Do I Need A Rifle?

Triggerjerk · 10-02-2007, 06:21 PM

As some of you know, I recently started shooting again after years of only having a .22 revolver in the house. I have assembled a decent handgun selection again.

Do I need a rifle?

I do not hunt. I can handle any emergency out to 50 yards with my Model 10 if I do my part. My land is all wooded, so there would be no long shot self defense scenarios. Most would be within 25 yards on my land. I have seen bear, but no zombies or mole people.

Please weigh in on this one for me. I am not asking what rifle. I am asking if and why. There is a gun show coming up on the 13th and 14th...should I shop for a rifle?

killer · 10-02-2007, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triggerjerk

I have seen bear, but no zombies or mole people.

Please weigh in on this one for me. I am not asking what rifle. I am asking if and why. There is a gun show coming up on the 13th and 14th...should I shop for a rifle?

I say YES. There are no zombies or mole people today.

It's like the woods I hunt all year. I usually see no one and have the run of thousands of State and County owned acres open for public hunting.

Deer season rolls around and guys are fighting over tree stands.

If SHTF scenerio rifles will be in high demand. You probably won't be getting one then, and just as important is the ammo.

$200.00 will buy a mil surplus and 500 rounds. Cheap insurance for zombies and mole people and the way things are going with prices you would be able to sell it for the same price in a few years if you desired.

rondog · 10-02-2007, 07:36 PM

Shooting water-filled soda/beer cans at 50/75/100 yards with a scoped .22 rifle and hollowpoints is great fun, IMO.

SilentSoul · 10-02-2007, 07:41 PM

And cheap fun at that Ron

.22guy · 10-02-2007, 07:46 PM

Do I need a rifle? By asking that on this forum, I think you've already convinced yourself.

Buy a mil-surp or two, and a .22. You'll thank us later. Have fun.

jashoffa · 10-02-2007, 07:55 PM

I say eveyone needs a rifle. just adding a rifle to a collection is good enough a reason for me. I have read a quote and I will try and pariphrase it: A hand gun is only a tool used to get back to my real defence gun, my rifle. No army sends it's troops out to fight with only handguns. The real workhorse of small arms a rifle. You can go as cheap as a couple hundred as suggest to as high as over $1000 for an AR-15. If as shtf gun is what you are looking for something in a semi auto would be good. A good bolt action would be useful for long shots which you don't think is as likely so these are all things to consider.

Triggerjerk · 10-02-2007, 07:57 PM

Well, I have the .22, but I meant centerfire...and I really am not sure of the answer. I would probably like one, but I am not sure to what use I would put it. I do not have facilities available to safely shoot at over 50 yards for fun. Though Killer made a good point. I'm asking for opinions because I really am undecided about this.

ezearln · 10-02-2007, 08:33 PM

It has never been a question of NEED but more correctly a question of want. Do you want a rifle , even if for no other reason than to hang it above the mantle and enjoy the beauty of the gunmakers art. Well do ya?

jerry · 10-02-2007, 08:35 PM

If you love guns, why not be well rounded. If your with your buddy and he has a rifle and you need to use it, what will you do?

ArkansasHunter · 10-02-2007, 08:52 PM

Why don't you get yourself a Mosin Naget rifle like 100's of members here have ?
Or a Marlin lever action in what ever cailber you decide and if money is not an issue then spring for a AR-15 you'll have a blast with one of those !!! A.H

WolfHuntress · 10-02-2007, 08:57 PM

I would say yes, get a decent rifle. You never know when you'll need it and wish you had it; plus it's great to be versitile. All that to say, they are just plain fun to shoot

Triggerjerk · 10-02-2007, 09:05 PM

Hey WH...thanks for posting. I was born and raised in PA...'til I moved to the Live Free OR Die state.

WolfHuntress · 10-02-2007, 09:19 PM

Glad to stop by on occasion and give my two-cents worth. PA is a beautiful state, but I think NH's motto is better put than ours

A-10 · 10-02-2007, 09:27 PM

There are countless situations in which a longarm would be superior to a handgun. It doesn't even have to be a long-range weapon, perhaps something simple such as a lever-action or semi-auto carbine. Perhaps you should also consider something in the department of scatter guns, very effective for those limited ranges that you specified. A sidearm is always great, but few things can beat a good reliable long gun.

In a nutshell, yes go for a rifle.

meatloaf · 10-02-2007, 09:44 PM

Rifles 308 or higher can shoot through a good thicknes of tree. Here in CO the pine beetle has destroyed our forests, which sucks for beauty but great for shooting. My 308 shoots through a 10'' diameter tree stump. We dont realy have anything bigger here or Id shoot it. Anyhow my 45 wont go through 4'' Id say buy a rifle if anything just because there great. Something to be said about a good feelin rifle with managable recoil.

BattleRifleG3 · 10-02-2007, 09:44 PM

I would say a reliable bolt action or semi-auto rifle in 308, 30-06, or similarly powered round is a mainstay of rural home and homeland defense as well as the possible dangerous animal. I would consider such a rifle to be far superior to pretty much any handgun for defense against bears. Particularly the ability to aim effectively and the penetration of the bullets.

A pump action shotgun may also be worth consideration as an all around longarm.

Dan22 · 10-02-2007, 09:57 PM

Trigger,

If you don't hunt get another .22 so you can shoot cheap.

The other day I was in a gun store and I asked the guy behind the counter the price of .17 ammo. He said it was nine-something for fifty shells.

I asked him how much for a box of .22's and he said a buck-something. By the brick they are even cheaper.

Now I don't claim to be good at math but I sure can figure when it comes to spending my money.

You can shoot a .22 all day pretty cheaply and you don't end up with a sore shoulder and half-deaf.

Bravo · 10-02-2007, 10:01 PM

Like BRG3 said, a bolt action in .308 or 30-06 could be very valuable in a survival situation. You won't be using it for home defense, but there is no way to tell what the future may bring. Plus, if you like guns, it's an excuse to get another one.

Do I need a rifle, yes, do I need 15, no, but it hasn't stopped me

billy · 10-02-2007, 10:11 PM

i guess it just all comes down to do you want one?
i dont need any guns period .
but i enjoy them ,so i collect and shoot them.
im never going to shoot anybody.
ive made it 44 years without the slightest need for a firearm.
except maybe a skunk or something and even then i got by without one.

Bravo · 10-02-2007, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billy

i guess it just all comes down to do you want one?
i dont need any guns period .
but i enjoy them ,so i collect and shoot them.
im never going to shoot anybody.
ive made it 44 years without the slightest need for a firearm.
except maybe a skunk or something and even then i got by without one.

I agree 100%. As much as I'd like to have a firearm for survival, I really don't need it. I started out with a shotgun and rifle as "needs", because I wanted to start hunting deer and bird. Then I developed a passion for collecting and rebuilding firearms, so now I've completely forgot about "needs", and it's more about wants.

10-02-2007, 06:21 PM	#1
Triggerjerk Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 978	Do I Need A Rifle? As some of you know, I recently started shooting again after years of only having a .22 revolver in the house. I have assembled a decent handgun selection again. Do I need a rifle? I do not hunt. I can handle any emergency out to 50 yards with my Model 10 if I do my part. My land is all wooded, so there would be no long shot self defense scenarios. Most would be within 25 yards on my land. I have seen bear, but no zombies or mole people. Please weigh in on this one for me. I am not asking what rifle. I am asking if and why. There is a gun show coming up on the 13th and 14th...should I shop for a rifle? __________________ We old dogs can learn new tricks. We just may not like performng them. TJ Last edited by Triggerjerk; 10-02-2007 at 06:24 PM.

10-02-2007, 07:46 PM	#5
.22guy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4,254	Do I need a rifle? By asking that on this forum, I think you've already convinced yourself. Buy a mil-surp or two, and a .22. You'll thank us later. Have fun. __________________ My first priority will be to reinstate the assault weapons ban as soon as I take office.

10-02-2007, 07:55 PM	#6
jashoffa Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Iowa Posts: 439	I say eveyone needs a rifle. just adding a rifle to a collection is good enough a reason for me. I have read a quote and I will try and pariphrase it: A hand gun is only a tool used to get back to my real defence gun, my rifle. No army sends it's troops out to fight with only handguns. The real workhorse of small arms a rifle. You can go as cheap as a couple hundred as suggest to as high as over $1000 for an AR-15. If as shtf gun is what you are looking for something in a semi auto would be good. A good bolt action would be useful for long shots which you don't think is as likely so these are all things to consider. __________________ "I don't go shooting without my guns and they don't go shooting without me!" Member NRA

10-02-2007, 07:57 PM	#7
Triggerjerk Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 978	Well, I have the .22, but I meant centerfire...and I really am not sure of the answer. I would probably like one, but I am not sure to what use I would put it. I do not have facilities available to safely shoot at over 50 yards for fun. Though Killer made a good point. I'm asking for opinions because I really am undecided about this. __________________ We old dogs can learn new tricks. We just may not like performng them. TJ Last edited by Triggerjerk; 10-02-2007 at 08:09 PM.

10-02-2007, 08:33 PM	#8
ezearln Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 3,175	It has never been a question of NEED but more correctly a question of want. Do you want a rifle , even if for no other reason than to hang it above the mantle and enjoy the beauty of the gunmakers art. Well do ya? __________________ "You can have my Freedom when I'm done with it!"

10-02-2007, 07:36 PM	#3
rondog Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 1,564	Shooting water-filled soda/beer cans at 50/75/100 yards with a scoped .22 rifle and hollowpoints is great fun, IMO.

10-02-2007, 07:41 PM	#4
SilentSoul Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 603 Images: 1	And cheap fun at that Ron

10-02-2007, 08:35 PM	#9
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 11,195 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 1	If you love guns, why not be well rounded. If your with your buddy and he has a rifle and you need to use it, what will you do? __________________ Joe the plumber is screwed

10-02-2007, 08:52 PM	#10
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,984	Why don't you get yourself a Mosin Naget rifle like 100's of members here have ? Or a Marlin lever action in what ever cailber you decide and if money is not an issue then spring for a AR-15 you'll have a blast with one of those !!! A.H

10-02-2007, 08:57 PM	#11
WolfHuntress Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: PA Posts: 59	I would say yes, get a decent rifle. You never know when you'll need it and wish you had it; plus it's great to be versitile. All that to say, they are just plain fun to shoot __________________ "Everyone feels benevolent if nothing happens to be annoying him at the moment." (C.S. Lewis)

10-02-2007, 09:05 PM	#12
Triggerjerk Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 978	Hey WH...thanks for posting. I was born and raised in PA...'til I moved to the Live Free OR Die state. __________________ We old dogs can learn new tricks. We just may not like performng them. TJ

10-02-2007, 09:19 PM	#13
WolfHuntress Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: PA Posts: 59	Glad to stop by on occasion and give my two-cents worth. PA is a beautiful state, but I think NH's motto is better put than ours __________________ "Everyone feels benevolent if nothing happens to be annoying him at the moment." (C.S. Lewis)

10-02-2007, 09:27 PM	#14
A-10 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 762	There are countless situations in which a longarm would be superior to a handgun. It doesn't even have to be a long-range weapon, perhaps something simple such as a lever-action or semi-auto carbine. Perhaps you should also consider something in the department of scatter guns, very effective for those limited ranges that you specified. A sidearm is always great, but few things can beat a good reliable long gun. In a nutshell, yes go for a rifle. __________________ If there's nothing worth dying for, there's nothing worth living for.

10-02-2007, 09:44 PM	#15
meatloaf Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: lakewood CO Posts: 956 Images: 3	Rifles 308 or higher can shoot through a good thicknes of tree. Here in CO the pine beetle has destroyed our forests, which sucks for beauty but great for shooting. My 308 shoots through a 10'' diameter tree stump. We dont realy have anything bigger here or Id shoot it. Anyhow my 45 wont go through 4'' Id say buy a rifle if anything just because there great. Something to be said about a good feelin rifle with managable recoil.

10-02-2007, 09:44 PM	#16
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,452 Images: 13	I would say a reliable bolt action or semi-auto rifle in 308, 30-06, or similarly powered round is a mainstay of rural home and homeland defense as well as the possible dangerous animal. I would consider such a rifle to be far superior to pretty much any handgun for defense against bears. Particularly the ability to aim effectively and the penetration of the bullets. A pump action shotgun may also be worth consideration as an all around longarm. __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf

10-02-2007, 09:57 PM	#17
Dan22 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Central Florida Posts: 456	Trigger, If you don't hunt get another .22 so you can shoot cheap. The other day I was in a gun store and I asked the guy behind the counter the price of .17 ammo. He said it was nine-something for fifty shells. I asked him how much for a box of .22's and he said a buck-something. By the brick they are even cheaper. Now I don't claim to be good at math but I sure can figure when it comes to spending my money. You can shoot a .22 all day pretty cheaply and you don't end up with a sore shoulder and half-deaf.

10-02-2007, 10:01 PM	#18
Bravo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Maine, USA Posts: 2,014	Like BRG3 said, a bolt action in .308 or 30-06 could be very valuable in a survival situation. You won't be using it for home defense, but there is no way to tell what the future may bring. Plus, if you like guns, it's an excuse to get another one. Do I need a rifle, yes, do I need 15, no, but it hasn't stopped me

10-02-2007, 10:11 PM	#19
billy spiritual counselor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 14,232 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 154	i guess it just all comes down to do you want one? i dont need any guns period . but i enjoy them ,so i collect and shoot them. im never going to shoot anybody. ive made it 44 years without the slightest need for a firearm. except maybe a skunk or something and even then i got by without one. __________________ "I would never die for my beliefs because what if I'm wrong?"- Bertrand Russell