After a year of nagging, I finally convinced my wife to let me get a gun and learn how to hunt. Still waiting for my PAL to come in the mail (mailed it 4 weeks ago) and after visiting a couple of gunshops, I'm thinking of getting a Savage Mark II. Any thoughts on this on a first gun? Its priced quite cheap and I think a rimfire would be best to practice with before getting a centrefire. I would be hunting small game, probably rabbits, racoons. After I get a centerfire I wanna try wolf/coyote and fox though.
gonna get my 1st gun!!
- Thread starter ricoboxing
- Start date
- Location
- Hillbilly shack in the boonies
You sure can learn aloth from a rimfire, and there are some pretty good ones out there for not too much money.
I would pick up a few books on shooting at the library, to pass the time till you get a gun, make notes of some stuff to practice at the range. You may find a good scope for it on this site. Or just go Iron if required, still gonna be fun. I find a paper plate on the backstop fun shooting, you see where the rounds are hitting without the walk from the 100 meter firing point. Close in 25 meter shooting is also much fun , to see how tight the gun will shoot. Once you got it all figured out, don't use a rest and shoot off hand , no support, master that and your set.
A 22 is an excellent choice.
Frank
I would pick up a few books on shooting at the library, to pass the time till you get a gun, make notes of some stuff to practice at the range. You may find a good scope for it on this site. Or just go Iron if required, still gonna be fun. I find a paper plate on the backstop fun shooting, you see where the rounds are hitting without the walk from the 100 meter firing point. Close in 25 meter shooting is also much fun , to see how tight the gun will shoot. Once you got it all figured out, don't use a rest and shoot off hand , no support, master that and your set.
A 22 is an excellent choice.
Frank
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- Location
- Ft. Mac. Alberta
I agree with my esteemed colleague, Dr. Garrett Oh WAITAMINiT!!Levi Garrett said:You sure can learn aloth from a rimfire, and there are some pretty good ones out there for not too much money.
I would pick up a few books on shooting at the library, to pass the time till you get a gun, make notes of some stuff to practice at the range. You may find a good scope for it on this site. Or just go Iron if required, still gonna be fun. I find a paper plate on the backstop fun shooting, you see where the rounds are hitting without the walk from the 100 meter firing point. Close in 25 meter shooting is also much fun , to see how tight the gun will shoot. Once you got it all figured out, don't use a rest and shoot off hand , no support, master that and your set.
A 22 is an excellent choice.
Frank
We're not Dr.'s or clloeagues!
Alrighty then, I'm with what the Garett man says!
Cat
Well congratulations on your hobby choice and I truly wish you all the best at hunting and shooting.ricoboxing said:
But you need to get divorced immediately.... leave her and move in with her sister... take the babysitter home and don't come back... is her mother single, see if she likes the outdoorsy type. I'm serious.
"My wife finally let me have a gun" Geezus that crap irks me... grow a set and get back to us.
I realize this is your first post. I hope you stick around this place is great.
But I am consistent in my derision for the subjugated males among us.
There is no excuse.... eat some raw red meat and Man Up... this has to stop.
A .22 is a good first gun to learn proper shooting techniques and gun handling, but not very usefull as a hunting gun for a beginner. IMHO. You would be better served by using a shot gun for the type of hunting you mention. A Rem 870 would fit the bill perfectly.
- Location
- Colorado Springs, CO
Geez, what no 458 Win mag, oh well, the rimfire is the best tool to learn to hunt with, when your popping Rabbit and squirrel at 75 yards regularly, you are ready to move on to bigger and better things, then get a Old, New rifle, a Savage 99. JMHO, Les
BIGREDD said:Well congratulations on your hobby choice and I truly wish you all the best at hunting and shooting.
But you need to get divorced immediately.... leave her and move in with her sister... take the babysitter home and don't come back... is her mother single, see if she likes the outdoorsy type. I'm serious.
"My wife finally let me have a gun" Geezus that crap irks me... grow a set and get back to us.
I realize this is your first post. I hope you stick around this place is great.
But I am consistent in my derision for the subjugated males among us.
There is no excuse.... eat some raw red meat and Man Up... this has to stop.
Your the man REDD
My sentiments exactly
You just beat me to the punch
It'll be a frosty day when " I finally convinced my wife "
Edit to add it would also be a frosty day when my wife would require me to "convince" her!
I make my decisions & she makes her's & we respect that!
Married 25 years this year too (damm no smileys on an edit)
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- Location
- Hillbilly shack in the boonies
Not a big deal, I did not push hunting or shooting on my spouse , and all is fine where thats concerned. Here, there is a chance for both parties to take it slow and enjoy something new,that one of the two has interest in. In some cases this turns 180 and the gal may enjoy the shooting sports more so than the person that introduced it in the first place. Gender should have no bearing on this.
I would keep the wife
Frank
I would keep the wife
Frank
There's no better choice than a rimfire for a beginner. You've made a good one.
Everyone needs a rimfire rifle...or two...or three...
Get a good safe and make sure your wife neither has a set of keys or knows the combination...you can keep whatever you want in there, then.
Everyone needs a rimfire rifle...or two...or three...
Get a good safe and make sure your wife neither has a set of keys or knows the combination...you can keep whatever you want in there, then.
canadian hunter312
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Brant County
the same ricoboxing from OFN? if so, you'll like the guys here better because they dont nag as much about crap and will tell you the truth straight up
the .22 is likely the gun that most people start off with. overall, everything is cheap. gun, ammo, scope, etc. so if you decide you dont like hunting or shooting (id definatly not announce that here) you can just sell the stuff and not lose too much money.
theres a guy here on CGN selling a marlin 25n .22lr for $160 and i hear those are great guns. buying a used gun from fellow CGNer's definatly isnt frowned upon. id also look for a scope on here. let us know what you buy.
the .22 is likely the gun that most people start off with. overall, everything is cheap. gun, ammo, scope, etc. so if you decide you dont like hunting or shooting (id definatly not announce that here) you can just sell the stuff and not lose too much money.
theres a guy here on CGN selling a marlin 25n .22lr for $160 and i hear those are great guns. buying a used gun from fellow CGNer's definatly isnt frowned upon. id also look for a scope on here. let us know what you buy.
Ahsan Ahmed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Just a thought as you mentioned a centerfire + varmint/small game hunting in the plan......you may wish to consider the Baikal IZH-18MH single shot rifles (in .222 or .223)....believe they go for $249 + tax at Epps. Those are good value for the money.
You are aware of course but still recommend ensure adequate backstops, safety etc i.e. if you are planning to use crown land for practise. Best of luck.
You are aware of course
but still recommend ensure adequate backstops, safety etc i.e. if you are planning to use crown land for practise. Best of luck.
As all the above said, good first choice, Now, if you haven't already, join a local gun club and attend a few, preferrably more meetings. Stand up and introduce yourself or ask the person in charge of the meeting to and maybe have him mention that you're new to the game and could use a few pointers on target aquisition. Next, start talking too a few of the guys, in any club that I've had experience with there will be a couple of good old boys that are willing to help out, they're usually not looking for a new shadow though so take it with some grace. Usually after a couple of meetings you'll fit right in and may develop some lifelong friendships that you can cherish. Darn all of this out of the choice of a first rifle, lots to look forward to, maybe for your whole family. bearhunter
