Choosing my first rifle?
956133
Bound's hubby here:\n\nFirst, be advised, several of the answers you have received do not take into consideration the courses of fire in NRA high power rifle competitions. \n\nNRA High Power course of fire (all fired with  iron sights only):\n200 yards - Standing - 10 or 20 shots - 1 minute per shot\n200 yards - Standing to sitting rapid fire - 1 or 2 "10 Shot strings (2+8 [required reload])" - 60 seconds per string\n300 yards - Standing to prone rapid fire - 1 or 2 "10 shot strings (2+8 [required reload])" - 70 seconds per string\n600 yards - Prone - 20 shots - 1 minute per shot\n\nNRA Long Range Rifle\nPalma Match (Iron Sights only!)\n800 yards - Prone - 15 shots - 1 minute per shot\n900 yards - Prone - 15 shots - 1 minute per shot\n1000 yards - Prone 15 shots - 1.5 minutes per shot\n\n1000 yard Match (Iron Sight and Any Sight)\n1000 yards - Prone  (Iron Sight) - 20 shots - 1.5 minutes per shot\n1000 yards - Prone (Any Sights) - 20 shots - 1.5 minutes per shot\n[Note: Service rifles are not permitted to shoot scopes!]\n\nThe key factor to be considered, is that if you want to use the same rifle for short range and long range, you must be able to do a rapid fire reload ... Service Rifles fire 2 rounds with an 8 round reload... Match Rifles fire 5 rounds with a 5 round reload. Service rifles can handle this easily without modifications. Match rifles (read as Bolt Action rifles, need a stripper clip guide). Also, the Service Rifle category requires use of "CURRENT" US issue rifles, which include the: M1 Garand, M14 (or civilian M1A), or the M16 (or civilian equivalent AR15, etc.) ... foreign service rifles are NOT permitted! Current affordable rifles do not come with stripper clip guides cut in the receiver, like the old '03 Springfields. This is an expensive addition ... probably cheaper for an entry shooter to get an old '03A3 Springfield if they want to shoot match rifle, or go with a Service Rifle. Match sights are also an expensive proposition.\n\nAlso, ARs are great entry rifles for competition, but they leave alot to be desired at the 1000 yard line. To have full control of a .223 at 1000 yards, your handloads risk blowing-up the rifle's receiver! At 1000 yards, the bullet must remain supersonic ... above about 1140 fps.\n\nIf you want to shoot both NRA short-range and long-range, I would suggest you get resourceful! Buy a "rack grade" M1 (or barreled action, less wood) from the CMP for about $300. Then:\n1) Buy the NRA reprint on the M1Garand (maybe $5), it has an excellent section on doing M1 trigger jobs and glass bedding your rifle.\n2) Buy a finished replacement M1 Garand stock (complete) from Boyd's stocks (about $78)\n3) You can have a medium or heavy weight "match" barrel installed for less than $500 ... price varies based on the barrel selected ... Champion's Choice will sell you a Douglas barrel in .30-06 or .308 and install it, all for $260.\n4) You can then do your own trigger job for under $10 if you have the proper stones.\n5) You can glassbed your rifle following the directions in the "reprint" for about $20 (you can get accraglass from Brownell's for about $20)\n6) You can purchase and install National Match sights for about $125, available from either Springfield Armory or Fulton Armory\n7) Add a sling, and you are set ... total outlay, about $850\n\nYou will need additional toys, at a minimum: a shooting stool, a good spotting scope, a spotting scope stand, a shooting coat, and a shooting mat!\n\nThe rifle, built as above, will be very good and competitive out to 1000 yards! And you can build it in either .308 or the original .30-'06!\n\nYour options for rifles, therefore, are:\n1) Build an M1 as outlined, above for about $850\n2) Buy a "built" match grade M1 for just over $2000\n3) Buy a National Match M1A for just over $2100\n4) Buy a DCM Legal AR 15 (Match accurized, i.e.: Armalite M15A2 National Mat
973553
Bound's hubby here:\n\nI have had issues with Mossberg Firearms. I am an avid fan of Remington's. Personally, I am not particularly fond of the Model 710, but if it's all you can afford then it's the best game in town! Now, if you want to spend your money wisely you should be able to find a good used Remington 700 or Winchester Model 70 for under $300. You could get a good Weaver scope (K4 or K6) for about $50. You will get a better hunting rig this way. \n\nNow, concerning caliber... the .270 can be used on most North American game, except the larger bears, if you place your shot right. The .30-06 is good for all North American game. For deer hunting, as you desire, either is a good caliber choice. The .30-06 may recoil a little bit more. \n\nGood luck.
855902
Bound's hubby here:\n\nThe AR-15 Service Rifle is available in two configurations: rifle (20 in+ barrel) or carbine (under 20 in barrel). The carbine may have a collapsible stock. As a rule of thumb, the longer the barrel, the more accurate the rifle. Both are chambered for the .223 Remington round so the amount of damage either rifle causes will be comparible. Look at NRA Service Rifle competition and CMP matches (President's 100 and National Trophy Matches) and the competitors on all of these events use the rifle version with fast twist barrels (1:7 or 1:8) to stabilize the heavier bullets at longer ranges (600  yards). \n\nWhat you buy should be determined by your intended use for the rifle. Buy the rifle and add $400 worth of parts and you have a rifle competitive with any other match rifle. A chrome lined barrel will not affect match accuracy. My AR has a Colt chrome lined 1:7 barrel and I can shoot in the high 90% averages with it. \n\nI suggest you go with the rifle which gives you more flexibility and more legitimate use. \n\nGood luck.
173496
Mini 14 is a good all around rifle and it being a .223 caliber, ammo won't be super expensive. The AKM, a variant of the AK47 is also a good shooter with cheap, powerful ammo. (both weapons are military caliber) 22. rifles such as the 10/22 are fun plinkers and dirt cheap to shoot. It just depends on how big of a boom you want at the range. A .357 is a dependable weapon and as the gentleman above mentioned you can shoot .38 rounds with no modification. Another route you can take is to buy a handgun such as a 1911 style .45 and get the .22 conversion kit with it so that you can shoot .22 at tin cans and still have a .45 for home protection etc. etc.
739688
Hey, I'd recommend the TL-R. Very solid, very reliable gun. I have one. I went Paintballing with my TL-R it's very conservative on C02 so you won't have to refill for a while, it's very accuarte once you tweek the Hop Up a little bit and get it perfect. Go with the TL-R they're relatively inexpensive and they last a very long time. And If you're looking to spend under 300, I can sell you the TL-R, Redz Paintball Armor, Woodland Camo, Full Head Helmet, 10 oz C02 tank with a Buttstock, a Neck Protector and Gloves for 275. Give me an Email at curnuttematt@yahoo.com if you're interested or if you have AOL instant Messenger, get me at Spartan Airsoft. Consider that, you don't really need anything else after that.
696949
most of the answers you have been given are correct. i worked in a very high volume gun shop for years and have personally owned well over a hundred firearms. most of the rifles being in the 30 caliber class. you just said deer hunting, if that is the largest game you will be hunting a 308 is plenty. and as far as the people saying the 308 is flatter shooting. that is also very true. and commercially available loads are readily available for the 308 just for extreme accuracy. if you go with a 308 try factory remingtons loaded with a 168 grain hollow point boat tail. 168HPBT is how it will be described. if you load youre own you can get just as much accuracy from the 30-06. i shot many over the years and it also has advantages. the long range competions at military ranges have relied on experienced shooters able to handle the recoil of a 30-06. but if you are never shooting more than 150 yards and deer will be the largest game you intend to hunt a 308 is plenty. i got hooked on 30-06 from the older military guys. i have to admit that a garand is a very pleasant rifle to fire. both cartridges are great. when i shot 30-06 i always reloaded and there are so many options it is mind boggling. i loaded everything from 95 grain plinker loads using bullseye pistol powder to 230 grain full house loads that would just about dislodge my shoulder. to get back to youre question again, you mostly say target shooting and amature competition. then a heavy barrel is the best choice. and i dont know if you have youre mind set on remington for a certain reason but money wise there are better choices for accuracy versus money. and im not just blowing smoke out of my butt. i have owned well over a hundred firearms and have fired atleast a thousand different configurations. so i am slightly biased from my own experiences. remington manufactures great arms but for very accurate target shooting and competition you will notice that a bolt action rifle is usually used. and i have to say that savage arms is the best for the money. i have owned browning and ruger and remington bolt action heavy barrels. but the savage rifles have always been more accurate. i have a savage model 110 fp in 308 that i can pick off crows at 200 yards easy. i believe the new version is called a model 10, they shortened the action. and my savage 112 bvss in 30-06 is a rifle i could never part with. shooting hand loads with 168 grain sierra hpbt and pre fired remington brass. i have had many times groups well under .500. my most accurate load is pre fired remington brass neck sized with a cci # 200 primer and a charge of49.3 grains of IMR 4064 powder followed by a sierra 168 grain hpbt set at an oal of 3.292. but every rifle is different but that works perfect for me. if youre just going deer hunting get a basic plain jane rifle. even an inch of target isnt a big deal in that situation. but if you really want accuracy i have already gave you my opinion. i think the 308 or 30-06 are both great choices. and the ammo is readily available for both given they are military cartridges, surplus ammo just for plinking and having fun is available cheap. and on the fun side is really neat to buy surplus military ss-209 , 223 rounds and pull the bullets and load them in sabots which i believe are still available.if not i have gobs of them i bought years ago and would be willing to sell some.  a 223 with a steel penetrator in a sabot comes out of a 30 caliber about 3700 fps. it will go right through an inch of solid steel. i hope i was of some help.
660374
Ihavea great anschutz mod.1451 that shoots great, but if you want something little cheaper check out CMP for a kimber mod. 82 it's a great gun and it's only $600. They also have other great quality rifles for good  prices.
423692
Go with an Armor lite AR 50. Extremely accurate. Weigh about 45 lbs.The compensator makes it feel like your shooting a 270 so you wont kill your arm. Has a detachable box magazine. Very nice to shoot.
20546
Probably a Remington 700 in .308 Win. Can be had at your local Wally world for around 400. Winchester Model 70s are good too as are others.
724342
I have a number of .22s and have owned many more. I normally shoot target with larger calibres, but for teaching beginners and just for plain cheap fun I always bring a couple of .22s along. \n\nWhile the Ruger 10/22 is OK straight out the box, it's not the greatest either in operation, accuracy or ease of disassembly for cleaning. The really great thing about the Ruger is the number of aftermarket parts you can find to make it a real tackdriver. A numer of modifications overcome all its shortcomings, but you will wind up spending $200 or more on a $175 carbine. \n\nIf you really have to have a 25 or 30 round magazine, the 10/22 is the way to go. Be advised that these mags are not easy to load up, so what seems like a time saver may not actually be. No .22 rifle uses "clips"....you are using that term incorrectly, it's a "magazine". The two are not the same despite Hollywood's incessant misuse of the words. \n\nContrary to a previous post, the US law that limited magazines to 10 rounds on rifles expired several years ago thankfully. That's only for handguns now. \n\nFor sheer accuracy, you'll want a bolt action. But they just aren't as fun as a semi for rapid fire, are they?\n\nMy best .22 semi rifle ever?  The Marlin Model 60, without a doubt. I've had maybe 20 different .22s, many more expensive, but the Marlin is a champ. I would recommend one to anyone looking for a good .22 that's affordable. Since the 1950s Marlin has sold millions of this model, making it one of the most owned .22 rifles in history. \n\nI've never bought one new either. Of the four M60s I currently own, all came used from either a gun show or a pawn shop with prices ranging from $50 to $125 for a perfect 1970s model with a good scope, sling and case. \n\nNOTE: The 1960s and 1970s models of the 60 held 18 rounds of .22 LR. I'll bet you $100 I can load and shoot 50 rounds in my Marlin with the tube magazine faster than you can load a shoot 50 with the Ruger!\n\nThe used market for 10/22 is hot. They are hard to find used and the prices are usually near retail, if you can find one without serious mods, in which case the prices are outrageous.\n\nCheck out   www.rimfirecentral.com. Join the forums and read all the posts for different manufacturers, etc. This site is all about .22s and the folks that love them. It's also a great place to get all kinds of advice on rifles, mods, ammo, etc. Don't be afraid to post noob questions, they're good people and won't be too hard on you!   \n\nGo to www.sportsmansguide.com and type 10/22 into the search box. These guys are usually much cheaper than Cabela's and have more gun stuff. \n\n\n\nWrite to me for any more advice...audnorge
618461
my favorite in a handgun has to be a ruger vaquero 44 mag now i also like a colt commander in .45 acp. in rifles i buy cheap but what is cheap?im not going to purchase a kimber nor a weatherby. to much cash for a gret rifle and if it has that great looking barrel etching and the stock engraving why bother?i would probably be looking for anything that would scratch the rifle and harm the wood instead of hunting.i buy remington with the carbolite stock i have a few in the 700bdl and i dont have to be worried about marring the finish or scrstching the stock.a new custom stock for a 700BDL in the .300 magnum is roughly 359.00 but you add s/h to it will be over 400 bucks.this is a price from cabelas
775853
Having spent most of my career armed with a pistol and having qualified on several different military and civilian issue weapons, I have decided that the gun for each shooter is a highly personal choice.\nI was originally trained as an MP on the 45 Cal Auto. Later they transitioned us to the 9MM Beretta. Between these two, I am a traditionalist. I had better scores with the old 45 than I ever did with the 9MM.\nAs far as my own personal weapons, I have decided that the 10 MM Ruger fits the bill. My wife, who was trained and qualified on the same military weapons as I did, has selected the Walther PPS 9MM as her personal weapon.\nI understand the ballistics and lethality of a 22, but for me it has always been stopping power, not accuracy. I would never shoot a fleeing target, but would damn well put a round or two into an advancing one.
344855
I want something that has KICK!!  I love it when a revolver feels like it is going to jump out of your hand!  Try a 12 Gauge shotgun with 00 Buckshot or 3'' Magnum Turkey loads if you want more KICK!  Or how about a .300 Weatherbee Magnum without a muzzle-break?  If you want sustained kick, join the military and shoot an fully-auto!  (Or get a friend that is the armorer and see if he will let you shoot one! -It's been done before, but don't tell anyone I told you!)\n\nThough I sometime like the methodical, precision behind a smaller caliber rifle, like a .22 or a semi-auto SKS with 30 rounds clip.  Just lay down and pick of targets (inanimate ones) real simple like and hardly move.\n\nCool Question! Later.
450531
i think the tippmanns are the best for three reasons.  the first one is that it is a great beginner gun.  it has 150 feet of accuracy right out of the box. it is also tournament grade right out of the box. second is it is a very reliable gun.  i have banged mine against so many trees and bunkers and it hardly has a scratch on it.  third and best of all its the only one you ll ever need.  as you get better you can upgrade the gun so much you can own those $1000+ guns and still have it cost half as much.
1016673
I go with a bolt action; Remington 700, Savage's model 16, or the model 10/110 also from Savage.  All rifles from Savage come from the factory ready for optic sights(scopes) and have the bbl floated(from the factory.  Floated bbl's are more acurate.  Don't look at price when looking for ammo.  You get what you pay for.  Premium ammo costs more but it shoots and performs better.  Save the cheap stuff for practice.  When it comes to caliber, here are my picks: .270 Winchester Short Magnum(my round of choice that I have killed 2 Caribou and a Dall Sheep in Alaska with; very fast, very accurate to well over 500 meters{I've done 1MOA goups at 800m durring practice a couple of times, it's hard to find a civillian range that has the ability and space to let you shoot past 200m.... big brother and I just went out into the AZ desert somewhere and shot}, enough ass to kill all game but Kodiak bear and probibly moose), .30-06 Springfield(old but old for a reason... IT WORKS!), .308 Winchester(7.62x51, the round of choice for precision Haji hunting and US med. machine guns), .300 Winchester Magnum(hits hard, shoots straight, requires getting used to the recoil, will kill anything, excellent round overall), .270 Winchester(another good all around cartiridge, it's kinda a small .30-06, been around for a while and that means ammo is readily available), and any variant of 7mm(accurate and powerful, but I don't have much experience with it.  I just know some guys that love it).  Don't go for any 7.62x39.  That round loses alot of ass/accuracy after 300 meters.  Train yourself to be surgical at 500 and you will be golden come hunting season.  It's the Indian not the arrow my friend.
970766
when i was in the military i carried a m9 (beretta 92fs 9mm). some complianed that they didn't care for them for varies reasons. i didn't mind it though. if i could carry anything it would be a .45 (colt). really i think its all about preference (kick, weight, etc..) and utilization (what are you using it for). \nlike the pp said, i would do some research first. maybe take a trip to the range before making a final decision. good luck!
302625
I would opt for the M-16. People don't give it enough credit. They claim it is too weak, unreliable, and fragile for combat. That's bullsh-t. That little .223 round spalls and fragments on impact, opening up a huge wound cavity, whereas an AK wound is usually just a straight in-and-out wound. It's also reliable if you just take care of it and give a good once over every now and then. It's more accurate, easier to use, and much more comfortable than an AK. I used both in Iraq. The AK is a good rifle, don't get me wrong. But it was overrated in my opinion. My M-16 never let me down, and that's all the convincing I will ever need.