First Rifle
- Thread starter CMichael
- Start date
mrawesome22
New member
First rifle should always be a 22LR.
Sparks1957
New member
I have to agree with the folks who think a .22 is the place to start. You can't run before you learn to walk, as I always say.
If you're going to get bored with a .22, you're going to get bored with any caliber. It is also means that you aren't challenging yourself to improve your skills. There's always room for improvement.
If you're going to get bored with a .22, you're going to get bored with any caliber. It is also means that you aren't challenging yourself to improve your skills. There's always room for improvement.
Achilles11B
New member
Although it makes me sad that I can't recommend a Savage Mk II Tactical in .22LR because the OP might not be interested...eh, I'll do it, anyway. 
If you want to go the semi-auto route, I recommend a good AR or a good AK. They're both quite versatile. ammo is reasonably priced, and the AR is a pretty accurate platform.
If you wanted to go the bolt-action route, my votes go to the Winchester 70 or the Remington 700. My 70 was ridiculously accurate, but the ergonomics of the safety on the 700 were more intuitive. I could give a personal account on the 700's accuracy, but at the time I owned it, I was just getting started with the whole 'precision rifle' business...on a .300 Win Mag. Live and learn...anyway, for either one I'd recommend .223 for cartridge selection unless you want to take it hunting at some point. It's great for taking paper, though.
If you want to go the semi-auto route, I recommend a good AR or a good AK. They're both quite versatile. ammo is reasonably priced, and the AR is a pretty accurate platform.
If you wanted to go the bolt-action route, my votes go to the Winchester 70 or the Remington 700. My 70 was ridiculously accurate, but the ergonomics of the safety on the 700 were more intuitive. I could give a personal account on the 700's accuracy, but at the time I owned it, I was just getting started with the whole 'precision rifle' business...on a .300 Win Mag. Live and learn...anyway, for either one I'd recommend .223 for cartridge selection unless you want to take it hunting at some point. It's great for taking paper, though.
warrior poet
New member
Don't forget the Model 7!! My favorite little 'lead launcher' ever.
Well, like everybody else and for the same good reasons, my first recommendation is to get a 22LR. Any 22, really, as long as it's reasonably accurate! Still, if you're dead-set against a 22, consider my formal recommendation lodged and let's move on.
What other types of rifle you pursue depends on what you consider fun and how far away you want to shoot. Since you're just going to be shooting for fun and not hunting, that puts us into two different possible territories. First and most relevant since you already have some handguns, would be a pistol-caliber carbine like a Beretta CX4 Storm, a Kel-Tec Sub2000, or a Hi-Point Carbine. They're accurate, more powerful than a 22LR, and make good self-defense weapons to boot. They're safe to use on pistol-rated metal targets, and satisfying as all get-out to shoot. You can scope them or red-dot them if you like, or just roll with the iron sights. Either way, they're a barrel of fun and cheap to shoot.
The other way to go would be a bolt-action like you hinted at when you mentioned a Remington 700, which is sort of the generic American modern hunting rifle. With a 700, you're almost required to purchase a scope and rapid-fire is definitely out, but that type of gun leaves your caliber choices wide-open. If I were going to be shooting a bolt-gun for fun and hunting (particularly deer, because of caliber limitations) wasn't an issue, I would get any quality .223 Remington and have a field day. Low recoil and flat shooting make it easy to use, and cheaper ammo than other options increase the number of rounds you get to shoot before pain sets in. If you want about the same amount of power with a larger bore and slightly cheaper ammo, consider getting a CZ 527 in 7.62x39. It has the correct size bore for the inexpensive ammo, and if you decide to handload or purchase premium ammo from manufacturers like S&B, you can get some serious accuracy out of it. The CZ 527 comes with decent iron sights and provisions for scope mounting so, you have the best of both worlds. For what it's worth, the 527 also comes in 223.
What other types of rifle you pursue depends on what you consider fun and how far away you want to shoot. Since you're just going to be shooting for fun and not hunting, that puts us into two different possible territories. First and most relevant since you already have some handguns, would be a pistol-caliber carbine like a Beretta CX4 Storm, a Kel-Tec Sub2000, or a Hi-Point Carbine. They're accurate, more powerful than a 22LR, and make good self-defense weapons to boot. They're safe to use on pistol-rated metal targets, and satisfying as all get-out to shoot. You can scope them or red-dot them if you like, or just roll with the iron sights. Either way, they're a barrel of fun and cheap to shoot.
The other way to go would be a bolt-action like you hinted at when you mentioned a Remington 700, which is sort of the generic American modern hunting rifle. With a 700, you're almost required to purchase a scope and rapid-fire is definitely out, but that type of gun leaves your caliber choices wide-open. If I were going to be shooting a bolt-gun for fun and hunting (particularly deer, because of caliber limitations) wasn't an issue, I would get any quality .223 Remington and have a field day. Low recoil and flat shooting make it easy to use, and cheaper ammo than other options increase the number of rounds you get to shoot before pain sets in. If you want about the same amount of power with a larger bore and slightly cheaper ammo, consider getting a CZ 527 in 7.62x39. It has the correct size bore for the inexpensive ammo, and if you decide to handload or purchase premium ammo from manufacturers like S&B, you can get some serious accuracy out of it. The CZ 527 comes with decent iron sights and provisions for scope mounting so, you have the best of both worlds. For what it's worth, the 527 also comes in 223.
hi point nut
Inactive
i think that you should get a .22. evryone should start out with one but if your agenst one than you should get a mini 14/30 there more reliable and cheeper than an AR and you can get one in 223 or in 7.62x39 and you wont get board with either of those.
loose_holster_dan
New member
MSAR STG-556
Then you can do this to it.
Then you can do this to it.
loose_holster_dan
New member
if you have the room, i found the remington 700 sps tactical in 308 to be a TON of fun.
mapsjanhere
New member
I always thought a good military surplus rifle and a can of ammo is very valuable to teach you the important facts of rifle shooting, like always keeping the stock at the right spot solidly to your shoulder. After you're through half the can you're appreciate the .22 you buy to learn the finer points of actually hitting with a rifle. 5 years from now when you return to it you'll love that Mosin, I promise.
American Made
New member
How does that SPS shoot?
loose_holster_dan
New member
it shoots way better than i do
I think the 22 makes a great first gun. If you are sure you want center fire I would go with a pistol caliber carbine. There are lots of 45ACP/9MM black carbines if that is what you are in to and if you shoot semi-auto pistols they can shoot the same bullets. If you shoot lots of revolvers then a 357 magnum or 44 mag lever action carbine may be better suited.
Then there is the 223, very cheep ammo for a center fire rifle.
In the end get what you want. Make sure you at least hold and inspect the gun (or better yet test fire it) before you buy.
Then there is the 223, very cheep ammo for a center fire rifle.
In the end get what you want. Make sure you at least hold and inspect the gun (or better yet test fire it) before you buy.
warbirdlover
New member
For fun I like something that goes BOOM and let's your shoulder know you just shot a RIFLE! .300 Win Mag is FUN to shoot..... .22's are boring. And then challenges you to put all your shots together in a tight group while you are squeezing the trigger before the big kick.