Which rifle to add?

[BossmanPJ]

I always felt that a lever action 357 paired with a 357 revolver and a 12 gauge coach gun would be a good all around set up.

Amen. I can attest to the killing power of the 357 on deer and groundhogs. Plus it’s damn fun to have a lever gun that shoots 38 special. Basically no recoil.

 

[-Z/28-]

Another idea for you if you want something a little more traditional in appearance but still capable; a Ruger Mini-30. Semi-auto, 7.62x39. Accurate enough to bag deer. Still capable of taking 20 and 30 rd mags for defensive use. Affordable ammo for range use.

 

[engineerbrian]

Amen. I can attest to the killing power of the 357 on deer and groundhogs. Plus it’s damn fun to have a lever gun that shoots 38 special. Basically no recoil.

What 357 ammo are you using for deer?

 

[teratos]

The M-94 doesn't lend itself to being scoped and at some point, I think we all will want to use an optic. Not only due to aging eyes, but there have also been at least three or four times that having a scope on a deer rifle allowed me to pick a spike out of a pack of does in a 'buck only' area and not go home empty handed. The equivalent Marlin, the M-336, has a drilled/tapped receiver, but it starts out heavier and then putting a scope on it kills the cheek weld and fast handling.

A hunting weight bolt gun in .308/7.62x51 is missing from your tool kit.

And/or, as EngineerBrian suggests, a deer-caliber upper for your AR. Two points though:
1) Carrying an AR platform in the deer woods is a PIA, due to the balance point and sharp corners. I have carried AR-15s. AR-10s and a wide assortment of bolt guns and would not bother hunting with an AR again. The bolt gun is generally much more comfortable to carry.

2) Unless one who already uses .223/5.56 AR-15s has REAL plans to suppress it, I'd suggest that the .300BO upper is an unnecessary hazard. Firing a .300BO in a .223 can be done, has been done, and is catastrophic. Precautions to keep rifles and ammo properly segregated is crucial.

The 6.5 CM and other specialty calibers:
A 6.5 CM and similar cartridges can be very effective hunting rounds (at almost any reasonable distance) and quite useful, *IF* chambered in a useful rifle.

The great popularity of long range rifles in very effective long range calibers right now belies the fact that it is getting increasingly hard to find a place to shoot it. Most people are limited to distances where a big, heavy target/tactical rifle is a waste. Few things are as boring as a 1,000 yard rifle at 200 yards. A recurring comment among former long range precision students was that they never shot their long range stuff any more due to lack of venue. About the only thing harder to find a place to shoot is a .50BMG.

Thanks for the explanation. Wes got me a great deal on an AR-10 in 6.5CM. Gonna get a bolt gun in the same caliber, since I’m “committed”.

 

[Huckleberry]

Your SN is Mike444 so why not get a Marlin 444?

You'll be able to take any big game on the North American continent.

Plus it gives you a reason to get a 44 Mag Wheel Gun and Lever action as companion guns. Also, lest we forget, same bullet all your reloads.

 

[Boom Boom]

Ruger American Standard chambered in .308. Inexpensive, so no concerns if you scuff it up in the woods. You already have the AR-15 and two 12ga shotguns for SHTF. You can buy an AR-10 later if you want another .308 rig.

 

[calicojack]

The Henry Long Ranger rifles give you a traditional lever action in larger calibers; just another option:

https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/the-long-ranger/

The Browning BLR lever action is probably better made, and priced accordingly

https://www.browning.com/products/firearms/rifles/blr.html

[EDIT] Actually not that much difference in price.

 

[Bountied]

You can always hunt deer with the 870 Express and a scoped rifled barrel, mine is good out to 100yds. If it were me I'd get a .308 bolt gun or a .308 semi auto, but not a AR10, unless you want one that is.

 

[hobiecat590]

Another idea for you if you want something a little more traditional in appearance but still capable; a Ruger Mini-30. Semi-auto, 7.62x39. Accurate enough to bag deer. Still capable of taking 20 and 30 rd mags for defensive use. Affordable ammo for range use.

If you already have a mini 30 for SD, Ruger offers the American that takes the Mini mags in a bolt action platform for improved accuracy for the 7.62x39 that is equivalent to the 30-30. I'd use a 5 rnd mag for deer.

 

[ezracer]

10-22...if SHTF, and facing superior numbers, you'll need suppressive fire. People won't attempt to figure out how lethal the cartridge is as it zips past their heads, they'll tend to just run for cover, perhpas giving you enough opportunity to live to fight another day. One can easily carry 1K rounds of .22, unlike most other cartridges. Plus it's a good all-around small game hunting cartridge.

Just my $0.02

.

Just the sound alone of a 10/22 will send them running for the hills.....not to
mention the tremendous kinetic energy of that caliber will have a devastating effect.



But any gun is better than no gun. And, it is semi-auto.

Like so many of these threads, we are not considering the OP's #1 post.
He wants a viable, all around hunting carbine/rifle in a serious caliber.

 

[Mike444]

Just the sound alone of a 10/22 will send them running for the hills.....not to
mention the tremendous kinetic energy of that caliber will have a devastating effect.



But any gun is better than no gun. And, it is semi-auto.

Like so many of these threads, we are not considering the OP's #1 post.
He wants a viable, all around hunting carbine/rifle in a serious caliber.

Correct

 

[TheOriginalMexicanBob]

This is probably a non-starter of a suggestion as the ammunition isn't the most available in most stores...but actually is quite well available through online sources as I just picked up a couple of boxes that way with a pretty fair amount of choices...but a good rifle in 6.5x55 Swede is a great all around caliber. It has moderate recoil...inherently accurate...will handle medium sized game...other than lack of ammunition commonality with other possibilities it has a lot going for it within its performance envelope.

I have a CZ with a Mannlicher stock and it's an excellent rifle.

 

[ezracer]

Let's go with a 6.5 Creedmoor AR-10 . Done.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYr4N8tbl9o

 

[OLM-Medic]

my opinion

first ask yourself what do you need it for? long range? suppressed? deer hunting? another rifle?

sounds like you are pretty well stocked to me. You can easily hunt with the .223 AR and the right ammo.

I would caution against oddball calibers unless you have a need for them. Shooting at 900 yards? By all means, get a 6.5. But if not, what's the point? A .223 will kill a deer fine and won't be a drain on your bank account. I've dabbled in oddball calibers...not worth the money unless you need it for long range shooting where .223 is not capable. And I must add to that, .223 can be capable at surprisingly longer ranges than you think. So a scoped AR can fill that role too.

 

[Sirex]

Out of the choices in the initial post, I would choose the Colt 6721. You can add various uppers to do other things. A .22lr upper or conversion for plinking or small game. 7.62x39 or 6.5 Grendel uppers for hunting. A versatile rifle, and you can always get the rest later. Just my $.02

 

[Mega]

I own the following:

Colt 6721 Hbar AR-15A3
Remington 870 Wingmaster 12ga
Remington 870 Express 12ga
Ruger American 22lr Bolt Action
CZ P-01 9mm

Used to deer hunt many years ago with a Winchester 94 30-30 (sold it, dumb) and would like to add a good all around hunting rifle but keeping in mind the recently increasing chances of SHTF. So something that could compliment the AR and serve some hunting duties if needed.

Hope that makes sense - Mike

How about a Ruger Mini 30 with wood furniture?
Not 'scary'.
Caliber is good for deer, but you could also use a Mini 14 and use the same ammo as your Colt.

https://www.ruger.com/products/miniThirty/specSheets/5804.html

 

[Larry David]

Mike444, Mr. Shell pointed out that you may be lacking “A hunting weight bolt gun in .308/7.62x51 is missing from your tool kit.” I own many bolt action rifles in 300 win mag, .308, 6.5 Cr, .223, 22LR, 22 mag. Also some AR’s 10 and 15. All in the following brands; Remington’s, Howa’s, Ruger’s, Savage’s, Windham’s, Henry, Sig and a Tikka.

My Tikka is a T3 Lite in .308. I love this rifle. It’s light weight, well made stock, and a great trigger that is very crisp. I have an inexpensive, simple 3x9x40 Nikon scope mounted to it. Very accurate. Just a very well made, light weight, accurate and simple, do it all rifle. Tikka has replaced my model with the T3x Lite model. Looks very similar to mine.

Yes, I enjoy all my rifles and precision rifles ranging from 22LR to 300 win mag. Many with expensive optics. But it’s really nice to just pick up that Tikka and couple boxes of inexpensive .308 cartridges and have some fun at the range or whatever you are shooting with it.

 

[lemmdus]

An AR9 and a Savage 220 bolt shotgun. Slugs are hell on the human structure as well as deer. We use them in rifle counties. They're as accurate as rifles out to 200 yds and beyond.
9mm for close in work.

If you are going to hunt in Maryland mostly I would have to agree with the above. I have a Savage 220 and it shoots like a rifle. I have dropped deer at 100 yrds with it and if you have to you can drop the two legged varmints as well.

 

[calicojack]

My Tikka is a T3 Lite in .308. I love this rifle. It’s light weight, well made stock, and a great trigger that is very crisp. I have an inexpensive, simple 3x9x40 Nikon scope mounted to it. Very accurate. Just a very well made, light weight, accurate and simple, do it all rifle. Tikka has replaced my model with the T3x Lite model. Looks very similar to mine.

I have a Tikka T3X Lite in 223 Rem; it is AWESOME.

 

[Lloyd]

Just the sound alone of a 10/22 will send them running for the hills.....not to
mention the tremendous kinetic energy of that caliber will have a devastating effect.



But any gun is better than no gun. And, it is semi-auto.

Like so many of these threads, we are not considering the OP's #1 post.
He wants a viable, all around hunting carbine/rifle in a serious caliber.

Have you ever been shot at by a .22?

Have you ever been shot at all? Have you been shot in any amount of volume?

I suppose you're so John Wayne you wouldn't worry about a mere .22, would you?

.