kendradad

I am trying to decide what gun/pistol to get next. I have the following and would like your thoughts. I will most likely never hunt anything bigger than an elk. Am not interested in black rifles at all, and shoot at the range occasionally. Hunt deer with shots up to 300 yards mostly and some dove a couple of times a year.

Right now I am thinking of replacing my A-bolt because it is in real good shape still, but I like it so much, I don't want to get it messed up. Thinking of getting a Stainless stalker X bolt in 30.06 or maybe a Sako Finnlight, same caliber.


Pistols:
Ruger M111 stainless .22 (bought last month, haven't shot it yet).
S&W airweight .38 special J frame
Ruger SP 101 .357 mag.
Glock 22 .40 cal.

Rifles
Marlin .22 don't know the model # semi-auto LR only bought in 1972. Haven't shot it in 30+ years. Has the squirrel on the stock.

Glenfield bolt action .22 (old).
Ruger M77 stainless/synthetic .243
Marlin 336 30-30, Made in 1982 I think, good shooter.
Browning BLR .308 wood/blue
Browning A bolt 30-06 wood/blue

Shotguns
Remington 1100 12 ga. modified choke
Belgium Browning Light 12 full and improved cylinder choked barrels.
Parker shotgun (built 1886 I think) 12 ga. not bad shape, but just a wall hanger.

Thanks for your thoughts. Always on the look out for the next one you know.

bronko22000

Sounds to me like a 17 HMR would be right up you alley. I'd recommend a Savage of Marlin. If you're planning on replacing your A bolt, You may want to consider getting another in a shorter action. Like the Micro Hunter.
You can also look into the Tikka line of rifles.

[email protected]

I think you would be well served with a Marlin 1895 45/70, I have one and it has became the rifle I most often reach for when heading to the woods.
But first, do you have a fire proof gun safe, if not I'd recommend you getone.
A good friend of mine lost his home 12/19/08, in it was two Fal's,two Winchester M1 Grands, one M1A1 national match,a Marlin 336, two Glock pistols, one 1911 45 ,one Winchester pump shotgun, and approx 9,000 rounds of ammo. He didn't think it would ever happen to him.

kendradad

Thanks for the help so far, and yes I do have a safe and have enjoyed it very much. I bought mine from Costco, most people don't know they sell them, but they have the best prices by far, and only charge an extra $100.00 to deliver inside your home even up a flight of stairs. Very happy with that transaction.

I just have an extra space or two I want/need to fill up.

CarpetBagger

Im gonna interject here slightly...and i apologize if some of this comes off harsh...lol

A gun is a tool.While they are fun to look at and handle there purpose is pretty straightforward. I never was very good at keeping mytoys in the box whenI was little and my firearms and me are kinda the same way. When you say you like your A-Bolt so much you dont want it to get messed up it kinda confuses me somewhat. What exactly are you saving this gun for? When I look at my guns i have now I cant wait till im dead and gone and my son, daughter,or son in law is looking at my 270 or 30-06 and saying, "man dad killed alot of deer with this gun." Hoping he will continue to use it, harvest deer,and be able to keep on handing it down with the same results. A gun with any type of regular upkeep and oiling will last generations even when used in rain or snow...Browning didnt make that gun to sit on your shelf, its pretty, but it madeto beused.

Really...why make excuses why you want another gun for the collection? Its not that you dont want the A-bolt "Messed Up" its just plain and simple, you want another rifle...I dont think too many of us can fault you for that cause we all do. I want a 300win mag, a 7mm08, new 22LR, and a better slug gun for no other reason than just because...

Now on to your decisions...personally if you want a no frills rifle id go for a syn stock stainless setup. My 270 is the SPS Stainless by remington and its a just a great rifle and plenty accurate for hunting purposes (1-1.5" group). 30-06 is nice for the availabilty of all the different weight bullets for all kinds of game. Get yourself some good optics and have at it...

chma

Go for a Sako Finnlight in 7mm-08 you will not be disapointed they are shooters top it off with a Leupold VX-3 3.5-10X50 and it will be a deer slayer chad p.s. I have the same set-up and I love it

kendradad

CB, no offense taken, but you have misjudged my thought process. Yes, first and foremost I want a new gun, regardless of what I may or may not do with my A-bolt. I not trying to make up an excuse for a new gun, I just want one. The reason for wanting to put my A-bolt into semi-retirement is that I like to keep my guns in pristine condition as much as possible. The new stainless/synthetics allow one to do this with much less upkeep. If I see a bit of rust on a gun, or get a new ding on that beautiful stock, it just hurts me to no end. With that in mind, I want to put it away so when my grandson looks at it one day he can say, "Old pops took very good care of this great gun, probably shot lot's of deer with it, and I sure am lucky to get this gun in such great shape."

Thanks for you recommendations, at one time I wanted a .270 but because it is so similar to the 308 and .06, I want to stay with the .06. No need to buy too many multiples of ammo, even though it is fun. In addition, I plan on going elk hunting next year and the synthetic stock would be nice to have.

Also the tip on optics is good, too many people put cheap optics on their nice guns and do not get everything that the gun is capable of as a result. In fact, if I was looking for an excuse to buy a gun, I do have one. I have a Zeiss scope I bought the other day on sale and don't have a gun to put it on. Wonder if I could get my wife to buy that excuse? Had not thought of that one.

isatarak

Since the only .22 rifle you have is a Marlin with a squirrel on it, (I have one and it's nickname is the "jammer"), I would suggest a Ruger 10/22.

idunno

I like the 45-70 suggestion myself. Marlin 1895G with a fixed low power scope or red dot. I have a 1-4x 24 Millett DMS on my Marlin 336 30-30. It has an illuminated reticle for quick shots in the brush at 1x and can be dialed up to 4x for anything within the 30-30's range. My next lever gun will definitely be a 1895G I love the versatility of the 45-70. It can be used for anything in North America as long as you load it right and keep within it's range.

[email protected]

I like shotgun scopes on 45/70's, others don't hold up well!