is a .223 too big for a first time shooter?

[Liam]

Yeah i inderstand now thanks alot! I think im better off starting with a .22LR then moving up from there

I should've added, when people refer to a firearm as "a twenty-two", or as "a tutu" they generally mean it's a .22 Long Rifle.

Yeah thanks mate just pretty new and trying to understand everytbing!

[FlyingStick]

I started with a .223 and a 12GA Shotty. I recently bought a CZ455 which comes with the three barrels (22LR, 22WMR and 17HMR). I still look for the .223 when hunting, however the cost can be prohibitive if you're looking to just plink or have some target fun - hence me buying the CZ455 (although it's only sighted in with the 22WMR which I will use for hunting! Plan to also sight in 22LR and play around eventually). So guess it's a decision that should be based on "use".

[bladeracer]

I started with a .223 and a 12GA Shotty. I recently bought a CZ455 which comes with the three barrels (22LR, 22WMR and 17HMR). I still look for the .223 when hunting, however the cost can be prohibitive if you're looking to just plink or have some target fun - hence me buying the CZ455 (although it's only sighted in with the 22WMR which I will use for hunting! Plan to also sight in 22LR and play around eventually). So guess it's a decision that should be based on "use".

Is there any value in these multi-barrel rifles?
How often do you use each of the barrels?
I assume you have to re-sight whenever you change them?
Do they take a few rounds to bed into place after swapping?
To me, it makes more sense to just buy three rifles in the calibers I want.

[Gwion]

Good choice to start with a 22lr and work up once your basic skills and knowledge develop. From the sound of it you have little to no exposure to firearms so starting with the 22lr is probably the wisest move. Plenty of time to get more powerful chamberings for different purposes. The 22lr is great for beginners as well as for honing skills with experience. For the price of 100 X 223rem rounds you can shoot 500 X 22lr rounds. That's a hell of a lot more practice!

[YoungBuck]

Good choice to start with a 22lr and work up once your basic skills and knowledge develop. From the sound of it you have little to no exposure to firearms so starting with the 22lr is probably the wisest move. Plenty of time to get more powerful chamberings for different purposes. The 22lr is great for beginners as well as for honing skills with experience. For the price of 100 X 223rem rounds you can shoot 500 X 22lr rounds. That's a hell of a lot more practice!

I agree with this.
A .223 is by no means too large a cal. for a new shooter to start with, but if you are very fresh to shooting scene and plan to put many rounds down for plinking/target practice and learning, your wallet will appreciate a .22LR for your first rifle.

[Liam]

Yeah thanks guys it really helped out! Any suggestions on bolt action .22lr rifles?

[Gun-nut]

If you don't want to spend too much money, but still want a reasonable sense of quality check out the Ruger american rimfire or the cz455. Both have quite a strong following here and great aftermarket support.

[duncan61]

Most gun stores will have a bewildering array of .22LR bolt actions and lever and pump.

[bladeracer]

Yeah thanks guys it really helped out! Any suggestions on bolt action .22lr rifles?

Ruger American Rimfire Target would be my top choice.
https://youtu.be/9s_-N_wAlxg

[Wombat]

Yeah thanks guys it really helped out! Any suggestions on bolt action .22lr rifles?

Depends on budget. You can buy a decently accurate .22 from $150 up to $1500 (and beyond) with a good scope without getting exotic.
Bargain basement - Old Lithgow or TOZ/Bailkal (make sure there is a magazine with either)
Mid Range - BRNO Model 2 / CZ452 or New Savage.
Spendy - New CZ combo 455, Sako Finnfire or a New Lithgow

[Oldbloke]

22rf & 223. Both 224cal

223..22lr.jpg (8.63 KiB) Viewed 5984 times

[bladeracer]

22rf & 223. Both 224cal

223..22lr.jpg

To add to the confusion, .223 is .224" caliber, the .22LR and .22 Hornet are .223"

[Rikta]

Just buy a 22lr, and a .223 and then a big girl all at once. big girl could be 6.5, .270, 7mm, 30cal, that way aside from waterfowl etc you will be ready to drop pretty much anything that exists in Australia

[Oldbloke]

22rf & 223. Both 224cal

223..22lr.jpg

To add to the confusion, .223 is .224" caliber, the .22LR and .22 Hornet are .223"

Sheessh, I stand corrected.

[Oldbloke]

Just buy a big girl

Keep it clean mate.

[duncan61]

Does any one know when hornet changed from .223 to .224.I had an H/R single shot hornet that was new 10 years ago and it was .224 or are both still available.I see Sierra still make .223 calibre bullets for Hornet

[bladeracer]

Does any one know when hornet changed from .223 to .224.I had an H/R single shot hornet that was new 10 years ago and it was .224 or are both still available.I see Sierra still make .223 calibre bullets for Hornet

I'm not aware that .22 Hornet was ever anything but .223"
You can shoot .224" bullets through it, just as you can with .22LR.

[bladeracer]

Does any one know when hornet changed from .223 to .224.I had an H/R single shot hornet that was new 10 years ago and it was .224 or are both still available.I see Sierra still make .223 calibre bullets for Hornet

According to Wiki, newer Hornets are .224" bore.

[Tiger650]

Yeah thanks guys it really helped out! Any suggestions on bolt action .22lr rifles?

Ruger American Rimfire Target would be my top choice.
https://youtu.be/9s_-N_wAlxg

The Ruger American Rimfire standard rifle [as opposed to the Target variant] has iron [non telescope] sights fitted as standard, if you are a young bloke with good eyesight it would be beneficial to learn to shoot with the irons, cost of .22 rimfire ammo will certainly help there.

Practice is essential, lots or rounds downrange with lots of thinking and analysis also, bugger practicing mistakes.

My view is that if you can learn to shoot the .22 RF competently over iron sights you will easily master the centrefire [fast and noisy] calibers.

Something worth considering is noise, the .22 RF is relatively quiet and noise is effectively part of perceived recoil, any adverse reaction to recoil will be hard to overcome, particularly if you are new to shooting.

If cost is an issue a good used 22 RF can be had for very reasonable cost and will be quiet re-salable if needed.

A good shooting coach would be invaluable, if you have a smallbore [.22 RF] range anywhere close maybe go speak to people, be aware that like any other sport there will possibly be "experts" who are not, you will work that out I am sure.

[AusTac]

My first ever shot of a rifle was a .223/5.56 semi-auto was a bit spoilt

[duncan61]

So its a matter of finding out when you make the purchase.Not sure I would like to put a .224 down a .223 bore its only 0.0254mm but it could get stuck

[bladeracer]

Yeah thanks guys it really helped out! Any suggestions on bolt action .22lr rifles?

Ruger American Rimfire Target would be my top choice.
https://youtu.be/9s_-N_wAlxg

The Ruger American Rimfire standard rifle [as opposed to the Target variant] has iron [non telescope] sights fitted as standard, if you are a young bloke with good eyesight it would be beneficial to learn to shoot with the irons, cost of .22 rimfire ammo will certainly help there.

Practice is essential, lots or rounds downrange with lots of thinking and analysis also, bugger practicing mistakes.

My view is that if you can learn to shoot the .22 RF competently over iron sights you will easily master the centrefire [fast and noisy] calibers.

Something worth considering is noise, the .22 RF is relatively quiet and noise is effectively part of perceived recoil, any adverse reaction to recoil will be hard to overcome, particularly if you are new to shooting.

If cost is an issue a good used 22 RF can be had for very reasonable cost and will be quiet re-salable if needed.

A good shooting coach would be invaluable, if you have a smallbore [.22 RF] range anywhere close maybe go speak to people, be aware that like any other sport there will possibly be "experts" who are not, you will work that out I am sure.

It's a good point. I have the Target and the Compact models, but I think I've used the irons on the Compact once, just to confirm they were zeroed. Never used them again. But it's certainly a useful skill for a new shooter to learn.

[bladeracer]

So its a matter of finding out when you make the purchase.Not sure I would like to put a .224 down a .223 bore its only 0.0254mm but it could get stuck

No chance. I've shot .224" jacketed bullets through .22LR using the standard 40gn .223" lead charges with zero problems.

[Member-Deleted]

Go to a gun shop and ask for projectiles for 223 and they will give you 224 thats all my son uses in his 223

Cheers

[bladeracer]

Go to a gun shop and ask for projectiles for 223 and they will give you 224 thats all my son uses in his 223

Cheers

That's because .223 Remington is a .224" bore, like the vast majority of all the .22-cal centrefires..

[duncan61]

Thanks team good to know its all good

[Rikta]

Just buy a big girl

Keep it clean mate.

Misquote much?

[Member-Deleted]

Exactly that was my point why would they sell you 224 projectiles if 223 wasn't 224
The question ''Is a 223 too large of a gun for a first time shooter,'' Well that depends what you're going to shoot with it
and it all depends on what you want

The 223 cal is a good little caliber with little recoil and can pack a whollop as well also not a bad range of projectiles if you are going to reload
your own

Cheers

[Oldbloke]

Just buy a big girl

Keep it clean mate.

Misquote much?

It was a joke.

[brett1868]

The caliber is a nominal size and not the exact bore of the barrel. The 22 caliber has a nominal bore of .224 as does the .223, 22-250, 220 Swift, .222 and the list goes on. Some rifles .303 can use bullets of a couple different diameters depending on materiel. The best reference is your reloading manual and the ADI site.