TheCoachZed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Hey guys,
I need to get a rifle for this fall. It will mainly be used for deer - I plan on continuing to shoot bear with slugs from my 12 gauge, and I have very little hope of landing a moose tag anytime soon. I have a rough idea of what I want in a rifle, but I can't make up my mind. Maybe someone out there has some experience that could guide me? Outside of hunting with all these rifles myself, I have no idea how I could decide.
Cost is a bit of a factor - I'd like to keep it to $500 or less. And, for those who will suggest them, I don't want a Stevens 200 or used Remington 742, no matter how cheap they are. I also want a scoped gun, because I know I can't afford to practice enough with iron sights to rely on them alone.
Most of my hunting will probably just be walking trails and sometimes beating brush, but I probably will spend a bit of time sitting on power lines, looking for the longer shots.
So here's what I'm looking at:
1). Marlin 336
Scoped easily. Ammunition is cheap in .30-30, and if I want to spend mor money, LeverEvolution ammo is supposed to be a huge upgrade. But, is the gun really accurate out past 100 yards? They just don't inspire confidence in accuracy when handled, because of the short barrels. . .and that's why I sold my SKS.
I really don't want a Winchester 94.
2). P14 Enfield sporterized
Everyone says these are tack drivers with iron sights. Trouble is, I'd like to scope my rifle. Aside from that, the rifles seem a bit long for sneaking around in the woods. I can't find a synthetic stock in Canada for it either. But I've always wanted a .303 army rifle . . . and P14s can be had pretty cheaply, too (although the cost of setting it up for hunting would add up pretty quickly). Plus, they should be easier on brass than the Lee Enfield, if I want to reload.
3). Israeli K98
Most people say these rifles are pretty deadly accurate, too, and they've got some neat history. But how much fun is it going to be hauling around a full wood Mauser all day? Scoping, again, could be an issue.
4). Norinco JW-103
I'm not a huge fan of 7.62x39, but I can afford to put a lot of practice in with it. I know pretty much nothing about these guns, except they don't come with iron sights, and that's not cool. They used to be affordable.
5). Lee Enfield
.....they're a fine-working rifle, but hard on brass, and lots of them are shot-out. I can borrow my dad's for free, and that may be what I end up doing. I don't really want one too badly, though.
So, guys . . . for those of you who've hunted with these rifles, especially with more than one of them, how do they stack up against each other?
I need to get a rifle for this fall. It will mainly be used for deer - I plan on continuing to shoot bear with slugs from my 12 gauge, and I have very little hope of landing a moose tag anytime soon. I have a rough idea of what I want in a rifle, but I can't make up my mind. Maybe someone out there has some experience that could guide me? Outside of hunting with all these rifles myself, I have no idea how I could decide.
Cost is a bit of a factor - I'd like to keep it to $500 or less. And, for those who will suggest them, I don't want a Stevens 200 or used Remington 742, no matter how cheap they are. I also want a scoped gun, because I know I can't afford to practice enough with iron sights to rely on them alone.
Most of my hunting will probably just be walking trails and sometimes beating brush, but I probably will spend a bit of time sitting on power lines, looking for the longer shots.
So here's what I'm looking at:
1). Marlin 336
Scoped easily. Ammunition is cheap in .30-30, and if I want to spend mor money, LeverEvolution ammo is supposed to be a huge upgrade. But, is the gun really accurate out past 100 yards? They just don't inspire confidence in accuracy when handled, because of the short barrels. . .and that's why I sold my SKS.
I really don't want a Winchester 94.
2). P14 Enfield sporterized
Everyone says these are tack drivers with iron sights. Trouble is, I'd like to scope my rifle. Aside from that, the rifles seem a bit long for sneaking around in the woods. I can't find a synthetic stock in Canada for it either. But I've always wanted a .303 army rifle . . . and P14s can be had pretty cheaply, too (although the cost of setting it up for hunting would add up pretty quickly). Plus, they should be easier on brass than the Lee Enfield, if I want to reload.
3). Israeli K98
Most people say these rifles are pretty deadly accurate, too, and they've got some neat history. But how much fun is it going to be hauling around a full wood Mauser all day? Scoping, again, could be an issue.
4). Norinco JW-103
I'm not a huge fan of 7.62x39, but I can afford to put a lot of practice in with it. I know pretty much nothing about these guns, except they don't come with iron sights, and that's not cool. They used to be affordable.
5). Lee Enfield
.....they're a fine-working rifle, but hard on brass, and lots of them are shot-out. I can borrow my dad's for free, and that may be what I end up doing. I don't really want one too badly, though.
So, guys . . . for those of you who've hunted with these rifles, especially with more than one of them, how do they stack up against each other?
