Advice for first rifle

[HolyHotLoads]

Hello. I'm a pistol guy and shoot shotguns as well but have little to no experience with rifles. I've been in the market for a rifle for a while but everytime I go in the gun shop to pick one up I am filled with self doubt and what ifs. So, if you were to recommend a first rifle for someone...which would it be? My only condition is I would like it to be able to build on it. Meaning as my experience grows I can modify the rifle along the way. Caliber doesn't matter to me but I would want a rifle that can reach out to...1000 yards? This rifle will be used for clanging steel and learning ballistics. I reload so ammo availability isn't an issue. Price is always an issue which is why I'd like a base model that I can build on when funds allow. I realize this is a very general question but I really need some advice as there are boku rifles out there. Thanks in advance.

[gman50]

Take a look at Coates Brothers Firearms youtube channel. They do lot's of long range shooting and they have several Savage rifles that are inexpensive that are shooting very well. Personally I don't have any experience with the Savage rifles they are shooting but for the cost they are doing very well.

[HolyHotLoads]

I will check them out. Thank you. I've held a couple Savages in my hand. People seem to like them. I'm guessing that the receiver and barrel are the most important part of a rifle to get right the first time around as I think the rest can be upgraded. The more I ponder it I think an AR platform might be what I'm looking for as they are highly modular and one can build up if they want too. Thanks for your answer my friend.

[eagle1899]

Ruger Precion Rifle in 6mm Creedmoor.

Great rifle out of the box and can be upgraded easily.

[zac0419]

I bought a Tikka T3x in 6.5 CM and it was an out of the box tack driver. I got the one with the 20” heavy barrel and it printed .6 @ 100y with the first 5 shots. Never had a rifle that accurate before out of the box. I was so impressed I bought a T3 super lite in the same caliber and it’s my dedicated hunting rifle now.

I’ve owned Remingtons, Kimbers, Winchester’s, and several others but I can’t say enough good things about Tikka and that caliber.

There is a company that makes carbon barrels and stocks if you feel the need to keep spending money.

[HolyHotLoads]

Thanks guys. The I've been reading about the Ruger Precision in 6mm. Looks like a winner. I've also been checking out Tikkas. Funny enough,I cant find anyone who doesnt say the absolute best things about them(Tikkas). The civilian version of the model the Canadian Rangers(Mounties?,I cant remember) have looks pretty slick. I appreciate the advice. As I stated in my original post, I'm looking to up my reloading knowledge as well. I've never loaded rifle rounds and I am excited to learn new techniques.

[nvcaller]

Target use 6.5 cm , hunting 6.5 saum or 6.5 300 wb . Barrel life on 6.5 is high throat erosion but chasing the lands if you reload gives you 500 more rounds . 270 ballistics is great. If you Chase energy I would op for 300 wb 210 or bigger bullet. Twist on 6.5 1/8 or 1/7 for heavy. 1/10 to 1/9 for 300 over 210gr. Basic of rifle go for what makes you feel good barrels have improved over 40 yrs . Trigger and options is what I look at some don't have threaded barrels stock triggers Savage and Tikka have the best, Timmy makes great triggers. Lol it's a rabbit hole.

[zeus]

Tikka makes a great factory rifle. If you buy a rifle that can accept Remington style trigger, try a triggertech diamond. You’ll toss the others in the garbage heap after that. 1000 yards and under, almost any rifle will work that is made these days. 6 or 6.5CM would be great. More importantly is your glass. You need to spend as much as you can afford on glass for dialing etc. they need to be repeatable and true

[meatpukk]

Tikka rifles are pretty much the go-to standard factory rifle here in Norway.
Used for both hunting and PRS, rarely in 6.5cm most often in 6.5x55, which is basically the same thing with cheaper components here in norway.

As other people have said. Put some time and money in choosing good glass, and dont forget the scope mount. An accurate rifle and a good scope won't ammount to much if the cheap scope mount is inconsistent.

[HolyHotLoads]

I really appreciate the input everyone! Keep it coming! Looks like I'm going to have save more money, I didnt consider the cost of a good scope and oh my! Thanks again.

[bradshaw]

"I'm a pistol guy and shoot shotguns as well but have little to no experience with rifles. I've been in the market for a rifle for a while but everytime I go in the gun shop to pick one up I am filled with self doubt and what ifs....”
----billy357

*****

First rifle? One chambered in .22 Long Rifle. As one steeped in the scattergun, all the more reason to learn what it means to SQUEEZE the trigger. A .22 rifle will help your pistol shooting while it builds shoulder mount marksmanship,. Attach eye and trigger finger to breathing to launch marksmanship. Long as it shoulders and possesses a useable trigger, action type doesn’t matter.
David Bradshaw

[potatojudge]

Handle and shoulder as many rifles as you can. Fit and ergonomics are more important than a 0.3 vs 0.6 MOA rifle.

You might get lucky and find your one gun first-thing, but there's nothing wrong with taking your best option to get started and tailoring your next selection to what you've learned.

Bradshaw, as always, gives great advice on buying a 22 first. A Ruger 10/22 is the perfect platform for tweaking and upgrading to learn what you like and to become comfortable behind the trigger. Take what you've learned there and apply it to a rig appropriate for 1000 yards or whatever you choose. My first gun, and still a favorite, was a Remington Nylon 66 where using the iron sights was a must (the "receiver" is a separate piece of stamped sheet metal screwed to plastic, hardly a reliable mounting point for a scope!).

[HolyHotLoads]

I've contemplated getting a nice 22lr rifle. But I'd rather put that money into a decent center fire rifle. I realize rifle shooting is a different beast than pistol shooting and I know we all need to start at the beginning of every marksmanship endeavor, however I just fear I'd out grow a 22lr quickly and would be looking to upgrade a short time after. Yes, I would then have a 22lr for cheap plinking and what not, but I'm a man of limited means so I put a lot of thought into my firearms purchases and what I think I will get out of them. If I was starting from scratch I would definitely agree. Is trigger manipulation on a rifle THAT much different than a pistol? I always thought it took more discipline to hit a target at 200 yards with a revolver than a rifle, different animals yes, but you certainly need to know your fundamentals to get repeatable hits with a revolver(or semi auto). Trust me friends, I've held more 22lrs in the gun shop than any other type of rifles and I've always come to this same conclusion.If I'm looking at this wrong please tell me what I'm not seeing. Am I being proud because I've put my time in trying to master the pistol(and still have a long,long way to go)and not wanting to admit I need to start from scratch again? That is certainly possible.

[HolyHotLoads]

I should add, I respect your opinions greatly. If you truly believe a 22lr rifle is the best platform to learn on I will hold that in the highest regard while making my decision. I appreciate the advice from everyone that has tried to help me. It all has helped more than you know.

[medicdave]

Jan 29, 2020 17:58:42 GMT -5 HolyHotLoads said:

I've contemplated getting a nice 22lr rifle. But I'd rather put that money into a decent center fire rifle. I realize rifle shooting is a different beast than pistol shooting and I know we all need to start at the beginning of every marksmanship endeavor, however I just fear I'd out grow a 22lr quickly and would be looking to upgrade a short time after.

I've been trying to outgrow 22's for the last 4 decades and haven't been able to do it yet. Whether for rifles, revolvers, pistols, what have you, learning and practicing the fundementals on a rimfire understudy is invaluable. As stated above a 10/22 will take care of you for a long time and is a great platform to scratch the customizing itch.