[HockaLouis]

Mosin? No.

[Gonzilla]

Originally Posted by HockaLouis

U can definitely strike "accurate" off of your Mini-14 list.

+ 1 and I even have an overkill scope on it. Well, it,was just laying around at the time and the mini looked like it needed company....

Chews up bulls-eye at 50 yds LOL.

[beastmode986]

ok thanks now im stuck between sks and 10/22 i gotta think this over

[brolin_1911a1]

If you go with the 10/22 I recommend checking the local (or neighboring state since the FOID makes me think you live in New Jersey, Massachusetts, or Illinois) pawn shops for an older 10/22 in good shape. The quality of the newer ones has seriously degraded compared to those from the eighties and nineties; polymer trigger assemblies versus metal, polymer magazine releases, poor finish on the sliding metal parts, etc. Pick a new one up in the store and pull the bolt back and forth a few times and feel the grittiness of the action. You can fix that with a bit of fine grit wet/dry sandpaper so it's not a deal killer but... from what I've seen of the new Mossberg 702 plinksters they're every bit as good as the Ruger 10/22 used to be. And they're less expensive. You might want to give the Mossberg some consideration.

As for a centerfire semi-auto, you're a bit more limited in choices, especially if you want accuracy. The Ruger Mini-30 costs half again what an AK-47 does and gives about the same accuracy. The AK costs more than an SKS but offers detachable magazines. In .22 centerfire, the Mini-14 prices have risen to nearly that of the AR but the AR is by far the more accurate -- I've never even heard of anyone attempting a Mini-14 varmint gun but AR varmint rifles capable of 1/4 minute of angle accuracy are quite common. Plus, with the AR platform you have the option of later purchasing uppers in 5.45x39 as well as a variety of wildcat calibers.

[jackrich3]

A 581 Tactical Mini-14 with an Accu-Tech peep sight. When buying any firearms at this point, you want something with readily available, cheap ammo. With the Ruger, you can use 5.56 or .223. You might also consider a 10-22mag, it'll be a a little pricey but the 22mag is bad to the bone.

[brolin_1911a1]

According to the chart located here, http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=161034&print=1, only three states, Massachusetts, Illinois, and New Jersey, require an FOID. Illinois doesn't allow the use of a rifle for hunting anything larger than small game, i.e., squirrels, rabbits, possibly fox and/or coyotes. For that use, the .22LR is quite adequate and far less expensive to shoot than .22Mag.

This does point up the importance of knowing the intended use of the rifle. As a first rifle, one tends to think that its intended use will be primarily the development of basic marksmanship skills through target shooting and informal plinking. For that, it would be hard to beat any of the .22LR rifles that have been suggested.

I notice that no one has suggested the Marlin model 60 series of rifles and I concur. For the money, one is better off with the Ruger or the Mossberg.

[ScottA]

Originally Posted by brolin_1911a1

According to the chart located here, http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=161034&print=1, only three states, Massachusetts, Illinois, and New Jersey, require an FOID. Illinois doesn't allow the use of a rifle for hunting anything larger than small game, i.e., squirrels, rabbits, possibly fox and/or coyotes. For that use, the .22LR is quite adequate and far less expensive to shoot than .22Mag.

This does point up the importance of knowing the intended use of the rifle. As a first rifle, one tends to think that its intended use will be primarily the development of basic marksmanship skills through target shooting and informal plinking. For that, it would be hard to beat any of the .22LR rifles that have been suggested.

I notice that no one has suggested the Marlin model 60 series of rifles and I concur. For the money, one is better off with the Ruger or the Mossberg.

22lr for coyote? Are you sure about that?

[brolin_1911a1]

Originally Posted by ScottA

22lr for coyote? Are you sure about that?

That's assuming you can call them in to about 50yds. or so. <grin>

At that range, CCI Stingers work quite well. 36gr. HP high velocity might be adequate out to 100yds but shot placement is everything at that range.

[ScottA]

Originally Posted by brolin_1911a1

That's assuming you can call them in to about 50yds. or so. <grin>

At that range, CCI Stingers work quite well. 36gr. HP high velocity might be adequate out to 100yds but shot placement is everything at that range.

I would not have that much confidence in my skills.

[beastmode986]

well i am probably going to get a 10/22. i might be moving to utah. how are the gun laws there and whats required to own one? from what i read you still need a special licence.