I've tried to find a list of rifle and handgun ranges in my area, but can't seem to find anything, even on the NRA's website. Is there a list somewhere online at which I can look?

Oh, and before I even consider shooting at a range, or even buying a rifle (I don't currently own one), where can I get some training? I have a couple of relatives who are, or at least were, avid hunters, but one lives somewhere in Canada, and the other in Alabama, so I can't exactly just drop by and ask if they can teach me sometime.

You sound like a perfect candidate for an Appleseed Shoot.

http://appleseedinfo.org/

Accidental Double Post.

Posted by Whootsinator You sound like a perfect candidate for an Appleseed Shoot. http://appleseedinfo.org/

Thanks! It looks like there's a location just around an hour or so away from me, so that's not bad.

Next question: They recommend a .22 for anyone who either hasn't shot before, or has, but is still inexperienced. How much would a .22 cost, and how much would the ammo cost?

you can get rifles in .22 for anywhere from 150-700 bucks depending on what you want. as for ammo its dirt cheap, cheapest thing you can shoot.

Posted by cavemonkey you can get rifles in .22 for anywhere from 150-700 bucks depending on what you want. as for ammo its dirt cheap, cheapest thing you can shoot.

Okay, my final question for now. Where can I buy a .22 and the associated ammo? We have one gun store in this city. I read that it's possible to find the stuff at Wal-Mart, but, well, it's WAL-MART.

Posted by Shawn W. Thanks! It looks like there's a location just around an hour or so away from me, so that's not bad. Next question: They recommend a .22 for anyone who either hasn't shot before, or has, but is still inexperienced. How much would a .22 cost, and how much would the ammo cost?

No problem. A .22 can be had for anywhere from $95 to $2,000 if you want a custom built single shot benchrest competition rifle... But I don't think that's what you're after. ;)

A Ruger 10/22, one of the most popular .22's on the market today, can be had from Wal-Mart for $200 for a plain one. Stainless Steel or special factory version can cost a bit more. Aftermarket accessories are plentiful. Straight out-of-the-box quality varies. Some people have them shooting great out of the box, some people need to tune them up a bit. I prefer Ruger's magazine design. It is very streamlined, and can be completely contained in the stock.

A Marlin Model 60, an absolute classic, is also still very popular. If you plan to take it to an Appleseed, however, it is not recommended. It is fitted with a tubular under-barrel magazine, and must be loaded similar to a tube-fed shotgun I say similar, but it's actually reversed, and there's an added plunger for the Model 60.

Another popular option is the Marlin Model 795. A MUCH better deal is found here, and you can buy it brand new for I believe $135, then send in a $35 mail in rebate. It has a detachable box magazine. The magazine is not very streamlined, and sticks out pretty far from the stock. It is also usually higher quality than the 10/22 out of the box, and more accurate. If you combined the quality of the 795 and the magazine of the 10/22, you'd pretty much have the perfect out-of-the-box .22 rifle.

One great thing about .22 rifles is barrel life. Unless you SERIOUSLY screw up or routinely improperly clean it, the barrel should never require replacing. This means that you can often find absolute steals at pawn shops on .22 rifles, and they should shoot near as well as new. Just inspect them thoroughly.


Edit - Sorry, forgot about ammo. Ammo can be bought in bricks (usually 500 or 550 rounds in a cardstock box) for bulk ammo, and that can cost anywhere from $14 to $36, depending on your location. Wal-Mart is usually hard to beat for .22 ammo prices. CCI Stingers aren't sold in bricks, but are very high quality, without going into ridiculous match ammo prices from Lapua and the likes. Lapua is a Finnish ammunition manufacturing company, and is just about the best you can get, in anything. There are some exceptions, depending on what you're looking for (see: Black Hills, Buffalo Bore, Sierra). That last bit of info really doesn't affect you much, don't waste your money on Lapua .22 ammo. Just some trivia. :p

Edit Again - If I were you, I'd buy a 795 for ~$100, or something else from a pawn shop, and then buy a Mosin-Nagant M91/30 for $100. Now you have a large caliber rifle equivalent to a .30-06, and a great .22, for $200. $14 buys you a brick of .22 (I'd buy two bricks though, after you realize how fun this sport is you'll not want to stop ), and $150 - $180 buys you a military surplus crate of 800 - 880 rounds of 7.62x54r ammunition for the Mosin. Note that from .22 to 7.62x54r is a HUGE jump, and just might shock you at first. Practice diligently with the Marlin .22, and when you're ready try the Mosin for a little while. After you've experienced the Mosin, go back to the .22 and regain your composure/confidence. Keep repeating until perfect. I warn you, it may take a while, I don't know anyone who has reached perfection yet. ;)

Ninth or so edit - Here's some links.

http://www.ruger.c...Carbine/index.html
http://www.marlinf...SelfLoading/60.asp
http://www.marlinf...elfLoading/795.asp

Whootsinator, wow, thanks! I think that's pretty much answered all of my questions.

Not a problem, always glad to help. Firearms are my primary hobby. Any more questions, feel free to PM me. If I don't know something about firearms, I know where to find out or someone who does know.

I bought my Ruger 10/22 from Wal-Mart for a little more than $200. I've also been buying my ammo there, when I can find it. I really like my little 10/22, it's a fun little pea-shooter. It comes highly recommended! Have fun and be safe out there!

ANY proper gun safety class or instruction is a great idea.
the 10/22 can be modded almost as much as say a camero. i had 4 in my life. still have 2, 1 is the extreem end of the spectrum the other is a field gun with dings, scratches and is not very flashy at all- till you shoot it. same internals as the $2k "ulti" and the same barrel maker. both will put 5 shots on paper that can be coverd with a dime "all day long" (@50 yards)
as for the larger cal.s yes deff get a rifle of larger bore. alittle heavy in the pocket book, but if the target is 100 or better yards down range, the rimfire will not be vary rewarding. (.17 cal does live there very well) i chose a ruger mini 14 in .223. great rifle, but i would not recomend for any serious shooting- in the cal, the ar's win. maybe a bolt gun is next for me or a levergun.

firearms ownership is a right in america. haveing the ability to go to a meet or event is an awsome experience. to compete is very rewarding and challanging.
and as all types of competition, can be very habit forming.

i did not grow up with guns, i found them at 16 or so. my friends dad taught me how to safely handle and care for them. that man is now gone, but the lessons i got from him are still very strong im my head.
good luck.

here is a link for ranges by state.

http://www.wheretoshoot.org/

cdevon1200

A Marlin .22 is a beautiful thing.

Don't forget to let us know how it all turns out! Shoot, I bet he's in a field somewhere, covered in brass .22lr cases, plinking off enemy soda cans right now.

cdevon, thanks! It turns out that there's a load of ranges in my area code, with three within 10 miles or so.

Posted by Whootsinator Don't forget to let us know how it all turns out! Shoot, I bet he's in a field somewhere, covered in brass .22lr cases, plinking off enemy soda cans right now.

Haha, not yet. I'm currently saving up for a car, so I'm going to wait and see where my finances stand at the end of this month. That'll give me a better idea of when I can afford to get a .22 rifle and the associated ammo. However, it wouldn't hurt to see what my city's Wal-Mart has in stock.

On a related note, are there any particular cleaning kits that you guys would recommend?

A Hoppe's Bore-Snake makes cleaning very quick, and cleans pretty well. A one-piece cleaning rod is always preferred over a three-piece, but if you must get a three-piece for storage/transportation means, make sure it's brass. For the one-piece, I prefer one of those carbon-fiber/graphite rods. They don't get bent out of shape like a metal one will.

Actually, if you need a three-piece for storage/transport, I'd recommend just getting the Bore-Snake and not even bothering with a three-piece.

I use Otis products because I get them free from work.

Thanks, guys.

Check with local ranges, and practice a lot. Whoever mentioned that Marlin .22 was right, tons of fun in such a tiny little bullet, and they come to less than 3cents each around here. At that rate, anyone can afford to become a marksman.

So, it turns out that my local Wal-Mart stocks a lot of ammo for handguns, rifles, and shotguns, especially shotguns (there were at least 10 different types of shells), but the only rifles they have are air rifles, which wasn't exactly what I had in mind.

Since my local Wal-Mart is out, are there any other ideas? I've noticed that there's a Gander Mountain about 22 miles away, and they have the Marlin 795 for $124.99 after a $25 mail-in rebate. Should I go that route, or check elsewhere to see if I can get it for cheaper?

If there's not a Wal-Mart around other than that one, browse some pawn shops. If that yields no results, Gander Mountain. GM isn't going anywhere, and neither are new-in-box Marlins. Pawn Shop Specials are limited time offers.