- Location
- Victoria, BC
Hello,
I’d like to introduce myself, I’m an engineering student in Victoria BC looking into target practice and hunting as a new hobby. I was born in Russia, but grew up in Canada. Both my grandfather, and my father prior to immigrating, have been avid skeet shooters; not to mention, mother was a phenomenal pistol shooter. I’m hoping to carry on the family tradition, as well as reacquaint my parents with the hobbies of their younger days.
My friend and I have recently passed our CFSC for non-restricted, and have the restricted course coming up soon. I’ve signed up at CGN to improve my knowledge of laws, firearms, local events, and Victoria shooters. I’ve done extensive research into the firearms with which to start off. During my CFSC course, I felt a particular interest in the older bolt actions with iron sights, and high capacity pump action shotguns.
I’ve read that many experienced marksmen and hunters suggest learning and refining the basics of shooting using iron sights rather than scoped rifles. For that, I’m rather keen on picking up a bolt action .22LR with iron sights. Later on, military surplus firearms like the SKS and Mosin Nagant seem to be a good option. I would rather use iron sights of any kind, than a scope; although, I would like a scoped .17 HMR for effective varmint hunting. My main goal for this summer is to acquire good aim and proper shooting techniques. I’ll likely spend all my time on the range, and perhaps some varmint control.
My budget is, for now, somewhat limited, I’m looking to spend within 500 dollars per rifle and ammunition (500~1000 rounds) for every purchase I make. Hopefully I’ll have acquired the variety of rifles that I’m interested in within a couple of years. I’m not too keen, or experienced for reloading ammunition at this point; for now, rimfire and surplus ammunition seems like an affordable and effective alternative. I have to say, I feel a particular interest in the Mosin Nagant 91/30, SKS, SVT-40, TT-33, Remington 870 Express, Marlin 980S and Savage 93R17 FSS.
Regarding rimfire rifles, my friend is going for a 10/22, and approved my extensive use, provided, I buy my own ammunition. So, I’m planning on a .22LR bolt action with irons sights, such as the Marlin 980S or the Savage Mark II F. After doing plenty of research, I’ve concluded that I would also like a .17 HMR rifle which would have better range and accuracy. It would seem that a Savage 93R17 F would be a good balance of cost and accuracy/range. I’ll do most of my target practice using the bolt action .22LR with iron sights, whilst hunting varmint with a scoped .17HMR. Would anybody suggest an alternative .22LR rifles, keep in mind, I rather it be a bolt action?
On the topic of centerfire, I cannot find anything more practical than an SKS. Durable, cheap and abundant surplus ammunition, the SKS seems like a great rifle for the money. As far as I’ve learned, I should look for a Russian model. Should it be a refurbished SKS, or not, which is better, and how do they differ? Should I grab one from Wanstalls Online or Westrifles? I fail to find one for less than $300, am I looking in the wrong places?
I would drop everything for an MN; but, the surplus 7.62x54R seems particularly elusive. I’ve read-up that Marstar will get a shipment in August; so, I’m planning on acquiring the MN and Tokarev in the latter part of this summer.
My preliminary list of firearm purchases over the next year or two:
1) Rimfire
-Savage Mark II F / Marlin 980S
-Savage 93R17 F
2) 7.62x39 Inexpensive, durable Shooter
-SKS
3) Bolt action with iron sights and inexpensive ammunition
-Mosin Nagant 91/30
4) Inexpensive Handgun
-TT-33
5) Shotgun
-No idea, I like the high capacity 870, but a semi auto for skeet would be good as well.
I’m planning to check out the open house at the Victoria Fish and Game (June 20th). I think this will give me a good idea of what interests me. Meanwhile, if any kind gentleman/lady would like to introduce my friend and me to the range environment (expenses on us), please send me a personal message, we would be most grateful! We are exceptionally safety oriented (ACTS, PROVE).
Would you think that the order of purchases is wrong (.22LR bolt action with iron sights, then SKS , scoped .17HMR, then MN…)? Should I consider some other rifles? Do you think that getting any of these firearms is a bad idea? Please feel free to correct, suggest, or, if you must, flame.
Cheers,
Sand
I’d like to introduce myself, I’m an engineering student in Victoria BC looking into target practice and hunting as a new hobby. I was born in Russia, but grew up in Canada. Both my grandfather, and my father prior to immigrating, have been avid skeet shooters; not to mention, mother was a phenomenal pistol shooter. I’m hoping to carry on the family tradition, as well as reacquaint my parents with the hobbies of their younger days.
My friend and I have recently passed our CFSC for non-restricted, and have the restricted course coming up soon. I’ve signed up at CGN to improve my knowledge of laws, firearms, local events, and Victoria shooters. I’ve done extensive research into the firearms with which to start off. During my CFSC course, I felt a particular interest in the older bolt actions with iron sights, and high capacity pump action shotguns.
I’ve read that many experienced marksmen and hunters suggest learning and refining the basics of shooting using iron sights rather than scoped rifles. For that, I’m rather keen on picking up a bolt action .22LR with iron sights. Later on, military surplus firearms like the SKS and Mosin Nagant seem to be a good option. I would rather use iron sights of any kind, than a scope; although, I would like a scoped .17 HMR for effective varmint hunting. My main goal for this summer is to acquire good aim and proper shooting techniques. I’ll likely spend all my time on the range, and perhaps some varmint control.
My budget is, for now, somewhat limited, I’m looking to spend within 500 dollars per rifle and ammunition (500~1000 rounds) for every purchase I make. Hopefully I’ll have acquired the variety of rifles that I’m interested in within a couple of years. I’m not too keen, or experienced for reloading ammunition at this point; for now, rimfire and surplus ammunition seems like an affordable and effective alternative. I have to say, I feel a particular interest in the Mosin Nagant 91/30, SKS, SVT-40, TT-33, Remington 870 Express, Marlin 980S and Savage 93R17 FSS.
Regarding rimfire rifles, my friend is going for a 10/22, and approved my extensive use, provided, I buy my own ammunition. So, I’m planning on a .22LR bolt action with irons sights, such as the Marlin 980S or the Savage Mark II F. After doing plenty of research, I’ve concluded that I would also like a .17 HMR rifle which would have better range and accuracy. It would seem that a Savage 93R17 F would be a good balance of cost and accuracy/range. I’ll do most of my target practice using the bolt action .22LR with iron sights, whilst hunting varmint with a scoped .17HMR. Would anybody suggest an alternative .22LR rifles, keep in mind, I rather it be a bolt action?
On the topic of centerfire, I cannot find anything more practical than an SKS. Durable, cheap and abundant surplus ammunition, the SKS seems like a great rifle for the money. As far as I’ve learned, I should look for a Russian model. Should it be a refurbished SKS, or not, which is better, and how do they differ? Should I grab one from Wanstalls Online or Westrifles? I fail to find one for less than $300, am I looking in the wrong places?
I would drop everything for an MN; but, the surplus 7.62x54R seems particularly elusive. I’ve read-up that Marstar will get a shipment in August; so, I’m planning on acquiring the MN and Tokarev in the latter part of this summer.
My preliminary list of firearm purchases over the next year or two:
1) Rimfire
-Savage Mark II F / Marlin 980S
-Savage 93R17 F
2) 7.62x39 Inexpensive, durable Shooter
-SKS
3) Bolt action with iron sights and inexpensive ammunition
-Mosin Nagant 91/30
4) Inexpensive Handgun
-TT-33
5) Shotgun
-No idea, I like the high capacity 870, but a semi auto for skeet would be good as well.
I’m planning to check out the open house at the Victoria Fish and Game (June 20th). I think this will give me a good idea of what interests me. Meanwhile, if any kind gentleman/lady would like to introduce my friend and me to the range environment (expenses on us), please send me a personal message, we would be most grateful! We are exceptionally safety oriented (ACTS, PROVE).
Would you think that the order of purchases is wrong (.22LR bolt action with iron sights, then SKS , scoped .17HMR, then MN…)? Should I consider some other rifles? Do you think that getting any of these firearms is a bad idea? Please feel free to correct, suggest, or, if you must, flame.
Cheers,
Sand
