Try before I buy?

[gregw]

howdy. I'm just getting started. Been reading everything I can find (lots of Chuck Hawks articles and many others) on all manner of topics (laws, ballistics, scopes, etc.), and now getting down to making some final decisions.

My question is whether there's anywhere in SoCal where I can go to try a few rifles mostly to get the feel of the recoil of different calibers.

I'm not so much worried about myself, but it's possible my wife may get interested too, and I figure if I try a few I should be able to decide a suitable starting caliber.

Obviously starting with a .22LR is the defacto starting point, and she'd be up for that. She's a bit worried about the bigger guns being "too much" to enjoy.

I'm willing to pay the cost of the .223 ammo as hobby gun. Mayyyybe even the .243. Ultimately for my interests, I'm thinking I'd end up with a .22 and a 7mm-08, but maybe the .243 is a good single-gun compromise.

Logic, purpose, price push towards certain choices, but I'd like to try a few rounds of each of these just to put some tactile data into the mix.

Any suggestions for how to do that? Thanks for the feedback.

[Sunday]

What exactly do you want to do with the rifle Before you get overloaded by reading all the info?

[socalbowhunter]

Wait til the Sports Fair at Raahauge's in Norco.
Click here for a link.

[ZX-10R]

You are more than welcome to shoot my AK patterns, ARs, etc as long as you bring your own ammo...I will give you some but I will not sport you for all...I go to SLOSA...PM me and I will let you know my schedule...I work in LA and run the Southwest but I shoot in SLOSA since that is a cool place with cool people, and my buddies are close by.

[gregw]

Well, that's my biggest problem -- defining/corralling my objectives. The more I read (which BTW there's no chance of being overloaded), the more I understand that purpose is essential to making a good choice. My original naive goal was to find one rifle for a broad range of "possibilities." It didn't take long to understand that wasn't going to work--which is how I've realized I'll likely end up with two.

At the low end, I want something just for target shooting. Something I can do alone, or with another person or two. Make a quick run to a range and kill off a couple hours. Prado and Lytle are close by. I know Prado is .22 only, so that's a factor. For that I've decided I can tolerate the cost of the .22 or .223. If I go .243, we'll just cut back on the total rounds a bit.

I've also started offroading the past 3 years, and would like to be able to take a rifle or two along for: a) target shooting at longer ranges, and b) various stuck in the middle of nowhere scenarios involving the need for food or protection.

I will likely go on a few guided hunts just for the exposure and experience, but it's not likely to become a regular thing. It's more likely I'll get interested in target competition if I don't completely suck, and I can afford the the time needed to become half decent just for the fun of it.

I realize the 7mm-08 is a big gun just for goofing off with, but it's that "scenario B" factor that makes me want something not too small to use on a mule deer, central coast mid sized boar, or mountain lion determined to eat my dog (or me). But then, if the only food source is squirrel or rabbit, I don't want to be picking up pieces either.

So, it's the split personality of target shooting with a lean towards the long range challenge and the I have something suitable if "stuff hits the fan" (even if only for a week in the desert) and I need to eat like my great-great-grandpappy had to.

So, you know, the usual newbie, one-gun-for-everything problem ;-)

[russ69]

Get a bolt action 22LR and post back in a year.

[Gnome]

Get a Ruger 10/22 and post back in a year.

Fixed it for you. Once gun is in hand, drop another $300 in modifications, and come back in a year. Lol...

[Divernhunter]

Well if you make it up to the central valley I have a broad assortment of rifles/cartridges you can try.
To start with get a 22RF to practice and have fun with cheaply.
The 7mm-08 os a great cartridge which does not kick bad. However it is more costly to shoot than a 223. You can buy mil surplus to shoot in the 223 or a 308win. That is a big plus for those two.
In the end to do what you say you will end up with 3 rifles.......or more

[gregw]

Wait til the Sports Fair at Raahauge's in Norco.
Click here for a link.

Ah, cool. That will work out. We'll get started with the .22 then attend this to trial what the next purchase will be. Thanks.

Thanks also to those who offered to share.

[dieselpower]

Where in SoCal do you live? Shooters paradise in Oxnard rents rifles. There is always atleast two guys in there shooting AR15s, I am sure if you asked they would let you fire a few rounds off. I have never met a person who didn't want to show-off their AR.

The most popular and versatile rifle in the world today is the AR15. You can configure the same rifle to fire .22lr or .450 Thumper in seconds. You can buy one lower and a half-dozen different caliber uppers. .22lr, 9mm, 5.56x45, 6.8, 7.62x39, 5.45x39, .450, heck you can even get a 410 shotgun upper! This is the main reason there are over 1000 sold EVERYDAY in the US.

The rifle is made to be repaired in the field with minimal tools. You can build one without any major training in under 2 hours. Start off with a S&W M&P15 with a CMMG .22lr Conversion Kit. Buy a Primary Arms Red Dot Optic and start having fun. After a while get a higher quality optic like a Trijicon TR24, Aimpoint M4 ot H1/T1, an EOtech or even a C-more. Then start buying different uppers for different uses.

Good luck.

[cannon]

OP, Common problem for a new shooter. Read all the stuff but you actually need to shoot and feel the various calibers before you plunk down a wad of cash. No one wants to make the wrong choice.

Dieselpower mentioned where you can go have a rental day and for not much money get some hands on experience.

If the San Fernando Valley is close enough for you. You are more than welcome to join me at my club. I can let you test drive a 22,AK,AR, PSL and Garand. That would give you a very good idea from small to large caliber of recoil, comfort etc.

Pm me if interested.