Best first rifle to get after a .22?
- Thread starter Agent-J
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woof
Member
How about a better .22?
recal
Member
.308. Versatile, manageable recoil, easy to reload. My second rifle after my .22 was a Tikka varmint. Shoots 1/2 MOA, great trigger. Tho you might consider an evil black gun, given the current political climate.
punkndisorderly
Member
Too many variables to answer. It depends on your budget and what you're looking to do.
If you're just punching paper, .223 is the easiest to find inexpensive ammo. AR's are all the rage now, but they aren't cheap and are hard to find at a reasonable price thanks to Obamania (at least around here). If you can afford it, a flattop AR is as good a place to start as any. Kind of the Honda Civic of rifles. Reliable, durable, and a zillion parts to customize it with. For a little more up front and a little more each time you buy ammo, you could go to a FAL or plain Jane M1 or M1A.
If you lean more toward bolt guns, check out the Savage's with the Accutrigger. They're a great value and leave you some money for decent glass.
I wouldn't discount going for a milsurp rifle. Enfields and Mosins are a great way to start. They are really great rifles for the money and can be shot fairly cheaply. They may not be shiney and new or the latest and greatest but they have their own virtues.
If you're just punching paper, .223 is the easiest to find inexpensive ammo. AR's are all the rage now, but they aren't cheap and are hard to find at a reasonable price thanks to Obamania (at least around here). If you can afford it, a flattop AR is as good a place to start as any. Kind of the Honda Civic of rifles. Reliable, durable, and a zillion parts to customize it with. For a little more up front and a little more each time you buy ammo, you could go to a FAL or plain Jane M1 or M1A.
If you lean more toward bolt guns, check out the Savage's with the Accutrigger. They're a great value and leave you some money for decent glass.
I wouldn't discount going for a milsurp rifle. Enfields and Mosins are a great way to start. They are really great rifles for the money and can be shot fairly cheaply. They may not be shiney and new or the latest and greatest but they have their own virtues.
alaskanativeson
Member
One gun that may not otherwise get a mention is a good lever action, especially if you consider one in a handgun caliber. A Marlin in .357 can be a pure joy to shoot. It's not as expensive as many rifle calibers and it's a great combination.
FlyinBryan
Member
my 2nd was a very early model stainless mini 14.
it was ok, but i ended up selling it and getting a colt ar15.
if i had it to do over again, i would have went straight to the ar15, just maybe not the colt.
it was ok, but i ended up selling it and getting a colt ar15.
if i had it to do over again, i would have went straight to the ar15, just maybe not the colt.
JImbothefiveth
Member
7.62x39 might actually be cheaper. $0.25 a rounds for the cheap imported stuff.
wuchak
Member
We need to know what your intended and likely uses are for it to give a good answer.
Ignition Override
Member
If you decide to take a second look at milsurps, if not the {always} low-priced MNs, then maybe an SKS.
Not only the rifle but ammo is still economical, especially for MNs.
On the otherhand, it is probably best if you forget about any {original} Russian designs
.
This will allow other weak people to succumb to wicked temptation.
Not only the rifle but ammo is still economical, especially for MNs.
On the otherhand, it is probably best if you forget about any {original} Russian designs
. This will allow other weak people to succumb to wicked temptation.
jerkface11
Member
The first centerfire I bought for myself was a .257 Roberts.
JWF III
Member
I never have been able to understand this, but to each his own. I was going to suggest an M1 Carbine, but since someone busted my bubble...
I'd have to say a lever action (of no particular make) in a pistol cartridge of your liking.
Or if you're into semis, Marlin camp carbine, or the older model (newer ones suck from what I've been told) Ruger 10/44 Deerfield carbine.
Wyman
expvideo
Member
12 guage pump. If you insist on a rifle, you're going to need a lot more information. Do you like bolts, semi autos, lever guns, etc? What are you hoping to do with it?
Without any information, I have to say AK. It does everything you could want a rifle to do, has decent range for hunting, and is a great defense rifle. Plus the ammo's cheap... well in comparison to other calibers.
Without any information, I have to say AK. It does everything you could want a rifle to do, has decent range for hunting, and is a great defense rifle. Plus the ammo's cheap... well in comparison to other calibers.
otomik
Member
I'm otomik and I approved this message.wuchak said:
wyohome
Member
The combination of .308 Win caliber in an action that suits you would be a good start. They are versatile with good loadings for varmint to elk, inherently accurate, and easy to find brass for when you start to reload. I use a pump (760) for deer and elk in brushy country, a bolt action (788) for more open areas. There are better calibers for specific uses, but you could do much worse than a .308 as a multi-use rifle.
jjohnson
Member
Fun? Target? Hunt?
Yeah, that's kind of like asking what next auto....
But, for a 'new guy' to firearms, assuming you want to play at the range with it, .223 and 7.62 x 39 are good choices. Ammo for both is cheap and available everywhere. You can get a Savage bolt action for the .223 without breaking the bank; you can get an SKS or any of its variants for even less.
You can hone your skills as a shooter with the .223 without developing flinch; you can play at the range with an SKS having fun with paper targets. The .223 would give you an excellent beginner's varmint gun, while the SKS would give you an excellent truck/trunk weapon.
If you really don't have much experience with high powered rifles, I'd stay away from the 308 just now - and certainly anything bigger - because now's the time to build your basic skills. Nothing wrong with the big bores, mind you, but it's a big leap from the .22, and I think your first high powered rifle should be more of a 'fun gun' that you can shoot a lot, to get very familiar with what they can do.
That's just my OPINION. Your results may vary. Have fun.
Yeah, that's kind of like asking what next auto....
But, for a 'new guy' to firearms, assuming you want to play at the range with it, .223 and 7.62 x 39 are good choices. Ammo for both is cheap and available everywhere. You can get a Savage bolt action for the .223 without breaking the bank; you can get an SKS or any of its variants for even less.
You can hone your skills as a shooter with the .223 without developing flinch; you can play at the range with an SKS having fun with paper targets. The .223 would give you an excellent beginner's varmint gun, while the SKS would give you an excellent truck/trunk weapon.
If you really don't have much experience with high powered rifles, I'd stay away from the 308 just now - and certainly anything bigger - because now's the time to build your basic skills. Nothing wrong with the big bores, mind you, but it's a big leap from the .22, and I think your first high powered rifle should be more of a 'fun gun' that you can shoot a lot, to get very familiar with what they can do.
That's just my OPINION. Your results may vary. Have fun.
robctwo
Member
I was looking at getting something for hunting back in the early 70's. My gun guru suggested a .243. Enough gun to use on deer, marginal but legal on elk. I bought a Winchester model 70 and put a cheap scope on it, also with advice of get a good gun and upgrade the scope. I've upgraded the scope three times. I love that gun. I've eaten a lot of venison over the years. Can shoot a box of shells with a tee shirt on. No flinching.
If I weren't going after big game, the .223 is great. I have a nice Savage. Love the accutrigger. Also a Bushmaster "just in case".
I also have a couple nice .308s. That is a great round to reload.
If I weren't going after big game, the .223 is great. I have a nice Savage. Love the accutrigger. Also a Bushmaster "just in case".
I also have a couple nice .308s. That is a great round to reload.
punkndisorderly
Member
I can totally understand people being shy of surplus firearms. For someone not in the know, they look ancient and beat all to hell. Most new shooters (an many old shooters) have know idea what to look for in terms of condition, function, etc. Most also have know idea how to make sure that rifle is even safe to fire.
DarkCharisma
Member
I'd say .223 or 7.62x39 as well--Both have light recoil, you don't want something that's going to make you develop flinching or other poor habits.
franconialocal
Member
.243
A nice .243 bolt action. It will get you used to the increased recoil, is a great hunting platform, and is a fine "all around" rifle for any purpose, including target shooting, practice with iron sights v. scoped rifle (fine for both). I grew up with a savage .243 and it was my favorite rifle ever.
A nice .243 bolt action. It will get you used to the increased recoil, is a great hunting platform, and is a fine "all around" rifle for any purpose, including target shooting, practice with iron sights v. scoped rifle (fine for both). I grew up with a savage .243 and it was my favorite rifle ever.
What will it be used for? What distance will it be fired at (if plinking)? If it's just a plinking gun, something like a Remington 700 .223 is a great choice. If you want to shoot at longer ranges (1000+ yards) or in higher cross winds, may want to look at a 308 or 30-06.
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