Rifle Newb here...please advise

[DRPoolio]

Okay guys, I'm looking to get into more than shooting my 9mm at the local range. I haven't shot a rifle since I was a kid and it's time to get started again.
I don't think I have any long distance rifle ranges nearby so I'm thinking 100 yds out would be max for distance. No need for anything greater than that.

A couple considerations,

Cost, start me off easy

Ammo, what's most available and least expensive?

Caliber, .22, .223, 308?

Consider this a beginner purchase. Once I get a taste for it which I assume I will...we can talk buying up.

Thanks

[MongooseV8]

Id go with a savage or remington 700 in 223. When you want to move out further than 600 yards then you can rebarrel or get into another rifle.

You can still get match quality factory ammo for about $0.75 a round if you shop around, til you start reloading.

[HK Dave]

Bolt action 22lr if you plan on shooting often.

If you only go a few times a year, go 223 or 308.

[MongooseV8]

Bolt action 22lr if you plan on shooting often.

If you only go a few times a year, go 223 or 308.

You have that backwards. Its still tough to find 22lr ammo and its almost the same price as bulk 223 ammo when you do.

Shooting at 100 yards with a 22lr can be very frustrating for a new shooter. I love my 22's but a bolt action 223 is the right choice in this case.

[TMB 1]

Savage Hog Hunter 223 or Mossberg MVP 223. I wouldn't get a 22lr unless you already have a bunch of ammo.

[RNE228]

Get a 22lr for a target/plinker. It should be less expensive rife, and cheapest to shoot.

Then move up to something with a bigger caliber if desired.

I would totally recomend Appleseed shoot too; great trianing opportunity.

[JMP]

For starting at 100 yards, an inexpensive .223 from any of the common manufacturers is the most economical start. It's an inexpensive caliber and you can generally get away with spending fewer dollars on a cheaper rifle as the recoil is very manageable. Hence, a hunting type gun can be adequately used to learn on. Also, if you do not want to change to a "rifle" cartridge, a 9mm can be shot fine at 100 yards through a rifle with reasonable, but not great accuracy. However, a 9mm rifle will most likely be a semiautomatic carbine, not a manually operated rifle.

[CobraRed]

375 Sniptac

[Sutcliffe]

.22 lr is an awesome place to start

You never outgrow a .22 rifle. 100 yards is about max for them, but they are easy to master the basics of marksmanship with. CZ makes a gorgeous and accurate bolt gun or try something like the new American Rimfire by Ruger.

[DRPoolio]

Thanks guys, much appreciated. Just to clarify, 100 yards would be outside max for me. Not looking to do any sniping, just some fun inexpensive (relatively) plinking. Maybe an occasional critter or varmint as well, being close to the Sierras like we are...you never know.

[MongooseV8]

A 17hmr might be a better choice then. You can find them for $0.20 a round still and its all quality ammo. Very capable of shooting tiny groups at 150+ yards, just watchout for wind!

[AKaotic]

It depends on your budget if you want to get a decent cheap rifle for plinking go with a 10/22 you can get one for about 200 bucks but you might have a little issue getting ammo, when i was shooting 22 i called walmart every day until they had some which was about once every 2 weeks and that kept me pretty stocked for a while. Another rifle if you want something with a bigger caliber you can get a Savage axis chambered in 223 which is pretty cheap(around 400 bucks) but they also have it in a 22-250 rem,243 win and a 308 but 308 is going to run you a buck a shot so unless you reload and have all that fig out i would stick with 223. With a little research you can find the rifle for you for a low cost.

[Coyotegunner]

I have been blessed with several guns over 42 years of serious hunting and shooting.
I believe everyone should own in this order.
Reliable.Ruger 10-22
Reliable 12 gauge shotgun.Remington 870
Reliable and accurate hunting rifle.Minimum caliber 308.Remington,Savage,Winchester

[sjb269]

I have enjoyed shooting many rifle calibers over the years up to and including .50 BMG. I frequently go full circle and revert to shooting .22LR at 100 yards or so. For what your describing, Get a bolt action 22 LR. You will never outgrow it, it'll be cheap to shoot, have minimal recoil, minimal muzzle "blast", learn some basic rifle marksmanship fundamentals, and when you upgrade to centerfire…you will be ahead of the game. But you WILL revert back to your .22 LR from time to time to practice and train….and have FUN. Every time I head for the hills or desert, the .22LR almost always finds its way into the load out.

Unfortunately, these days you will have to be relentless in your pursuit of finding .22LR ammo. but when you do, you'll be in business.

[shortyforty]

.223

As others have said here, the .22 is a great gun to start with except for the ammunition availability problem. I'm not sure when we'll start seeing it on the shelves again and we are all frustrated with the current .22LR situation.

Like another Calgunner suggested, the .17 HMR and the.223 are great options for recreational shooting right now. I see tons of .223 on the shelves so personally this will be my recommendation. Savage makes an awesome .223 rifle for the price. You mentioned taking it easy on the price so a model 700 is not really worth considering unless you can find a nice used one for a good price. Take a gander at the Ruger American rifle. You can get one for just a touch over $300 without optics.