An Adult's First Rifle

A

Arisakar98

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I'm 22 and looking to buy my first rifle. I've decided to start looking before I go to a hunter's safety course because I want to make a well-researched purchase after I finish the class. I just want suggestions and advice on what to consider buying.

Hunting is primarily why I want a rifle. I'm also looking to eventually own my father's old type 99 Arisaka, but that's a gun for someone more than a beginner I think (plus it takes a really big safe to store).

I want to get a bolt action rifle that allows me to take a relatively large variety of small and medium-sized game, isn't much than $300 and ammunition shouldn't go over $1 a round, and is easy to care for and operate.
 
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$300 really limits your choices. You may want to check out used rifles and even then it's tough to meet that criteria unless you find one of those super deals. Walmart sells a Remington 700 ADL with a cheap scope for $400 and you can find package deals for Savage rifles just as cheap. As for caliber small to medium game can mean a lot of different things but if deer hunting is in your future I would suggest 243 Winchester or a 7mm\08. It'll be tough but not impossable to meet your buck a round but both are fine deer calibers and can be used on smaller game. If you're not going after deer than a 223 is a great round and ammo can be purchased pretty cheaply.
 
OK...good start.
We got budget- $300- but, does that include glass?
Small to medium sized game- but at what range (open sights or Scout rifle maybe)- ties into the optic question above. Woods gun, or "beanfield"?

Caliber will depend on largely on estimated distance for shooting.

The more specifics you provide, the better the suggestions you'll get.

Although...some will always suggest what they have, anyway...:D

Edit:
I'll second what was said above about the Savage package rifles...
I hate Wally World, but they have some exclusives from Savage that are a great "entry" level rifle, for under $400.

The good thing is- and I almost just bought one for just this reason- is that down the road, if you want to upgrade- you can ditch the stock and the cheap scope, put the action into a nice stock, get a new scope, etc. and not be out much money. You can even easily upgrade the barrel, and/or change calibers as well- off your original Savage 10 (or 11) action. These package rifles sell for not much more than buying a bare action. I was gonna buy the package rifle, and sell the rest of it off to get the action for cheap..Can't go wrong...
 
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Patience is a virtue. If you can wait and scrounge/scrape/save another $300 on top of what you have, you will have many more options.
 
Get a .22 and get good shooting it. Then, in the future, spend enough money to get a good rifle and scope. You need to get pretty good shooting paper before you can responsibly shoot at animals.
 
what do you plan on hunting? if you are looking for deer sized game, a 7mm-08 is the best choice for a beginner. very low recoil, very accurate round, and has way more knockdown power than most other light recoiling guns. also, shoots fairly flat for long distance shooting.
 
My first centerfire bolt gun was a T-99 Arisaka. :)

If you reload, you can go from mouse-fart cast loads to 180gr jacketed loads that can drop anything in the Americas.

I'd recommend a .22lr for anyone just starting out as well. I'd put many bricks of ammo through my Marlin 49DL before I shot a centerfire rifle.
 
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The OP wants to hunt small to medium size game and a .22 is suggested?

He's 22 years old- not 12...

My now 14 year old got his first bolt action 1-1/2 years ago- a .308 Savage. He had no issues with it and was plugging minute of angle groups after a few outings at the range.

Same with my 18 year old and his first handgun. Even though he is a proficient long gun shooter, a lot of guys recommended a .22 for his first handgun.
Screw that...
Bought him a CZ-75B and he drives tacks with it.

Everyone should own a .22. They're fun-and cheap- to shoot, and we have a ball with our 22/45 Target pistol.

But the "beginners should start with a .22" advice is BS, far as I'm concerned. For smaller children and old ladies, maybe.

Otherwise, get what you want to shoot and learn on that platform. No big deal.
 
Go the used rifle route, You can still find guns for under $300 that will kill Bambi and Wiley Coyote just fine.

Sporterized military rifles are always a good buy imho. Bubba may have ruined the collector value, but he made a decent deer gun.

Haunt the used gun shops till you find one that you like. Have dad give you a second opinion.

I also recommend a .22 as a first gun. But it's your call.
 
TOBNPR--- Im with ya all the way. Yes 22's are fun and cheap to shoot,but i agree--Get what you want to shoot and learn on that platform. First shotgun i ever shot was a 10 gauge Goosegun. I did not start with a 410 and then 20 and 12 and ect. Since i have been on this forum i hear over and over about recoil recoil,,What an over stated bunch of hype. If you flinch from a 45 ACP your going to flinch from a 9MM to. Fire it enough to get used to it and it becomes a 22 so to say.
 
there are tons of mausers and mosin out there for under 300
That Arisaka will do just fine too. It doesn't recoil too bad.
hunting ammo won't be real easy to get, but its out there.
All of these guns have some recoil, but you are 22, you will be fine. They won't knock you over. (you weigh more than 70 lbs right? LOL)
If you keep your eyes open, you can find a sporterized mauser or mosin in a more common caliber (308 or 30-06)

You might be able to find an SKS.
It is a Semi-auto.
Hunting ammo might be around too.

You have ton's of options for guns.

BEFORE YOU HUNT....
Practice practice practice.

If you can't hit a deer in the vitals, you are doing a dis-service to hunters, wildlife, and yourself.

Become good enough to reliably hit the vital area at your hunting range. Then enjoy hunting. Don't rush the shot, etc...
 
That is a good price on the Axis. However, the save up and buy a scope later could be a problem since the Axis doesn't come with any open sights. Not much fun to just look at your new rifle while you wait.:rolleyes:
 
Thanks all, you gave me some good ideas. I have to apologize however. My friend recently informed me that rifles are not allowed in my state for at least two of the things I'd like to hunt. I was kind of set on one too... Sorry for wasting your time.:(
 
I would still suggest getting a .22LR to work on proper form and shooting technique for a long gun. A .22LR can be a blast to shoot, and the ammo cost is not going to put you in the poor house.
 
30-06

If you are hunting deer size game are larger 30-06 has many different bullet weights for different game. Most hunters I know have tried 308, 270, 7mm but they all go back to old faithful 30-06. Plus you can get ammo anywhere. If you are hunting smaller game I would say 223. Stay with a common round that won't break the bank. As far as gun type $300 limits you but look around you will find the one to fits you. And read reviews it will help you not to buy a junk gun. Good luck and be safe.
 
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