Getting Into Rifles...

[Gooseman]

I've been exclusively into handguns (both revolvers and semi-automatics for a good 5 years now). I want to thank the Calguns community for their help.

So now I find myself thinking I need to get my first rifle. I'd prefer something manual (probably bolt action) to start with. Just curious -- the roster only applies to handguns. When it comes to (bolt-action) rifles do us residents of Kommie-Fornia have a lot more options? [I think so... just thought I'd ask].

Much obliged.

[200Apples]

No roster. The only things Californians are prohibited from using on their manually-operated centerfire rifles are:

1. noise suppressors/silencers/cans

2. standard capacity (more than 10 rounds) magazines, if said magazines are detachable. Rifles/carbines that use tubular magazines (think lever-actions) are not limited to ten rounds. Detachable box magazines more than 10 rounds may look a little out of place on a bolt-action, though.

(the standard-cap, "DBM" magazine ban is in the middle of litigation and a stay on the criminal enforcement for their use is in place, but on the honor system in LE. Mags can still be confiscated as a "public nuisance")


That's all I can think of but there are more-knowledgeable riflemen here than I. They may be along shortly. Good luck.

[golfish]

I've been exclusively into handguns (both revolvers and semi-automatics for a good 5 years now). I want to thank the Calguns community for their help.

So now I find myself thinking I need to get my first rifle. I'd prefer something manual (probably bolt action) to start with. Just curious -- the roster only applies to handguns. When it comes to (bolt-action) rifles do us residents of Kommie-Fornia have a lot more options? [I think so... just thought I'd ask].

Much obliged.

Welcome to the forum.

I would like to think that we have as many options as the rest of the states. For now, Ca doesn't care a whole lot about bolt action rifles.

What do you plan to use your new bolt action gun for?

[Gooseman]

Welcome to the forum.

I would like to think that we have as many options as the rest of the states. For now, Ca doesn't care a whole lot about bolt action rifles.

What do you plan to use your new bolt action gun for?

You guys may laugh at me but all I will use it for is target shooting from a much larger distance than is possible with my handguns. I'm not a hunter (at least not yet). I'm not planning to use a rifle for self defense at home (too unwieldy). Just
'plinking' I suppose.

[golfish]

You guys may laugh at me but all I will use it for is target shooting from a much larger distance than is possible with my handguns. I'm not a hunter (at least not yet). I'm not planning to use a rifle for self defense at home (too unwieldy). Just
'plinking' I suppose.

That's not going to happen here brother. 100% of the people here are target shooters. I hunted when I was younger in the 70s and that's about it. But were still target shooters.

[Gooseman]

Given that my goal is plinking; I'm not at all opposed to a 22lr rifle. In fact originally I was looking at the s&w semi-automatic rifle for 22lr (I don't have the model number handy; but you guys know what I mean). But just as I started out with handguns (22lr with a revolver); I thought I'd do something similar with rifles too. 22lr is cheap. And a bolt action rifle forces you to be an efficient shooter (kind of like a revolver vs a semi-automatic handgun). At least that was my line of thinking.... if you guys feel otherwise do chime in.

[ak4seven]

OP - Bolt Action Rifles can get out of hand very quickly... Not trying to discourage but you should really set a budget and try your best to stick to it. Really hard because if you look thru higher tier scopes, you'll know instantly why they cost more than sub $1K scopes...

[golfish]

Given that my goal is plinking; I'm not at all opposed to a 22lr rifle. In fact originally I was looking at the s&w semi-automatic rifle for 22lr (I don't have the model number handy; but you guys know what I mean). But just as I started out with handguns (22lr with a revolver); I thought I'd do something similar with rifles too. 22lr is cheap. And a bolt action rifle forces you to be an efficient shooter (kind of like a revolver vs a semi-automatic handgun). At least that was my line of thinking.... if you guys feel otherwise do chime in.

I just bought one of these (link below) a few days ago. It's one of those guns that I've wanted for years. I had no idea that it was designed by John Browning in 1913.

I'm a big fan of the Marlin 60. Have you thought about a AR-15 in 223/5.56 (still 22ca) and then buying a conversion kit for rimfire?

https://www.browning.com/products/firearms/rifles/sa-22/semi-auto-22-maple-aaa.html

[theLBC]

you can certainly learn precision rifle shooting with a .22lr although perhaps getting decent ammo might be challenging.
i think these are pretty popular...

https://www.gunsandammo.com/editorial/tikka-t1x-22lr-review/380584

[Tere_Hanges]

Just get a 10/22. A bolt action .22lr is cool too but you might as well just get a 10/22 or a lever action .22lr.

.223 would be good in a bolt gun but with the price of ammo being so crazy, may not be very economical.

From my experience, the greatest challenge to shooting a bolt action accurately was getting used to the recoil of at least a .308win. The only way to get past that curve is to get experience by putting rounds down range.

Shooting .22lr out of a bolt gun will get you some basics like trigger mechanics but it isnt going to help you get used to recoil. You can get the same skill shooting a .22lr with a quality air rifle.

[n8vrmind]

Start with a 22LR. Either Ruger 10/22 or Henry 22 Lever action. Start with iron sights, the work your way up to magnified optics.

[sbo80]

No roster. The only things Californians are prohibited from using on their manually-operated centerfire rifles are:

For completeness, .50BMG rifles are prohibited too. Since the OP is a new shooter and considering a .22, I'm not sure that was on the table (nor in his budget for a first rifle!).
A bolt gun in .223/5.56 is also a good choice to consider for a plinker above a .22LR. Sure there's better cartridges but it's cheap enough, easy to shoot, easy(er) to find ammo, not going to kick or bang so much it distracts from learning fundamentals, and will give you plenty of range beyond what your skill will allow for a while. By the time you get your skills up and decide to move up you'll better know what you really want and need out of a rifle to better pick through all the 6mm and .30 cal options out there.

[JackEllis]

+1 on starting with a .22.

I shoot about 10 rounds of .22lr for every round of .223 and .243. If you get bored with 50 yard targets, move them out further. If you have a place where you can shoot metal targets, the walking target variety for rimfire is kinda fun, or set up used shotgun hulls.

Once you're proficient at 100 yards, try the egg challenge.

[larkja]

As others have written, start with a .22lr. I have both a 10/22 and CZ 457 (bolt). What I like about each:

10/22:
1. There are a ton of aftermarket parts available.
2. Inexpensive but can add up if upgrading.
3. Mine has been very reliable.
4. I really like the rotary magazines. I find they are easier to load than inline mags, especially with the .22lr round.

CZ 457:
1. Bolt is very smooth.
2. Because it's a bolt, I find I typically take a bit more time lining up my shot.
3. More accurate than the 10/22 out of the box.

Out of the box, I was shooting dime sized holes at 50 yards with the CZ. With the 10/22, it was quarter sized holes at 50 yards.

[1859sharps]

Since you are looking to only target shoot right now, the most economical choices are 22lr or .223

.223 would be my recommendation, and will give you the most room to grow with your rifle. The cartridge is capable of up to 1000 yards with it's more heavy bullet choices, and the highly common 55 gr. FMJ or soft point are more than capable of out to 300 yards.

If you decide to get into reloading, it is a very easy and forgiving cartridge to reload. Wide selection of powder and bullets and you will get decent case life.

Tikka or Ruger would be where I would recommend starting to look for rifles, though they are not the only game in town. But they both make affordable, quality rifles. A nice LPVO from Leupold or vortex are good places to start for scopes.