Advice for friend purchasing 1st Rifle
- Thread starter Jarradt
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Wow...appreciate all the input. Apologize, been away from my computer to long. Update: SHould have mentioned someone gave them a pump action .22LR. He takes it out when we go shoot squirrels. Unfortunately, it is not the most accurate rifle and tends to jam. I bought my daughter a Savage 17 HMR, so I usually use that. Getting to the point where using his .22LR is not much fun, because the 17HMR reaches out farther more accurately. BUt agree with everyones assessment that a .22LR is a great starter gun for anyone.
I would recommend the same rifle I bought except I am not totally sold on it being a consistent coyote stopper. ALthough I have researched it and find a lot of people swear by them with proper shot placement. Which brings me to the .223. One of the rifles mentioned on this thread was a Savage Edge. I happened to see one in the gunshop I visited on Saturday. Priced at $275, I was pleasantly suprised with the cost due to the high marks it gets for accuracy. Haven't came across negative feedback on them yet. Not the best looking gun in the world but they aren't looking to spend $$$$ on looks right now. If that were the case I would get them into an Ar-15, Rem 700, RUger MKII, etc.
Was also explaining to her that a decent optic would be a necessity no matter what she purchases.
Appreciate all the input...opens my eyes to things I haven't thought about! One being the ammo cost for a .223...maybe not as bad as I thought it was. Thanks again and will keep a closer eye on post!
I would recommend the same rifle I bought except I am not totally sold on it being a consistent coyote stopper. ALthough I have researched it and find a lot of people swear by them with proper shot placement. Which brings me to the .223. One of the rifles mentioned on this thread was a Savage Edge. I happened to see one in the gunshop I visited on Saturday. Priced at $275, I was pleasantly suprised with the cost due to the high marks it gets for accuracy. Haven't came across negative feedback on them yet. Not the best looking gun in the world but they aren't looking to spend $$$$ on looks right now. If that were the case I would get them into an Ar-15, Rem 700, RUger MKII, etc.
Was also explaining to her that a decent optic would be a necessity no matter what she purchases.
Appreciate all the input...opens my eyes to things I haven't thought about! One being the ammo cost for a .223...maybe not as bad as I thought it was. Thanks again and will keep a closer eye on post!
BrocLuno
Member
Gun cost is a fixed thing. Once set-up, it's not going to need much in the way of $$. Ammo is a ongoing thing. Think about ammo sources and variations in bullet weight. Then look to see who has what cheap in your area? Lean more toward cheap to shoot.
If he wants to step up his little 22, try Aguila hyper velocity 22 - it'll zip out there at about 1600~1700 fps or better, depending on barrel condition. Has he really cleaned that little pump?
If he wants to step up his little 22, try Aguila hyper velocity 22 - it'll zip out there at about 1600~1700 fps or better, depending on barrel condition. Has he really cleaned that little pump?
I trust the .22 Magnum and the .17 HMR out to 100 yards, maybe 125. Many will say they have taken them at longer ranges. I would trust the .22 LR out to 50 yards with proper ammunition, some might say 100. Getting a coyote within 50 yards is a trick though.
The Marlin XL7 or XS7 is a better rifle, IMO, than the Savage Edge (now called Axis) for a little bit more money. So is the Stevens 200 (made by Savage). The problem with the Marlin is ammo cost... it doesn't come in .223 or 7.62x39. The Savage and Stevens don't come in 7.62x39 (more on that later).
By far the cheapest ammo going right now is 5.45x39mm (like $120/1000 rounds) and you might find a rifle in the $350-$400 range. The 5.45x39 has plenty of power for coyotes, and hollowpoint varmint ammo is available from Wolf for ~$5 a box of 20.
7.62x39 is the second cheapest ammo,(the .223 is too much for squirrels, about perfect for coyotes, same goes for the 5.45x39), and since he already has a .22, if there is any chance he will be deer hunting, the 7.62x39 would be capable of it with the correct ammo (assuming it's legal to hunt with it in your area). So I'll go back to my recommendation for the Rossi in 7.62x39, or an SKS.
With my SKS I would be more than comfortable taking deer and coyotes at 150 yards. With the Rossi (and if I put a scope on it) I would stretch that to 200 yards. Rossi comes with iron sights so a scope could come later.
The Marlin XL7 or XS7 is a better rifle, IMO, than the Savage Edge (now called Axis) for a little bit more money. So is the Stevens 200 (made by Savage). The problem with the Marlin is ammo cost... it doesn't come in .223 or 7.62x39. The Savage and Stevens don't come in 7.62x39 (more on that later).
By far the cheapest ammo going right now is 5.45x39mm (like $120/1000 rounds) and you might find a rifle in the $350-$400 range. The 5.45x39 has plenty of power for coyotes, and hollowpoint varmint ammo is available from Wolf for ~$5 a box of 20.
7.62x39 is the second cheapest ammo,(the .223 is too much for squirrels, about perfect for coyotes, same goes for the 5.45x39), and since he already has a .22, if there is any chance he will be deer hunting, the 7.62x39 would be capable of it with the correct ammo (assuming it's legal to hunt with it in your area). So I'll go back to my recommendation for the Rossi in 7.62x39, or an SKS.
With my SKS I would be more than comfortable taking deer and coyotes at 150 yards. With the Rossi (and if I put a scope on it) I would stretch that to 200 yards. Rossi comes with iron sights so a scope could come later.
Martin2010
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I just purscased a Marlin 10/22 from Cabelas door buster sale for $100 and on top of that Marlin had a $25 rebate. I put a $20 BSA scope on it and took the kids to the range to sight it in. Got 1" groups at 100yds. Not bad I think. I thought it would be a good starter rifle for the kids and very economical.
I think the rebate is good until the end of the year.
I think the rebate is good until the end of the year.
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