The introduce yourself thread (combined)

[MalleeFarmer]

Welcome to the sport! I'm a farmer and shooter and I'm also 25. If you're going to start out as a bench rest shooter I would look for a budget target/varmint heavy barrelled .22 you should be able to get one second hand or even a new one can be reasonable priced. Annie's are a very good rifle as the price suggests. Look at possibly savage as a lower price point alternative for a target .22 or the CZ455 will still be a perfect starting rifle to learn the basics of shooting with! No one will belittle you for starting with a hunting rifle either if you go that way and if they do they have issues. Also if you buy a hunting version of the 455 or any other .22 for that matter you have the advantage of a lighter carrying rifle if you do decide to hunt! All the best to you and your dad and be safe and happy plinking.

[MalleeFarmer]

http://m.usedguns.com.au/Product_Desc.aspx?Pid=64772 Try this link

[chacka]

Welcome to the forum Festus.

There are a few 'how long is a piece of string" type questions amongst the info you have provided but lets give it a go

Doubtless you'd have guessed my first question: which rifle for a beginner?

For what, and what is your budget?

If you want to do hunting you'll want definitely something in a sporter profile stock. Depending on your budget that could be a $600 Howa or $1,100 Tikka or $2,000 Sako (or a bunch of others).

If you're hunting will you be going after critters (Rabbits, cats, foxes) or game (pigs, deer).

I'd love the opportunity to attempt hunting at some stage, but with my very limited experience and skillset I'm afraid I'll do a disservice to the discipline and other hunters if I were to try and jump into the deep-end of the pool. I think it's best to leave it for a few years down the line until I have a suitable appreciation for the sport and my abilities are more appropriate.

All of us were novices once mate, don't talk yourself out of it because you haven't done it. How else will you learn without doing?

Learn about the equipment you're going to be using, do some research on the area you're looking at, get out there, and don't do anything stupid. That's all there is too it really.

Rimfire seems to be a universal choice for a beginner, and so I'll most definitely opt for a 0.22LR rifle (I certainly don't want to approach any higher calibres without the requisite experience). From my perusal through numerous forums, I've noticed that the competition-seekers often opt for a rifle that is specifically tailored to competition-based target shooting, such as a Anschutz 1903. Would it be seen as completely inappropriate if I were to bring along a cheap and cheerful CZ 455? Particularly, from what I've seen - although I may very well be wrong, I'd love any pointers - there's a fairly large price gap between target rifles, which tend to be quite expensive, and hunting rifles, which are much more within my student budget.

There is definitely nothing wrong with starting with a .22. It make sense for a lot of reasons but isn't the only way to go.

The main argument is that when you're not use to firing centrefire rifles it can be a shock and you can develop a flinch. Flinching hurts your accuracy a lot and ones it's set in it is hard to shake.

By starting with a .22 there is so little recoil you can focus on your technique and not worry about it. Once you've got that down you'd try something bigger.

In theory anyway. It's not like there aren't people who pick up a .308 for the first time and love it.

.22lr is limited to 50m target shooting and about 75m hunting maximum so those are factors too.

As an alternative a .223 Rem has a little more but still bugger all recoil and really you can't go wrong with one. A .223 will be a lot more gun in the sense that you can do target shooting / hunt critters out to a few hundred metres with it.

Depending on what you want to do that might be a better suited choice.

Most indoor ranges (all?) will only let you shoot .22lr, no magnum or centrefire rifles. So that's something too depending on if/where you want to do your shooting.

If you want to hunt larger/tougher game like goats, pigs, deer then a .22lr or .223 will not be enough, and are also illegal for deer.

In that's the case you need to look at something like a .308 for the hunting, and that'll be suitable for target shooting to several hundred metres too.

Another thing is do you have the budget for one rifle that needs to do a few jobs? Or can you afford a few?

If it's one you need to pick a balance, if you can afford a few it doesn't matter so much and you can guy a few different tools for a few different jobs.

See how useful that info is anyway and let us know anything else.

[Festus Magnus]

Thanks for all the replies!

Went to the pistol & rifle Try Shooting programs at the SISC yesterday with pops and it was a blast. They gave us Ruger MKIIIs and CZ 452s to use. The instructor referred me to the president of one of the shooting clubs and he and I talked for a while about benchrest shooting. Absolutely delightful chap, and he gave me some paperwork to join the club. I'll be back on Friday for the longarms safety course and on Saturday just to have a sit-down with one of the club's benchrest shooters to pick up some more tips.

Mallee: Thanks for the link! I was having a bit of a look at the Annie 1416, although I was a touch worried about using a hunting rifle for target shooting. You're right, I shouldn't worry about it. However, one of the blokes I met through the club seemed very against the idea - although he did seem to be a very competitive shooter, while I'm more worried about shooting target 56 rather than target 48 down the line!

Chacka: Thanks for all the tips! You're right, my questions were rather vague, but you've given me a lot to think about.

Regarding the calibre, the SISC only permits 0.22LR for rifles unfortunately, but I'm pretty happy with this. If ever I decide to experiment with higher calibres - which I probably will at some stage - I'll have a gander at the various other ranges/clubs in Sydney, but I'm not too ambitious yet!

For my budget, I've allotted around $2,000 for the rifle alone. I forewent any Christmas pressies! I've had a look at rifles in this approximate price range: Sako Quad Range or Varmint, and the Annie 1416 HB or 64 MPR. I certainly wouldn't mind going cheaper and if a Ruger 77/22, CZ 455 or Savage MKII is a better choice for a beginner, I'll be happy to go with that.

At my stage however, is the lack of know-how and all the subtleties that go along with benchrest shooting (and shooting in general!), so I don't have much of a critical eye when it comes to making a better informed buying decision.

If anyone has any particular advice on the Sako or Annie, I'd love to hear them!

But there's plenty of time for me to mull it over, since it'll be about 2 months before my licence is approved and the PTA issued.

Thanks again!

[juststarting]

Welcome, can't say I am at all into competitive side of things, but other than that I was in the same boat about 6 months ago. Albeit a little older, though compared to other people here - I hear I am still a fetus. I didn't even know how to hold a rifle, were a black bruise with pride for a while. This forum was integral, most guys here are to ugly to go out so they either answer n00b questions or shoot, so ask heaps... And most if not all people at the range are really passionate, they will be very helpful when you're are trying to troubleshoot something at the range.

I just started with pistols too. Got handgun safety course next week, I have to say I enjoy rifles a lot more at this stage, but the night is young.

[snag]

Hey Festus,
Firstly, very smart move starting out with a .22 rimfire. Only way to go.
Secondly, I can thoroughly endorse the CZ 455 as quality firearm. I've been shooting for 45 years or so, and own a whole heap of guns. As a retirement present to myself, I bought a CZ455 varmint, thumbhole stock with a Leopold rimfire scope and I have never had so much enjoyment out of any rifle. Well within your budget and a firearm that will last you a lifetime. Just my opinion.

[Baronvonrort]

Thanks for all the replies!

Mallee: Thanks for the link! I was having a bit of a look at the Annie 1416, although I was a touch worried about using a hunting rifle for target shooting. You're right, I shouldn't worry

Regarding the calibre, the SISC only permits 0.22LR for rifles unfortunately, but I'm pretty happy with this. If ever I decide to experiment with higher calibres - which I probably will at some stage -

For my budget, I've allotted around $2,000 for the rifle alone. I forewent any Christmas pressies! I've had a look at rifles in this approximate price range: Sako Quad Range or Varmint, and the Annie 1416 HB or 64 MPR. I certainly wouldn't mind going cheaper and if a Ruger 77/22, CZ 455 or Savage MKII is a better choice for a beginner, I'll be happy to go with that.

Thanks again!

The Anshutz 1416 with thumbhole stock is the go, it's in your price range the only question is the 23 inch barrel or the 18 inch barrel with muzzle thread , the 1416 uses the 64 action in a repeater you can get 10 round magazines for them, you did mention hunting when you improve skills.

When you get a safe buy one 5x bigger than you think you need,saves upgrading later which all newbies seem to do, they hold half of what is advertised.

[brett1868]

Congratulations for joining the shooting fraternity and bringing the old man along with you. Usually the father brings the son but guess it can go the other way, some good quality father and son time awaits yo both.
Don't be overly concerned about brands and prices at this stage, get you license the head out to a few shops and handle as many rifles as possible. Check out they fit you, are they comfortable to shoulder, can you look through the sights while maintaining good cheek position on the stock. Let the rifle choose you
Young fella Juststarting has written a blog of his experiences which is both educational and reflects some of the joys and pitfalls of shooting, but he'll have to post the link as I'm on the iPad and can't find it.

[juststarting]

brett1868 is talking about this: http://myshootingjourney.com/2015/08/26 ... un-permit/

Also, bah! My first choice was a 308 - still happy with it. Granted, since then I have also purchased a 17HMR (and others), but given a choice between the two, rimfire would not even be in a race. Maybe a 223, but that's as small as I would go. That said, 17HMR is lots of fun to shoot. Like brett1868 said, let it chose you I don't know why, but I just really dislike the 22 rimfire caliber. It's VERY cheap, but I dislike it. The projectiles look like little penises. You'd sit there and send a barrage of little cheap penises down range... Just feels like a wrong caliber.

On subject of brett1868, Apple shops hold free senior classes, just saying...

[Title_II]

You can only shoot .22 at indoor ranges?

[Festus Magnus]

Thanks for all the responses fellas! Lots of useful tidbits of information to help me while I go ahead (and here I thought the thumbhole was just a decorative addition ).

Having just read through more of Juststarting's terrific website, a small misapprehension of mine has been cleared up regarding hunting licences. I thought the requirements were similar to sporting clubs, that is, one is required to attend a minimum number of competitions (or hunting trips) per year. This was slightly off-putting, as any rural properties would be a good 4-5 hours drive away from my location in South-West Sydney and would require a large time commitment that might be difficult to reconcile with my schedule (being a university student).

But it seems that one can just join an appropriate hunting club (say the NSW branch of the SSAA) and go for a spot of hunting when they have the available time? If that's the case, then it's far more convenient time-wise and I'll likely join the SSAA and add hunting to my paperwork (if ever AusPost delivers it!).

Edit: A closer trawl through the NSW Police website reveals I'm incorrect! The requirements are 'If you are a member of an approved hunting club you must participate in no less than two events involving hunting, shooting or firearms safety training over any period of 12 months. If you have club membership AND you also have permission to shoot on property for RHVC, clause 96 participation requirements do not apply' and such events 'must be approved by your own hunting club or by any other approved hunting club.'

The term 'approved by your own hunting club' is a bit vague. Do others have a bit more knowledge on what this might entail? Regardless, I think 2 events per year are plenty manageable for me.

"Let the rifle choose you", great advice! It's a fairly personal decision I suppose, and one can't really make up their mind until they sit down with it. The technical specifications and agreement with one's criteria is fairly pointless if it turns out to be wholly uncomfortable for one to hold and shoot.

Juststarting: Pops actually thought the 22LR was actually quite annoying, he thought it sounded like a rowdy bunch of blokes having a lark with Chinese firecrackers. But then again he and I have been deceived for a long number of years by guns in action movies!

Title_II: The SISC (Sydney International Shooting Centre) only permits 0.17 HMR, 0.22 Mag/LR. No centrefire permitted unfortunately (I wonder why?).

I've tried to look up the NSW Police website as much as I can to solve this question, and I may well be blind (or quite possibly it's the early hour), but I can't quite seem to find the answer. The question: am I correct in assuming that if you have a category A firearm, and if your licence is granted for both target/sport and hunting purposes, you're permitted to use said firearm for both purposes?

If that's so, I think the first firearm I'll pick up will definitely have to serve both hunting/benchrest purposes. It'll have to be 0.22LR as well, as the club at the SISC which I'm joining doesn't cater to centrefire - and if I read correctly, I won't be able to use a category B hunting rifle at a target range as I don't have a category B target/sport licence.

[juststarting]

NSW sounds backwards, which is a big statement considering the rest of the Australian gun laws. Also, there is no enforcement, i.e. how would anyone know you went hunting on public land or not? That's the most idiotic requirement there is. Yes officer, I drove to the bush, didn't see anything so came back with all my rounds. Crazy! Granted, you will be shooting A LOT more than twice per year, but still, silly requirement that cannot possibly be validated.

[Festus Magnus]

Dont just get a cat A licence. Get a cat A/B. I can almost guarantee that you'll want something bigger in no time.
Also you need to figure a safe into your budget and how ever big you think it needs to be, get one three times that size.

Yeah, I'll have to do a bit more paperwork. The target club which I'll be joining only provides for cat A licences (unfortunately not B as the shooting range doesn't cater for centrefire rifles). Joining the NSW SSAA however, will allow me to sign up for a cat B licence under hunting purposes.

My total budget will be about $4,000-5,000. $2,000 for the rifle, $1000 for the scope, $1000 for the safe, and $1000 for the remaining parts. Although, this is just a fairly basic outline at the moment as I won't be able to purchase a firearm for at least 2 months!

The joys of a bureaucracy!

NSW sounds backwards, which is a big statement considering the rest of the Australian gun laws. Also, there is no enforcement, i.e. how would anyone know you went hunting on public land or not? That's the most idiotic requirement there is. Yes officer, I drove to the bush, didn't see anything so came back with all my rounds. Crazy! Granted, you will be shooting A LOT more than twice per year, but still, silly requirement that cannot possibly be validated.

I had a chat with the club captain and apparently they're required to maintain attendance records. You get a slip when you sign into the range, you hand it the club captain, he/she records it. Then they're required to inform the Firearms Registry of any members who haven't maintained satisfactory attendance in a 12 month period. It's a bit like Sunday school really.

But I don't really know how this quite works with the NSW SSAA and hunting. Do you just call your local club captain and say 'Hey Bob, I'll be poppin' down alone to X to have a poke at a few rabbits, can you sign off my attendance as meeting the requirements?' or do you have to attend group hunts with other members from a local chapter to fulfill the participation requirements? It's a bit of a mystery really: I'll fire off an email to NSW SSAA to have enquire about it.

[brett1868]

Festus, Here's the first of many brain aches with the legalities surrounding firearms and shooting in Australia. Each state has different rules & regulations and what's perfectly legal in one sate will see you behind bars in another. In NSW the SSAA is recognised as both a target and a hunting club, when you send off your licensing paperwork include a photocopy of your membership card. Make sure you apply for Cat A & B for both target AND hunting to save you some time and money later on. For attendance requirements you can elect either Target or Hunting when attending a SSAA range. Alternatively you can join (for additional expense) a hunting club where you have to attend at least 2 meetings a year to meet the requirements for keeping the hunting endorsement.
If you get stuck on something with the licensing process send me a PM and ill give you my mob no and talk you through it.

[brett1868]

You'd sit there and send a barrage of little cheap penises down range... Just feels like a wrong caliber.

I'll never shoot 22 again without picturing this in my mind. Shooting cats would be very appropriate for a penis shaped projectile

On subject of brett1868, Apple shops hold free senior classes, just saying...

Cheeky bugger

[juststarting]

Is NSW REALLY that different? I am very confused with this entire club you are talking about and club captains and what not, sounds like high school... Going in and having a sit down with a shooter... Sounds like bulls**t to me, designed to get you signing up and paying them club fees.

I just filled in few forms, waited and got a rifle. I am not sure where this complexity is coming from.

1. get a deer stalking permit or write purpose as hunting pest animals on public land
2. get Cat A & B licence (NOT just A)
3. you are done!

If your purpose is deer stalking, you need a permit from GMA - the end. You do not need to be in any club. You do not need to be committed to anything.

That's the thing with clubs and something the police officer warned people about at safety course. Clubs like cash and will get pissy and may report you for not attending and paying your fees, if you don't attend, don't pay and set your purpose as 'sport'. Hence use hunting. You can still do sport, you can still compete (I guess), but you do not need to be in any club or even an SSAA member (there is a different thread on this topic). It helps, but certainly not needed. I may be completely off if NSW and VIC are that much different, but in VIC this is it...

[juststarting]

Wow, ok, so NSW is that different. My brain hurts a lot now. Just wow, what a mess. I am sorry I caused confusion here, Festus.

[veep]

You can only shoot .22 at indoor ranges?

Cause of zoning and distance requirements blah blah blah at our indoor ranges you can only shoot rimfire rifles and pistols.

Depending on the range rimfire sometimes means .22lr, no magnums.

To shoot centrefire stuff you need to go to an outdoor range, which will have a several KM backdrop and some obstacle like a tall hillside.

[Festus Magnus]

Brett: You're a champ mate! Once the paperwork arrives, I'll be sure to PM if I get hit with a load of bureaucratic nonsense and my brain has an aneurysm (which I'm sure it will).

Juststarting: No apologies needed at all! You've been a great help with all the advice you've given.

Re; the difference in laws, it's actually quite surprising. I was assuming the majority of the laws would be very much the same, especially if it came to something as sensitive as firearms.

Turns out it isn't so! I had a look at the VIC GMA website and you're right, their system is a LOT simpler than the whole twisted labyrinth that NSW employs. It seems that the major difference is that in NSW, it's mandatory for most people (i.e. those who don't have permission from a rural landowner; who don't own any rural property; who aren't employed as a professional hunter) to join a hunting club to actually get a hunting licence.

Moreover, as an additional layer of bureaucratic nonsense in NSW, you can't use a firearm for a purpose that isn't recorded on your licence. So a category A/B firearms licence for hunting purposes in NSW doesn't allow you to visit a range to practice target shooting. To be able to do so (from what I'm reading on the NSW Firearms website), you'll need to include target/sport purposes in your licence, and to be eligible, one needs to be a member of an appropriate target/sport club! Hence Brett's recommendation to have both target/hunting done at once to spare myself any frustration down the line.

My situation is a little more odd, as I'll be applying to two clubs (1) one at the Sydney International Shooting Centre for cat A for the purposes of target/sport; and (2) the NSW SSAA (most likely their St Mary's range) for cat A and B for target/sport and hunting.

Signing up for a club at the SISC seems a bit redundant, but it's a lot closer to home than the SSAA's St Mary's shooting range, and much more convenient for when I want to nip by for some quick practice.

But the Sydney International Shooting Centre doesn't cater for hunting or cat B licences (centrefire rifles are verboten). So that requires me to sign up with the NSW SSAA.

The participation requirements are a bit simpler now that I've managed to decode all the legal-speak: I'll need attend four times a year for practice (apparently participation in competitions aren't mandatory, thank God!) at either club, but I'll need to assign one as the 'principal club'. For hunting, I'll need to attend two events (which can involve 'hunting, shooting or firearms training' as saith the Firearms Registry) at - specifically - the hunting club at the SSAA's St Mary's range.

What a mess.

I talked to a mate on Sunday: older bloke in his early seventies, had a stint in the army, was stationed in West Germany. He mentioned that his gun licence was granted at his local police station with a brief questionnaire. I bet those were the days.

Nonetheless, I think I've got a firm grip on how to approach the licence now!

[brett1868]

You can only shoot .22 at indoor ranges?

St Mary's indoor range (NSW) will let you shoot any caliber you wish with the exception of 50BMG and its derivatives (416 Barrett). The biggest I shoot there is .375 Cheytac which sounds a bit retarded using a 2000m rifle on a 50m range but when load testing its fine. I've asked the boys out there and if I was to rock up with a .460 Weatherby they'd only ask that I give them a shot

[brett1868]

Join the SSAA as a Gold Member but if you're still living at home then you can get an adult membership then each additional person at the same address gets a discount on membership.
You can join online and the Gold Membership gives you up to $25k insurance cover for your firearms for only a few $ extra over base membership.
The SSAA is an association and qualifies as a genuine reason for owning a firearm when applying for your license. It is also recognised as both a Target and Hunting club so no need to join any additional clubs just to get the hunting endorsement.
In short, Join the SSAA then join the sporting clays or rimfire benchrest club in Cecil Park and your done. When you lodge your application for a firearms license they ask for supporting documentation to support your genuine reason, attach a photocopy of the SSAA card and you're good to go.

More Fun....The SSAA is 1 of several organisations that were formed to promote the interests of shooters. Like any organisation they have both fans and detractors of which I'm neither. When I started shooting (legally) back in the 80's there was only the SSAA at Malabar range so I joined them and have remained with them since and I don't get involved in any of the politics between the various organisations.

My best advice for new shooters is that we are all judged by the actions of one so don't be the one who does something stupid. We are ambassadors for our sport and the media want to crucify us so don't do anything that gives them cause to break out the nails and crosses.

[Baronvonrort]

NSW sounds backwards, which is a big statement considering the rest of the Australian gun laws. Also, there is no enforcement, i.e. how would anyone know you went hunting on public land or not? That's the most idiotic requirement there is. Yes officer, I drove to the bush, didn't see anything so came back with all my rounds. Crazy!

NSW is backwards yet not as bad as WA which must be the worst example of our laws.

To hunt on public land you need a Cat R game license, you have to book in online for your hunting

More here-
www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/hunting/hunting-licences/restricted

[Title_II]

Around here indoor ranges are about 80% pistol caliber only (anything, even in rifle), 20% allow rifle, and 10% allow full auto. But most people shoot at clubs or private land. Clubs are 90% outdoor only, 10% outdoor and indoor. We are crawling with clubs around here. In the nearest 4 or five counties you probably have 2 clubs within 5 miles in every direction. I shoot on private land unless somebody wants to meet at a range/club.

[Gwion]

Here's an idea for you, Festus:
Sako Quad Hunter Synthetic..... then, after you have outgrown (in ability) the capabilities of the light barrel and hunter stock in club shooting, buy a Lilja Heavy Barrel for it and a Sako Target Stock. You now have a benchrest rifle and a hunting rifle... should fall around the $2000 mark (or a little more) for all of the above.

Quad Synth = $1350 ish
Lilja Barrel = $500 ish
Quad Range Stock = ?? enquire through special order @ gun shop??

Or:

Buy this https://www.usedguns.com.au/Product.aspx?p=69118
plus this https://www.usedguns.com.au/Product.aspx?p=68194
for a total of $2550 and have all your rimfire target/hunting scenarios covered...

Geez i'm good at spending other people's money!

Good luck with it all, mate... have fun and stay safe.

[Oldbloke]

The reason the states are all different is because the Australian Constitution lists the responsibilities that the federal government has. Everything else is the responsibility of the states and firearms do not get a mention. But printing $ and defence get a mention,, for example. OHS does not get a mention either. So each state and territory has total responsibility for OHS, education, hospitals.

When they wrote the constitution they experts tried to anticipate as best they could but obviously screwed up in a couple of areas.!!!!

Australia also invited NZ to become part of the Commonwealth of Australia but the kiwis were pretty stupid and went off in a tangent!! Bait Bait LOL

[Festus Magnus]

Thanks for all the further responses fellas!

Gwion: Thanks for the Sako endorsement! I'm edging closer and closer towards it (even though I won't be able to purchase a firearm for another 2 months!). A completely stupid question from a beginner's perspective: you recommend the Quad Hunter, is there any reason for me not to go for the Quad Varmint? While I'm always disinclined to buy into marketing, Sako does advertise the Varmint as being suitable for benchrest/small game hunting (which fits my purposes perfectly).

Also just a small update: paid for membership with the Sydney SSAA, will be paying for SISC membership on Saturday, also sitting the Firearm Safety Qualification Course on Friday!

[Title_II]

Australia also invited NZ to become part of the Commonwealth of Australia but the kiwis were pretty stupid and went off in a tangent!! Bait Bait LOL

And now their people still have guns

[Gwion]

A completely stupid question from a beginner's perspective: you recommend the Quad Hunter, is there any reason for me not to go for the Quad Varmint?

Mate, to be honest, I only recommend the Sako Quad because I'm still dreaming of one myself. Never heard a Quad owner complain. My last 22lr would have been a Quad but the don't come left handed.
Re: hunter v varmint. Purely a carry weight thing for bunny busting. As I also recommended get a Lilja drop in heavy barrel (Quads are switch barrel rifles), I figured you didn't need two heavy barrels. One for hunting and the Lilja for you bench rest. One or two people here use the Lilja barrels for target work on Quads and swear by them.
All that said, a 'Heavy barrel' on a 22 is still usually pretty light in the greater scheme of things, so I'm sure the varmint would be fine for a bunny buster as well. Also, I was trying to save you a couple of hundred bucks towards th Lilja barrel!

[MalleeFarmer]

And now their people still have guns

yep they were smart not to join!
Funny how their crime rates are lower than ours.

[heron]

For my budget, I've allotted around $2,000 for the rifle alone. I forewent any Christmas pressies! I've had a look at rifles in this approximate price range: Sako Quad Range or Varmint, and the Annie 1416 HB or 64 MPR. I certainly wouldn't mind going cheaper and if a Ruger 77/22, CZ 455 or Savage MKII is a better choice for a beginner, I'll be happy to go with that.

At my stage however, is the lack of know-how and all the subtleties that go along with benchrest shooting (and shooting in general!), so I don't have much of a critical eye when it comes to making a better informed buying decision.

If it's for benchrest and you can afford better, do not go cheaper. You'll just end up wanting more accuracy than the cheaper option can provide and swapping to your first choice and wasting money in the change over.

You'd be crazy to get a Ruger over an Anschutz if you can afford one.

An Annie will be capable of more accuracy than you are to start, but your skills will evolve and you'll grow into it.

If you go a cheaper option you'll outgrow it, skill wise.