First Real Rifle - Not a .22

W

wildkard

New member
I am planning to get my first real rifle soon, and I was wondering what it should be. Before telling me to get a .22 and practice, my dad has .22's that I have practiced with, I have also fired an M16 in training, and qualified. So I was basically wondering what I should start my collection with, I'd like to start with an AR15 but since Ilive in Kalifornia that will have to wait.
I am planning on getting a Beretta 92 this summer and probably my first rifle as well assuming I have the money.

Any way the choices are:

Short Range/Carbine
Bushmaster AR 15 16" Barrel
Trijicon Reflex II 12.5MOA Triangle (This one will have to wait until I get out of this damn state.)


Medium Range/Multipurpose
Springfield M1A
6x40 1" tube, .308 Government Reticle

Maybe a CMP M1 Garand?


Long Range/Sniper
Remington 700VS .308
Leupold Vari-X III 3.5-10x40mm Long Range M3 Mil. Dot Reticle (matte)

Remington Model Seven SS .243Win
Leupold Compact Scope (unsure which model)
This would be a general purpose/scout-type rifle.


Just noticed a post that the Scope and mount for the M1A can be had for $100 until September 30.
http://www.springfieldarmory.com/prod-mia-promotion.shtml


[Edited by wildkard on 06-01-2001 at 07:42 PM]
 
Start saving. You're going to buy all of those rifles! :)

I would get the M1A for now. When you move out of state replace the M1A's muzzle break with a real flash suppressor if you want to.

I wouldn't get too excited about that scope/mount deal. The Springfield Mounts are hit and miss, meaning that some people have trouble with them and others don't. I would get a ARMS mount or a Brookfield mount. The scope included with that $100 is a fixed 6X scope. That scope and mount wouldn't be my first choice at all, but for $100 it wouldn't be all that bad. (But then again, if you're going to turn around and buy a better scope and mount, why spend the $100 to begin with.)

Within the next few months I'll probably be putting a scope on my M1A. I'm thinking of getting the ARMS mount and rings and a Leupold scope (either a LPS or a Vari-X III) unless I can be convinced otherwise.

If you're moving out of state any time soon, you might want to check out the AR15.com Limited Edition Group Purchase (LEGP) Rifle ($660) (see: http://www.ar15.com/ and http://www.castle-arms.com/) It's a great quality rifle with all the cool post-ban features for an unheard of price. My AR15.com LEGP rifle should ship to me near the end of next week (I hope). Those who have already received their rifles have great things to say about them.

If you haven't decided on a gun friendly state to move to, Oregon hasn't turned to the dark side (yet--the evil socialists are sure trying) and has a shall issue concealed handgun license and allows class III weapons and such.
 
Unfortunately it's going to be a while before I can move, I have to finish school first. I'm at UCSB, otherwise I'd already have that AR15.
 
Out of all the choices that you mentioned and since you're in Kali I would go for the Remington 700, but not the VS version, I would try for the PSS. If you start off shooting for accuracy with a good bolt action, chances are you'll improve your rifle form and that will translate over into all the other rifles that you mentioned. Just make sure you don't do all your shooting off the bench and you practice your field shooting skills as well.

Dan
 
Thanks for the advice.
I'm now thinking that maybe to start off I ought to get a Remington 700 ADL Synthetic Youth in .243Win. I know its a stupid name; but I should be able to set it up as a scout type rifle and it's cheap, it has iron sights (so I can shoot it while I try to decide on what type of scope I want), and it should be more accurate than I am for quite a while.

Again thanks for the advice. In this thread, and many others.
Alex
 
if you are limited on how many you can buy for now, I would pick one good high powered bolt. Out of your choices, I think I would pick the Remington 700. Also, since you mentioned getting a Beretta and not owning any 22's, I am assuming you are firearmless. If I am wrong, I am sorry. That aside, don't forget the value of a good shotgun. You don't need to break the bank on something fancy. A simple pump action 12 ga can fill a lot of gaps until you have the arsenol you desire. Check out some pawn shops. You may be surprised at how far $200 can take you.
 
Yes I know, I just didn't want anyone telling me to get a 22 and practice, I already have a 22lr Marlin rifle and a 22lr High Standard pistol. I should have said First Centerfire Rifle. I hate shotguns, bad experiences with them badly bruised shoulders when I was younger, plus they are way to loud.
 
Who makes the best out-of-the-box lightweight, compact centerfire rifle for about the price of the Remington M7, preferably with a synthetic stock.
Remington, Winchester, Tikka, Savage, etc. (Feel free to point out anythinng I left out.)

I think I'm going to get it in 243, and put a Leupold Compact 2x7 scope on it.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanx
Alex
 
I own a Tikka Whitetail Hunter (.338 Win. mag.) and a Savage 110 Tactical (.308) and have nothing but positive things to say about both. And both of them can be had for less than a Model 7.

The action on the Tikka is the smoothest of any I have ever handled, including the Remington 700's.

The Savage came out of the box shooting 1/2 MOA without any adjustments on the trigger or anything else other than getting a scope on it and sighting it in.

A .243 sounds like a varmint or possibly small deer round. What are you looking to do with it?
 
I'm mostly looking to do target shooting, with some varmints, and maybe deer so it should be pretty much perfect.

By the way how does the recoil compare to a 308?
 
The .243 is milder than a .308, but in my opinion the improved power and accuracy (the .308 is probably the most accurate .30 caliber round) of the .308 is worth the little extra thump. If you're talking about hunting deer, a whitetail is about as big as I'd go with a .243.

Last time I checked you can get 120-gr. bullets for the .308, and I imagine that would be awesome fodder for prarie dogs. The 168-gr. match bullets are phenomenal for long-range shooting, the 165-gr. flavor would be very good for small to medium deer, and you can go up to 180-gr. (or possibly 200-gr.) bullets for hunting larger game.

Can you tell which one I personally favor? If versatiliy is a real part of the equation for you, then I would steer you to the .308 for the reasons above.
 
Right now I'm 5'11" and 140lbs and have only fired other peoples center fire rifles a few times before how do you think the recoil of the 308 would be out of a remington M7?

I do like the idea of being able to practice with cheap surplus ammo, makes it much more affordable, which means I get to shoot more.
 
You're bigger than I was when I started shooting my dad's Remington 788. I was about 5'6" and 135 pounds (12 years old).

I think you'd be just fine with the .308's recoil, and much better off in the performance category.
 
Wildcard, don't sweat the recoil on the .308. I am 5'9", 125lbs, and quite skinny; I can handle a 7mm Rem Mag. I would guess the .308 has far less recoil.
 
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