What is the best first rifle?

M

Marcelj1221

New member
EE Expired
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hello, I've spent some time looking at American forums to see what are good rifles in each category and price range. However I couldn't find opinion based threads on a good first rifle.

As I await to go begin my licensing process in may I'm extremely excited and I love looking at all the fancy guns and scopes that costs 1000s. However I don't think I need the most expensive thing out there as I don't want to spend a months pay on getting my first gun.

So the question is what do you guys think would be the best rifle for someone like me who is looking to do a healthy balance of range shooting and hunting. I dont plan on shooting grizzlies with this gun but I want to be able to pull some coyotes and maybe deer if the opportunity arises. Is there a gun or rather a caliber out there that can shoot both small game and deer?

Please share some knowledge.
 
Please learn to shoot with a bolt action .22lr rifle, they cost about $200 and you will need about 1000 rounds which costs about $100 all in.
After you have learned good shooting habits and marksmanship, then look at getting something in a centerfire caliber. We always need a .22lr.
 
Buy a rifle you can shoot. No point in buying restricted, if you never get out to the range, or you can't discharge the calibre you have, where you live.


Buy a rifle you can afford ammo for.

Do a quick estimate of how often you plan on shooting for the year. Tally up the estimate and gasp in horror, when the cost of the ammo for the first year, is higher than the gun you bought. .22 9mm and 7.62x39 are hard to beat in this regard.

Just buy it!

Once you realize that reselling a gun is easy (on here, anyways ;)) you will be more comfortable pulling the trigger on purchases. Buy it, try it out, and if you don't like it; just throw a $40 scope on it, and post it on EE for $90 more than what you paid for it... :D jk.

Enjoy!
 
A bolt action rifle chambered in 308 Winchester is where you should focus your search. It's the most versatile chambering for target shooting/hunting/shot affordability IMO.

Don't base what rifle to buy on other people's thoughts/opinions, and don't sell yourself short because of the cost.

Buy the rifle that fits you the best, and that YOU will enjoy carrying and shooting. If that's a Savage Axis then great, if it's a M70 Supergrade then that's great too.

Personally, looking back, if I was back in your shoes and contemplating my first "all round" use rifle. I would buy (save up if I had to) a Stainless Winchester M70 or Ruger M77 chambered in 308. I would also give a strong nod to the Browning x-bolt. I'd top it with a VX-1 or 2 series Leupold in a 3-9, and I would just shoot, shoot, shoot.

Part of the fun of this sport is finding what you do and don't like.

That said, an excellent "economy" rifle that is often overlooked is the TC Venture. They are decently priced new, and can be picked up cheap used. That is my wife's current rifle/backup rifle.

Cheers, happy shopping.
 
A 22lr isn't suitable as a first gun for you based on what you said. You want to hunt deer/coyote. look into the regulations in the area that you want to hunt and you might consider shooting something in 6mm like a 243 which is a good balance between varmint and deer size game. You'll achieve miracles if you get into reloading. Check the savage axis ll xp at cabelas, the gun comes with a scope for 569$ I personally owned one in 22-250 and it's an amazing package deal for a starter gun. You might want to consider cutting 2 coils of the trigger spring to get that trigger down to 2 lbs but there is plenty of youtube videos that explains how to do it yourself. I'd go with a shotgun for the next gun for fast target acquisition and birds as well, I personally don't have a 22lr ans I'll NEVER have one just because there is anything that you can't get done with a shotgun, a 243, 308, 30-06... I could see why someone would get a 22 for plinking and learning trigger discipline but they really get quickly boring to shoot and will collect dust (all my friends 22 are collecting dust) which won't be the case with a shotgun. Think about skeet to practice and the nearest farmer with all the pigeons...
 
Keep it simple for your first rifle. You need a 22lr rimfire for super cheap plinking and practice. A 223 for the most adorable centre fire that's good for coyotes too, OR a 308 win if your gonna hunt deer. Keep it simple. Don't complicate it
 
I would be looking for a used bolt action action rifle in a Remington M700, Winchester M70 or a Ruger 77. A 243 win or 257 roberts would be good cartridges if coyotes and deer are on the menu.
 
I would definitely recommend two rifles A cheep 22 can be a lot of fun shooting every Hunter shood have one for practice and play but best of all for small game
I would not spend a pile of money on a 22 LR just a cheep used rifle off of EE to get you out shooting
Then a 308 and you will be well on your way
 
Thanks for all the replies. From all the replies I figure it's best I get a 22lr and shoot a couple cases of ammo through it and then either sell it and get a 308 or similar and keep the 22lr for squirrels and for new shooters down the line to try it out.
 
Marcelj1221 said:
Thanks for all the replies. From all the replies I figure it's best I get a 22lr and shoot a couple cases of ammo through it and then either sell it and get a 308 or similar and keep the 22lr for squirrels and for new shooters down the line to try it out.
Click to expand...

Good plan but I would bet once you start playing with the 22 you won't be selling it there way to much fun not to have one kicking a round
 
Figure out what type of shooting you do. A rifle good at everyone means it is great at nothing.
 
I keep trying to buy something better thinking it will be the greatest hunting rifle ever and keep going back to the same rifle I bought many years ago and have taken just about every medium and big game animal in BC with. Steyr Scout in 308 with a Zeiss Victory 5-15 scope.

I am still trying to find that holy grail of hunting rifles for me though.
 
Marcelj1221 said:
Thanks for all the replies. From all the replies I figure it's best I get a 22lr and shoot a couple cases of ammo through it and then either sell it and get a 308 or similar and keep the 22lr for squirrels and for new shooters down the line to try it out.
Click to expand...

Good choice! ........... Shooting a 22 never gets old.
 
Marcelj1221 said:
Thanks for all the replies. From all the replies I figure it's best I get a 22lr and shoot a couple cases of ammo through it and then either sell it and get a 308 or similar and keep the 22lr for squirrels and for new shooters down the line to try it out.
Click to expand...

Good choice X 2... and shoot alot.

Keep the .22 when you get your second rifle... everyone should own at least one .22 LR.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom