Rifle questions

[Wedge]

I'll start off by saying I am primarily a pistol shooter though my VERY FIRST merit badge in boy scouts was the rifle shooting merit badge. I do not however own a rifle.

Anyways, I have wanted a rifle for a while. I hunt, but on a very limited basis (like once a year) so I have a feeling that this will be used for primarily punching holes in paper.

I reload.

I just sent away for my C&R license.

Some C&R rifles I plan on purchasing as soon as I get my license are an SKS, a K31 Swiss and a 91/30 Mosin Nagant (maybe a M44 as well), maybe an enfield in .303.

An M1 WILL be in my future.

The range I go to has 50, 100, 200 and 300 yard ranges set up.

I think a .22LR is also in order. I would love to find a nice bolt action, iron peep sight 22LR like what I used in boy scouts. I really like those peep sights.

Also thinking of a .223 bolt action with a decent scope as the target shooting gun. Is that a reasonable choice or do people prefer a larger caliber like .308 or .30-'06? I thought it sounded good because it would have lower recoil and higher potential accuracy than a 22, especially past 100 yards.

I also would like to get something in .223, semi auto. there really a viable alternative for target shooting other than the AR platform for a .223 semi-auto?

What caliber do the riflemen (and riflewomen) of the forum prefer to shoot the most when target shooting and why?

Obviously getting all of these rifles will take a while, wluld like the forum's feedback.

 

[Squidward]

I have .22 and .223, which is sufficient for me. I take both to the range and I feel competent with them out to the ranges that you listed. Although 300 yards with the .22 is not in my skill set.

Costs of rifles and ammo were/are not excessive and these two calibers should do everything I'll ever need them to do.

I have a C&R but I haven't used it yet. I keep thinking about buying an SKS and/or a K31. I also have a hankering for a lever action rifle

 

[ojibweindian]

If target shooting, I care more about the platform than the actual caliber. A bolt, for me, is ideal.

Your thoughts concerning a bolt in .223 are good, and will do well at the range.

 

[Wedge]

I figured .223 in a bolt would make an excellent target gun. Topped with some good glass. I can't imagine shooting a .308 or .30-'06 for 100 shots, but a .223 is very reasonable.

The C&R rifles would be for fun and history.

I mentioned 300 yards because it is at the club and I would eventually want to shoot it.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Wedge]

deleted - more appropriate in separate thread