Any suggestions for cheap rifles?

[MXan]

Looking for a little help. I'm a college student looking for a cheap rifle to target practice with. Everyone has their own opinions, so I thought I'd get a few online in addition to a few from friends. Here is my criteria:

Reliable. It'll be my first gun, and I don't fancy myself a repairman.
Cheap purchase price. I'm a college student, remember?
Cheap ammo, standard calibers.
I'd prefer something that can take a small clip, like 5 or 10 rounds, but that is a secondary consideration to those above. The option to put a scope on it would be nice (to practice sighting in and using one) but also not required.

I do not need large calibers, fancy looks, elaborate locks, huge number of addon choices, etc. As I'm not hunting with it, I won't even need a shoulder strap. I haven't shot more than a couple dozen times, and want to practice before getting a better gun down the road. Eventually I'll get a shotgun and a pistol, but just a rifle for now.

So... who's got a suggestion? Any suggestions on the best places to get them? (online, gun shows, local shops...) I live in Idaho, so no large cities or huge metro areas around. Thanks for your ideas!

 

[Bonesinium]

Get a .22LR. Cheap, cheap ammo, fun to shoot, lots of options (bolt action, magazine fed, tube fed, semi-auto, w/ or w/o optics, lots of manufacturers).

Ruger 10/22
Marlin 60
Marlin 795
Remington 597
Savage Mark II
CZ 452

 

[hirundo82]

It would be best to get a .22 rifle. There are plenty of good ones for under $200, and ammo doesn't get any cheaper--500 rounds for $15 or less.

Some of the more common guns for this are Marlin Model 60 (has a tube magazine) and Model 795 (has a detachable box magazine), and the Ruger 10/22. You should be able to find any of those at virtually any store that sells guns--your local gun store or sporting goods store, Wal-Mart, etc.

I'm sure others will be by with other recommended models as well.

 

[Vyacheslav]

AK74 or 47, reasonably priced ($350-$500), ammo is reasonably priced for 7.62x39 and very cheap if you choose the 74 in 5.45x39. it can take 5 and 10 round magazines if that is the capacity you desire and they are very easy to put a scope on, no gunsmithing required, just slide the scope or mount on to the side rail and mount your scope. they are also extremely reliable and can be fairly accurate if you get a saiga and if something does need repaired it is easy to do with very basic or no tools at all.

 

[Cosmoline]

Used CZ 542 ZKM would be top of my list. It's a rifle you'll cherish for life. The prices are going up, but if you keep an eye for used ones you can get it under $250.

 

[Shadow 7D]

A Mosin,
or a .22, you can find a good used Marlin 60, for about $100, or a store brand (often the same as a major well known model, just under the stores name)
for less than 100

CONSIDER
a thousand round of centerfire = more than $200, and that is cheap military surplus
thousand rounds of .22 $50~

cost of the gun after a times to the range, will be exceeded by the cost of the ammunition

 

[almherdfan]

If you just want to shoot you can't go wrong with a Ruger 10/22. .22LR is the most economical caliber. You can get a basic 10/22 for less then $200 (or even less pre-owned). Shoot it w/o a scope for a while and/or add a $40 wal-mart scope. You can plink/practice for less then $.04-round.

Of course there are other good .22LR rifles by Savage or Marlin.

You could also go with an SKS or my personal favorite, the Mosin-Nagant. The SKS will probably run about $200 and Mosins can be had for $100.00 Ammo is cheaper then most centerfire calibers, but both rifles are harder to scope. My eyes suck, so that's a concern for me, but maybe not so much for you. The SKS has modest recoil. The Mosin is a little stouter, but it's fun.

I'd start with a .22LR.

 

[J_McLeod]

One more vote for the .22 or Mosin Nagant.

 

[Frozen North]

Mosin Nagant rifles can be had for under $100 in good condition. 400 round "spam cans" of corrosive military surplus ammo can be found for $75. If you want a centerfire rifle with some power, this is a good choice.

If a .22 suits you better, by all means go with a .22!

 

[TylerPearce]

.22 is cheaper to shoot....kind of. If you go out and shoot a .22, you WILL shoot 500+rounds... You go out and shoot a mosin... not so much.

 

[neededausername]

OP states first rifle and he doesn't need large caliber. So I would advise him to stay away from the Mosin, stick with the .22LR. Don't get me wrong I love my 91/30 but could see how it could be intimidating to someone new to rifles.

 

[benzy2]

Cheap rifle? Cheap ammo? Low recoil? .22lr would be my first choice. It will let you shoot more for your money and is plenty of fun. If you must have a centerfire, I would go with either a pistol caliber rifle in say 9mm or a rifle in .223 or 7.62x39. Those are as cheap as it gets to shoot centerfire and are fairly low recoil.

As for which rifle to get. My first choice would be a Savage MkII FVT. This gives you a nice peep sight rear which can be used as a target style iron sight, a quick acquisition sight, or can be removed and used with a scope. Lots of options from a single rifle. They also shoot pretty well which will allow you to greatly improve your skills. Lots of stocks and such out there as well if you want to switch later. It is a great first rifle.

If you want centerfire, and I know I'll get some flack for this, the hipoint carbine in 9mm is a good choice. Nothing fancy but reliable and in a cheap caliber. Another cheap option would be an SKS. 7.62x39 can be had as cheap as any other rifle round centerfire and is built to last.

 

[chris in va]

I'd also have to say the 10/22. You can do so many things to the gun, it's silly. I even saw a bullpup stock for it.

 

[rsrocket1]

The Mosin is the cheapest out the door. While the ammo is cheaper than just about any other rifle round, it is quite a bit more expensive than .22LR and the recoil is about as big as it gets outside African big game guns.

My recommendation would be a Marlin 925 for a bolt action 22. It is about as accurate as anything it its price range. Next would be the magazine fed Marlin 795 or tube fed Marlin 60 for accuracy and the convenience of autoloading.

The Ruger 10/22 is small, light and loads of fun to shoot. It is not as accurate as the Marlins, but there are an unlimited number of add-ons you can do in the future.

 

[Ohio Gun Guy]

Any major maker of .22lr rifle is what you described! Fun, easy, in-expensive.

A mosin and ak (I've got both, so not bashing) are not exactly range guns. A decent .22 can test your shooting skills as much as anything.

For semi auto, clip fed Marlin, Mossberg, Ruger and Savage all make good guns IMO. The price range for the above are 100 - 200 - NEW.

For a bolt action - A savage Mark 2, bolt action = 120.00+/- add scope mounts (midway USA) for about 20.00 and a 40.00 scope and your still under 200.00. Iron sights work just fine to.

 

[wraith56]

All the advice to get a 22lr is right. I got a 10/22 then traded it for a Savage Mk II. I was happy with the 10/22 for many practice sessions. then I wanted to upgrade accuracy for more than the cost of rifle, but couldn't admit that's what I wanted on my limited budget. so after going nowhere with my shooting for 3 months, a family member helped me with a trade for the Savage. I added a Mueller scope and that savage is now my ESSENTIAL RIFLE.

I did get to shoot that 10/22 after it had become an awesome $$$ gun, very nice.

I have had a good experience with a borrowed marlin 39. I will probably buy a marlin in a year or three. (althought the 39 is more expensive than you're looking for.)

I don't recommend the semi-auto savage 64. I have not personally fired one, but watching them at the range didn't impress me.
conclusion IMO:
1. Savage MkII bolt action (F, FV, FVT, camoflage, thumbhole, any variation you like)
2. Marlin bolt action 925, etc.
3. Marlin semi-auto 60, 795, etc.
4. Ruger 10/22, it will work well too, when you make $$ it can be awesomed up, or traded toward something nicer like a CZ or Marlin 39.

 

[X - Man]

All of the above posts have made valuable points.

But please consider this; market demand and current availability. 22 cal rifles seem to be readily available, have been for many years past, and are likely to be plentiful in the near future. But what are those rifles that are currently available that could be in short supply in the near future?

Consider basing your purchases based upon future trends. Rifles like the Mosin and the Garand M1 (and many others) simply have a finite availability.

I started purchasing rifles way back in the early 90's. Made several really good buys. But I still wished I would have gotten a few more golden oldies. Like a P17, or a 1903A4, when they were still plentiful and cheap. Money was tight then, but I still should have bitten the bullet and done more.

So remember, that which is easily available today, could easily dry up and become much less available tomorrow.

 

[Cob]

I agree the .22 LR would be my first choice, but if interested in hunting bigger game at some point in time, you will be severely limited, would suggest taking a look at the lever action 30-30. (I personally like the Marlin, and it was my first "high-power" rifle). I killed my first deer with one, and you can pick them up very reasonable.
One option would be to visit local gunstores, and look for a good deal on a used rifle. Be careful not to pick a lemon, but you would have a chance to handle a few rifles, price them, and find something within your budget that you like.

 

[justin 561]

My suggestion would be to call around to local ranges, most likely if you tell them you're a new buyer and would like to try out some .22lrs, chances are they will let you test fire a few. Don't expect to fire EVERY .22lr in the store, but the worst they can say is "No".

 

[neededausername]

the recoil is about as big as it gets outside African big game guns.

Not in a 1891 or 91/30, maybe in one of the carbines. My father in laws Rem 700 .308 kicks much harder than my 91/30. 7.62x54r is a big round, but the 1891 and 91/30 are long heavy guns that do a good job at containing the recoil.

 

[gdcpony]

.22lr comes first to my list too. Many are under $200 and the ammo is cheap.

For a centerfire, I would look at a Stevens, or Savage Axis. Either in .223 can be upgraded easily later.

 

[snake284]

What I would do first of all is beat the bushes for a good used rifle in pawn shops and small gun shops. I have gotten some deals in places like that. I found a nice Ruger Mark 1 30-06 for .375 that looked like it was unfired and unused in my favorite LGS. I also found a really nice Howa 1500 22-250 in a pawn shop here for $275. It looked new as well. There ARE deals to be had. You just have to work at it to find them sometimes.
However, if you just want something new, I suggest the Stevens 200. It comes in most popular calibers and shoots really good. I had to work on my trigger and bedding a little but that's normal. If you look at Remingtons, they'll cost more and won't usually be as accurate out of the box. They usually require a bit of tweeking to get them really accurate. But I'll say this, if you get one really accurate, nothing much will outshoot it.

 

[Master Blaster]

Where will you be shooting? if its a 25 yard indoor range, that will limit what caliber is allowed. A .22lr is a good choice for cheap fun practice.

 

[Morrell]

Yet another +1 for a .22lr first. Can shoot all day for.less than the cost of seeing a movie and can still move your shoulder the next day. Look at what Marlin has to offer. For something larger look at the Mosin Nagant ... cheap, built like a tank, cheap surplus ammo. Does have a kick though. I've heard some good things about the Savage Axis series if you are looking for something new.

 

[donkee]

The .22 gets my vote.

As this is your first, I would stay away from the mititary surplus rifles. Sometimes they require a bit of extra work to get them working right. And there are very few of them that I would consider a "target" rifle.

Once you get the fundamentals down, then start looking for something else.

Also, pawn shops can be a good place to get a used rifle. Usually they ask more than they are worth, so if you find something research it before plunking down the cash.

If you do go with the .22 hang out over at rimfire central. There you can get info related to just .22 caliber. You could also see what the current value is of anything used that you might find in a pawn shop or gun store.