So new, not even sure where to start.

[Rooks]

Hello all. So I've recently been looking into learning how to shoot and how to do it accurately at long range. I've read a bunch of books about Marine Snipers and all that stuff (specifically Carlos Hathcock) and it's always been pretty interesting to know that it's possible to do those sort of things with a rifle.

Now with that said, I have almost zero experience with guns. I've gone shooting probably 20 times in my life, mostly with my old 22 (which has now been sold since I didn't use it for a long time) and only once within the last 10 years (which was within the last month). My uncle-in-law actually took me out shooting as he's big into distance shooting and he recommending coming to this site to get a bunch of good information. We did some shooting with his rifles at 100 yards just to get a feel for things and he was showing me differences between the standard varmint rifle I was shooting, and the competition rifle he was using (bullet composition, trigger pressure, etc.).

Anyway, I really don't even know where to begin. Right now, I'm trying to figure out what type of rifle I want to buy as I'll obviously need a gun if I want this to become any sort of hobby, but no idea on what caliber to look into. I'm not looking to spend a ton right out the gate, but obviously if it's something I enjoy, I'm sure money will find it's way there.

Feel free to ask me questions about myself, or point me in the direction of good resources if you know of any (which I'm sure you all do).

 

[GeorgeS3]

Stop!!!! Don't do it!!!! Yer gonna spend way too much $$$$!!!
And ya can't have just one gun!!!!

Forget ya ever found this site!!!!!!!

Jus' sayin!!!

 

[dickn52]

+1 for GeorgeS3 Jezzz, you gotta drop it and run now. It's more addictive than crack cocaine. If you start now the good feelings will never go away and that's it...you're hooked for a looooong time.

 

[GSPV]

What kind of places to shoot are convenient for you? It'd be a bummer to get into a format of shooting and there be nowhere convenient to do it.

I'll just throw an offspeed pitch: you can get a lot of trigger time with an airgun. A 22 or 25 cal Benjamin Maurader air rifle and an air tank would get you started. You could shoot in your back yard or basement.

I wouldn't put much stock in the stuff on the web about shooting feral pigs with them, but it would be really hard on squirrels and such.

 

[jonbearman]

Actually I would buy a quality .22 rimfire and go shooting as much as you can to see if you really want to take the jump.Look at some of the CZ'S,savage,and remington.

 

[Rooks]

I suppose I should have also made this point. I do plan on doing some deer hunting with said rifle as well. My father-in-law is an avid hutner and I know he'd love it if I went with him a few times a year for whatever (especially deer, since that's like a two week state holiday here in MN).

Hence why I'm leaning more towards a real rifle like a .243, or a .30-06 or something like that. But I guess that part that's catching me is that it seems like there are plenty of rilfes using .223. I don't know any of the pro and cons beyond "Bigger caliper equals more stopping power, but more kick." And I don't even know if that's true.

I mean I suppose I could just go all in and pick up a Barrett .50 cal and call it a day right? That should stop a deer, right? (Hoping you can pick up on the sarcasm there).

Also, to answer GSPV's questions, I have plenty of places to shoot. I know I could go out to my parents house (60 miles east of the Twin Cities) and shoot out on their land without issue. Plus, like I mentioned, my uncle-in-law belongs to a club (out in Elk River) that has 100, 200, 600, and 1000 yard ranges, so I'm sure I could tag along with a him a few times and/or join the club.

 

[xpilot]

Buy a used CZ 22lr and get lots of trigger time. The learning curve will help greatly when transitioning to your deer rifle. Right now you need to get familiar with techniques etc., much cheaper with the 22.

 

[GSPV]

OK, so one rifle to hunt deer with and shoot targets at out to 1,000 yards? That's going to be a tough order. You'll have to make compromises.

 

[REastman]

Be prepared for the information overload you are about to receive. ;D

 

[Uthink Uknow]

What kind of a shooter is your father in law? It isn't a good idea to out shine the F in L. Ask him what he uses and suggests. You also don't want to appear the bumpkin in the woods if he is well outfitted. If he re-loads already, he might be more impressed with your tagging along to the re-loading bunker. What kind of hunting does he do or what do you anticipate? You can hunt the wood margins and get short quick shots or hunt the farmland and get slow, well placed long shots. That has a bearing on the caliber you would use.

 

[Lapua40X]

I suppose I should have also made this point. I do plan on doing some deer hunting with said rifle as well.

CZ .22 LR is a good choice, especially if you can find a used one. It's not an expensive rifle and you can shoot a lot of .22 ammo for a lot less money while you learn the basics of good marksmanship. But I'd also suggest you look into a .17HMR. It's got better ballistics than the .22 rimfires and it should allow you to work your way out to longer ranges with greater accuracy while you're learning. At the same time (did I mention I'm recommending two rifles?) find yourself a good .243 rifle that you like. IMO, .223 is just too light for deer (OK, here some the salvos) but the .243 will work and it's very forgiving. Don't reach out into the .30 cal stuff until you've got your basic shooting skills down pat. Beginning shooters often develop bad habits (e.g flinching etc.) when they begin with anything at or above .270 - 7mm because of the recoil. No matter how experienced your family members might be with firearms, take an approved hunter safety course. It's not just for kids .... every new shooter should take the time to attend.
Start at 50 yards with your .22 or .17 and work out, 25 yards at a time, until you can hold groups under two inches at 100 yards. But don't forget to do some homework on ballistics while you're learning. Then start working with the .243. Remember that your effective range with any hunting rifle is the distance at which you can consistently put a bullet inside a pie tin. If you can hit a pie tin every time at 300 yards, that's your effective range. If you can't hit it every time at 300 yards, practice at distances where you can hit that target and gradually move out to the longer distance.
Best of luck .... to bad you aren't closer, I'd enjoy having you in one of my classes.

 

[Rooks]

Wow. Alright. I'll try and hit these rapid fire.

@xpilot. Thanks. Haven't heard of that, so I'll look into it. I was always a little put off by rimfire rifles, but that could just be bad knowledge of how things work.

@GSPV. Sorry for the confusion. I'm not looking to do shooting at 1000 yards right now. Just want something I can go to range with and practice with around 100 - 400 yards and maybe someday try it out at 600 yards and above, once I know more about how my rifle works, and potentially start doing my own ammo so I can understand the ballistics better. I know I'm not going to be able to just jump into the deep end.

@REastman. Ready! That's why I'm here.

@Uthink Uknow. My father-in-law isn't about shooting for fun. I can tell you that. He is strictly a hunter. I don't believe he does his own ammo or anything like that. My uncle-in-law is the guy that does the competitions and shoots distances for enjoyment (and coincidentally is the one who got me here).

@Lapua40X. I have taken a Hunter's Safety Course way back when I was 12 and I have hunted before. Just not since I was 16, so I could probably use a refresher course. I'll look into it. Also, thanks for the tips. I'll look into all that and see what I can figure out. Plus I have to talk to the wife and figure out where my budget lies.

Also, just as a side note, does the post verification stuff ever go away? Understand why it's there, just curious is all.

 

[K22]

If deer hunting is on the list of activities along with fun shooting, I'd opt for a 243 especially for a new shooter. The reasons: low recoil, availability of relatively inexpensive high quality factory ammo (once the current panic subsides), capable of fine accuracy, and a true dual purpose cartridge which can be used for varmint/predator and deer hunting.

For just shooting pleasure, the 22 long rifle is hard to beat. If you want a centerfire to shoot at longer distances to punch paper and hunt varmints/predators, I'd opt for a 223.

Rifles - I'd look at a Tikka T3.

 

[Glenn Powell]

Lots and lots of good info here! A good 22 is the place to start, and might I suggest a single shot. The slower you force yourself to shoot the better you will do. As to hunting rifle, the 243 is great for deer, I shot a bunch of em with that round in Texas before I moved north. The 260 would be the way I would go now, good for everything from coyote to moose. Though I prefer bigger bullets for moose, the 260 would do in a pinch with the right bullet. Rifle selection for hunting, depends on the type of hunting. Light for hard hunting, and as heavy as you want for stand hunting. Good luck, good hunting, and good times.

 

[firearmdoc1]

Definately start with a 22, than work up to a centerfire if you still have interest in it. Take a look at Savage, you can't go wrong if you're on a budget.

 

[Tim Singleton]

I don't see whether or not your uncle in law re loads. From the sound of his shooting I would say he does. I would say stick close to him. He has sent you here one of the best sites for information on the web. I'm sure he will continue to help in your shooting.
The type of shooting you mention 100-400 yards and some hunting once or twice a year. Indicates to me more target shooting.

In response to your OP to learn to shoot accurately at long range.
This will inevitably lead to learning to re load for your rifle.
I would recommend a SAVAGE model 12 in 6BR.
It will do everything you ask of it.
The 6br will make your learning curve much easier it is a very forgiving cartridge IMO one of the most accurate and versatile cartridges ever made
It would be my choice hands down for anyone's first center fire rifle mild recoil excellent accuracy. All the information you need is on this site.
Read this

http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/6mmbr/

 

[4xforfun]

FYI...From what I understand there are quite a few placed in MN where it is shotgun/slug gun only. Find that out before you invest.

 

[Carvera]

Introduce yourself to the modularity concept of the Savage center fire rifle.

One action, with many bolt faces, and a wide variety of different barrels.

It is a rifle that a novice/beginner would learn very quickly with.

Invest into reloading equipment/books. If you're taking the shooting sports with a decent interest this is a very logical step.

I too think the idea of a nice bolt action .22 would be ideal to practice with.

 

[ScottMcc]

It is a good idea to stay with a standard caliber, so ammo is more readily available if you need it somewhere away from home. For hogs, deer and elk, you can't go wrong with a .270, .280, .308 or 30-06. If you really have to get by with just one gun, and you want to take shots out to 600 yards, I suggest a Remington 700, SPS Varmint or Tactical in .308. The great thing about a good gun is that if you take care of it, you can always get most or nearly all of your money back out if you need to sell it.

 

[M-61]

I would agree with the 22LR as a place to start. I would recommend a Savage Mk II BSEV. It looks weird but if you pick it up everything falls into place quite nicely. Accurate? You bet. Having a 22LR will teach you lots, it's inexpensive to shoot, and a ton of fun. There's lots of other 22LR's to choose from but I lean towards the Savage. Shooting is like a journey. Sometimes the trip is more memorable than the destination.
My guess is whatever 22 you get, years from now you'll still have it and it will still be a fun rifle to shoot.