What is a good plinking rifle that isn't a .22?

Question

I already own a Ruger 10/22 and I'm honestly bored with it.

I'm looking for a rifle in a caliber that has some knock down power to it. Something that will destroy things like jugs filled with water and old fruit.

I don't plan on doing any hunting, and I'm not expecting to be shooting further than 50 yards.

Answer 1

lever action 30/30 or a lever action 357/38 special.

Answer 2

If you want something affordable for target practice, plinking, and small game hunting, that means .22LR. Given you've ruled out a semi-automatic, that leaves three action choices: bolt, lever, and pump. For an affordable bolt action rimfire rifle I'd suggest looking at the Savage Mk II/Stevens 300 or Marlin's models 980s, 981t, 925. Marlin and Savage tend to produce good quality affordable guns. Personally I'd recommend looking at the Savage Mk II since its got the new accutrigger set-up which is supposed to deliver really good performance. However since you said you like the ease of loading a tube magazine you might also want to take a long hard look at the 981t (Marlin's tube-fed bolt-action .22). As far as lever-action .22 rifles go, the only one close to your price-range is the Henry. Unfortunately I'd recommend avoiding them. Lets just say that I had one a couple years ago and wasn't impressed by either the quality of the gun (cracks in the lever loop, adjustable sights that don't adjust...) or the company's service department (they told me to just file the front site to adjust the point of aim... And this was after I'd already shipped the gun to them once with a letter which explicitly stated the sights need to be fixed) which was why I sold the piece of junk. If you want a lever-action I'd recommend spending the extra money and getting a Marlin 39 since they're pretty much the standard by which all other lever-action .22s are judged. Remington and Henry both make (made?) pump-action .22s. Of the two companies' offerings, the Remington 572 BDL is the better gun. Its also the more expensive. Henry's Pump Action Octagon is a modern reproduction of the gallery guns of old. Again, we're back to what I think of Henry Repeating Arms company guns... The only other option I know of for small game hunting, target shooting, and plinking would be an air-rifle. Based on what you've said I kinda doubt you'd be interested in something like a Benjamin Discovery, Crosman 2100 or Benjamin 397, or RWS 34 Panther. The only reason I mention it is because the ammunition for an airgun is even more affordable than .22LR ammunition and since they aren't firearms they're not regulated as heavily.

Answer 3

If my intent was plinking and really don't plan on hunting, I'd want something with low recoil and is cheap to shoot...

I would probably opt for a semi-auto rifle chambered in the 223 such as the Mini-14 or one of the AR-15 variants. You can get 223 ammo for pretty cheap. It is fast. Due to its high velocity, it has a good amount of energy behind the bullet. The recoil is minimal. The AR variants can be spendy ($900+ for a new one...). I'm not sure how much a mini-14 runs now a days, but based on past prices, I'm sure their at least half the price of an AR. A 223 semi-auto would also double great for home defense.

You can also look into a rifle in the 7.62x39mm. You can pick up an SKS for cheap. You can find a low end AK-47 for $500. Ruger makes the mini-30 which is chambered in the 7.62x39mm. In a bind, the 7.62x39mm makes a decent deer round at closer ranges. Recoil is still pleasently light and ammo is dirt cheap.

There are a few others worth mentioning, but each has its drawbacks...

The M1 Carbine is an awsome plinking weapon. The CMP is currently selling them over the next 1.5 years. The rifle is a little spendy at $500 to $600 from the CMP (I'm not sure if the prices went down on the private market, but prior to the CMP sales, I saw Carbines in the $800 range). I've found the carbines to lack accuracy, but I think it is me, not the rifles. Ammo isn't expensive, but it isn't exactly cheap either.

Beretta makes a few assault rifles chambered in the 9mm and 40S&W rounds. While the rifles were expensive initially, I saw the prices drop substantially (they weren't selling at the store I was at). While a 9mm assault rifle makes for cheap shooting, I tend to shy away from rifles made wtih non-magnum pistol rounds (just my personal views...I'm sure they are just fine)

If money is no object, you can get a Thompson semi-auto rifle that shoots the 45 ACP (The name of the company that currently makes them slips my mind). The rifles are heavy and are $800 to $1200 for most models (depending on where you buy them). 45 ACP ammo is cheap and I like the power behind it personally. This has been one of those rifles I'd love to get, but I can't justify spending that kind of money for something I can't hunt with. If you are into the gangster era, you can even buy a violin carrying case for the rifle as well as the drum magazines (though most drum mags are only 10 round instead of the 100 round). They are a sweet weapon, but a lot of money.

I would also throw the M14/M1A as a plinking rifle. It is expensive and shoot a 308 Win round. The rifle is heavier, but is comfortable to shoot. Most rifles are in the $1K plus range. Most of the M1A rifles are competition quality weapons. I think it would be a little much for plinking, but if you are looking for a rifle that is fun to shoot yet can be used for hunting and home defense (though overpenetration would be a big worry), then this is one to consider.

Happy Shooting

Answer 4

Ok, You already have a 22 and you want a rifle that will DESTROY stuff for the shear fun of it, correct? I am assuming (yes I know what that means) that you don't want to pay out a huge amount of money for the rifle and ammo. If that is so. Then get yourself an SKS. The ammo (7.26 X 39) is fairly cheap, under $5.00 for a box of twenty rounds. It's semi-automatic and ease to operate and maintain. It's pretty accurate out to about 100 yards. The recoil is very manageable and it adds to the fun.

I have 15 different rifles for different things. (Being a firearms instructor, go figure) The one rifle my wife, sons, heck even my 13 year old daughter and my friends want to shoot at the range is my SKS.

There is so many accessories and after market parts out there for the SKS. That you can trick it out and personalize it anyway you want.
And, it still won't cost you an arm and a leg.

Whatever you firearm you choose always remember the firearms safety rules.
1.) ALWAYS treat all firearms as if they are loaded.
2.) ALWAYS point your firearm down range or in a safe area
3.) ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on
the target
4.) ALWAYS be sure of your target and what is beyond it.
5.) NEVER let your muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy

Answer 5

You can convert the 10/22 to a .17 mach 2, or you could find a .17 HMR (far superior round). Both of the .17s are a LOT more fun than the .22 because of the increas in velocity and the super flat trajectory (especially with the .17 HMR).

Ruger makes a .22 WMR (or they used to) that is a step up, and you can convert it to a .17 HMR for a very sweet plinker.

Note: the .17 Mach 2 is a necked down .22LR and the .17 HMR is a necked down .22 WMR

If you can find one for a reasonable price a mini-14 will allow you to burn through many rounds of .223 for hours of enjoyment, but the cost of the rounds are a bit more than the .17 rimfires

Answer 6

I'd pick one of the .17 rimfire cartridges. For about $175, you can buy a replace ment barrel for your 10/22 that will convert it to a .17 Mach II. Look up E.R., Shaw Barrels on the internet. The barrel on a 10/22 is very easily changed by anyone with a few regular household tools. Once you have the new barrel, your 10/22 becomes the equivalent of two rifles. It is a .22 and a .17 Mach II. The .17 Mach II is a very accurate round and has more power than a .22 RF.

Answer 7

Try a Ruger Mini-14. They are awesome guns for plinking or shooting squirrels. They are a .223 round which is a pretty sweet round. It will cost alot more for ammo but you will have greater power and more accuracy at long ranger. The ammo can easily be bought in bulk because it is the same round used for M16/M4's and other tactical rifles. It costs about $500 and is worth ever penny.

Answer 8

Four choices:

1) M-1 Carbine: semi-auto and awesome to shoot

2) .50 caliber muzzleloader: lots of power and white smoke; plus it's cool loading it

3) .22-.250: LOUD, FAST, ACCURATE

4) 12 gauge Shotgun: fun to shoot and very versatile; slugs and buck-shot for maximum power

Answer 9

A 12 ga.shotgun stoked with slugs. Nothing will have more knockdown power and at that range it will pulverize fruit and shred water filled milk jugs. Will also be cheaper than any of the other alternatives suggested.

Answer 10

Get a Mosin Nagant. There are basically 3 vastly available models and you can get them for less than $100.

It uses the 7.62x54 so you'll get plenty of destruction power and the rounds cost less than $4 for a pack of 20.

Good luck.