A rifle of his own. (?)

pharaoh2

pharaoh2

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
44   0   0
Location
The place that makes Liberals cry.
We'll my friend recieved his new to him BRNO single shot .22 last week. It is his very first gun. I took him to the range Today and he shot it pretty well. I also let him shoot my .30-30 and he handled it pretty well. I thought it might kick him a little much, as he's not a very big guy. Now he want's a larger centerfire rifle. I don't think he want's to spend a whole lot right now, and I'm not sure he's even going to enjoy big game hunting. Well let me rephrase that. I think he will enjoy the hunting, but I don't know if he's going to pull the trigger on game very often. But I do know he will enjoy shooting alot. I've had him out after gophers, ducks, geese, pheasant and grouse. I also belive he will spend alot of time at the range, but I do not think he will start loading his own ammo, at least not at this time. I mention all this as I feel it is relevant to my question. What should I suggest he look at as his first rifle? Now before everyone goes off on their favorites, there are a few more criteria. I am thinking he would enjoy an SKS. (I know, yuk. Oh well) I say that because he can afford to buy lot's of ammo, and become more comfortable with shooting a bigger rifle by doing it alot with fairly inexpensive ammo. He is also only 18, so I belive it's "cool factor" might get him more interested in learning all about it, and maybe making his interest grow in it. He could always upgrade later, and he could still shoot a deer with one of these. Another would be an Enfield. It's priced right and would do the job. I've owned several and myself would have no problem suggesting it. On the other hand I've never owned a Nagant, and they are available at good prices. Ammo might be another consideration, but I understand their good solid rifles.

He doesn't seem to interested in a Stevens 200, and he likes open sights. What do you think? Bare in mind if he enjoys it, he will almost certainly upgrade later to another rifle once he learns to appreciate the true factory sporters. But for now, I think just getting interested is they key. And by buying a rifle he can upgrade and tinker with on his own is a good place to start. So, a Nagant, Enfield or SKS. What would be the best bet as a plinker/hunting rifle in your opinion?
 
I would have to say SKS. The gun itself is about the same price as the Nagant and alot less than the Enfield. Ammo is cheaper/more available than for the Nagant. Ammo for the Enfield is easily available at any Canadian tire or Wal-mart, but is crazy expensive. The SKS also recoils alot lighter than the Enfield and Nagant.
 
Last edited:
I'd go SKS as well. It's priced right and is actually a pretty decent deer cartridege. I sold mine 10 years ago but am probably going to pick one up just for fun.
 
You guys would actually hunt deer with an SKS?

In my experience it's hard to hit anything beyond 40 yards with them, you might as well tell him to get a 12 gauge slug gun, it's probably more accurate.
 
Of your choices pharaoh I would probably go sks. I can definately hit farther than 40 yrds with mine. Along similar lines, but a slight increase in price, what about the Mini-30? Customizable, cheap to shoot, accuracy on par if not a little better, nice xs-ghost rings available.
 
I'm only 20, got my license earlier this year and planned to go with an SKS. Ended up buying a CZ-858 instead and I also got a Nagant, my buddy got an Enfield. SKS is probably the best choice, as you can pick up that and a crate of ammo for cheap and then pick up a couple boxes of hunting ammo. Of course if he really wanted to, he could go grab a cheap sporter Enfield AND an SKS, that way he has the SKS to have fun and plink with, and the Enfield as a hunting rifle if he's willing to spend the money.
 
Shrek said:
You guys would actually hunt deer with an SKS?
Click to expand...

Yet many deer are humanly killed with 7.62x39 every season out of an SKS each season, not to mention AK variants in other countries.

Methinks if one can't put a deer down humanly with 123 grain 311 dia bullet at 2000+ ft per second then one had better hang up the hunting gear. :rolleyes:

Shrek said:
In my experience it's hard to hit anything beyond 40 yards with them, you might as well tell him to get a 12 gauge slug gun, it's probably more accurate.
Click to expand...

That's funny as my wifes first chance at shooting came last year when I handed her an SKS, the target was a steel ram at 200 yards, and after figuring out the sights she could get all 5 shots in the kill zone no problem. :D

IMHO it is an idea gun for a new shooter, and keep in mind this is a rifle made to make soldiers out of farmers. Love it or hate it it does the job.

Then again a Mosin isn't a bad choice either...for the price these days just buy both. :)
 
I don't have a problem with the caliber, but I fired a friends chinese SKS and you would be lucky to hit anything with it. I may have had a worse experience with it than some of you, but there is no way I would shoot at animals with a rifle that has accuracy like that one.

Same guy owns an AR-15 and I could hit 500ml pop bottles all day with it at 200 yards, switch to the SKS and miss half of them at 40 yrds.

I'm thinking maybe a sporter enfield could be had for very little $$ and group much better than an SKS.
 
Introduce him to real accuracy from a good scoped bolt gun. Blow up a few milk jugs at 200 or somethign along those lines. That should teach him that scopes and blotguns are a wicked combination. Then show him a stevens 200 in 308 with a half decent scope and some milsurp ammo for play. When big game season rolls around, pick up a box or 2 of the good stuff and go drop whatever he desires, the 308 is capapble in capable hands, and a hell of alot better than an SKS. You just have to assist him in learning the last part of that.
 
220Swifty said:
Introduce him to real accuracy from a good scoped bolt gun. Blow up a few milk jugs at 200 or somethign along those lines. That should teach him that scopes and blotguns are a wicked combination. Then show him a stevens 200 in 308 with a half decent scope and some milsurp ammo for play. When big game season rolls around, pick up a box or 2 of the good stuff and go drop whatever he desires, the 308 is capapble in capable hands, and a hell of alot better than an SKS. You just have to assist him in learning the last part of that.
Click to expand...
^^ What he said .... !

Show the guy how to shoot and load for a real sporting rifle instead of playing around with a wannabe machine gun. Even a good scoped .303 would be better than an SKS.


.
 
Why not have your buddy take a gander at all the 6.5x55 offerings at Trade Ex. Plenty for around $200 or less. Might even be some left with peep sight. He can customise them fairly easy too.
 
The SKS is a good idea provided it is a reasonably accurate one....the Yugos that I owned were quite accurate out to 200 yds. The Norc M305 may be another idea.

He may also wish to handle/inspect the Baikal/Remington SPR single shot rifles if he has no objection to one.....IMHO, the iron sights are of good quality and the rifle is accurate out of the box. I'm thinking of picking up another one in a .243 :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom