*another* Need to make a decision.

[karrotx]

I'm trying to buy my first rifle. I've never owned a gun before; I have fired 2 12's and 20 gauge shotguns. I'm having a hard time between a .22lr, .243, .270, and a .30-06.

Here's my situation, I don't know if I'll ever hunt. I'm pretty adverse to hunting right now, however...I might change my mind in the future. I always try to be open to new things. The rifle will be ~99.9% target shooting, indoor and outdoor ranges. I live ~7 minutes from the NRA HQ range and there are 2-3 other ranges within 30 minutes.

Like I said, this will be the first weapon I'll ever own. I went to Dicks and saw the Savage 111FCXP3 in .243. I held it, felt nice. I really want to become an accurate shooter, but I feel the .22lr is too "light-weight." The .243 seemed like a nice medium. I want to buy this gun and grow into it, and it has to be bolt action.

The price difference between .243 and .22lr wasn't much, maybe ~$2-3 a box.

In your opinion, should I go with the .22lr, the .243, or the .270? Or...should I skip the middle and go straight to .30-06? I'm 19, and 5'10 and weigh ~185. I'm not worried about mass being an issue, I just don't want to hinder my skills.

Thanks!

 

[Acheron]

This has been said many times before: get the .22

A .22LR is the best thing to learn marksmanship with. Light recoil and dirt cheap to shoot. Plus it can double as a light varmint (squirrels and such) rifle if need be.

After you've become proficient with the .22LR then move on to a bigger caliber. I would recommend the .30-06.

 

[General Geoff]

The price difference between .243 and .22lr wasn't much, maybe ~$2-3 a box.

I don't know where you're shopping, but their .243 is either really, REALLY cheap or their .22lr is really, REALLY expensive.

.243 commercial ammo should be at last 50 cents a round, probably closer to a buck a pop. .22lr can be had for ~$10 per 500.

I'd say get a .22lr, as you can purchase a quality bolt gun chambered in .22 very inexpensively, and it will make you into a rifle marksman far more quickly and for less money than any centerfire round. Once you get the .22, buy a few bricks of ammo and get some trigger time!

 

[karrotx]

You guys are telling me everything I don't want to hear.

I was really hoping someone would say the .243 is a good round to start with.

In your opinion, what's the best bang for the buck .22lr in bolt-action?

 

[General Geoff]

also, starting with a .22 will also put you on the right track for shooting habits and flinches (or lack thereof). If you start off with a noisy, hard-recoiling centerfire rifle, you may develop a flinch, or a jerky trigger pull, or any number of other traits that inhibit marksmanship. A .22lr, being quiet, with nearly no recoil, will help you to develop a smooth trigger squeeze and relaxed shooting stance.


Best bang for the buck .22lr in bolt action? I might be biased, but I'm gonna go with a Marlin 980S. ~$250 brand new, and mine does 2 inch groups at 100 yards all day, far more accurate than I am. Here's the carbon fiber stock version:

 

[karrotx]

Would you put a scope on the Marlin? Should I start out with just iron sights for awhile and then put a scope on?

 

[cyclist]

Something to grow into:

Start with the .22LR, even if you don't go highend like this pic. You will build a solid foundation and technique in accurate shooting and safe shooting. If you then decide to step up to high-power or long-range stuff the .22 will still serve you well for practice and maintenance of your skills.

ps, I don't have either one of those rifles in the pic, but would really really really like to have one some day.

pps, iron sights will serve you well as well. You could even go with a peep sight of some sort. If you really want a scope then get a spotting scope to set on the bench beside the rifle to see how you're doing.

 

[General Geoff]

Iron sights should be able to take you out to 50 yards at least, 100 yards with some practice. I have a scope on my Marlin, and it's very helpful for hits on a target 100 yards and beyond.

I'd get good with the iron sights before getting a scope, though.

 

[The Annoyed Man]

One thing to consider is that, at least in my experience, most indoor ranges are not going to allow you to shoot a rifle of greater than .22 LR caliber. The only exception that I've personally experienced so far is the 100 yard underground tube at the local Bass Pro shop.

 

[karrotx]

The three ranges that I've called said I can fire up to a .30-06 indoors . Well, I take that back. The NRA range said I could fire up to a .408? Blue Ridge Arsenal said I could fire up to a .300. The other is an outdoor range, anything goes.

 

[General Geoff]

The overall cost of ownership goes up pretty sharply as you get into higher calibers. For a good .22lr bolt gun and several thousand rounds of ammo, you're looking at under $500 (even with a scope).

For a good .243 or .30-06 bolt gun with several thousand rounds of ammo and a scope to match the gun, you're looking at a couple grand, at least.

 

[karrotx]

What do you guys think: .22lr Savage Mark II FV -

It has the AccuTrigger, and scope bases. $205.96 at Walmart.


http://savagearms.com/markiifv.htm

 

[ArkansasHunter]

I started to mentioned a Mosin Naget, but I think you should start out on a 22 LR.
Check out the CZ line of bolt action 22lr rifles because there probably the most accurate and affordable you can buy today. In there price range.
You can buy a 22 lr for a lot less too but concider the CZ if you want a tact driver...A.H

 

[skinewmexico]

The Savages shoot great. If you're adverse to hunting (heretic), I'd get more of a target caliber someday, after the 22. A 223 or 308.

 

[MrBorland]

+1 on the .22LR. Everyone ought to have one anyway. I can recommend the CZ 452. The Trainer or Lux both have excellent sights. All 452s have an adjustable trigger, and there's also an aftermarket trigger kit available that works really well, and is affordable and easy to install. Everyone has their preference, but my bias would be to use iron sights at first, then scope it if you want. You'd have to scope that Savage.

http://www.cz-usa.com/products_rimfire_rifles.php
http://www.cz452.com/

 

[itgoesboom]

What do you guys think: .22lr Savage Mark II FV -


It has the AccuTrigger, and scope bases. $205.96 at Walmart.


http://savagearms.com/markiifv.htm

Good choice, but go for the BV version instead, with the laminate stock. The synthetic stock is a bit flimsy. BV version will cost you a couple bucks more, but hey, the difference is less than the cost of 2 boxes of .243 ammo.

I have the BV, and I like it alot. With cheap ammo (Federal AE 38gr. HP) I am averaging between .6-.8" @ 50 yards, and I actually got a 5-shot group that measures .385" today.

Other good choices would be the CZ series or rifles, or the Marlins.

And the choice to go with the .22lr is a good one. For the cost of 20 rounds of .243 you can get 500-1,000 rounds of .22lr. More trigger time = better shot in the end.

 

[.45Guy]

Glenfield 25 would be a nice starter. You could find one cheap, and have money left over for a .243. Not that I'm a big Marlin fan, I just heve seven of their products in the safe at the moment...

 

[Patrick_Henry]

I'll just second what everyone has already said. .22's rock. No matter what kind of shooting you get into 30 hears from now you'll still love your old .22. I love taking mine out to the range even when I could be shooting bigger guns. And while your not thinking about this now, a .22 is also the absolute best gun to teach your son to shoot with.

 

[Vaarok]

Marlin model 25 is a good choice.

And if you really want to splurge and have a lot of tin-can-terrorizing fun, a Marlin Model 39A lever-action .22 rifle or a .22 Henry lever action rifle is hard to beat.

 

[SoonerSP101]

Rem 700 in a .243

Or a Ruger 10/22

 

[Terrierman]

Everyone should own a good quality .22 LR bolt rifle. I like 77/22. CZ is another terrific choice. Savage would be down the list a little ways, but still qualifies as a good rifle. And for the first rifle question. Zero doubt that the correct choice is .22 LR.

Good on you for looking at a bolt rifle instead of a semi first. Much much safer to learn on. Much. And so right to own and carry and shoot.