Lady New to Rifles Looking for Some Rifles 101 Information

Status
Not open for further replies.
3

3KillerBs

Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2008
Messages
993
Location
NC Sandhills
Even though a .22 rifle was the first gun I ever shot 20-some years ago, almost all my gun and shooting training and experience is with handguns. We've decided that the household needs a 3rd .22 rifle to go with DH's old Marlin and the 8yo's Crickett. Since this will be for the use of the ladies I will have significant input into picking the specific one so it behooves me to get some kind of reasonable idea of what I'm doing when it comes to rifles.

Anyone able to recommend a website with good, basic, "Rifles 101" information?

We'll be looking in the $200-300 range to start, a little gun-fondling at Gander Mountain has me thinking that I like the feel of a thumbhole stock, I'm only 5'3" with short arms and not a lot of upper body strength (the Marlin is way too heavy for me), and it would need to have some form of iron sights as well as the ability to mount a scope. It would be primarily for target shooting at 50 and 100 yards though I wouldn't rule out hunting (or, at least, shooting rabbits and groundhogs out of my garden if we were to move to a rural area where that would be safe).

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.
 
3KB;

First suggestion is going to be the CZ Scout. It's made for people of smaller stature. Which doesn't mean it's not a quality firearm capable of excellent accuracy. It won't have a thumbhole stock, but it will be right there in the budget you've stated. Comes with very good iron sights too.

However, if you're of a mind to scope it, I can suggest the Sightron 3-9X rimfire, which will add something around another $100.00. They seem to be on sale now through the various catalogs such as Bear Basin, Midway, or Natchez.

Pay a little more money for the Talley rings, you will never be sorry you did. The site is: wwwtalleyrings.com. The phone number is on the site. Call them & discuss both the gun & scope you want. They are very friendly, knowledgeable, will ensure you get what you need, and stand behind having it fit correctly.

Sounds like your fixin' to have some serious fun!

900F
 
1 more vote for a CZ. (I`m not biased, I`ve Rugers, Remington and CZ`s)
You might want to see what the guys over on rimfire.com have to say. If anyone knows rimfires it is those guys.
 
I'll second the recommendation for the CZ Scout. It's a very accurate rifle that's a little on the small side.
 
Seek out the largest gunstore in your area and/or go to any of the larger gunshows around. No matter what suggestions you get, here, and no matter what you find by browsing the websites of the various manufacturers, nothing beats real-life feeling and fondling rifles in a store.
 
Well, my only .22 is a scoped Ruger 10/22 carbine. No thumbhole stock, but I'm sure you can find one. There is LOTS of aftermarket stuff for the 10/22. Mine's a 16 1/8" barrel, so it should be light and handy. Has both iron sights and, of course, the ability to scope. Accurate enough for plinking or shooting rabbits or groundhogs or whatever, and it should be in your $200-300 price range.
 
I have purchased more than several firearms for my nephews. A smash hit among them has been the CZ 452 Scout. All it needs is a sling and extra mags (sometimes a bolt slicking).

I like the rifle so much that I purchased one for myself, even though I have just a few guns.:D
 
Seek out the largest gunstore in your area and/or go to any of the larger gunshows around. No matter what suggestions you get, here, and no matter what you find by browsing the websites of the various manufacturers, nothing beats real-life feeling and fondling rifles in a store.
Click to expand...


^
 
Thank you.

I can get hands on with some rifles readily. I'm mainly looking for info about what to look for as I do and how to make sure I'm getting something suitable for my rather modest purposes.

Any thoughts about the relative advantages and disadvantages of bolt action, lever action, and semi-auto (or any other type of feed device that I don't know exists?)?

In my very casual and uninformed gun handling I liked the thumbhole stock because it gave me a feeling of stability and control. Are there any drawbacks to that style of stock? Are there are other means of getting a similar feeling of control?

Thanks again.
 
Any thoughts about the relative advantages and disadvantages of bolt action, lever action, and semi-auto (or any other type of feed device that I don't know exists?)?
Click to expand...

Slide-action as well.

Bolt: locks up tight, can take higher pressure/more powerful cartridges, if you re-load definitely a positive.

Lever action: weapons are usually flatter and more "handy". Usually limited to non-spitzer (non-pointy bullets in cartridges), but several models address this. Action is prone to stretch brass as it does not lock up as tight as bolt in most cases.

Self-loading (semi-auto): weapon reloads self and thus follow up shots are usually easier to achieve. Action of weapon "soaks" up some of recoil.

Slide: considered faster than bolt, but prone to rattle and brass issues can develop.

Manipulation of all of the above is a matter of training. Above all, remember this--in the gun culture the subjective is objective. What I like, you may not, have to try stuff.

The best thing to do is to get trained up, that way you ensure that your software will select your hardware and you have a rational basis for your selections.
 
Savage Mark II

i would recommend the Savage Mark II, damn accurate and light.

mark11f.jpg


http://www.savagearms.com/markiif.htm
 
first off, I would drop the thumbhole stock, they are impracticle for almost anything but bench shooting, and you can bet they are allways heavy.
Right now, very few 22's are made with sites, and the ones that are have basic drift sites. The remmy 597 is about the only one made right now, with fully adjustable for height and windage, rear site. It will be about 150 bucks. But for a truly great rifle, around 300 bucks, you should look at a cz , with a single set trigger, their accuracy, beauty, and trigger make them truly a lifetime rifle.
Even so, they will still be tough to find with a great rear site setup.
check this page for some good looking rifles.
http://www.czub.cz/index.php?p=32&idp=2&ids=8&lang=en
 
I bought the Savage, left handed, for my honorary nephew. It has turned out to be surprisingly accurate, half inch and smaller groups at 50 yards with inexpensive bulk ammo and the rough and ready factory iron sights (and the kid's eyes, not mine :D )

As happy as we have been with the Savage, I have dinged my hand several times on the magazine. Part of the problem is the change of handedness, part is the flush magazine of my Ruger 77/22. No doubt the problem would go away if I shot the rifle more. I recommend that you pay attention to the differences between box magazine and tube fed rifles and, of course, the Rugers.

The Browning autoloader is small, light, ambidextrous (bottom ejecting), and, in the form of the Norinco clone, relatively inexpensive. I cannot find whether either is available new.
 
The .22 which has impressed me the most, recently is the Henry Golden Boy lever action. Levers in general are considered to be less accurate than bolts, however, that one would yield .75" groups at 100 yds, with Rem Thunderbolt ammo. Only went about an inch and a half, or worse with the bulk pak stuff, though.

If memory serves, the Henry's reciever is made out of something they call Brass-Lite. Lighter than true brass, but still heavier than steel. I think they make a steel frame version, as well, though.

The only other .22 rifle I have much experience with is a Marlin 60. The best that can be said is that they are cheap and lightweight.
 
Couple random data-bytes...


Rifles can be single-shot, or have a box magazine (sometimes called a "clip") which holds about 5 shots, or they can have a "tube" magazine which holds from 12 to 15 shots. Both types are fine for popping away at paper targets but for "fun" shooting at soda cans, pine cones etc. the greater capacity of the "tube" type is a really nice feature because you don't have to stop and load so often. Either type is fine for hunting.

All lever-actions and pumpguns will have "tube" type magazines. Almost all bolt-actions and some of the semi-autos will have the "box" type.

Lever-actions will have an exposed hammer which is cocked by the lever. This is a nice safety feature because its' "cocked/uncocked" status can be seen at a glance without even touching the gun.

Many .22 rifles will shoot .22 "long rifles", .22 "longs", and .22 "shorts. That's an "OK-but-not-necessary" feature.


Lever-actions are comparatively petite by design which means they are "friendly" to people with smaller hands and those with larger hands can still adjust to them. It also makes them a joy to handle and carry. Very few of any of the other action-types are so blessed.

You ought to at least look at the "RedDot" style sights as a less expensive option to a scope. Decent ones can be had for under $100 and they are great at .22 rimfire distances.

If you're looking for "fun" shooting - buy "fun" equipment - not specialized target equipment or "tinker toys" (rifles designed for people to add aftermarket gadgets to like black "bad-looking" stocks and unnecessary handguards etc.).

Have a ball !

:cool:
 
My suggestion would be a semiautomatic with a length of pull to fit you. Length of pull is basically how the gun fits you. I personally like tube magazines. Semiautos and Lever actions have them.
 
As others have stated (yourself included) you are the one to make the final choice.
Bolts,levers,and pumps have their uses but most folks I know with a stack of 22 rifles do the major % of their shooting with semi auto guns.
If you owned a AR15 I would encourage a Ceiner Rimfire conversion. I also recomend a Ruger 10/22.
The 10/22 platform is available at all of the discount sporting goods stores and has the advantage of being easily customised with the wide aray of aftermrket "stuff" available. Different weight barrels (includeing some very light), any possible size and shape stock,better sights and triggers. These choices would bend your budget some or completely trash it if you got carried away
 
The Ruger 10/22 comes in a few basic configurations and is endlessly customizable. You can do almost anything doable by ordering out parts and bolting them on.

Seek out the largest gunstore in your area and/or go to any of the larger gunshows around. No matter what suggestions you get, here, and no matter what you find by browsing the websites of the various manufacturers, nothing beats real-life feeling and fondling rifles in a store.
Click to expand...

What he said.
 
I have a bolt (old Stevens w/5rd magazine), lever (Henry, new), and pump (older Rossi Gallery). The Rossi is the lighest, handiest, and most accurate with open sights and it is a take down design. No way to mount a scope without some smithing. You can't get the Rossi any more new but other mfgs make the same style - they will run you $400+ on up (Henry makes one) and Ables has them for $408 plus shipping and transfer fee on your end.
 
How about this: Give us a list of rifles which you've found to match your own strength to handle comfortably. We can then natter away quite happily about the pros and cons of each. :D

There are numerous lightweight and accurate .22s. The usual problem for many is matching the rifle to some particular brand and type of ammunition.

As a for instance, I had a Ruger 10/22 which absolutely despised most of the Remington, Winchester and CCI ammo. Patterns, not groups. Frustrating. I finally tried QuikShok, and A Miracle! Tight groups! So, ya never know. It seems to me that there's no way to know ahead of time what will work or what won't.

I've never messed with a thumbhole semi-auto. I don't like them for bolt guns since I'd have to learn a whole new set of reflexes to keep from banging my thumb as I cycle the bolt. An extra motion is required, compared to conventional. Then again, my reflexes come from beaucoup decades. :)
 
If there is a gunshop with an indoor range nearby, go there and test drive a few rifles and see which one suites you the best.
 
In my very casual and uninformed gun handling I liked the thumbhole stock because it gave me a feeling of stability and control. Are there any drawbacks to that style of stock? Are there are other means of getting a similar feeling of control?
Click to expand...
Downside? Depends on thumbhole design. Most are designed for right handed shooters (doh!) which could be a very real issue for any lefties... with maybe the exception being pistol grip types (look up Browning Buckmark Rifles... link below... not cheap however!) http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?value=004B&cat_id=021&type_id=026

or perhaps the new GSG5 (? I think it is?) w/ it's pistol grip, tho' very tac...y looking, might prove to be worthwhile from that point of view. http://www.germansportguns.de/index.php?id=10110&kat_id=567

But you will note both of the above are semi auto magazine fed. I've seen Savage's Mako Shark which is a bolt action thumbhole stocked rifle and it would, as Art points out, make for some interesting times holding stock then using that hand for bolt manipulation (assuming you're right handed).

McMillan makes some very fine stocks which have an enhanced pistol grip wrist and are used by bolt action specialists... but... we probably shouldn't go there unless you're a fanatic... scroll down to the STC stocks and you'll see what I mean (and wouldn't I love to have several of their fine products gracing several of my rifles?)
http://www.mcmfamily.com/mcmillan-stocks-competition-stock-list.php?subnav=branch4b#

But it's not just the stock and grip, really, it's all of the bits and pieces, weight, sights, action, barrel length... and then 3KillerBs, it's you, the shooter. Getting started, learning that rifle's quirks and foibles, maybe tweaking it or perhaps buying another, different rifle, because... well, just because, that first one was OK... but now that you've got a few hundred bricks thru it, it might be time to try something a tad bit different until that day you find THE RIGHT ONE! (for now)

I've only got 8 or 9 .22 rifles at this point and I've learned and know that the very first one I ever shot way back in 1963, my Dad's old Marlin 39, is quite probably the single, very bestest, most accurate and thus fun .22 rifle. For me. YMMV

Good hunting. Enjoy the chase. Let us know whatcha get, please.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

M
  • Locked
Rifle information
Replies
5
Views
412
mhdishere
M
S
  • Locked
Compact Rifle for Lady
2
Replies
38
Views
3K
Sparky123
S
Armored farmer
  • Locked
New .22 rifle daydreams
2 3 4 5
Replies
116
Views
8K
JFrank
JFrank
R
  • Locked
Looking at a .22 rifle
Replies
22
Views
952
ArmedBear
A
A
  • Locked
Looking for some information on this SKS scope and mount.
Replies
10
Views
575
wally
wally
Back
Top