I am completely new to guns, but know that I would like a rifle now that I'm 18. Under a 500 dollar price tag, what is recognized as the best rifle to both learn marksmanship on and to use the rest of my life? Sorry if this is a common thread, I just want a consensus. Thanks.
First rifle
- Thread starter monoceros
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.22 rifle. cheap to buy, cheap to shoot. more round down range= more practice= getting better!
K31. fairly cheap to buy EXCELLENT accuracy. good iron sights
Mosin Nagant very cheap to buy, very cheap to shoot. its like a .22 but bigger.
K31. fairly cheap to buy EXCELLENT accuracy. good iron sights
Mosin Nagant very cheap to buy, very cheap to shoot. its like a .22 but bigger.
.22
I don't know what you're going to use it for, but my first rifle was a .22. I still shoot it often, and out of all my firearms I get the most enjoyment out of my .22s... Cheap and fun all around.
By the way, start saving money now, 'cause it ain't gonna be the last...
I don't know what you're going to use it for, but my first rifle was a .22. I still shoot it often, and out of all my firearms I get the most enjoyment out of my .22s... Cheap and fun all around.
By the way, start saving money now, 'cause it ain't gonna be the last...
mustanger98
Member
Well, you just asked an open-ended question and you're fixing to get so many answers as to boggle the mind as opinions abound.
Here's my opinion:
M1 Garand (.30-06)
1903A3 (.30-06)
Savage Model 11G (or GL if you're left-handed) (.223, .243, .308)
No.4Mk1 or No.4Mk2 British Enfield (.303British, most threads on these turn into discussions on handloading.)
Some sort of levergun. (Available in a variety of chamberings... .357, .44mag, .30-30Winchester, etc... can't go wrong with any of those.)
Mauser K98k (8x57mm Mauser)
Those are my centerfire recommendations, but do get a good .22LR rifle. Opinions abound on those too.
Here's my opinion:
M1 Garand (.30-06)
1903A3 (.30-06)
Savage Model 11G (or GL if you're left-handed) (.223, .243, .308)
No.4Mk1 or No.4Mk2 British Enfield (.303British, most threads on these turn into discussions on handloading.)
Some sort of levergun. (Available in a variety of chamberings... .357, .44mag, .30-30Winchester, etc... can't go wrong with any of those.)
Mauser K98k (8x57mm Mauser)
Those are my centerfire recommendations, but do get a good .22LR rifle. Opinions abound on those too.
El Tejon
Member
.22, most likely of bolt-action operation, many solid choices, shop around.
Welcome to THR!
Welcome to THR!
one eye joe
Member
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That's a tough question. Are you planning to hunt? If so, what animals will you be hunting? Have you shot before? If you are new to shooting, and looking for something to learn on, I would get a .22. Probably a bolt action, and lots of ammunition. Next step up would be a .223. Ammo is fairly cheap, and readily available. Either will allow you to concentrate on shooting fundamentals without a lot of recoil. If you plan to hunt, and know what game you will be going after, we could give a little better advice on possible calibers.
You also need to figure out if the $500 budget will include a scope or not. You can really figure at least $200 for a good scope.
You also need to figure out if the $500 budget will include a scope or not. You can really figure at least $200 for a good scope.
Aaryq
Member
Hey, partner. What do you want the rifle for? I learned how to shoot on a single shot higgins and a semi-auto Marlin 99M1. If you want to get the fundementals of marksmanship down before you show off to your friends, kill a deer, protect your house, etc. get a Ruger 10/22. Cheap ammo, relatively inexpensive rifle, and plenty of things you can do to legally modify it.
My first rifle was an M44 Mosin and it was bought a number of months back. Fun to shoot, cheap with surplus ammo, but IMO not a good gun to learn marksmanship with. These things will KICK. Anyway I realized that although I was shooting decently well I needed more work on my fundamentals. That's why I bought a Ruger 10/22 last week. Fun to shoot and much better suited for fundamental accuracy training. With your budget though buy both!
nwilliams
Member
+1 on Ruger 10/22
imprezagm4
Member
For $500 get a marlin .22, an 870 express and an SKS!!!
Selfdfenz
Member
+1 on the 22 LR.
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trainwreck100
Member
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I'd get a 10/22 for a first gun, like the others have said, it's cheap to feed, really reliable, and you can upgrade and change to your heart's content with all of the aftermarket parts available.
TimboKhan
Member
Mustanger, good advice on the Garand, but he said:
If you know where to buy a non-craptacular Garand for under 5 bills, send me the info because I want one too...
If you know where to buy a non-craptacular Garand for under 5 bills, send me the info because I want one too...
mustanger98
Member
CMP still has rack grades and my understanding is they're mostly better than they let on and they shoot a lot better than it seems they should. That's hearing from guys who bought rack grades.
Sometimes you can snag good stuff, including decent Garands, for low prices on Gunbroker when somebody's not paying attention.
Sometimes you can snag good stuff, including decent Garands, for low prices on Gunbroker when somebody's not paying attention.
Gator
Member
It has been said several times, but it bears repeating; a good .22 should be everybody's first rifle.
Thanks for all the advice and sorry for not responding sooner. To answer a few questions, I won't be hunting with the rifle and since the last time I shot a gun I was in the boyscouts, I won't trust myself to make many modifications. .22 LR seems like the best choice and I appreciate all the info on them. I recently read that the CZ 453 and 452 are good .22s and wondering if this is true. Lastly I think I would like to use a gun with good iron sights as my eyes are sharp and I think I could take advantage of them. Thanks for the help.
rangerruck
Member
gunshow, gunshop, or pawn shop, and get two . for semi's get a marlin mod 60.
for bolt, whatever.
for bolt, whatever.
rangerruck
Member
by the way, I have 4 cz's , if that tells you anything.
physics
Member
AK47 hands down
mustanger98
Member
monoceros
One of my range buddies tells me he loves his CZ 452. Personally, I'm partial to my Remington 521-T. I bought it over Gunbroker.com and it came with the Lyman 57RS rear and Lyman 17A on front. It's a great rifle with a great set of sights. You have to spend a lot more to get a new production rifle as well made. They were made between 1947 and 1969. Prices vary. Some can be had fairly inexpensively. No modifications necessary. Many aren't anywhere near wore out.
FWIW, IMO, these guys who constantly holler "10/22! 10/22! 10/22!"... they just like to tinker and modify and spend money to say they did. Some rifles need it and some don't. A 452 don't. A 521-T don't.
One of my range buddies tells me he loves his CZ 452. Personally, I'm partial to my Remington 521-T. I bought it over Gunbroker.com and it came with the Lyman 57RS rear and Lyman 17A on front. It's a great rifle with a great set of sights. You have to spend a lot more to get a new production rifle as well made. They were made between 1947 and 1969. Prices vary. Some can be had fairly inexpensively. No modifications necessary. Many aren't anywhere near wore out.
FWIW, IMO, these guys who constantly holler "10/22! 10/22! 10/22!"... they just like to tinker and modify and spend money to say they did. Some rifles need it and some don't. A 452 don't. A 521-T don't.
MatthewVanitas
Member
As above, definitely start with a .22
If semiauto: Marlin 60, cheaper ($100ish) and better (!) than the Ruger 10/22. With the 14-18rd capacity, is better for defense than a sharp stick.
If bolt action: CZ 452 or similar gets nothing but good word of mouth on THR. Upgrades to sights and trigger are available online.
If lever action: Henry rifle ($200 at Academy Sports in my area). Just thought I'd mention since nobody mentioned leverguns yet. Cool retro looks, holds 14 rds, almost as reliable as a bolt action, almost as fast as a semi-auto.
I recommend that you get in tons of practice with a .22, and then decide what larger-caliber rifle to get later. No need to rush things. Having any gun (even a .22) is better than having no gun.
-MV
If semiauto: Marlin 60, cheaper ($100ish) and better (!) than the Ruger 10/22. With the 14-18rd capacity, is better for defense than a sharp stick.
If bolt action: CZ 452 or similar gets nothing but good word of mouth on THR. Upgrades to sights and trigger are available online.
If lever action: Henry rifle ($200 at Academy Sports in my area). Just thought I'd mention since nobody mentioned leverguns yet. Cool retro looks, holds 14 rds, almost as reliable as a bolt action, almost as fast as a semi-auto.
I recommend that you get in tons of practice with a .22, and then decide what larger-caliber rifle to get later. No need to rush things. Having any gun (even a .22) is better than having no gun.
-MV
Any good .22 rimfire bolt action with iron sights.
I would suggest a CZ 452 as a good starting point, along with a copy of "The Art of the Rifle" by Col. Cooper.
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I would suggest a CZ 452 as a good starting point, along with a copy of "The Art of the Rifle" by Col. Cooper.
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http://ussliberty.org
http://ssunitedstates.org
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