Which rifle?

[Kestryll]

Okay, looking for opinions, advice and thoughts.
I am contemplating a new rifle but am not sure which one I want.
Right now I am looking at one of four rifles, well three rifles and one of them in two calibers.
I know someone will ask, "What are you planning to use it for?" Good question, I'm not sure.
I already have a .22 for plinking, a Mossy 500 for HD, a Mini-14 for casual targets and short to medium interpersonal relationships and a modified Mosin M44'pseudo-scout' rifle. I guess what I kind of want is a medium to long range accurate rifle.
These are the rifles and what I see as their strong points:
Stevens 200 in .223: Seems to be a nice well built bolt action, from what I've heard they are pretty accurate as well. I like the idea of using the same caliber as my Mini, don't have to stockpile another caliber.

Stevens 200 in .308: Same as above but in a larger caliber that seems to be more versatile however it is a new caliber.

Ishapore 2A in.308: Standard caliber, easily available ammo, I've heard the action is very fast and smooth on these and I can get it with my C&R shipped to my door. Down side is it would cost than just the purchase price to set it up like I'd want it.

Yugo SKS in 7.62x39: Not really a long range rifle but I could use it for short to medium and work on the Mini for longer reach. Yes it can be done with a Mini. The main draw of the SKS is the low price, ample available ammo and the C&R ease of purchase.


This will likely be my only rifle purchase for this year, as the guesthouse needs major repairs so my spending will be limited.
Any thoughts or suggestions?

[Boogyman]

Just my 2 cents, but you asked... :D

Stevens in .223: With a scope it will be more accurate than your Mini, but still weak on long range "punch".

Stevens .308: This one would be my choice, if I only owned the guns you've mentioned. It has the long-range capability and energy for larger game and will mount a scope reliably. Also it fills your missing niche.

Ishapore .308: My second choice, but you will need a gunsmith to mount a scope correctly, and the Stevens .308 will still be more accurate (my opinion!). The action is indeed slick as glass, but your Mosin-Nagant will do about as well.

SKS: Great choice, but nearly impossible to mount a scope accurately. Your Mini already does everything an SKS will do, only better!

Next... :)

[BlenderWizard]

Alright, if I were going after another SKS, the Yugo would be on the bottom of my list. Many people love them, but, IMO they are inferior to most other countries of origin because they have no chrome lined bore, and there is a lot of 7.62x39 caliber ammo out there that is corrosive.

The Ishapore. I would like one of these, too, but most are worn a bit, and, personally, I like to keep all my rifles looking as new as possible. I too would want to "sporterize" one if I got it, and that just means $$$

Stevens: Awesome buy. I can't say enough good things about these, but if I had to pick one of these calibers, I would definitely go with the .308. Your range is much better, an it is an all around better caliber for hunting. Plenty of surplus is available in both calibers, too. I do not have a Stevens, but I have a Savage w/o the accutrigger (exactly what is available from Stevens, now) and it is wonderful. New Stevens and Savage rifles are identical except for the accutrigger.

You might even consider looking around for a used Savage.

[BlenderWizard]

Just my 2 cents, but you asked... :D

Stevens in .223: With a scope it will be more accurate than your Mini, but still weak on long range "punch".

Stevens .308: This one would be my choice, if I only owned the guns you've mentioned. It has the long-range capability and energy for larger game and will mount a scope realiably. Also it fills your missing niche.

Ishapore .308: My second choice, but you will need a gunsmith to mount a scope correctly, and the Stevens .308 will still be more accurate (my opinion!). The action is indeed slick as glass.

SKS: Great choice, but nearly impossible to mount a scope accurately. Your Mini already does everything an SKS will do, only better!

Next... :)

Seems like you and I definitely agree on this.

[Boogyman]

Seems like you and I definitely agree on this.

Well, great minds think alike! :D

[elokoman]

I would go with the .308 as well, of the rifles you describe, this one would add the most to your overall versatility. I happen to like the Yugos SKS, in my opinion a very good value for the price. In fact, all of the choices you mentioned are good ones. If it were me, I'd go with the Stevens.

[josh]

Both the stevens 308 and a yugo sks.
The stevens will make a great hunting rifle and the sks is great fun. The yugos are actually much better than people think. Uber reliable and about as accurate as a mini.

[Dorkface]

What do you consider long range?

.223 and 7.62X39 will leave you well with in range of even a basic large game hunting rifle. .308(7.62X51) would be the minimum which would get you out to 1000yrd scoped.

Have you checked into the savage rifles? the accutrigger is awsome plus they all come with freefloated barrels and pillar bedded actions...

[d0530m1]

I second the Savage, the 10FP in .308 is a nice gun, or they make it in .223 but you definately lose long range ability with the .223.
Or if you want long range ability the Savage 110FP in 300 Win Mag will get you out there.

Check them out at Savage Arms (http://savagearms.com/le_home.htm)

[SPARTEN117]

I'ed go with the savage in .308;)

[Kestryll]

Well, I made my decision.
Yesterday I bought a Stevens model 200 in .308.
Now I have to do the Cali 10 day wait, I hate being patient!!

Thanks for all the input and suggestions they helped a lot.

[Boogyman]

Excellent choice! :)

I'm sure you'll love it, as soon as you get used to the recoil... ;)

[GreasyStool]

I have a 12 Series Varmint in Model 12BVSS in .223 with a Simmons 6.5X20 scope on it and 2 Yugo 59/66 v.2's, one has the proper gernade launcher the other has been Kaliforniaized. I also have a Custom Mini-14 that has been accurized by Accuracy Rifle Systems in Odessa, Texas. The Yugo's are great guns. Get one in unissued condition. So what if it does not have a chrome bore, most rifles out there don't! Clean your guns after you shoot them and you wont have a problem. As far as a large .308 goes I have a Finnish m/39 that I shoot every now and then. I almost forgot there is a captured German K-98 with a laminated stock in 8 MM in there too. <_<