Trying to decide what to get as my first rifle

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Dynasty

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I'm having a hard time deciding on what to get as my first rifle. Which do you suggest I look at based on what I will be using it for? I will use it for plinking, target shooting at range, hunting (biggest game being deer, but that's not 100%), and HD. What will be the most reliable, fun to shoot, and cheapest to shoot?

-Marlin 1894
-Marlin 336
-Mossberg 100ATR (any other bolt action hunting rifle)
-Saiga
-Military Surplus?
 
Not listed and not trying to be funny, but a .22LR would be the place to start.

Nothing is cheaper and nothing builds marksmanship more than sending rounds downrange.

Drop $100 on a .22 and go through a couple bricks of ammo then start shopping for something else.

With ammo prices the way they are I am starting to shoot the .22 a lot more and didn't realize how much I missed it.

Outside of that an SKS is certainly up there; reliable, still cheap, and enough to shoot a deer.
 
Nothing is cheap anymore.

Of the ones that are listed: I have the Marlin 336C in .35 Rem. I decided to get that caliber for bear as well as deer.
 
Agreed! Except...

Of what you listed, I personally would go with a Saiga Carbine (in x39 or 5.556). But it too is not where I would start or recommend...

Not listed and not trying to be funny, but a .22LR would be the place to start.

Nothing is cheaper and nothing builds marksmanship more than sending rounds downrange.

Drop $100 on a .22 and go through a couple bricks of ammo then start shopping for something else.

Outside of that an SKS is certainly up there; reliable, still cheap, and enough to shoot a deer.
Click to expand...

I know it is not exactly what you asked and it does not meet the criteria of larger game or HD...but I really agree with all the above about a 22 LR first...particularly a bolt gun. The only exception is to say maybe spend a little bit more money on something (22 LR) that is quality as it is where you will learn the most for decades to come as well as build a ton of memories. They are where we all start...and all come back to eventually. Odds are you will be able to hand it down to your kids and grandkids.

My recommendation if you are on a budget is to watch for a used CZ or get the CZ 452 Trainer. (New: $241.99 @ Whittaker's or about $180-$200 used). You will never regret it nor will you get a bigger bang for the buck...period!

After aquiring a 22 LR (and keeping it), go ahead and pick any of the above mentioned items as they all will work.
 
Based on what you want, I'd say a Marlin 336 or a Saiga in 7.62x39 are your best choices. They're both suitable for most of the purposes you listed above, but will be somewhat weak performers for target shooting.

Bolt actions are a little cumbersome for home defense, but will outshine the others on the range and in the field.

Personally I think trying to have one rifle that does it all is a little like trying to mix a truck and a sports car. You end up with something that tries to do everything, but doesn't really do anything well.
 
Of any centerfire type you choose I would strongly suggest you get the closest rimfire equivalent you can.

As .22LR=Cheap and fun practice.
 
As Far as Rifles are concerned you can start with any caliber. My first, like many, was a Ruger 10/22. I moved up to a Ruger mini-14 .223 and then to a Springfield M1A before getting a Remington 700 in .30-06.

See if you can shoot a few before maknig any decision. But my gut says you can't go wrong with a .22. The Ammo is Cheap and the gun is fun and inexpensive to shoot and accurate. I can put 10 rounds in the size of a quarter @ 100 yards.

You can shoot a .22 all day long. It provides good practice of breathing & trigger control for your upgrade to larger calibers.

+1 for the .22

If you are hunting then you will want a caliber to match your game.

I will use it for plinking?: Ruger 10/22
target shooting at range?: Ruger 10/22
hunting (biggest game being deer, but that's not 100%)?: Remington, Savage 700 .243 & .270 minimum
and HD?: Remington 870 12 guage or AR-15
What will be the most reliable?: They're all reliable
fun to shoot?: All of them
and cheapest to shoot?: .22LR
 
the 44 mag Marlin sounds like it covers most of your criterion.
a 22 LR isn't a bad idea for a start, though.
 
.22 LR is definitely the way to go.

I'd consider:

1. Marlin 39A lever action (since you listed two Marlin lever guns)
2. CZ 452 bolt-action (excellent value and accuracy)
3. Ruger 10/22 autoloader (very, very, popular and very, very, customizable)

A .22 LR firearm is much, much, more than simply a "beginner's" gun or a "kid's" gun, or even a "practice" gun. It's a serious tool that is effective in a wide range of scenarios, even when you have moved on to heavier arms. Given that .22's are generally inexpensive, it's quite easy to obtain an heirloom quality example for a small outlay of cash, even when purchasing new.
 
Dynasty,

If you're going to be shooting at a target range, I find that .22LR isn't as much fun as larger calibers. I do it a lot because it's such good practice and training. It is enjoyable and makes shooting the larger stuff more fun because you get good at it from the .22 practice. But if you're at a range 90% of the time, get something larger for your first gun. My first was an SKS but I trained as a kid with .22s. My last purchase was a .22 and my next purchase will be a .22.

If you're out in the country, get a .22. Then you can shoot all day at cans, etc. and get really good at offhand.
 
If you're out in the country, get a .22. Then you can shoot all day at cans, etc. and get really good at offhand.
Click to expand...

Or if your wife doesn't catch you you can shoot Colibris in the house :)
 
I plan to pick up a TOZ .22 bolt action to mess around with, but when I shoot with my friend who has larger caliber rifles, I want to be able to hang with him. An unissued Yugo SKS looks really nice it's just really hard to find them! Also, a Saiga looks good too. Then again, after shooting my friend's lever action 30-30 I really like the lever action. Decisions, decisions...
 
My first rifle was a Winchester 22lr then my Dad let me get my first centerfire witch was an SKS and I was 15. We had lots of other centerfire bolt rifles etc but the SKS was mine! I killed lots of stuff with that rifle. My first shotgun was a 20ga break open single shot.
 
Saiga in 7.62x39. Tons of fun, you can make it into an AKM-style carbine if you want, relatively cheap Russian plinking ammo, decent selection of soft point hunting rounds out there.
 
.

There is no rifle that will fit all of your requirements. However, a Marlin 336 30-30
will fit more of them than any other rifle available. That is what I would
choose, given your requirements.

-More than enough for deer
-FUN to shoot
-relatively cheap ammunition
-Reliable
-Classic
-Short enough to be handy for HD

No other option really fits. I'm not just recommending it because I own one, because I don't own one. I am being what is known as "impartial" and "objective."
 
22lr will give you a lot for the money. Many centerfire calibers are great for hunting a few of times per year for an average hunter! You'll get more use from a 22lr for plinking learing to shoot initially. Centerfire rifles are expensive to shoot a lot and only make slightly larger holes in paper! Although I shoot centerfire all the time surpluss/bulk ammo prices have doubled even trippled over the last couple of years. Get good with a rimfire then think about a centerfire.
 
plinking, target shooting at range, hunting (biggest game being deer, but that's not 100%), and HD. What will be the most reliable, fun to shoot, and cheapest to shoot?
Click to expand...

That's a pretty tall order. Some have suggested a Marlin lever, and I'd concur, except, rather than .30-30 or .44 magnum, I'd get an 1894C in .357magnum and install a rear peep sight. About the most versatile rifle there is. You can shoot mild (and relatively cheap) .38specials to hot .357mags. Not the best choice for any one of the things you listed, but it'll do them all respectably well.

Good advice on the .22LR, though. It'll teach you a lot for relatively little. A Marlin 39A lever would be a great plinker, and something you can hand down to the next generation, while A CZ452 with a Brook's trigger kit would be my choice for target work.
 
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