ORIGINAL: sngehl01
I'm looking at buying a new rifle this winter. I don't have any centerfire rifles yet, can't use them for much where I live (indiana). I'll probably shoot coyotes and things with whatever I buy. Mainly I'm buying it just to have and shoot at the homeplace when me and my buddies shoot. Shooting things like water jugs and melons and stuff.
I don't know what I want, here's pretty much what I've narrowed it down to:
.270 (regular, wssm or mag)
.30-06
.25-06
.243
.308
.300 (win mag or wsm)
Just looking for a good all around rifle, and something that'll really make a mess when it hits a water jug or something
plus something that has a pretty decent trajectory. I'll probably just go buy one next week, just pick one when I'm there, but I want to know what everyone thinks. Thanks.
IF you are looking for a plinker, I recommend something for which ammo is plentiful and inexpensive. I think a .223 would be ideal for your uses, or perhaps a 7.62X39mm. The .223 is a great coyote round, and the 7.62X39mm is equal to a .30/30 for deer and the like (including coyotes out to 250 yards). My next choice would be a .308, since the military is still using that round, so you can still buy surplus ammo in that caliber. .30/'06 would be my last choice. Stocks of surplus .30/'06 ammo are almost gone.
If you want a .223 or 7.62X39, look closely at the CZ 527 carbine! It only weighs 5 pounds, and is very accurate in either .223 or 7.62X39mm.
