help me spend some money

[pittman_clay]

ok iv got a little money burning a hole in my pocket and have an itching for a new gun it will be mainly for hunting hogs at night or riding in the truck,
1 marlin 30-30 base model
2 buffilo clasic 45-70 ther is one localy for $330
3 regular H&R 45-70
4 puma 45lc or .357

i have had a 30-30 but dont right now i kindof feel naked with out one but iv never had a pistol caliber rifle iv just always felt under gunned but am geting over it now, and iv never owned or shot a 45-70.
help me before i let my wife talik me into buying a new couch, ahhh

-clay

[runfiverun]

how could you not own that 45 colt already?
if it's the short one you'll like it it will sit right by the gearshift in your p-u. if it's the long one it will ride right next to you in the pick-up.
can't scope it but you wont care.go shoot it.
put in light loads put in heavier loads, shoot rocks,hogs deer.
anything out to 150 yds will not like you pointing that rifle at it..

[Hobie]

The .45 Colt or .357 Mag Puma or the .30-30. All are good. The H&R .45-70s, not so much.

[RIHMFIRE]

what Hobie said!

[2ndovc]

Hobie,

If you've never owned or shot a 45-70 then you are truley missing out on one of the greatest cartridges of all time. I haven't been without one for more that a couple months for as long as I can remember. As much as I like the 45 Colt in a levergun the 45-70 is just that much more fun. I grew up playing with my Dad's and Granfather's Trapdoors and what a blast they were. Until I landed here I used to think of the round as more of a fun gun than anything else. When I saw these guys shooting just about everything on the planet with the 45-70 I decided it was time for a couple modern ones. I hunted with a 45-70 for the first time last year and what a thrill.

Can't imagine being without one. Or Two!

jb

[Griff]

...it will be mainly for hunting hogs at night or riding in the truck...

In order of preference to fulfil BOTH requirements with the mimimum of fuss:

#1: Rossi "Short Rifle" or "Trapper" in .45LC
#2: .30-30 Trapper
#3: H&R in .45-70

The "handiness" factor of the Trapper versions are legendary for good reason. I never thought I'd like one, till I bought mine in the fall of 2006. Now it resides in the p/u whenever I'm at home. The Rossi version of a similar arm in .45LC would only gain due to the shorter action length.

The HandiRifle in .45-70 is nice, but... having the quick followup in hunting hogs is worth some peace of mind in my book.

[tj3006]

save some more dough and get somthing real cool.
A pre 64 30/30 can still be had for around 800. 00 and that is for a saddle ring carbine. But If you want somthing bigger save just a little more ang get your self a marlin 45/70. I am a certified winchester loon, but my 1895 marlin is one hell of a lot of fun.
...tj3006

[gon2shoot]

Any of them would be money well spent.......................but, if you aint got a 92 in 45 colt, well you owe it to yourself.

[rjohns94]

I would add another to your list, a Marlin 1895 Guide Gun in 45-70. Best of all the worlds and you will never feel undergunned. NEVER. Good luck with your choice.

[Rusty]

Be careful with those Handirifles. If you buy one, it could lead to a second one in short order and then... well before you know it you'll be known as a Handiholic.

[O.S.O.K.]

I have a 45-70 Handi - and its a pip. Hobbie - don't know what you've got against them but they are great rifles. Mine was purchased for black powder hunting in Mississippi where they are legal during muzzle loader season.

I would go for the 30-30 since you don't have one and you mentioned hog hunting. Make wonderful truck guns too.

After that, I'd say 1894 Marlin before the Puma. The Pumas take a little work to make good IMHO. Not that they can't be made to shoot and cycle very well indeed. The Marlin 94's are good out of the box with not mods or spiffing needed. Very accurate too.

[Ysabel Kid]

Heck, go spend it now on any of the above before the wife has the couch bought and delivered!!!

Of those, I think I'd go with a Puma '92 in .45 Colt and then have it slicked up by Nate Kiowa Jones. You'll love it!

[Jaguarundi]

My truck gun is a SS Rossi M92 SRC 20" in 45 Colt .Reloading 45colt is a must to ringout performance in the Rossi puma.If I didn't reload the winnie 94 in 30-30 would get the nod(ammo easier to come by).I own the Marlin 1895XLR & 1895GS and luv them,but nothing can beat the light weight handling qualities of the Rossi Puma as a truck gun(beside my handguns are in the same caliber as the Puma).

[kimwcook]

Puma in 45 Colt, then the 30-30.

[jlchucker]

Everybody should have at least one 30-30 lever action, but maybe not one of those Mossberg ones. Another choice would be an EMF 92 rifle (made by Rossi) in 44 mag or 357, but since I already have the 44 rifle with 24 inch octagon barrel, I'd opt this time for the 357 in short-rifle configuration.