First post....new gun...which one?

[faisal629]

Hey Huys, I just joined after doing a google search, here is some info on my self, I have had a FOID card since 18, i have been to a rance couple times, I really enjoy shooting, the largest cal I shot was a 45 i believe. I'm turning 21 on the 29TH

! I was looking into buying a 9mm sniper rifle (if there is such a gun?),semi-auto, I heard 9mm ammo is cheap and im not looking into nothing fancy yet. I know nothing about guns or caliber so please bear with me lol. I want something that looks nice and fires even nicer. I am on a budget but will consider everything.
Thanks!
PS:not interested in a handgun since i CCL is not an option where i live.

 

[Topstrap]

Re: First post....new gun...which one?

Good post from RedDevil. Do a lot of reading and find the local ranges near you and visit them. Most everyone will be happy to talk to you and show you many different guns. If you're just getting started a nice 22 rimfire would be a great gun to start with. Cheap to shoot and you'd learn a lot shooting it and learning elevation and wind settings.

If you think 22s are for sissies (which they aren't) something like a Stevens/Savage in 223 would be great. You can upgrade later and they are pretty cheap to shoot. Lots of info on this site along with many others but you'll learn as you go to sort thru the BS. You don't need to spend a lot to shoot well but you do need decent equipment and not eye candy guns that can't hit a barn from inside.

Good luck, let us know where you are from and you might get an invite to tag along to a range with some members from here.

Topstrap

 

[RugerSlinger]

Re: First post....new gun...which one?

Where are you located? I am guessing by your post MA?

 

[Equitum]

Re: First post....new gun...which one?

If you're really stuck on looking for a semi-auto precision-style rifle, I'd recommend the AR platform - AR-15 for the lighter calibers or the AR-10 for the larger ones.

That said, I would recommend you start with a bolt-action .22LR or .308. Starting with a .22LR lets you put lots of lead downrange for practically no cost and drill in all of the basics. I'd look at the shooting basics FAQ stickied at the top of this forum, even if you think you know all the basics. It can't hurt, and you might learn something.

If you're really against the .22LR for some reason, get a .308. There's more factory ammo for the .308 than any other caliber, and tons of high quality stuff if you know what you're going to use it for. To just punch holes in paper at first, use Federal Premium Gold Medal Match. It's pretty much the standard "match-style" ammunition that lots of people have great results with.

You can also get .308 in the AR-10 or even AR-15 platforms, but if you're going the way of the AR, get a 5.56/.223 instead. The ammo is about half as expensive. 5.56/.223 won't get you downrange as far as the .308 (400-500 yards compared to 800 yards, according to the US Army's max effective range parameters for those rounds), but it will still do the job very well.

Besides the shooting basics FAQ, you should also look at the Caliber Choices- Comparison and Applications sticky. It might seem a little overwhelming at first, but there's a lot of great information there.

Keep us updated on your thought process!

 

[JoshcBoucher]

Re: First post....new gun...which one?

Welcome to shooting. Read your post, twice. If ya "have" to buy a gun, now, Start with a Ruger 10/22 long rifle. Put a scope on it. Fun, and cheap to shoot. Get a heavy barrel, and it'll be accurate. Bout $250-400 You can shoot all day, for $25. Next move up, would be a Stag 223 semi AR, heavy barrel Model 6. I just got one, and it's a good shooter. Bout a grand, for the gun. I also own a Remington 700, 308 5R. It's a "big boys" gun. Accurate, and fairly cheap to shoot.Costs about a thousand $, to 11 hundred, without a scope. The 308 could keep ya happy, for a "good, long while.". Get one of the 'others", mentioned, and you'll want to move up to a bigger caliber,, in the future. Although, I must say: After 45 yrs. of shooting, I still like to shoot the .22s.Good Luck! You already got some good advice , from Topstrap, and the others, here. Keep reading.

 

[Triple D]

Re: First post....new gun...which one?

10/22 or a cheap bolt 223. If you have to use an indoor range, I'd go with the .22 as many indoor ranges don't allow high velocity/energy rounds. I doubt anything could be more frustrating than owning a gun with no place to shoot.

Read as much as possible. Worry about a "sniper" rifle after you've established good form, technique and range safety.

 

[Ultraman550]

Re: First post....new gun...which one?

you could also get an AR-15 with the .22 conversion kit (Stag Arms comes to mind) and start with the .22. When your skills develop use it for the .223.