going to spend $500 on firearm(s) which way would you go?

[bluebayou]

I have:
Savage 223 bolt
Remington 7-08 bolt
Winchester 270 bolt
Browning Hipower
Yugo SKS
Enfield 2A
Mosin 91/30
Savage 22 bolt
12 gauge Mossberg pump
Handi 357

I had:
Handi 223, 44, and 308 and never handloaded for the 308, got Remington 308 and sold the Handi, never got good results from old .432 44Mag, 223 only shot WWB well.

I plan on spending $500.  I am thinking 7.62x39 Rossi because I love the cartridge, but have no experience with Rossi.  A lot of people dog them out.  I am thinking import Turk 20 guage semi-auto.  We sell a lot of Charles Daly ones at work, have had ZERO complaints from customers.  I am thinking 22 SIG Trailside or Ruger Mk2 pistol, just because.  Otherwise, the 357/20 gauge combo seems like a great choice for my son, the future hunter now age 6.  Having multiple 357 barrels doesn't bother me. 

I guess my question is:  is there a good plinker Handi other than 357?  The 357 Handi and my SKS are the rifles that I take to the woods or range EVERY time. 

30/30 Handi and SIG Trailside would be about $500........but I really want a 20 gauge....

This is my 2008 Christmas plus money that I have saved all year, by the way.  It isn't like I make a ton of money or anything. 

[LaOtto222]

Quite a dilema, a happy one, but a dilema the same. Since you want a 20 gauge, get the best one you can afford. I have a SKB Double that I have had for years and there is no way I will ever part with it. That is probaly a little more than you can swing even used. You can get a 870 in 20 gauge, but you may not enough left over for a another gun. You could get a Handi 20 gauge, but if it was me I would get the deluxe classic, the one with the vent rib with walnut stocks. If you go that way you could get the 30-30 - a very fine rifle BTW and have money left over for seed money for the 22 auto you want later.

[Cranium]

I guess my question is:  is there a good plinker Handi other than 357?  The 357 Handi and my SKS are the rifles that I take to the woods or range EVERY time. 

Marlin 1894c. 
Crap, I read that backwards.  I saw "Is there a good .357 plinker other than Handi?" 
Well, I still see you're missing the 1894c from your lineup, but if it needs to be a Handi?  Looks like you're missing something that makes really big holes in stuff.  .45-70.    I love my Buffalo Classic.  I plan on getting another .45-70 Handi with a shorter barrel, but if I could only do one?  The BC. 

[bluebayou]

To quote my hero, Frank Romano:  Holy Crap. 

I had totally forgotten about the Marlin cowboy rifle.........brilliant. 

Crap, Sports South is out of stock...maybe the shop has another source.  It is too expensive, but I could always save more.

[Swampman]

I don't think you'll find a Marlin Cowboy for $500.00.

[djw]

...forgotten about the Marlin cowboy rifle...  It is too expensive, but I could always save more.

You're pretty close. There are at least a half dozen NEW .357 Marlins on Gunbroker right now for under $500 (shipping bumps most of them just over $500).
HTH.
Don

[Swampman]

But they aren't Cowboys.

[djw]

But they aren't Cowboys.

Ahhh, you're right.  I didn't pick up on the distinction. The two cowboys I see (now that I know what to look for) are about $650+/-.

[Freezer]

    There are two guns I don't see in your collection.  I don't see a .22 rifle.  If you like to shoot a .22 is a must.  If your a duck hunter you need a semi shotgun!  If your a bunny hunter or even upland game a 20 gauge will do.  A Stevens double can be had for cheap and will work for cowboy action but I don't see a single action revolver or a lever gun.  That makes three guns you'll need for cowboy action but you have to start somewhere All-in-all I'd get a .22 and a SxS, that way you have one of the three you'll need for cowboy action.  Save you pennies and keep an eye out for a Ruger SA later.  
    Beware the Cowboy action addiction  Three guns, costume, boots, hats, holster and scabbard.  Then there's ammo and transportation to distant events.  Food and lodging are something else again, you'll need a motor home.  That leads to a second job and no time for the sport. That progress to frustration and a free trip to the loony bin.  Think before you drink

[Cranium]

I had totally forgotten about the Marlin cowboy rifle.........brilliant. 

I actually was just talking about a plain Jane ol' 1894c.  The kind you find at sporting goods shops.  Big 5 puts them on sale frequently for $379.  Might be up to $399 now...
But the cowboy model would be nice, and if it's what you fancy, it might be worth saving another couple of months.

[Country Boy]

If you like bolts, get a new Ruger hawkeye, or look for a used lever on one of the gun sites. I bought a beat up Winchester 88 for 200 didn"t think it was anything special but it out shoots anything I own. After a little work, you should see it know ! I've got about 400 in it with a decent scope. It just amazes me how a 50 yr old gun can out shoot the ones I have.

[Swampman]

I wouldn't waste any money on a Ruger.

[yooper77]

I gave $550.00 on a New In Box Weatherby Mark V synthetic in 30-06 Springfield this year, its a sweet smooth action.

yooper77

[bluebayou]

I didn't realize that there was a difference in the Marlin lever guns.  Thought that they were all "cowboy" models.  Learning something every day.

I will call around looking for round barrel 1894C in 357/38.  That would be great.  Otherwise, not decided. 

[Troyboy]

IMO i would go to the next gun show in your area and buy what struck my fancy after i had checked out all the tables. Then i would buy the ammo and whatever i felt i needed to go with it. 500$ will buy plenty of what you desire, just find your deal.

                                                    Troy

[petemi]

I wouldn't waste any money on a Ruger.

I love my Handis, but when bottom line accuracy on big game is needed NOW, I grab my .308 M77 MKII.  Sorry, it is my best rifle, my magic rifle, and I'm happy I "Wasted my money on it".

[yooper77]

petemi,

Don't be sorry for having a Ruger M77 MKII.

I have a Ruger M77 MKII in 270 Winchester that has excellent MOA accuracy everytime.  I use Hornady 150 grain flat based interlocks with 54.0 grains of IMR-4831.

yooper77

[LaOtto222]

While Rugers may not be the most accurate guns made on a whole, they do much better in later years than they did in the beginning. In the beginning they bought thier barrels from various makers, some OK and some not OK. Since that era, they make thier own barrels and the over all quality went up. I think thier bad reputation as far as accuracy is concerned still stems from the early years. IMHO the dependability was never an issue. Oh sure there are some that have had problems, but don't they all have a problem silp out now and then?

[Swampman]

I've owned several Ruger rifles.  The 10-22 was the only one that would group under 3" at 100 yards.  I still have it.

[LONGTOM]

There's that old "CRAP SHOOT" again!
Different brands, some shoot and some don't.
I have only ever owned three RUGER rifles.
My 10/22 which is a very good shooter,
An old T BOLT in 22-250 that was a keeper and I sold it,
and a 10/22 mag that won't shoot worth a hoot.
Who knows?
I guess you buy what ever takes your fancy and hope for the best, be it used or new.
Good luck!


LONGTOM

[tykempster]

How about a really nice scope?  If you're like me you love hitting stuff a long ways out, and for $500 you can get an entry level "tacticool" scope with good reliable targets.

[tykempster]

Or...a 45-70 and a reamer rental.  Not suggested for everyone.

 

[bluebayou]

Or...a 45-70 and a reamer rental.  Not suggested for everyone.

 

No way, Jose.  I am a gimp with arthritis in neck and torn shoulder.  Thanks for the offer........

After a trip to the range today with the 12 gauge I decided that I need to get something that fits me.  I need a lot of drop in the stock, so whether it is a 20 gauge or a rifle I need to shoulder it a bit.  I have enough rifles that don't fit.  My Savage MkII 22 has about the best fit of any of them.  The M70 .270 is a close second with high Burris Sig rings on it. 

[Swampman]

You could get a 700 Remington in .30-06 but then you'd never shoot your other rifles.

[Graybeard]

You could get a 700 Remington in .30-06 but then you'd never shoot your other rifles.

WOW!  What a SURPRISE suggestion from the swampy one. I never saw that coming. 

[AtlLaw]

I never saw that coming. 

The boy DO be kinda myopic when it comes to rifle/caliber don't he!    
I always figgered rifles and calibers are like wimmins!  They all be beautiful and have their own individual talents...  Some just more so then others!   

[kyelkhunter3006]

You could get a 700 Remington in .30-06 but then you'd never shoot your other rifles.

WOW!  What a SURPRISE suggestion from the swampy one. I never saw that coming. 

Until just now, I didn't know that Swampman even owned a Remington.     I thought that all of his guns were Rugers!  LOL 

+1 on the Marlin 1894.  .357 or the .44 Mag.

Since you want a stock with a bit of drop to it, the Marlin lever guns are a good idea, since they are still stocked to be used with open sights, VS a higher straighter stock for scope use (like 99% of other guns today).

$500 will get you a Marlin 336W (hardwood stocked version) and a Henry .22 lever action (both brand new) if you shop around a bit.  Then you've got it all covered from plinking to whitetails, boars, etc.  You'd have to pony up a little more for a couple of scopes if you want them, of course.

[petemi]

You know, 500 bucks doesn't really go a long way.  Lets say we bought a nice Handi for around 250, and spent 150 on a scope, and bought a sling and swivels, and 3 or four boxes of ammo......KAWAMMOPOW...there went 500 bucks.   I know, I've done it!!  PLEASE don't ever tell the wife!!!

[bluebayou]

Well, I jumped the fence because the grass was greener in the CZ pasture.

I bought a CZ 527 carbine in 7.62x39.  It was a little more than $500 <cough>, but not enough to break the bank.

One nice thing is that I have 1000 rounds of mixed ammo for the SKS so I am GTG.  I am anxious to try my accuracy load from the SKS too, the .311 Hornady 123 VMAX and H4895.  In any event, ammo will be pretty cheap for it. 

(no one could get the Marlin 357 lever rifle in any flavor, so I was sitting on the fence for a few weeks there)

[Ditchdigger]

If you 527 is like mine in 204,you're going to love the set trigger.My CZ gets usec more than any gun I take to the H and R /nef pd shoot.   Digger