[allout13]

hey guys,
new to the board this is my first post. I currently have a gamo pellet rifle (1200fps) that i use to hunt squirrels with but just turned 18 so time for a real one. Any suggestion on a first gun? hopefully decently cheap, but good quality, accurate, for small game hunting/target shooting.
thanks,
mike

[willfully armed]

The next obvious choice would be 22.

A Marlin model 60, used, shouldn't run you more than $100.

If you want more power, a Marlin 883 in 22 magnum should do. Although 22mag ammo is 4-8 times the cost of 22LR.

[allout13]

I would much rather spend around $300-$400 on a good rifle that will last much longer. although price of ammunition should be low. realistically, i would like a range of up to 400-500yards tops.

[willfully armed]

Originally Posted by allout13

Any suggestion on a first gun? hopefully decently cheap, but good quality, accurate, for small game hunting/target shooting.

Originally Posted by allout13

I would much rather spend around $300-$400 on a good rifle that will last much longer. although price of ammunition should be low. realistically, i would like a range of up to 400-500yards tops.

Ummm, It hink your expectaions are a little unrealistic.


What "small game" would you like to be able to hunt with this rifle?
When I think of small game its usually rabbit, squirrel, etc. SMALL GAME.

Whn i think of hunting small game, its with a shotgun or 22.


Now a 4-500 yard gun..... .30-06, .270, .243, .308, .223/5.56, 7mm-08, 25-06, 22-250. THeres some popular ones. Theres a metric ****-ton of off breed rounds that would do it, but none that are realistic for "small game".

[allout13]

The target practice would be at around 2-300 yards normally but its always fun to see how far you can go. the small game would be taken at around 100 yards to ensure the kill. sorry if that was misleading obviously i am not going to get both in one gun i was expecting an either or scenerio.

[Shihan]

Should look at a Ruger 10/22. Good rifle to start out with.

[dteed4094]

If you live in Pa a semi auto is not the answer, all you can do with it is target. In your price range you can buy a pretty nice 22 or you can step up to a decent center fire. There is also the trifecta that gives you some versitility in calibers. My suggestion would be a 22. but if you want a hint of recoil; 223,22-250,243. These are capable of longer range. The 223 is cheap to shoot and would be the next step up from a 22. If you haven't done any range shooting a 22 would be your most logical next step. If you are truly interested you will eventually own one anyway, then you can graduate to what ever direction your intrest dictates. Plan on owning several guns.

Just for demo purposes put a paper plate on a tree and walk 500 good paces, turn around and look. There are people that have been shooting for a lot of years that wouldn't think of shooting that distance. Not that it can't be done but it's like going from a tircycle to motocross in one step.

[Dr. Marneaus]

Check out something in .17HMR

Awesome little bullet, crazy flat trajectory. My buddy's ruger .17hmr is sighted in at 500 yards.

I have a henry lever action .22, and would love to get one in .17. Pretty sweet little cartridge.

[flyingbrickracing]

Originally Posted by Dr. Marneaus

Check out something in .17HMR

Awesome little bullet, crazy flat trajectory. My buddy's ruger .17hmr is sighted in at 500 yards.

I have a henry lever action .22, and would love to get one in .17. Pretty sweet little cartridge.

+1 on the .17,I have a friend with a Savage that is a hoot!
dead center POA at 200yds (probably more if our range was longer)
Though I would go with Marlin 22lr first (which I did and don't regret one bit) as the initial cost and cheap ammo make it a win win.
I liked my model 60 so much I now have a bolt action model 80 to go with it.

[stalkingbear]

I think your 1st rifle should be a .22LR. Learn how to shoot (the basics of good shooting) with it before you step up to something more expensive to shoot. A good place to start would be a bolt action.