Thinking about buying a rifle *advice please*

[schadenfreude]

I was thinking about learning to shoot a rifle. I haven't fired a rifle in years and when i did it was a .22 I figure the cheapest foray into a rifle would be cheap eastern block rifles. "Cheap" being the operative word. I think I want it to be semi auto and not a bolt action. It needs to be accurate. Not sniper rifle accurate but at least something workable.

Any tips? Brands? Calibers? Features?

I don't expect anyone to lay down all the info I would ever need but maybe some links to web pages or point me in the right direction.

Thanks a ton.

 

[000Buck]

cheap + reliable + fun + commie = SKS

 

[schadenfreude]

Can you fit a detachable magazine to the SKS or do you have to keep feeding clips through the top into a magazine?


How are they for accuracy with a little tweaking?

 

[Sven]

Start back with the 22 (10/22) and work up from there. Accurate and cheap as heck.

 

[000Buck]

I, personally, wouldnt convert an SKS to take detachable mags myself after what I've seen....but loading through the top via stripper clips is as fast as mags if you practice.

From what I've seen, they are very accurate with open sights.

 

[goon]

I can hit steel chicken silouhettes that are about the size of a pie pan at 200M with my brother's chinese SKS.
I would stick with the stripper clips with the SKS. If you want detachable mags, you had best just go to the AK.
How much money are you looking to spend?
You can still get an SAR-1 for around $350 and you can get even nicer AKs if you have the cash.
Having said that, there isn't anything wrong with the SKS.

As was stated before, a .22LR is good to start with, but I don't really consider it essential to start with.
If you can only afford one and you need a weapon, then you had best get a weapon.

 

[schadenfreude]

I was thinking of spending less than $300 but if I could step up to something a lot better for $350 I wouldn't have a problem with that.

I don't really want a 22. Nothing wrong with them and they are really great cost wise for target shooting but I do want something more powerful.

 

[slh02]

Take a look at...

The EAA Saiga. Its a very nice package for a VERY nice price. I guarantee that you will not be disappointed with this rifle. It comes in .223, 7.62x39, and .308. Its basically a Russian AK with a standard rifle stock.

 

[schadenfreude]

Which would be a good caliber? Which is the cheaper to shoot? Can you get larger capacity mags for the saiga?

 

[geekWithA.45]

I looked into Saiga's way back...they have proprietary mags, due to import regulations, but a decent smith can convert them to take standard AK mags, if you're shooting 7.62x39.

As a general rule, .22lr is cheapest to shoot, $14 or so for 500 rounds.
.223 is next, weighing in around 130 or so per 1000, less if you're OK with cheeseball commie ammo. (Silver Bear, Wolf)
The commie round I hear is in the same neighborhood.
.308 is _relatively_ cheap, due to all the milsurp floating around, 1000 rounds will cost you 155ish, depending.

You can generally buy bulk at gunshows for a bit less.

I've fired Saigas. They're not bad at all, and a real value for the money, IMO. YMMV, etc.

 

[No4Mk1*]

Cheap + East Block + reliable + accurate .....

Sorry there is no such rifle. If you wern't so picky about the accuracy and would accept 4-6 MOA you might find something.

 

[Jick42]

It is going to be very very hard for you to find what you have described your looking for. Accuracy in a Semi-Auto, that is an attainable goal. But for under $350.00, that is NOT. You have already stated that you do not want a .22, and thats fine. But thats going to be the only Semi-Auto you can get for under $350.00 and be pretty accurate. The cheapest route i would know for you to go would be Olympic Arms is selling an AR15, called the Plinker for $500.00. Its not going to drive tacks, but it may be the closest to what your looking for in a reasonable price range of your wishes. Thats about all i can think of. Good Luck.

 

[El Rojo]

Another vote for the SKS. The best thing about the SKS is that you can hit man sized targets with it at 300 yards pretty consistantly with the iron sights and the ammo is going to be the next cheapest compared to .22LR. You should be able to pick up 1000 rounds of 7.62x39mm for about $80-$100. That will last you a while.

I wouldn't worry about the larger capacity magazine. I bought a detachable mag for my SKS and I don't like it or use it anymore. I just have about 400 rounds in two bandoleers already strippered and go out and have fun. Using strippers in the SKS is very fast.

What do you plan to do with this rifle? Just plink around with it and defend your house in that tactical scenario we all plan for? Do you want to shoot competition like high power? That would help us figure out what you might want to buy. I am assuming you only are going to plink around with it. The SKS is plenty good enough. If you want to shoot some sort of match with it like highpower, you are going to have to spend way lots of money to even get started. Well at least double what you plan on spending now.

 

[schadenfreude]

When I was talking about acuracy I meant that the rifle should be of enough quality to hit a man size target at some range. I wasn't thinking sniper action.

Honestly the rifle will be used for plinking. I won't use it for home defence unless the neighbors are trying to burn the place down.

I guess I'll look into the SKS and the 10/22 then. At least with the 22 I can shoot it at the local range whereas the SKS I would have to find my own spot.

Thanks for all the tips.

 

[schadenfreude]

From CDNN: Is this any good? Seems cheap enough that I could get one of these and a 22.

 

[Jick42]

Yes, these are SOLID SOLID guns, Fondled a couple of them at a recent gun show, they were tight. Definatley worth the $179.00.

 

[Beetle Bailey]

Don't be fooled by the price, the Yugo SKS is a great bargain. Go with the "unissued grade" if possible.

 

[BamBam-31]

AIM has the unissued ones for $159.00, plus FREE SHIPPING. Prolly the best deal around.

Of course, I bought mine a bit back for two mumble and mumble....

Definitely go with the unissued. The $20 or so difference will be quickly forgotten. Better than thinking, "Man, I shoulda...." everytime you pick it up.

Good luck, and enjoy.

 

[SteelyDan]

I agree the Yugo SKS is a great bargain; probably the best one out there right now. Also, schaden, I have no idea why you can't shoot an SKS at your local range, but if it's because of the steel core bullets, then you may still be able to shoot other loads (like Federal American Eagle 7.62x39) without the steel core--they'll just cost twice as much.

 

[schadenfreude]

Largest caliber is 44 mag for pistol and 22lr for a rifle. Thats the rules. I guess they're not set up for the larger stuff.

I'll probably get an SKS then. I'm going to sell my new Beretta and probably get a new rifle and a new pistol.