Rifle Question
 

Hi, I am thinking about purchasing a rifle from Wal-mart tomorrow. I was there today and saw a 7mm remington rifle with scope that caught my eye. Nice looking rifle.

Anyway, would this make a good hunting/protection weapon? The price was like 330-340. Would my cash be better spent on a different gun, would I be better off with a shotgun? For some reason I prefer rifles, although I will get a shotgun down the line.

I have never even shot a gun before and know nothing about them, so please keep that in mind.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Rifle Question
 

Probably a Remington 700 model. Excellent weapon, but don't buy it. Buy a bolt action .22 or a Ruger 10/22 ( stainless is nice ) and learn to shoot on that. Buy the other rifle later.

Re: Rifle Question
 

Skip the 7mm Mag for now. It is a little bit much for a first-timer. Excellent cartridge, not for a beginner, IMO. Maybe start with a Ruger 10-22 for cheap practice and familiarization with shooting basics, then graduate to something heavier. The Marlin model 336 in 30-30 would be affordable and effective to 150 yards or so on game animals and two-legged types. You can buy either of these at Walmart for a good price.

Re: Rifle Question
 

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Re: Rifle Question
 

I think felt recoil is largely in one's head. My first gun was a 12 gauge pump action. It's true that bigger calibers kick harder, but how much that affects you I think is sort of up to you. It might put some folks off, while others may not even really notice.

Guess I'm trying to say that if you want to start off with the rifle, go for it, although there's nothing wrong with starting with a .22, either. :bear_thumb:

Don't forget to pick up a shotgun and pistol somewhere down the road. :wink:

Re: Rifle Question
 

I'm kind of with Krug on this one. There are a lot of logical reasons for starting with a .22, but none of them have inspired you to get started yet. If what it takes to get you started is buying that rifle you like in Wal-mart, go for it. While recoil is real, of course, a lot of recoil effect is mental. Most of the time, if you know it's coming, it's not bad.

Take the scope off until you know what to expect and how you handle the recoil. If you don't, you're likely to get whacked in the head with it, and it's awfully hard to fight a flinch after that! If you discover you flinch or blink when you shoot it, go buy a .22 and practice with that for awhile. If you discover you shoot less because of the cost of ammo, you've got yet another reason to go buy a .22 to practice with.

Re: Rifle Question
 

Pirate's eye patch. That way you can walk around and growl, "Aaarrrrrr!":ridinghor

Or some RayBan Wayfarers or Aviators. Or just wear it in the open, proudly, and when someone asks if you got into a fight, you can reply, "Yeah, but you should see the other guy!"

Re: Rifle Question
 

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Re: Rifle Question
 

Excellent long range sniper rig, for a cheap price. Other than the stiff price of ammo, compared to say a more common round like the 30-06. If you get too close to that scope and don't have a good grip on the rifle; watch-out!

Not what I would recommend for a first rifle, also, as it will kick; but if you gotta have it

Re: Rifle Question
 

I'm gonna go out on a contrarian limb, and recommend that you buy a 12 gauge with a slug barrel. Great for home defense, and with a slug, it becomes a nice high powered rifle of sorts. Best of both worlds.

Re: Rifle Question
 

nothing like "scope eye" to show the world you bit off more than you can chew.Really though if you have somebody who can measure proper comb and scope relief for you it will be OK.
I have to say though you will get the best advice from the posters on here, these folks really know thier beans.
Well that and some are just full of shit, its easy to tell!

Re: Rifle Question
 

For hunting/protection? It depends on what you're going to hunt. First, I'd cover the "protection" issue and for that price or under get a 2OGA or 12GA home defense/tactical shotgun, a little over that price an AK47/74 (Norinco MAK90 excellent AK47 for around $400 nib) or revolver in 38 special. Later a bolt gun in caliber appropriate for what you're going to hunt. If you do your homework you can pick up a quality used rifle and save some money. I'd also buy a quality scope separate....even a used one. I would bet Walmart stuck a REAL cheapy scope on that rifle given the price. You are about to take on a new addiction....maybe. Research, shop around, save $$$ and have fun.

Re: Rifle Question
 

Please don't buy from Wal-Mart. Enjoy your fisrt purchase- go to a gun show and some local dealers. Find a seller who shares some insight and support him imo.

Make sure you understand the caliber and usage - cost of ammo ect. it is important for your first gun - if you want to actually shoot it and get comfortable shooting.

Home protection? Someone up above said 12 gauge - absolutely. Mossberg 500 series imo.

If you buy a gun based on the price - chances are you will regret it.

Re: Rifle Question
 

get a home defense 12ga shotgun (mossberg 500 is fine and cheap) and get an AK47 variant with some extra magazines.

Re: Rifle Question
 

My shooting buddies say I'm a recoil junkie. I like a rifle with some kick to it. Lol!

Re: Rifle Question
 

A bolt action rifle is good for sport hunting in current conditions and for sniping. It is adequate for survival hunting, but not overall home defense.

A shotgun is great for home defense if you live in a house or apartment and lousy for home defense if you have acreage.

An AK folder is good for home defense of all size properties. It is a decent survival hunting weapon. It is fairly idiot proof, ask any third worlder.

An AR-15 shorty is almost as good for home defense in close quarters, better at long distance, and better for survival hunting. It is less idiot proof.

In a pinch, you'll want something where there's ammo around. Yes, you can stockpile, but it's nice to know that you're using the same calibre as the locals.

The hunting "in current conditions" thing means as a licensed sport. Should the going get tough and rules go away for hunting, then all bets are off.

Re: Rifle Question
 

Unless you intend to hunt Big Game animals at long range as your primary use for your rifle, the 7mm Remington Magnum is too specialized a cartridge to select. Ammunition is expensive. The recoil is very high. Barrel life is short. The cartridge has many favorable attributes, but none outweigh the other concerns previously mentioned for a first rifle.

Nothing wrong with learning marksmanship with a centerfire rifle. Go to your library and checkout The Rifle by Jack O'Connor or The Modern Rifle by Jim Carmichael. These are good overviews, if a bit dated on the latest gear; but you will learn how to use metallic and telescopic sights, trigger pull/press basics, and get a basic analysis of various sporting cartridges.

The .308 Winchester is probably the most versatile rifle which can also accept relatively inexpensive military surplus ammunition. The .30-06 is similar, but a bit more powerful and hard-kicking. The .308 Winchester offers more potential than any other commercial round, especially if you decide to handload your own ammunition.

Handloading is relatively inexpensive and allows you to tailormake your ammunition. A $25 Lee Loader will produce fine ammunition.

A .30-30Winchester, Marlin 336 specifically, is a pretty decent rifle. Yet the power range of the ammunition is decidedly lower than that of the .308 due to the tubular magazine design which requires flat-nosed bullets. Ammunition is no longer inexpensive, although .308 ammunition from Remington, Winchester, and Federal is available with full metal jacket (plinking, not hunting) loads. The .30-30 is very limited in terms of range by bullet design. Of course, if you live/hunt in a forest it may serve you just fine.

Do a bit of homework before you buy. Maybe even visit a few pawnshops. You may find a hardly used rifle with an excellent scope in your price range. Ammunition has become very expensive, with a preponderance of cartridges now being loaded with many "premium" hunting bullets. Read a couple books and consider what purposes you intend your rifle to fill, then make an informed purchase.