In Search of My First Rifle.

[MattJS]

Good evening everyone,

After debating the idea in my head for quite a while, I've settled upon purchasing my first rifle in the very near future. In doing so, I have conducted a lot of research online and have found a lot of it directed to threads here. There is certainly a lot of good knowledge and experience in this community and I decided it'd be worth my while to see if you all wouldn't mind me picking your brains.

If this forum is intended more for actual discussion than requesting advice, I want to apologize in advance. That said, I'll explain what I am looking for.

At present, my income level isn't as great as I'd like it be, but I do believe that I should be able to spend up to six hundred dollars on a rifle. I know that is not a lot and am willing to loosen the purse strings a bit if something strikes my fancy. So, if you have an idea that is a little higher, don't hesitate to throw it out there for me to look at.

My requirements for the rifle are to serve as a utility rifle. I lived in a semi-rural area with some local wildlife, not all of it friendly. I also, unfortunately, live in a state that is not friendly to gunowners (MA). While my intention is to depart the state in time, when that will be, I cannot say. So, this rifle will likely serve as a gap-filler until such time when I am living in a free state.

I really have no bias against or in favor of a certain type of rifle. Lately, I've been thinking that a lever action rifle like the Marlin 336 would be a pretty good option. But, I don't really have a preference between semi-auto, bolt action, or lever action. I'm also not against seeking out a used rifle.

So, to summarize:

I need a rifle (<$600), used or new, preferably semi-automatic or lever action, for basic utility purposes and a little fun at the range.

What would you recommend?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Hboy828]

Ruger mini 14;30?
Bolt action?
Ak?

 

[Skylerbone]

Matt, welcome to THR first off and rest assured you are not the first seeking advice on a good first rifle.

Most people, myself included, started with a .22lr and many of us continue to shoot them both for economy and practice. A box of ammo will generally run under $4 for 50 rounds while a centerfire rifle shooting .223 Rem. will start at about $6 for 20 rounds. Over the lifetime of the rifle ammo cost will be your largest outlay.

For a good, accurate bolt action rifle I would recommend a Marlin, your choice of finish. For a good, reasonably accurate semi-auto I'd go with a Ruger 10/22.

Either one will allow you to acquaint yourself with shooting for a reasonable price. Give the iron sights a chance and if you feel it necessary add a 4X scope later.

Good luck in your search and take care to learn what you can about safety, cleaning and care for your new rifle.

 

[MattJS]

Hey Skyler, I don't mean to sound ungrateful for the advice, but while I don't own a rifle, I have done a fair amount of shooting (I probably should have stated that earlier).

I've got a fair amount of experience with AR15-type rifles, some .308s (a PTR-91, a FAL) and some bolt actions as well (Mosin Nagant, Enfield). I don't think a .22 will necessarily serve in the role I want at this point. But again, thank you for you responding.

 

[Daniel Boone]

Hi Matt,
My opinion is that the 30-06 is the caliber of rifle by which all other calibers are measured.

Wanting a lever action or semi auto action is your preference.

But if you really want good accuracy - I would look at buying a used Savage model 110'ish with a good scope - which it doesn't have to have a good scope when you buy it because the rifle is cheap enough that you can usually find them for less then $350.00

That leaves a lot of money left over to buy a scope and mounts.

The 30-06 would be my first choice, followed by .270 Winchester for a second.
Third would be .308 Winchester
Fourth would be 7mm Remington Magnum
Fifth would be 300 Winchester Magnum.

As you can see - I am not against buying a rifle other then a Winchester or Remington and I am not against most any Winchester caliber other then 30-30 or 32 Winchester or 35 Remington.

As other has said, a first rifle should be fun and it should be cheap.
The .22LR or the .22 Winchester Magnum would be high on my list and all my .22 rifles - other then a Remington Targetmaster - are all Marlins - which is what you were looking to purchase anyways.

I had a very decent .22 LR Marlin semi auto with scope a couple of years ago that was in mint condition that I sold for $200.00
It was not practical - where I lived because in my state is is illegal to hunt - even small game with a semi auto rifle.

 

[Skylerbone]

If it's centerfire you're looking for a Marlin XL7 can be had leaving you with around $250 for a scope, mounts and rings. I might consider a .308 Win. for ammo availability and cost vs. 30-06 though I own 2 -06s and no .308s personally.

 

[MattJS]

Thank you for the suggestions. As the football games are currently demanding all my attention tonight, I'll be definitely checking out these rifles in the upcoming days.

On the matter of buying a .22, I definitely want to get one, but I'm putting practical need ahead of getting to shoot a lot.

Again, thank you all.

 

[CaliCoastie]

well you have already said your looking at a lever action, grab a marlin 336 in 30-30/35rem if you can find it, get it used at a pawn shop for 300 or so, maybe less(talk them down) and get a marlin 60 used for less than 100.
that puts you at 400 or so with 200 left for ammo, get used to open sights and practice on accuracy and have fun.

the xl/xs7's are nice also for a bolt option.

 

[sappyg]

Hey Matt, welcome to THR,

I think you're on the right track with a Marlin in 30-30. There's really not much else to say about the rifle or cartrige the hasn't been said.

I would also suggest looking at a Saiga rifle in 7.62x39 if you are leaning towards an semi auto. in stock form it should be fine in MA. Ammo is cheap enough for fun at the range. If you choose to at a later date you can convert it to a full blown AK and still stay below you're current budget.

 

[GuysModel94]

I would second both Skyler and Coastie, my preference would be to look for a used Model 94 (post 64) or 336 Marlin. Based on what you said you won't need anything bigger than a 30-30 or .308. Ammo for .223 or .243 cal. should be cheap and plentiful if you choose a bolt.

 

[unwise11]

An M1 Garand would be nice, also a Remington 700 in .308, .30-06, or .300 Win Mag would take care of most angry animals, Also look at the Howa M-1500, I have one in .308 that shoots sub MOA out to 300 yards, and that's only because it hasn't had a chance at 400 yet

 

[MattJS]

Again, I appreciate the welcome on the forums - not at all what I am used to on the Internet. Sappy, could you recommend a Saiga model or models to specifically look at? I'm not familiar with the manufacturer beyond name recognition.

 

[Floppy_D]

Hey MattJS, welcome to The High Road!
For $600, you could get a Marlin 336 30-30 lever action and a Marlin 60 semi-auto 22lr. I see the 336 used around $300 all the time, and the 60 around $140 used. You wouldn't need magazines for either, and could spend the extra coin on ammo. Having a 22lr to practice with really cuts the cost of shooting down, letting you stay in practice affordably.

You could also start with the 336, and hold out on the 22lr for a Marlin 39A, for the sake of having two lever actions. I've got a real soft spot for levers.

 

[Apuuli]

my preference would be to look for a used Model 94 (post 64) or 336 Marlin.

Do you mean "pre-64"? If not, why would you prefer a post 64? Price?

 

[sappyg]

Matt,

Here is a link to the Saiga forum with tons of info.

http://forum.saiga-12.com/index.php?act=idx

I was specifically refering to the 7.63x39 model with a 16" barrel. You might get some good info by doing a search in the rifle forum in THR. It's basically the rifle that Arsenal starts with for their rifles. i.e. it's an AK in sheeps clothing.

 

[MattJS]

Thanking you guys is getting exhausting.

 

[henschman]

IMO, the M-1 Garands from the CMP are the deal of the century in firearms. CMP requires marksmanship training, membership in a CMP-affiliated marksmanship organization, and proof of US citizenship, but once you meet these requirements, you can mail-order surplus military rifles like the M1, as well as the ammo for them, straight to your door.

Go to an Appleseed weekend marksmanship clinic, which fulfills the training requirement for CMP, and join the RWVA (Appleseed's parent organization) for $20 for a yearly membership, which will satisfy the CMP's Membership in a Marksmanship Organization requirement, and then order a Field Grade or Service Grade M1 from the CMP. Both are in your price range.

Appleseed will teach you the fundamentals of rifle marksmanship from military-style field positions, just like they used to teach with those M-1s in the service. They will show you how to shoot that rifle the RIGHT way... you will have a lot of fun. There are lots of Appleseeds in MA, and if you don't currently have a rifle you can use for the clinic, the instructors will loan you a .22 training rifle if you pay for the ammo.

M-1s are .30 '06, which should be able to handle any of the game in your area... and they are still a perfectly capable battle rifle, even by modern standards. I wouldn't feel the least bit outgunned with one on a modern 2-way range, nor would I against any of the wildlife in the Northeastern US. They are also really fun to shoot, and tend to get plenty of attention and compliments at the range... everybody loves the "ping!"

 

[krmgator]

I know you have some other considerations you have mentioned, but I am going to go back to what another poster or two has said; .22LR Rifle. My preference is semi auto.

I think the most versatile weapon you can have. Don't want to start a controversy but IMHO, the one you HAVE to have if the SHTF.

 

[BrocLuno]

Utility gun has to go between small critter (big rat, wood chuck, badger, coon) and bigger critter (bear, wild pig, mad dog). It should be cheap to shoot - cheap enough that you can practice. It should be comfortable and come to shoulder easily, point well and hit what you are aiming at.

30-30, 35 Rem, .223, .243 and some others will do almost all of that. So will a 20 ga shotgun if you are inside 50 ft. Things that are not quite so comfortable to down right mean - 308, 270, 30-06 and a 12 ga shotgun. They get mean if they have steel butt plates, old style stocks with a lot of drop, etc.

I'd be haunting the used racks and pawn shops. You can likely find a very nice used field gun someone has traded in, or hocked to pay for the groceries? If not, then you can be on the look-out for a new rifle. The Mossberg ATR 4x4 has got most of the kinks worked out and is a very accurate shooter from all accounts. It's about the least expensive. Marlin next, Savage on up to TIKKA and Weatherby Vanguard. Any of these will last a lifetime.

Any in the smaller calibers will do for average game and critters up to deer/big mad dog, but not bear. For that you'll probably need one of the 30 calibers or a slug gun. Modern ammo makes the gun less important. Hornady is loading pretty solid hitting ammo in all these calibers in their premium lines - anything from 243 up - so are most of the others now that they see how much Hornady is selling

To me it's all about fit to you - physically. Best design on paper means nothing if it uncomfortable to hold, aim, or shoot. Find models that fit and come to shoulder well (new or used) and 3/4 of the battle is over. Then worry about MFG, model, finish, caliber, etc

 

[husker]

Thanking you guys is getting exhausting.

Hmmm some one from the Planet ??

 

[epijunkie67]

I think you may run into a problem here because your inital question is SO open ended. Lever or semi-auto, <$600, "general utility" describes a HUGE range of guns. Let me ask you a few questions.

"Utility". Do you plan on hunting with this weapon, even sometimes? If so, hunting what? Deer? Rabbits? Just target shooting?

What kinds of ranges are you expecting to be accurate at with this weapon? 200 yards? 600 yards? 1000? Ok, now, what kind of ranges do you expect this weapon to be EFFECTIVE at? You might be able to push a .223 out to 1000 meters but you aren't going to kill anything with it at that range.

Is this weapon going to do duty in home defense? coyote defense?

You have some weapon experience already. What's your recoil profile like? You want a soft shooter like a semi-auto .223 or do you want something with more "thump".

How much shooting do you want to do? One of the main reasons people recommend 22LR is because the ammo is so cheap compared to everything else. 100 rounds of 22lr is pennies, 100 rounds of match grade .308 is quite a bit more. If you want something with cheap ammo you might have to make certain trade offs.

If you plan on doing a lot of shooting then changing out a few magazines is a lot different than working a lever for every single shot. Are you SURE you don't have a preference?

And finally, do you have any interest in reloading? It can make your ammo a lot cheaper and some rounds are easier to reload than others. not a make or break issue, but it might sway your choice one way or the other.

A lot of questions I realize, but the better idea we have about your specific preferences the better advice people here can give you. Otherwise these threads turn into "this is my favorite gun, you should try it" kind of thread.

 

[MattJS]

Hey Epi, you make some great points and I'm going to use them for food for thought today till I'm not rushing out the door. Thank you!

 

[MattJS]

The basic idea for the weapon is home defense and small animals. I've been told our area has a growing coyote population and I do live in a semi-rural area, so that is always a concern. Hunting will not happen though. Also, this gun will not see a lot of action. I don't get to a range nearly as much I should (or would like to) and therefore, shooting with this rifle would be limited. Therefore, working a lever doesn't tend to bother me. Range wise, I find it unlikely that I would ever shoot at anything beyond a hundred yards or so. Reloading is pretty unlikely, I understand the equipment is rather expensive for that (relative to my prince range). Recoilwise, I would like to avoid anything too severe, as it is not comfortable for me. I have shot 7.62x39 and found it to be easy to manage.

I hope that can narrow it down a bit. Again, very thankful for all the input.

 

[MrBorland]

semi-automatic or lever action, for basic utility purposes and a little fun at the range.

The basic idea for the weapon is home defense and small animals.

Therefore, working a lever doesn't tend to bother me. Range wise, I find it unlikely that I would ever shoot at anything beyond a hundred yards or so. Reloading is pretty unlikely, I understand the equipment is rather expensive for that (relative to my prince range). Recoilwise, I would like to avoid anything too severe, as it is not comfortable for me. I have shot 7.62x39 and found it to be easy to manage.

I'm surprised no one mentioned it yet: a Marlin 1894C in .357 magnum. You can shoot affordable .38 spl for plinking and small game, and it'll hold 9 rounds of .357 magnum for more serious use. With ammo such as Buffalo Bore or LeverEvolution, it'd work as a deer rifle within your stated range too. I'm not sure an all-around rifle exists, but the 1894C gets close.

 

[epijunkie67]

I agree. Given the conditions you outline a nice pistol caliber carbine would be a good choice. I have a lever action .357 and love it. Recoil is functionally zero, ammo is cheap, it is strong enough to down coyote yet weak enough to take rabbit without destroying it. It has a range of 100-150 yards and has as much power at 100 yards as it does point blank coming out of a 6" revolver.

As for reloading, it doesn't have to cost a lot. Depending on what you are shooting you could even get a "lee loader" for just a few bucks. Last i looked they were