Starting over from scratch...any suggestions?

[briannmilewis]

OK. Some of you know that I have experienced a very long period of unemployment and a few months back I had to sell all my shooting stuff. There wasn't much stuff as my sons and I had only been shooting and reloading since late '08. The upside was I looked at it like I will get a do-over some day. All we had was a H&R 22 Hornet and reloading gear. My boys (14 & 16) and I started with the Hornet, I did not introduce them to rimfire first. I think that was a mistake and I want to get back into shooting at the rimfire level before we graduate to centerfire again.

The tide has turned and I will have a good sum of cash to spend on shooting stuff within the month. If I start out with rimfire, should I get three different rifles in three different actions - Like a single shot H&R, a bolt action Savage and a lever action Henry, so we can have more variety and keep the fun factor high for us? They are righties and I am a lefty, and from a previous post you all recommended I buy rifles to suit me, rather than them, so I was thinking of treating myself to a Savage left-hand bolt in all of this as they are so affordable. I am not in a location to start reloading again, so that will have to wait. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 

[S.E.Ak]

Well you know what you want so why not tell the boys they can each have X dollars to spend on a 22lr rifle and let them pick what they want.

[Oldshooter]

Only thing I can think of is to get the same rifle for the youngsters, every one wants their "own" and the sibling rivalry may be less if they are shooting the same gun.
Other than that sounds like you got a plan.

[briannmilewis]

Does it matter much whether or not they have a single shot, a repeater or a semi-auto? They are good shots, and it comes naturally to them.

[bobg]

   If it was me i would go with a bolt action. Probably something with a clip. No real reason. Just what i prefer in a 22.

[OldBob]

   Savage bolt action 22's with the Accu trigger are a darn good buy for a .22 rifle, accuracy is top shelf, we have quite a few folks using them in the NYS Sporterrifle league. Marlin also makes a good 22 bolt gun. I have shot the Henry's and they have a super smooth action, plinking accuracy is great, never bench rested one, and they are made in the USA !!! I favor the Marlin 39 for a lever 22,I think its because I always wanted one when I was a kid and couldn't afford it, they are a bit pricey. Don't neglect looking at used 22's, it is pretty hard to shoot out the barrel on one............. and it is fun restoring them !

[a4beltfed2000]

As someone that feels your pain of unemployement, I keep my firearms buying to, utility grade rifles. I have found that purchasing used firearms, either through the papers, pawn shops and online gun boards to be the most economical way to purchase firearms.

NEF shotguns are usually a "best"buy, I can find them  anywhere 65.00 on up to around 99.00
As far as .22 rifles. I like and use the ruger 10/22 rifle. However, I am not opposed to the marlin model 60 either. Recently, I was able to aquire a remington model 510 from a pawnshop for 69.00. You can also find a variety of bolt action guns for under 175.00. What I would suggest is to look at some of the new and used firearms and familarize yourself with the price of some of the guns you find interesting. Don't be afraid to argue the prices a little, you'd be surprised as to what you can find. Also a economical way to aquire firearms is to what the boards here. you can pick up receiver barrels and stocks and put your own guns together, little by little. I purchased two SB1 receivers (shotgun) for 45.00 each from a member here. A little horse trading here and there and I ended up with a 12 ga slug rifled gun for about 130.00. Thats about 40.00 cheaper than what  I see them selling for. you can also fit the lower pressure barrels or additional shotgun barrels for different guages and make it a more universal gun for hunting seasons.

[Oldshooter]

Bolt action or single shot, will make the "first shot counts" more important if it were me. Work up to the repeaters and semi-autos  later.

[Mac11700]

Hard choice..

I had to start over a few times in my life,and it wasn't an easy thing to do.I've owned Handi's for longer than I want to say  ( I'm getting old  ). I've always loved how they have felt when shouldered,but were never my initial choice of having 1 rifle for myself in the house at those earlier times.I waited till I was more finacial solvent before starting collecting them again.The more of them you have..the more you will want to spend...It's a disease   I've managed to keep atleast 1 of them..even when everything else went away the last time..and it was hard as all get out to keep from spending money I didn't have on different barrels that come up for sale..

I say if you have a shot at a good bolt gun,do it,but look at the rifles resale value before electing to spend your hard earned money on it,especially if it's going to be your only 1 for a while. This is one of the good things about the Handi..most folks here will buy up your barrels/stocks/actions most of the time.,so if you are learning that way it can help.The Savage,while being a good bolt,doesn't retain much value,nor do most of the other budget bolt rifles...atleast around my neck of the woods.I learned my lesson on this,and won't make that mistake again. 2 solid rifles I look at so I know if the time comes again to part with them are Remington model 700 and Winchester model 70's. Weatherby's,Savages,Tika's and even the new Marlin's all take a beating on resale here.Now..the good news of this is if you don't mind buying used you can pick up most for a fraction of their cost new..  So if it were me in this position,and wanting a brand new rifle,look to paying a little more for yours and not as much for your kids guns..Look at the used gun racks around your area and see what holds their value and what don't.Nothing wrong with having a good solid depenable bolt gun in the house,and if you are looking for or wanting a magnum caliber,it is a logical choice for the platform for them. Who knows..you might find an exceptional one that you can pass on to your children when that time comes..Good Luck

Mac

[a4beltfed2000]

plus one on what mac said....

    Used rifles are definately the way to go. Being that I work commerical and residental construction most of the time, I have found it really easy to get great deals on firearms from guys that I work with, esp the middle of the week, when bar money is gone, I dont drink so it makes buying em alot easier. Last year I picked up a 1940's mossberg tubefed bolt action .22 for 75.00. I also purchased a marlin pappoose(SP?) rifle in the case for 125.00. Most pawn shops will take your name and number if they get something in you might like they can give you a call. I find also I can pick up guns reasonably after hunting season before christmas and around tax time, esp in my line of work, where we pay our own taxes. Depending on the state you can also stick a sign up at the banks, hardware stores about looking to purchase a .22 or shotgun. Around here we have www.mwt.net which is a local board with free listings. I can go into the sporting goods forum and usually find a dozen plus guns for sale. some quite reasonable. Heck, I even get some a garage sales. I purchased a remington 870 wingmaster for 200.00 dollars last year at a garage sale, most of the time just ask the home owner, if they have any guns that they want to part with.....
I also found a Quackenbush bicycle gun, that I got for 50.00. Care to guess what that was worth

[wreckhog]

.458 Win Mag safari gun loaded with cast at trapdoor levels for rabbits.

[briannmilewis]

Terrific advice, I had thought about used at the gun store, pawn shops, and garage sales. I think the idea about treating myself to a rifle that will hold its value for me has merit, and the CZ Model 452 Lux Left-Hand 22 LR, 24.8", Bolt Action, Walnut Stock, Blue Finish, 5 Rds ($430 new), likely fits the bill. Then spend a little less on my boys rifles (used).

Don't know what it is about CZ rifles the way they feel and the quality of the work, it is almost surreal when I pick one up and shoulder it...(and believe me, "surreal" is NOT in my everyday vocabulary).

Maybe they have some kind of drug that is absorbed quickly through the skin? I wonder if it is a variation on the Handi drug they coat all H&R rifles with too? I could get us all new Handis for about $450, all new Savage bolts for about $600, and for the same $600, I am sure I can get used for the boys and get the CZ. 

[wreckhog]

Only thing I don't like about CZ's is mag cost and the guessing game of which rings to buy.

[zackyholdem]

for 22's my number 1 go to gun is a ruger 10/22, you can get one new for a little over 200 new, plus they have a ridiculous amout of aftermarket accessories for them, everything from barrels to stocks, and they are just as accurate as any other .22, buy em for your kids and then they can customize them as they like