Planning ahead - good budget rifle for newb?

BP7

BP7

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hi guys,

ok, by "planning ahead" i mean that i don't even have a PAL/RPAL, and will be doing the course in a week or two. BUT i do know that i'd really like to get into long-distance rifle shooting (as well as short-distance handgun, but that will come after a few months).

so, since this would be my first firearm of ANY kind, is there a good long-distance rifle i ought to start thinking about? something that'll do me right as i learn the basics and then add a scope / bipod / etc to take care of the 300-1000 yard stuff?

at the same time - something affordable that uses reasonably-priced ammo?
 
.223 ... Rem 700, Sav 12, Stevens 200, Win 70....take your pick.

Start at 100m, once you can out shoot the gun at that distance then work your way out to the distances you want to shoot 100m at a time.

I started shooting .22's at frying pans off hand and golf balls at 100yds
 
M-305/M14s is no precision rifle.Its a clone of a battle rifle.Lots of slop built in to keep it running in the mud and the grunge.Good luck getting precision accuracy out of that. I know I own a few.
 
If you think you might want to fiddle with it the savage (1)10/stevens 200 has some big advantages. It is the easiest of all to upgrade as you go. If you don't want to fool around, good things are always said about the savage model 12s (no personal experience on them though). Any particular rifle of any model can turn out to be a shooter, and even those with the best reputations occasionally just won't shoot. Right now, on new rifles, the best chances seem to be on the savage/stevens. What are you thinking for caliber?

RG

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RG

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Marstar is permanently sold out of those, unfortunately. :(

If I had to recommend something for a first gun I would pick a bolt action .22lr.
If you are set on center fire I would submit that a .204 makes an good gun if you want to reload (factory ammo is pricey). The super flat trajectory and tiny recoil makes gives you a better chance of success at unknown ranges. without reloading, I would agree taht the .223 is the best starter centerfire around.
 
Ruffed Grouse said:
What are you thinking for caliber?
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no idea, to be honest! something affordable and factory (i have zero interest in handloading - i just don't care for that level of tinkering in ANY hobby). only making holes in paper or whatever the target is made of - no need to incapacitate squirrels or dandelions.
 
BP7 said:
no idea, to be honest! something affordable and factory (i have zero interest in handloading - i just don't care for that level of tinkering in ANY hobby). only making holes in paper or whatever the target is made of - no need to incapacitate squirrels or dandelions.
Click to expand...

I think a .223 would suit you just fine. And you might think hand loading is not for you right now but once you get more interested in the sport your ideas may change. Wait until you see someones 300 yard group that is the same as your 100 yard group.
 
Remington 700 or Savage in .308, heavy barrel unless you plan on big game hunting, then go with a lighter version. Both can be upgraded as you go including prefit barrels that screw on from our very own mystic player.
 
Dude, buy a .22 and spend some time having fun with it long before you go jumping into "precision rifles" There is almost no such thing as a factory precision rifle anyway. Wanting to go from zero to 1000-yard shooter is like wanting to learn to drive on a McLaren F1 car.

Spend time at the range and see what rifles people use. Get to know other shooters and you will get to see what they use and like... chances are they will let you play with their guns.

Most of the receommendations you get on forums like this are more about validating their consumer choices than they are about getting you set up right.

A rimfire rifle is a fantastic investment, and all the principles of shooting larger more expensive amminution still applies. Every round of 22 you shoot before you get into centerfire is a huge investment in experience.
 
You should learn to walk before you run bud. Buy a Bolt action .22 LR and scope it.
You will eventually buy one anyways so just start with one. With match ammunition you can shoot 100 yds and learn the basics of trajectory and wind drift. There are many makes and models to choose from so go to your local gun shop and look and feel as many as you can.

Cheers
 
Isn't it time for a sticky on this kind of question? Seriously, there's a variation of it one every page in this forum.

FWIW, I'm with Obtunded. Get a decent quality .22RF like a CZ452, a decent scope (doesn't have to be expensive for RF shooting), and buy a good variety of ammo to see what it likes best. If you can find Lapua .22RF ammo in your area, try some of that as well. The "Standard Club" or "Super Club" should give you very adequate results.

If I ever build another custom rifle it's going to be a .22RF. I'd shoot it more than any other rifle I'd own.
 
I agree with the recommendations of a savage or stevens. Ive had a stevens 200 in 22-250 and currently have a savage 111 in .270 win (non-accutrigger). Accuracy in both is great. I just put a timney trigger on my savage for under $200 shipped from mystic precision, I installed it myself in under 20 min. I plan to get a heavy barrel from mystic as well. They make great project rifles for under $500. If you start with the trigger the barrel will surfice out to 300 yards easy no matter the caliber.
 
Rimfire .22LR is a good first rifle. If you get into centerfire right off the bat you'll likely develop fear or, anticipation of recoil problems. If you get "programed" with a pre-trigger pull flinch, your precision shooting days are numbered.

Ruger 10/22, great first gun, and likely you'll never sell it. If you can tune and shoot a .22LR rifle at 100 yards, and I mean shoot as in 10 rounds inside of .750" or even a 1" group, then damn, you're doing great.

You must learn to walk before you run. It worked for me.
 
I agree with Obtunded, get a good 22 bolt. A good bolt will serve you for the rest of your life! It is cheaper to learn on and you will have a hard time to shoot better than the gun can. It is a slow learning curve & this way you don't have to buy & sell (loose money). Practice is the key.
 
Yes I forgot about the money vs. practice part! -You need to shoot A LOT. .223 is about 50 cents a shot at best, .22 is like $36 for 500 shots, so about 7 cents a shot. Unless you're filthy rich... learning how to shoot is very expensive.
 
I am going to go a little against the grain here. While I do agree that a .22 is a good starting point, if you wish to shoot long range get yourself a heavy barreled .223 too.
Practice like a mad man with the .22 and start into long range as soon as the range is open at Connaught.
The .223 is a very good rifle to start with due to very little recoil, and is cheaper to feed than something like a .308. Handloading is a must for long range shooting, unless you have very deep pockets. For the price of 10 boxes of match ammo (200 rounds) you can get yourself set up with a nice loading kit.
I believe at Connaught they shoot 300m every Wednesday afternoon, this is a good place to start your quest for long range accuracy.
 
This is NOT a LONG range "target" rifle by any strech, but cheap enough to get into centre fire & "accurate" enough to tell if you hit something an excellent starting point;-- An NEF ( New England Firearms w/heavy bbl. single shot in .223. Usually can be had for around $350.00 bucks!
A good purpose built "TR" will be around $1,000 ,--quality dependent.
 
You must be into the "Barnard" action stuff . I've seen a few ex DCRA rifles on the EE for that price. I know $1,000 is on the entry level cheap side of TR for sure!
 
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