First rifle, what to get?

j_06 said:
Check out Henry's lever actions. The action is smooth as can be, pretty wood, accurate and at a awesome price. I've always preferred the looks of it over the browning.
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+1 on a Lever .22, they eat all .22 ammo - short, long and long rifle...

...I lean toward the Henry BUT if you can get ahold of one, a Winchester Model 150 is awesome.

I've heard good things about Browning BL-22.

I know what you said about semi-auto but buy a cheap Ruger 10/22 and you won't regret it - lots of fun.

If you want a bolt-action I'd go for the CZs. Many will recommend a Savage but I personally never cared for the feel of them (feel cheap and don't "sit" right in the hand)...

...but obviously, that is a very subjective thing.
 
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I really like the short-throw of the BL-22's. Makes for an ultra quick follow-up shot.

That said I own a Golden Boy as my fun-gun lever-plinker and a CZ 452 in the Varmint flavour as my gopher getter and long distance paper puncher. Both serve a role. I also have a .17 Hornet so the .17 WMR has little use for me, and the same goes for the Hummer as I can reload my Hornet for basically the same price as the HMR. If CZ ever offered a HM2 I'd be all over that .17 however!

I am also like you, I don't like floor-models of anything either. With firearms however the main concern is cosmetic damage from sitting on a shelf and being handled. Just take a good look at it, inspect it like you're a CSI, looking for any evidence what-so-ever of errant barrel touching and wedding ring graffiti. If it passes the visual assessment, then proceed to the checkout with an armload of ammo, then enjoy the heck out of it!
 
Prairie Plinker said:
I really like the short-throw of the BL-22's. Makes for an ultra quick follow-up shot.

That said I own a Golden Boy as my fun-gun lever-plinker and a CZ 452 in the Varmint flavour as my gopher getter and long distance paper puncher. Both serve a role. I also have a .17 Hornet so the .17 WMR has little use for me, and the same goes for the Hummer as I can reload my Hornet for basically the same price as the HMR. If CZ ever offered a HM2 I'd be all over that .17 however!

I am also like you, I don't like floor-models of anything either. With firearms however the main concern is cosmetic damage from sitting on a shelf and being handled. Just take a good look at it, inspect it like you're a CSI, looking for any evidence what-so-ever of errant barrel touching and wedding ring graffiti. If it passes the visual assessment, then proceed to the checkout with an armload of ammo, then enjoy the heck out of it!
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Thanks, after some thought I'll go again to take a look, if it checks out I will buy it.

Just found out Browning has a $50 mail in rebate till end of the months, so coupled with the no-tax sale at Sail, I think the price is going to be as good as it gets consider how low the dollar is.
 
Of course, after having talked up the Marlin, I should mention that for a "first rifle" I actually generally recommend going with a good solid manual action rifle (bolt or lever)... Better accuracy and a good way to get the fundamentals down before emptying bricks of ammo for sh!ts and giggles.

And you can never go wrong with a CZ. They're just really well made, beautiful rifles. Accurate like laser beams.

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Thanks for the advices guys, I decided to just bite the bullet and get the Browning. Still kinda itching for a marlin 795 though, maybe next year.

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Put about 400 rounds through the Browning last weekend, very happy with it, other than the heavy trigger. The sight is also nice, the thin front blade is quite accurate.

Thought about putting a scope on it, but decided against it since it just doesn't look right with one. So instead I just picked up a Marlin XT22. The trigger is much lighter, will see how it goes when I get a chance to shoot it.

This is getting expensive...
 
You will be very happy with the XT it was my first purchase and still is the start and end of every range trip
with a bipod and scope she is dead accurate a real pleasure to shoot
 
jzmtl said:
Put about 400 rounds through the Browning last weekend, very happy with it, other than the heavy trigger. The sight is also nice, the thin front blade is quite accurate.

Thought about putting a scope on it, but decided against it since it just doesn't look right with one. So instead I just picked up a Marlin XT22. The trigger is much lighter, will see how it goes when I get a chance to shoot it.

This is getting expensive...
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Congrats on the purchases! Rimfires are a hoot, one thing though. Once you see a really good deal on .22 ammo, pounce on it! There is ammunition in most stores at the moment, but it's all getting rather pricey, due to the dollar, supply-demand, etc. There are deals to be had however, so keep the eyes peeled and start building up a small inventory. It's amazing how fast the ammo disappears when shooting .22's!
 
Prairie Plinker said:
Congrats on the purchases! Rimfires are a hoot, one thing though. Once you see a really good deal on .22 ammo, pounce on it! There is ammunition in most stores at the moment, but it's all getting rather pricey, due to the dollar, supply-demand, etc. There are deals to be had however, so keep the eyes peeled and start building up a small inventory. It's amazing how fast the ammo disappears when shooting .22's!
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Really, I'll have to keep an eye on it. Right now a brick is between $30 and $40 at local store, doesn't seem to be any shortage yet.
 
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