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Hi,
I'm currently looking at what will be suitable for a first rifle/rifles and interested to hear what people recommend.
I have been using the10/22's at my local club plus a Webley and Scott copy, and will be looking to make my application the end of next month.
I have around £1000 saved but this will also need to cover cabinet costs.
Thanks in advance

Well advice in a cabinet first.

Cabinet sizes are based on shotguns so you need to allow much more room for rifles particularly with scopes, so buy as big as you can allow for both financially and where its going to fit.

As for rifles, there's so many options available, if you like 10-22s then there's loads about second hand or new.
Another option is obviously bolt action and a CZ452 or 455 will do you proudly for years.

Alan

Firstly deciding on the type of shooting you wish to do will help you choose an appropriate gun.

Both posts above are the best advice there is when you're just starting off.

Biggest cabinet possible.

Try several disciplines and decide what you want to do as that will dictate they types of guns to go for.

as above, decide first what you want to use the rifles for ..

Thanks for the replays. I guess it's difficult to decide as I am still finding out the types of shooting that is available. So far I have just been trying to improve my own technique and not been involved in anything competitive. I'd love to get involved in full bore shooting in the future as I know there is a local(ish) club at Ponteland.

There isn't a club at Ponteland so to speak, just several clubs use the MOD ranges there. The ones i know of are Three Counties Sporting Club (i'm a member), St Georges and Tyne Valley (a sister club to The Mayfair Shooting Centre).

I know there's a waiting list at 3 Counties (cos we're the cheapest by miles!) so it might be worth putting your name down now if you want to join. http://www.tcsclub.co.uk/go.html

Thanks for the info Blackstuff. I think I will speak to the guys at Mayfair then as that's where I am going through my probationary period now. I know that when I mentioned applying for my ticket they said it was worth applying for a fullbore along with the rimfire or gallery but it's difficult to know what to look at with no chance to try your hand first.

You will have to consider where you will be shooting..what calibres etc allowed on the range. Your FEO will want to know where you intend to shoot the gun, whatever calibre you ask for. No point in asking for a .308 if the only range available to you is restricted to smallbore or pistol calibres. I assume from your posting that your current club is smallbore only. You do want to sort out your requirements before asking for your FAC. It can be a long process.

For smallbore, you can never go wrong with a CZ bolt action. As for cabinet, as already advised, get the biggest one you can afford/accommodate.

Good luck.

Mike95

I think you need to get out a bit more first.

Ring around and visit other clubs, go to full bore guest days at Catterick/Ponteland/Otterburn plenty of shooting in the NE.

I can help you with visits to my bailiwick of clubs if you email me.