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Hi all, I'm after some help spending money on a new gun.
I need something that can cover 25 & 50m ranges outdoors and 100m for an indoor tunnel range.
So because of the last point, it counts 22lr out.
My son doesn't like my 308 - it's too much for him, so I want to get something that I can use with him at the ranges I mentioned, but that isn't as intimidating. I want shooting to be fun for him, not something that puts him off.
I don't have any slots free on my ticket at the moment, so I'd have to put in for a variation, so suggestions aren't restricted by that.
Budget is under £800.

I would think a .223 would fit the bill, although I wouldn't rule out a .22lr - a good one is fun to shoot at 100 yards and even 2-300 yards if you like a challenge.
A .223 there is plenty of choice, ammo is plentiful, not expensive, easy to reload, accurate out to 600 yards, light recoil.

I have a CZ527 Varmint in .223 - I used it at Bisley on Saturday at 600 - shot very well.
https://www.mcavoyguns.co.uk/contents/e ... ifles.html

1066 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 6:00 pm although I wouldn't rule out a .22lr - a good one is fun to shoot at 100 yards and even 2-300 yards if you like a challenge.

I thought the height of the tunnel would be a limiting factor for the 22lr at 100m?

Factory or handloads?

As said, a 5.56/.223 rifle , or a .38/.357 lever action for 25/50 ranges will be perfect, and a .38/357 levergun will easily do 100 as well if using .357, and should be OK with the tunnel roof...and even .357 should be OK for him to shoot.

Not unless you are shooting down a drainpipe :) A .22lr when zeroed at 50 yards will drop about 7 inches at 100yds. Zeroed at 100yds maximum bullet rise is about 3.5 inches with standard subsonic match ammunition.
In real life, a good .22lr rifle will group into about 1.25 -1.5" with good quality ammunition. (internet groups, a .22lr will shoot 1" groups all day long apparently)

Top quality .22lr ammunition is no longer cheap (no ammunition is at the moment). I bought 1,500 Lapua .22lr and Saturday for £309. (22-24p a round)
Again a CZ in .22lr are good value and job to beat for accuracy unless you look around for an older Target rifle and fit a scope.

On a quick search I found this page:
https://www.mcarbo.com/22LR-Ballistics-Chart
The biggest drop off any of the ammo they tested was 17 inches, and that was for a very low velocity round, with most being less than 6 inches and CCI Stinger being less than 4 inches

How olds your son? If he’s a gamer eg Call of Duty etc, I’d guess a .22 AR15 will put a smile on his face.

Airbrush wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 7:08 pm How olds your son? If he’s a gamer eg Call of Duty etc, I’d guess a .22 AR15 will put a smile on his face.

Good fun at 25 yds but pretty disappointing at 100 yds unless you want to just scare a few tin cans - I have a .22lr Buckmark rifle - good fun at short range - hopeless at the longer distance.

1066 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 7:51 pm

Airbrush wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 7:08 pm How olds your son? If he’s a gamer eg Call of Duty etc, I’d guess a .22 AR15 will put a smile on his face.

Good fun at 25 yds but pretty disappointing at 100 yds unless you want to just scare a few tin cans - I have a .22lr Buckmark rifle - good fun at short range - hopeless at the longer distance.

Have you shot one, depending on make I think you’d be surprised.