Thread: First Rifle...seeking advice

Most of my answers are covered above. The only comment I would like to add is the calibre choice.

If looking at the 7mm08 and 308, the 6.5x55 and 243 suggestions are worth considering too. Though I would lean to the 308 / 6.5x55 options more. The 6.5x55 is (only) slightly less powerful than the two 08 calibres but has a lot less felt recoil so is ideal for a new shooter to develop good technique. The 308 has one advantage over the lot. Not because it does anything better or worse than the others, quite the contrary, all calibres are so similar that it could be said it doesn't really matter much. But the reason is you can get a lot more ammo options for 308, including the likes of Barnaul. With Barnaul being $1 per shot, you have the chance to practise twice (or three times) as much for the same dollars spent. Some rifles shoot better with better grade ammo, others don't mind. (I have one of each)

Certainly use better ammo later or start handloading when you start to really chase accuracy. But when getting to know the rifle and getting comfortable shooting it, then that takes rounds down the barrel, and the more the better. (to and extent anyway)

And the suggestion to get a .22LR as well, is also a good one. Technique and accuracy skills can be learnt on any rifle, and $70 per 500 rounds of practise is way better than $70 for 20 or 40 rounds of practise. And with a complete lack of recoil, you can concentrate on your technique without developing a flinch. Avoiding a flinch on centrefire is easier once you have a solid stable technique sorted (muscle memory)

Welcome, enjoy and stay safe.