What rifle for first time owner

T

timelinex

New member
Hi everyone,
So my experience with rifles/gun has been very limited. I have went to the gun range a couple times and shot rounds through both. I have never been hunting but I want to go sometime soon. The indoor gun range near me only goes up to 25 yards, but I live within an hour to desert that can be used to shoot at any distance as well.

I don't really know anyone that is interested in rifles/hunting so I have noone to consult(but also don't have time in my week to attend events and such to meet others). The reason I'm posting here is I want to buy a rifle and wanted to get the opinion of some knowledgeable people before taking the plunge.

My budget is preferable under 1,000 for a rifle and scope. I have no problem buying used,so that might expand what I can afford.

This rifle will be used mainly for target practice, but also for the occasional hunting(deer). I want something that is fairly accurate, so that I can work my way up the skill ladder without having this rifle be the bottleneck. I do not care for fully automatic. Also what caliber should I be searching for? It seems the most popular are 5.56 NATO and 7.62X39. From my understanding the 7.62x39 would be good since its dirt cheap to shoot if bought in bulk compared to other calibers.

The only rifles I really know are the ar-15 and ak47. The Ak47 seems Ideal, except for from my understanding it does not have good accuracy. The ar-15 doesn't really come in the 7.62 so ammunition would be more expensive. And then there are a million brands of each! I am open to suggestions between those two or any other rifle that I don't know about. I do prefer a more 'tactical rifle' feel though, as opposed to standard hunting rifles( i think like some of the Remington 700's).

Any guidance would be much appreciated!
 
If you want a semi auto gun someone else will be here to help you out, but if your wanting a bolt action rifle to shoot I will suggest something like a Venture from T/C or the 700 like you mentioned, they have hundreds of calibers to choose and models as well to fit what you like. Also something to look at is a T/C pro hunter as you can switch barrels on them in seconds and have a shotgun, rimfire rifle, as well as a target rifle and hunting rifle, with those you only get 1 shot at a time but they are great for beginners and masters. A monkey can be safe with a pro hunter and accurate. For optics dont get cheap. Get the best you can afford, Nikon Prostaff is a great cheap scope and Nikon Monarchs, or Leupold VX3s are great 500-600 dollar scopes.
 
Find a WalMart that still sells guns and spend $518.00 on a new Remington 700 ADL with the laminated stock. While you're there, pick up a set of 2 piece Weaver bases for $12.00 and a set of Weaver rings for $10.00. Then pick up a Redfield 3x9 scope at Dick's or wherever for $150 and tax and you will be armed for just about any North American game. This assumes of course that you choose a 270 or 30/06. I vote for the '06 because it throws heavier bullets and has a 100+ year reputation.
 
I agree with all these guys on the rem 700 tc prohunter and win 70 if your recoil shy the 308 is always a great target round that you can get anywhere alon with it being inexpensive. If you not recoil shy the 30-06 and the 270 are really good choices and you can get away with a leuplod vxii for around 300 and have a great warrenty on it. Just my 4 cents.

Best of luck
Steve
 
I'd go for a Ruger M77 Hawkeye in 243 & a Redfield 3-9x40mm scope. You'll like that alot I think.
 
If it is your first rifle get a simple and rugged design. Get an AK. So simple a child can (and do) operate it.
 
I'm going to suggest something different. You did mention a $1000 budget, right?

My suggestion is to go with not 1 but 2 rifles. You can do this easily enough with your budget. You can get a new .22lr with scope for under $200, no problem. For instance, a Marlin 795 or a Mossberg Plinkster. You can get either of those, new, for around $100, and a serviceable .22 scope can be had for less than $100, no problem. That leaves you with $800 for your centerfire rifle, which is plenty of cash to outfit a serviceable rifle/scope combo, as others have pointed out.

That way you can build marksmanship skills on the cheap with the .22lr. You'll shoot more if you can better afford the ammo, and you can do so without the blast and recoil of the more powerful centerfire hunting rifle. This makes it easier to build your skills without those flinch inducing factors.

Besides that, it is always nice to have a .22lr plinker to occupy your time while your centerfire rifle's barrel cools.
 
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Thanks for all the replies thus far!

I see most of you are recommending rifles with the .308 or 30-06 caliber. The problem with that is they are way more expensive to shoot and do target practice than the 5.56 or 7.62x39. Thats why I was kinda leaning towards those, the prices on those online are way cheaper then any other ammo Ive seen.

Keep in mind that while I do want to go hunting, that will be very rare compared to just target practice. So even though those two calibers wont be ideal for hunting, I'm sure they will work. Right?

As for getting two guns, I have thought about it but I would rather stick to one that i would get used to.
 
I'd start with a decent .22 and do a lot of shooting, since you are new to the hobby, and practice, practice, practice. Preferably with a friend that is not new that can help you along and answer questions. A .22 as a first rifle will help build a good shooting habit base, trigger control, be cheap to do, be fun, train out flinching, etc. I started out with a Marlin model 60 many years ago, and the experience was invaluable to how I shoot today.
 
I wouldn't rule out the AR15. You can start with a basic model for a little under 800.

http://www.impactguns.com/store/604206086693.html

And 5.56 Ammo has come back down a lot. I am getting Lake City XM193 fro around 33 cents a round now.

The AR 15 kicks the crap out of an AK for accuracy, and the possibilities to upgrade it later are endless. It a serious rifle, with most parts identical or interchangeable with military parts. And it's American. Sorry, I just like having a copy of a rifle that is essentially what our military uses. It's kind of a patriotic thing with me.
 
The Ak47 seems Ideal, except for from my understanding it does not have good accuracy.
Click to expand...

Even a mediocre AK should generally do 4-inch groups at 100 yards (which is probably plenty accurate for a novice shooter), the above-average AK can do noticeably better than that, or if it's an AK platform in something other than 7.62x39 (there's AK variants in 5.56/.223, 5.45x39, .308, 7.62x54R, and even 8mm Mauser available).
 
Does your rifle have to be semi-auto??

I only have 1 rifle, a Remington 7615 Police .223 Pump.

It is a great rifle, fast action and accepts AR-15/M16 magazines and other accessories. It is accurate enough.

I believe Remington make them in sporter variants too.

Just my $0.02
 
You should get 2 rifles. A .22, and a "serious" rifle. You should be able to do this on your budget.

A .22 is SERIOUSLY cheap to shoot, and the low recoil and noise makes it easy to learn to shoot. If you only get a full powered rifle, it will be expensive to learn to shoot, and the noise and recoil might will make things difficult. Look here:
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=443284

What kind of deer do you plan on hunting? What kind of terrain is it? What's the longest shot you think you'd take?

It's better to use less rifle if you can.
 
So even though those two calibers wont be ideal for hunting, I'm sure they will work. Right?
Click to expand...

A 223 can be reliably counted on to kill deer if you keep your shots at 150-200 yards max and you select a good bullet that's made to penetrate deeply and has controlled expansion. A FMJ bullet or a varmint bullet will not do at all for deer.
 
after having spent 13 years in the Army before i had a service connected disability, i came to love the M-4 i carried so when i got out i bought a Bushmaster M-4. it is accurate out to 600 meters and handles very well in the thick woods we have here and still does well for long range in the bean fields. i have set it up to my specifications with a CMG 4 rail forearm that provides a mount for the tactical laser and flashlight and forearm pistol grip. i added a Simmons 3-9x50 scope on a carry handle as that is what i carried and am more comfortable with and added a Bushmaster raised cheek piece that houses a extra firing pin and a pistol grip plug that houses all the springs used and a set of gas rings. i added a Harris pivoting bi pod as i carry the weapon in a Vietnam paratrooper weapons pack that opens up into a range mat. it will take all the game that i want as it can shoot bullets from 40gr.-79gr. and will handle any 2 legged varmints i may have to deal with. it is a excellent all round rifle.:D
 
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I shot a WASR AK on Saturday for the first time. First time trying, gun was not sighted in on paper, and I was shooting short oil filters at 100 yards with irons. I was impressed. 7.62x39 is really rather cheap compared to alot and being it an AK, buy the cheapest dirtiest garbage you can, it shoots good in them apparently. If I were in your situation I would get a WASR(350$ at cabelas w. 5mags) and call it a day.
 
If interested in the 7.62x39 round he may also want to look at an SKS. Cheaper money up front. Shoots 10 rounds before a reload. Has an honest wood stock on it. Is a little heavier than an AK so a little less felt recoil. Have fun whatever you choose and always be safe.
 
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