Have you given any thought to a lever action rifle? They come in either rifle or pistol caliber..30-30, 45-70 also in .22 are a couple for rifle.... or you could get one chambered for 357 Mag./38 spl(holds 9+1) or 44mag./44spl( holds 10+1) You can mount scopes and slings no problem. You might be able to pick up a good used one for the price range you stated. If in the future you got a revolver in either 357 or 44 you could have ammo to shoot in both rifle and pistol. Just a thought, good luck.

Tony

P.S. most lever guns will be Cali. friendly

Well, thanks for your help. I ended up going for a Savage .17 hmr. It came with a Simmons scope all for about $300. Given that nobody has .22 lr ammo and I want something that I don't want to have to wait to shoot, I decided on the .17 hmr. I've got to wait 10 days to pick it up, but I'll let you all know how I like it!

get the hornaday 20gr rounds in 17hmr one of the best rounds i have found for my savage

congrats on the firearm, hope you have lots of fun shooting

Tony

Stock up on the ammo. Seeing as how the 22LR is scarce, I'd think this ammo would be more scarce in times of need. I like being prepared. You can head it off at the pass. Just my .02. Not worth much.

Ah hah! I'm pretty sure this is the one I got:



(image sourced from Savage Firearms)

Since I live in California, there's a 10 day waiting period before I can pick up this rifle. (You know, since bolt action rimfire rifles are the gang bangers weapon of choice!) I can't wait to pick it up!

Yeah, I hear you on this. I have about 9 boxes of .380 that I stocked up on when I was down at school. Since my college isn't in a densely populated area, there was an indoor range that still had it a couple months ago. Who knows now, though.

get the lowest scope rings you can get ... like scope almost touching the barrel, theres also the sweet 17 series of scopes out that are already set up for the balistics of the 17hmr. congrats on your new gun.... also there should be a tool in the box that will let you bring the trigger pull down to just over a pound pound and a half a thought after you take her out to the range. tell us how she shoots

I love my Ruger 10/22 for target practice & plinking. It's obviously not a high powered hunting rifle. But if you like target shooting, small game hunting and don't want to pay an arm and a leg for a rifle & it's ammo you can't go wrong with a 10/22. If you have the choice I would recommend getting a 10/22 with a bull barrell (target barrell). You get quite a bit more performance and accuracy out the gun that way.

Ultimately you need to decide what you want to use your firearm for and match the function to the caliber.

I am new to this forum but I own all of the afore mentioned firearms and here is an opinion (after all that is what forums are for). As mentioned before the 30-06 is perfect if you intend to hunt. It is what I use locally for elk and deer to fill the freezer. However, if you do not have a 22lr it is a must have caliber for its utility, ease of carry and light ammo (it’s also fun and the best way to learn to shoot well). I have 3 22lrs including the 10/22. For the price it is impossible to beat. However, a good bolt action is better for reliability and accuracy. Although not made in USA the CZ 452 22lr has a superior trigger is more precise and the magazine is more reliable than the 10/22 (shop around until one goes on sale and you can acquire one for far less than retail). I have replaced every part of my 10/22 with the exception of the receiver to make it equal to my CZ because it set a new standard for 22lrs. My favorite firearm to consider and the one that has found a home in my BOB is the ruger mark II target pistol. Off my ransom rest it shoots less than 1/2” at fifty yards, is easy to carry and I can hit paint cans off hand at 100yds. It’s an impressive shooter. If you buy a rifle, plan on paying as much for the optics as you did the firearm. I have seen too many good guns with cheep scopes on them that do not do them justice and fail at the most inappropriate time. There are some optics that are less expensive and are up to the challenge just do your homework (I also have a scope on my Mark II pistol).

Good CZ and Mark II review. Right on the money..

Welcome AZfh...

I just saw, for the first time, a Colt Tactical 22 in the latest NRA magazine. Looks like a ton of fun for a decent price, compared to some other choices...

<a href="" target="_blank">http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/01/13/colt-umarex-m4-carbine-22-tactical-rimfire-ar-15/</a>

http://www.precisionweapons.com/CartGenie/prod-640.htm