Hello, i have recently considered buying a rifle. The cost of renting a weapon at the range has become expensive, so i would like to buy a rifle of my own. my father says that he thinks a .22 would be the best option, but i was thinking of a mini 14. after browsing some .22's, i have come across the Ruger 10/22. I would like to know if anyone would reccomend the mini 14 or 10/22. i would also like to know if i should consider a different caliber or type of rifle. i am not a 'new' shooter, i have shot various .22's, a mini 14, ar-15, and a 12 guage. i am open to all suggestions and would like all the help i can get.



edit: Hello again, after browsing the forums i saw swremins(sp? no offense if spelled wrong) post regarding another new gun buyer. i looked through all of the information but i am still at a loss about what caliber? Also if any one has something to say about the mini 14 or 10/20 PLEASE POST IT!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: hecklerandkochrocks,

Can't go wrong with the Rugers, they can be a bit pricey at times, but the quality has always been top notch The 10/22. It’s a great .22 rifle. Marlin #60 is also worth a look.

Had a Ranch Rifle/mini 14 years ago, it worked great, but the accuracy past 100 yards was lousy. IT was the only Ruger made firearm that I have ever parted with. Replaced it with a Bushmaster in .223.

Do you plan on hunting or mainly target shooting? What kind of budget do you have?

Shot guns. I am a pump and single shot shooter. A Remington 870 is hard to beat for the price, good ergonomics, reliable and available in just about every configuration you can think of for your needs. Have one in 410 bore, 20ga, & 12ga and use them for just about everything from clay pigeons, to deer.

IF you are starting to obtain a firearm collection I would suggest the following types to start with…

.22 rifle Ruger, Marlin either a bolt action or auto loading
.22 pistol Ruger MKII/III, or a Taurus, Colt, Smith n Wesson Revolver
12 or 20ga pump shotgun Remington

Shop around and check things out, you can find some good buys at the mom and pop stores, but if you buy a used firearm have it checked out by a competent gunsmith before shooting it.

If i get a shot gun i will probably be skeet shooting or hunting. If i get a rifle i will be target shooting. It's just that i dont think i would be going hunting hardly at all, so the only thing i could do with a shotgun would be skeet shooting. As for the caliber, do you think that .22 would be the way to go, because it is not a very good varmit caliber(correct me if i am wrong) and that is about the only other thing i would be shooting with a .22.

If you are looking to have just one rifle for target and varmit shooting I would suggest a rifle chambered for the 223. Ammo doesnt cost an arm and a leg and it will take care of most of your varmit shooting needs. and can be very good target round as well. But I still recommend a .22 for shooting paper, cans, some small game etc. It is cheap and a hoot to shoot. you can take some varmits with it, but I like to use something with more power and longer range for that use. No need to shoot an animal if you know you will only wound it. I have seen people use the new .17s for some four legged critters, but the ammo cost twice as much as a .22 and the round,although fast and flat shooting is very very light. So I would stick with a 22 or 22mag if I were going to use a rimfire for that purpose. There is a saying beware of a man who only has one rifle. Because he will know how to use it.

Mike:---Hello. Another 12 year old from Colorado that likes guns... . Didn't see your post earlier.

BTW---sw (Smith & Wesson-Model 10) rem (Remington-Model 700 ) win (Winchester Model 12)...swremwin.

Okay...read your posts and the reply by Navy Grunt. I owned a Ruger 10/22, and it was a fun gun. (Divorce forced me to sell it years ago. ) . It and any semi-auto shoot fast and are fun if you are out plinking at old cans--[my buddy and I used to play a little game called "skip the can"...I'd shoot the can a couple of feet, then he would hit it and we would keep the can can moving---'til there wasn't much left to hit- ]

Well, I still like the .22 rimfires (especially the .22 Long Rifle) for all the reasons that I mentioned in the posts to Kenny from Colorado on the other thread. The problem with a semi-automatic or a "self-loader" is what makes them fun...they shoot too fast and many folks neglect good marksmanship skills, because in the back of their minds they think: "I've got nine more rounds in the magazine if I miss."

Semi-autos tend to get dirtier and they HAVE to be cleaned or else they will jam. {All guns need to be cleaned, but semi-autos/autos really need to be cleaned!]

Look at the websites that I posted for the online catalogs. Get a copy of "Gun Digest" and/or "Shooter's Bible" at the Library near you, and check the various weapons shown in there. Also there are lists and addresses of the Firearms companies---write to them for a catalog, or visit your local gun shop and ask for one...offer to buy something cheap like some cleaning patches,etc., then the guy behind the counter might not mind giving away the catalog to someone your age.. .

I would strongly recommend that you look for two models that will work even when dirty/cold. They are Bolt actions and have a tube under the barrel. They will chamber and fire .22 shorts/Longs/Long Rifle cartridges. Remington and Marlin have made them. The Remington online catalog doesn't show it, but try the shops/stores around you...it might not be made this year, but there often are products on the shelves...shop around.

Marlin also has a model like the Remington. You get a dependable rifle that holds several cartridges. Because the shooter works the action himself...you are more likely to aim and make each shot count.

They also make models with magazines (usually about 7 rounds), but they are for .22 long rifle only. .22 shorts are great if you are shooting at skunks,etc. and don't need/want too much power.

Look/shop around the gun shops/pawn shops/hardware stores and you might find some slightly used gems on the shelves. Like I told Kenny from Colorado; When I was your age I read and reread the Browning and Remington and Winchester catalogs... , Nearly had them memorized,but---Mom was a gun-hater , sooo all I could do was wait 'til I was 18. Click the links below Mike, and also if you go shopping-keep your eyes open for a Winchester model 52...if ya see one for under $200.00,,,buy it!


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remington_Sportmaster_512

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/boltAction22/981T.aspx

http://www.savagearms.com/st_300.htm

http://www.savagearms.com/markiig.htm

I have looked at all of the links and found some I like. I have recently been made an offer for a Remington Speedmaster. The price is $100 with a scope. Is this a good offer or should I find a different offer. I have heard that Remingtons are not as collectable as Winchesters, but that does not bother me. also, is the Speedmaster a good gun, i have shot it and it seems pretty good, but would like to know your guys opinions. Thanks

Hello Mike. Remington Speedmaster would be a good choice. It's just about the only semi-auto that can shoot .22 Shorts/Longs/Long Rifles. You said it had a scope on it...hmmm, well I've already written what I think about scopes in my post to Kenny in the other thread.

If you are getting it from a gunshop/pawnshop then ask the owner/clerk to make sure the mounts/screws/rings are snug and tight. If buying it from "Joe Blow", then take it to a gunsmith and have him tighten things up with his special tools. Loose scope=missed shots.

Shoot safe. Contact the NRA and get their junior membership information and publications. Find a club/range in your area (hopefully NRA affiliated clubs) and see if they have classes, and matches so you can hone the shooting skills.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: swremwin,

its a no brainer my freind. the mini 14 is a very solid rifle, and it has loads of stopping power to deal out. the ruger 10/22 is only a 22.
and the rotary magazine does not hold much ammo at all. the mini 14 has magazines, and you can get them pretty much any size you want.

PS im only 15 and i help sell guns.
Thats the way it should be.

No firearms enthusiast should be without a .22!

Everything else can come later.

The 10/22 may be the most customizable 22 on the market, if you're interested in that. I have never owned one. I have been plenty pleased with the Marlin I have.