Best for Beginner: .308 vs .22lr

[Shoot-it]

I would say a nice bolt action 223 but ammo was hard to find.Not sure about now since I reload but components were getting hard to come by.

[yoitsbruce]

if your ready to shoot i would go 17hmr plenty of ammo high velocity decent price

[castgold]

My first rifle was .308, but I purchased it literally a week before Sandy Hook. After watching the shelves at my local LGS, having any other caliber would make life a little easier, 7mm, .300, .243, etc.

[tal3nt]

Go big or go home! Just kidding.

What can you afford to shoot? Ammo price would be a major deciding factor here.

Also, what's it's intended purpose? Range only? No sense sending high priced 308 ammo downrange at 100m targets when cheaper 22 lr can shoot the same target, right?

Then again, I'm a pistol guy...no long rifles here. But if I ever get a long gun, an AR-10, 308 is what I would like.

Seriously?! Go buy a rifle A$AP

[mosinnagantm9130]

+1 for the .22

I've got plenty of various .30 caliber firearms. I shoot my .22s the most though.

Edit to add: A .17 HMR or a .22 Magnum also would be a decent option for a beginner, although ammo will be more than a .22LR. Still cheaper than .308 though.

I'm new to the whole firearm's thing.
I had no idea that .22 ammo was so scarce.

Right now all ammo is hard to find, but once things calm down politically .22 will be everywhere again.

You mention you are new to firearms, do you have someone who knows firearms that can go over gun safety and basic firearms instruction with you?

[scidx]

Depending on your budget and need for the rifle, I would heed the advice above.

My first rifle was a light-stocked .30-06. I'm still working out kinks from starting with a hard kicking rifle from a young age. I've had a few .22's since then, and I wish I started with one. The problem is the appeal of the .30 rifle; in the capability.

There are many .22lr rifles to choose from. I've had Savages, Marlins, and Rugers. A rifle that mimics the larger rifle, has advantages. The Savage was cheap and shot very well; but the magazine was...umm...cheap and frustrating. Forward curved magazines with rimmed rounds contradict themselves. Based on my experience with the Savage, I went with a Ruger bolt rifle (rotary magazine). The rifle is a smaller version of the bolt actions I use in centerfire. The ability to practice a bolt action, while transfering the muscle-memory to larger rifles, is a good thing.

You can get a Ruger 10/22 and totally reimagine it with a bucket full of aftermarket parts, if that is what you're into. In semi-auto, I also recommend the Marlin model 60. 60's are cheap, reliable, fun, and shoot well.

For my money, though, I enjoy the nicer bolt rifles. CZ makes a great one. I know a guy that loves his Winchester Wildcat. Browning's T-bolt and the Kimber 8422 (I think that is the name) are really nice guns that you could keep forever and be proud to shoot and show.

I'm not sure of the gun store situation right now, but you can usually find nice .22's in the used rack. .22lr barrels will last a long time when loved.

Knowing how to shoot a rifle is satisfying, useful, and patriotic in the highest. Shop around and hold out for the rifle that you are drawn to. You will not regret it.

[ERdept]

308 NOT too strong.

But the .22 will let you easily learn and ingrain the basics of trigger control, breath control, and position shooting (standing, kneeling and prone) and use of the sling.


You can shoot at the local indoor range and not drive 50 miles to shoot. It's also cheaper.


Many militarys train with the .22 or even air gun.


Then always get a .308.


Then after you master the basic, get the .308 and you'll have two rifles.



I actually use airgun all the time to train.