Looking for a target rifle... unfortunately I'm stuck in CA

[jdoggg12]

I'm wanting to step up to a new target rifle. I've put about 5k rounds through my remington 10/22 and am accurate to about 4" at 100 yards using the iron sights. I love my little pea shooter bum I'm looking for something more exciting to shoot.

I'm stuck between a few different guns. I love the look/feel of the AR-15 but with the CA rules I'm wondering if it's worth it to buy an AR type rifle. I was also looking at the M1A, I hear nothing but good things about those.

Do any of you know good places to browse inventory of CA gun shops? If not, then how about shops with huge inventories in the central coast area of CA?

Thanks in advance!

Oh, here a pic of three 10-round groupings @ about 50 yards using the iron sights with the 10/22. It's a great gun for anyone wanting to get into shooting or to just have a good gun for cheap target plinking. 🙂

 

[Kelvrick]

Ermm, its a ruger 10/22 or remington 597 (if you're talking semi-auto budget 22)

What is your budget? Do you only plan on bench shooting? How far are you willing to go in search of accuracy? What is your budget for continued shooting? Match ammo is ~$1.50 per shot for 308 about ~$1 for 223. Prices for AR parts are high and availability at high prices are scarce right now. M1A isn't exactly what people think of when they think of precision shooting. You'd probably be better served with a bolt action rifle.

A few months ago I went out and bought a remington 700 sps tactical (20" barrel 308 for 550) and an upgraded bell & carlson stock ($200). Got my hands on a preproduction falcon 5-25x56 scope (400), some accessories like bipod, sling, rear bag, rings, base (~350) and a case of 175 grain 308 match ammunition (550). Ended up getting offered a killer deal on a savage 10fp (24" 308 with upgraded stock for $450) and just moved all the accessories over and sold the remington + upgraded stock.

I started with a Savage FV bolt action 22 (250), a scope (falcon 4-14x44 $400), base and rings (100) and an upgraded stock (150) and told myself I'd get a 308 once I could get under 1" groups at 100. Used wolf match ammo (like 7 bucks for 50). The rifle is capable of 200 and 300 yards under 500 inches. I'd suggest you start with a 22 unless you feel like throwing dollars down range with each pull of the trigger.

You can probably get started with everything you need to hit the range with a 22 and a 10x fixed scope for under $700 and a couple bricks of match ammo.

With a 308, at least a grand to start without ammo.

EDIT: Head on over to sites like www.snipershide.com or www.snipercentral.com and start reading.

 

[DrPizza]

Given that you've put 5000 shots through it, I'd imagine you enjoy shooting it as much as enjoy seeing nice tight groups. If you're not planning on heading to competitions, I personally would just stick with the 22's. Ammo is so dirt cheap that you can go out and shoot a few hundred rounds on a Saturday afternoon and realize it was only the cost of half a case of beer, not the cost to get a fraternity drunk.

I'm not sure if you've ever tried this - I hunt, I have a couple 12 gauges, 410, 20 gauge, 22, and 3 or 4 bows, (and another gun that I'm not thinking of at the moment.) I've shot thousands of rounds, as have my kids. But last year, at a friend's camp, I think we had more fun competing with each other than with any of the other guns: a .177 pellet gun (long barrel). I'm amazed at how accurate those things are these days. At about 35 yards, we were grouping them about the same.. maybe a little tighter than your picture you posted. AND, they're cheap - cheaper gun, cheaper ammo. For under a little more than $100, you can get a good quality pellet gun and add on a cheap but decent scope. I'd have already purchased one, but can't remember what model my friend had. We all loved it. All I recall is 1000 fps.