Good evening everyone,
After debating the idea in my head for quite a while, I've settled upon purchasing my first rifle in the very near future. In doing so, I have conducted a lot of research online and have found a lot of it directed to threads here. There is certainly a lot of good knowledge and experience in this community and I decided it'd be worth my while to see if you all wouldn't mind me picking your brains.
If this forum is intended more for actual discussion than requesting advice, I want to apologize in advance. That said, I'll explain what I am looking for.
At present, my income level isn't as great as I'd like it be, but I do believe that I should be able to spend up to six hundred dollars on a rifle. I know that is not a lot and am willing to loosen the purse strings a bit if something strikes my fancy. So, if you have an idea that is a little higher, don't hesitate to throw it out there for me to look at.
My requirements for the rifle are to serve as a utility rifle. I lived in a semi-rural area with some local wildlife, not all of it friendly. I also, unfortunately, live in a state that is not friendly to gunowners (MA). While my intention is to depart the state in time, when that will be, I cannot say. So, this rifle will likely serve as a gap-filler until such time when I am living in a free state.
I really have no bias against or in favor of a certain type of rifle. Lately, I've been thinking that a lever action rifle like the Marlin 336 would be a pretty good option. But, I don't really have a preference between semi-auto, bolt action, or lever action. I'm also not against seeking out a used rifle.
So, to summarize:
I need a rifle (<$600), used or new, preferably semi-automatic or lever action, for basic utility purposes and a little fun at the range.
What would you recommend?
Thanks in advance!
After debating the idea in my head for quite a while, I've settled upon purchasing my first rifle in the very near future. In doing so, I have conducted a lot of research online and have found a lot of it directed to threads here. There is certainly a lot of good knowledge and experience in this community and I decided it'd be worth my while to see if you all wouldn't mind me picking your brains.
If this forum is intended more for actual discussion than requesting advice, I want to apologize in advance. That said, I'll explain what I am looking for.
At present, my income level isn't as great as I'd like it be, but I do believe that I should be able to spend up to six hundred dollars on a rifle. I know that is not a lot and am willing to loosen the purse strings a bit if something strikes my fancy. So, if you have an idea that is a little higher, don't hesitate to throw it out there for me to look at.
My requirements for the rifle are to serve as a utility rifle. I lived in a semi-rural area with some local wildlife, not all of it friendly. I also, unfortunately, live in a state that is not friendly to gunowners (MA). While my intention is to depart the state in time, when that will be, I cannot say. So, this rifle will likely serve as a gap-filler until such time when I am living in a free state.
I really have no bias against or in favor of a certain type of rifle. Lately, I've been thinking that a lever action rifle like the Marlin 336 would be a pretty good option. But, I don't really have a preference between semi-auto, bolt action, or lever action. I'm also not against seeking out a used rifle.
So, to summarize:
I need a rifle (<$600), used or new, preferably semi-automatic or lever action, for basic utility purposes and a little fun at the range.
What would you recommend?
Thanks in advance!