First rifle for new shooter - .17 WMR? 22 Mag?

Rimfire bolt action rifles, lever action, pump action and self loading rifles. Air rifles.

Re: First rifle for new shooter - .17 WMR? 22 Mag?

Post by Gwion » 15 Jan 2018, 1:28 pm

Get a 22lr with a fixed 4x scope...

There is nothing better than pelting thousands of rounds at cans spaced out at random ranges in the paddock. Bracken stalks... golf balls...
Once you are sick of doing that, you can shoot straight.
Then get what ever else you want. A 223 and reloading gear is the logical next step.

If you go the 17hmr, bear in mind that any foliage between you and the target will severely effect effecacy. An example is a rabbit you can clearly see in a tussock of grass. I know of blokes who have given up their hmr due to foliage causing the bullet to expand before impact. Not something that worries the 22lr. Lead hollow points verus highly frangible jacketed bullets.
The hmr also needs more cleaning of copper fouling and in that tiny bore, cleaning is even less fun that it normally is.
Last edited by Gwion on 15 Jan 2018, 8:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Gwion
Colonel
Colonel
 
Posts: 3978
-

Re: First rifle for new shooter - .17 WMR? 22 Mag?

Post by Gwion » 15 Jan 2018, 1:29 pm

A 22lr also teaches you to stay well with in your shooting limits.
Last edited by Gwion on 15 Jan 2018, 8:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Gwion
Colonel
Colonel
 
Posts: 3978
-

Re: First rifle for new shooter - .17 WMR? 22 Mag?

Post by Stix » 15 Jan 2018, 5:51 pm

Gwion wrote:A 22lr also teaches you to stay well with in your shoiting limits.


Thats a great & very important point...!!
Most often lost with folk who dont have the patience to learn...
The man who knows everything, doesnt really know everything...he's just stopped learning...
Stix
Colonel
Colonel
 
Posts: 3675
South Australia

Re: First rifle for new shooter - .17 WMR? 22 Mag?

Post by Gamerancher » 16 Jan 2018, 6:29 am

Fella's, he's been shooting sporting clays for some years, I don't think he needs a lesson in how to shoot. He's new to rifles, not shooting.
User avatar
Gamerancher
Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major
 
Posts: 1596
New South Wales

Re: First rifle for new shooter - .17 WMR? 22 Mag?

Post by Gwion » 16 Jan 2018, 6:32 am

Shooting clays and shooting a rifle straight isn't exactly the same thing.
User avatar
Gwion
Colonel
Colonel
 
Posts: 3978
-

Re: First rifle for new shooter - .17 WMR? 22 Mag?

Post by Gamerancher » 16 Jan 2018, 7:19 am

Yeah I know that, not having a crack at you mate, but there is a lot of posts treating him as a total "newby". I think he has some idea.
I've seen a lot of shotgun shooters turn up to have a go at rifle silhouette and they do very well first time out. I put it down to them being used to shooting off-hand. Also, our targets stand still. :lol:
User avatar
Gamerancher
Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major
 
Posts: 1596
New South Wales

Re: First rifle for new shooter - .17 WMR? 22 Mag?

Post by Gwion » 16 Jan 2018, 7:21 am

Fair enough...
Too many peoole skim posts or don't really read them before putting up a response.
User avatar
Gwion
Colonel
Colonel
 
Posts: 3978
-

Re: First rifle for new shooter - .17 WMR? 22 Mag?

Post by bigfellascott » 16 Jan 2018, 7:34 am

Gwion wrote:Shooting clays and shooting a rifle straight isn't exactly the same thing.


Yeah but he wants to shoot foxes - I personally can't recommend a 22lr for that job, ok for bunnies and that's about it, If it was me I'd wait until I got the Cat B and buy the 223 or similar cal for foxes - way better option than any of the others he's thinking about.

It doesn't take much practice to learn how to shoot half decent (good enough to hunt) sure if you wanted to punch paper successfully then you would need to practice a fair bit to get it down pat but for hunting you don't need to have every bullet in the same hole, you just need to be able to shoot well enough to hit say something the size of an orange which isn't too hard to do with good consistency.

I taught my daughters to shoot pretty good in an arvo using this little method. I teach them to shoot for the head every time, that way it ensures a quick clean kill, they've both shot quite a few bunnies now and most are one shot kills which is pleasing to see.

Image
User avatar
bigfellascott
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General
 
Posts: 5289
-

Re: First rifle for new shooter - .17 WMR? 22 Mag?

Post by JohnBoy » 16 Jan 2018, 8:33 am

Thanks guys,

I am not "new" to shooting rifles. Just new to owning one. :) I shoot pretty good, if I am allowed to say that LOL!

Thanks guys - I love hearing all of your opinions, it really does help.

Cheers
John
JohnBoy
Recruit
Recruit
 
Posts: 27
New South Wales

Re: First rifle for new shooter - .17 WMR? 22 Mag?

Post by bigfellascott » 16 Jan 2018, 8:42 am

JohnBoy wrote:Thanks guys,

I am not "new" to shooting rifles. Just new to owning one. :) I shoot pretty good, if I am allowed to say that LOL!

Thanks guys - I love hearing all of your opinions, it really does help.

Cheers
John


Let us know how you go John. :thumbsup:
User avatar
bigfellascott
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General
 
Posts: 5289
-

Re: First rifle for new shooter - .17 WMR? 22 Mag?

Post by JohnBoy » 16 Jan 2018, 8:55 am

Will do! Thank lads!

Not long now. :)

Cheers
JohnBoy
Recruit
Recruit
 
Posts: 27
New South Wales

Re: First rifle for new shooter - .17 WMR? 22 Mag?

Post by Gwion » 17 Jan 2018, 7:52 am

Yeah, BFS. I agree a 22lr isn't quite what you want for foxes and i would also lean toward a centerfire. I just personally don't see the point of rimfire magnums.
I'd still go the 22lr until i had the catB for a 223rem or other CF. Just be content with bunnies and the odd close shot at old foxy until the CF arrives.
A 22lr you will always find a use for but once you have a CF and reloading gear, i can't see the point in paying 223rem prices for ammo in a rifle that might be fussy as hell to feed *like a friend of mine's is).
Just my take on it.
User avatar
Gwion
Colonel
Colonel
 
Posts: 3978
-

Re: First rifle for new shooter - .17 WMR? 22 Mag?

Post by bigfellascott » 17 Jan 2018, 8:10 am

Gwion wrote:Yeah, BFS. I agree a 22lr isn't quite what you want for foxes and i would also lean toward a centerfire. I just personally don't see the point of rimfire magnums.
I'd still go the 22lr until i had the catB for a 223rem or other CF. Just be content with bunnies and the odd close shot at old foxy until the CF arrives.
A 22lr you will always find a use for but once you have a CF and reloading gear, i can't see the point in paying 223rem prices for ammo in a rifle that might be fussy as hell to feed *like a friend of mine's is).
Just my take on it.


Cheers G, yep I'd definitely wait until the Cat B is sorted, gives a lot more flexibility than what the 22 can offer re the foxes. :drinks:
User avatar
bigfellascott
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General
 
Posts: 5289
-

Re: First rifle for new shooter - .17 WMR? 22 Mag?

Post by in2anity » 17 Jan 2018, 8:15 am

Gwion wrote:Yeah, BFS. I agree a 22lr isn't quite what you want for foxes and i would also lean toward a centerfire. I just personally don't see the point of rimfire magnums.
I'd still go the 22lr until i had the catB for a 223rem or other CF. Just be content with bunnies and the odd close shot at old foxy until the CF arrives.
A 22lr you will always find a use for but once you have a CF and reloading gear, i can't see the point in paying 223rem prices for ammo in a rifle that might be fussy as hell to feed *like a friend of mine's is).
Just my take on it.


And whilst one might speculate they will be shooting plenty of foxes, they are elusive characters indeed. You're lucky to even see a single fox in a knock-about rabbit hunt, let alone get a bead on one, let alone actually hit one! Especially for a newbie, it's quite ambitious to buy a magnum rimfire just to cover these rare edge cases.
At what point does lack of maintenance become patina?
User avatar
in2anity
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
 
Posts: 3048
New South Wales

Re: First rifle for new shooter - .17 WMR? 22 Mag?

Post by JohnBoy » 23 Feb 2018, 7:24 pm

SO.... I finally have my rifle. I ended up buying the CZ combo and even found it for a good price with a scope.

I have started to zero it in and am happy with the results. I can now group within 7cm square at 50m unassisted using 22 Subs. :) My property is not overly large and the neighbours are close enough to get annoyed. LOL!

I need to get it in a rig so I can really zero it in, but so far so good!
Attachments
gun.jpg
gun.jpg (77.61 KiB) Viewed 7297 times
JohnBoy
Recruit
Recruit
 
Posts: 27
New South Wales

Re: First rifle for new shooter - .17 WMR? 22 Mag?

Post by Daddybang » 23 Feb 2018, 7:34 pm

Nice rifle!!! :thumbsup: :drinks:
This hard living ain't as easy as it used to be!!!
Daddybang
Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
 
Posts: 2012
Queensland

Re: First rifle for new shooter - .17 WMR? 22 Mag?

Post by bigfellascott » 23 Feb 2018, 7:51 pm

Enjoy mate, it should serve you well for many years.
User avatar
bigfellascott
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General
 
Posts: 5289
-

Re: First rifle for new shooter - .17 WMR? 22 Mag?

Post by Stix » 23 Feb 2018, 8:00 pm

Thats excellent mate...happy for ya...!!!

Stick with the subsonic hollow points mate...
Try all you can get your hands on.

When you say unassisted do you mean off the shoulder & not off a rest...?
If so thats great...!!

If it helps, ive recently broken in a new CZ 452 in 22lr, & it took many hundreds of rounds (must be well over 500) to settle down & shoot consistantly...
So just be mindful sometimes a rimfire barrel may take a bit to bed in...
To aid in this, buy a brick of cheap std velocity ammo & buy your beer in cans...!!

Cheers
The man who knows everything, doesnt really know everything...he's just stopped learning...
Stix
Colonel
Colonel
 
Posts: 3675
South Australia

Re: First rifle for new shooter - .17 WMR? 22 Mag?

Post by JohnBoy » 23 Feb 2018, 9:11 pm

Thanks all.

By unassisted I mean - yeah - off the rest. Crouching or on one knee.

This image was today simply resting on the bullbar of my farm truck at 70m. So far soo good! :) I will dig out the unassisted and take a pic.

I am going to head to a mates place to crack in the 22mag and 17hmr soon! Should be fun!
Attachments
gun2.jpg
gun2.jpg (109 KiB) Viewed 7288 times
JohnBoy
Recruit
Recruit
 
Posts: 27
New South Wales

Re: First rifle for new shooter - .17 WMR? 22 Mag?

Post by bigrich » 23 Feb 2018, 9:47 pm

hey JB, you bought the cz "package" with the different changable barrels did ya ?
User avatar
bigrich
Brigadier
Brigadier
 
Posts: 4485
Queensland

Re: First rifle for new shooter - .17 WMR? 22 Mag?

Post by JohnBoy » 24 Feb 2018, 11:35 am

Yeah man I did. I haven't swapped out the barrels yet. Still dialling in the 22. Then I will do the others.

I like it. The Quality feels good - it shoots straight, and I have nothing else to compare it with LOL! So far so good though. It will do me., :)
JohnBoy
Recruit
Recruit
 
Posts: 27
New South Wales

Re: First rifle for new shooter - .17 WMR? 22 Mag?

Post by bigrich » 24 Feb 2018, 5:24 pm

cz's are a real good thing, i have a 452 2E with the 12 groove 24 inch barrel, it shoots 3 shot10mm groups at 50 when everthing is right. including the nut behind the trigger. try as many different types of ammo as possible to see what groups best, but that could change after 500 rounds and the barrel "settles in". for my cz eley "sport" shoots great. cci 40 gr hp shot real well in my weihrauch 22 mag. ya got three rifles for the price of one so that should keep you busy for a while :thumbsup:
User avatar
bigrich
Brigadier
Brigadier
 
Posts: 4485
Queensland

Re: First rifle for new shooter - .17 WMR? 22 Mag?

Post by JohnBoy » 26 Feb 2018, 8:30 am

Hey Bigrich,

Yeah - That's what I liked about it. Watched some videos on how to swap the barrel etc, and the reviews were good, so I went with that. Plus, the price was right - so that's a good thing!
JohnBoy
Recruit
Recruit
 
Posts: 27
New South Wales

Re: First rifle for new shooter - .17 WMR? 22 Mag?

Post by Oldbloke » 26 Feb 2018, 10:16 am

JohnBoy wrote:SO.... I finally have my rifle. I ended up buying the CZ combo and even found it for a good price with a scope.


Very nice. What's the scope?

And I agree with Gwion. Foxes only very close range, get yourself a 223, 222, or Hornet for foxes, along with reloading gear.
The greatest invention in the history of man is beer.
https://youtu.be/2v3QrUvYj-Y
Member. SFFP, Shooters Union.
SSAA, the powerful gun lobby. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Hunt safe.
User avatar
Oldbloke
Field Marshal
Field Marshal
 
Posts: 11192
Victoria

Re: First rifle for new shooter - .17 WMR? 22 Mag?

Post by bigrich » 27 Feb 2018, 4:58 pm

22 hornet in a cz 527 would be a good fox gun. 223 is cheap and does everything, but i love the idea of a 222 rifle. i have a krico in 22 hornet and it made my 22 mag redundant . few more ideas for ya JB. actually, cz do a varmit 527 in 17 hornet. have heard they are insanely accurate, shoot flatter than 223 with a little more range. so many toys to choose from..... :thumbsup:
User avatar
bigrich
Brigadier
Brigadier
 
Posts: 4485
Queensland

Re: First rifle for new shooter - .17 WMR? 22 Mag?

Post by JohnBoy » 27 Feb 2018, 9:55 pm

Well... one less rabbit on the block.

The weather eased tonight so I thought I would just go for a walk around the property - one less rabbit! So at least I know it works. LOL!

My dog has a full belly! LOL!
JohnBoy
Recruit
Recruit
 
Posts: 27
New South Wales

Re: First rifle for new shooter - .17 WMR? 22 Mag?

Post by Stix » 27 Feb 2018, 10:07 pm

Well done...

Where's the pics JB...?
The man who knows everything, doesnt really know everything...he's just stopped learning...
Stix
Colonel
Colonel
 
Posts: 3675
South Australia

Re: First rifle for new shooter - .17 WMR? 22 Mag?

Post by JohnBoy » 27 Feb 2018, 10:11 pm

Used the Winchester subs. Nice and quiet.
Attachments
bunny.jpg
bunny.jpg (136.78 KiB) Viewed 7029 times
JohnBoy
Recruit
Recruit
 
Posts: 27
New South Wales

Re: First rifle for new shooter - .17 WMR? 22 Mag?

Post by Stix » 27 Feb 2018, 10:17 pm

You should've had the rifle in the pic too...

And mate that bunny's a youngin'...too good for the dog mate...!!
Or you could've gone halves--cook up the back end & give the dog the front...
The man who knows everything, doesnt really know everything...he's just stopped learning...
Stix
Colonel
Colonel
 
Posts: 3675
South Australia

Re: First rifle for new shooter - .17 WMR? 22 Mag?

Post by JohnBoy » 27 Feb 2018, 10:22 pm

Yeah - Realised I didn't put the rifle in the pics.

My mum use to make the best rabbit stew when I was kid. I just need to do some research on ensuring I know what I am looking for before I cook them up.

We have hundreds here, so not sure the supply is going to dry up anytime soon!
JohnBoy
Recruit
Recruit
 
Posts: 27
New South Wales

PreviousNext

Back to top
 
Return to Rimfire rifles, and air rifles