When you are ready talk to Alan at AAOptics about the scope. He will help you find the right scope for you and what you want from it.I didn't say the plan was for my son to use this in the future, I'd most likely start him off with a 22 or youth size of his own choice. And if I decide to hunt before a SHTF scenario, then I could always use my stepson's 30-06. At this point I want a rifle I can call my own that can handle 2-3 different scenarios/situations if need be, and be fun for target shooting, and getting into distance shooting (I have to admit, I'm not familiar with the lingo)
My husband likes the idea of the .223 caliber, it's common and cheaper than the .243
Currently, after looking at many in the .223 category and watching reviews, I keep coming back to the Ruger American Rifle. Currently owning a Ruger SR40c and being very pleased with it, I really like the safety on the RAR, the easy in easy out magazine, and the 70 degree (or 66 to some of the reviewers) that the bolt allows, making it less likely to hit the scope as many reviewers kept mentioning. I like that the reviewers who are relatively large men with man average sized hands, constantly mention that the stock is narrow and kind of small in their hands, and the rifle is relatively light. I'm 5'3 and have relatively small hands and short fingers (even for a woman) so that really sounds like an attractive first time rifle for me.
The runner ups are:
Weatherby Vanguard Series 2
Savage Axis 2 XP
Savage 16 Trophy Hunter XP
Savage 11/111 Trophy Hunter XP
I'll also be looking for a good scope for under $200.
My husband's rifles are kind of bulky to me, even my SKS. Sometime this coming week I am going to get to a LGS and actually get some of these rifles in my hands, then I should know for sure. Even if I have to go to Gander Mountain or Dicks just to hold them, since some of the mom and pop shops don't always have the gun you're wanting to handle.
No, you don't sound crazy. I would go with something in a .243 Winchester caliber myself...if not that, something in .308 Winchester. Even during the last ammo drought, .243 was on the shelves, but .308/7.62 NATO was not. There is an upside to the .308 though, and that is the military uses it as the 7.62 NATO, which is safe to shoot in a bolt gun with a caliber of .308 Winchester. If the crap did hit the fan, finding .308/7.62 NATO, might not be that difficult. JMHO.Thanks so far guys, well as far as purpose goes.... I wouldn't say we're those prepper nuts but I'm looking for a weapon that can do both - feed us (large game like the whitetails around here) and also take down any would-be home invader easily at 100-400 yds which I suspect is the distance of the road to our house. If ***** ever hits the fan and we have to defend our home, I want a weapon that I can either be poking out of a window or on top of the roof and just able to take 'em out.
But again, to also hunt with.... I've never gone hunting before, but my son is almost 5 and that is something I want him to learn and I feel I should learn and do myself as well. I'd much rather live off the land than from the grocery store.
I sound crazy, don't I?
Im not familiar with the new deer laws... is 7.62x39 legal?
You're husband has AKs. The ammo is plenty. The recoil is very manageable and imho if you can go CZ then you always should.
CZ 527 gets my vote.... you'll have to save for a scope but you get one helluva gun for the price.
Both 7.62x39 and 7.62x54R were specifically allowed, as per the rule change.
There was initially a lot of debate about whether that would happen, since the early rifles in those chamberings had .311 bores, but the commonality of modern ones with .308 bores must have motivated allowing both calibers, so all the AK/SKS, and Mosin-Nagant guys can breathe easy.
I love my Winchester Model 70 in 30.06 and the one in 308. They can be had for around $500.
Not sure if you'll find a good scope for under $200
I guess it's too late now but Howa has a new mini action in 7.62x39. Common cheap ammo. Hunting ammo available. Small-ish and light-ish.