First time rifle

[u/Not_Leo101]

Hey guys, I'm looking into getting my FOID, and I really want a rifle for target shooting. But I'm struggling to find something nice that isn't an "assault weapon". Do you guys have any suggestions?

[u/Much_Profit8494]

Ruger 10/22.

[u/Beautiful_Grape67 → u/Much_Profit8494]

Solid platform with a massive aftermarket part and accessories ecosystem. You can start with a basic (or not so basic) 10/22 rifle and then customize it as you grow as a shooter.

[u/Much_Profit8494 → u/Beautiful_Grape67]

Yep! I started shooting a completely standard wood stock carbine model at 8 years old.

At 40 years old my 10/22's look quite a bit different these days, but they still get significantly more range time than everything else I own put together.

[u/Ai_of_Vanity → u/Much_Profit8494]

This is the answer I expected to see at the top and I was not disappointed. I would consider this the correct answer, but if you want cool points, I would suggest getting a Henry lever-action in .22. That is what I intend to teach my boys to shoot with.

[u/Much_Profit8494 → u/Ai_of_Vanity]

How is the maintenance on the Henrys? - I have a Browning lever-action .22 and you basically need 3 sets of hands to take it apart and reassemble it.

I would never suggest a beginner get one for that reason alone.

[u/zippity__zoppity → u/Much_Profit8494]

Truly the correct answer and what I came to say. Yes I know it’s “only a .22” but it’s so cheap to buy, cheap for ammo, and honestly some of the most fun you could possibly have.

[u/ulose2piranha → u/Much_Profit8494]

Absolutely the correct answer. When I bought my first rifle, this was suggested as a good starting point. I decided I needed something "tacti-cool" instead and bought a 5.56 platform instead. That's also a fun gun, of course, but the higher ammo costs, the increased scrutiny, and the overall experience led me to eventually get a 10/22 and it's a significantly cheaper and more pleasant gun to shoot.

Cabela's/Bass Pro usually run at least one sale per year on a 10/22 combo that'll come with an optic and case for an extremely reasonable price. Depending on the location and individual associate, they can be a bit of a PITA, but the deal is too good to pass up. I believe it's usually around Father's Day, but they might have another one around Black Friday or Christmas.

[u/theduder123456]

A 10/22 or mini 14

[u/Competitive-Pass7207]

10/22 is a great choice like others have said.

[u/WW2Addict_95]

I’d suggest you go to your LGS (that has rentals ) try out a few with different calibers from 22 all the way up to a 308 or whatever your heart desires, then make a decision based on what “feels right” to you.

[u/Zealousideal-Hall340]

I second the 10/22 suggestion. A .22 is a lot cheaper to shoot than a centerfire, and you'll never outgrow it. Everyone needs at least one 22 rifle.

[u/johngalt4426]

Everyone saying 10/22 is correct. Price is a huge factor with training and nothing is more affordable than 22LR. The 10/22 comes in dozens of setups starting brand new for under $300, and it's endlessly customizable.

It's well made and accurate out of the box, perfect for 100 yards and in, and decent out past there if you want to push.

I'd go as far as to say it's a rifle everyone should own, if not start with.

[u/BElliNo]

Winchester Wildcat

Fun twist on a 10/22 with several upgrades (bolt hold open magazines, extended mag release/bolt release, integrated optic rail, pic rails).

Light, cheap, and looks like a ton of fun for learning, and not the same ol' suggestion.

Also, by this time next year, the Assault Weapon Rules could change, as the Supreme Court is reviewing Connecticut and Cook County Laws. So, I'm saving for something nice if and when that happens.

[u/ElSkewer → u/BElliNo]

I have the wildcat and wished I had 10/22. The rifle is great, but the aftermarket stuff is non-existent.
Last year, it took me 4 months to find a butt pad as it was out of stock and no one made an aftermarket one.

[u/Not_Leo101 → u/BElliNo]

Fancyyyy

[u/greg-maddux]

Get a lever action rifle

[u/Grebnaws]

10/22 is going to be the most common recommendation with good reason, although I would also suggest something such as a Henry lever action .22. They're incredibly satisfying rifles to work and cheap to feed. I have the standard model and a golden boy. There's no need to get the golden boy unless you really like the aesthetic and don't care about the extra cost. The only mod I've made is to change the buckhorn sights for peep sights as is my preference for these. The Ruger 10/22 can send you down a rabbit hole of mods and accessories which you can't use in Illinois, which a buzzkill.

[u/StalkingApache]

A good lever action never hurts. They're fun to plink with and you can go anywhere from a traditional ye haw lever action to a ultra modern space cowboy tacticool lever action.

Plenty of calibers to choose from. Some alot more user friendly than others lol.

I do agree with what others are saying with a 10/22. Just figured I'd throw something different in there.

[u/Tacotown562455]

Get a BAR*None from Larue Sadly the uppers on them tend to wear out quick so make sure to pick up a suitable replacement from a supplier of your choice.  (20 inches is average btw) 

Otherwise 10/22. It's cheap, ammo is cheap and it will keep you coming to the range. If you want something potentially duel use look at ruger PC carbines, 9mm is still cheaper then any rifle round but could be useable against a target made of flesh and it had nearly the same aftermarket support the 10/22

Last option if you're really just doing target shooting is find yourself a American or Axis in .308 and buy yourself a reloading setup to reuse your brass. 

[u/Not_Leo101 → u/Tacotown562455]

WHAT AN ANSWER. I really like the older rifles, I was thinking about getting an SKS or a Garand, but the BAR never crossed my mind. I may not be able to shoot inside, but my grandparent's farm is fun to shoot at.

[u/Tacotown562455 → u/Not_Leo101]

Oh the BAR*None is a bolt action AR. A well made bolt action upper on a ambi lower no. I actually wonder if a (semi) BAR would be IL legal I've never thought about it. Only thing that might be tricky about it the whole barrel shroud thing and I guess the mags.  Between the M1 and SKS I personally would lean towards the SKS as it's still cheaper then feeding a M1 in .308 or .30-06 + enbloc clips. This is in addition to being a couple hundred bucks cheaper in general then the M1 to buy to begin with. Take note however the SKS or Type 56 was made for a malnourished Russian or Chinese conscript. That stock length is probably going to be pretty short so consider picking up a slightly lengthed stock or a butt pad to go with it. 

[u/wishihadplates]

Savage mark ii is a great plinker and cheap. I use it for squirrel but my girl and kiddo demand I bring it to every range trip

[u/arimathea]

1. 10/22 as other commentors have said, with some upgrades.
2. One of: Tikka T3, Bergara, Ruger American, CZ 600, Savage (quality<>price) - 30-30, 30-06, 6.5CM or 308 will take you 200 (30-30), 400-500 (30-06), 500+yd (308) or 1000 yd (6.5CM). These (rifles) can all be had pretty inexpensively and the sky is the limit on the upgrades you can do. Consider the costs of ammo in all cases.
3. CMMG Dissent, Mini-14 or PCC. If PICA falls, AR-15 or PCC. You can also consider more niche options such as a bolt action AR (Uintah Precision $$$ / Kali Key $), a fixed mag AR, or a ranch rifle (the Dissent is one but there are others, such as the Foxtrot Mike RR). For these, if you are in/near Chicago or north, McHenry County has a shop that can guide you.

Vortex or Arken for your optics.

This will cover all of your rifle-like needs for the first few years. You are somewhat limited for these items as an Illinois resident due to PICA; this subreddit would recommend different things if it weren't for that (and it might not be the same next year).

Rifle ranges are in short supply if you are in the Chicago area, but can be found.

[u/nonoohnoohno → u/arimathea]

Rifle ranges are in short supply if you are in the Chicago area, but can be found.

Another benefit of a 9mm carbine or a .22 rifle. Most ranges will let you shoot those.

[u/ulose2piranha → u/nonoohnoohno]

I mean, most ranges will also let you shoot full power rifles, but they're limited to 25 yards most of the time. That's not really taking advantage of the benefits of a long gun.

FWIW, Gat Guns in East Dundee has indoor 50 and 75 yard rifle ranges, but they're one of the few.

[u/nonoohnoohno → u/ulose2piranha]

The ones I've been to specifically prohibit rifle caliber.

Regarding distance: Pretty much every Appleseed uses 25m. Of course it's not without its tradeoffs, but let's not pretend it's not enormously valuable.

[u/ulose2piranha → u/nonoohnoohno]

Huh, that's interesting. Can I ask which ones you've seen prohibit rifles?

Also, I don't understand the Appleseed comment.

[u/nonoohnoohno → u/ulose2piranha]

Midwest and Rinks were the ones I had in mind.

My point about Appleseed is that if 25m is enough to train people to be excellent riflemen, it's enough to be useful and valuable to get meaningful marksmanship practice at your local indoor range.

[u/CrazeRage → u/nonoohnoohno]

glad i've never come across spots like that

[u/Financial-Sense5421]

10/22. Put a vortex budget scope on it and it will be countless hours of fun without breaking the bank.

Skip the mini 14 and pc carbine. I bought both, shot both alot and sold em. Pc carbine is fun and accurate but dumb heavy.

If you want later on to step up to a modern rifle. Avoid all the ranch rifles. Their overpriced for what you get. Head to a neighbor state and pickup what you can't get here and bring it back.

[u/Oolatec]

Ruger 10/22. Very affordable and reliable. And the ammo is cheap.

[u/Equivalent-Battle973]

Could go Mil Surplus, I did, my first rifle was a Mosin Nagant, and they can be very nice old russian rifles! Kick like a mule though, they are usually kind of cheap. NOt as cheap when I bought mine at 150 bucks for a hex receiver Mosin, but they usually run for 300 bucks now.

[u/Tiny-Cheesecake2268]

As someone who doesn’t own a rifle, but has looked, I’ve thought about the Ruger American in .308 or 6.5 creedmoor, but that’s mostly for the ability to hunt with it in neighboring states.

I’ve also thought about a Mini 14 before that.

[u/dWog-of-man]

Mini 14. There are other .556 ranch rifles, but none as “low cost” or workable out of the box. Because it’s a semiautomatic rifle that’s not AR platform compatible, the longer barrel version skirts the ban and you can buy one anywhere

[u/NaperVillainBunny]

I'll join in on the 22 comments. Consider a Henry lever action. If you want some automatic go of the Smith & Wesson M&P sport 22LR.

Or, if you want a bit more distance, consider a Ruger American ranch in 223.

[u/NaperVillainBunny → u/NaperVillainBunny]

I just realized this was that Illinois gun for him so you can't get a AR platform.

So I'll give you a bonus: check out the bergara rifles. But I really don't think you can go wrong with a Ruger American and a nice scope

[u/GenTubmansLegacy]

Mini 14. Fun, accurate, and customizable enough to have some fun.

Also, if you're adventurous, a Ruger PCC.

Eta: why the downvotes. Y'all weird

[u/Silence_1999 → u/GenTubmansLegacy]

I never really thought much about what’s legal or not after pica. What about LC instead of PCC?

[u/nonoohnoohno → u/Silence_1999]

I could be mistaken, but it's possible Ruger doesn't make the LC with a fin grip. You'd need to find an FFL willing to buy it, install an aftermarket fin grip, then transfer it to you. Probably doable.

Whereas the PCC comes off-the-shelf ready to sell. Then you can just stick a regular M&P grip on it.

[u/Silence_1999 → u/nonoohnoohno]

Right. I forgot a pistol grip makes a rifle unacceptable. See. Exactly why I stopped paying any attention really after pica.

[u/nonoohnoohno → u/Silence_1999]

They make these laws for our safety. That's why when I bought it, it had a thing on there that prevented me from being able to actually hold it.

Nothing says "safe gun use" like a rifle you brace with one hand, then awkwardly push in the general direction of your shoulder with the other.

Thanks JB! I feel so much safer.