Author Topic: carbine or something else? (Read 489 times)

flatlander · « **on:** December 07, 2004, 04:01:46 PM »

I'm trying to plan ahead a little bit for the next deer season and beyond. My brother who has NEVER hunted just told me he would like to try it out next year, and I have some younger kids who are going to start hunting starting in 5 years or so. I'm going to have to get another rifle of some sort. Right now I have a 25-06 LH bolt, a 7mm mag (that my dad borrows), and my contender pistol in 7-30, 357 Herrett and 44 mag. Would I be better served by picking up the stuff I need to convert my pistol to a carbine most likely in 7-30, or go get another bolt rifle in something like a 30-06 or 270, or even a NEF in a light recoil caliber like 7-08? I'm looking at something that will keep recoil light for the new shooters and kids, but will still be able to reach out to 200 yards or so. It looks to me like price is going to be comparable to converting to a carbine or getting a bolt gun, and the NEF will be the cheapest by a little bit. I'm really undecided on this one, and I'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions here. Thanks.

hardertr · « **Reply #1 on:** December 07, 2004, 04:21:15 PM »

You will probably be able to pick up an Encore carbine in "exellent condition" for close to $400 once this deer season is over. THEN, you can pick up any caliber for under $200 (price of a barrel). The initial price may seem like a lot, but the more barrels you buy, the more the price averages out...at least that's MY philosophy! After your third barrel, it averages out to a little over $250 "a gun".

iiibbb · « **Reply #2 on:** December 07, 2004, 04:25:05 PM »

T/C's are ambidextrous... if it's going to be a perenial loaner.

I really think recoil is minimized with the limbsaver pads... I could deal with any caliber with that on my gun.

Don't know much about calibers. I always pick cheap to shoot (.308, 30-06, 7.62x54, 7.62x39, or .223)... I like to practice, and I can practice with most of those for 10-20 cents per round.

hardertr · « **Reply #3 on:** December 07, 2004, 04:35:28 PM »

If you get a 223, you can shoot all day long. If you change the barrel and put on a 7-08, it's still the same gun...same feel....just a LITTLE more kick.

Elwood · « **Reply #4 on:** December 07, 2004, 07:15:52 PM »

I set up a Contender carbine in 7-30 Waters for my wife to deer hunt with my sons now fight over who gets to use it. It is the lightest sweetest handling little rifle in the world. My son shot a mulie spike using it two years ago. I highly recommend this combo. In my wife's hands I trust it out to 300 yards. We set it up with a versa-pod bipod this works great with the kids. Many people swear by their handi-rifles but I think that they have all the style and beauty of a Nash Rambler.

Elwood

flatlander · « **Reply #5 on:** December 08, 2004, 03:09:40 AM »

Quote

but I think that they have all the style and beauty of a Nash Rambler.

My thoughts exactly. I think that the 7-30 with a buttstock, foreend and scope on my current contender frame would be more money than a Savage bolt rifle with a scope that goes on sale here for around $330. But then again, maybe another frame is in order all the same.

BTW, what length of barrel are you using on your 7-30 carbine?

Elwood · « **Reply #6 on:** December 08, 2004, 02:25:54 PM »

21" Oh and it handles like a supermodel.