Help Me Choose a Rifle

[sambo.]

When I was a child I bought a .303 and rounds were not cheap.

<snip>

To those that were curious. No, I don't and wont load my own rounds (at least until I get more familiar and invested in firearms) yet.

Commercial .303 rounds, in Australia at least, are stupid expensive. works out at ~AUD$1- every time you pull the trigger. that's almost 12ga shotty costs

handloading is highly recommended, not only for cost savings, but also handloads tend to be more accurate than factory loads.

once you've got the press and die, it gets very cheap, very fast.

going for a .22 first up is a very, very wise move. it's a pretty underrated calibre. i've taken pigs with a single .22 round in the past (granted, it needs to be a damn good shot and overall, i wouldn't really recomend it. but it is possible)

 

[go2ndAmend]

That's a tall order to fill on your "perfect" multi-purpose rifle. I would agree with the above poster who recommended a Marlin or Rossi .357 lever action rifle. You can plink and hunt small game with inexpensive .38 ammo. You can hunt most large game with modern .357 ammo. Shot placement is critical but I wouldn't feel undergunned on any deer out to 100 yards. If hunting either elk or bear (which I wouldn't recommend), you better be a very good shot, have the correct bullet, and be under 50 yards. It is a fairly inexpensive rifle that is compact and reliable. That would be my choice for your requirements.

 

[jpr9954]

I'm of two minds here.

One is to buy a Ruger 10/22 in .22LR (used is OK) or even a Marlin 60 to use for small game and then buy a center fire rifle in .308 Winchester. There are no "bad" choices in .308 nowadays - only some that are better than others. You can use surplus .308 for practice and slightly more expensive ammo for hunting. I can still find hunting grade .308 by either Winchester or Federal for under $20 a box at Wally World.

If you want only one rifle that can be used on anything from varmints to deer-sized game, I'd go with a rifle in .257 Roberts. It is a class round that has taken a lot of deer and will continue to do so. It can be loaded in a wide variety of bullet weights. That said, the ammo isn't going to be as cheap as the .308 unless you handload. Ruger makes a nice bolt action .257 Roberts in their Model 77.

If it was me, I'd go for two rifles in my battery. The .22 and the .308.

One other option might be one of those Rossi single shots that are available with 2-3 interchangeable barrels including .22LR and .243.

 

[Fultron]

Another vote for the 6.5x55 from me. It is light enough not to mangle smaller game. At the same time it is more than capable for anything bigger, although shot placement is always key. Karamojo Bell dropped a fair share of African beasties, including elephants, with a mix of .303 and 6.5mm.

Not that I recommend doing that or anything, I believe he also severely wounded and failed to down his fair share as well. I suppose the argument could be made that virtually any caliber would do the same.

Regardless, You can pick up a Swedish Mauser (or Norwegian Krag if you want to stand out a bit) cheap, extremely high quality rifles. Smooth action, accuracy that rivals many new production guns. Just please, please, please don't buy an unmodified milsurp and start hacking. A previously modified rifle should be easy to find, not to mention cheaper than an "as issued" rifle.

 

[dectia]

Alright, based largely on the recommendations here I've decided to start with a .22. There have been recommendations on manufacturer and features but I could use more. I hate buying junk but don't want to buy a stock .22 for eight hundred dollars.

I would suggest any cz .22. I have the 452 trainer and it is a wonderful gun. According to the cz website these now retail for $401. I picked mine up a couple years back for about $350 and would (and do) recommend it to anyone looking for a .22.

http://cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-452-special-military-training-rifle/

The 513 basic at $328 also looks like an excellent contender.

http://cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-513-basic/

 

[tychoseven]

I would suggest any cz .22. I have the 452 trainer and it is a wonderful gun. According to the cz website these now retail for $401. I picked mine up a couple years back for about $350 and would (and do) recommend it to anyone looking for a .22.

http://cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-452-special-military-training-rifle/

The 513 basic at $328 also looks like an excellent contender.

http://cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-513-basic/

+1

CZ rimfires are very nice, and a used one is often around $300. Smooth action, accurate, great workmanship. Magazines can be expensive, but that's the only downside IMHO.

 

[11x11x]

mil-surp

 

[akennedy73]

Savage MK II

here's a post by a professional demonstrating the lethality of .22lr at 250yds with a Savage bolt action - for the price it's an amazing rifle

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=504301&fpart=1

 

[Liam Ryan]

OK i'm sure i'll catch some flak, but here we go........my personal choice is a savage 110 in 30-06. Alright stop laughing, hear me out on this. You can load real heavy, 220 gr for large game, or light 110 gr. with reduced load for small game, without liqufying it.
Accelerator rounds for crow is some real fun(looks like a featherduster exploded).
I do some reloading for this and have had alot of sucess on both ends of the power scale. All around this old favorite is still a good choice, just look up the load data. jmo.

This is good advice.

You can go a bit cheaper and get the stevens instead, a great rig on a less then stellar stock, but it can be tweaked to be more rigid.
Guys buy these to be pretty decent long range target rifles.

 

[Iboschi]

In terms of synthetic stock vs wood stock, or stainless vs blue'd barrel what should I consider when choosing?

 

[nate1714]

Semi- auto are fun to plink with and fun to trick out if your into that sort of thing however I feel that a bolt action 22 is better suited for hunting/survival situations. Less moving parts then the semi auto means less chance to break. Plus it teaches trigger control and conservation of ammo.
In terms of stock I dont mind wood though its a bit heavier then synthetic. I just think wood is tougher, and will last just as long if properly treated. Blued barrels are pretty standard and will hold up, however stainless will do much better in humid climates and outdoors .

 

[akennedy73]

In terms of synthetic stock vs wood stock, or stainless vs blue'd barrel what should I consider when choosing?

IMO this is a matter of taste unless you're in some really demanding climates.

A synthetic stock is going be a little bit lighter and will need less care - you won't need to rub it down with linseed oil. Same is true of a stainless finish - it doesn't need the same level of care. But, that said, the level of care required for a wood stock and a blued finish is pretty minimal. You've got to clean your rifle anyway - the extra amount of time and effort to wipe down the blued steel with oil is really negligible. And applying a bit of linseed oil and rubbing it in is only something you'd do a couple times a year anyway.

Blued steel is quite good at protecting against rust - not as good as stainless but more than adequate assuming you take basic care of your rifle. Rust that you may see on a blued gun is the fault of the owner who didn't do proper maintenance. I guess if you're someone who can't keep up with a basic level of maintenance for your tools, then yes stainless is necessary. Otherwise, it's a matter of taste IMO. When I was a kid I had a Remington Nylon 66 and my brother had a Ruger 10/22 - he still seems to prefer wood stocks whereas I have no problem with a synthetic stock and even prefer them.

 

[ROCK6]

I have several .22 rifles and recently picked up a Marlin model 60 (stainless with laminated stock). I added some aftermarket peep sights (Tech sights); Wow, what a great shooter! I like the tube mag and it'll allow you to carry more than the communist 10-round band for detachable mags. A bolt gun would be more accurate, but this Marlin is more than capable of putting critters in the stew pot and keep you more than satisfied at the range. I know bolt guns are inherently simple, but the Ruger 10/22 and Marlin 60 semi-auto actions are extremely robust and have an exceptional track record of reliability. Make sure you update us when you decide,

ROCK6

 

[Iboschi]

Thanks again for chiming in guys. I'm deciding today and throwing down the cash tomorrow. I've decided on a .22 but can't lock down the semi-auto vs bolt action decision. I spent about 1 hour at the gun counter today chatting the folks there up.

I looked at the Marlin model 60. Very cool gun. They told me the design has been unchanged for 80 years. Thats a helluva track record. I think that was $300 there.

I checked out the Savage MK 2 and thats not bad for the really really low price. $179 is less than my pellet rifle cost me.

The Ruger 10/22 seems right there in the middle in terms of fit and finish but I have to decide if semi-auto is worthwhile or not. I don't hear much about jamming but understand it's a pain in the wazoo if it does. $250 seems reasonable for one considering the quality and reputation.

I looked at the CV .22 and THAT is a much nicer bolt action. Fit and finish were spot on. $350 at my local store seemed high for my first .22

Last, I peeked at the Benelli Trifecta, seems reasonable at $319 but I'm not sure I'm ready for the combo single break barrel loading.

At present I'm leaning towards the 10/22, Savage, or Marlin 60. When I throw the cash down, not only will I report back but I'll throw some pictures in to sweeten the deal.

 

[sambo.]

I've decided on a .22 but can't lock down the semi-auto vs bolt action decision.

i'm in Australia, so it's not a decision i'd get to make (no semi-autos for us plebs anymore ).

even so, i'd go with a bolt action as a first rifle. it'll force you to learn how to aim because you won't have the luxury of being able to just go the Shotgun Approach and spray out a magazine worth of ammo.

 

[SpookyPistolero]

I'd be looking at either the CZ or the Savage, if I were in your shoes. They are ideal as life-long shooters, be it for target practice or game getting. And just plain fun!! I own a marlin 60, and while a solid rifle, it does tend to jam a bit. They aren't impossible to clear but it does take patience sometimes! CZ makes a highly celebrated and accurate rifle. You will not go wrong there. Savages are also highly respected, particularly their barrels. Personally, I'd go with the cheaper option (the Savage) and then spend the rest on ammo! I promise that the targets won't know the difference when all the rounds are in the ten ring.

I should note, however, two things. First, the point of balance is the only awkward part about the Savage mkII. It is right at the magazine. So with the standard non-flush mag, that can be irritating if you carry in-hand. Second, if you're someone who really loves to tinker with things and 'trick out' your toys, then the 10/22 should be your choice. There are a billion aftermarket components and accessories for those things, and you can turn them into just about everything but gold.

 

[nate1714]

I looked at the Marlin model 60. Very cool gun. They told me the design has been unchanged for 80 years. Thats a helluva track record. I think that was $300 there.

Marlin 60 is a great gun, personally I like it much better then the ruger 10/22. I love the tube mag.

I see them all the time in pawn shops around 125$ and at walmart for 180 for the stainless steel barrel. think 150 for reg. Not sure what big 5 has for them. If it comes with decent scope then 300 is ok

 

[August West]

I'm a 10/22 guy, I have 3 of them and a cz452 as well. Out of the box the 452 will shoot rings around an OTB 10/22, however, one thing I have not seen mentioned here is the ability to upgrade and modify the 10/22s. From the store they are fine small game getters but if you want too, you can virtually make it into anything you want, from a target gun to a wannabe assualt rifle, the sky is the limit. Some people want an out of the box perfect, for them, rifle while others like to tinker a bit.

As far as reliability, I have been shooting a 10/22 since the late 70s, that one is unmodded, still shooting like a champ and I have done nothing to it but clean it. IMO their 10 round rotary mag is the best in the business and with a little care, and feeding it ammo it likes, it jams very rarely.

The model 60 has a strong following as well but IMO is nowhere near as versatile or reliable. Chris

EDIT: Also, semi vs bolt, the bolt is simpler and most of the time more accurate out of the box. I prefer one of my tweaked semis than the bolt, although very rarely needed, I like the fast follow up shot.

My hunting rifle, clark custom mid weight barrel, action and barrel full length bedded, trigger and action tuned, all the work done by myself. The stock is a regular 10/22 stock reworked and it has an old school weaver K10 scope. I have pics of groups if anyone is interested

 

[akthor]

If you want a .22 then the Ruger 10/22 is THE .22 actually it was the ONLY .22 in American Riflemans top 10 hunting rifles of all time it was actually #5 pretty much there is no competition even close.

 

[Iboschi]

August, I would like to see more photos of your 10/22's and yes I'd like to see your groups. I'm going to need a ton of pictures to tide me over until the 10 day wait is over.

I'm pretty much locked now. 10/22 it is. It seems like one of those rifles "everyone should own" so it seems like a great way to start. I'll fork up the cash tomorrow and then begins the 10 day wait. I'll take photos on my phone and try to post them. When it is time for a bolt action rifle I'll probably go the Savage 110 30-06 at that point.

Does anyone have any advice when choosing between them? They all look the same to me. Should I look for straight grains in the stock or an unscratched and unscathed barrel? Theoretically they should all be the same because they're new but I'm the type of freak who will pick through stuff on a shelf or rack and meticulously inspect the item for possible issues until I find the perfect specimen.

Also, with the 10/22, should I pick up anything besides ammo straight away? Flash suppressor? Extra Magazines? Shoulder sling? Scope (I have no clue about those at all)? I have a soft case for it already and all the firearm cleaning accoutrement I'll need.