What is the next type of rifle to get after a .22?

Question

I have a Ruger 10/22 for practice and to teach the kids shooting basics. I thinking of moving up to something "more". We have no plans to hunt, just target. I guess there could be some home defense potential. I don't care for shotguns. I was thinking of something .223 caliber like a Mini 14 or maybe an SKS 7.62 x 39 mm. I'd like to have something with relatively inexpensive ammo (though I know nothing is cheaper than a .22).

What do you suggest?

I live in South Dakota, so there's no "California type" limitations

Answer 1

Well, if you want to just target practice, the .223 is about as cheap as you can go. The older Mini 14's are not that accurate. Ruger has fixed some problems and the newer ones shoot better groups. But, if you really want accuracy, you should consider a bolt action rifle, like the Savage mdl 10 or 12. An inexpensive rifle that, with a decent scope, will shoot rings around a semi auto.
I am not a fan of the SKS. Actually the Ruger Mini 30 (which shoots the 7.62 x 39) is a superior semi auto.
For a few dollars more, you could just get a .308 bolt gun like the savage. Then you would have some real accuracy potential. Especially at long ranges.

Answer 2

As long as you don't plan to hunt get a Mini 14. The .223 is a great caliber with far more power than the little round looks like it would have and the ammo is cheap. Kids can get a good appreciation of the power of a rifle by shooting cans full of water with a .223. They will think it's cool to see how they blow up . Put food coloring in the water if there is snow on the ground and they will see how far the water sprays. I have 2 Mini 14s and a Ruger model 77 in .223. I've had them for over 10 years and recommend them to anyone.
I don't like the 7.62x39. Some manufacturers use different diameter bullets for that caliber and that makes me nervous.

Answer 3

My two cents. The Ruger 10/22 or the Marlin 60 are at the top. I have a Remington 597 22mag and I am not impressed at all. It is very picky which ammo it likes to shoot. Don't know about the savage or Mossberg. I have a 10/22 I tricked out. Maybe the minus for 10/22 is all the money (fun) you can spend on it. It shoots any ammo. I own a Glenfield 60 which was the cheaper version of the Marlin 60. It was the first gun I ever bought 50 years ago. It shoots any ammo and still shoots great. Now last but not least is my Henry 22lr pump. It shoots 22 shorts up to 22lr. I feel its as fun as my autos though it's not cheap.

Answer 4

If the purpose of the gun is plinking AND home defense, the SKS would be the better choice, although not really ideal. The 7.62x39 cartridge is a medium power rifle cartridge that would be characterized by high potential for overpenetration (i.e., you shoot the bad guy and the bullet goes through him and into the kid next door). I would use such a weapon for home defense only in a rural environment.

On the plus side, SKS rifles are dirt cheap and ammo is about equal to 223 in cost. Don't be put off by the often seen bias toward Commie Bloc weapons here on these boards. Most of these weapons are very reliable and fun to shoot. A Yugo SKS 59/66 can be had for around $180 in very good to excellent condition and should render years of plinking fun with nominal cleaning and maintenance.

Regarding the 223, it is a very accurate cartridge, but of limited value for defensive purposes. Recognize that a 223 is just a 22 on steroids. The bullet itself is too small to provide reliable stopping power. It is a wounder and that is the logic of choosing it as a military cartridge; think about the resources chewed up by wounding troops versus killing them outright. A 223 isn't suitable for even medium sized game.

No doubt that a 223 is fun to shoot due to excellent accuracy (when delivered by any AR15 style rifle or bolt action rifle) and mild recoil. But for a home defense weapon, it stinks.

If you ultimately decide on a 223, avoid the Ruger Mini 14. Its reputation for accuracy is very spotty. I'm a huge Ruger fan and the majority of their guns are really great guns ... I know from first-hand experience. But the Mini 14 has always been a turkey.

Answer 5

You don't need any more answers, but if you are considering getting an SKS, make sure you get it from a reputable dealer, and check it out first. A lot of these guns have seen military service in very poor countries, and may not be accurate or in good repair. Thinking that .223 ammo is as cheap as 7.62x39 is nuts, however. Any good shop will sell Russian ammo (usually by Wolf) for around 4 bucks for a box of 20. I would also warn against the weight of the SKS, the best models are the Yugo 59/66 and are too heavy for small children. I love my SKS, but it requires some work done to it, as I got it through the mail from a budget importer, without several parts, a bent rear sight, and some random Yugoslavians name carved in the wood. HOWEVER: for the most multi purpose reliable gun in the world, get an SKS.

Answer 6

I think the bolt action rimfire is the way to go. You can find a wide variety in your current .22lr, .22Mag or .17hmr, which is a really fast and accurate little round.
In any case, a bolt action rifle is going to be inheriently more accurate than a semi-auto just due to the mechanism...that's not to say that semis cannot be made super accurate, it's just that they tend to be less so as a class.
The SKS is a fun, cheap and durable rifle to learn shooting larger 'medium' centerfire cartridges. It's not especially accurate and the 7.62x39 doesn't shoot well after 200 yards range, but it's really a lot of fun for the money. I strongly suggest you find a Russian or Chinese one. The Yugos are great, I have a few, but that heavier barrel and monstrous greande launcher add pounds that take away the fun of the SKS carbine. There is a Yugo without all that weight (Model 59 as opposed to the 59/66) if you can find one. also, the yugo doesn't have the chrome lined barrel and needs to be cleaned of the corrosive salts right after shooting to prevent rust.
Also, look at big bore surplus rifles, these are a lot of fun to shoot as well as collect and ammo is cheap and plentiful. ....Mauser 8mm, 1903 Springfield, British Enfield, or Russian 7.62x54r Mosins. Do not buy a Russian carbine, get the long 91/30 rifle. This is a powerful round and the carbines will scare the kids! Excellent Mosins can be had for $125....Mausers $200-$400 and 1903 for $600 or so.

Answer 7

I only target shoot, Went from 22 to a Bushmaster 223, I am surprised at the accuracy of the 223, I just picked up a Romanian made AK-47 for $219 at Dunhams, but have not shot it yet, you can get ammo pretty cheap, at least compared to my 270, but ammo will be 10 times or more more money then what your used to on the 22. The Bushmaster is great to shoot, just be sure and use brass ammo. The AK-47s you can normally shoot the cheaper ammo from (wolf brand)

Answer 8

Mini-14s are so expensive anymore that you should try to get a basic AR-15. Look around and maybe you will find a good deal. They are extremely accurate (although a bit touchy-well, any small-bore centerfire auto is) and fun to clean (break-open style). I used to own an Armalite M-15A2 (back in 98-99) and I paid $799 back then. They went up, but other companies offer cheaper models. You can also get the AR-180 from Armalite. They have updated the gun and now the lower receiver is the same as the AR-15 and mags are compatible. These are very accurate as well and lower cost. SKS is a good deal, but I would try to get a milled receiver model. Stamped is just kind of cheap, but buy what you want.

Update: I agree with Docmandin... A Ruger Mini-14 is VERY spotty with accuracy. Bill Ruger himself said that his gun was the world's most expensive plinker. The best you get from a Mini is @ 2" at 100yds. That is dreadful for a .223 rifle. Again, the cost of the gun is just not worth it. I have fired one and was not impressed at all. And they are no more reliable than an AR-15.

Answer 9

Bound's hubby here:

I understand your position ... shotguns don't float your boat, but you want a step up from your 10/22 ... and hunting is not in the cards. I do not think I would suggest a centerfire at all ... in relative terms, the .223 and 7.62x39 are less expensive than other centerfires, but they are not inexpensive.

I think the .22 still has a lot of life in it to challenge you and your kids ... you just need to look at it from a different angle. Your 10/22 is a very good "plinker" but it is not a good rifle for teaching precision and competitive (bullseye skills). I would suggest that you look at the NRA qualification programs, for both 50 ft. and 50 yard position shooting. These programs will prepare your children (and yourself if you so choose) for NRA sanctioned competitions at local gun clubs, regional and state matches, and if you so desire, competition at the national level.

A nice benefit of these programs and competitons is what your children can learn, plus what they can gain. If college is in your children's future, developed shooting skills and competition can lead to college scholarships. Yes, college scholarships. There are still many colleges and universities in the US that sponsor collegiate shooting programs ... you may want to look further into this! There are courses of fire from 50 ft to 100 yards ... distances that always introduce new challenges!

Since you are looking for a new rifle, a target rifle (new or used) can be a sound investment. A good entry rifle could be (regretably used versions of) the Remington 37 or 540, Winchester 52C or D, Mossberg 144LS(B) or 44, plus a model introduced by Marlin perhaps 15 ot 20 years ago! European target rifles are much more expensive! The most important thing to look for in these (single shot) .22s would be micrometer target sights and good, crisp triggers.

As your skill, and the skill of your children, improves ... you can move into the more expensive rifles. But those mentioned above can earn your children (and you) skill awards up to expert, and be competitive in local, state, and regional competition.

And still, they will shoot affordable .22s, and when the need arises for greater accuracy and consistency, you can purchase the expensive match grade ammo.

Good luck and great shooting!

Answer 10

Personally, my first firearm was a Winchester Model 75, which I selected due to the fact that due to the fact that I earned my Shooting Sports Merit Badge with this type of firearm.

I was actually introduced to the shooting sports through the Boy Scouts, and really enjoyed shooting this firearm at camp.

While I still enjoy shooting this firearm, I soon found that I was able to consistently fire dime sized groups at 150 yards, the maximum accurate range of the .22LR, and began looking for another firearm. About the time that I began looking for a firearm with a greater range, I became interested in the Second World War, an interest which I retain to this day, and decided to purchase a Springfield 1903A3 and must say that I am still very satisfied with this rifle, both as a target rifle and as a hunting rifle.

Also, the third rifle I purchased, namely an M1-Garand, would also have made a good second rifle.