new ones can be bought new for less than $300.
For example 340 Savages do not seem to increase in value.
For some reason the walnut stocked 788 Rems seem to hold their value after beginning life as cheap rifles.

[jonp]

Collecting for pleasure or afraid they would get banned?

For pleasure the same as I do now. I have some of about everything that struck my fancy for some reason or other. Not worth a great deal to anyone but me I guess. 43 Spanish Rolling Block to a SW Model 19.

For hunting if I were starting out and I've been there to feed myself I'd get a 12g shotgun, 22lr rifle or pistol and a 30-30 lever for whitetail or if out west a suitable caliber in a bolt as a do-it-all like a 308 or 30-06. If the lever then any used Win or Marling would work, if a bolt I'd get a Savage Axis. Cheap, accurate and it would feed my family many times over the price I paid for it. I paid under $200 with the rebate for a couple I have and they are all MOA or better. My preference would be the lever but if pressed for one that Savage in 308 would be hard to pass up. Not sure what I couldn't hunt with it if pressed. Light bullets for coyote and heavy for moose.

Pistol I'd probably buy a Ruger Single Six convertible if I could swing it but a rifle would work. Bigger caliber I'd save my money and buy a used Ruger 357 either GP or Blackhawk. Either can take a deer, done it myself, and be used for self defense.

For worst case I'd buy a bunch of 80% Ar and Glock lowers and the uppers to fill them out along with, where legal, a number of FTF firearms that no-one knows I have except me.

[crankycalico]

At the moment, I have a 12ga shotgun with rifled slug and field barrels, an AR pistol in 300BLK, a 10/22, a Glock 23 in .40 S&W, and a Type 99 Arisaka that I have to handload for.


Well some easy decisions here actually.

1. AR Pistol that gets traded out and becomes a double action revolver in .357 magnum only. If your not home and the wife cant use cartridges with a .357 magnum headstamp, thousands of options labeled 38 special on the case head.

2. That shotgun does a lot but honestly can the WIFE use it? I doubt it, convert it into something else like a 20 gauge that does nearly the same as your 12 quage in a format others can use.

3. 10-22, that's enough .22 rim fire for you. Look into a replacement barrel. Very good replacement barrels going for 100$ or less these days. get one or two. New spring kits as well. And ammo that works in your barrel.

4. Glock 23 is alright, it keeps you armed. COnsider a replacement barrel in 9mm so you can get some REALLY affordable fmj to keep on hand.

5. The Arisaka, it works, its got wollop but negatives in ammo availability. If someone comes buy and wants to buy it, as long as they offer fair value or want to trade a good bolt rifle for it.... like say a surplus mauser or a used 700 or model 70 in say .308 JUMP ON THAT DEAL.

Points to consider, shotguns ARE fun but they are COSTLY to feed. 8-20$ for a box of 5 rounds is lunacy in the face of what .308 costs on the same gun store display shelf. IDEALLY id sell it outright, or if possible use it as trade value on a savage bolt gun.

cost efficiency in shooting is about blending cut throat purchasing with personal enjoyment.
1. View all purchased ammunition not just for its factory shooting qualities but for its reloading qualities as well. If you LOVE federal brass for 38 special, when you see federal factory ammo go on sale, BUY BUY BUY.
2.If your favorite small pistol primers go on sale, buy buy buy

[Wayne Smith]

Calico, 'Lissa may be only 5'3" but she loves my Encore in 45-70! I'll bet she knows how to handle that shotgun and has, numerous times.

Other than what you have, Chris, I'd add a .22 revolver and rifle. Take 'Lissa to a range where you can rent guns and let her find her carry piece. No hurry, but keep that in mind as a high priority even if she says no.

I loaded ammo for years with that Jr3 that you have, dies, and components kept in an old salesman's travel case that I filled with foam and cut outs for the press, the powder scale and measure, and the dies. I kept the components separate.

When I needed to load I would fold an old towel on the dining room table, a piece of plywood under the table, and with C clamps clamp the press to the table without scarring anything. Everything else was set up on the table. I'd load what I needed, put things away, and no one would know that I had done it.

You can do the same thing. Having presses set up all the time was a dream for years. No reason why you can't do the same thing, especially to load the Arisaka. .40 is also cheaper to load than buy even if you buy bullets. .300Blkout likewise, and you can't use it's full versatility without loading. Once you are used to it you will use only an hour or two with everything set up. Plan your loading ahead, have everything to hand, and you will be surprised how quickly it goes.

'Lissa won't complain once she sees the money you are saving, and she likes to shoot as well. You know Lynne, and she supports my loading because she understands the finances behind it.

[Moonie]

Chris, anytime you want, you are welcome to use my bench. Just saying. Good to see you here again.

[skeettx]

My OH, My how I love this 9 year old thread :)
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?90690-7-7-06-Arisaka

Was 14 now married, my how time flys :)

[dk17hmr]

If I was starting over from zero I'd find a lever action 30/30, a pump 12 gauge, a single shot 22, and a police trade in Glock 9mm or 40s&w..... That would get me by for pretty much everything to start with and I'd be looking in pawn shops and gun shows mostly for those.

To add to your current collection I'd add a quality bolt action 308 with and excellent optic. Loaded with 125-130s a 308 will out 270 a 270 and loaded with 178s it kill lots of thing at a pretty good distance.

[Thumbcocker]

I would suggest a good .22 handgun. Ruger Mark II with adjustable sight would be hard to beat.

[Wayne Smith]

For the .22 handgun I prefer a revolver for one single reason - it takes more purpose and thought to pull the trigger of a single action than to rapid fire an auto. For training kids I prefer the former.

The first two guns I bought were a Ruger Convertible Single Six and a Super Blackhawk in 44Mag. That was before we had the boys.