First Rifle, a few thoughts

[lloveless]

I also second getting a.22 LR first. A bolt gun or a single shot like the handi. Semi-auto's encourage shooting with out accuracy. I have a mossberg 702 plinkster, put a $7.00 scope on it and am having fun. I have center fires also, but .22 LR is cheap and keeps your gun handling up to snuff.
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[Sheepdog1968]

As many are when thinking of their first firearm, you are all over the place with potential ideas. There is nothing wrong with this. In all likelihood, you will own more than one over time.

A good place to start is with a 22 LR rifle. The rational is that both the rifle and the ammo are inexpensive. You can easily find 500 rounds for $20. You will have lots of fun shooting it. As to what rifle, the Ruger 10-22 has been around for a very long time and it is a good choice. If you are fond of lever actions, Henry has some very nice 22 LR lever actions. If I had to pick one, I'd start with the Ruger 10-22 and get the MilTech ghost ring sights installed (google Liberty Training Rifle). Shortly after that, I'd find a local Appleseed training class and spend the $80 for a weekend of learning basic rifle marksmanship training.

The more you shoot, the more you will come to understand what you like and don't.

My favorite rifle is my Marlin 336 carbine lever action in 30-30. It does everything I need and I could happily live my life with just that one rifle (plus a pistol and shotgun). The decision for that rifle isn't based on logic but is based on my heart.

I could also reccomend a mini-14 or mini-30 or M1A as good rifles to start with. Ammo costs more though than your 22 LR which is I reccomend starting with a 10-22 and spending a lot of time at the range and taking the Appleseed class a few times. You won't regret owning a Ruger 10-22 or any other 22 LR rifle for that matter.

 

[mortablunt]

I can't believe that nobody brought up Mosins! They're cheap, fun, accurate, reliable, and unintimidating. If you want to start centerfire, then a 91/30 is a great place to begin. Having a bolt action and only 5 rounds between reloads does wonders for reducing ammunition costs and consumption.

 

[hipoint]

the op specifically stated that he likes 'newer' semi-auto stuff. I love my old rifles though! Here's a thought to the OP... GET TWO guns! get a ruger 10/22, wal-mart has them right now for $217 for a blued model, or $247 for a stainless/black model. that's pretty darn cheap... Then spend the other 300 or so on an sks, or add a couple hundred more and get a mini-14 or saiga... that way you have your firepower and you have a nice training weapon... if I had to leave my house and only take one gun, it would be my ruger 10/22 hands down... it'll do anything I need it to only sacrificing long range. I keep trying to justify starting a 10/22 collection. Don't be put off by the 'lowly' .22, it'll drop a deer with the proper shooter... but anyhow, that's my opinion, buy a ruger 10/22 and a mini-14 or something equivalent...

 

[Kendal Black]

Yep.

You actually need two rifles, a .22 LR and whatever else you prefer. The .22 is the schoolmaster of riflemen. Every important lesson can be learned with a .22 and at less expense for ammo, and with less distraction from noise and kick.

It has more drop. It has more drift. You can learn all about drop and drift without needing a very long target range upon which to shoot.

It's not just for beginners. Every good shot I know practices with the .22 now and then.

A .22 is also vastly useful afield.

And a folding stock. And a pistol grip.

As you like. Try this, a Ruger 10/22 in the Butler Creek folding stock, or the SR-22. When you have put 5,000 rounds through the .22 with good technique, go shopping for a centerfire, for you'll know how to hit something.

P.S. The Rugers are as reliable as any .22 autoloaders I have seen, but be aware that the ammo itself is not 100% reliable; dud rounds in .22 LR are not uncommon and no rifle can overcome that. This board reports rather frequently on which ammo brands are up to snuff and which are lagging in quality control.

P.P.S. Once you get involved with this riflery stuff you may find yourself thinking a lot about minute matters like twist rates and minutes of angle and feet per second. It is addictive. I'm surprised there is not a warning label on the rifle: "Caution: Marksmanship Is Addictive."