7.62 x 39

 

 

An AK is the new age old school level action. If the Rifleman was still around he would have an AK.

 

Definitely an AK or SKS, or a FAL (less "popular" now, but everyone who has one loves it).

Oh yeah, and in all the cases I said or above, I meant and

 

AK

 

M-1 Garand. Buy a real rifle.

 

Rifle

Okay so either 7.62x39 or .30-06. Any input on 7.62x35, .303, .308 or 5.56? Not sure I am sold on the AK I know its popular, but hmmm.

 

7.62 x 39 and 7.62 x 51 (NATO) perform about the same when firing through cover.


7.62 NATO has a better long range trajectory than 7.62 x 39

7.62 NATO costs significantly more than 7.62 x 39.

5.56 NATO costs significantly more than 7.62 x 39 but performs worse against cover, yet has a better long range trajectory.

All factors input, I would suggest something in 7.62 x 39 if you're getting a semi-auto rifle for "combat."

You will likely not be engaging targets beyond 300 meters so the 7.62 x 39 is perfect, especially once you start feeding whichever gun you get.

 

If by "combat" you mean targets at 100+yds than you're right!

 

Honestly, having owned/shot both sks & ak: I would say go with a Norinco SKS. About the most accurate 7.62x39 out of the box.

I have a '91 Norinco & two '60's Chicom bringbacks..

 

thinking about old school (lever) or new-er school bolt or semi-auto.

I dunno, depending on the year a K-31 could be considered a "new-er school bolt", and if you're willing to pay extra you can get a matching bayonet...

 

I picked up a Marlin 336 used last year and I love it. It's a great shooter and has good open sights which I really like. It's also cheaper to shoot than many other calibers. If you don't have an SKS or AK get one of those first-they are both a great plinker/utility rifle.

 

how bout a new/old school lever gun

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/bigbore/1895SBL.asp

 

How about something different - Reasonable cost.
Swede Mauser 6.5 (accurate, easy on the shoulder) Several variations,
M96,
http://www.surplusrifle.com/mauserswedish/index.asp
Swiss K31 (accurate, fast, fun)

Enfield No 4 Mk 1 Peep sights, 10 rd mag, accurate (with a few tweeks excellent).
http://www.surplusrifle.com/no4/index.asp

+ 1 on an M1

Get an AR lower and one of several uppers.

Lever:
Marlin
Savage 99

How about a carbine.

 

Let me throw in my 2 cents. First and foremost you have to decide what you want the rifle for. If you want to look cool, buy an M&P with the flash light and aimpoint site and the tricycle bell etc, if you want accuracy buy a bolt action (my favorite is the Remington 700 milspec in 308), if you want to feel like a cowboy buy a lever action.
As far as for what caliber you again have to figure out what you want to do. 5.56 is great on personnel but worthless for shooting through heavy cover, 7.62 x 39 or 30/30 is good and cheap and pretty accurate even in a lever action for hunting purposes out to about 200 yards. 30.06 kicks like a mule and oddly enough only has more speed and knockdown power than a 308 out to 100 yards. After that the 308 takes over. If you want a good black rifle I would suggest looking at the PTR-91 chambered in 308, they can be had for a little over a grand and are great guns. I would personally stay away from the other odd calibers.

 

1. FAL
2. AR
3. HK91
4. AK
5. SKS

 

FAL

 

I had an SKS and I liked it, but just traded it off as I have an AR as well, and the AR fits me better.

A lot depends on what you want out of the rifle. Hunting, popping paper, competitions, SHTF, a lot depends on you. I have a .308 bolt Im looking to sell/trade off, just because I cant find ammo that I like here, and I dont want to order a ton of ammo online to find I dont like it. I am going to .223 bolt, just to comply with my AR, and .223 will still take down game here and fly rather far to pop paper, with good ammo.