A rifle is a gun, fired especially from shoulder level, which has a long spirally grooved barrel intended to make a bullet spin around and thereby have greater accuracy over a long distance.
If you’re reading this, you may be an arms lover who finds it thrilling and fascinating, or you just love to hunt and need a rifle, or maybe you need it for security purposes. In that case, there are things you should consider before acquiring one, as different rifles serve different purposes. We all have a preference and spending limit for clothes, shoes, or whatever we intend to purchase, so we also have a limit or budget for rifles. This article aims to educate you on what to consider before buying a rifle, especially when you are on a budget.
What Do I Look Out For?
Many people, especially amateurs in the shooting game, tend to ask these questions as every rifle seems to fascinate them. Shooting is no child’s play. First of all, you would need to get a gun license before you even begin the process of buying a gun. To shoot on target, you have to be strategic and intentional about the weapon you choose and its intended use. Below are things to consider when budgeting and looking for a rifle:
Buy the Best
If you have a passion for hunting, guns, and ammo, there’s absolutely no reason to settle for a poor rifle topped with an equivalent scope. You need to buy the best; save up if you have to. Feed your passion correctly. Yes, an entry-level rifle makes a lot of sense when you are young and broke, but if you have a little extra cash or can save for it, obtain a better bolt gun. If you can afford a high-quality rifle, I suggest buying one with an equally competent scope.
Determine Your Experience
If you are new to the shooting “game” and just want a rifle to learn with, a light caliber is highly recommended. A .22 caliber is cheap. Several other small calibers exist, but none can match the commonality and price of the .22 LR (.22 Long Rifle). You can also consider the scope. Rifle scopes have different sizes and functions that you can choose from. You can check here for a comprehensive list of the best scopes on a budget. Additionally, the price range for scopes should be considered. The great news is several rifle scopes are available for less than $300!
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Bullets
When picking a gun, go for one with more accessible bullets as accidents happen, and you forget or lose your bullets. It will be terrible to fight for your life and realize you do not have any more ammunition. If your gun is for hunting, the possibility of getting to camp and attempting to load then realizing you left your ammo at home is very likely. While a couple of country stores and local sporting goods stores may stock at least some variant of the regular deer rounds, they might not sell the latest super short magnum that your rifle needs which will leave you stranded. When buying a rifle, go for one that can carry more bullets to avoid getting stranded or even losing your life.
Consider Its Intended Use
Go for good guns for survival-type situations or military rifles with semi-auto or full-auto mechanisms in cases where they are legal. The AR-15 type rifle is a perfect one. With it, you get a run for your money. It is very user-friendly and highly accurate. However, unreliability increases drastically when irregularly or improperly maintained. The .223 cartridge which it fires may possess too much penetration for too little stopping power. They are pretty pricey but very excellent at what they are created to do.
Another beautiful choice is the AK-47 rifle or derivatives, which are cheaper. Its 7.62×39 mm cartridge has a more significant punch. It is more reliable and trustworthy even in nasty conditions as it does not require as much attention and care. Little wonder, it is the go-to rifle for most militaries around the world. But the accuracy is lesser than that of the AR-15, and most of the features are difficult to manipulate or understand compared to the AR-15 series as it is more complex to understand. Notably, the safety and magazine release is an important aspect to consider in a survival rifle to ensure its ammunition availability.
Features
When buying a rifle, you might want to consider a rifle with a synthetic stock and a waterproof finish on the exposed metal. This way, your rifle is more likely to last longer, as wooden stocks get swollen when exposed to a downpour or days with wet weather. This causes the point of impact on your rifle to change, making it more challenging to operate. Standard blued metal will rust after several damp days afield. This could make it less attractive and unpleasant to use.
Fit
You probably do not know how to tell if a rifle fits you or not. The easiest way to check is to shoulder it quickly. The gun should naturally fall into place in the shoulder pocket. Your rifle and your cheek should make good contact with the stock without having to bend your neck at an uncomfortable angle. Your eye should be in line with either the sights or the scope without having to move your head back and forth to get the correct sight picture. This is a basic yet simple way to know that the rifle in question fits you.
Always choose a gun that fits your shooting style. If long-range accuracy is crucial to you, it will be tough to beat a bolt-action rifle. If you need a short, quick-handling gun with faster follow-up shots, go for an AR or lever-action rifle. If you want a lightweight gun that adds a bit of a challenge, your best bet is a break-action, single-shot gun.
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There is a lot to consider while trying to buy a gun, especially on a budget, but always remember that the amount you invest in a weapon is significant as it determines the type of weapon you’ll end up getting. Go for the best and be proud of your shots.
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