I am Rooky, absolutely new to firearms, going for my license upcoming February. Though, sooner or later I will have to make a decision on what rifle to choose ... and there are lots. Reason to ask you, the way more experienced people!
Being aware of the wide variety of choice, I am sure my question is going to generate a tremendous amount of opinions and advice which I really appreciate but I'll try to narrow it down with the following information.
I'll need to learn how to shoot on a rifle that I'd like to keep for years. (For example: A .22 cal. will fairly quickly be outgrown). So target shooting I guess is best to start with, but maybe down the road I'd like to go hunt small deer. Budget sits around $1000.
I've talked to buddies saying that I'll learn to shoot eventually, just get a 30-06 and it'll be fun also for later on. But the reality of target shooting with 30-06 cost wise doesn't make much sense to me.
I'm looking forward to your responses and thanks for the help!
Welcome to G&G! First off, a .22 is never outgrown, it may become improper for the job at hand, but there will always be a need\use for a lowly .22 L.R. Since you state a desired game up to small deer, though, I'd recommend a .243 Win., 7mm-08, or a .25-06 as they're all good game -getters while being common enough to still have reasonably-priced ammo and they won't abuse your shoulder like the larger cals. The .243 is the closest to an all-around cal as I've ever seen up to small mule deer-sized game. If shot placement is precise (as it always should be!), a .22-250 or .22 Swift will work pretty well if legal in your area, but should never be a first choice. FWIW, there are quite a few mil-surps that make excellent deer rifles with proper optics and a lot of trigger time using proper ammo.
Welcome,
You ask a tough question. For what you're asking I think that you may want to consider something in a bull barreled, bolt action, .223. Now I know I'm just touching flame to fuel but it is fairly cheap to shoot for target/plinking, you can get surplus ammo for it, it'll be accurate, and some people use it on deer although generally considered too small for whitetail sized game. This set up can also be used on varmints and long range small game.
Target shooting with a .30-06 is generally cheaper than almost any other caliber out there other than .22's, .308's are decent pricewise and can sometimes be found cheaper...but then there is the accuracy you get from a .30-06...I'm rather fond of it.
A Marlin XL-7 is around $359 in .30-06 down here and gives you some mighty nice out of the box accuracy. Then get the best scope you can afford with the rest & a box of ammo & yer good to go
Heck, at those prices grab a used .22 rifle as well for around $80-$100 for practice. You never completely "Grow Out of" .22's...you just move up to a .22 Magnum
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Target shooting with a .30-06 is generally cheaper than almost any other caliber out there other than .22's, .308's are decent pricewise and can sometimes be found cheaper...but then there is the accuracy you get from a .30-06...I'm rather fond of it.
A Marlin XL-7 is around $359 in .30-06 down here and gives you some mighty nice out of the box accuracy. Then get the best scope you can afford with the rest & a box of ammo & yer good to go
Heck, at those prices grab a used .22 rifle as well for around $80-$100 for practice. You never completely "Grow Out of" .22's...you just move up to a .22 Magnum
What ^ said! I was gonna say get both you would still be well within your budget. Dont be afraid to check out good used guns also.
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"Decaffeinated coffee is kind of like kissing your sister" ~ Bob Irwin
You should start with a .22, either a semi auto or bolt gun. Learn the basics before you start shooting a high power center fire. You never 'out grow' a .22lr.
If your determined to start out with a center fire, look at the .223, available in several platforms, cheap to shoot and legal for deer in many states.
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Married men live longer than single men do, but married men are a lot more willing to die.
i'm gonna go out on a limb here. and suggest the 6.5 x 55 you should easily be able to find all the ammo you need, and get hunting and target rounds, it will do what you need and or want...
Get a .243. it'll do fine for deer and you'll appreciate the lighter recoil. Plus if you're like most people you'll end up shooting very few deer and a whole lot of varmints. The .243 is great for longe range bunny hunting.
I am Rooky, absolutely new to firearms, going for my license upcoming February. Though, sooner or later I will have to make a decision on what rifle to choose ... and there are lots. Reason to ask you, the way more experienced people!
Being aware of the wide variety of choice, I am sure my question is going to generate a tremendous amount of opinions and advice which I really appreciate but I'll try to narrow it down with the following information.
I'll need to learn how to shoot on a rifle that I'd like to keep for years. (For example: A .22 cal. will fairly quickly be outgrown). So target shooting I guess is best to start with, but maybe down the road I'd like to go hunt small deer. Budget sits around $1000.
I've talked to buddies saying that I'll learn to shoot eventually, just get a 30-06 and it'll be fun also for later on. But the reality of target shooting with 30-06 cost wise doesn't make much sense to me.
I'm looking forward to your responses and thanks for the help!
Welcome Dan,
Before we get into which gun I need ask. Have you been trained in basic safe gun handling??? You didn't address this in your post. If not don't just take it for granted. It is like any other 'sport', you have to have basics to build on, and in this 'sport' safety is the FIRST thing you MUST address and learn. If you already had a GOOD background in this area disregard, if not YOU NEED TO GET SOME TRAINING!!!
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An armed society is not always polite, but it is a FREE AND SAFE SOCIETY!
No, I have not had any training yet, I'm booked in February to go get it.
So, as a recap. The .22 is a great way of learning the basics of shooting (which is important) with regards to the trigger, sighting etc. I'm starting to feel now that this is a fun and dirt cheap way of learning.
Is there something to say for a good second hand .22? When browsing for a well functioning rifle, could you tell me what I am looking for?
Thanks once again!
If your only planning on small deer I would go with a marlin 336 lever action in 30/30 it doubles as a great deer rifle at 100 yards and under and one hell of a fun plinker.
favorite cartridges. The .243 Winchester would be great for you as it is accurate, perfect for game up to and including deer, and it does not have the recoil/muzzle blast that might make you develop a flinch. The recoil/muzzle blast it does have is very tolerable thus allowing you to practice and get good with the gun and the cartridge. You can use a .243 Winchester the remainder of your life.
I would get a bolt action .22 to learn how to shoot. I would recommend a bolt action so you can learn the basics without being tempted to unload as fast as you can pull the trigger. You won't develop a flinch like you might if you just jump into a hunting rifle. Also the ammo is cheap so you can shoot a lot without breaking the bank. Put the rest of that $1000 away until you want to start hunting, then you just add to what you already have.
Get a .22lr to learn the basics,preferably a bolt action.This is a personal opinion,but I believe the .243win is a great choice for deer.But anything from that through the .25,s,6.5,s,7mm,s,and .30cal,s are just as good. sam.
I would get a .22 first as a practice gun, the basics of shooting that you learn from that will translate to the higher calibers. You could buy a good-used .22 rifle for the price of a few boxes of high caliber ammo.
After you get the .22 nailed down, find a rifle you like and can use for deer hunting in your state. I still shoot my .22's more often than my high calibers.
The 30-06 is a real tough cartridge to beat. Ammo is redily availabe in many different bullet weights and is inexpensive because of its wide use. You will be able to bring down anything in North America with it. It has brought down more variety of game than any other cartridge with maybe the exception of the brittish 303. (remember guys, the 303 has been used around the world for just as long and and in more quantity). The 06 is a superior cartridge than the 303.
If you decide to opt for the 30-06 you will never regret it.
