Posted on 08/24/2004 11:06:21 AM PDT by rune3345
HI, I am wondering what a good learning rifle would be. something that wont cost me a arm, a lag(how ever you spell it) and a few toes for the rifle and bullets.
Buy a Marlin .22 18 round semi auto and a box of 1000 rounds. Then go to one of those leftover stores like joblot or east coast garbage mart and buy a case of spray paint for 25 cents a can. Take all these items to a sand hill and have someone who knows what they are doing show you the ropes
Once you used up the box of ammo, go back to your dealer and get a 30-30, and a ton more ammo.
The bigger gun gets expensive, though, and i fund the .22 just as fum.
What are you wanting to hunt?
"Hey, just what ya see on the shelf buddy!"
I am male, 18, target shooting mostly, but would be nice to use for hunting when needed.
The 30-30 is your cheapest choice, the .22 doesn't have the knock down. Get it fast before Kerry outlaws it!
Ruger 10/22.
It's a good basic .22 and if you're so inclined, you can transform it into the most expensive rifle at the gun range.
I started on a 10-22 Ruger. If you want a recommendation from a fellow newbie, try that.
If he's a beginner I don't think he wants to start off with a 30-30. We don't want to scare him off do we?
Ruger 10/22's can be built into some great shooters and most gunshops have one or two that have already been built up. Kimber makes some beautiful bolt action .22's, and that's probably what I would recommend.
You can skimp a little on the optics and get a cheap scope now and replace it later. I've never found this to be a problem since I always have more guns than I do scopes and there is always something to put that cheap BSA scope on when I find the money for a Leupold. Make no mistake, expensive scopes are better, but for a .22 cheap scopes will do the job.
Personally for hunting I like fairly low powered scopes. 3-9x is good. If I intend on using it in heavy brush I might go for a 2-7x or even a 1.5-4x. If I intend on long shots a 4-16x is perfect. And I love mil-dots. There is no better reticle for a hunter IMO.
For target shooting you want more magnification.
HOW OLD ARE YOU????
Actually, I shoot 30.06 and can get surplus rounds CHEAP as heck! Save the cases as they accumulate, and reload. Lowers my cost even more.
Also, in case the librefreaks outlaw ammo, etc, I'll have enough in my arsenal to repel the troops of a small banana republic..like Cuba for example!
Red
I learned on a Springfield, bolt action, .22.
Winchester Model 70 Featherweight .270 with one of the new, variable power Leupold scopes. Fast, flat, good training for both precise target shooting and long distance big game hunting. Enough kick to get your attention, but not enough to scare you away from high calibre rifle shooting. Just got one for my 13 year to get ready for Africa. It's enough for the smaller antelopes and warthog there and he can use it here in California and Oregon for deer and smaller wild pig.
Yer bad! ;)
Try checking www.gunbroker.com if you find out the make and model. May be floating around out there.
Garand shooter?
Start out with a .22 like mentioned above. If you want to move up a bit and still get fairly cheap ammo, then get an SKS in 7.62 X 39 mm. Practically new ones are currently available for $150.
Yes and a M1903A3 as well. I shoot the 03 at 600 yards with open iron sights and rip a man sized target to pieces. Made in 42, bagged a few of America's enemies, and STILL ready to roll!
Depends on what you want to hunt, where you will hunt, and how much you're willing to spend. Open territory, small game try rifles chambered in .223, .256 or .270. Remington's are nice, but I like Weatherby synthetics, but they're too pricey for a beginner's gun.
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