Next rifle?

[ctom87]

Well, I was blessed to get some Cabela's/BPS gift cards this year and have about $400 to spend there. I am willing to throw in $100 + tax to get me to a $500 rifle + toys. What would ya'll do out of the options below?

Option 1) I have always wanted a 10/22 take down, and the last time I went, the guy talked me into getting a take down lite, which I believe he said was threaded. That's definitely an option. It should be noted I have a little .22 savage already, and a .22 Marlin my dad has given me that it from the 60's.

Option 2) I have also always wanted a lever action. I just think they're cool as all get out. Not sure what brand/caliber though, and if I go this way, I'd wanna research it to death to make sure I got what I really want and get a good deal.

Option 3) Son was born November 25, and I want to raise him to hunt. I was not raised this way, and want to make sure that I do that differently as a father now. I could save up a few years (I'm bound to get these every Christmas, have been for about 5 years now) and when he's 5 or 6, maybe have enough to get him his first rifle and I could get a matching rifle...

Option 4) ...Or, I could use my gift cards to get him a rifle now for later on down the road. Not sure what caliber, but I've read a .243 is pretty much your standard "first rifle" caliber to learn how to hunt. (With an understanding that a .22 will be used to teach him out to shoot, learn basics, etc...)

So - what's y'alls thoughts? If your thought is either option 2 or 4, I would gladly appreciate what your thoughts are on the questions I may have that go along with those choices. (Calibers/brands/etc...)

Thanks! Hope everyone had a wonderful time with family this week.

[Texas89]

Get the 10/22 I have a safe full of guns and 4 of them are 10/22’s. I have had a lot of fun with them over the years.


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[Dirtymike]

one of those take downs 10-22 with magpul stock

https://www.magpul.com/products/x-22-backpacker-stock-ruger-10-22-takedown

your son and you will love it

[TxAg]

If you buy a lever action from the big box stores, get a Henry. Don't get a Marlin unless buying used and made before 2006 or so

[ctom87]

If you buy a lever action from the big box stores, get a Henry. Don't get a Marlin unless buying used and made before 2006 or so

My first rifle I bought on my 21st birthday about a month after Obama was elected. I remember waiting 5 hours at Cabela's...well worth the wait. My uncle's brother is a retired weapon's specialist in the secret service. He was in town and helped me pick out a budget rifle and scope...got a Marlin XL7 in .30-06 and a Nikon Buckmaster II... Still love that rifle. Very accurate bolt action, which I recently found out, Marlin doesn't make the bolt action's anymore.

[TxAg]

Never had a Marlin bolt action....I was just speaking to the lever actions. Good luck. Keep us posted what you get

[muddydog]

Since your thinking about your son .....get a 10-22 now, shoot it for several years and give it to him when he's old enough. It will have special meaning to you both in several years.

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[JLivi1224]

I don’t have to read past 2.

You don’t own a lever gun!? That must be remedied!



I would personally look for a JM Stamped marlin. “JM”, Usually found where the barrel and receiver meet indicates the rifle was built in the Marlin factories before the Remington buy out, which caused a lot of quality control issues. However, I think those issues have since been resolved.

If it were me I would look for an 80s or 90s Marlin. If you do some good looking around you can find some great use deals ($4-500) on beautiful lever action rifle’s, with traditional Wood stocks. , like they don’t make anymore. Today’s wood stocks are nothing compared to what they used to be.

Winchester 94 is also a classic, and Henry makes a hell of a firearm as well.

[ctom87]

If you buy a lever action from the big box stores, get a Henry. Don't get a Marlin unless buying used and made before 2006 or so

Yes, I saw an opportunity to share a memory of my first rifle.

Thank you for your advice. I have heard great things of Henry. Appreciate ya.

[zac221]

I wanted a lever and didn’t want the standard 30-30 so I bought a Henry in .44 mag. Man I love that thing. Super accurate and have one of my most memorable kill shots at 20 yards with it. I try to get at least one kill a year with. I don’t think you’d be at all disappointed with a Henry.


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[chrisk]

Could get a crap load of ammo for something you already have but that wouldn’t be as fun as a new gun

[ctom87]

Could get a crap load of ammo for something you already have but that wouldn’t be as fun as a new gun

That thought crossed my mind, and I think I'm officially "gun poor." haha. I have all these different calibers and can't afford the ammo b/c I keep buying different guns with different calibers.

[captainsling]

Get a Henry lever gun! American made and top notch quality. Lifetime gun.

[xman59]

get the lever action in .44 mag it can be used by you now and your son will have memories of his dad with that rifle, when the time is right give it to him.

also the 44 mag can be shot with much milder 44 special ammo and even down loads in the magnum cases to get him used to shooting it,,, 44 a great round out of a lever gun!

[gatorgrizz27]

One thing to keep in mind about buying him a rifle now is that he may be left handed. Our first son is 2 now and I’m still not sure if he is or not. He throws with both hands but is better with his right. With a lever gun that matters less.

If you’re able to use gift cards on them, I’d buy him a lifetime hunting/fishing license. They are bound to keep going up, guns keep getting cheaper.