First gun

[Arachnodisiac]

Within two months, I will be purchasing my first gun. I've decided I want a .22 magnum, and I have been looking at different models and reading the reviews.

But, if you could share your experiences, that would be great. I want single shot, bolt action. I will want a scope, but I don't mind buying that separately. I would rather put more money into a better gun, than pay an inflated price for a gun with a crappy scope.

Any suggestions you may have will help me as I research my options. :-)

Thank you!

[6tmile]

I would think about what type of game u will be shooting. If its for varmints and big game you can't go wrong with a 243

[densa44]

My first gun was a Cooey single shot that shot very cheap .22 rim fire ammo. It had no scope and cost $15 new.

If you want a single shot (nothing wrong with that), and a good scope, that is what the old Cooey wears now, I would recommend the noble .22. It has shot and killed everything up to and including Grizzly bear. It is cheap to shoot, easy on you and the gun, you will shoot it lots and get very good at the fundamentals of shooting. You can graduate from it to just about any centre fire.

You can leave this gun to your grandchildren.

[Arachnodisiac]

Thank you!

I definitely want the magnum though...
Are any of the brands/makes of the 22. WMR that are especially awesome?

[Rocky7]

A single shot .22 Mag makes a lot of sense for a first gun.

CZ has a bolt action with a single-shot adapter for the magazine. It's a well-made rife. That way, you could go to a magazine after you have gained some experience and skill.

http://www.buy-cz-firearms.com/item/...SINGLE_SH.aspx

Might be an idea?

[Arachnodisiac]

Originally Posted by Rocky7

A single shot .22 Mag makes a lot of sense for a first gun.

Thank you! I have thought for months about it. I know some think it's silly because ammunition is more, but I love that it has a little more punch. We live in the middle of nowhere. I love wildlife, especially predators, but I also have a dog, horse and two sons. Where I live, it is possible (but not likely) to find every variety of large predator on my property. I have found wolf scat, and bears and cougars have been seen here as well.
And besides, I've had a rabid raccoon climb my leg before (and a photo to prove it!) so not all threats are large.

Anyway, once I shot the mag, I just loved how it felt in comparison. And I want single shot not only so I can learn, but so that my boys can as well. And with ammo being more, it'll just teach us even more so that every shot counts.

Originally Posted by Rocky7

CZ has a bolt action with a single-shot adapter for the magazine. It's a well-made rife. That way, you could go to a magazine after you have gained some experience and skill.

http://www.buy-cz-firearms.com/item/...SINGLE_SH.aspx

Might be an idea?

That's definitely an idea! Thank you!

Edit: Sorry mods, just realized this should have gone in the guns and ammo discussion.

[Okotokian]

I have a CZ 452 Lux in .22WMR. It's a beautiful, accurate rifle. Very Euro styled. http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-452-lux/

However, I'd give some thought to the calibre. For small game it's pretty powerful and expensive vs .22lr. It also "blows them up real good". If you wanted to eat the squirrel or rabbit you shot with this, well, you better eat it as stew. You will get much more basic target practice with a .22lr, though, admittedly, at shorter range.

You speak of having horses and other animals and also having coyotes and wolves around, as well as other predators. The .22WMR is not the optimum gun for them. Can handle a coyote (though some sould disagree as to the ethics and effectiveness), but I wouldn't use it on anything bigger. If you want to stay small, but more predator-effective, perhaps the Ruger .204 centerfire. .223 would be a nice choice and ammo readily available. But a .243 is still light and gets you into a rifle that is legal for big game.

[Rigby]

I was thinking the same okotokian. I have had the opportunity to shoot a 17hmr which in my mind is very comparable to a 22mag and could not bring myself to think I needed or wanted one when a 22lr is cheaper to shoot and will kill just as much as a 17 or a 22mag. I think a 22lr is more practical if plinking and small game is what your after and nothing better to teach the boys the fundamentals of shooting then a 22lr. And you can buy 22lr anywhere. If you plan on shooting yotes on a regular basis neither the 22lr nor the 22 mag in mind are the right choice. I would step up to a 204 or for cheap ammunition a 223. Just my thoughts!

[elkhunter11]

I love wildlife, especially predators, but I also have a dog, horse and two sons. Where I live, it is possible (but not likely) to find every variety of large predator on my property. I have found wolf scat, and bears and cougars have been seen here as well.

I for one would not want to have to depend on a 22mag to deal with bears,cougars or wolves. Even a 223 would be much better for wolves and cougars, and I would go larger yet for bears. I don't own a 22mag myself, because a 22lr is much cheaper to shoot, and a centerfire such as the 223 makes a far better varmint cartridge.

[Arachnodisiac]

I plan to buy a second, larger calibre rifle by fall – but the .22 mag will have to do me until then.

I have my heart set on the mag. :-)

[bessiedog]

Look up Garry Hackler. Lives in Cowley.
He's taught more new and young hunters than any other man in s.alberta.
Great guy.
Ex teacher.


Likes gibsons or Irish mist.

Mebe I shoulda done a pm

[purgatory.sv]

Go for the 22mag, and look at the cz455 it would be a good option.

http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/455-american/

[Arachnodisiac]

Originally Posted by bessiedog

Look up Garry Hackler. Lives in Cowley.
He's taught more new and young hunters than any other man in s.alberta.
Great guy.
Ex teacher.
Likes gibsons or Irish mist.

Mebe I shoulda done a pm

Thank you!

[thumper]

IMO - for a 1st rifle, I'd get a second-hand, entry level .22

Your boys will be thrilled - they won't know the difference between it and a much more expensive CZ, but zipping through boxes of inexpensive .22 shells will capture their enthusiasm and build their markmenship much more than rationing out more expensive ammo on a higher powered and more expensive rifle.

Use the money you save to get some family instruction, join a club or range, or to more quickly purchase a firearm more suitable for the type of hunting you envision, once you have the knowledge base to do so.

Purchasing a top-end brand-new rifle like a CZ 455 22 mag after very limited experience in various calibres, is like purchasing a Ducati for a first bike.

Also - there's a ton of guys (and more than a few women) at any gun range who would be pleased to assist a sincere woman with her boys in tow to learn shooting safety and the ins and outs of different firearms and calibres. You will be invited to try out various rifles and scopes. Although you may live where you can shoot in your own 'back 40', travelling to a local range may prove most benefitial in this regard.

Good luck - your boys are lucky to have you!

[elkhunter11]

Purchasing a top-end brand-new rifle like a CZ 455 22 mag after very limited experience in various calibres, is like purchasing a Ducati for a first bike.

You make it sound like the CZ line are top end, high priced rifles.They are actually are not top end rifles, rather, they are good quality rifles that are also reasonably priced. The CZ rimfires can be purchased for around $500, whereas the truly high end rimfires can cost $2000 or more.

As for the 22lr vs 22mag debate, there is no question that the 22lr is more affordable to shoot, and will it allow a new shooter to develop his shooting skills every bit as well as a 22mag will.

[Arachnodisiac]

So many things to consider.

I'm two months away from the purchase, so I have time. It's hard to wait though!

[Okotokian]

Originally Posted by Arachnodisiac

I plan to buy a second, larger calibre rifle by fall – but the .22 mag will have to do me until then.

I have my heart set on the mag. :-)

if a 22WMR si what it shall be, check out the CZ rifles many of us have been telling you about. Beautiful rifles, though not the cheapest you can get. Quite accurate.

I wouldn't limit myself to a single shot though. This is for you, not a young kid. You can trust yourself. If you only want one bullet available at a time, then just load one. But if 6 months from now you would like a clip, you have it in a normal bolt action repeater.

[Arachnodisiac]

Yes, that's a good point. The kids have a pellet gun too.

And for my second, a Weatherby Vanguard .270 win is what I have planned.

After that I don't know... but if I find guns to be anything like tarantulas, I will end up with way more than what most people seem to think is necessary.

[Okotokian]

Originally Posted by Arachnodisiac

After that I don't know... but if I find guns to be anything like tarantulas, I will end up with way more than what most people seem to think is necessary.

Nice self-revelation. Now you don't have to worry about fellow members dropping by for a visit!

As to your choice of second gun, everyone has their favourites, but nobody's going to tell you a Vanguard in .270 isn't a good gun for typical big game in Alberta. Nothing wrong with that choice.

[Arachnodisiac]

Originally Posted by Okotokian

Nice self-revelation. Now you don't have to worry about fellow members dropping by for a visit!

As to your choice of second gun, everyone has their favourites, but nobody's going to tell you a Vanguard in .270 isn't a good gun for typical big game in Alberta. Nothing wrong with that choice.

I'm pretty used to solitude, but there's a limit... even for me!

And I guess then, my next step is figuring out what shotgun I want. Also before fall, but I am not sure that being able to get three this year is realistic. But, I will plan nonetheless!

[Rocky7]

Originally Posted by Arachnodisiac

And I guess then, my next step is figuring out what shotgun I want. Also before fall, but I am not sure that being able to get three this year is realistic.

Haven't bought your first rimfire yet and you're already planning a rifle with a bigger hole in the end of the barrel and a shotgun.....

That's what happens when you hang around with gun people. Whatever it is, it's contagious.

[Okotokian]

Originally Posted by Rocky7

Haven't bought your first rimfire yet and you're already planning a rifle with a bigger hole in the end of the barrel and a shotgun.....

That's what happens when you hang around with gun people. Whatever it is, it's contagious.

Yes, but she's still just talking about one rimfire, one centerfire, and one shotgun. That's like taking a few puffs of MJ. Wait until she is a crack-addled addict talking about the four 30-06's she owns like some other members here!

[elkhunter11]

Yes, but she's still just talking about one rimfire, one centerfire, and one shotgun. That's like taking a few puffs of MJ. Wait until she is a crack-addled addict talking about the four 30-06's she owns like some other members here!

When you get to be a real addict, the average factory 270win or 30-06 rifles just won't cut it. The real addicts progress toward the higher end guns, often in the more unique chamberings.

[Okotokian]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

When you get to be a real addict, the average factory 270win or 30-06 rifles just won't cut it. The real addicts progress toward the higher end guns, often in the more unique chamberings.

Yes, but they don't sell the ones they started with!

[elkhunter11]

Yes, but they don't sell the ones they started with!

Many do, some particular guns may have sentimental value, but for the most part, many of us addicts have an ever changing roster of firearms. I no longer have any of the first few dozen firearms that I owned. Most get sold to fund new ones that I feel that I just have to try out. I doubt that there are many of us that have owned even a few dozen fireams that have regretted selling at least a few of them. In some cases, it isn't even a matter of the financial investment, but rather that we run out of room to store them all. I have added shelving to my lockup twice, and I have no more room to expand, so now it comes down to selling one firearm to purchase another. I am already planning a special gun storage/reloading room for my retirement home to rectify that situation.

[Arachnodisiac]

I'm pretty sure that thanks to my other hobbies, I won't catch this one as bad as some of you have it... There's only so much time, and so much money, after all.

I will try to stick to three guns. Maybe four, if I take my restricted.

[gitrdun]

Yeah! right bahahaha!

[altex]

Cz rifle are the best rifle for your money before you go to higher end.I would'nt hesitate to buy this for my first gun.


Good luck and enjoy.

[bessiedog]

Oi...... Can't stand dem tings.

They don't even make good bait ......,

Wait till August and you run into the huge cat faced spiders.......!

Gives me the willies!!

Ew!

[Redneck Renagade]

Definitely buy a savage mod 93 in 22mag they are tack drivers right out of the box and they are reasonable for price too. I bought one and I was putting 5 shots into a beer can tab at 100yrds