So, I have a bit of a dilemma that some here may be familiar with. I want to purchase a gun. Here are my options:

Ruger 10/22
Pros - Cheap to shoot and plenty of room for upgrading
Cons - Kinda weak

Used Ruger(?) .30-06(?) with a Bushnell Scope (I don't remember exactly what
this gun was other than a bolt action Ruger with the scope)
Pros - Comes with a descent scope and has longer range than the 10/22
Cons - More expensive than the 10/22 and more costly to shoot

Ruger SR-9
Pros - Better quality than current gun I have. Ammo is showing up more
frequently and at better prices. More powerful than a .380 acp.
Cons - About the same price as the bolt action rifle.


Currently, all I have is a Hi-Point .380 acp. What I don't like about my current gun is the scarcity and current high price of the ammo. The gun shoots fine and was inexpensive, but I've also come to realize that I want something with a longer range. The 10/22 fits the bill for financial reasons, but I really like the idea of having a more powerful bolt action rifle. The SR-9 just seems nice and I like that 9 mm ammo is showing up more even though nobody seems to have a clue when .380 will be back in stock. Oh, and if any laws here in California change, handguns will probably be the first things to be affected, so maybe I should buy the SR-9 while I still can?

Anyone's help would be great!

P.S. To keep things on track, my budget is probably $450 max, but I'd rather spend less, so Glocks, XDs, 1911s, ARs, etc... are out of my range (although I was excited to find out that "AR" style guns can be bought in California if a "tool" is needed to remove the magazine)

You have listed a pistol, rimfire rifle, and centerfire rifle. I am unfamiliar with the centerfire rifle, although a high velocity rifle would be nice to have for target, defense, and hunting if needed. Check out the thread 'gun advice' to see comments re: the 10/22. It is a well liked 22LR rifle. It also can be used for the above tasks.

The SR-9 is an OK pistol. Ruger is better known for their revolvers than their automatics. The 17 rd. mag may limit you in Cal., however I'm sure 10 rders are availible. If it was a pistol I was looking for, I'd look for a used Glock 19. That should be in your price range. I'd do more research, ask around, ask friends, friends parents, co-workers, and shoot their guns before I made a choice. Hope this helps.

The Ruger 10/22 is a great choice for good all around shooting and okay for defense if need be. Ruger's bolt actions are okay but usually are a hit or miss as far as accuracy. I would also agree that Ruger's revolvers are defintely better than their autos, but their P-series autos are good gun proven guns. You can't go wrong with a Glock 19. It's the best all around 9mm you can buy IMO. I own two. Like Sigfest said, check around with friends and family and see if you can find anyone selling something first. Good luck! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Look for a reconditioned Glock 19 or 17, they have been through the factory rebuild program with parts and springs replaced. Rifle, why .30-06 unless you are hunting? Ruger 10/22 is a fun rifle with many plus's that have been talked about here many times. Good luck with your search!

I am not sure what your anticipated use for the weapon will be. If it is deer hunting, go with the Ruger 30-06. You have personal defense covered with the .380, but a full 9mm Luger round does pack more power and range. Same size hole. If you don't already own a .22, get the Ruger 10/22. The lowly .22LR is the ultimate survival gun. And while it won't pierce body armor or kill at 300 yds, it is plenty deadly for close range if you place your shots. Ammo is cheap and readily available most of the time. And as 22s go, the 10/22 is easily the most popular one on this forum.

I have a soft spot in my heart for the .30-06, as that was my dad's deer rifle, and one of the first guns I learned to shoot back when I was just a wee lad. That's a lot of kick for a scrawny 12 year old <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />

That said, if you aren't looking to kill a buck, the low cost of ammo for the .22 will get you a lot further. We plinked a lot of soda cans with a .22 rifle or revolver, but when we were sighting in the .30-06, my dad always pointed out how many dollars it was costing him every time we squeezed the trigger.

depending on what your wanting it for..... if you wanna learn to shoot then the 10/22 if you want a good defence gun .... rugar if thats the choice... the cz i think are in that price range and are a rather good gun, i believe the cz75 has a 22 scout kit you could get in the future... to save money on training ammo. personaly i would pick up a savage in 308/30.06 as a scout rifle set up... if your in cali there are legal variants of the sks that should be in your price range as well.... your dropping the cash go look around a few place and figure out what your need is then get the best you can for what you can aford... even if that means saving up.... but i just dropped the same amount of cash on a knife i picked up a buck mark for...

so short answer the loaded gun is the right choice....

eventually after I pickup my pistol, I plan to get a 10/22 and do something like this.

Just your bare bones 10/22 with a quality scope will do 99 percent of what any of the hopped up rifles will. It also is a 22 and most won't be using it to shoot at 100 yards although some are accurate out that far.

The 10/22 is very hard to beat at any price. Our Wal-Mart always has the best price on them and they usually have both the stainless and blued versions.

Thanks for the input, guys. I figured there would be a lot of support for the 10/22. Economically, it's the best choice. I guess the main reason I'm interested in the centerfire is the extra power over the 10/22. I've shot 22's and I'd like something with some extra range. The centerfire with the scope the bill, and since it's used, it's just in my price range with what the dealer told me is a scope they sell for $250. I think I'm leaning more toward a rifle, but I'm not sure which one.

Are there any good .17 hmr rifles for $300 to $350?

Thanks again.

Check out Savage. Theirs has a great trigger and they are least expensive .17 HMR rifles around. While the 17 HMR has at least three times the accurate range of the 22LR, it is still a small game or varmint gun. But then, that is what they used to say about the .22 centerfires until the M-16 came along. The .17 HMR is very accurate and a head shot would surely kill larger animals stone dead.

yep i got a 17hmr savage , great little gun, great outta the box trigger, good scopes fairly cheap for it too. the ammo is fairly spendy... but if you want range in a varmit rifle then that it does have like a laser. i will warn you savage bluing is really bad youll probably have to redo the barrel atleast. i had to do mine sence i live in a high humidity enviroment.... and i have several gun safe dehumidifiers..... its nearly bone dry in there....