New Shooter needs first purchase advice

One_Rook

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Hi everyone,

As the title says - I'm a new shooter and I'm looking for some advice on my first purchase. I'm a new member of a local Sportsmen's Club and there is a great Thursday night rimfire program that I'd like to get to be a regular part of. I just need to get that first rifle. Some of the folks at the club were highly recommending Anschutz CIL - 190. I've been searching around on-line today and haven't really found any, but I have seen some other rimfire makes - Mossberg and Savage; but as I said, I'm totally new so I could use some input. Please feel free to share your knowledge, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!!
 
Bolt-action seems to be the standard at the club, and as for price range - I'm not even sure what they typically cost. I'm not planning on going to the Olympics or anything - no delusions of grandeur - but I would like something that will do the job and help me hit the "10's". There was something about the specific scope as well I can't remember off the top of my head but it was designed for target shooting. However, the firearm is the first priority as I suppose the scope could go on any of them.
 
There was a 190 on the EE rimfire recently, nice looking outfit. I had two, sold one to purchase a CZ varmint. 190's are good shooters, you could use it a long time before you outgrow it's capabilities.
 
Savage are a great value for a reliable and accurate bolt action .22. For a little more cash ($450-$550) a CZ is hard to beat both accuracy and fit/finish wise. Resist the urge to buy the cheapest guns available before researching them. There are some good values but there are also alot of guns that are cheap for a reason. On the other hand, guns are like lays chips...you know the slogan. Dont think of your first purchase as crucial, you may decide to upgrade later and sell your first or keep it and get another. Its hard to tell a person which gun he will prefer, everyone is different so trying new things is a good way to enjoy this sport. Eventually you will probably end up swimming in the damn things like the rest of us. Fricken addicts. Anyways welcome to the shooting sports and welcome to CGN.
 
If I were to do it over again with a bolt action I would also probably go with a CZ. Always hear good things about them and never bad.
 
Thanks so much everyone, you've given me some more ideas to research. I'm definitely looking forward to getting involved on the EE forum. I've got a 14 gun cabinet with 1 shotgun in it, and I'm looking to expand. Thanks so much for the input.
 
Thanks very much! When I get set up for the EE I'll keep an eye out. I've been told that it has a very good setup for trigger pressure. I've shot one and it was very smooth - but not for sale. :(
 
I shoot an Anschutz 1450 bolt action when I want to get semi-serious about my pop can shooting...but they're not a very common rifle at all. (very similar to a 190) Savage are great field guns, maybe the most accurate for the price in my experience, but avoid the plastic-stock models. If you're shooting from a bench, you'll hate that stock before long. I'd suggest a Savage Mark II BV, or a CZ 452 Varmint if it's all bench work. If you'll be doing any offhand shooting, choose the Savage Mark II G or CZ 452 American as others have suggested. I doubt the CZ will shoot any better than the Savage, but the fit/finish of the CZ is worth the extra $ to the people who own them. 190's are not THAT rare in the EE, and might be a lower initial investment than any of the guns I've listed. A good scope can be the difference between loving your rifle, and putting up with it.

To touch on a couple of the other great replies in this thread... 1. It's HIGHLY unlikely that you'll hit a home run on your first rimfire rifle purchase. Not the rifle itself, but your fondness for it. Not all rifles "feel" right no matter how hard I try to like them. I'm partial to Savage rifles for the value/accuracy they offer, but other "misguided souls" simply cannot see them that way. :) 2.Ruger 10/22 and Marlin 795~both well-loved semis, but don't be distracted by those suggestions. A bolt gun IS what you want to start with. An econo semi that takes 5x the effort to strip down to clean...with a nightmarish trigger~not a great first step into target shooting.
 
I have one of these and its alot of fun but it is a semi and not as accurate as its bolt action cousin
the marlin xt
I would suggest you get them both ,thats what i did my first and second gun
interchangeable magazines as well sort of handy
and both together will be under 400.00
cheers
 
I have one of these and its alot of fun but it is a semi and not as accurate as its bolt action cousin
the marlin xt
I would suggest you get them both ,thats what i did my first and second gun
interchangeable magazines as well sort of handy
and both together will be under 400.00
cheers

This isn't bad advice (I am a 795 owner/fan) BUT, I think it would be wiser to stick with the bolt gun...and any extra play $ put into better glass.
 
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