First "big boy" rifle. Suggestions?

[giovani]

If I were you, I'd try to meet up with someone that has several rifles that would be willing to let you take a few shots. If you're planning on sticking with something pretty common, you'll be fine with .308win or 5.56/.223. There are plenty of very good rifles for either caliber.

As for those saying to get a Mosin Nagant, I haven't gotten one yet but will simply because they're really cheap. I will, however, still prefer my Mausers. And please, stop saying the Mosins have some stout recoil, my 7 year old nephew could handle the recoil with no problem.

Does he by chance have a 5 year old sister, with a pistol colection in her closet.

 

[1forguns]

I agree with giovani and the 223 comment.....less recoil, less likely to develop a bad flinch since you haven't been exposed to the larger recoil on a regular basis.

 

[shooter1054]

338 Lapua. In all seriousness, a 308 is a solid choice for a lot of reasons. If you handload, there are no secrets with a 308. Someone has done it. It will be a solid shooter out to and past 1000 yards. There are other rounds out there that are cheaper, but none will perform as well as the 308. All this said, I still don't own a 308. I have the 243(308 case necked down to take a 6mm bullet), 300wsm, and the 338 Lapua. Seeing that you're in Ft Wayne, meet up with me at Hillside range and I'll let you take some rounds with my rifles.

 

[spyder]

Alright, I'm throwing my two cents in... I'm currently in the middle of chopping up a 458 barrel made for a 700 (number 6 contour, not chambered yet), and putting it on my AR build (for a 458 socom). In this frame of mind, I say that you buy an AR10, and rebarrel it in 300 WSM.

 

[JimmyR]

I'm looking at Mosin Nagant 91/30, with some good old Bulgarian surplus ammo. Like the above posters said, its cheap, and looks like it would be a blast to shoot- plus I like the classics, what can I say. I've been in indiucky's shop too many times.

 

[downzero]

Sounds like you actually want an AR.