New to shooting but want to learn this summer. We've been to several gun and sporting goods stores in the city and they all tend to recommend that we buy what they have in-stock rather than what's best for my needs. As much as I want to get a rifle I know better than to just jump at the first thing the shop owners show me. It's a huge investment for me and I want to make sure I'm getting the right equipment. Any help will be appreciated. BTW, I've taken a gun safety course the local gun range.
What kinds of competitions are shot with a 22 cal. rifle? .177 cal air pistol?
What's the best rifle to use with which kinds of competitions?
What's the best way to start in the shooting sports?
new to air rifle
Moderators: pilkguns, Marcus, m1963, David Levene, Spencer
Jerry .... some of the answers may be focused on where you live.
Suggestions: Join the Forum (it'll make it easier for you to post again rather than as guest) and then tell us where you are from.
If you are shooting ISSF/USA Shooting comps or NRA rule 3.2 "Any Rifle" comps you'll be going up against rifles that cost in the $2500+ range (Anshutz 1913s, 2013s and the like .... plus shooters wearing all of the allowed jackets & pants.) Most of these rifles and accessories will not be available at your local stores ... go online and take a peek at Champion Shooters Supply, Champions Choice, International Shooters Service and you can get an idea of the rifles & costs.
I'll let the pistol guys chime in on the AP topic
Best way to start ... find a local competition and go watch first ... ask lots of questions ... the folks there will most certainly help and answer them
Suggestions: Join the Forum (it'll make it easier for you to post again rather than as guest) and then tell us where you are from.
If you are shooting ISSF/USA Shooting comps or NRA rule 3.2 "Any Rifle" comps you'll be going up against rifles that cost in the $2500+ range (Anshutz 1913s, 2013s and the like .... plus shooters wearing all of the allowed jackets & pants.) Most of these rifles and accessories will not be available at your local stores ... go online and take a peek at Champion Shooters Supply, Champions Choice, International Shooters Service and you can get an idea of the rifles & costs.
I'll let the pistol guys chime in on the AP topic
Best way to start ... find a local competition and go watch first ... ask lots of questions ... the folks there will most certainly help and answer them
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WesternGrizzly
- Posts: 278
- Joined: Sat Jan 09, 2010 10:43 pm
First of all congrads on choosing shooting as the sport you want to follow. It teaches many great things and has many great people in it.
I started competing in rifle events my freshman year of high school. I went to a local club that holds CMP clinics. After you go through the clinic you shoot a basic M1 Garand match at 100 yards. I continued to shoot these monthly matches for about three years. After which i got an AR 15 and started shooting across the course matches. I joined the California junior team and won some matches with them at camp perry. I have picked up smallbore because HP isnt an olympic sport. I shoot with the junior club at a local range.
The way I would recommend shooting to a newcomer is to find a club that has a junior program and go out and talk to them about starting in the sport. Most clubs will coach you and lend you equipment to use at the range... even if you arent a junior.
i wouldnt worry about getting a rifle at the moment. you should try this sport and decide whether or not you want to invest VAST sums of money in it. But if you do decide to get into it contact your local club and ask about used rifles. you may be able to get a great deal on good equipment.
If you decide to buy new equipment you want to buy the best you can AFFORD!! this may be something like a Kimber 82G (from the CMP. They shoot really well) or an anschutz 2013 in a nice stock. I would try and see if i could borrow equipment until i decided that i wanted to continue in this sport then buy the best you can afford.
the Olympic events shot with 22LR rifles are:
Mens 50 Meter three positions
Mens 50 Meter Prone
Womens 50 Meter three positions
The Olympic events shot with air pistol are:
Mens 10 Meter Air Pistol
Womens 10 Meter Air Pistol
The Olympic events shot with Air Rifle are:
Mens 10 Meter Air rifle
Womens 10 Meter Air rifle
these are just the olympic events. The NRA has many different kinds of events that are shot with 22 lr.
Matt
I started competing in rifle events my freshman year of high school. I went to a local club that holds CMP clinics. After you go through the clinic you shoot a basic M1 Garand match at 100 yards. I continued to shoot these monthly matches for about three years. After which i got an AR 15 and started shooting across the course matches. I joined the California junior team and won some matches with them at camp perry. I have picked up smallbore because HP isnt an olympic sport. I shoot with the junior club at a local range.
The way I would recommend shooting to a newcomer is to find a club that has a junior program and go out and talk to them about starting in the sport. Most clubs will coach you and lend you equipment to use at the range... even if you arent a junior.
i wouldnt worry about getting a rifle at the moment. you should try this sport and decide whether or not you want to invest VAST sums of money in it. But if you do decide to get into it contact your local club and ask about used rifles. you may be able to get a great deal on good equipment.
If you decide to buy new equipment you want to buy the best you can AFFORD!! this may be something like a Kimber 82G (from the CMP. They shoot really well) or an anschutz 2013 in a nice stock. I would try and see if i could borrow equipment until i decided that i wanted to continue in this sport then buy the best you can afford.
the Olympic events shot with 22LR rifles are:
Mens 50 Meter three positions
Mens 50 Meter Prone
Womens 50 Meter three positions
The Olympic events shot with air pistol are:
Mens 10 Meter Air Pistol
Womens 10 Meter Air Pistol
The Olympic events shot with Air Rifle are:
Mens 10 Meter Air rifle
Womens 10 Meter Air rifle
these are just the olympic events. The NRA has many different kinds of events that are shot with 22 lr.
Matt
Great replies above to listen to. Check out the NRA website for all the different shooting out there as they offer a lot more than just precision paper punching. Personally I like reactive targets in a Gallery shooting type setting so I shoot silhouette.
If you are new to shooting get someone to coach you so you don't start off engraining bad habits off the bat. Go to some matches and ask people about their equipment. let them know you are looking to get involved but not sure about what is what and they will probably put a gun in your hands and give you ammo to shoot trying to get you hooked. Most shooters will be more than happy to let you shoot their guns. so try as many as you can before you buy something as each has it's own feel and character that varies from person to person in appeal.
It is hard to lay out a lot of cash sight unseen much less unheld or fired so you want to be pretty sure you know you are getting the rifle that suits you best. You will not find any of these rifles at a box store or local gun shop in most cases.
Have fun and be safe. Oh and be aware that should you venture into the high end world of match guns you will pretty much be spoiled for all the lesser guns afterwards. Many of us here 40+ probably started out with cheaper stuff and ordinary guns of the USA as we learned to shoot. Now that we can afford it (barely) we get the rifles we always saw and wanted and after we know why they are so expensive and desired when compared to all we knew before lol.
Where are you located? Often that can determine your options.
Bo
If you are new to shooting get someone to coach you so you don't start off engraining bad habits off the bat. Go to some matches and ask people about their equipment. let them know you are looking to get involved but not sure about what is what and they will probably put a gun in your hands and give you ammo to shoot trying to get you hooked. Most shooters will be more than happy to let you shoot their guns. so try as many as you can before you buy something as each has it's own feel and character that varies from person to person in appeal.
It is hard to lay out a lot of cash sight unseen much less unheld or fired so you want to be pretty sure you know you are getting the rifle that suits you best. You will not find any of these rifles at a box store or local gun shop in most cases.
Have fun and be safe. Oh and be aware that should you venture into the high end world of match guns you will pretty much be spoiled for all the lesser guns afterwards. Many of us here 40+ probably started out with cheaper stuff and ordinary guns of the USA as we learned to shoot. Now that we can afford it (barely) we get the rifles we always saw and wanted and after we know why they are so expensive and desired when compared to all we knew before lol.
Where are you located? Often that can determine your options.
Bo