First Rifle Debate... Again.

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Harleyguy

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I know the question has been asked a million times, but I am thinking of a couple of different options:

Most people seem to lean towards .22lr or SKS as a first inexpensive rifle to shoot. Those were my initial choices as well, but I think I have nixed the SKS for now, for two reasons: I don't want a semi, I really want a bolt action, and 2, the SKS isn't as cheap too shoot as a 22lr, but doesn't have the kind of range that I would eventually like to get to (eventually, I'd like to be proficient enough to shoot 300+yards) that other centerfires have.

Now I have read many people's opinions that anything more than a rimfire cartridge is too much for a beginner due to recoil (an developing a flinch). I get that, and I won't pretend to be some tough guy who won't develop a flinch... but here is my brain heading now:

I can go .22lr, and shoot it for a year, maybe two before I get good enough to want to shoot longer distances.

I can go .223, as surplus rounds are available, there is very little recoil, I can learn to reload with it, it has excellent range, and some say it can be used to hunt white tail, which is something I may consider in the future.

I can go larger (.308 or something), but the rounds start to get pricey, and there is the recoil issue. I can, however, shoot distance, hunt big game and learn to reload with these calibers.

I am leaning towards 223, but I really would appreciate some feedback. Even from newbs who have recently made one of these purchases. Anything is appreciated.
 
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I just started shooting a couple weeks ago. My first shot was with a 7.62x54r mosin nagant. That thing kicked my back like a horse but it's fun as hell. You get used to it and become comfortable with it fast. I just picked up a .22lr semi-auto rifle 2 days ago and I was told that it will shoot 300-500 yrds. So it all depends on what your going to be comfortable with. Personally...I'd start with the .22...it's a hell of a lot cheaper to shoot and learn with. 20 rounds for my mosin cost me 15 bucks....500 .22 rounds cost me 20.

All depends on what you want though
 
The only problem with questions like yours is that you're going to get answers, lots of different answers.:)

You sound like you know where you want to go. You want a bolt action :cool:, with little recoil so you can learn to shoot. Right?
A 22lr bolt gun is perfect, cheap to shoot, easy to learn with, and something you can keep forever. It's a perfect 100yd gun, a ####ty 200yd gun, but you gotta start somewhere. A .223 rifle would do just fine too. Still relatively cheap to shoot, great for 300, 400, 500....etc. .223 is not an easy round to reload in comparison to say .308, very little room for error, buy you can buy bulk ammo cheap. (Before anyone hacks on me for saying that, I'm talking about precision loading, not bulk loading.) ;)

If I was in your area I'd offer my rifles so you can experience for yourself. Hopefully someone close to you will come through with a like offer.

Good luck
 
Nothing wrong with choosing the .223 , depending on the rifle many upgrades can be done later to make it a 1000yd + target rifle.

As for a hunting rifle you may be limited by local regulations as to size allowed for big game.

If your budget allows and you have already shot .22 comfortably and feel you can move up then go for it. .223 would be the next logical step anyways.

It will also allow you the ability to reload for a rifle as opposed to factory ammo, another step in the shooting hobby.

Most people have a .22 and other center fire rifle eventually anyways so an economical .22 isn't a terrible thought either.
 
Get the big brother of the .22LR, the .22WMR. Excellent accuracy to 100-150 yards, no recoil, readily available ammo... Ammo costs more than LR, but is cheaper than .223. It is also good for target and small game hunting.
 
I considered the wmr as well, but from everything I have read, it's essentially a useless round, as it is barely any more powerful than a 22lr, but cost 3 times as much. This is a tough call. I think seeing what is available locally will play a role in my selection too, as I have only looked at online stores thus far. I'm definitely leaning towards a savage, regardless of calibre, but I want to price out rifles and ammo here in Ottawa.
 
I would 100% suggest a .22 first. It's dirt cheap to play all day. I picked up a Rem 597 (semi auto .22LR rifle) for my first and am quite happy I did. Cheap to feed, pop tons of holes in things and not worry about cost at all. Beyond 100 yards they're not good, at least not semi's. I will acquire a bolt .22 for my son when he's a little older.

My next rifle was a T3 in .223 with a quality scope on it. Easily a 200 yard rifle, probably more with a bigger scope but the previous owner used it for Coyote and the 3-9 was all he needed to ensure a ethical kill. I've read these rifles can be shot out beyond 500 yards with good accuracy. Surplus ammo is available at about 35-40 cents a shot. Premium ammo runs about the same as 30 cal at roughly $1 per. It's an excellent 'next' rifle and good for small game if you're hunting. Check your local laws regarding minimum cartridges.

To address your last post, I agree the .17HMR round isn't very useful. It's a high-power plinking round. Pop cans at 100 yards kinda deal. Cost per round, about the same as surplus 223 but more repeatable (I've read). Can't hunt anything more than varmint birds with it. I went with the 223 for it's versatility and low recoil.
 
Thanks guys. I ended up ordering a 223, but I think I might try to pick up a bolt action 22lr cheap somewhere... Rifle should be here next week and hopefully I'll get out to the range and see how it goes!
 
So I ended up getting a bolt 22lr as well as the 223. I got them both out to the range this weekend. First time ever shooting anything. Went well. 22lr was ok, but even at a short 50 yds was tough to see on the target. I don't have a spotting scope, only some 10X binocs and they weren't good enough. As such, i never really ended up zeroing the 22. The 223 came bore sighted, so it was much easier to get on paper and get sorted out. I have to say, shooting the 223 was definitely nicer. I think once I get the scope sorted out, the 22lr will be fun, especially at 50yds, but I can see myself going to 100yds with the 223 next time out, and hopefully, with practice, even further.
 
Very cool. Buddy picked up a 30-06 XP couple years ago and it's never let him down. Goes hunting several times a year.

The 22 & 223 have very similar hole sizes at the far end. I'm guessing you have a better scope on the 223? Even with a quality 3-9 I have a tough time at 100 yards making out my shots (and I have good eyes). I expect I'll swap it over to my 22 and get something in the moderate cost 14-18x range to get out to 200+. And bags... I need shooting bags!
 
bubbakaloosh said:
I just started shooting a couple weeks ago. My first shot was with a 7.62x54r mosin nagant. That thing kicked my back like a horse but it's fun as hell. You get used to it and become comfortable with it fast. I just picked up a .22lr semi-auto rifle 2 days ago and I was told that it will shoot 300-500 yrds. So it all depends on what your going to be comfortable with. Personally...I'd start with the .22...it's a hell of a lot cheaper to shoot and learn with. 20 rounds for my mosin cost me 15 bucks....500 .22 rounds cost me 20.

All depends on what you want though
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. . . . ok, what? Am I the only one to think that a semi-auto .22 out to 500yds is a "little" bit of a stretch. I mean I'm assuming it's a stock bones gun, not some super tricked out amazing ultra gun with a scope made from eagles eyes.

Correct me if I'm wrong though, I've only got myself a 10/22. Also bubba I'm not calling you a liar or anything, just have trouble believing the info you were given. Happy to hear you're into a great hobby now though.
 
I've got a 4X on the 22 and 3-9 on the 223. I was shooting both to 100yds last weekend and the 223 was still great... the 22lr has a bit of drop with the CCI standards, but i put a few stingers through it and it stayed much flatter...

I'm liking this whole shooting thing.

My came with this week and he has an axis in 30-06 and I shot that. What a difference in terms of recoil. It was fun as hell, but as far as getting good at shooting, I'm glad I started 223.
 
In my 22LR semi, zero'd at 50 yards, they were hitting dirt at 150. I had to hold about 4' high to hit the target at 200 yards. I never measured it fully. I can't imagine the tilt you'd have to put on a scope to get it out to 500... lobbing bullets at that point.
 
No single firearm will do what you want. Welcome to the addiction, and more safes.


+1, SR22 zero at 50m, at 200m target is right off bottom of scope with ridiculous holdover. Just lobbing the bullet. 500m, NOT with a 22lr.
Noltz said:
In my 22LR semi, zero'd at 50 yards, they were hitting dirt at 150. I had to hold about 4' high to hit the target at 200 yards. I never measured it fully. I can't imagine the tilt you'd have to put on a scope to get it out to 500... lobbing bullets at that point.
Click to expand...
 
Ok I'm glad that I wasn't crazy. I can't even imagine the hold over at 500 for a .22, not to mention taking wind into consideration. Pretty much would be the worlds tiniest artillery round at that point.
 
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