Good first rifle for targets/small game.

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Nitric

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Hey there,

I'm looking into getting my PAL in the near future and want to start looking for my first rifle. I know a little bit about them so I naturally am starting with the .22lr, however some people mentioned a .223 would work as well. I'd prefer something with cheap ammo that has a decent range to it (up to ~200 yards).

Something with small kick to it, so I can have my wife/children shoot it without getting bruised. ;)

I'm looking pretty closely at the Remington 597 series..

what do you think?
 
I would look into a ruger 10-22 or savage mark II. I would probably lean towards the savage for the beginer, I dont like giving inexperienced shooters a semi automatic, I say this because it always chambers a round after every pull of the trigger and most new shooters always have there finger on the trigger. Its not hard to see why this can be dangerous. The savage rimfires are very accurate and would make a great platform for learning fundamentals of marksmanship. It always helps when the rifle shoots well so you cant blame it for your poor performance(all my rifles shoot better than I do) If your budget allows I would also look into CZ rifles they are a nice gun but are a fair bit more pricy than a savage. If you ask nice enough im sure you can convince a few other members to take you out and let you try what they have so you canfigure out what suits you best. Have fun
 
Robmcleod82 said:
I would look into a ruger 10-22 or savage mark II. I would probably lean towards the savage for the beginer, I dont like giving inexperienced shooters a semi automatic, I say this because it always chambers a round after every pull of the trigger and most new shooters always have there finger on the trigger. Its not hard to see why this can be dangerous. The savage rimfires are very accurate and would make a great platform for learning fundamentals of marksmanship. It always helps when the rifle shoots well so you cant blame it for your poor performance(all my rifles shoot better than I do) If your budget allows I would also look into CZ rifles they are a nice gun but are a fair bit more pricy than a savage. If you ask nice enough im sure you can convince a few other members to take you out and let you try what they have so you canfigure out what suits you best. Have fun
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Er well, this would be my first rifle in Canada. I left a .22 back home in the US that my dad uses now. I would prefer a semi-auto myself.

I'll take a look at CZ. The two I see suggested the most are the Ruger 10/22 and the Remington 597 series. Would it be better to go for a larger caliber? Or is the price difference huge... I mainly say .22 because it's very cheap to shoot.
 
Get a Stevens .223 sweet rifle....I'm gonna grab one if I find a deal :sniper:

yeah sure 22LR is good, 17HMR is a bit better, but you can move into a category of a caliber that will put a smile on your face for a long time, 22LR becomes redundant very quickly
 
CZ 452 Varmint in .17 HMR

CZ_452-2E_ZKM_VARMINT.png


Or the Savage BVTS in .17 HMR (I have one of these and really enjoy it)

Savage_Mark_II_BTVS.jpg


Low recoil and shoots to 200, no problem. The only thing that will kill the accuracy is strong wind.

LH
 
So I guess it's between the .17, .22 and .223.

As far as prices go for these three rounds, .22 would be the cheapest, followed by .22 and then by .223? If so, how much of a cost difference are we looking at? I'll be firing this at the range every once and a while and then occasionally hunting, so cost isn't a huge issue.. just something that's fun and gets the job done.

The .223 looks like it can actually take down mid range game as well, such as deer. Is that true? It would be nice to have a rifle that I could use for deer hunting as well..
 
Given the parameters you have posted, I would go for two rifles: a 22LR ( Say, Savage BV or similar ) for target practice. Cheap to feed, very accurate and, if you go with the Savage you get the nice ( for a factory ) Accutrigger. I would pair this with a .243 which is the perfect combo varmint and deer rifle - brand not so important ( I have a Savage Euro Classic in this calibre and find it a sweet rifle ) but you may wish to consider something very similar in trigger and stock fit to your .22LR practice rifle so that cross training is easier.

On the semi vs bolt issue, I understand newer shooters wanting a semi but if you are looking at a .22 for target and practice I would stick to a bolt. I have a 10/22 and they are fine 'plinkers' but a bolt .22 will allow you to learn more and will, I think, improve your shooting.

Anyway, whatever you choose have fun and be safe.
 
Nitric said:
So I guess it's between the .17, .22 and .223.

As far as prices go for these three rounds, .22 would be the cheapest, followed by .22 and then by .223? If so, how much of a cost difference are we looking at? I'll be firing this at the range every once and a while and then occasionally hunting, so cost isn't a huge issue.. just something that's fun and gets the job done.

The .223 looks like it can actually take down mid range game as well, such as deer. Is that true? It would be nice to have a rifle that I could use for deer hunting as well..
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Minimum caliber for deer hunting is .243.Buy a .308 for everything from target
shooting to moose hunting.:p
 
My first gun was a 10/22, I don't shoot it as much anymore, but I shot it a lot when new.
When starting it's nice to have a cheap to shoot gun so you can blast away and just enjoy pulling the trigger.
It's also a nice intro for other who might not have handled a gun, you can let them blast away for hours pretty cheaply.

Once the novelty of owning a gun wears off you'll have a better idea of what you want.
 
Where are u at? A 22 is best for biginers (wife & family) will last forever. A 223 is good up to coyotes. A 17, well I'ld pass.Prices approximatly only: 22-$2/50=.04each,17-$16/50=.30each;223-$10/20=.50each(but reloadable). For fun and small stuff the 22 is a no brainer. For deer look for more power:ie 7mm-08, 25-06, 270,280,308.etc. The so called middle cal. these are just my views good luck * welcome here. AJ
 
Just jump in. Get a .22 and shoot it. In time you will figure out what you want to buy on your own without having to rely on a group of anonymous and faceless opinions with no investment in your choices.

223 is a good low recoil highly versatile cartridge. For your purposes, there are many different factory choices. Stick with a good name (Tikka Remington Savage) and have fun.
 
Obtunded said:
Just jump in. Get a .22 and shoot it. In time you will figure out what you want to buy on your own without having to rely on a group of anonymous and faceless opinions with no investment in your choices.

223 is a good low recoil highly versatile cartridge. For your purposes, there are many different factory choices. Stick with a good name (Tikka Remington Savage) and have fun.
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Amen.
 
I own a Remy 597 and have had no problems and I love it....But buy some better optics if you buy one.... the scope that came with it keeps losing it's zero but that could be just mine anyways enjoy and have fun also if u know anyone with some firearms see if u can try before you buy and you may find something you like

Slainte
Will
 
Get a .22lr then a .223 for fun, then you will need a .30 cal, and then you will need a muzzle loader, and then you will will get your rpal and then the list goes on. What ever you choose you will need another gun! have fun.
 
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