Newbie from Salt Lake City, UT

[Sangbae]

Hello all, I'm Paul. I'm brand new to shooting guns. I started with a target pistol 22lr a few months ago and have been loving it. I'm very excited to start using rifles, specifically LR shooting. I'm a trucker and I listen to a lot of podcasts and shows on rifles and thought I need to stop listening and jump in and start shooting.

I'm literally brand new, I've got to watch youtube videos on how to clean my pistol, etc. But I want to thank snipers hide for this great forum and the wealth of information it has and the great members that contribute. I'm currently researching what 22lr rifle and scope I want to buy and this forum has been great. My plan is to learn on the 22lr for a year or more and move up to a different cartridge down the line. Reason why I'm starting with a 22lr is I need to learn the basics and fundamentals, its cheap, and I got a dead air mask suppressor that should be coming in maybe 4-5 months from now.

So far I'm considering just buying cheap, but in all things I do I usually buy quality and more expensive. So right now I'm deciding on buying and crying once, for example an anschutz and vuduu. Or just buying something like a cz 455 or kidd 10/22. Also, I'm doing research on scopes, whether to buy midrange scopes or just one tier one scope that i can learn with and move to my next rifle.

If anyone could give their advice on their experiences when starting out and the best way to go, it would be much appreciated.

Cheers, Paul

 

[paparockcal]

The CZ 455 is good. At 68 years old I have one so I guess I am still a kid at heart. Buy good glass because of its repeatability and it will last you. Check out some of the .22LR ammo sites that rate ammo buy a couple of boxes of each to try to find which your rifle likes best. What mine may shoot like a house a fire might not even group in yours. Guns are like people in that each has their own personality and what one loves the next may hate. Take your time to find out what yours prefers. Learn the FUNDAMENTALS and PRACTICE!!! Have someone else knowledgeable watch you shoot and coach you will help you advance more rapidly even video you shooting. When I was a teenager I would shoot a minimum of 50 to 100 rounds a day and that is slow concentrated fire for accuracy. It was own my own dime as I had to work to buy my own ammo. It is up to you how far you want to go. How much are you willing to do and give up to excel while others want to go play at other things? If there are shooting clubs and organizations like in Jr. ROTC join them. I don't know how old you are but there are those willing to teach you if you are willing to put in the effort to learn.

 

[Sangbae]

The CZ 455 is good. At 68 years old I have one so I guess I am still a kid at heart... put in the effort to learn.

Thanks for the advice. I'd love to get out practice a lot more, however I'm a trucker and I'm only home on the weekends. I do plan on checking out some local clubs. I think some of the clubs also run the NRL22 matches, which i'm looking forward to joining. I also hope to make some friends in the clubs because I don't have many personal friends that like guns.

 

[Wildfire1550]

There are a thing n of great options for .22, I would suggest checking out rim fire central. Great 22 site

 

[Huskydriver]

Hi Paul,

Also in the slc valley here. There are plenty of budget options out there that will suit you well to getting into the long range game for a long time. Let me know if I can help answer any of your questions.