Ok so before I start, yes I am going green at the end of the week (currently dealing with some bs on paypal, should be cleared up by the end of the week), and yes I have done tons of research, watched videos, used search. But I am just looking for some opinions/options I may be overlooking. I was going to post in the firearms thread but I thought it wasn't too specific to any one, or few firearms so I am posting here, if a mod thinks it should be moved, go ahead.
OK, so I own a mossberg 500 and its good fun for the back yard, ect. BUT most ranges don't allow shotguns, and I have always been a precision shooter with my pellet rifles and really enjoy shooting my friends .22 magnum rifle. So I am looking for something that is good for med-long range target shooting. Yes I am aware that there are thousands of 22 rifles that would be perfect for this, but my concern is that I have been to every gun store within 45 mins of where I live and not a single one has 22 LR available and if I am going to throw money at something, I want to be able to use it. Which is why I went for the 12G in the first place. Cheap, widely available ammo and fun to shoot.
So this brings me to the reason I am posting this right now. I really like a lot of 308 rifles, but they can be pretty pricey. I would prefer semi-auto, as I have just never been a big fan of bolt action. I do like the Remington 700, but the bolt action is really the deal breaker for me. I really like guns with nice wood furniture, like the m1a and a lot of sks variants. However these run a bit higher than I am looking to spend, though maybe one day, or if I hold out for another year, I may be able to pick one up.
My current budget is around $700, though anything cheaper is always a plus! I have looked around a lot of shops in NH but I haven't really fallen in love with anything, and I am open to any caliber, as long as it is pretty available, and doesn't cost a fortune. Also, recoil isn't really a concern, I own a 12g and I do ok with high brass slugs.
So TLDR:
non 22 rifle that is good for target shooting
$700 budget
Looks/feels like m1a, sks, ruger 1022 style
Caliber not too important, just not 22lr
Semi-auto
So let me have your opinions/loves/distastes
Also I dont expect to walk into a store looking for a specific gun, but I could use some help narrowing it down/could use a direction/ideas. All the descent budget rifles tend to be 22LR
OK, so I own a mossberg 500 and its good fun for the back yard, ect. BUT most ranges don't allow shotguns, and I have always been a precision shooter with my pellet rifles and really enjoy shooting my friends .22 magnum rifle. So I am looking for something that is good for med-long range target shooting. Yes I am aware that there are thousands of 22 rifles that would be perfect for this, but my concern is that I have been to every gun store within 45 mins of where I live and not a single one has 22 LR available and if I am going to throw money at something, I want to be able to use it. Which is why I went for the 12G in the first place. Cheap, widely available ammo and fun to shoot.
So this brings me to the reason I am posting this right now. I really like a lot of 308 rifles, but they can be pretty pricey. I would prefer semi-auto, as I have just never been a big fan of bolt action. I do like the Remington 700, but the bolt action is really the deal breaker for me. I really like guns with nice wood furniture, like the m1a and a lot of sks variants. However these run a bit higher than I am looking to spend, though maybe one day, or if I hold out for another year, I may be able to pick one up.
My current budget is around $700, though anything cheaper is always a plus! I have looked around a lot of shops in NH but I haven't really fallen in love with anything, and I am open to any caliber, as long as it is pretty available, and doesn't cost a fortune. Also, recoil isn't really a concern, I own a 12g and I do ok with high brass slugs.
So TLDR:
non 22 rifle that is good for target shooting
$700 budget
Looks/feels like m1a, sks, ruger 1022 style
Caliber not too important, just not 22lr
Semi-auto
So let me have your opinions/loves/distastes
Also I dont expect to walk into a store looking for a specific gun, but I could use some help narrowing it down/could use a direction/ideas. All the descent budget rifles tend to be 22LR
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