So I want to buy a gun. A rifle to be specific. I want it to be magazine fed and bolt action. I'm not looking to spend a lot of money since I just want to shoot around for fun. Any suggestions on caliber and brand?

Well, the problem with a "cheap" bolt action is that, most bolt action rifles are cheap. What makes them expensive is the scope since a lot of the good bolt action rifles don't come with any sights since they expect you to mount a scope on them. There are some youth bolt action rifles mainly chambered in calibers like .22LR or .17HMR. But not sure if you want something so small, almost won't feel like a real firearm. I think if you want a fun firearm to shoot for cheap, get a lever-action in a pistol caliber like .44 magnum, .45 LC, or something like that. If you must have a rifle caliber, the smaller the caliber typically would result in ammo that is cheaper, unless the caliber is more obscure and not used often. I say go to a store that sells ammo, and find the cheapest ammo.

Hunting ammo are ALL expensive. Anything talking about ballistic tip, silver tip, anything like that, will be expensive. The cheapest TYPE of round are full metal jacket, and I think you typically only find those types of ammo in calibers typically used by the military such as .223/5.56x45mm, .308/7.62x51mm, 7.62x39mm, or .30-06. Everything else tends to only be available in hunting type loads and they are much more expensive.

I typically like to stick with military calibers myself for various reasons. Ammo price is one reason, ability to use the ammo or firearm for more than one purpose is another.

For example, if I was in the market for a full power bolt action rifle, I would pick the Remington 700 in 7.62x51mm. This would be a good rifle to hit the range with, go hunting with, or build a "sniper rifle" replica like a M40 or something like that if I wanted to.

Weapons typically used by military forces are also good in that there are a lot of aftermarket parts available for them. You'll find a lot more "upgrades" and parts available for the Rem. 700 compared to other bolt action rifles simply because cops and military uses that rifle. Same can be said with the AR-15, FN FAL, AKM/AK-47, etc.

Let me know what you think about what your intentions are for it, it would make it much easier to narrow it down for you. Some people like to buy low powered weapons as their first weapons to learn on, like .22's and what-not. Others prefer to learn on calibers that are actually useful beyond the "learning" phase. It's really up to you.

If you're just going to be target shooting, or mercilessly destroying cans or bottles a .22 would probably be a good option, or you could go to super cheap route and pick up a pellet gun.

I definitely defer to Demon though, I've only shot guns, never actually owned one of my own.

I recommended the .22 as well, but not sure if that's what he wants or not.

I was originally thinking a .22, but the 7.62 sounds pretty badass. What would a rifle like the one I wanted with 7.62 go for?

About how much does a good .22 go for these days?

@GSG, which 7.62? The Western 7.62x51mm NATO round used by the M14/M1A, FAL, and Remington 700 aka .308? Or the 7.62x39mm used by the AK aka 7.62 Soviet?

The .308 is considered a full powered cartridge while the one the AK fires is considered an intermediate power cartridge. The AK one is obviously cheaper to buy.

@Hanky

Depends on what you want. I bought a Ruger 10/22 for $190 at Wal-Mart a while back, lol.

Well, like Rage I wouldn't want to spend too much money. It would be just for going out to the range and shooting soda cans or random stuff... Just for fun, so I wouldn't want to ammo to cost too much either. I haven't really looked into rifles much, so I don't know too much about cost of the ammo and such.

http://world.guns.ru/rifle/rfl03-e.htm

i've always had a soft spot for big loud russian things, can't tell you much about it though, never had the chance to shoot one

quote:

Originally posted by Tim_the_Redd:
http://world.guns.ru/rifle/rfl03-e.htm

i've always had a soft spot for big loud russian things, can't tell you much about it though, never had the chance to shoot one

If I could get my hands on one of them I'd be in heaven lol

I thought Germans hated Russians, lol.

Anyway, those should be pretty easy to find, but not sure about condition since they would be old surplus stuff, basically antiques.

quote:

Originally posted by Demon_Mustang:
I thought Germans hated Russians, lol.

Anyway, those should be pretty easy to find, but not sure about condition since they would be old surplus stuff, basically antiques.

I believe a Finnish company makes some quality copies for a reasonable price.

quote:

Originally posted by Mr.Hanky2005:

quote:

Originally posted by Tim_the_Redd:
http://world.guns.ru/rifle/rfl03-e.htm

i've always had a soft spot for big loud russian things, can't tell you much about it though, never had the chance to shoot one

If I could get my hands on one of them I'd be in heaven lol

If you want a big loud russian thing just give him a big bottle of Vodka. Works every time. The more he drinks the louder he gets.....lol.

As for shooting one. I think that is still illegal almost any where in the world with maybe the exception of Germany.

Get a 22 rifle. It doesn't matter much which brand as long as it is a brand name...A Marlin usually does not cost as much as a Ruger or a Remington or a Winchester. But they are very accurate..A .22 is about the cheapest thing to shoot except for the aforementioned pellet rifles. Although they now have these that reach close to .22 velocities and are much quieter.
I have never owned an inaccurate .22 and I've been shooting them since the 60's..
If you mount a scope on it, and I strongly suggest you do, get a decent one, not those small ones that usually come with a .22. They have a very narrow field of view and are virtually useless..And, get a variable scope, a 3x9 is pretty , although I usually put a 4-12 on mine...
A .22 has a downrange of a mile. While it will not have much velocity at that range they are still dangerous...
And, I cannot stress this enough..They are not toys, they were and are designed primarily for one thing, to kill something...Although many people will and do use them for "plinking" and target practice, most use this practice as a prerequisite to hunting.
Good luck:
Leep: