Would like to purchase a cheap rifle and learn how to shoot

[m0arpheus]

Hi there, I'm a newbie to guns in general and haven't had occasion to shoot one since I was a little kid shooting a .22 with my little brother in the badlands of Idaho one summer. I'm 26 now and want to get into target shooting for cheap. I'd like to buy a rifle that can last me, is fun enough to shoot (don't require massive range as I suck at shooting at the moment), is relatively cheap to buy (sub ~$350), straightforward to maintain (I want to learn how to clean and preserve this weapon/tool for a while) and relatively cheap to purchase expendable ammo for (bonuses for ammo that will always be available!!!). Could someone help me out here?

I've been thinking about and learning a bit about moisins gradually for over two years now (just downloaded two great manuals from the internet to read) and think that this may be the rifle for me, but I would love some more experienced and sage opinions about this rifle in relation to purchasing other rifles given my desires of use/preservation/ammo purchasing for said rifle.

I really appreciate help on this! Not that this matters, but I think I should add a bit about myself to this post first and why I'd like to target shoot:

I'm not in this to defend myself, though having a weapon when one is useful makes sense. I'm interested in buying a rifle because 1)I can legally/constitutionally still do so 2)Learning how to shoot has always been a goal of mine and something I want to 1-up my brother on 3)Becoming more self-reliant as I am in my mid-twenties now is a big thing for me, the more I can learn about the world and how to acquire, maintain and respect the material possessions I have in my life, the better off I will be.

I am a hippy at heart who loves the world, even though I understand it has some serious human tragedies and horrors in it. I like being an informed citizen and like being able to exercise my rights and respect others' rights in this country (USA) at the same time.

Thanks for any help on this and have a nice day.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Welcome to the board, in your case I would say you already know what you need, if you have experience with a .22 rifle, start with a .22 rifle. Most gunstores or Walmarts that sell guns can provide you with a good Marlin .22, either new or used for well under your limit. Good at short ranges, easy to use, and you can relearn the basics with it. Once you have that mastered then branch out to a large rifle like a Mosin M91/30, or Chinese type 53 carbine ( also a Mosin, same as Russian M44) A basic 91/30 Soviet refurbished rifle and a .22 together shouldn't go over your limit. I would feel better if you had stated that there was someone on hand with shooting experience who was going to walk you through it, firearms safety, proper use of the trigger and sights, cleaning the rifles, that sort of thing. (Not text on the internet, but a live person who knows what they are talking about who can be right there with you) Check with your local ranges to see if they offer safety courses to new shooters.

[millman]

JYD has it right. A.22 is just what you need. His Wallyworld suggestion is good, but I would add to look in pawn shops. Depending on your area (some places don't seem to have pawn shops) .22s are widely available in pawn shops. Since it is your first rifle, stick with a more modern model. I would suggest a Marlin bolt action, but if you want to blaze away a little, the Marlin 60s and Ruger 10/22s are a good choice in a semi-automatic.

[gbeecher65]

Bought my Mosin in 2010 at age 44. It was my first firearm. As a boy, I shot .22 revolver, rifle & 20 gauge shotgun. In 2012, I bought a 9mm pistol. I'm 5-5 and 170 lbs., but the Mosin has more of a 'push' than a 'kick'. I buy new production Novosibirsk LVE ammo for $8.99/box of 20 rounds.

[BuckeyeSgt]

I agree with the .22 although ammo can be a little tough to come by. I have two thoughts on the .22 one you can get a bolt action Ruger American Rimfire and a scope for that. Start with the irons. Then as you advance use the scope. Or if you like to tinker then a 10/22 would be a good start since there are a lot of things you can do to them.

Or maybe something in .223 ammo is around and it is a good center fire round to start out on.

But whatever you do, practice with open sights first.

[bunkysdad]

I started out owning a Ruger 10/22 rifle and also a Ruger Mark I pistol- 2 very nice and enjoyable 22's. Now as I moved up to larger calibers I didn't leave the 22 behind, and still shoot them as much as anything else. If you ask around at work or church or wherever you engage others you may find someone that would go with you and show you the ropes. If not, most shooting ranges will familiarize you with basic safety rules and you'd be surprised how soon you will gain a lot of confidence. If you think you would like owning and shooting a high powered rifle then the time to get a nice Mosin is sooner rather than later, but knowing what I know now the ease of operation and maintenance of a modern rifle, or handgun, is much easier than a more finicky military surplus (milsurp) rifle. Good luck with your decision, and you have a good starter budget to get something nice.

[Mikelp1973]

Easy. Savage mark II 22lr. Bolt action. About $150 and they are supremely accurate. So accurate I don't care what it is if the cross hair is on it it hits. Synthetic mostly which saddened me but I still love mine. And I own several more expensive 22lr rifles. The savage is hands down the best value for the money. And the accu trigger is supposed to be even better. Mine is not. I have a Marlin 60 in stainless. I love it also and it was about $236 with tax. Even with the micro groove it cant touch the savage with regards to accuracy.

[Longcolt44]

PLEASE do not mention Marlin 60. It gets millman on a tear about my Marlin 60 I have had for almost 30 years and still havent fired it.

[Mikelp1973]

Oh dear.

[bunkysdad]

What? A unfired Marlin Model 60 that you have had for 30 years? And NEVER FIRED IT? have you gone crazy? Huh? Have ya? What's the matter with you man, are you Ill? Under a doctor's care and can't go outside? A 30 year old UNFIRED rimfire? Is it in a locked box and you lost the key? I don't get it. Don't you hear it crying? Just listen for the high pitched squeal when you take something else to the range and leave it home. That is the cry of the Marlin! Very sad..........oh yeah, very sad.........

[entropy]

JYD has it right. A.22 is just what you need. His Wallyworld suggestion is good, but I would add to look in pawn shops. Depending on your area (some places don't seem to have pawn shops) .22s are widely available in pawn shops. Since it is your first rifle, stick with a more modern model. I would suggest a Marlin bolt action, but if you want to blaze away a little, the Marlin 60s and Ruger 10/22s are a good choice in a semi-automatic.

I recommend you NOT getting a .22 from a pawnshop, for the same reason I usually recommend not getting a used car for your first car. You may be inheriting someone else's headache, and gunsmiths do not work cheap. Buy a new rifle from a gun shop, not Wally World. I say this even though I work there, and here's why; When you buy a new .22 bolt action from a reputable gunshop in your area, (and there are plenty out there in Idaho, as well as plenty of people who would be willing to help you get reacquainted with firearms and the feeding and care of them) you will pay a little more for it than at Wally World, but what you are paying that small amount extra for is their expertise. (Get the grizzed old guy behind the counter to help you, not the fresh-faced kid busy pulling all the pistols out of the display case and fondling them. I know whence I speak, I have been both of them! ) Not saying everyone who helps you in Sporting Goods at Wally World doesn't know anything, but most if not all the guys at the LGS (local Gun Shop) know their stuff. Although the Marlin Model 60 is an excellent .22, (Marlin also makes some great bolt action .22's!)I recommend a bolt action to start with for two reasons; ease of maintenance, and you will be able to better concentrate on reacquiring and advancing your skills, instead of 'blasting away' with a semi-auto and wasting that precious, expensive .22 ammo. (Granted, occasionally, it's fun, and if a range buddy offers you a go at their semi-auto .22[especially with their ammo!] , take it!)
After you are comfortable with the .22, and your range mentor (as JYD suggests, you would be wise to find one) feels you are ready, a Mosin 91/30 would be an excellent rifle to advance to centerfire with. I highly recommend getting a box of Czech 'white tip' training ammo, just to acquaint you with the experience of firing a centerfire rifle. From there I recommend either Hungarian 'light ball' ammo, or the commercial Wolf 148 gr. load. Before you get to that stage, you should have learned how to clean that .22 well, and read the excellent tutorials on this site.
I have been a gunsmith since the age of 14, an Armorer in the US Army, as well as a range NCO and instructor there, worked in a few gun shops, both in sales and gunsmithing, and am a 4-H Shooting Sports Leader. I have trained many people how to shoot, and know what works. Getting that range mentor is the most important step, and if none of the workers in the gun shop volunteers, they will certainly be able to recommend someone who can do it.

Easy. Savage mark II 22lr. Bolt action. About $150 and they are supremely accurate. So accurate I don't care what it is if the cross hair is on it it hits.

Excellent recommendation, mikelp1973!
Though I do recommend learning with the open sights first. One can always scope it later.

[Mikelp1973]

Easy. Savage mark II 22lr. Bolt action. About $150 and they are supremely accurate. So accurate I don't care what it is if the cross hair is on it it hits.

Excellent recommendation, mikelp1973!
Though I do recommend learning with the open sights first. One can always scope it later.[/quote]

Couldn't agree more. When I bought my Marlin (sorry) the stainless looked so good against the grain of the stock. I looked at it for a year and a half before I finally just bought the thing. But no one had any stainless scope mounts or a suitable scope. What is came with was junk so I figured I'd leave open sights. Took it out and dialed the sights in and I love it. I have come to love open sights. I might try a ghost ring sight though. They are just about as good as a scope.

[Mikelp1973]

I'd like to mention that out of ever caliber you could think of the 22lr is my favorite in a rifle. Whether is a Ruger 10/22 (the takedown is amazing.. If you can find one) a Marlin or the savage. I have may favorite rifles which is strange that the one of my 22lr isn't it. This includes a Browning my uncle is giving me that's a 1961. It's a Belgium (FN) and still in the little box. I found it under dad's couch one day and it was one of those jaw dropping moments when I opened that beauty up. They still make those but one thing about the older ones like that is the engraving on the side of the receiver was done by hand back then. Now it's done by machines. Sad.

[Burrhead]

Get a good 22LF bolt action and you can have a lot of fun. I like the Savage and the Ruger Bolt Guns. If its a semi-auto get a Ruger 10/22 as there is a ton of after market stuff for it.
Just my $.02
Burrhead