Hi, I figured there were a good few knowledgeable gun folks to be found here

Short version - Good, cheapish rifle for a first time owner?

Long version - I've always been a handgun guy and back in highschool had a firearms license and did some sport and target shooting with revolvers, however after a trip to the father-in-laws NY farm and a session with an M1 Garand (Boy did that thing have a bang) I've got the rifle bug and want to get a new license and buy a rifle.

So I was wondering what would be a good rifle to start with, I'm assuming something .22 and bolt/lever action (since I'm in Australia, no autos)

Costs of owning? Keeping it in good order? Storage?
Sorry if it's a lot of questions but I'd like to make sure before I start wading through paperwork

Thanks

Beginners rifle eh...one of these perhaps?



Regards

Mailman

Being literally on the oher side of the world, some of the advice I have might naturally not be applicable to your situation, but I'll try anyway

First, most .22 manufactured today are excellent beginners rifles. I personally own a .22lr CZ 452, which at least in Europe has a very good reputation, and is available in quite a number of variants. If you're looking for something a bit cheaper there are always Russian-made variants, e.g. Baikal and TOZ. Generally they shoot as well as a CZ or similar, but quality control is not as stringent, so the odds of getting a bad example, or as we call it in Finland: "Susi", is higher (although I wouldn't say it is high these days). I would perhaps stay away from the Chinese rifles (marketed under the name Norinco). In the higher price level we have e.g. Ansch�tz, which manufactures rifles in Germany, both for general use and biathlon. US rifles are more or less the same level as European, with Remington being the top-selling US brand here. The only peculiar thing about the US designs compared to European ones are that the triggers pulls are sometimes/usually set higher to avoid accidental firing, to the point that the trigger might have to be re-set by a gunsmith in order to be able to shoot accuratly.

The cost of owning one is basically zero (asuming you don't have any annular taxes/fees to pay for firearms). A little bit of oil and a new cleaning kit (costing a few dollars) every now and then is needed to keep it in shape, but the cost is measured in a handfull of dollars each year. The big cost comes from the ammunition, but this is were the .22lr really shines compared to other cartridges, as these small rimfire rounds are manufactured all over the world and are cheap as dirt. This is also the reason I'd strongly recomend the .22lr compared to other calibres, including other rimfires like the .22WMR and .17HMR., as for a first rifle you want something you can go to the range with without having to worry about it eating away your bank account (contrary to the premium hunting shells I use in my shotgun for duck hunting, which costs anywhere from 1 - 2.50 � a piece...).

All .22 have in common that they have a very light recoil, meaning that they are real confidence builders, and can be handled by more or less anyone.

My Beginners rifle was an L1A1. SLR given to me by Her Majesty the Queen

Yeah, .308 isn't too bad as long as you don't have to pay for the rounds yourself :P With that said, I've been seriously thinking about buying one just last week

Ah thanks Ibex, the nearest gun store had quite a few CZ models but they also had a somewhat cheaper Lithgow repeater that I like.
It's a .22lr so I might pick it up.

Good to hear about the cheap costs, I'm a bit of an obsessive cleaner at times

Oh and NickMow the Queen's Aussie Army train with their AUGs just a few kms from my place.

Law states you need a gunsafe, so I'll have to shell out for one of those first. Not a prob, gives me plenty of time to browse.

Not sure about your local laws, but a Ruger 10/22 is a good choice.

After 22s I would recommend a Remington 700 in one of the smaller calibers. Take a look at them and look at ammunition. It would depend on what further use you intend for it. The 700 is not expensive, reliable, and very common. Good beginners gun.

http://www.remington.com/en/product-families/firearms/centerfire-families/bolt-action-model-700.aspx

Seriously though, you can't go far wrong with a .22 LR.

Thanks for the input.

Ruger semi auto is out as you need a 'legitimate reason' to own one not just 'I wanna shot some targets'
Those 700s do look nice, I like the look of the stock. I'll have to go have a hold of a few.

Can't have a 10/22 ? Oh my ! That's not right.

Then start with pretty much with any bolt action 22. Go relatively cheap if you are only going to occasionally plink. If you get into it, you will have a better feel for what you want and what you are willing to spend. Experience will provide input for your next decision.

The bolt gun might be more appropriate, but I think the lever gun would be more fun. I own 4 lever guns and they are just a blast to shoot especially the one I have in .45LC. Shooting a pistol caliber from such a heavy gun makes for soft shooting and rapid follow up shots. I've never shot a lever gun in .22 but I imagine you could have a grand old time just levering away a tube magazine full of .22s. With practice you could easily get to a semi-auto level of rapidity of fire as well. It's just fun!

Get a Mosin-Nagant for $100.

In Oz? Lee-Enfield, not Mosin-Nagant!

What kind of place forbids someone a Ruger 10/22?! That's every 10-year-old farm kid's constant companion.

I'm thinking of buying one of those for myself. It's cheap and accurate. With a decent scope it could be fun at the range.

I'm with Oldgrognard on this one...pretty much any bolt action .22 would do. Up here you can get a nice used one for $100. Remington and Winchester come to mind.....keep in mind that even though a .22 may not be accurate at long range, the round can travel a LONG way and still be dangerous...so just use safe shooting practices.

What he said.

A top shelf .22 and a boatload of ammo won't set you back much, and you'll be able to practice until perfect in places that might not permit centerfire shooting.

Not only is a good .22 a great rifle to start with, it's a great rifle to have all the time.

Yep, just second the motion.
A bolt action .22 rifle in OZ, a Ruger or any name brand would be a great start.
I own lever action .22's myself, might be a little more pricey.
But either would be fine.

Welcome to the club

Tell me you have a 'Henry' .45 LC

No....don't tell me.....

Brass plate and hexagon barrel.....no, no, no.

Agreed. A good tool to have around when you need it.