Thinking about buying a gun...

[Nara]

She analyzed the gun so curiously.. lol

[FNH]

The simple answer is a decent bolt action .30-06, like a Winchester Model 70 or a Remington 700.


The more precise answer is that "higher caliber" doesn't necessarily mean as much in rifles. The longest range, most powerful ones are, obviously, going to be the big .50 cals.

I'll add to the 30-06 fan club, one of the most versatile caliber and cheap. Long range varies in definition, imo that'd be 1000 meters. .223 can be pushed to 600-800 meters, .308 is used by most (it's 30-06 without the wasted space in the case)can be pushed quite a way, 300 win mag, 7mm mag, 8mm mauser, .338 win or lapua mag are all used for long distance. I'd avoid remington 700's in new production their quality control has gone down hill. Savage arms makes a very nice rifle, a lot easier to replace the barrel with another barrel if you have the proper vise and headspace gauges.

[BIGSTIC]

I have never owned a 30-06. Probably never will either. Dont ask me why just have never found one I like. Most my hunting is done with a .270 and all my other guns are more toys for the range. A .223 out to 600yrds is a good shooter. Think the best I did was 5 shots on a 10" circle at 500 with iron sights. I have heard of guys hand loading for 1000 with a .223 but even the lightest wind has got to make that shot impossible.

For my 30th B-day(ok its a week away but soon enough) My dad put my name on the waiting list at Shilo Sharps for a new toy. Minimum 2 year wait for one of the greats to add to my collection. And if you dont know what Shilo Sharps is, remember the gun from Quigly Down Under? Yeah thats a Shilo Sharps.

[Amastacia]

The simple answer is a decent bolt action .30-06, like a Winchester Model 70 or a Remington 700.


The more precise answer is that "higher caliber" doesn't necessarily mean as much in rifles. The longest range, most powerful ones are, obviously, going to be the big .50 cals.

However, at a distance of, say, 600 yards, which is a damn long ways for most people, the accuracy difference is notable. As an example, one of my friends who's been doing this stuff his whole life, does a lot of competition shooting. In varied target contest shooting, with his .50 or even his .30-06, he'll likely hit 25ish gallon jug sized targets out of 40 at 600-800 yards. With his custom .22-284, he'll hit closer to 30-35 fairly consistently. On the other hand, if there's wind, this can change rather easily, same with significant elevation changes.

On single area testing he'll group within about 1-1.25 inches with the big guns, with the .22-284 he'll group within about an eighth inch.

And it's still capable of similar power and distance, and yet remains illegal for a lot of hunting because it's still "technically" a 22 caliber rifle, even though it's basically like the difference between the 3rd/4th ones here and the 8th/9th ones to compare the 2. (I can't find any good pictures of the actual round because they're not very common)


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Spoiler: show

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...e_Sample_2.jpg

The second round from the left is absolute money for target shooting, plinking, and small game hunting.

.17HMR. Learn it, love it.

With a decent rifle, it might as well be a laser out to about 100yds, and extremely accurate out to at least 300yds.

I have a relatively inexpensive Savage .17HMR rifle that, when properly sighted in, is dead level at 100 yds, less than half an inch high at 50 yds, and doesn't have an inch of drop until close to 200 yds.

If you want to shoot out past that accurately, as has been mentioned .30-06 is money. With decent weapons and due care, 5.56 NATO and .223 Remington (similar, but not identical) are also very accurate rounds.

[Dolmen]

http://www.sigsauer.com/upFiles/cata...R-detail-L.jpg

That was my first gun, and I know a lot of other people that use them as their first as well. They're nice and easy to shoot, so you can really learn how to use your gun. You can shoot them dirty, but still make sure to keep your gun in excellent condition. As others have said, take the intro course and learn to use the gun.

[Marcin]

http://www.sigsauer.com/upFiles/cata...R-detail-L.jpg

That was my first gun, and I know a lot of other people that use them as their first as well. They're nice and easy to shoot, so you can really learn how to use your gun. You can shoot them dirty, but still make sure to keep your gun in excellent condition. As others have said, take the intro course and learn to use the gun.

I can't recommend the p226 enough.

[archibaldcrane]

I'm...a little surprised at the lack of love for revolvers in this thread. I haven't shot a ton of handguns in my life, but I'm always more accurate and have more fun shooting a .357 magnum or .38 special than shooting pistols. I think it's a combination of the added weight helping keep me steady, and the often larger grips on revolvers - I have large hands for most pistols.

[Kerberoz]

^ was just about to ask why more people aren't recommending revolvers. 6 shots is more than enough for personal defense, high stopping power, high accuracy, impossible to jam. If I was to buy a gun it'd probably be a .357 or .44 magnum revolver.

[FNH]

^ was just about to ask why more people aren't recommending revolvers. 6 shots is more than enough for personal defense, high stopping power, high accuracy, impossible to jam. If I was to buy a gun it'd probably be a .357 or .44 magnum revolver.

I pocket carry a snubby .357, I like it but there are few that are as easy to carry as an auto. I wouldn't go with a .44 for anything other than hunting. And no, a revolver is still a mechanical device that has a possibility to malfunction, cylinders bind by a number of issues, not as common as a stovepipe but can happen.

[Kiro]

So if I wanted to learn how to handle/fire a gun where would I start to look? Can I just go in the yellow pages and look for "Shooting Range" or some shit?

Edit: Would I have to bring my own gun and ammo? Or do they have rentals and shiit. >_>

[antihero]

just go to a range, they have a ton of guns you can rent and ammo you can buy

[archibaldcrane]

just go to a range, they have a ton of guns you can rent and ammo you can buy

The range here will give you an "on the spot" quick safety course/training.

However, you can't go there alone and rent a gun. They don't want to risk people renting a gun and then committing suicide with it. You can go alone if you own your own gun, otherwise you have to be with someone else to rent.

Call the range closest to you for details though, tell them you don't have experience and ask what they recommend. Just don't be shy, and ask whatever questions you have.

@Kiro - this should get you started: http://tinyurl.com/ca7hjx

[Dolmen]

Has anyone here applied for the Curios & Relics List license? I believe that's the license with the ATF that allows you to buy ammo online, have a large collection, etc... I'm about to apply for a concealed carry license, and I'd like the C&R to buy bulk ammo.

[FNH]

Has anyone here applied for the Curios & Relics List license? I believe that's the license with the ATF that allows you to buy ammo online, have a large collection, etc... I'm about to apply for a concealed carry license, and I'd like the C&R to buy bulk ammo.

A C&R allows you to buy weapons from dealers that are classified as C&R(usually war weapons and the like) and allows you to get them sent directly to your home, bypassing the need to go through a 3rd party, except for guns like recent production that would need a 01 ffl. You can buy ammo online(some states won't let you) with just a driver's license, also there aren't any restrictions to how large a collection yo can have.