Most versatile handi caliber

[azmark]

I'm getting closer to getting a rifle (finally!).  It seems I've come full circle and I really need some input from some sane people to help me make up my mind.  Maybe even if you're not sane . 

Basically, I've narrowed the choices to a Marlin 336 in 30-30 or a handi rifle.  From what I've read, it seems like 30-30 is about the most versatile cartridge around if you plan to handload.  It seems that I could easily make light loads for plinking, etc. for less than I pay for Stingers for the .22.  I plan on casting bullets, too, because I'm frugal .  I want open sights, so that narrows down the choices in a handi without a second barrel. 

For some reason I can't shake the idea that I'd like a Hornet, but I read about people having difficulty with reloading them and very short case life for the Hornet.  If those are viable concerns, that coupled with the nonavailability of hard-cast bullets in .224 wouldn't make it any cheaper to shoot than a .22 magnum.  I've seen dies for casting .224, but they seem pretty expensive and I expect bullets that size would be a real challenge for a newbie.

If you're wondering, I plan on using the new rifle for plinking, targets, predator eradication around home, and I plan on hunting coyotes as well.     

[cattleskinner]

I picked up a Marlin 1894c when I went on leave a couple weeks ago(357 lever action), and have got to say that it is probably my favorite rifle now, in just the short time I have had it.  Do a search on the web about a .357 in a long gun, and you will see that it is a total different animal than out of a handgun.  If you want my vote, I say a .357 handi reamed out to max....you get the same versatility as mine, but you get the added ability to use the max shells that rival a 30-30.  If you plan to cast, you can load up 100 shells for 4 bucks or less.....38spec/357mag/max.  Lots of mold choices too, plain base, gas check, swc, rn, rnfp, wadcutter, plus any jacketed...pretty good deal if you ask me.  You would be good for small game with the special shells, up to deer/bear with the right heavy loading....good luck choosing!

-Amos

[quickdtoo]

Montana Bullet has several .224" hard cast gas checked bullets.

Tim

http://www.montanabulletworks.com/wst_page5.html


Here's another source....

http://www.moyerscastbullets.com/pricelist.html

[wcf3030]

Given the possible activities you listed a 223 would fit the bill nicely, but you would have to buy something bigger if you wanted to hunt something bigger.  A 357mag could work but you will have to buy premium ammo or load heavy to get it to get near the 30-30 factory stuff and it will not even touch the 30-30 hot loads.
If your handloading even a lite cast plinking load still will way out perform a 38 and is still dirt cheap to load.
Between 8-10gr of Unique and some pb cast bullets and you can shoot forever with a pound of powder.

With that said I will be getting a 357mag barrel to help shoot up all this brass and bullets I have.
Put to choose just one I'd go with the 30-30. 

[Mac11700]

Basically, I've narrowed the choices to a Marlin 336 in 30-30 or a handi rifle.  From what I've read, it seems like 30-30 is about the most versatile cartridge around if you plan to handload.  It seems that I could easily make light loads for plinking, etc. for less than I pay for Stingers for the .22.  I plan on casting bullets, too, because I'm frugal Wink.  I want open sights, so that narrows down the choices in a handi without a second barrel.  If you're wondering, I plan on using the new rifle for plinking, targets, predator eradication around home, and I plan on hunting coyotes as well.   

The Marlin 30-30 is an excellent rifle..no doubt about it..So too is the Handi in 30-30..both will give you a excellent platform for many hours of enjoyment..I don't know how much you pay for your 22 ammo..but here in St.Louis it is still cheaper to shoot than casting your own. Being frugal isn't a bad thing..but don't discount your time involved with having to make them as well...

I would say go for the Handi in 30-30..you can always add another barrel to it in time..There are plenty of places you can get cast bullet..some extremely cheap..and if you want to cast for it yourself..molds are quite easily to get..and your not limited to using flat points as you would in the Marlins tube..

To me..the most versatile Handi rifle for all types of shooting would be a 308 or 30-06....especially if you don't reload..They will give you a wider range of bullet choices with different types of ammo..from plinking to match to varmint to heavy game..and you can still use cast bullets just as easy as in a 30-30...when you start reloading your own



Mac

[azmark]

I mentioned the stingers because they cost $5 a box or more and it seemed like a middle of the road comparison, price-wise.  I have a brick of Federal that I got at WM for about 12 bucks.  The stingers are a little more fun and still a lot less than .22M or premium .22LR target ammo.

Tim, I'm going to check out the links you gave me.  I want to see if their .224 cast bullets are less than jacketed prices.

[azmark]

Tim, that second place has pretty good prices.  Good to know.

[tallyho]

I have a 357 reamed to Max and a couple of 30/30 Handis. (Also just picked up a 45LC BC at a gunshow - but haven't yet fired it).

If I were to pick only one ... well.... I wouldn't actually want do such an unimaginable thing now that I think about it.

But if I HAD to, and could only keep one of them I'd keep the 30/30 because of the wider range of ammo I could load. From 100 gr plinkers to 180 gr (or heavier) and a whole spectrum of cast loads. I'd miss the 357 like heck, (and so would my kids) but I'd keep the 30/30 "handy" if I could only have one. Luckily that ain't the case (yet?)

Anyway, lots of folks on this forum have what has been described as a "Must Have" Handi list. It is a list of calibers/barrels one "must have" and it goes like this (in no particular order of priority): 22 Hornet, 357 Mag, 30/30, 45/70 and .22LR. One could easily add a shotgun (probably a 20ga) and be content forever with the selection... except of course if one is a handi-holic, in which case one will never be content as long as there are combinations and calibers one does not have. 
Like Quick!

As for being frugal - it is a good theory to hold on to in the early days  but experience (and statistics) suggest that once you get your first Handi, it won't be long until you find a way to fund additional barrels and/or frames... so if handiholicism is inevitable ... enjoy it ... etc! 

Cheers
Kerry

[bcspider]

I have been reading these forums on Graybeardoutdoors for a couple of years now and have finally decided to join in.

One of the great advantages of the Handi-rifle is the versitillity it offers with being able to fit additional barrels to the same receiver.  If you go with the 30-30 or the .223 or a .243 and you find it does not fit the bill like you want, you can try a different barrel and caliber for very little more money.

I have hunted with a 30-30 handi for years now and can reload it to do just about whatever I want.  Deer, hogs or varmints.  Cast or jacketed bullets.  Target loads, low power loads or whatever suits my fancy.

[revbc]

and your not limited to using flat points as you would in the Marlins tube..

This short statement by Mac is a good reason to go with the Handi.  You could use the new leverevlution bullets (or however you spell it) but you would be limited to them in the tubular mag.

I have a couple of Marlins, 1894 44mag and 30/30, but I would buy the handi if I could only have one.

[Mitch in MI]

A 30-30/12ga combo gun would be pretty versatile, a bit more so if it were 30-30AI, and if you had a .223 barrel too.

I think the closest thing to a universal hunting rifle (just one barrel) might be a 7-08 or 280 Remington. A 100gr Sierra Varminter is about the biggest bullet I'm willing to waste on a woodchuck, and a 160gr 7mm is about the smallest I'd want to use on moose or elk. It'll cost more to hunt varmints with a .280 than a .223, but the extra cost of consumables is offset by the lower cost of equipment (just one barrel, one scope, and one set of reloading dies).

[James B]

Mice to Buffalo, the 45-70 of course. Quick, Have you used bullet from those outfits? If so did they work well? I have been using Miester's but I heard that they are quiting business.

[quickdtoo]

No, I haven't but I've seen Montana recommended a lot, dunno about the other one. I use cast bullets from Beartooth, Cast Performance, Mt Baldy and Western Bullet, and just ordered some 700gr .500" WFNGCs from Ranger Rick.

Tim

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/

http://www.castperformance.com/StoreFront.bok

http://www.mtbaldybullets.com/asp/products.asp

http://www.westernbullet.com/

http://www.lsstuff.com/ranger-rick/

[greg916]

I would go with the 30-30.  With the right bullet it will do for everything from ground hogs to feral hogs.

[Freezer]

    Why limit yourself with the Marlin 30-30?  There are a number of good lever guns out there in 308 Savage and Browning being the top two.  For a hand loader these rifles offer far more versitility.  That said the handi with all the barrel choices including black powder offers as close to the one gun does all as you can get.  It's also offered in 308.  Why choose 30-30?

[James B]

Thanks, again.

[tallyho]

  It's also offered in 308.  Why choose 30-30?

If you are seeking logic here, forget it    30-30 is an emotional choice, only disguised and dressed up in logical reasons... at least it is for me! 

logical dressing:
- it is a rimmed cartridge, and they are more useful in a Handi
- I already have 30/30 components
- 30/30 uses less powder than 308
- less recoil, my wife/kids/etc can shoot it
- in a single shot I can use pointy bullets and get virtually the same as 308 performance

truth undisguised:
- I love the 30/30
- 30/30 was good enough for dad and granpa
- I love showing off with my pointy bullet 30/30 reloads
- I love the historic aspect of this caliber

Notice all the references to 'love' - and 'love' is an emotion.

 

[Freezer]

   Your right, forget logic.  I have too many over lapping cartridges.  It doesn't make sense but I like them

[ironglow]

 Tallyho;

   How right you are ! Love is an emotion..and emotion is part & parcel of handiholicism !....LOL