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First gun

by , Posted to on 10/21/2011 3:33 PM | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 06/11/2011
Location: ND
Hoping you guys can help with with a couple questions. I've been thinking about hunting the last few years and has motivated me to want to finally do it, I know I need hunter's safety before I can hunt, but what I was wondering is do I need to take any classes or get any permits aside from having common gun safety knowledge to buy/use a gun at the range? I figure I'm going to need a lot of practice and wasn't able to find a definitive answer in my research. I've been thinking about buying a .22 rifle for my first gun, is this about average for the beginning shooter? Thanks in advance!
Duff_Fisher
Re: First gun
by on 10/21/2011 2:37 PM | Reply #1 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 12/07/2009
Location: nd
 In North Dakota you do not need any permits or licenses to take a gun to the range and fire it.  There are specific licenses you will have to purchase to hunt different animals of course.  If you've never fired a rifle before a .22 would be a good place to start, but you won't be able to use it in the field to take any game larger than a rabbit or a squirrel.  If you want a more versatile rifle I would look at a .223 or a .243 or something along those lines.
The wheel is spinning..but the hamster is dead.
Re: First gun
by on 10/21/2011 2:44 PM | Reply #2 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 10/31/2003
Location: ND
Walleye Whisperer Said:
 In North Dakota you do not need any permits or licenses to take a gun to the range and fire it.  There are specific licenses you will have to purchase to hunt different animals of course.  If you've never fired a rifle before a .22 would be a good place to start, but you won't be able to use it in the field to take any game larger than a rabbit or a squirrel.  If you want a more versatile rifle I would look at a .223 or a .243 or something along those lines.
x2

The Ruger 10/22 is a great "first gun" and usually accompanies me in my pickup (for skunks, gophers, etc)

Depending what you'd like to pursue, I would recommend going to a Scheels, Gander Mountain, etc and asking one of their employees for a couple minutes of "gun 101". Seeing them/holding them won't really give you that great of an idea if you'll end up liking them or not, but with a little info from them (and from you) they can point you in the right direction as far as how much you'd like to spend, how many different calibers you'd like, what you want to hunt, etc.



Captain Josh Burgett

www.jig-em-up-guide-service.com

Re: First gun
by on 10/21/2011 2:48 PM | Reply #3 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 06/11/2011
Location: ND
Thanks a lot, you guy's are awesome!
Duff_Fisher
Re: First gun
by on 10/21/2011 2:57 PM | Reply #4 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 02/03/2004
Location: ND
You live in ND, you must have a friend with guns. Go out with him, offer to pay for the ammo and have some fun at the range. It will give you a better idea of what you want, before you buy something. Maybe you are more into pistols than rifles? 22LR is fun, but if you want to shoot at a distance, 223 might be a better choice.Cant hunt deer with a rimfire, but you can with a 223.
Re: First gun
by on 10/21/2011 3:21 PM | Reply #5 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 09/28/2011
Location: ND
a good small gun that is alot of fun is a 17 HMR i have alot of fun with mine exellant gopher gun and also works for some coyote calling
Re: First gun
by on 10/21/2011 4:04 PM | Reply #6 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 06/14/2010
Location: nd
I think a .22 would be a good gun to begin with for shooting squirels, gophers, etc. but if you plan on hunting deer and coyotes another good rifle would be a .243 I have a ruger M77 .243 and its a great rifle. Also think about a shotgun either a 20 guage or a 12 gauge will have the most available ammo for hunting pheasent,or ducks/geese. Hope you have some succes once you get started!
If everyone focused on the important things in life the world would have a shortage of fishing poles.
Re: First gun
by on 10/21/2011 6:14 PM | Reply #7 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 11/03/2002
Location: ND
IMHO, get the .22.  A semi-auto may be more fun, but I'd suggest a bolt action until you hone your shooting skill to satisfaction.  Again, IMHO.  Another option, if you're truly just learning to shoot would be an air rifle.  You can shoot at ridiculously small targets in the basement like I did with the .22 before the kids.  I don't know your situation, it's easy to set up a safe mini-range for either one.  The air rifle is usually the most viable.  IE: I would feel safe shooting a pellet gun under my son's bedroom. 
svnmag



                                                                                                    
Re: First gun
by on 10/21/2011 7:54 PM | Reply #8 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 09/12/2009
Location: ND
Where are you located ?
Re: First gun
by on 10/21/2011 8:51 PM | Reply #9 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 11/21/2005
Location: ND
Duff_fisher Said:
Hoping you guys can help with with a couple questions. I've been thinking about hunting the last few years and has motivated me to want to finally do it, I know I need hunter's safety before I can hunt, but what I was wondering is do I need to take any classes or get any permits aside from having common gun safety knowledge to buy/use a gun at the range? I figure I'm going to need a lot of practice and wasn't able to find a definitive answer in my research. I've been thinking about buying a .22 rifle for my first gun, is this about average for the beginning shooter? Thanks in advance!
where are you located I have a few you can shoot 22 up to 300 win mag.  not much left to shoot at in the 22 cal. but the 223 will work.   if you are in nc nd drop a pm and we can get together

Stay away from fishman  that is about all I will say about him/her

The best democrat platform a Republican can stand on it a manure pile

drug test everyone on welfare

have an open season on molesters

Re: First gun
by on 10/21/2011 9:05 PM | Reply #10 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 03/26/2008
Location: ND
Like Josh said
Ruger 10/22
Once you buy one you will never get rid of it.
Once you decide what you want to hunt then talk to buddies that have guns and have hunted.
My first rifle for hunting was a Winchester 30-30

"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy" - - - Benjamin Franklin
"If it doesn't have BEER it ain't Heaven!" - - - Mr. Mike

Re: First gun
by on 10/21/2011 10:07 PM | Reply #11 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 06/11/2011
Location: ND
Thanks everyone! I live in Bismarck for those who asked. I plan on spending a lot of my time at the range to get comfortable and hope to be a decent shot by the time next fall rolls around to start hunting game.   Can't wait!
Duff_Fisher
Re: First gun
by on 10/21/2011 10:42 PM | Reply #12 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 05/19/2009
Location: nd
i would bet that alot of guys on here would be willing to let you shoot some guns of theres. i know i would be able to let you shoot a couple big and a couple small guns as well as a scattergun or two.  if you make it out east let me know and we can work in some range time.
Re: First gun
by on 10/21/2011 10:49 PM | Reply #13 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 05/19/2009
Location: nd
oh and if i were a new hunter and were to purchase a couple guns to get me started they would be
 
.22 lr of some sort IE. ruger 10-22 rem 597

remington 870 in 12 gauge capable of shooting 3" shells

.243 in a remington SPS , weatherby vangaurd or ruger m77 mk 2

i would stay away from savages even though they make great fence posts

welcome to fishing buddy
Re: First gun
by on 10/22/2011 07:16 AM | Reply #14 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 11/21/2005
Location: ND
moosehunter09 Said:
oh and if i were a new hunter and were to purchase a couple guns to get me started they would be
 
.22 lr of some sort IE. ruger 10-22 rem 597

remington 870 in 12 gauge capable of shooting 3" shells

.243 in a remington SPS , weatherby vangaurd or ruger m77 mk 2

i would stay away from savages even though they make great fence posts

welcome to fishing buddy

why would you tell him to buy a 243  you must not know they bounce off at anything over 100 yds. they just barely mushroom the bullet at 125 yds

The best democrat platform a Republican can stand on it a manure pile

drug test everyone on welfare

have an open season on molesters

Re: First gun
by on 10/22/2011 08:21 AM | Reply #15 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 05/19/2009
Location: nd
shoot marksman, i totaly forgot that... point taken, rookie mistake. lol
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Posted By:
Posted On: 10/21/2011 3:33 PM
830 Views, 15 Comments

Tags: gun, first, need, safety, thinking, hoping, questions, hunting, hunter, hunt
More Tags: hunter,
Region: North Dakota

Categories: Other > Politics
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