New here, have some questions about which rifle to buy...

K3n0

K3n0

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Hey everyone. I am going to be getting my PAL soon, and probably buying my first rifle in the spring. It will be primarily used for target shooting, I have no interest in hunting, just enjoy shooting. I am trying to decide between a few options. I have researched a bit, but it's hard to find GOOD info that doesn't just turn into people arguing haha, so as far as reliability, good range, and cost of ownership/ammo, what would the best option be for me? As I said, it's for target shooting, so accuracy and range are key. I have been mostly interested in pistol caliber carbine, but can't decide between 9mm, .40 or .45 cal... I also considered a 22 carbine, they are much cheaper and obviously have no recoil, but I think Idelike something bigger.
I also understand there are lots of different kinds of ammo, and my second question is can you use any 9mm round in a 9mm application, and any 40cal in a 40cal gun and so on, and also, what are typically the costs of ammo and availability for 9mm, 40 and 45
 
Start off with a used 22 or inexpensive Savage with no scope and learn the basics, they can be had for under $200. You can shoot 50 rounds for 3 bucks if you don’t buy cheap bulk ammo and bulk ammo can be had for 20 bucks. This will get you started before you move on to bigger center fire and gives you something to go back to that is cheaper to shoot.
 
Found said:
Start off with a used 22 or inexpensive Savage with no scope and learn the basics, they can be had for under $200. You can shoot 50 rounds for 3 bucks if you don’t buy cheap bulk ammo and bulk ammo can be had for 20 bucks. This will get you started before you move on to bigger center fire and gives you something to go back to that is cheaper to shoot.
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Very good advice here. 22LR is cheap and fun shooting and if you wanna introduce others to the sports then a 22 is the perfect option. Always find myself going back to the old faithful 22 boltgun when I've had enough shoulder thumping from the larger center fires and just want to relax and shoot some paper at a moderate distance. I love my Marlin 925
 
Yeah, the more I think about it I probably will hold off on the 9mm for a while. Other than the 10/22 what are good straight shooting 22 semi autos that have decent accessory options, manly stocks? I would probably spend the extra 50-75 bucks for a better gun than the 10-22 if it would be worth it but I want a semi auto...
 
K3n0 said:
Yeah, the more I think about it I probably will hold off on the 9mm for a while. Other than the 10/22 what are good straight shooting 22 semi autos that have decent accessory options, manly stocks? I would probably spend the extra 50-75 bucks for a better gun than the 10-22 if it would be worth it but I want a semi auto...
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Take a look through Savage's web site. Savagearms.com. If you're looking for very accurate, nice quality and excellent value, Savage has them.
 
In general all pistol caliber carbines are probably going to have a maximum effective range of around 100 meters or so until you need massive holdover. I don't know what the accuracy would be with them at range, but if Hickock45 can group a Glock 23 at 230 yards then anything is possible :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFd3kF6LHz4

Pistol calibers just don't have the powder and energy to go very far before dropping. Also the bullets are usually round nose and have terrible ballistic coefficients compared to spitzer shaped rifle bullets. This means they will slow down in the air even faster and quickly lose velocity. Once that happens gravity takes over and you are mostly lobbing bullets.

If you want decent range for relatively cheap then .223 is probably your best bet, though you will need a decent gun and quality ammo. .223 does suffer from wind effects more since it is such a light bullet, but that usually won't be a problem unless you are shooting out past 200 meters.

.308 is an excellent all round performer that can easily go out past 600 meters and more depending on your rifle and skill. For even greater range the 300 Win Mag is excellent and after that you are talking 338 Lapua or 50 BMG (read $$$).


To start with I'd go with what the other posters said, a 22LR rifle. Savage/Stevens makes very good, cheap 22LR bolt guns under $200. Go with the accu-trigger if you want best results.
 
Ruger,s 10/22 a great semi -auto .22 rifles and there are many options you can buy to build it to what ever suits your taste.Marlin makes a semi .22 called the model 60,but has a tube loaded mag with is kinda of a pain,but is a accurate little shooter,with very few options.There are others out there and in the end it,s your choice,but I do love my 10/22
 
jongun said:
Very good advice here. 22LR is cheap and fun shooting and if you wanna introduce others to the sports then a 22 is the perfect option. Always find myself going back to the old faithful 22 boltgun when I've had enough shoulder thumping from the larger center fires and just want to relax and shoot some paper at a moderate distance. I love my Marlin 925
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I agree 100 %.Also the gun of choice if you are going to introduce any youngsters to the shooting sports.
 
i bought a 17hmr and a 22lr once and i found that i dont like rimfire/small caliber. didnt use them much so sold them.
The 17 hmr was a savage and incredibly accurate(video below), the 22lr(old overused cooey if my memory serve me well) was the worst rifle i got accuracy wise(rapid fire with sks and m14 was more accurate then this pos).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCnoDKXlSAo
Actually the more recoil and louder bang the more i am pleased.

Did you think about a sks? for a first rifle its cheap reliable and ammo are cheap too, not the most accurate i must say but really fun to shoot and is probably better range then pistol caliber. It has a great look and its also a little piece of history.
Downside is its a little heavy, but that will get you used for the change to bigger caliber.
 
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I think the 22 is a great coice for a starter rifle but I woud not recomend a semi auto unless you ave already done a some shooting and have the safety part down pat. Each time you pull the trigger on a semi, it`s loaded and ready to shoot again. That is not always a good thing. If you are a new shooter, I would think a single shot or bolt action would be a better choice untill you get used to shooting, become able to shoot accurately and most of all get to the point where gun safety is the most important part of shooting or handling a gun. Then go get the semi-auto you like in the caliber you like. I`m not tryng to put you down or make you look bad, just stressing the safety aspect.
Just think of it this way, First you get good, Then you get fast.
The Savage 64 is one of the least expensive good semi auto 22, The Mossberg 802 plinkster is one of the least expensive bolt action 22s.
Good Luck, Be Safe, Shoot Straight
 
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