The best rifle for beginners encompasses a multitude of important elements, including reasonable recoil, available ammunition, and the ability to actually shoot it accurately.
The best rifle for beginners encompasses a multitude of important elements, including reasonable recoil, available ammunition, and the ability to actually shoot it accurately. Factors such as size, weight, caliber, action style, magazine capacity, and accessories are important to consider in order to select the right rifle for you. Additionally, plan ahead on when you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the rifle, either by taking a course or from someone you know who’s experienced, and actually shoot it.
Choosing the Best Rifle for Beginners
The benefits of shooting are many, especially for beginners. Shooting can be a great way to sharpen hand-eye coordination, decision making, and mental focus while also providing a sense of relaxation and peace of mind as you develop your skills. It’s seriously one of the best ways to blow off steam after a long day at the office.
Whether you’re simply wanting to spend a little time at the range, hunt small game, or are considering competitive shooting sports and big game hunting adventures, there is a place for all levels of shooters. One of the most important factors to consider is your skill level and comfort with firearms. If you’re new to shooting, it’s advisable to start off with a light rifle that’s easy to handle and operate.
Choosing the correct action style for your desired use is also important. Bolt-action rifles, for example, are known for their accuracy. Whereas a semi-auto is perfect for plinking. Let’s first look at a few calibers for those just starting out followed by a few manufacturers who make great guns.
.22 LR
As far as calibers go, you simply can’t beat the pure joy of shooting a .22. It is an excellent choice whether you’re just starting out or have been shooting for a lifetime. This cartridge produces minimal noise and recoil, and is generally inexpensive and available to purchase.
The ammo is also reasonably priced so you won't have to worry about breaking the bank when experimenting with different brands. Additionally, the .22 LR offers good accuracy at short-range and is suitable for a variety of shooting applications, such as target practice, small game hunting, and even precision rimfire series (PRS) competitions. To learn more about Precision Rimfire Competitions please see our dedicated blog.
.223
Moving out of rimfire into one the lightest-kicking centerfire rounds, we have the .223. It is an excellent choice for those looking for a caliber that offers accuracy, power, and versatility. It produces minimal recoil, making it ideal for kids and adults. And is just fun to shoot at both short- and long-range targets.
Plus, it’s suitable for predators and big game (check state regulations on the latter, as some states don’t allow all centerfire calibers to be used on big game).
.243 Win.
A great all-around caliber, the .243 Win. is a great step up and a great caliber for kids or beginners to big game hunt with. Its lightweight design means it produces less recoil, making it easier to shoot accurately. Plus, you’re not sacrificing accuracy or power at more extended ranges like you would with the .223.
A variety of ammo is widely available in .243 Win, so you can find the ideal round for your rifle. Whether you’re just starting out, or looking for an all-purpose chambering for your rifle, the .243 Win provides a great option.
6.5 Creedmoor
If you’re new to the shooting world and have seen the name Creedmoor pop up during Google searches, you may be wondering what all the fuss is about. The big deal with the 6.5mm Creedmoor rifle round is that it is capable of generating velocities and a trajectory approaching the likes of a much bigger round, like the 300 Winchester Magnum, but at significantly reduced recoil. Not only does this make it a great long range round for an enjoyable day at the range, but it also makes a smooth transition into big game hunting.
Many people feel that the 6.5mm projectile provides the best aerodynamic ballistic profile of any diameter bullet designed today, resulting in high ballistic coefficients (BC) and superior long range results as well as reduced wind deflection. Since it has an overall length of 2.825 inches it can be chambered in short action rifles and AR 10 platforms alike, providing a few choices for what rifle you may shoot it with.
A fun fact about the 6.5 is that while it has really only gained significant popularity among vast numbers of shooters within the last two years, this cartridge has been around for more than a decade. The brainchild of the engineers at Hornady, it was designed as a long-range competition load and named after the historic Creedmoor range, the location of the first national rifle matches in Long Island, New York.
Savage Axis
The Savage Axis is a great rifle for beginners whether your goal is hunting or spending time at the range. Built with an ergonomic synthetic stock and the popular AccuTrigger, the rugged design can withstand a pretty good beating while also being accurate and reliable. If you haven’t heard of the AccuTrigger, it’s an advanced system that allows you to adjust the trigger pull and therefore fine tune it to match your personal preference.
The barrel is made from durable stainless steel and features a matte black finish for superior weather resistance. Additionally, its die-cast receiver is machined from high-grade aluminum for improved accuracy and enhanced durability and longevity. These features are why the Savage Axis remains one of the top choices for hunters and shooters looking for reliability at a reasonable price.
Remington Model 700
We are not sponsored by Remington! We just think they make some really great rifles that are accurate and easy to use. It's also an especially great rifle for beginners because it’s affordable, durable, and reliable. And the 700 is all of those things.
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The best rifle for beginners encompasses a multitude of important elements, including reasonable recoil, available ammunition, and the ability to actually shoot it accurately.[/caption]
The Remington Model 700 is one of the most popular and reliable bolt-action rifles available today. There are a wide range of options. The ADL is inexpensive, accurate, durable, and easy to use. It literally has three moving parts: action, safety, trigger (the ADL model does not have a drop plate or clip for ammunition).
Overall, the 700’s easy operation makes it a solid contender in the best rifle for beginners category. Like the Model 7, a Model 700 is a piece of gear that can last for several lifetimes. So whether you are looking for a gun to take out into the field or just to practice at the range, this rifle will provide all the power and accuracy you need.
Ruger American
The Ruger American is an excellent choice for those looking for a quality rifle at an affordable price. Featuring a lightweight synthetic stock, adjustable trigger pull, and reliable action, this is a great rifle for beginners.
Much like the Remington, the Ruger American is designed for ease of use. And it’s available in a wide range of calibers. Ruger rifles have come a long way over the years, having developed some patent technology that gives shooters an affordable rifle with light recoil.
Consider a Quality Scope
Choosing a good rifle scope is an important part of the process. Sure, you could shoot iron sights. But to maximize the rifle and your time using it, a quality scope is a must. In essence, getting good results is what keep us interested in any activity we pursue.
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Choosing the best rifle for beginners can be daunting, especially if you’re trying to do it on your own. There are so many options and considerations to go with them such as accuracy, reliability, cost-effectiveness, recoil, getting to use it, etc. So, take your time to consider why you want the rifle, what you’ll use it for, and what you want to spend for both the rifle and scope. Answer those questions and you’ll be one step closer to burning some powder!
If you have questions about this part (or anything else about this blog post or hunting and shooting in general), we’re happy to help! Email us at: [email protected] or give us a call at: 631-662-7354