Graduating from pistols to rifles...need advice

J

JB-man

New member
Expanding from pistols to rifles...need advice

Yes, I'm a nwebie to the gun world, and am finally getting my Glocks tamed, and can place my shots better than before.
I think I'm ready to explore the rifle world.
Now, a friend of mine wants to sell me a Remington 7600 30-06, so he can buy a decked-up AR15.
So, what's your take on the 7600?
kick?
range?
ease of use? (I think its a pump-style)
etc.......
I need expert advice, and I know alot of you out there are experts.
 
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Well, I wouldn't consider myself an expert, but what are your intended uses for this rifle? How will it stand up to the intended use?

Hunting, plinking, SHTF situation? I would assume because of the caliber you mentioned that it will be used for hunting. Luck you. We cannot hunt in Illinois with a large caliber rifle.

I'm not much of an authority on hunting rifles, but I know what one is as opposed to a combat rifle.
 
7600 is indeed a pump. Far as recent quality, etc. can't comment. I've an old 760 in '06 which is a very fine rifle = very quick, very accuracte - does have a bit of a boot ...

Range is same as any other '06 fodder shot from same length barrel.

Underrated action, IMO.

What's the asking price, condition, etc.?
 
My first rifle was an Oly (SGW) CAR-AR. Something about owning a very common gun, where you can get lots of advice, tools, accessories, and parts was always a plus. As the prices on ARs have dropped significantly, I would consider getting one of those first. 5.56 is very manageable, and a good entry into rifles.
 
i can shoot a 22lr all day (and cheaply)
an AR 15 all day (but easily 200 dollars of ammo)
my .308 i can fire 30-50 rounds and have enough fun
my bolt action 30-06 is a 10 rounds and goodnight rifle

30-06 is a great North American game rifle

every one should have one
but its not exactly a joy to shoot all day

but it is loud

;)
 
Get a cheap military surplus (a Turk or Yugo mauser would be OK). You
will save money, you will save time, and in case something rather
unpleasant happens in the US, 8mm will make sure anything hit by it
will have an extended stay either in hospital, or with solid torso
hits, in Hades.

Else, get an SKS (cheap, uses a weaker catridge that rifle newbies
will manage better), or an American classic - the Garand. Hefty
cartridge, semi-auto and ontop of that you can have it rebarreled (if
it hasn't happened already) in .308, a good round that will drop most
things in the CONUS. Garands also allow you to participate in NRA
matches, which can be very interesting.

The military surplus will also be legal to be used as hunting rifle,
of course.
 
You might want to see if you can take it to the range first with your friend. If you are not a hunter you may not have a good use for the gun (except jbt's of course). Unless ofcourse you enjoy shooting it (the recoil) and get into rifle markmanship more proper. It can certainly bee a fun endeavor to learn to hit targets at a appreciable distance. 30-06 can definitely do it too..:)
 
That is a hunting rifle.

I can't really think of many practical uses of a Rem 7600 in .30-06 other than hunting. I carried one in .308 once on a bear hunt and found a ton of marijuana instead, but I didn't even get to shoot it. We got the bear in the end and the USDA wildlife guy did a number on that bear with it.

If you are in a state legal to get an AR, that is what I would get if I were you. More fun!

And I would not think of yourself graduating from pistols to rifles. I know for a fact that shooting my Glock 27 takes lots of practice. Shooting rifles does too, but it is so much easier to hit what you are aiming at. Sounds to me like you are bringing yourself back down to the masses! ;)
 
1. Never be in a hurry to spend money. It comes in slower than it goes out.

2. A bolt-action .22 is the absolute best rifle as one's first rifle. It pretty much forces you to learn the proper way to shoot, and it's the cheapest "learner" there is.

3. Friends are nice, but their money problems should not wind up possibly being your shooting problems. He might wind up being a lot happier than you, and the friendship might be gone, long gone.

FWIW,

Art
 
Maybe best question is "what do you want a rifle for?" Not rhetorical, but to what use do you intend it?

Art's right about a .22LR bolt.

Lots of different "games" to play with rifles & just because somebody's got one for sale is no reason to buy that one.
 
Before you decide to part with your money, I would suggest that you first take a look at the rifle (it doesn't appear taht you've even seen it yet) and try shooting it. If you simply like it, it doesn't matter what anyone else says.

Personally, I don't know if your first rifle should be a 30-06, unless you take up hunting. Those rounds can be pretty expensive if all you want to do is plink.
 
good points all...
I will consider the thoughts by many of you.
Maybe I used the wrong word by "graduating" from pistol to rifle.
I do need and will always be in practice with my pistols. There can't be enough practice.
The range in my area does rent pistols and rifles, and I think I'll go try some out first....
 
First Rifle...

My two cents. If you've had experience with big-bore handguns, the recoil from most hunting rifles will be pretty easy to deal with. Your torso absorbs the shock, rather than your poor wrist. Consequently, you may find a .22 simply too dull to start out with.

If that is the case, and you don't want to spend more than $200, you can't do better than an unissued M48 Yugoslavian Mauser rifle. The action is far easier to clean and cope with in the field than leverguns or pump actions. Surplus 8mm ammo is cheap, but stay away from the overpriced, underpowered domestic garbage. I made the mistake of starting out with lever actions. I loved them, but quickly got bogged down in mechanical problems.

No matter what you choose, you'll find *A LOT* more power and accuracy from rifles. Orders of magnitude more. This is why the officers in an army, those "generally harmless personages," carry sidearms while the ones who do real fighting ALWAYS carry long guns. There is simply no contest.
 
.22 BOLT.........

.......it is the quinessential "learner" as Art put it.
Also, I've found it is a cheap/effective way to eliminate the
ol' '06 flinches, calm down and shoot like you are s'posed to.
 
........oh yeah.....

......an AR for a first rifle! HA. That's just great if you were born with a silver spoon in yer chompers but most of us cut our teeth with a .22.........
 
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