First Rifle

[HALODIN]

I like the way your brain works Dave...

When it comes to choice of colour , any colour you like but just make sure every rifle is the same colour then her in doors will never be the wiser as to how many you have cos she thinks its the same one , worked on my ex .
What ever it is enjoy .
Dave

[HALODIN]

Apologies if I'm making people's heads hurt with my indecision, but I've gone full circle now and I'm back to the LMT rifle (see first image on this thread), but not in 7.62. I've just noticed today there is a .223 version at £1,700 and I can also have an additional .22 barrel/mag and bolt fully proofed inc. VAT for £400. The reason I'm still looking is I keep reading bad things about .22 conversions and as long as you're happy to accept 2 moa at 25 yards, I'm lead to believe the rifling in the .223 barrel needs constant cleaning irrespective of whether you use lead or copper .22's. The LMT has a quick release barrel (2 bolts in front of receiver) and in terms of accuracy it should be pretty good with a dedicated custom turned .22 barrel and the .223 equivalent.

This is looking like odds on favourite at the moment, as the optics/iron sights will be shared for both the .22 and .223 which reduces cost and it's still £880 cheaper and more accurate than the Lantac with the .22 conversion. That £880 also goes a long way to buying another rifle or a nice optical sunroof for the LMT.

2 other complicating factors include Mrs HALODIN has said 2 rifles are OK now (1 indoor and 1 outdoor) and I've just noticed a Steyr AUG-Z in .223 Rem for £1,580.99 which looks quite nice...

I'm also starting to realise I should have put down 2 x .223/5.56 rifles on my FAC application instead of 2 x .308/7.62. Now my application has been submitted, is it too late to change it without incurring an additional cost or delay?

Choosing a rifle is bloody difficult... :lol:

[Sandyman]

I would agree with UKYankee it seems really expensive and you could get more 'bang for your buck' with the Lantec option someone suggested.

[HALODIN]

I agree with you and UKYankee. The LMT7 (7.62) is off the cards now, It doesn't offer enough value for a first rifle. The LMT LM233SS with a dedicated .22 barrel/bolt and mag for £2,100 is still on the cards, but now Mrs HALODIN has agreed to a second rifle, it's upset the apple cart and I'm re-evaluating everything again. I know I'm obsessing over this, but I'm having fun and posting here is a good way for me to collect my thoughts. Last night I had a bit of a revelation, Something I do want in an AR platform is semi-auto, clearly I can't get this in either the LMT LM233SS or the Lantac even with a .22 conversion. It's a shame they can't limit semi-auto if there's a .223 bolt in the rifle, as this would be the perfect solution for me.

So as of just this second.... I am chasing the following first and second rifles:

1 x .22 semi-auto Spike's Tactical with CMMG mag(s)
1 x .223 AICS Remington 700 + 26 inch barrel

That should get me going.

The Ruger K10-22T will probably be next, which I have to say looks lovely in laminated dark wood.



The Enfield .303, the 7.62 AK103, the 5.56 LanTac, the .308 F Class Dolphin Gun rifle, Taurus .45 ACP revolver and .44 Marlin under lever will all come in good time... I'd say I'll need another 10 rifle safe by June...

I would agree with UKYankee it seems really expensive and you could get more 'bang for your buck' with the Lantec option someone suggested.

[Sandyman]

LOL. Yeah I know how you feel I had a set plan of what 'I thought I wanted'. I am glad a talked to a few people first and (in some instances had chance to try) other wise I would have a cabinet full of rifles I did not really want. I am currently going through a similar process over .223 and have managed to narrow it down to Bradley Arms, Lantac, and Spikes but no rush have other projects on the go.

[HALODIN]

Yes I suspect my gun list will change on a weekly basis between here and when my FAC arrives... I have to say though that K10/22T above looks lovely for an indoor plinker, I think I'm in love!

Take a look at the LMT LM233SS they look like really good value (£1,700) especially with an additional .22 barrel for an extra £400 (not .22 conversion!)

LOL. Yeah I know how you feel I had a set plan of what 'I thought I wanted'. I am glad a talked to a few people first and (in some instances had chance to try) other wise I would have a cabinet full of rifles I did not really want. I am currently going through a similar process over .223 and have managed to narrow it down to Bradley Arms, Lantac, and Spikes but no rush have other projects on the go.

[JS569]

Hi

Well hopefully I can offer some in-put. Having shot for the last 11/12yrs both targets and game I have developed my own collection, ranging from an SMLE, nagant, ruger 10/22, BRNO 22, No4 L.E, K31, P14 and everything in between that I have traded etc. I have recently acquired my Lantac .223 straight pull (there is a recent forum post on this).

I know how you feel, it was a tough decision whether or not to purchase as it was an expensive rifle, but a number deciding factors led me to purchase: I wanted something I didn't care if it got wet, it can handle 200 rounds through it (and I wouldn't feel bad about it like I would on my SMLE, not that I ever do put 200 through it), relatively cheap to run, practical for both foxing and plenty accurate and fun on the range then giving me the ability to compete when I get round to organizing it.
The other factor was the length of time I'd been shooting, I have a good idea of what I wanted as already had my collectibles and now it was time for something modern. Even now, I know I want something bolt action, synthetic stock in 7.62 with a good scope on.

I'm yet to shoot my lantac, but really can't wait. I'm struggling to not add loads of necessary accessories to it. Like all the chaps here said weigh up what you want it for and what you are interested in (eg history/ accuracy) and if possible, go and shoot a straight pull, shoot an enfield and so on.

hope this helps

regards

[HALODIN]

Thanks for your opinion and yes it does help. Keep them coming...!

I think it's safe to say I want to do it all, it's more a question of which do I do first. The only criteria is I want something for the indoor range and something for the outdoor range and collectively I don't really want the 2 rifles to cost more than my £3.5K budget, but I'm prepared to break my own rules if I have to... emrolleyes

I like military style rifles which naturally leads me to the AR's and Enfields but I'm also pretty competitive, so that satisfies the Remington 700/Dolphin Guns side of the equation too. To start with I just want to enjoy it and not take it too seriously, so it seems natural to go for the less competitive stuff first. Having said that, I think EagerNoSkill needs some competition, so I better not drag my heels for too long... :

[HALODIN]

God have I really go 11 more weeks to wait... tesnews

[JS569]

Thanks for your opinion and yes it does help. Keep them coming...!

I think it's safe to say I want to do it all, it's more a question of which do I do first. The only criteria is I want something for the indoor range and something for the outdoor range and collectively I don't really want the 2 rifles to cost more than my £3.5K budget, but I'm prepared to break my own rules if I have to... emrolleyes

I like military style rifles which naturally leads me to the AR's and Enfields but I'm also pretty competitive, so that satisfies the Remington 700/Dolphin Guns side of the equation too. To start with I just want to enjoy it and not take it too seriously, so it seems natural to go for the less competitive stuff first. Having said that, I think EagerNoSkill needs some competition, so I better not drag my heels for too long... :

haha, fair enough. Look at it this way as well, an Enfield etc won't lose you money (if you buy right), I guess from what I have seen from second hand AR's they tend to hold their value quite well too, so if in X number of months you think I hate this, its not like buying a car. The idea of coverting a .223 to a .22 for plinking appealed to me but as you said accuracy will be poor. I would reccomend giving Lantac a call and speaking to them about your options. Paul will happily talk things through with you. 3.5k budget is a good starting place don't forget... you could end up with some sweet pieces! (perhaps a No4 T Holland and Holland :P)

PS: Just a point about the LMT, do they use the T-bar to charge the weapon every time. Not that I have ever used one but I could image that is a bit awkward to use after every shot? I found the SGC left hand cocking handle useful as well as the standard right hand one