New to rifles: what to make/get

[deebix]

I've been perusing this board for a good year and a half and have come to the decision that I want a rifle. With maybe a building budget of $1000 usd and living in california , what would you old dogs recommend I get myself into for a first rifle. I don't want expensive ammo for starters, (also ammo that will be around for a while) and something with the medium to light-medium recoil. Feed me your thoughts ~cheers

edit - ps: the ak series really turn me on heh.

 

[elmerfudd]

Get a Saiga in 7.62x39. They're AK's with sporter style stocks. They're inexpensive to buy and shoot and are California legal.

 

[Deer Hunter]

Saigas are illegal for Kali, arn't they?

 

[deebix]

where would you guys recommend I buy such a device, fully 100% legal and for a reasonable price?

 

[Spyvie]

where would you guys recommend I buy such a device, fully 100% legal and for a reasonable price?

You're a poet!

I'm not from Kali, so my only suggestion would be a gun shop. I just had to point out the Geisel-like sentence!

EDIT: For a first rifle this old dog reccomends a Marlin model 60 .22lr, or a Ruger 10/22 if you want to build something "tacticool"

 

[lvcat2004]

It might help some of us answer if you can tell us whether you want a bolt action vs semi-auto, and what you want to use it for: hunting, plinking, target shooting, home defense, etc.

 

[Brian Dale]

I just had to point out the Geisel-like sentence!

Oooh, another Dr. Seuss fan!

You can always start with a .22 that feels good to you (Rem 510/512 series; 10/22; Marlin 39 - successor to Annie Oakley's rifle; CZ 452; whatever grabs you). Shoot it a lot, then use what you'll have learned as you go out and and fondle bolties, Cali ARs, Saigas, leverguns--whatever center-fire rifles pique your interest.

Then get a metric buttload of ammo.

 

[deebix]

definitely a semi-auto for range target shooting / HD

 

[Brian Dale]

You can't go wrong with an M1 from the CMP.

Here's the link.

Remember to buy lots of ammo. The Greek HXP is good stuff.
.

 

[CZ223]

You haven't given us much info

as to what you you want it for but I will throw out some quick thoughts.

1) If you are looking for a target rifle with an eye toward punching small groups in paper you are bettter off with a bolt action rifle.

2) A good 22 rifle will deliver hours of fun for not a lot of money.

3) If you must have a centerfire rifle then your best bet is something in 223 or 7.62x39. I would recomend the 223 as I know it to be very accurate.

4) If you have to have a semi-auto and you want it to be accurate as well I would suggest a "California Legal" AR-15. You can get abull barreled rifle from Olympic or DPMS for under $800. Check your State laws first.

5) Personally, I would recomend a heavy barreled Bolt gun like the Savage 12VLP or BVSS in 223. These guns are incredibly accurate out of the box and they have a good trigger to boot. You can get into one for around $650, less if you go with the synthetic stock, which will leave you enough to get a decent scope to put on it. Think Nikon or Leupold.

6) If you are just looking for something to put abunch of rounds down range, I would recomend the 10-22 or the Saiga in 223 or 7.62x39.

I hope this helps.

 

[Twud]

First Rifle

Mini 14 and a Leupold VX 1 scope. I assume they are legal in California.

 

[Big Daddy K]

hmmmmm
Whaere ya from deebix?
I I had a grand I would look at the new remington ar type.

 

[deebix]

after reading a little further, im getting a little more interested in some type of saiga. Being in california, under what conditions can i have a mag with more than 10 rounds?

 

[dstark]

Any condition, there just not sold in CA, but you can aquire them through other means.

 

[Beetle Bailey]

With regards to the magazines that hold more than 10 rounds, you have to already have them. You cannot buy, inherit, or be gifted them. Well, if you are law enforcement, you can buy them, but that's it.

Dunno where in California you are, but I saw a Saiga at Ade's Gunshop in the City of Orange (Orange County) last week. I think it was a 7.62x39 as well.

 

[41magsnub]

If it were me I'd get something along the lines of a CZ 452 .22 and learn how to shoot on the cheap. I know jack all about AK platforms except for the real AK-74 I got to blow out a couple of magazines out of in the Army once so I am not much help there.