Baikal MP-161K? Opinions, Rants, Advice?

[Sniper_Wolf]

Hey guys, first post, hopefully I can start being a regular member around here!

I'm going for my PAL test at the end of the month, and then will be looking for a rifle to get me started on the range. I've been checking out different calibers, and am pretty sure I want a .22LR (or .17HMR, (so I can afford to miss the first hundred shots) and saw this little beauty.

http://interammo.com/shop/product_in...products_id=74

I've seen a few threads about the Baikal 153 with a few users singing the manufacturers praise, but haven't really heard much about this one in particular.

While I know I've gotta feel them, etc, then buy, but can anyone give me any recommendations for a first rifle, just for plinking out in the woods and as something I can take to the range with my buddies, without having to constantly use their (considerably more expensive) guns.

Also, which caliber would you guys recommend, .17HMR or .22LR?

 

[Bcviking]

If you want a semi auto 22 go with a Ruger 10/22 forsure, you can get 25 round high cap mags and many aftermarket addons and they start at $260, for the price of that Baikal you can get the Ruger SR-22 a much better choice , The Baikal is a good rifle but it has no high cap mags or aftermarket parts and the ruger SR/22 looks way more baddass and has the same eurgos as a AR-15

 

[jjohnwm]

I absolutely agree with Bcviking, if you want to spend that much money the SR22 is by far the better choice. Or go for one of the other 10/22 models (the SR22 is a version of the 10/22) for much less money. Either way you will be much happier in the long run.

As far as caliber goes, you want a .22lr. The .17HMR is much more expensive ammo, much louder, unnecessarily powerful for plinking. You will be able to shoot the .22 for a fraction of the price, it is much quieter, and you have a vastly greater selection of loads to choose from, so you should be able to find several that shoot well in your gun.

Welcome to shooting. You will love it!

John