StarDestroyer.Net BBS

I've been thinking about acquiring my first rifle, and I need some suggestions.

Of course, I've been thinking .22lr.. but also the (much) larger rifles like the Swedish 6.5. I've of course handled them all and I think .22's are great for practicing aim (especially on small moving targets), but I thoroughly enjoy the feel on the larger rifles when you work the bolts. But I also have to think which is more practical for smuggling into my apartment that is next door to a police station which is on my campus

Most campuses offer a gun storage at the campus police or at the city police.

But, on to the good stuff.

.22 is an excellent starter gun if you are just starting out into the shooting sports. I would recommend a bolt action to start out on, as it can help develop skill and patience. If you only have one shot at a time, you are less likely to just keep pulling the trigger into the general direction of a target.

If you are wanting to have a rifle for smaller big game hunting, then the 6.5x55 Swedish is perfect. I myself owned one, and it was my first high power rifle. A little customized job done by my gunsmith father of a Mauser M1896. Took the barrel down a bit, turned down the bold handle, drilled and tapped for a scope, fiberglass stock, etc.

If you want a nice varmint or target rifle, then the .223 Rem (5.56 NATO) is a great rifle. They can be bought in Single shot (Ruger No. 1), Bolt Action (most any major manufacturer offers a number of .223 bolt actions), or semi auto (AR-15, great target and varmint rifle, but not really a beginner's gun).

If you are an experienced shooter already, and want to get into larger big game hunting (Boar, Elk, etc.), I would go with a .30-06, or one of the many 7mm Mags.

If you plan on doing any dangerous game hunting (Black Bear), then I would not recommend anything below .45-70. Something that will take about anything down. And DEFINTELY don't even TRY dangerous game hunting unless you know what you are doing.

But, for an overall starter rifle, stick with a small caliber, nothing much greater than 6.5 Swedish or .243. If you plan on doing any big game hunting, most states have caliber limits at .23 caliber (I think... check your local game laws). A nice choice these days for a target rifle would be the .17 Hornady Rimfire. These are going to be your higher end rifles, and it is a new cartridge that is all the rage in the varmint hunting and target shooting circles.

P.S.:
If you need any more help concerning firearms, I will be glad to help. I will either know it, know someone who does know it, or have a book that can tell you.

And don't keep your firearms in your dormitory, that is just asking for someone to either steal it, or a dorm inspection take place and they will be found. And you will be in DEEP crap then. Your local police station should offer free gun storage.

And be sure that you have proper training to use your firearm. If you haven't already, go through a state game and fish department hunter safety program. They give more than hunter safety, they center mainly around firearm safety, and you can learn alot about gun care that way.

A Luger 561. Now if I knew what I was talking about that would be better advice.

If you are wanting to have a rifle for smaller big game hunting, then the 6.5x55 Swedish is perfect. I myself owned one, and it was my first high power rifle. A little customized job done by my gunsmith father of a Mauser M1896. Took the barrel down a bit, turned down the bold handle, drilled and tapped for a scope, fiberglass stock, etc.

Yes, I absolutely loved the 6.5 when I was playing around with it, it had a modified sight and the accuracy was absolutely delicious. Even though I know how to handle them, I just don't want people to think it's presumptuous of a somewhat novice to have such a big gun.

No, I don't think my school has a gun locker.. it's a Univeristy of California school, damn liberal hippies.. LOL. But no, I'm living in private apartments right off of campus so it's more of the bitch who's my manager I'm more scared of.

Trytostaydead wrote:

If you are wanting to have a rifle for smaller big game hunting, then the 6.5x55 Swedish is perfect. I myself owned one, and it was my first high power rifle. A little customized job done by my gunsmith father of a Mauser M1896. Took the barrel down a bit, turned down the bold handle, drilled and tapped for a scope, fiberglass stock, etc.

Yes, I absolutely loved the 6.5 when I was playing around with it, it had a modified sight and the accuracy was absolutely delicious. Even though I know how to handle them, I just don't want people to think it's presumptuous of a somewhat novice to have such a big gun.

No, I don't think my school has a gun locker.. it's a Univeristy of California school, damn liberal hippies.. LOL. But no, I'm living in private apartments right off of campus so it's more of the bitch who's my manager I'm more scared of.

Ah, private apts. Well, shouldn't be as big of a deal, then.

But the 6.5 is a nice starter out HP rifle. I got mine when i was, what, 11 or 12. It has light recoil (comparitively, anyways), and has an incredibly flat trajectory. But alot of it depends on the gun you get.

As I said, I have an old Swedish Military surplus from the Carl Gustav Armory, one of the most respected and quality armorers in Europe, sort of along the lines of the Springfield Armory (when it was gov't owned, anyways) in the US.

Ammunition is relatively cheap, bout .50 cents a round on the low end, but as high as a buck a round if you get some of the really good ammo.

But, if you just want a plinker, something you can take down to the range and shoot fifty rounds and go home, definitely go with the .22. If you want to get into serious target shooting, well, small bore target shooting isn't really my field of choice (I could tell you alot about Trap and high power, but I really don't know that much about small bore and rimfire target shooting).

One of the most fun things I have done in my long time of shooting is Trap and Skeet. Man, it is just GREAT.

Ah, private apts. Well, shouldn't be as big of a deal, then.

But right across the street from the campus police, lol. Anyways, you had it since 11 or 12? Good lord, that thing is big! Maybe because I'm Asian.. but still, it's a big gun! But yes, I see the 6.5's on sale for $250 on average. Though ammunition does seem rather costly.

Trytostaydead wrote:

Ah, private apts. Well, shouldn't be as big of a deal, then.

But right across the street from the campus police, lol. Anyways, you had it since 11 or 12? Good lord, that thing is big! Maybe because I'm Asian.. but still, it's a big gun! But yes, I see the 6.5's on sale for $250 on average. Though ammunition does seem rather costly.

I basically agree with everything NF_Utvol has said. On ammunition, I've found in many cases you can get it cheeper by mail then you can at your local gunshop. Though you also need to be careful, if your buy a batch out of a magazine, make sure you know what country it came from. Some countries make shitty ammo as a rule, like Pakistan.

Trytostaydead wrote:

Ah, private apts. Well, shouldn't be as big of a deal, then.

But right across the street from the campus police, lol. Anyways, you had it since 11 or 12? Good lord, that thing is big! Maybe because I'm Asian.. but still, it's a big gun! But yes, I see the 6.5's on sale for $250 on average. Though ammunition does seem rather costly.

It's none of the campus police's business if you have a rifle. Now, your landlord might be concerned, but that is another issue.

Sea Skimmer wrote:

Trytostaydead wrote:

Ah, private apts. Well, shouldn't be as big of a deal, then.

But right across the street from the campus police, lol. Anyways, you had it since 11 or 12? Good lord, that thing is big! Maybe because I'm Asian.. but still, it's a big gun! But yes, I see the 6.5's on sale for $250 on average. Though ammunition does seem rather costly.

I basically agree with everything NF_Utvol has said. On ammunition, I've found in many cases you can get it cheeper by mail then you can at your local gunshop. Though you also need to be careful, if your buy a batch out of a magazine, make sure you know what country it came from. Some countries make shitty ammo as a rule, like Pakistan.

There is a place out of Georgia called Georgia Arms that usually has some good prices on ammuntion. Go buy a Shotgun News or other gun and gun parts trading classifieds paper/magazine and look through it.

And yeah, you gotta be careful where you get your ammo. It is easy to get 30 year old crap from these little countries like Pakistan or in Eastern Europe.

the market is flooded with cheap British .303 Enfields right now, you can get a halfway decent one for less than $100. quite a kick though.

Nah, .303 has less of a kick than the 6.5 Swedish, depending on the rifle.

You can get a cheap mauser for <125 bucks, usually an old Chilean or Yugoslavian rifle.

Of course, a Swede is going to set you back a bit more though.

NF_Utvol wrote:Nah, .303 has less of a kick than the 6.5 Swedish, depending on the rifle.

You can get a cheap mauser for <125 bucks, usually an old Chilean or Yugoslavian rifle.

Of course, a Swede is going to set you back a bit more though.

my shoulder was sore for a week after a few dozen rounds. although that was nothing compared to my buddy's M-1 Garrand. .30-06...to think guys ran around while shooting nazi's with those things is amazing...damn thing nearly flew out of my hands firing in the prone pos.

Trytostaydead wrote:I've been thinking about acquiring my first rifle, and I need some suggestions.

Of course, I've been thinking .22lr.. but also the (much) larger rifles like the Swedish 6.5. I've of course handled them all and I think .22's are great for practicing aim (especially on small moving targets), but I thoroughly enjoy the feel on the larger rifles when you work the bolts. But I also have to think which is more practical for smuggling into my apartment that is next door to a police station which is on my campus

Most campuses don't allow guns. Is the police station on campus or the apartment?

I'd recommend a bolt action .22 for a first rifle for pretty much anyone. Maybe a .22 magnum if you've had experience shooting before with heavier weapons and want a touch more power and recoil; again, bolt-action.

Col. Crackpot wrote:

NF_Utvol wrote:Nah, .303 has less of a kick than the 6.5 Swedish, depending on the rifle.

You can get a cheap mauser for <125 bucks, usually an old Chilean or Yugoslavian rifle.

Of course, a Swede is going to set you back a bit more though.

my shoulder was sore for a week after a few dozen rounds. although that was nothing compared to my buddy's M-1 Garrand. .30-06...to think guys ran around while shooting nazi's with those things is amazing...damn thing nearly flew out of my hands firing in the prone pos.

A Garand has LESS recoil than a bolt action (although more than a .303 Enfield). It uses some of the pressure created by the round to that is bled off farther down the barrel to cycle the bolt and chamber the next round. The gas operating system 'absorbs' some of the recoil.

You ought to try shooting some .30-06 rounds through my Winchester Model 70 (Pre-64 Model) bolt action. Nice steel butt plate. THAT kicks when shooting heavy loads.

BTW, you get used to it, trust me.

Try shooting 2 or 3 25rd boxes of 12 gauge shotgun shells in a single bird hunt.

NF_Utvol wrote:

Col. Crackpot wrote:

NF_Utvol wrote:Nah, .303 has less of a kick than the 6.5 Swedish, depending on the rifle.

You can get a cheap mauser for <125 bucks, usually an old Chilean or Yugoslavian rifle.

Of course, a Swede is going to set you back a bit more though.

my shoulder was sore for a week after a few dozen rounds. although that was nothing compared to my buddy's M-1 Garrand. .30-06...to think guys ran around while shooting nazi's with those things is amazing...damn thing nearly flew out of my hands firing in the prone pos.

A Garand has LESS recoil than a bolt action (although more than a .303 Enfield). It uses some of the pressure created by the round to that is bled off farther down the barrel to cycle the bolt and chamber the next round. The gas operating system 'absorbs' some of the recoil.

You ought to try shooting some .30-06 rounds through my Winchester Model 70 (Pre-64 Model) bolt action. Nice steel butt plate. THAT kicks when shooting heavy loads.

BTW, you get used to it, trust me.

Try shooting 2 or 3 25rd boxes of 12 gauge shotgun shells in a single bird hunt.

oh, i will get used to it. this is relatively new to me. shitload of fun too!

Heck yeah! Anyone who says target shooting isn't fun has something wrong in the head.

It is just something about punching a precision hole in a sheet of paper at 300 yards that is great.

get a heckler & koch G 36 and support our economy.

And of course, the old canard of what you want the gun for... target plinking pretty much calls for a .22, cheap and common. Hunting will require other types of weapons, depending on what to hunt, but that doesn't seem to be the case here.

And no, it is none of the campus police business if you have a gun, actually, it isn't anyone's damn business but I too once lived in the People's Republic of California (the only state in the union with a red star and a bear on its flag... hmmm..) and some people seem to feel thay have an obligation to flip you shit if you own icky old guns.

What should you get?

A real fucking hobby.

salm wrote:get a heckler & koch G 36 and support our economy.

To heavy and not accurate enought compared to the good old Mauser.

Used to target shoot with a mauser, with diopter sights I regulary got around 250-280 points of 300 at the 300m range.

weemadando wrote:What should you get?

A real fucking hobby.

Like putting down rabid anti gun morons to save animal control time?

weemadando wrote:What should you get?

A real fucking hobby.

WTF?

Last time I checked, gun collecting and shooting was a pretty good hobby.

Sea Skimmer wrote:

weemadando wrote:What should you get?

A real fucking hobby.

Like putting down rabid anti gun morons to save animal control time?

And the Great Leader of the HAB comes in from behind and LAYS THE SMACKDOWN.

Faram wrote:

salm wrote:get a heckler & koch G 36 and support our economy.

To heavy and not accurate enought compared to the good old Mauser.

Used to target shoot with a mauser, with diopter sights I regulary got around 250-280 points of 300 at the 300m range.

noooo, look at the mauser homepage. it sucks!

http://www.mauserwaffen.de

weemadando wrote:What should you get?

A real fucking hobby.

I think that's enough pics...