Best rifle for a beginning adult to learn marksmanship?

[jblane]

I'm trying to decide on a rifle to start learning with. I haven't fired a rifle since I was a kid and am definitely a beginner at this point. Although I know very little about guns, I've found some very useful info on these forums and am close to a decision. I just wanted to ask for advice from the knowledgeable people around here before deciding on a rifle. Its main purposes will be home defense and target shooting.

Even though I eventually want to shoot higher caliber ammo, like 30-06, I've gathered from reading around here that a 22lr bolt action rifle is the best way to learn, due both to cheaper ammo and getting a feel for wind and trajectory. So I'm looking for a very accurate 22lr rifle that will allow me to develop precision. At this point I've narrowed it down to the following three:

CZ 452
Kimber M82
Savage MKII

The Kimber may be a bit out of my price range, as I don't want to spend more than $4-500. I'm also considering Ruger and Browning. Any other models I should look at? Also, would it be a good idea to try to save money by buying a used rifle from gunbroker.com or a local pawnshop, or is this risky for a novice? Thanks so much for any advice!

 

[ArmedBear]

The CZ is a fine rifle, and a bargain price for what it is. It's accurate, has a great trigger, and feels like a real rifle even though it's a .22.

 

[Avenger29]

The CZ 452 is an excellent option, particularly for learning iron sights. The tangent iron sights present on some of the models are great, plus TechSIGHTs offers an aperture upgrade if you want to try that.

The Savage MkII is also a good rifle, but I chose CZ and have absolutely not been disappointed.

 

[ECVMatt]

CZ's are great. You can't go wrong with them.

 

[jblane]

Thanks for all your feedback, the options out there are bewildering and it's really helpful to get some extra advice. I've decided to go with the CZ 452 Lux, for the tangent sights. Can't wait to start practicing!

 

[dmazur]

I am so tempted to say "Garand", but only the Army thought that was the best rifle for a beginning adult to learn marksmanship with...and the Army wasn't always right (despite what they thought.)

Any decent bolt-action .22LR should be OK. Ruger has a 77/22 which can be OK, but isn't really target-rifle accuracy. You might look for a used Winchester 52 -- those were a superb target rifle in their day.

 

[Tim the student]

I'm partial to Savages, but thats just me. I can't recall ever hearing anything bad about CZ's.

If you want to improve your marksmanship, you could get an air rifle and shoot in your basement for 15 minutes a night. That will be even cheaper than a .22.

One thing though - This:

Its main purposes will be home defense and target shooting.

Does not jive with this:

So I'm looking for a very accurate 22lr rifle

If that's all you have, thats all you have, but maybe a nice used .22 and a used 870 or 500 may be the way to go if you are thinking about home defense.

 

[jblane]

My mistake Tim, I was a bit unclear in my original post. I meant that my purpose in learning to use a rifle was home defense, not that that job will go to the .22 I buy. Once I've learned the ropes I intend to buy a more powerful rifle. Meanwhile I have a Remington 870 Express shotgun that should do until I'm ready for a real rifle I'm buying a rifle because I'd like something with a bit more precision than a shotgun, plus target shooting sounds like a lot of fun.

 

[Avenger29]

Excellent choice on the CZ 452 Lux. The "Training" rifle and the standard CZ 452s would also be good options. Either way, you are covered.

 

[Tim the student]

OK, good. My mistake.

Target shooting is great fun, especially if you can shoot "reactive" targets like cans, pop bottles, clays etc.

 

[Avenger29]

Target shooting is great fun, especially if you can shoot "reactive" targets like cans, pop bottles, clays etc.

The only time I shoot paper, if I can help it, is zeroing/verifying zero/group checking. Other than that, I HATE shooting paper. Boring as all get out to me.

Give me some steel any day!

 

[Sport45]

Meanwhile I have a Remington 870 Express shotgun that should do until I'm ready for a real rifle I'm buying a rifle because I'd like something with a bit more precision than a shotgun, plus target shooting sounds like a lot of fun.

Sounds like you've got the home defense part of the equation covered well with the 870. Anything chambered in .22lr is a "real" rifle and will serve you well for target shooting. When you want to reach out past 100 yards or so with accuracy you might want something that chunks a heavier bullet with more velocity.

 

[PT1911]

I recommend the kimber.

 

[jblane]

I recommend the kimber.

The Kimber is expensive though. I think the CZ should more than do for getting started. I do need to set some money aside for ammo to practice with. Speaking of which, any suggestions for ammo? I've heard some are known for accuracy, but not sure which brands. I'll be using is solely for target practice, so precision is the main priority. I've noticed they come in a wide variety of weights, velocities, and other variables. What should I look for, given my purposes? Again, thanks for all the great advice!

 

[PT1911]

I picked up mine for 325 used a couple years out of the CMP... guess I got a little more than kinda lucky...

as to accuracy... depends on what you are looking to do... if you want to get 1 hole accuracy consistently with it, go with something along the lines of the wolf Match or remington Gold metal IMO... if you just want to do some plinking... pretty much anything will do in a bolt gun... I like the CCI offerings.

 

[Bobarino]

out of the ones you have listed, i'd pick the Savage. they just seem to have their act together and are producing very fine rifles at great prices.

when i was faced with the same choice, i went for a Marlin 981T. the high cap tube mag is great and they shoot wonderfully. their new trigger is better than their old ones but still can't hold a candle to Savage's Accu-Trigger.

however, the Marlin is $189 and has a "grown up" rifle feel to it. i put a spare 3-9 scope on it and it shoots wonderfully. i don't regret it a bit. the $100 i saved on it went towards my "real" target rifle in the form of better glass.

i just couldn't justify too much expenditure on a rifle that shoots rounds that cost 8 cents a piece. it's great practice, don't get me wrong, and of course, 22LR is fun as all get out but unless you're into competition, the .22 is a fun practice and plinking toy. buy a rig that costs less than $400, shoot the crap out of it, and get what you really want after you develop some good fundamental skills.

that said, when anyone says, "hey lets go shooting for fun!" i grab the Marlin 60 and 981T. ain't nuthin funnerer than your favorite .22!

Bobby

 

[zombienerd]

I'd go with a brand new Savage Mark 2 Inexpensive, durable, fun target rifles... It's what the CMP uses for their introductory target rifles.

http://www.thecmp.org/22targetcommercial.htm

I don't think you can buy one from them unless it's going to a youth shooting club, but it gives an idea of what they use.

 

[StrawHat]

Of the three you mentioned, I'd go with the Savage. A well made rifle and accurate. In the price range you mentioned, many well made target rifles can be found used. CMP and most guns shops will have at least one available. I had a Remington that was a tack driver and used it in competition as a youth. It was a single shot but you said you were looking to learn the basics of marksmanship. For that you need an accurate rifle. And paper targets will tell you more about marksmanship than action targets. Stell, NECCO wafers, cookies, etc are all fun to shoot but paper doesn't lie. A good shooting routine incorporating both types of target will benfit your learning.

Good luck with your quest.

 

[Uncle Mike]

CZ 452 The Lux is a fine rifle, very accurate. does not lend itself to optics mounting very well. But it can be done, I wouldn't though!

if cost is a factor, the Savage is good, and most of the time, just as accurate, if not all the time.

 

[ArmedBear]

I also like to support a country where the principles of the free market and individual liberty still mean something to people. That's one reason I'd favor the Czech gun over an American rifle...

the Army wasn't always right (despite what they thought.)

The same Army that thought that making recruits smash their fingers in a Garand action slamming shut was a good drill?

 

[MrBorland]

The 452 Lux was an excellent choice, IMO.

When you're ready, there's an inexpensive & simple trigger kit available to markedly improve the stock trigger (but don't go overboard and make an unsafe trigger with it). It's available from cz452.com; Whittaker's (whittakerguns.com) also used to sell it. I've heard spotty reports about unreliable delivery from cz452.com, so it might be worth looking into Whittaker's.

CZ452.com also sells a ghost ring that simply replaces the stock rear blade (i.e. without messing with the entire rear sight).

 

[Lee Roder]

i'm having a lot of fun now with a 15 year old marlin 25N i picked out of a pawn shop this year. at $120 without a scope, it's quite a challenge for me eyes at 25 yards. but went from notebook size to notecard size 50 round groups, so i'm encouraged. and it's _C_H_E_A_P_ to shoot!

but it is rather anemic though.

 

[oldfool]

"my purpose in learning to use a rifle was home defense, not that that job will go to the .22 I buy. Once I've learned the ropes I intend to buy a more powerful rifle."

you can't go wrong with any of the choices named, and a bolt action is certainly best choice for "target" shooting
however, given your criteria (a more powerful rifle for home defense), you could consider going with a 22 of same general style or action type... semi-auto, lever action, or pump.. especially if "action shooting" offhand, that sort of thing

no 22 rimfire will really feel quite like a centerfire, but the basic skill set is the same
bench rest or slow fire not really quite the same as "defensive" practice
especially not if contemplating a high X scope for targets
they are ALL fun though !

 

[project88]

savage...accurate and affordable..idk about where your at but around here you can purchase a heavy barreled markII with a factory mounted and boresighted scope for under 300 otd which given the 4-500 dollar budget posted by the OP that leaves 1-200 for fair amount of ammo, a sling and possibly a bipod if you feel so inclined.

just my $.02 tho

 

[d2wing]

+ CZ 452. An air pistol is great to brush up on basics off sight alignment and trigger control.