3-4 must buys for new shooters

CoughyMcGee

CoughyMcGee

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I took my wife and kiddo (13yr old) to National Range day this summer and both of them loved their experience where as both were previously scared of guns.

Both will be going to their their Firearms License in the next few weeks to start shooting so super excited about that.

Just purchased a Ruger 10/22 as a first firearm and was thinking a .270 bolt action and maybe a 12ga pump.

Suggestions on what you think should be in their gun locker for them to enjoy their shooting days. Brand/caliber....shoot me your ideas!

Thanks in advance
 
Good ear and eye protection first. Then a good bolt action 22… as stated above, I used to recommend CZ products for their 22’s… Look at the Howa Mini Actions, for a centre fire. Something a bit forgiving until they get used to the recoil. I like the 7.62x39 caliber but 223 would work too. I would leave the 10/22 in the safe until they have proven themselves when it comes to muzzle and trigger control. For newbies, I have an old single shot Remington Targetmaster with aperture sights. Perfect for first time shooters to learn trigger control and sight picture.
 
22’s are great because they are cheap too shoot… when you blast away a few hundred rounds between the three of you on a range day, your wallet will thank me. LOL
 
No problems with a 10/22, just load 1 round into the mag until they can prove that they are safe. Also helps them with load and unload drills. .22 is great for learning the basics of shooting. If they get bored either the target is too big or you are too close to the target. Start off at 25 yards and move the target out from there, 50, 75 100 yards.
Stay away from mid-caliber rifles for the time being. If you want a center fire rifle, go with a .223. Much cheaper to shoot than a .270.
Nothing wrong with a good pump shotgun but used reduced loads to start out. Nothing will turn a new shooter off faster than getting beat up every time they pull the trigger.
 
Whenever I’m faced with the question of “I need a rifle for the wife and/or kids,” I shrug and say the fast twist .243 Tikka Lite Compact with Trijicon 3-9x40 Accupoint (Pick the reticle and colour that makes your brain happy- I run green triangle), mounted up in Warne split mediums on the factory Tikka rail. Easy to use bombproof combo and lifetime rig if you do your part. Emphasis on quality heavy for calibre all copper ammunition and training. Add vertical grip, Magpul RLS sling and a extendy mag if you wanna round a great piece of kit.
 
Shotgun choice should be a 20 gauge with light target loads. Go to a club and shoot trap/skeet Learn the basic fundamentals of clays/wingshooting . Forget the 270 as well. Nothing will turn new shooters off quicker than getting pounded with recoil. Slowly work up. Small calibre centerfire rifle like 223 is accurate,mild recoil and lots of ammo(cheap) available. If hunting game down the road becomes a thing then cross that bridge when it arrives. Joining a gun club is a great way to learn and practice while meeting others with similar interests. Bad habits are hard to correct but learning the proper way is easy! Best of luck
 
Are these just going to be range guns? Or are you planning on hunting with them?

Assuming just range guns:
1) Tikka T1X in .22 LR. Lots of upgrade potential, accurate and a great trigger. Good for building the fundamentals of shooting.
2) Tikka T3X in .223. Again, upgrade potential, accurate, great trigger. Able to reach out to longer distances.
3) Benelli SuperNova pump. There are less expensive options, but as they say, buy once, cry once.

The 10-22 is a good alternative to the T1X. But if you have rimfire and centerfire rifles that are very similar, the transition between the two platforms is easier.
 
CaribooBC said:
Good ear and eye protection first. Then a good bolt action 22… as stated above, I used to recommend CZ products for their 22’s… Look at the Howa Mini Actions, for a centre fire. Something a bit forgiving until they get used to the recoil. I like the 7.62x39 caliber but 223 would work too. I would leave the 10/22 in the safe until they have proven themselves when it comes to muzzle and trigger control. For newbies, I have an old single shot Remington Targetmaster with aperture sights. Perfect for first time shooters to learn trigger control and sight picture.
Click to expand...
Got the ear an eye protection covered but thank you for that reminder. Appreciate the suggestions, I'll look those up.
 
maynard said:
No problems with a 10/22, just load 1 round into the mag until they can prove that they are safe. Also helps them with load and unload drills. .22 is great for learning the basics of shooting. If they get bored either the target is too big or you are too close to the target. Start off at 25 yards and move the target out from there, 50, 75 100 yards.
Stay away from mid-caliber rifles for the time being. If you want a center fire rifle, go with a .223. Much cheaper to shoot than a .270.
Nothing wrong with a good pump shotgun but used reduced loads to start out. Nothing will turn a new shooter off faster than getting beat up every time they pull the trigger.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the reminder on using lower caliber for new shooters. I've barely shot anything in the last 20 years so I forget how much of a difference there is between calibers.
 
Sights4Nights said:
Whenever I’m faced with the question of “I need a rifle for the wife and/or kids,” I shrug and say the fast twist .243 Tikka Lite Compact with Trijicon 3-9x40 Accupoint (Pick the reticle and colour that makes your brain happy- I run green triangle), mounted up in Warne split mediums on the factory Tikka rail. Easy to use bombproof combo and lifetime rig if you do your part. Emphasis on quality heavy for calibre all copper ammunition and training. Add vertical grip, Magpul RLS sling and a extendy mag if you wanna round a great piece of kit.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the suggestion, I'll look it up
 
Longstud said:
Shotgun choice should be a 20 gauge with light target loads. Go to a club and shoot trap/skeet Learn the basic fundamentals of clays/wingshooting . Forget the 270 as well. Nothing will turn new shooters off quicker than getting pounded with recoil. Slowly work up. Small calibre centerfire rifle like 223 is accurate,mild recoil and lots of ammo(cheap) available. If hunting game down the road becomes a thing then cross that bridge when it arrives. Joining a gun club is a great way to learn and practice while meeting others with similar interests. Bad habits are hard to correct but learning the proper way is easy! Best of luck
Click to expand...
Thanks for the suggestion. The options for clubs within an hours drive from me seem to be very limited, I've only found 2. I've applied to the closest. Hopefully the application process doesn't take too long.
 
1riot1ranger said:
Are these just going to be range guns? Or are you planning on hunting with them?

Assuming just range guns:
1) Tikka T1X in .22 LR. Lots of upgrade potential, accurate and a great trigger. Good for building the fundamentals of shooting.
2) Tikka T3X in .223. Again, upgrade potential, accurate, great trigger. Able to reach out to longer distances.
3) Benelli SuperNova pump. There are less expensive options, but as they say, buy once, cry once.

The 10-22 is a good alternative to the T1X. But if you have rimfire and centerfire rifles that are very similar, the transition between the two platforms is easier.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the suggestions. Yes these would be range guns. I'm just finishing up the hunting course so maybe hunting will be in the cards for me in 2026.
 
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