What Gun to Start With?

StefanGreybeard

StefanGreybeard

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Hi everyone. I'm a complete shooting noob. I just filled out my PAL application today, and have never shot a gun (my first time holding one was at my CFSC). I tend to do lots of research into things I'm interested in, but am a bit lost here. I'm interested in learning to shoot for hunting, and maybe getting into target shooting, and was wondering what the best type of gun to get started with would be.

Originally I was thinking of a bolt-action centerfire in .308 or 6.5mm Creedmoor (maybe a Bergara B-14), but with the price of ammo appearing to be at least $1.50/round, that's looking expensive for learning. I know .22LR rounds are super-cheap, so as a learning gun that seems logical. It's just that you can't hunt much with a .22, so I'd definitely need a second gun for hunting. How is a shotgun as a first gun to learn shooting on? I've read reviews that the Mossberg 500 is a great shotty, and many stores offer a 3-barrel combo (28", 24", and 24" rifled) that seems to cover the gamut of uses.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
 
Bolt action .22 LR to get accustomed to shooting. The 3 barrel shotgun combo will handle all your hunting needs.

.308 rifle/scope combo will handle anything NA can throw at it, at distances beyond a shotgun limitations, just not a Rem 770.
 
Northern Shooter said:
Either a Ruger 10/22, CZ 457 or Henry .22.

Get comfortable with those and then work your way up the ladder.
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Thanks. Yeah I was thinking the CZ 457 for a .22. All the reviews seem solid, and I've always liked the classic wood styling.

How much does barrel length matter in a .22? I've noticed they tend to range anywhere from 20 to 24" on the 457 series.

The 10/22 just isn't my thing. I'm sure it's fun, and I may get one eventually, but a semi doesn't have the same appeal to me as a bolt.
 
Using a shotgun to learn to shoot doesn't make a ton of sense to me. Lots of recoil (Unless you get a smaller gauge, which will drive ammo prices way up, which you said was a concern), and it won't really teach you to aim. Shotguns are more instinctual point shooting, and that just doesn't work for rifles. If you want to use both rifles and shotguns to hunt, you'll have to learn both styles eventually I guess, but starting on a bolt 22 makes the most sense. The skills you develop (Without developing a recoil anticipation flinch) with the 22 will translate well to the bigger game caliber guns you'll end up with soon enough. Guns are like Lays, can't stop at 1 lol.
 
If you can afford a Mossberg 3 barrel combo you can afford a 12ga pump with 1 barrel AND a cheap hunting rifle.

Start with a 22lr. Then add a pump shotgun and a hunting rifle to the collection. Then add an SKS. My recommendations are Savage Mk II for the 22lr, Maverick 88/mossberg500/Remington 870 for the pump shotgun, and something used for the hunting rifle: Intersurplus has a great selection of used hunting rifles for very reasonable prices.

Cz457 is great too, better than the Savage Mk2. But more expensive. Bang for your buck the Savage is hard to beat, so I suggest it as a way to spread your budget out.
 
Start with a decent 22LR, then after you decide what you want to hunt, buy a suitable rifle for that purpose. Stick with 22LR for "target shooting" unless you want to spend a lot of money on CF ammo. Most of us that are serious about CF target shooting spend a lot of money on reloading setup and supplies. Not to mention rifle and scope and other the accessories you need like bag and bipod, etc.
 
Suther said:
Start with a 22lr. My recommendations are Savage Mk II for the 22lr.

Cz457 is great too, better than the Savage Mk2. But more expensive. Bang for your buck the Savage is hard to beat, so I suggest it as a way to spread your budget out.
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Do you have any comments about the magazine issues with the Savage Mk II. Almost everywhere I look there are comments about how bad they are and that they feed poorly.
 
StefanGreybeard said:
Do you have any comments about the magazine issues with the Savage Mk II. Almost everywhere I look there are comments about how bad they are and that they feed poorly.
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I own 2 Mark II, one is the base model the other one is one of the heavy barrel laminate stock models, and 5 magazines I think? Haven't had any issues with them in either rifle.

I haven't heard much about feeding issues, but I HAVE heard about them breaking. They can come apart where the back sheet of metal connects to the sides. I don't think it would be super hard to fix em, but I haven't broken one yet so it's not something I've done or really looked into.
 
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Have a look at the Tikka T1x as well for your 22 needs.

If you look at the top left tab of the web page you will see forums. Click on it and you can scroll down to the various gun sub-forums and they have a ton of information. The rimfire section will definitely assist in your endeavor.
 
Anything you can actually get spare parts for. Lots of people buying cool looking baseball bats... once their firing pins break and realize "replacement" parts are _____ away... food for thought.
 
Suther said:
I own 2 Mark II, one is the base model the other one is one of the heavy barrel laminate stock models, and 5 magazines I think? Haven't had any issues with them in either rifle.
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Good to know. I'll take a better look at the Mark II. I do like the price.


nitroxace said:
Have a look at the Tikka T1x as well for your 22 needs.
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From what I can find the T1x appears quite pricey - at or above the cost of a CZ 457.

I'll definitly dive into the rimfire forum for more info. Thanks.
 
StefanGreybeard said:
Good to know. I'll take a better look at the Mark II. I do like the price.




From what I can find the T1x appears quite pricey - at or above the cost of a CZ 457.

I'll definitly dive into the rimfire forum for more info. Thanks.
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One nice thing about guns is you can recoup most of your purchase price on the used market as long as you don't overpay in the first place, nor abuse the gun while you own it.
 
I'm looking to get a CZ 457 myself. Might even spring for the Varmint models for the thicker barrel and wood stocks. But also feels like overkill for a .22 plinker.
 
Suther said:
One nice thing about guns is you can recoup most of your purchase price on the used market as long as you don't overpay in the first place, nor abuse the gun while you own it.
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Thank you. Any beginner pistols you recommend for when the freeze is over
 
Was in your situation 5 years ago and went with an iron site bolt-action CZ .22, this worked out perfect for me. I also run it with a scope, so allows me to practice both ways. Went with a bit nicer gun than I needed, but the plus with that is I still use it for grouse hunting and plinking and have had no desire to upgrade.

Ammo expense is something real and I shoot at least 50 rounds every time I go out... Even if you need a centrefire to hunt with, you will save money also getting a .22 as a practice gun. Another plus is that gopher shooting with a .22 is about the best practice you can get in a couple hours of ranging and dialing.
 
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