First rifle

I am looking for recommendations for what would be a good first rifle. Will be used for target shooting at deerstalkers in riverhead forest, and I am looking to spend around $800 to $1500, ideally including a scope.

"Will be used for target shooting at deerstalkers in riverhead forest" - beware all deerstalkers in riverhead forest :)

So purely a target rifle?

@tom101 what sort of target shooting?
If it just personal use or informal target shooting then it would depend what distance you want to shoot at.

If mostly 100/200 then I would suggest something like a 223, a rifle in "varmint" format ie heavier barrel than a hunting rifle
One of the most consistent 223's I've seen was a Sako heavy barrel, it consistently shoots 1/2" 5 shot groups.

For target shooting you will most likely get into reloading to get the best results from the rifle.

Getting my popcorn ready for this thread.

yes many watching this - well me an earlier Tikka would suit - the Tikka 590 and 690 from the eighties walnut stock - but caliber - for just purely target .223 ammo cheap well cheaper than some at the moment - 308 and if you want to shoot deer maybe invited down central North Island then you will have a rifle to do that - but there are many - you may be able to pick up a rifle that someone has worked up with a varmint barrel - an earlier Remington 700 BDL or ADL from the seventies or eighties - they shot well - even a Remington 788 from the seventies they were tack holers - sakos no you will not get one in that price range - shop around and someone on here may have something that would suit but sort out what caliber you want that narrows it down

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fatberg

Getting my popcorn ready for this thread.

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All the popcorn is gone after the previous hundred threads like this :D

Not saying people shouldn't ask and discuss though...