Ready to buy my first gun

[Blowitaway]

Hello. I have been shooting since i was four years old and now im old enough to buy my own gun. My favorite so far has been my fathers 30-30 winchester. I love the power and long range ability. Honestly I want something fully auto that could destroy anything at 1000 yards. But unfortunately I live in California. My price range is around $1000 and I'm looking for a semi auto and powerful gun that is accurate past 500 yards. Any suggestions that stay within the lame CA restrictions?

 

[Nick5182]

You should be able to get a Kali-legal AR-15 or AR-10...maybe? or a Benelli R1, Browning BAR, or one of the new winchester semi-autos

 

[buck460XVR]

What are you gonna use it for, what is your definition of ''powerful" and how much are you willing to spend on ammo?

 

[Sean T]

You're never going to fit that criteria for $1000, however given what you've said I think that a M1 Garand would fit the bill nicely. Maybe not accurate to 500 yards, but it'll go the distance. Go to your local gun stores and gun shows and see what they have. You can usually haggle with the vendors at gun shows. Might also want to try http://www.odcmp.com. You can probably get a decent one for about $800. More beat up ones will of course be cheaper.

You could get a Cal-legal M1A, but if you want one that's going to be accurate at 500 yards you're going to spend more than $2000. Plus you'll have to get a nice ($500+) scope too.

You could definitely get an 500 yd. accurate bolt gun + scope for about $1000. So you got to ask yourself what's more important, being semi-auto or accurate at 500 yards.

 

[Blowitaway]

I was thinking a 308 or maybe 30-06 Because they have power and are fairly inexpensive rounds. I dont want a 22 or 223 and i dont want to pay 50 bucks for a box of ammo. Ive always shot stuff at the range with my family but im interested in hunting also. It there anything semi auto and accurate at a distance? I would be willing to wait and save for that.

 

[3:00hold]

Stock M1As can be shot at 500 yards (the Marines did it for a while), but for a pretty penny more, the match grade versions will do a bit better. How much accuracy do you want to pay for?

If you want to shoot a lot, and economically, your only real option is reloading. .308 and/or 7.62x51 is not cheap (think $0.70 a round for the cheap stuff), especially if you need it to be accurate.

I don't have any experience with Garands.

Good shopping.

 

[hso]

In 30-06 http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?value=002B&cat_id=031&type_id=331

 

[06]

If your pursuit is long range accuracy then get a bolt action. Shooting semi auto at long ranges is not very accurate. I used to teach M-60 "fam fire" at ITR and have shot semi's plenty. I will take a bolt anyday. I do keep an M1A very handy but beside it is a 700. They all have their purpose and place.

 

[Blowitaway]

Wow i really like that browning. I think im in love. Ive seen people collecting shells for reloading before. I was curious as to how many rounds it would take to break even after buying all the equipment.

 

[buck460XVR]

I was thinking a 308 or maybe 30-06 Because they have power and are fairly inexpensive rounds.

Yep, Browning still makes an auto-loader in 30-06 and so does Remington. Both are fine rifles and will do their part if you do yours. For long range accuracy tho, you can't beat a bolt-gun.

Remington-Auto-Loading Rifle

 

[Sean T]

Well, if you're willing to save I'd say the Springfield Armory National Match M1A is right up your alley. If you do this though expect to pay about $3000 for rifle(2300), mount(100) and scope(500+). Also, match ammo isn't cheap, anywhere from $25-35 for a box of 20. Don't cheap out on the scope! You'll want to get a nice high power one.

Semi-auto match quality guns are real expensive as you can tell. If you just want accuracy, I highly recommend getting a bolt gun. They are much more affordable. I got my Savage 10FP for about $600, and a nice Leupold high power scope for about $400. It is more accurate than I am (sub-MOA). But, if being semi-auto is that important, the only thing I can recommend is saving every penny that you can. You're going to need it.

 

[Hatterasguy]

M1 Garand, don't waste money on the scope just use the irons. They didn't need scopes to win WW2.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=163102532

Or any AR15 will do, the 5.56 is good to 600-700 yards.

If you want cheap accuracy buy a K31 or K11 for $350, and a battle pack of GP11 for $230 and your GTG. The old Swiss rifles have been known to shoot with some very pricey modern bolt guns. Part of it has to do with the fact that GP11 is the best service ammo ever issued and is pretty much match grade.

 

[Joshua M.]

+1 on the national match M1A... Iron sights, I can hammer 6" iron plates with Silver Bear ammo@ 300 yrds, and pierce 'em @ 200 yards...ammoengine.com...got my brown bear, and silver bear from cheaper than dirt. Good luck shopping, and welcome to the best info place on the internet for guns, and ammo...

 

[Joshua M.]

...but I forgot to mention I bought my M1A for $1500....

 

[Blowitaway]

Im goin for more shooting and less reloading but I guess i could sacrifice having semi auto for accuracy... With the price of ammo its probably a good idea anyways. Plus i have to aim after each shot anyways. I can aim and reload at the same time.

 

[Blowitaway]

I think i might go with that browning longtrac 30-06 though. Im going to look into reloading before making a final decision. Moneys tight nowadays. But you've got to have your toys, especially if its also your home security.

 

[GunsAreGood]

I would not recommend a 30-06 for home defense. If it is your only gun than I understand it is that or nothing but that round will keep going even if you hit your intended target at home defense range. Congrats on getting your first gun though.

 

[merlinfire]

Just to chime in with GunsAreGood, +1 on not using a rifle for home defense. You can get a cheap 12 gauge pump less than $200 for that. With a 30-06 you're gonna shoot through a few walls and out into the street

 

[Sean T]

If you like the Browning BAR Longtrac, I would also look at the Benelli R1. Same sort of style, but a little nicer/more expensive. Also, to echo what others have said: don't use this gun for home defense. You'll probably want to start a new thread for that.

Although I might as well throw in my 2 cents while I'm at it. As merlinfire said, cheap but good quality 12 gauge pumps from a wide variety of manufacturers are available at every gun store. For handguns, Ruger makes an affordable 9mm auto called the SR9 for about $350. However with any auto in CA you're limited to 10 rounds. If you'd like a revolver, the Taurus Model 66 in .357 is a good one for about the same price.