What rifle should I get for a grown adult that's learning how to shoot?

Question

I am looking to buy a rifle for recreational shooting at the range and perhaps small game hunting (nothing larger than a hare). I am looking for a light gun with low kick so I can learn how to shoot properly, but strong enough to hunt with. So far I'd rather prefer a rimfire, but need advice on what caliber rimfire is more ideal. I don't mind shelling out a few hundred for gear.

Answer 1

So your criteria are:
1. Low recoil.
2. Sufficient for hunting up to rabbit-sized game.
3. Rimfire preferred.

That really narrows your choices down. Of the rimfires available you can really only choose .22 LR, .22 Mag, or .17HMR. Of those three, the .17 would really tear the meat up, the .22LR is fairly short range, so to me that leaves the .22 Mag. Now, as for what make/model? If you want the best get a Kimber.

Answer 2

If you get a .22 or .17 caliber neither kick enough to worry about. You should be able to see hits through the scope. The .22 LR would be my pick for your needs. It's good to around 85 yards. A 22 Mag add about 75 yards to effective range while the 17 HMR is good out to 200 if you can hold steady. .22 LR ammo is the cheapest by far, and if you want more range get a .223. Alot louder, but it still doesn't kick very bad at all. The ammo is also as cheap as good .22 mag or .17 HMR and alot more power, velocity, choice of bullets, reloadability, surplus ammo, etc. Another choice would be the .17 Mach 2. Not very popular around here, but it is a .22 LR necked down to .17 caliber. Just a .22 with a smaller bullet going faster. Ammo is more expensive, and I wouldn't get it, but you could to be different. It also isn't as powerful as a .22 Magnum or .17 HMR. As for a gun, get whatever fits you best. It doesn't matter, what type it is, the most important thing is that you don't have to be in an odd position to shoot the rifle. Most .22's are accurate, so I would go with a cheaper one. My first choice would be a Savage .22 LR (very accurate), then Marlin, both are generally accurate. I found some old Marlins in my grandpa's basement, and after 50 years they shoot under an inch at 50 yards. Next I would get a scope. Get a good one, and you won't need to mess with anymore. Many companies make good scopes, and the recoil from anything up to a .243 or so shouldn't bother any of them. Some good companies are Nikon, Simmons, Leupold, etc. If you don't mind spending a couple hundred, here would be my setup:

1. Steven's Model 200 in .223(which is basically a Savage which means accurate)

2. Leupold 4.5x14x 40 scope

3. Several types of ammo to find which one your gun likes.

If you REALLY want rimfire, you could get a nice looking Savage for around $200-$250, then get you a high magnification scope, maybe a BSA Sweet .22. Here's a warning, don't put BSA scopes on anything centerfire, and don't buy scopes except maybe the Leupold Rifleman from Wal-Mart, lots have no warrenty and are cheaply made.

Hope my response was good enough, for a 14 year old. My first gun was a 7mm Remington Magnum Savage 100. She shoots under an inch at 100 yards. :D

Answer 3

I think you're on the right track with the rimfire rifle as your first. Sight picture, breath control and trigger control are beast learned when there's low recoil and when ammo is cheap enough that you don't count the money going downrange. For that reason, I'd recommend .22LR over other, more esoteric rimfire calibers like .17HMR - a box of 550 rounds of .22 will set you back $10 or so, and you can shoot all day long.

The standard .22 rifle is, and has been for a long time, the Ruger 10/22. It's semiauto, and the rotary magazine works better with the rimmed .22 cartridge than a traditional linear magazine. Also not too much money, and HIGHLY customizable as your skill level grows.

Good luck!

Answer 4

First I would like to say WELCOME

Like all the others said .22 LR is a good beginer gun. But depending on the type of things you plan on hunting like rabbit's, I would not recomend a rifle. It is VERY hard to hit something as fast as rabbit with a rifle. Also you cannot do any wing shooting (shooting birds) with a rifle. A GREAT all around gun for a beginner is a .410 shotgun. On a scale of 1-10 for recoil you are looking at .5.

Also depending on the state you are in you can hunt deer with a .410. personally I would not recomend it, but there have been 100's of thousands of deer taken with .410 slugs.

Also you are able to buy rifle shotgun combo's .22LR (top bbl) .410 (bottom bbl).

As far as brands, you can not go wrong with Marlin, or Savage. Both very good quality, at a lower cost.

Even if you find a better answer, FEEL free to contact me for any help you may need.

Answer 5

the golden rule is to start with a 22lr. Although the ruger 10/22 is a great gun i would recomend a bolt or lever action repeater for a begginer, because it is to easy with a semi-auto to forget that it is loaded after every shot. It would not be my first choice for rabbit hunting. To learn to shoot properly there is nothing better because you can practice inexpensively. I would recomend checking out some of the millitary trainer rifles in 22lr....Most are inexpensive($50) and very accurate, then you will have some money left for another rifle...and there will be another one.

Answer 6

Go with the .22 caliber semi auto. The quality is excellent and the rifle is cheap. Very accurate and light weight. These are great for beginners and pro's. Its a great firearm for hunting and just target practice. You can pick up a box 500 shells for around $10.00 or less. I would have to say it is the best rifle for small game, not too big and not to small. Also you will hardly feel any recoil if any at all. Good luck and have fun, its a great experience : )

Answer 7

There is only one choice. Get a .22 rifle. I suggest you get a pump action. You can mount a low power scope, like a 1.5-4.5 variable. The rifle is VERY accurate out to a hundred yds, packs plenty of killing power for small game, has such a slight recoil as to be unnoticeable, and isn't very loud. Ammo is cheap, and plentiful. If, you decide you want SUPER accurate, you can get special models, can stack bullets. Also, give thought to archery.. I got my first bow at 44, and now use a bow exclusively. Heck, even fish with it.

Answer 8

After reading the above answers(all very good) I would have to include the .17 HMR, probably one of the most overlooked small game rifles out there. It's plenty fast, hollow points would easily take a rabbit down. It has a tremendous effective range and ammo, while not cheap, is easy to get.

Answer 9

The Ruger Model 10/22 for around $200 is the best little .22lr for the money...One I really-really like and if you can/wish to spend more, for $300-$500 you can buy a used Weatherby XXII(.22lr) this is one great rifle,...I prefer the 15rd "tube" model Weatherby XXII over the clip model..

Why not check out more on this site, http://www.gunbroker.com then when you narrow it down go to a gunshow/shop and try them on for size..I have to like the way a rifle feels against my shoulder..

There are "many" .22 rimfire rounds,(.22BB - .22Short - .22Long - Etc) stick with the 22 LR(Long Rifle) Wal-Mart sells a box of 550 Federals for around $9-$10

Answer 10

Get a ruger 10/17. It is the same as a 10/22 but chambered for the .17HMR round. It is slightly smaller than a .22 but has double the velocity, and much better accuracy.