Squirrel and rabbit - do I want vintage, or modern?

[Lover&Lever]

Hi all,

I *have* read the stickied "First Rifle" thread, which was helpful. But I need a bit more help with my question...

I've just got my licenses, and bought my first rifle, a Marlin Model 1936 (1940 YOM) in 30-30. But I'm looking to start small, and pick up a 22 (or 22M, or 17HMR?) for squirrel and rabbit.

I'm really torn; part of me wants something cool and vintage, like a Remington Model 12 "Trombone" pump, or a Marlin 39, or... you get my drift.

But part of me wonders whether, for a first "small" gun, I'd be better with a $329 Savage Mk 2, scoped and ready to go.

I know it's personal choice, but... Do any of you regularly hunt small game with vintage rimfires? Swapped from one to the other? Opinions wanted.

 

[galamb]

I have an FN Browning Trombone and a 1950's vintage Marlin 39A lever, both 22 lr's that were passed along from my father.

Both of them sit in the safe "now" when I take out the 22 for rabbit hunting (hunt upland birds with a 20 gauge).

While both are fully functional and still in very good shape (and I do shoot them still and hunted both for many years) I am more conscious about banging them up - so now I hunt with a Henry pump that I picked up a couple years back.

It's still a very nice wood stocked rifle and will "one day" become a "vintage gun" like those, but for now I don't worry about messing it up (and I put a scope on it without a second thought - not something I would feel comfortable doing with either of the above mentioned which were built when iron sights were the norm) - and I want to "enjoy hunting" without worrying about putting a "ding" in the barrel or stock or whatever.

 

[skoal]

http://www.theammosource.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_25_83&products_id=393

What about something like this? Who dosnt like levers

 

[9.3mauser]

Do any of you regularly hunt small game with vintage rimfires? Swapped from one to the other? Opinions wanted.

I haven't bought a "new", as in off the rack brand new in box, firearm since roughly 1985. I much prefer hunting with older vintage firearms. Thinking of what I have in the safe now, and the newest (that I can prove) was made in 1963. Guns just seem to be so much better built back then.

You've posted this in the shotgun forum btw.

 

[mwjones]

I would say, for the same money as a painted sintered zinc receiver and plastic bands and sights of a new henry lever, you would would be much more pleased with an all steel and walnut "vintage" rifle. Something like a Remington model 12 or 121 or a Winchester 61 is a great rifle for small game hunting and plinking. There are some decent vintage optics options for cheap as well. Steel tube fixed power weaver scopes can look great on these old rifles.

I currently have an old model 12 that I am going to scope. I'm going to drill and tap for a weaver sidemount and have a excellent condition weaver b4 with the exposed turrets. The part of me that loves history knows that the rifle was made 20 years before weaver made his first scopes, but the model did stay in production for much longer... Can't see the sights as well as I used to, though, so that's how I'm rationalizing it.

This is not my picture, but the picture that inspired me. It's in a lot better shape than mine by a long shot

 

[canvasback]

Vintage but you are in the shotgun forum.

 

[Claven2]

Since you are in the shotgun forum, how about a .410 Remington 870?

 

[Ed The 3rd]

Vintage but you are in the shotgun forum.

Boooooooo

 

[thepolinator]

My honest advice is to pick up a 22lr over .410 break action.

 

[hoytcanon]

There are many different rifles, shotguns and combos that will fit the bill... just pick up one that captures your interest and go hunting.

 

[struff55]

U might want to move this to the rimed it'd section

 

[Lover&Lever]

U might want to move this to the rimed it'd section

Well it's both, isn't it? One of the options I keep coming back to is a Savage 24 in 22LR and 20G or similar... But I hear and appreciate the many votes for vintage.

 

[Bland]

As I am of vintage age so it behooves me to go vintage. All kidding aside the older guns are better value. Not saying there are not quality firearms produced today but they cost. Better bang for your buck with the older well made guns. There was also junk produced in the days of yore. I concur on the 22/410 OU, my personal choicer being the older Savage. They are getting a bit pricey when listed on the EE. Covers all the bases for your purpose and nicely made guns.

Well it's both, isn't it? One of the options I keep coming back to is a Savage 24 in 22LR and 20G or similar... But I hear and appreciate the many votes for vintage.

 

[Magellann]

I hunt with a couple vintage .22's one is a 1951 Mossberg 151K, and a 1942 Remington 512 bolt action. I prefer them both as they have tube magazines and are quite accurate. And they have a lot more character than many of the newer guns.

 

[silverfoxdj]

I have an FN Browning Trombone and a 1950's vintage Marlin 39A lever, both 22 lr's that were passed along from my father.

Both of them sit in the safe "now" when I take out the 22 for rabbit hunting (hunt upland birds with a 20 gauge).

While both are fully functional and still in very good shape (and I do shoot them still and hunted both for many years) I am more conscious about banging them up - so now I hunt with a Henry pump that I picked up a couple years back.

It's still a very nice wood stocked rifle and will "one day" become a "vintage gun" like those, but for now I don't worry about messing it up (and I put a scope on it without a second thought - not something I would feel comfortable doing with either of the above mentioned which were built when iron sights were the norm) - and I want to "enjoy hunting" without worrying about putting a "ding" in the barrel or stock or whatever.

I'd keep the vintage rifles for lighter / cleaner shooting and perhaps a more modern gun to take the bumps and bruises

 

[Papaclaude]

For squirrel, if you can find a 8 ga. muzzleloading shotgun, it should be sufficient. For rabbit, not so sure. I guess if you're hunting from a tree stand fo rabbits, you'd be OK, but not sure about jack rabbits. You might need 50 BMG for them puppies, if you can get in close.

 

[march]

22 cal Mossberg 151 K

The best way to start if your eyes are good .
Use open sights .
The older ones were made to shoot that way .
Mossberg 151K,
Was my favorite 22 cal , growing up .
You can add a scope if you so choose .

 

[Claven2]

All kidding aside, if you are looking for a really nice, well made, all-steel .22 that will become heirloom quality and is still at a reasonable price, take a look at the CZ452 lineup. Great guns, great price, what's not to like?

i own this model, the "american":

They also have European style guns:

Both are great, but I think the european style ones ship with better (aesthetically) wood, generally. My American came with functional but un-inspiring straight grained walnut.

 

[Magellann]

Its one of my favorites too, I do have a Weaver 4 power scope on it, but that rifle works as slick as butter and shoots nickle size groups at 50 yards all day long on regular ammo.

 

[silverfoxdj]

All kidding aside, if you are looking for a really nice, well made, all-steel .22 that will become heirloom quality and is still at a reasonable price, take a look at the CZ452 lineup. Great guns, great price, what's not to like?

i own this model, the "american":

They also have European style guns:

Both are great, but I think the european style ones ship with better (aesthetically) wood, generally. My American came with functional but un-inspiring straight grained walnut.

Now your talking beautiful