First rifle

Question
QUESTION: Hey Paul,
I have a question that you probably get a lot. What should my first rifle be?
I'll give you some background on my situation:
I am not new to shooting. I go to the rifle range every other week for 2 hrs to target shoot with my venture crew. I have relatives who own firearms and have storage space for my gun.
I have shot a variety of weapons from a glock 9mm to a muzzle loader (the brand escapes my memory.
Basically I am looking for a rifle that I can do a bit of small game hunting with and use it for a target-ish rifle.Preferably clip/magazine fed. For the size/caliber; is it better to go with the .22 rather than a .243 or something similar? I want a bit of kick, but if the ammo is too hard to find or too expensive, I'll stick with 22 rimfire.
Thanks for all your help!

ANSWER: Hi,
.22 Long rifle is substantially cheaper than any centerfire rifle.
100 round of .22 LR cost about $10 compared with $15 to $20 for centerfire rifle ammo.
It really depends on what you want to hunt and where. For example in heavily wooded area
you might get a rabbit at 35 to 50 yards with a rimfire rifle. If you on the great plains distances would be far longer.
Game size should dictate the proper caliber.
Were you thinking formal match type shooting or more plinking/informal target shooting?


Reply via follow up.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the quick response!!!
well, I live in an area in pennsylvania where there is a city, but if you drive for 10 mins you can find yourself in the middle of the woods. The density of the forest varies from really dense to thin and thickety.
Anyway, my uncle said he would be able to take me to different places to hunt small game.
I would probably hunt squirrel, rabbit, groundhog,etc.
basically varmint shooting.
And for the target shooting. Informal. I just want to plink around and test myself.
Please give suggestions on both rimfire and centerfire rifles. Although the price difference is a couple dollars, I can handle it. I just want to see the spectrum of options, then I'll narrow it down.
Thanks again!


Answer
Hi,
In terms of a .22 RF, its hard to beat Marlin as to value.
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/

Moving a little more expensive is
http://savagearms.com/firearms/allfirearms/

It want a higher end rifle
http://www.ruger.com/products/rotaryMagazine7722/index.html

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I terms of a Center fire Rifle
The keep the cost somewhat in hand get .223 Remington .308 Winchester or 30-06 Springfield.
Why? there relativily cheap surplus ammo out there at times.

Mossberg ATR is the best value.
http://www.mossberg.com/

If you want to spend a little more
Remington 700
http://www.remington.com/
Ruger 77
http://www.ruger.com/products/m77HawkeyeStandard/models.html
Savage Hunter series
http://savagearms.com/