Looking To Buy My First Rifle...
 

Well next year as a birthday present I'm going to buy myself a rifle. I've always loved the look of rifles and I no longer care what the woman says. I've told her that either I'm buying a rifle that I'll keep by the TV, or a pistol that I'll keep under my pillow. She said the rifle is fine.

I love bolt actions - military issue stuff like Lee Enfields, Mausers, ect.

I'm looking to spend about $700, so I'm here to ask which gun would get me the most bang for my buck? I'm talking condition, ect. I don't much care how expensive or hard to find the ammo is - I only plan on using it for home defense, and occasionally going with my friends to the range.

I really haven't fired a gun in about 10 years... I mean, I've used some target pistols, but it was a long time ago since I took the Boy Scout rifle class

You really don't want to use a rifle for home defense, especially a bolt-action. They're unwieldly, slow and if you have even a .30 cal it can go through the burglar, through the wall, through the other wall and through the neighbor. Rifles are good for long-range shooting. Up close they make a handy club, but a baseball bat is better.

Proud owner of an ought-three springfield, five-shot, bolt action, built by Remington in September '42. Got it at a gun show for sixty bucks, about twenty years ago.

Bad neighborhood?

I would advise against keeping a firearm under your pillow.

Though I'm pretty sure you were not being literal.

:)

Recent string of break ins and vandalism and arson in my rather "good" area

Yeah, but, like I said, I also just love the look and feel of military issue rifles

Pistol grip 12gauge shot gun with short legal barrel is the ticket if it's legal in your state. :yep:

I keep it barrel pointed down within reach of my side of bed. :yep:

@ Anthony,
no matter what rifle you go for in the end, just remember: You have a rifle? Learn to shoot with it!
Train with it day in, day out, get to know it, inside and out.
But before that, take some gun safety courses.
Learn how to shoot, how to handle a gun and proper posture etc.
Learn to shoot with open sights.

Gun sounds like a hobby to you. If that is your aim instead of self/home defense practicality then go ahead get a rifle.

I'm a fan of SVD Dragunov myself but I simply can't afford any gun or rifle. I prefer marksman sniping rifle or sniper rifle than assault rifle. More fun in the range as the first requires more skill somewhat.

Google could be useful. Don't forget easy and cheap maintenance(including ammo) or durability/wear resistance like barrel wear before getting them as well as comfort level and feel while shooting. Rifle is a pretty costly hobby and requires committed dedication to maintain them(strip and clean and oil).

For rifle the optics alone could set you back more than 400 bucks. A pistol on the other hand is a much cheaper hobby.

If I were you I'd get both a pistol(handgun) and a rifle. A pistol could be turned into a hobby too(fast reaction shooting) and it's more practical.

Or if your neighbourhood is really going to the dogs... Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you webcam/internet linked shotguns.

http://chronicle.augusta.com/sites/d...20shotguns.jpg

Source http://chronicle.augusta.com/content...inked-web-cams :o

This. ...or get a rotweiler.

Or move to a more friendly country...

No. Just no.

...such as?

For 700 us dollars you could pick up seven Mosins, one for each room, though as others have said, a rifle for home defense is a bad idea.