Guns at a gun show?

[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).

 

[Okiehunter]

Another thing i'm open to is a gun store. The only problem is you generally can haggle a store clerk.

 

[ddkearney]

Okie - for that price range, you shouldn't have a problem finding a decent 22; doubtful that you will find a 223 in that price range unless it's a break-open single shot. Don

 

[Catfish]

Good luck. You won`t buy any rifle that will still shoot for $ 170 around here unless it`s an old WW ll army rifle and then not one of the better ones. I have picked up some old Savage for $ 200, but not for a while.

 

[superlight93]

You will probably find a more productive answer to your question in a discussion forum. This is the classifieds.

 

[Okiehunter]

Thanks, would a break barrel be a very big downgrade in accuracy from a bolt?

I may get some extra dough. I've still got plenty of my check after the 150.

 

[Okiehunter]

Thanks for the info. In complete honesty i would have never seen the "marketplace" thing. I'll copy and repost.

 

[skeetlee]

and this is in the classifieds why?? lee

 

[apakesha]

He just registered today. Give him a day or two to get familiar with this forum.....then let him have it!!!

 

[TheSnake]

Okie,
I read your post and a few of your others. This is your first rifle and I want your purchase to be a good one. I would strongly suggest you don't go to a gun show and look for a rifle in the price range you mention. Unless you know what to look for, you may end up with something that is worn out and will not shoot to your liking. You will probably also need to purchase a scope for the rifle you end up getting. If you can hold off a little longer and get enough funds to purchase a new rifle and scope combo, that may be the better deal as a first rifle. Many manufacturers are selling combos for under 500.00 and some for less than 400.00. This way you are getting a new rifle and scope with a warranty and you know what you are getting. You also get to choose what caliber you prefer and not settle for something less. To name a few, Savage, Remington and Weatherby make combos and I am sure there are a few more. Best of luck to you on your first purchase.

Almost forgot, yes a magazine of some sort is worth the extra money in a hunting situation. The ability to quickly load another round for a followup shot is very important when hunting any game.

I'll throw this in also; we have in the family, a Savage Axis in .243 and a Weatherby Vanguard 22-250, both around 300.00 without the scope and they both shoot 1/2 MOA at 100 yards with reloads I worked up. We purchased them without the scope and added them afterwards. I would recommend either of them as a first rifle on a budget without hesitation.

 

[Larryh128]

+1 , what The Snake said.

 

[ddkearney]

Okie - in addition to what Snake said, a Marlin XS-7 would also be in that decent affordable bolt action price range. Don

 

[Cort]

Okie,

What do you want to do with your rifle? I recommend you select a caliber to accomplish that activity and then look for a rifle. Generally, a .22 LR is always a good choice for a first rifle. You can work on shooting technique with cheaper rifles, cheaper ammunition and shorter ranges. A high quality target rifle will cost pretty close to the same in any caliber you choose (including .22 LR). A good hunting/plinking rifle is significantly less money. Starter rifles in .22 LR are usually cheaper than starter rifles in a center fire caliber.

.22 LR ammunition runs from $3-4 per box of 50 to $20 per box of 50. .223 is the cheapest commercial, centerfire ammunition. It commonly runs about $9 for a box of 20 up to $40 for a box of 20. More expensive ammunition tends to be more accurate than less expensive ammunition. Tailored reloads for a centerfire are usually the most accurate in a given rifle and tend to cost in the low end of the cost spectrum. It is easy to recover the cost of reloading equipment in a few hundred rounds of ammunition.

With your budget, you will have trouble trying to find a quality firearm with decent sights. Most firearms are carried or stored more than they are shot, so a used firearm is often a good choice. Assessing the condition of a used rifle takes some knowledge which I doubt you have. Consequently, you should probably find a gun store that you can trust; or make friends with another shooter who has the knowledge needed to help you with your purchase.

Good luck with your purchase. This may be your first purchase but I doubt it will be your last ;-)

Cort

 

[Pyscodog]

Okie- If the "gunshow" your refering to is the upcoming Wannamacher, be aware. Its like a carnival and everyone wants your money. Your price range is going to limit the quality of rifle you will be able to buy there. Lots of good advice in the posts. Save a little more cashola and check with Academy and WalMart. They have the Savage Axis/Edge for under $300.00 and reviews say they are very accurate rifle for the money. Keep your eyes open in the classifieds also, good deals come around, but you have to be quick!! Good Luck and Welcome!!

 

[Okiehunter]

I know about the carnival effect. I am quite the knife enthusiast and i've been able in the past to turn that back on them. Like you said they want my money. I don't know if my haggling skills are Wanenmacher good, but I'll go into it with an idea that's helped me out in the past. "I don't have to buy something". but yeah another guy has contacted me and told me to look around at dongs and places like that. This thread has been very informative and has probably already saved my cash from a dissapointing fate, thanks.