Whats Next?

[jmdevera]

Okay CHL is in and I am wondering what is the next step?

I have enough experience with pistols that I kind of want to venture into long rifle world. I was thinking about getting me a remington 700. Any thoughts?

[jmdevera]

i guess i should start with that, not really sure hahaha...

[shortysboy09]

You wanting to get into some type of hunting or just like a home defense rifle?

[jmdevera]

ive got my shotty for home defense. but a rifle couldnt help. I wouldnt mind entering the area of hunting...

[shortysboy09]

I love to hunt Deer, Hog, Doves, Coyotes, Bobcats. The first time I went hunting I was 5 years old and my dad took me. Ever since then I have been hooked. What are you wanting to hunt? Any of the ones I mentioned interest you?

[jmdevera]

deer, hogs, and coyotes sound good to me!

[TDDude]

My advice is to simply get what you think looks cool. If you end up not liking it, trade. This might sound trite but if you purchase used, turning around and selling if you don't like it won't take much of a financial bite if any. But be careful. Every firearm I've sold I've regretted selling, even when it was a dog.

Take your time, join different forums, and realize that this is a lifelong hobby.

I have an old Remmy 700 and love it but that may not be right for you. I also have a small stable of AR's and like shooting them.

Over the next few years you will figure out what works for you.

Jump on in! The water's fine!!

[Salty1]

Cannot go wrong with a Marlin 336, just gotta love those lever action rifles.... and they won't break the bank either....

[RECIT]

For your first long gun I don't think you could go wrong with a .22lr of some sorts. Cheap enough, fun enough, and easy to learn on.

I think bolt guns are boring unless you are hunting personally. Their accuracy is incredible but the fun factor is not their for me. If you just want to do some blasting then I think a decent AK rifle is great a inexpensive way to shoot rifles. And they are a rugged and simple as hammer to operate. Ammo happens to be cheap.

[TLE2]

You don't need A rifle... you need many!

[74novaman]

For your first long gun I don't think you could go wrong with a .22lr of some sorts. Cheap enough, fun enough, and easy to learn on.

I think bolt guns are boring unless you are hunting personally. Their accuracy is incredible but the fun factor is not their for me. If you just want to do some blasting then I think a decent AK rifle is great a inexpensive way to shoot rifles. And they are a rugged and simple as hammer to operate. Ammo happens to be cheap.

First long gun I shot/really got to enjoy was a rimfire semi auto .22 Savage with a cheapo Wal-Mart scope. Can't go wrong starting small.

[lawrnk]

Cannot go wrong with a Marlin 336, just gotta love those lever action rifles.... and they won't break the bank either....

+1, and this is one of those heirloom guns. I love that rifle

[hirundo82]

I think a .22 rifle is the best first step for anyone getting into the world of rifles. It lets you learn the basics with inexpensive ammo. There are lots of quality .22 rifles available new for under $250--look at Marlin, Savage, Ruger for starters.

[drjoker]

If you want home defense, go rent an AK47 and an AR15 at your local gun range. See which one you like. Lots of people will cry, "overpenetration!" Yea, if overpenetration is a real concern then, why would our urban warriors in Iraq use rifles? Why would our cops domestically increasingly replace their shot guns with rifles? You might be surprised to find that overpenetration is overblown. If you're still concerned, then go for crotch shots. The downward angle of the bullet will ensure that it will not fly into your neighbor's home.

Then, buy a 22lr version of the AK47 or AR15. Practice with it. A lot. After you get good with it, then get a real AR15 or AK47. I suggest this because of the high price of ammo these days. Better to fill the learning curve with bullets that cost $20 per 500 rounds than $20 per 50 rounds.

If you want to hunt, then ask yourself what you want to hunt. If you're hunting small game like rabbits, then get a 22lr rifle. If you're wanting to hunt large game like deer, then get something with a bigger bullet, like .308 or 30-06 or 30-30 or 7.62x39. If all you're doing is hunting, then get a bolt action gun for greater accuracy. A CZ 452 in 22lr for small game or a Remington 700 in .308 for large game. If you're considering a bolt gun, then get a CZ 452 or a Savage or any American made 22lr rifle such as Remington. Then, after much practice and you get good, purchase a Remington 700.

If you're gonna use the rifle for hunting AND home defense then, get an AK47 for large game and home defense. It uses a larger 7.62x39mm bullet. Get the AR15 for home defense and small game hunting. It has a smaller .223 cal bullet. You can use .223 for large game, but you'd have to be a really good shot or it won't be as effective. You can use 7.62x39mm for small game, but you'd have to be a really good shot or it will destroy a lot of meat.

Have fun with guns,


P.S. if All I could ever own was just one rifle, I'd get the Kel-Tec RFB. It is designed to be as accurate as many bolt action rifles, but it is semi-auto. It also fires a very powerful bullet that puts AKs and ARs to shame. It is also very handy because it is of a bullpup design. This allows it to have the long accurate barrel of a full size rilfe but in the small size of a carbine or submachine gun. Plus, it ejects the shells forward so they don't hit you in the eye. You won't be wearing "eye protection" in a surprise firefight to save your home from BGs. BUT, the RFB is expensive.