First Gun?

[Okiehunter]

I've got around 150-160 to spend on a rifle. I would prefer that I got away with less (more $ for ammo). I'm fairly good at haggling for a better price. 4 questions:

1.) Should I get a .22 or a .223/5.56mm rifle?

2.) I'm looking for a bolt. Is there a cheaper action that won't ruin the accuracy?

3.) I dont mind single loading the rounds. Is a box mag or removable clip really worth the extra dough?

4.) what should I look for (cosmetically or otherwise) that would signal a botched gun?

This is my first gun, but I can handle 12g slugs. So the recoil's not a problem (not that there really is any). I can get a Savage Mark II at walmart, but i'm getting kinda overwhelmed with options.

 

[Okiehunter]

The gun show is the Wannamaker. JFYI

 

[bcarico]

Put a little cash with it and pick up a good used Ruger 10/22 and a brick of 22lr. For your first rifle you will have a blast with it. But, Be sure someone shows you how to work it first being your first rifle.

Brandon

 

[.260 james]

There are usually a few good .22 LRs At any gun show. They are the best place to start and learn with, And ammo is cheap. Look through the selection and pick one for quality and good working order. Once you get it seek out help from someone knowledgeable to help you in the right direction.

 

[Okiehunter]

I can nab some extra cash from my leftover check money. Would a bolt be more or less expensive than a semi? As for safety, I live with two gun enthusiasts, freinds with a gunsmith, and have read the NRA rifle manual about 12 times. It's good to see that we're looking out for each other though, thanks.

 

[jonbearman]

Try and save up alittle more and get a savage model 93 in .22lr. I have a couple and they are really good little shooters. They are around 225.00 or so.n Make sure the one you get has the accutrigger.

 

[Okiehunter]

I'm also looking to either use this gun or sell it to buy a different one for coyote hunting this summer. Can you replace the rounds in a 22lr shell(not reload but pull the bullet out and put a different one in)? Will that savage hold it's value?

 

[lal357]

no you cant replace the rounds in a .22 lr check the pawn shops if you have any near you i picked up a savage 110 last december for 150.00 and you can swap barrels later as your funds get better (did a barrel swap and bolt lug swap to 6.5 creedmoor last week). but a 22lr is a good starter gun cheap ammo i wouldnt use it for coyotes ,squirrel are ok and rabbits.

 

[Okiehunter]

Thanks.

 

[357Mag]

Oakie -

Howdy !

I'm in Green Country, too !

I' m going to be perfecly honest with you, and give you my heartfelt recommendation...

- Save your money, enough so that you can....

- Buy a top-quality NEW centerfire bolt rifle, perhasp in .223; as you mentioned


Why I say these things:
-When I started $$$ long guns, I tried to get by w/ a .22 Marlin 39A. Form my needs out on a farm in NE Indiana, I very soon ran out of
" capability "; power-wise.
Despite 2 lucky open-sight 100yd head shots on groundhogs, my desire to engage targets and kill them @ distance rather quickly lead me to $$$ of a center fire varmint rifle w/ scope.

- As your skills increase, your firearms desires and needs also increase; or so it seems to me. A capable rifle can help increase YOUR
capabilities.

My first CF bolt rifle was a P.O. Ackley' shop-made .22-250 ( which was already a factory chambering in 1972 ). With scope, the rifle cost me 2 full weeks pay ( and, I had plenty of other bills ).

My next bolt rifle was also a custom .22-250, from a riflesmith in NW Ohio.
Since then, I've bought ( and held onto ) very few "factory" long guns. "Customs" are another story.

My point:
Those rifles definitely costed some $$$. Then again.... they allowed me to shoot groundhogs and target matches @ the distances I had wanted to; and I never complained about nor regretted their cost ( or the scope' costs, for that matter ).

.22s are ( for the most part ) comparatively cheap, and you can more readily pick one up at any given time; by nature of their fairly modest price; and wide-spread availability.

You should be prepared for your flood gates of shooting enthusiasm to soon be opened wide !
I went from my first attempts @ handloads to centerfire cartridge wildcatting in just barely 2yr.

Have the gun(s) there at your disposal that you need. Guns that will perform as you expect them too.
And... pay for what THAT costs. " Buy the best, and cry once ".

With regards,
357Mag