Best beginner rifle (Vanity)

Vanity ^ | 10-18-03 | Me

[dogbyte12]

I am about to finally leave the urban jungle of Los Angeles and move down to both Louisiana and South Carolina. While I do fish out here, I have only gone hunting a few times with borrowed equipment.

I am interested in starting to hunt, and would love for any freepers to give me recommendations on a good beginner rifle, something that isn't so pricey, but reliable, as well as any other gear that I will need as a beginner.

I am not a stranger to handguns, or to military rifles, I qualified expert on both a .45 and an M16, so I am not starting from scratch, but I am looking for a rifle for deer hunting basically that will not set me back too much money, yet still be a decent value. I plan to not spend that much money so it can be economical. I do know how to fabricate a carcass, and would love to hunt for meat, without the cost of hunting making it more expensive than going to the supermarket.

Any help in this regard, web sites, consumer reports, etc, would be much appreciated. Thanks all.

[archy]

Doug, I've shot a lot of guns, but I have never had as much fun with pure shooting than I do with that .50. I can't imagine ever taking that thing hunting, mainly because after about a hundred yards of carrying it, I'd be ready for a bath and a bed.
But for pure shooting pleasure, it can't be beat.
It's like a shoulder mounted artillery piece, and the adrenalin pumps with every squeeze of the trigger.
I expected to have a sore shoulder for a week from firing it, but it's surprising how little it kicks because it's so damn heavy.

This is for you, my son. 'Tis the Lord's work ye've been doin'.

[harpseal]

This weapon is very versitile, can be had with a compensated barrel, threaded barrel, 3 1/2 or 5 inch...nice little package, but the trigger is attrocious.

I think you said it all when you said but the trigger is attrocious. Sort of like Mary Todd Linclon saying she really enjoyed the evening at the theater except for the incident with the actor shooting the President. The trigger is the most imporant component for keeping one's shots on target.

[harpseal]

Re the Walther. I shot one at the range that the owner had and I found the rigger to be a pain on his model both the DA and the SA. You must just have gotten a good one regarding teh SA trigger. I really do like the S&W semi .22lr. My favorite is still teh Browning however.

[Squantos]

LOL.........agree Harpseal. I can "manage" the SA trigger is what I should have said. My best .22 pistols are Model 70/71 Berettas . One was a gift from a jooooohish buddy and his wife Salome. The other I bought in Italy when I was stationed there. Those are extreamly accurate, compact and 101% reliable. One has adjustable sights and the other has fixed. Very well made .22 pistols.

The Walther P22 and it's bigger brothers looks like it would be a very good training rig. Same bells and whistles on .22 and 9MM versions per se. Thus train cheaper and work up to confidence for new shooters. I may get the 9MM flavor for just that reason alone.

I have been using the advantage arms .22 slide conversion on my Glock 19 and the 317 snub and 340 snub from S&W for just that reason.

Stay Safe !

[in the Arena]

Thanks for the tip's on the trigger, and bringing me back to reality.

I like the size of the P22 package compared to my Ruger so I'll investigate if there are any trigger options for the P22. I guess I'll take a closer look at the S&W 22A also.

This started out as a quest for a small, light weight, hide-out/day-pack gun. Maybe I should revisit the parameters and make a better decision. I think a .22 snub revolver would probably suffice, but I'm such a geek for all the bells and whistles that the P22 captured my attention.

take care guys,

Jim

[Squantos]

I carry a "backup" 317 snub S&W (8 shot) TiLite w/ barimi grips (in case I need to relocate it to IWB mode) in an simple uncle mikes ankle rig I had a parachute rigger modify for me to hold 50 spare rounds of .22 ammo , a leatherman wave tool, large sewing needle and a small ferconium sparky bar in a small velcro closed pocket on the ankle holster.

Very good for urban or wilderness "backup/survival".

The old Mel Tappin suggestions about riots , TEOTWAWKI, practical tools an such took root early for me and I have kept a small .22 auto or revolver handy since in addition to my primary carry tewls .

Stay Safe !

[PoorMuttly]

Good advice. I DO have most of my problems at night...a main reason I favor Cor-Bon...would love to know how to load low-flash stuff like that.

Alas...I never bought that GP...and only have 2 Hi Powers. I would like to get into the 124gr. from a snubby performance level, if I can. Ergo favor 124 JHP +P's. Threats include somewhat large, guard-breed dogs, bobcats/cougars (only met BIG mister Bobcat so far..), rattlesnakes (one ex-rattlesnake, so far)...and 2-legged drug-gang types...all local wildlife hereabouts. Shopping for one or two Doberman puppies too...but that's only effective later. Planning to get folding stock for the Mini, always carry 3"-12ga. after 4pm...when entertainment usually begins, and always carry 2 handguns when I can, by SOP, so I'm up to speed on prudent equipment choices for present conditions. Just concerned about damaging my Brownings with +P and +P+ 124gr. loads. That's my real question. Is there anything I can do to protect the innards of my utterly reliable so far P35's...? I would rather use the Brownings mostly, and realize that their capacity could mitigate the perhaps under-powered round...but if I could squeeze out more heat to begin with...! I'd like to end up with a Browning and Mini...or 2 Brownings.

Squantos nixed the .40 to 9mm idea. Do NEW Hi Powers have the improved metalurgy of the .40's ? Would that address my problem, or is it a parts problem ? If I could launch 124gr. JHP +P/+P+ with reliability..bingo. Otherwise, I'll have to get into .357's...probably an 8-shot S&W, as my main ride. I'd just go to a 1911 if I didn't need longer range and penetration, if I can get it. Capacity helps, too...I have found...especialy with multiple threats and barricades...like cars. Rrrrrr.

Funny you should refer to the kevlar shorts...great minds evidently think alike...

[HenryLeeII]

Bump for the Ruger 10/22, one of the finest rifles ever made. The Ruger .22 semi-auto target pistol is also a must-have, along with a Ruger Security-Six and just about anything else the great company manufactures...

[Eagle Eye]

Flying out tomorrow. First stop Kuwait, then convoy somewhere in the Sunni Triangle north of Baghdad.

I'll post when I can, but it probably won't be much more than time and temp updates.

[Shooter 2.5]

Take care of yourself. We need you back here safe and sound.

[Eagle Eye]

Thanks, I appreciate it.

[Squantos]

You need anything shout !............and

STAY SAFE

[mad_as_he$$]

Sorry about the slow response but I was out of town bird hunting. Your question is a time, camp fire, tested subject. Most of us here in the West don't even want to think about how much venison costs us a pound. The pleasure is in the hunt. But if tags are cheap where you are and the deer are close then the price is well below any price for beef. This year I hunted over 400 miles from home - with a scouting trip and the hunting trip well, over three hundred bucks in gas alone for two deer in the freezer. Soooooo it depends, but if you want a change of diet then venison is better than sheep in my book! Good Luck.

[mamelukesabre]

Have you ever heard of the steyr scout rifle? If I could ever get my hands on a model 99 savage in .308 winchester, I'd deck it out like a steyr scout. I'd want the later type with the detachable box magazine and I'd try really hard to locate a polymer stock that holds a spare magazine in the butt just like the steyr does.

This is my "dream rifle".

[Cloud William]

A Scout rifle type polymer buttstock on a Savage 99? Neat idea, but mention it HERE and watch the fireworks begin! :-)

I like old/new transformations... my personal "Scout" rifle is a kitbashed K-98 with 7.62 NATO Israeli barrel and "Ching Ring" scope mount. I got some sideways glances at the range when I showed up with a Mauser/Bushnell Holosight combo!