Recommend a first rifle

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m27

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Hey everyone!

I'd like to get into target shooting, so I'm in the market for a reasonably accurate rifle. I am looking for a good balance between price and accuracy. I'd prefer to spend around $600-$700 (including a scope). I am not a hunter, so single-shot rifles are fine (no need for quick follow-up shots).

Any recommendations are appreciated. Thanks!
 
In that price range I'd recommend a Stevens 200 in 223. You could also get a reasonable good bushnell scope with the left over change. :D

Pretty good out of the box, with the option to upgrade barrel/stock if you should wish to in the future.
 
The shooter sof the BCRA are upgrading from time to time, or quitting, and selling off equipment. Contact someone there to see if there is a newsletter or web site.

Also, paul reibin in Kamloops - Range Sports unlimited - slls used rifles from time to time.

The average genuine target rifle (Musgrave) will blow the doors off an ordinary commercial action.
 
I'm glad I ran across this thread; I hadn't heard of the Stevens option, and it's awfully inexpensive for such a well-thought-of firearm.

I know the Stevens 200 is available in calibres from .223 to .308; being new to the subject, what are some of the downsides of the .308 other than recoil and the cost of ammunition?

I haven't even yet gotten a PAL or shot in years, so of course I'll have a chance to try out a few different rounds in the process of getting one I'm sure; but if .308 is considerably less accurate than a smaller round or something like that I'd be interested to know. I'm only really interested in shooting at targets, but I'd still like to teach them a valuable lesson about messing with me.
 
What do you want to do?, you say "target shooting" but that could mean a lot of different things.

If you really want to become a master shootist, I'd recomment a Tau-7 CO2 rifle, it's about 700 dollars, and is the lowest priced of the olympic quality rifles.

Match Ammo (wadcutter pellets)is about 10-12 bucks/500, and you can become a good shot at your own home.

You can also cheerfully put 50 thousand rounds down your barrel, and still have it deliver match accuracy, as it's not the bullets that wear the barrel out, it's the burning gasses.

And 50 thousand rounds may seem like alot, but it's not, because you need to practice, in a serious and methodical way, every single day.

I don't think any world class shooter, got that way shooting a center fire rifle.

If you are interested in target shooting in a casual way, then yes, get an economical .223 action with an ok trigger, like a savage/stevens, that you can drop a good barrel into. (the two most important factors in accuracy after the shooter himself are trigger, and barrel).

I think a good cut rifled lilja barrel is beyond your budget, but a good button rifled barrel from lothar-walther should have a performance envelope beyond what you can take advantage of.

***You'll also need a good reloading press, because paying a buck a round will get very old, very fast.
 
"...awfully inexpensive for such a well-thought-of..." They're made by Savage. The Stevens line is their 'entry level' rifle. Savage rifles are the best bang for your buck. The downside to a Stevens is the light hunting weight barrel. It'll heat up quickly.
Don't discount a used target rifle for your first one. You really have to work at damaging a modern commercial rifle. The BCRA doesn't have a 'For Sale' page, but that only means you'll have to go to some matches and practices. There's always somebody selling something or they'll know who is.
"...if .308 is considerably less accurate..." Nope. Does cost more to shoot and the felt recoil is heavier. However, it has been used for eons as a long range target round using match grade bullets. Match grade bullets aren't cheap in any calibre. Mind you, if you're just shooting because it's fun, you don't need 'em.
 
It's a little bit more, but the Remington XR-100 is a nice entry target/varmint rifle. Single shot, adjustable trigger down to 1.5 without a gun smith. They shoot well, are well made and personally I really like the thumbhole stock.
If you're interested in varmint hunting (prairie dogs, gophers etc) then get the .204 version. If it's just target shooting then the 223 is probably the ticket. The 22-250 is nice too but I'd recommend the .223 and .204 first.

The Savage rifles shoot well from what I've heard and are priced very reasonably. Now don't flame me on this, but I've looked at a few Savages and I didn't like the build quality. If it's just a shooter and you don't care, then it's probably your best bet. If you're like me and you keep everything you buy, then hold out a little longer save up and get something that you'll keep forever.

Best of luck, let us know what you buy.
 
To be clear, I'm not the topic-starter, although I found his/her thread helpful. I haven't shot since a .22 in cadets, so I think the 'smart' route would probably be a Stevens .223 or even more sensibly a rimfire .22 to learn to shoot, then worry about a bigger bullet later; the .308 is the round I kind of wanted to shoot, though (no real better reason than bullet megalomania I guess) and I was interested in any disadvantages I might have missed online.

I'm in sad fiscal shape and likely to be for years (long term university) so an all-in-one option appeals to me. I suppose if I'm a slow study it'd be painful firing off dollar rounds. I am interested in the possibility of reloading given everything I've read recently about how beneficial it is.

I appreciate the advice.
 
Bobby Ironsights said:
.....I think a good cut rifled lilja barrel is beyond your budget,
Click to expand...

Lija does not cut rifle...

Quoting the Lija website:

"...Our barrels are made from rifle barrel quality, 416-type stainless and 4140-type chrome-moly steels manufactured in the U.S. In addition, all of our tooling is either made in our shop or by U.S. suppliers. The barrels are pull-button rifled

Lilja's are fine, but if I was going to spend money and time importing from the US, I'd get a true cut-rifled barrel like a Krieger

Canadian barrel makers like Ted Gaillard make world-class barrels as good as anything you'll buy from the US and I would put Ted Gaillard's barrels up against any Lila, any day.
 
Sounds like budget constraints. Centre fired is out of the question. The 22 rimfire or the air rifle offers lots of challenge and satisfaction....join a good year round club.....probably shoot for less than $4.00/week including ammo and targets. Once you get established; buy a quality centrefire and scope.....you'll be a lot happier. Good shooting, Ron
 
I agree. You'll get more satisfaction from going to the range and putting 100 rounds of rimfire downrange than 20 rounds of centerfire. For less than half the price no less. You'll likely learn more too. The basics of marksmanship will translate right over to centerfire from rimfire. The muscle memory you aquire will let you concentrate more on recoil management for the larger calibers if you so choose.

I owe a lot of my competition success to my rimfires. They are very accurate and have been an invaluable training aid. Bottom line....they are just plain fun to shoot. Don't rule out a good 22LR.
 
Ok, loud and clear guys, I'll look at rimfire for learning. Remington 597? Seems like the 10/22s are considerably more expensive. Bit unclear about this 'terrible mag' issue and how current that is. May be the wrong forum at this point, if so ignore.
 
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I have two 22's that get chosen over all the other ones when we plink here at the house. They are slick, confidence inspiring rifles.

A Brno #2, perhaps available as a used rifle. This is a repeater as well made and finished as an old commercial mauser. Anyone familiar with this rilfe would understand why it is my favourite (way ahead of my Winchester and browning sporters and even my Walther and Anschutz target rifles.)

The other favorite is a Savage heavy barrel sporter made with no iron sights and a high comb stock that lines up perfectly with a proper 1" tube scope sight. Mine has a nice gray laminated stock . Also a repeater.

We shoot tin cans in the back yard with Agulla Super Colbri ammo (20 grain bullet with no powder in the case.) About the same sound level as an airgun.
 
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