Choosing a caliber

[rysmithjr]

I am considering getting into rifle shooting, and don't know where to start with choosing a caliber. I am a rookie with long guns, having only plinked with .22lr back in Michigan growing up.

I need a round that is fairly inexpensive, so cost won't limit my practice.
I need a round that won't limit my growth as a marksman and will let me learn at increase range distances.
I am also looking for a common caliber to common modern weapons.

What questions am I missing that I should be asking? What caliber would you recommend? Once I decide that, I can worry about finding a good rifle to start with.

Thanks for the help.

[killshot44]

.223 or .308....
Both are available everywhere, ammo is affordable and should you choose to get into handloading later, brass and projectiles are readily available.

Bolt gun or AR platform, the former would be more affordable as an entry level rifle.

Both cartridges allow you to stretch out a long way if you have the range for it.

[Q619]

.223 or .308....
Both are available everywhere, ammo is affordable and should you choose to get into handloading later, brass and projectiles are readily available.

Bolt gun or AR platform, the former would be more affordable as an entry level rifle.

Both cartridges allow you to stretch out a long way if you have the range for it.

+1. My two favorite rifle calibers.

.308 for bolt guns and .223/5.56 for AR's OR bolt guns for varmint hunting.

[GUNFREAK]

.223 is a very popular and economical choice to go with. I have seen some shooters hit targets at very impressives ranges with a .223. I mostly shoot the cheap stuff at Walmart or buy bulk from Cabela's.

When you start to get serious with your .223 you could get match loads or hand roll your own.

[sker13]

.223 Tikka done.

[Bhobbs]

.223 Rem bolt rifle. Ammo is relatively inexpensive to buy and reload and there is plenty of bulk ammo and match ammo available.

[send it_hit]

.223 is my advice... relatively inexpensive, and available EVERYWHERE since it is super common. .308 is a great round too, but just going to cost you a little more. You get a decent rifle and hone your skills, .223 can reach out to 1k plus, allowing you to increase your marksmanship abilities.

Where's Stan when you need him?

[Paper Boy]

I would go with .223. As for what one.....



Love the Howa, its never let me down and it shoots dimes all day. Below is a group in the rain and wind at just over 100 yards. Plus if I run out of handloads I can walk into any store and get ammo for it

[bombadillo]

.223 Tikka done.

Agreed. This is Goo.g to be a solid shooter to 600 yards or so and will shoot better than you will.

[Uriah02]

Another vote for .223, a decent price for factory ammo should be around .40/rd
Depending on how quickly you shoot will likely have more bearing on what you shoot imo.

[ZX-10R]

223 and 308. One AR and one M700 will do you well for ever. Unless you want only one rifle round????? I would go 223...I had a Remington XR 100 single round bolt action and it was the bomb in regards to preciseness. Wish I still had it as it would have been a great stablemate to my DD M4.

Good luck.

[POLICESTATE]

5.56mm or 7.62mm, plentiful ammo as stated before, even though I have a 5.56mm AR now, if I were to do it over again I'd get an M1A in 7.62mm (308) even though the ammo is a little more, I just feel the round is a bit more effective for more uses than the 5.56mm.

But there's no way I will give up my AR to get an M1A, I'm very happy with my EBR:



OR:

[k1dude]

.22

.223

.308

[anothergunnut]

223 is the obvious choice as it meets all of your criteria. Not yet mentioned is 7.62X39 which is cheap and a common caliber for modern rifles; most of the rifles chambered for it are not, however, accurate.

[rgs1975]

.243 or .30-06