[Stupidhawk007]

I didn't get one for christmas, so I'm going to be buying one. Anyone have any opinions on a nice, cheap to shoot, rifle? I'm thinking a .22, maybe a .223. I'm thinking a Ruger 10/22 or a nice little AR-15(bushmaster copy). Looking to spend under $500. Something accurate at fairly long range, that will be easily equipped with a scope. Any experiences? Nikon, you must have an opinion.

[beet]

[Nikon]

.22 = cheap and fun.
AR = not cheap but a tons more fun

[dhuze]

Originally posted by Nikon
.22 = cheap and fun.
AR = not cheap but a tons more fun

The ruger 10/22 is a great all around .22 they are cheap you can find the cheapest for just under $200 I think the more expensive ones are around $350.
.22's are good for around 100 yards if you're good, but usually you only shoot around 50 yards with a .22 ammo is around $10 for 500 rounds.

.223's, I shoot mine out to 600 yards accurately with iron sights they are supposedly accurate out to 800 yards. Ammo for a .223 is $99.00 plus for 500 rounds.

[trackdog]

22 rimjob...I mean rimfire...hands down.

The Ruger is good choice...but I like a good ol' 70's vintage bolt. Eats everything...Hyper velocity to CB caps....although I have any auto that will feed high velocity shorts....25 in the tube...all I need now is one of thse hand crankers!.......

So...buy one of each...get yourself a little auto pistol or maybe a nice old wheel gun for the hip while your at it.

Oh...and you gotta have a decent scattergun....Basic model Remington 870....then you can get the different bbls etc. later.

Oh. and make sure the scope for your rifle has a fine crosshair reticle...so as not to block out tiny targets at >50 meters....like the head of a chipmunk peaking over the log, trying to figure out where the first shot came from.........

[trackdog]

Originally posted by Nikon
.22 = cheap and fun.
AR = not cheap but a tons more fun

12GA= cheap and versatile and fun

[mostly.lurking]

I have a CZ452 bolt action 22lr rifle. They are like $300-320 new. The fit and finish is what you'd expect for that money, but they are absolute tack drivers. Personally, I'm glad that I bought the CZ over the Ruger 77/22.

CZ USA

Then again, I'm halfway through building a varmint style AR, too.

[OreoGitorio]

Anyone got a pellet gun I can have for the rats & drunks behind my appartment?

[dhuze]

Wal-mart does for around $25.00. Hell shooting 1 bum makes it worth it

[daviid]

your gonna spend money on the AR. 500 wont cut it. 500 rnds of 223 cost me 123$ last time. im not sure what the walmart winchester white box 40rnd value boxes total upto be, but they are around 7.50/box.


if you go with the AR, you can always look for the Army/Airforces M261 kit, or get a Ciener conversion. these allow you to convert the AR into 22lr. i just got my m261. im having some issues with mine, but i didnt clean it before using it. which i think the problems is

[beet]

Originally posted by OreoGaborio
Anyone got a pellet gun I can have for the rats & drunks in my appartment?

[Stoneman]

You'll shoot your eye out, kid!

[dhuze]

Originally posted by Stoneman
You'll shoot your eye out, kid!

He can't. He's still stuck to the pole till spring.

[dhuze]

Originally posted by daviid


if you go with the AR, you can always look for the Army/Airforces M261 kit, or get a Ciener conversion. these allow you to convert the AR into 22lr. i just got my m261. im having some issues with mine, but i didnt clean it before using it. which i think the problems is

I have heard there are lots of problems with the .22 conversion kits for ar-15's. One problem is a .22 is not really as big as a .223 It's just a hair smaller. Bushmaster is finally making a .22 upper for the ar-15's not just the kit. I am trying to get a good price on them right now because I need 3. They are listed for $465 and thats just the upper. You still need to have a lower reciever.

[richw]

rim fire vs center fire apples and oranges.

Any auto 22 is probably more accuracte then you will be for a very long time. Only trust a bolt action to load different types of 22 ammo. If you live in sprawl then a subsonic round draws much less attention. I have like 3 22's and a ruger pistol 22.

Any 22 bolt from older then like 1975 is probably the best bet under $350 and will never loose value if kept nice.

If your plinking then 22 long rifle best and cheapest. My favorite plinker is my old Remington nylon 66. I also have a Marlin and the ruger as well

Center fire is good I have a Bushmaster CMP on the CMP deal for only $850 but otherwise your looking at $1100 minimum. In CT anyway the Libs put in a .24 caliber minimum to hunt deer so if that where your going look up rules in your state. I also have 308 and 3006 there is still some old ammo for cheap.

Also nothing beats the 3006 varmit load for "Kaboom"

My funny story is that when I went to adopt my boy the state thought that the 22 weapons I had at the time made me a
"Gun Nut". but under 12 weapons made me an enthusiast target shooter. The neighborhood being much more safe with only a dozen.

[dhuze]

looks like I won't be adopting anytime soon. Did you have to cut your supply down to enthusist level?

If I was looking for a cheap plinker I would go with a .22. It's the cheapest new gun you will find. It's quieter than anything else so you won't disturb your neighbors. and the ammo is by far the cheapest you will find.

[bump909]

Originally posted by Stoneman
You'll shoot your eye out, kid!

HO HO HOOOO!!! *boot*

[richw]

2 kids are my limit so I can

weapon up

though I think there is a small frame bb gun next
then the cricket 22

I think the total is now only
4 pistols and 7 rifles but most of the niches are covered

[daviid]

Originally posted by dhuze
I have heard there are lots of problems with the .22 conversion kits for ar-15's. One problem is a .22 is not really as big as a .223 It's just a hair smaller. Bushmaster is finally making a .22 upper for the ar-15's not just the kit. I am trying to get a good price on them right now because I need 3. They are listed for $465 and thats just the upper. You still need to have a lower reciever.

the 22 is just .001 of a inch smaller. if your plinking its not gonna matter at all. the issue im having with mine is either that its not clean or the spring is weak. for the first initial load you have to physically push the bolt forword to get a round in the chamber. other then that ive had no issues with it

[ZX-12R]

Originally posted by richw
Also nothing beats the 3006 varmit load for "Kaboom"

Ha ha! Is the 3006 your pelt gun?

You would be surprised what a 22-250 does to varmints. I have a 40gr. hand load with a muzzle velocity of about 4000 ft/sec and it pretty much liquefies smaller animals. The largest animal I have taken with it was a coyote that had a keen interest in my dogs at a range of about 280-290 yards and the little 40gr. hollow point completely eviscerated it.

If you want undamaged pelts from smaller game with better ballistics than the 22lr, the .17 HMR with the appropriate bullets does an excellent job.

[f.s.o.s]

.17 is the way to go it will be the death of the .22 long rifle

[Stupidhawk007]

Hmmm, I have a HK USP Compact .45 and a nicely customized Remington 870 exp. I'm just looking for something less geared towards protection and more towards targets/fun (not that shooting the 870 from the hip isn't fun). I also like all of the accessories for the 10/22. When I get a gun, I have to customize it! I think it'll be a 10/22 with a Dragunov stock. I'm just not sure about what kind of scope now, I've never had to buy one. Opinions?

[PinHead]

If you like to customize that much go for the M4. There is quite a bit you can do with them. You might have some problems getting the grenade launching attachment
I have been checking this one out

[dhuze]

I'm getting a 10\22 real soon and this is the dressup kit I'm going to get for it

[richw]

22-250

When my brother 1st got his we went to go plinking along
with sighting it in at 300 yards

on a 3/4 inch fence rail we put a target and 2 aluminum cans

we took 4 shot group for sighting at the target then went
to work on the cans took like 5 shots nothing happened.

Marched to the target and found all 5 shots went clean through the cans with still so much velocity that they were not knocked off the rail.

My 3006 Kaboom was a cut down Springfield 03A3 with an 18 barrel so about 1/2 the varmit powder burned outside the barrel always got attention at a range.