Newby - First firearm

[Dogga85]

Hey guys,

I'm in the process of getting my firearm license, with the plan of eventually getting my pistol license. I'm trying to do some research, and wanting some recommendations on my first firearm for target shooting at the range, mostly 200-300ft (I will never be hunting animals etc). This will sound lame, but i do not like/want a firearm that has wood on it. Any help and feedback would be much appreciated

[snag]

Mate, in all honesty you need to start with a .22 rimfire. Cheap to buy and feed, put a couple of thousand rounds through it to develop your technique and guncraft before you look at moving to a centrefire. Norinco and Zastava make some nice, accurate starting rifles.
Just my opinion.
Snag.

[AusTac]

As has been said pretty much everyone starts off with a .22, but if your dead set on starting with a centrefire .223 is a decent start gives you somthing cheap ( ish ) to start off with that you can eventually stretch out without needing to get another firearm

[brett1868]

Howa 1500 Mini Action .223 in all its plastic and stainless glory sounds right for you. Perfectly acceptable accuracy past the ranges you listed and represent good value for money being priced around the $900 mark with a scope & rings. Recently purchased one myself and have been quite impressed with how nice it is to shoot and wasn't fussy about the load used.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_f8TeE0cMK4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ET5NILFkMyQ

[GLS_1956]

Okay so you're not a fan of wood, well hopefully you'll grow out of it. For a first gun I'll mention Rugers American 22 rifle , all metal and plastic. When you get your pistol/handgun license I'd suggest either Ruger's Standard models or Browning's Buckmark, both are semi-automatics so I don't know how'll that'll fly down under.

[pomemax]

https://www.usedguns.com.au/Product.aspx?p=69514
Perfect no wood to worry about One way to start a sh** fight a guns not real unless it has wood tupperware just a toy then .
" Now sit back with da popcorn and watch hahaha"

[Strikey]

Hey guys,

I'm in the process of getting my firearm license, with the plan of eventually getting my pistol license. I'm trying to do some research, and wanting some recommendations on my first firearm for target shooting at the range, mostly 200-300ft (I will never be hunting animals etc). This will sound lame, but i do not like/want a firearm that has wood on it. Any help and feedback would be much appreciated

If you will be mostly target shooting to 100yds( 300ft), a quality .22lr such as a CZ or if your budget will allow, go for an Anschutz, these rifles are generally very accurate and will allow you to develop your skills to a higher degree without the extra cost of centrefire ammo, unfortunately they have timber stocks but you will keep them for a long time. Have you thought about a scope for this rifle? Something else to consider when you finally decide on a rifle

[Gwion]

Buy what ever rifle you can afford for target quality and then get an aftermarket synthetic stock for it.

If you have a reasonable budget, don't hold back. A good 22lr will last a lifetime.

Then get a a target specific center fire rifle once you are happy with your rimfire shooting and know a bit more about what kind of target shooting interests you.

[Dogga85]

Thanks heaps for the replies guys, much appreciated. Phwoa the Howa 1500 Mini Action .223 is a sexy looking firearm.

[Charlie]

My recommendation is to buy Australian, consider the lithgow crossover .22 as a first rifle.

My second suggestion is to go along and shoot at a club with .22 avaliable, spend a few months and when your compentent in a .22, purchase a higher powered riffle.

[Wes]

My recommendation is to buy Australian, consider the lithgow crossover .22 as a first rifle.

Not to knock the Crossover but do your research before grabbing one.

Lots of shooters loving them, but many with problems too.

A few teething issues in the first gen one still being worked out as I see it.

[Dogga85]

Thanks for all of your input. After asking on here, and talking to the guys down the club, and having shoots of a .223, i decided, and put a deposit on a Howa 1500 Varmint .308, custom with a Boyd Pepper Stock and 10 shot.

I factored in things like, how long i'll get use out of the rifle, a .308 will suit me for longer as I am now more into shooting targets further than originally thought, will also help accuracy over that distance, and its just an awesome looking rifle lol. From what i read on reviews/forums, all were very positive.

[sandgroperbill]

May be wrong, but I sense you may have spoken to a salesman...

Now, I'm not knocking Howa, I'm not knocking Boyd's, I'm not knocking laminates and I'm not knocking .308s, but being your first rifle, make sure you get someone down at your local range help you out and get you started. .308s aren't the best starting point for many, so you'll want someone watching your form, methods and the way you're shouldering it.

I'm not saying it will be an issue for you, there are plenty of people that are fine starting with a .308, but there are others that can develop bad habits quite quickly if they start with .30s. Some may disagree, it's just my opinion.

[Strikey]

I agree with sandgroper, I think new shooters are so much better off learning the skills required to shoot accurately and safely with a rimfire or even an air rifle like a lot of us older blokes did back in the good old days. If as you say you will be mostly target shooting, then I am assuming that will take place at SSAA ranges, that ten shot mag will be of no use as most ranges ( if not all SSAA ranges ) are single round loading only and I think that magazine will be a pain in the arse shooting from a bench, don't let salesmen talk you into something you don't need

[Die Judicii]

I agree with sandgroper, I think new shooters are so much better off learning the skills required to shoot accurately and safely with a rimfire or even an air rifle like a lot of us older blokes did back in the good old days. If as you say you will be mostly target shooting, then I am assuming that will take place at SSAA ranges, that ten shot mag will be of no use as most ranges ( if not all SSAA ranges ) are single round loading only and I think that magazine will be a pain in the arse shooting from a bench, don't let salesmen talk you into something you don't need

Couldn't have said it better if I had a LOUDSPEAKER.

The alleged "salesman" certainly got his foot in the proverbial door.

Regardless of timber/synthetic/brand/caliber or target or live hunting,,,
My advice would be to listen to the advice previously given by forum members.

They don't operate on sales commissions

[Dogga85]

Thanks for the replys. I did not speak to a salesman, unfortunately I obviously got bad advice from the range. I have called the firearm place and changed my firearm, I am now getting a WEATHERBY VANGUARD S2 STAINLESS SYNTHETIC .223. Please no more negative replys if you don't like this decision lol.

[sandgroperbill]

Sorry if we came across as being negative, we certainly weren't trying to be, we were just trying to be constructive.
As I said earlier, I wasn't knocking the rifle, they are really very good rifles, but more suited to hunting than target shooting.
We quite often come across people that ask for advice on a first rifle, and end up going for something bigger than needed and there is usually a salesman involved.
Some people really are fine starting with a 30cal, but it comes with recoil and a lot of people starting out with them develop bad habits because they're too concerned with anticipating the recoil. This is where you get someone to watch what you're doing, and to help correct things.
Its much easier to start with something with no or negligible recoil, as it leaves you free to concentrate on the fundamentals, such as position and form, focus, breathing, etc.
Many people that start with 30s then get something smaller and gentler, but have to undo bad habits. I have no doubt that you will end up with something larger, be it a 6, 6.5, 7 or 30, but a .223 is definitely a good starting point for centre fires.

[happyhunter]

.

[Gwion]

That rifle will be a very good starting point. 70gn bullets will have you shooting it out to 600yd with practice a a good set up.

[Strikey]

Thanks for the replys. I did not speak to a salesman, unfortunately I obviously got bad advice from the range. I have called the firearm place and changed my firearm, I am now getting a WEATHERBY VANGUARD S2 STAINLESS SYNTHETIC .223. Please no more negative replys if you don't like this decision lol.

This is a better choice than the .308, and its still a Howa. I recently acquired the same rifle albeit with blued steel and it has performed beyond my expectations especially when fed Outback ( OSA ) ammo. The .223 is very easy to shoot, my 12yr old son easily shoots roos with it and enjoys shooting with it at the range but he has started with air rifles then progressed to .22lr before using a centrefire. Put a half decent scope on your Weatherby and you will do alright Don't forget to buy a good one piece cleaning rod, bore guide, brushes, jag, patches, bore solvent & oil ( stainless rifles will rust also ) to look after your new rifle

[Dogga85]

Thanks for all of your input. After asking on here, and talking to the guys down the club, and having shoots of a .223, i decided, and put a deposit on a Howa 1500 Varmint .308, custom with a Boyd Pepper Stock and 10 shot.

I factored in things like, how long i'll get use out of the rifle, a .308 will suit me for longer as I am now more into shooting targets further than originally thought, will also help accuracy over that distance, and its just an awesome looking rifle lol. From what i read on reviews/forums, all were very positive.

Nice rifle, looks great and sure you will get years of enjoyment from it. But, if you gonna hunt proper in the future you gonna need want something else

This made me LOL!!!

Thanks guys, definitely going to get a good quality cleaning kit. I live in the tropics, would you recommend one of those electronic dehumidifiers for my safe as well???

[Die Judicii]

Thanks for all of your input. After asking on here, and talking to the guys down the club, and having shoots of a .223, i decided, and put a deposit on a Howa 1500 Varmint .308, custom with a Boyd Pepper Stock and 10 shot.

I factored in things like, how long i'll get use out of the rifle, a .308 will suit me for longer as I am now more into shooting targets further than originally thought, will also help accuracy over that distance, and its just an awesome looking rifle lol. From what i read on reviews/forums, all were very positive.

Nice rifle, looks great and sure you will get years of enjoyment from it. But, if you gonna hunt proper in the future you gonna need want something else

This made me LOL!!!

Thanks guys, definitely going to get a good quality cleaning kit. I live in the tropics, would you recommend one of those electronic dehumidifiers for my safe as well???

Definitely recommend a dehumidifier of some sorts, but your choice as to what sort.
A lot of people use the "crystals" that you can rejuvenate by putting in the oven.

And while your about it,,,,,,,,, get yourself a 20 gun safe.

[sandgroperbill]

Ignore the smilies, getting a 20 gun safe is good advice

[Dogga85]

hahaha. I just bought a 5 gun safe the other day, on purpose.... I need to forcibly restrict my spending over the next few years, so i'm hoping this rifle will satisfy my for a while.... Plus I don't have much room at the moment

[Norton]

I am now getting a WEATHERBY VANGUARD S2 STAINLESS SYNTHETIC .223

That's a good first choice mate.

Low recoil so you won't develop a flight. Good for punching paper, much better range than the .22lr and still cheapish to shoot.

Will let you hunt a bit more too.

Enjoy

[Dogga85]

Thanks I'm really excited. Although, I'm not really sure where to start looking when it comes to scopes :s

[Wm.Traynor]

Thanks I'm really excited. Although, I'm not really sure where to start looking when it comes to scopes :s

Choosing a scope can be a nightmare.For a bit of a read, go to "Scopes, sights and optics", half way down the forum. Find the topic, "Why Is It So??", go to page 2 and look for the post by "happyhunter" 14 Feb 2016 9:29 pm. There are responses after that too.

You might want to take it in small doses. Speaking for myself, a quick scan does not really do it.

[Rocker]

Definitely recommend a dehumidifier of some sorts, but your choice as to what sort.
A lot of people use the "crystals" that you can rejuvenate by putting in the oven.

Crystals

Whenever I get a few new ones in whatever I buy I just chuck the old out, put the new in.

Has worked for me.

[MalleeFarmer]

I bought a 1kg bag of the silicone moisture absorbing crystals have had it for over 12 months and only just dried it out for the first time

[Modena]

where do you purchase these crystals?