guns

Absolutely it's easy for people to shout from the hills "nobody needs multiple guns!" without thinking. A comment I read elsewhere said it's like asking a golfer why they need so many golf clubs.

A .22 bolt gun is a good place to start especially if you want to look into long range later. Relatively inexpensive for the rifle way less expensive for ammuniton. I agree it'a a good place to start!

You can't go wrong with any of those rifles, but I would suggest thinking about what long range rifle you would get and try to get the .22 to match those controls as much as possible. That way you get the most out of your practice.

Scopes can be a bit daunting! 10x is pretty much the standard for magnification, but having it adjustable for more is nice too. Not so much for actually shooting but for target id or even checking your hits, though that isn't as practical with small .22 size holes. Most scopes will have more than just a basic crosshair, with markings measured in MOA or Mils. Either is fine, just research it and see what you prefer and stick to it. Oh, if your scope has adjustable zoom I'd recommend first focal plane so the reticle stays the same scale as the target no matter the zoom level.

Irons can be fun to learn but honestly it's bonus. If you do want to change it up from scopes and there are plenty of relatively inexpensive red dots like from Vortex or Holosun. If it was me that would be on a separate rifle like a Ruger 10/22, which is a popular semi auto .22

6.5 is a good and proven caliber for long range, but I'm not sure if it would be suitable for larger game like a moose, but using the right ammo it may not be an issue at all. That's would be fkr you to research and decide.

If I get a 22 bolt action, I’ll likely need a scope. Most of the models I’m looking at don’t have iron sights. I’ve done some research, but the variety of options for scopes is incredibly broad. Would be happy to hear any advice on how I might go about narrowing down the field of candidates. For context, I’d likely be shooting the 22 exclusively on a range, almost certainly 100 meters or less.

For a nice, but relatively cheap scope I can vouch for the Redfield brand. The 3-9x 40mm scope is about $130 in the US. If you can find that sort of price where you are, I'd take it. In any case, a variable optic is going to work well in allowing you to shoot closer in for beginning practice/zero and further out. There are certainly different brand but I think any 3-9x is a good sweet spot to give you reasonable 100 yard magnification while still being usable closer. You could alternatively get 1-6x which would be more suited to the closer side of things.

Speaking of iron sights, do you think there’s value in learning to shoot with them? I’ve been mostly focused on scoped rifles as I don’t see much value in iron sights for target shooting and hunting. I could see iron sights being of much greater value for home defense, but legally speaking, home defense isn’t really a tenable thing here in Canada. Let me know if you think I’d be missing valuable knowledge / skill by omitting iron sights. As long as with the scope you are being mindful of getting good placement while looking at the reticle.

Learning irons and being comfortable does give you more versatility, but if are only ever going to shoot with limited selection of scoped rifles, I don't think it matters too much. I'll say that for any intermediate caliber or smaller where you might be putting a red dot on (which you could on your .22lr setup though doing that doesn't seem like your intention), in that case there's almost no downside to adding backup iron sights that can look through the red dot's housing.

You can get a reasonably priced .22lr and have a lot of fun with it. Even cheaper ones are fine. I bought my daughter a Savage Mk II bolt action a long time ago and we still have fun shooting it together. It's accurate further out than my eyes are, and ammo is generally the limiting factor (ie some cheap ammo isn't as accurate, but the flip side is it's cheap ). If the used market is a thing in your area, I'd definitely consider it There are many great used .22's out there. Most major brand guns are durable and most are more accurate than the people shooting them usually.

You definitely can shoot at 100m with iron sights if your eyes are good enough. A scope just magnifies more, and you will likely be more accurate with it if it's zeroed properly. I like scopes. I like red dots, I like irons. There's a time and place for everything. :-)

Be sure to get some training, and wear good ear protection!

Thoughts on calibers for longer distance shooting and hunting?

Starting with a 22 is the perfect way to defer that question while you gain knowledge. :-) You might have local/provincial restrictions on what calibers and metals you can use for hunting. What it is you prefer to hunt might influence the caliber choice. And the connotation of "all that's going on," might dictate an entirely different set of choices. In any case, one fun thing about the range is that if you chat people up, you and your wife will have an opportunity to shoot all sorts of different things.

There is always a value in learning how to shoot with iron sights.

For a .22LR specifically, I would recommend a red dot over a scope. The effective range of a .22 calibre will limit much more than the need for magnification. Plus, a red dot is much easier to pick up for a new shooter.

If you go with a 6.5 Creedmoor rifle later on, I would highly recommend a good scope.

Before anything else, make sure that you bring eye protection, ear protection, and a IFAIK (individual first aid kit) at all times when practicing, and always remember to keep the mindset that every weapon is always loaded.

Okay first you need to figure out what you want to buy. I would start with a striker fired 9mm pistol. Think Glocks, Smith and Wesson M&Ps, CZ P-10s etc. These are like the toyotas of pistols, unsexy but reliable. Smaller guns mean more recoil so I'd recommend a compact or full size. That gives you 10-17 rounds per magazine, and can be used for home defense or for concealed carry if you want. They normally run $300 to $600 or so.

Online research is fine (while you are at it look up a gun safety basics video like this) but you really need to go to a store and feel which one is the most comfortable to you. When you're ready to buy they will give you a form 4473 to fill out (idk about you but I NEVER mess with marijuana when it comes to gun stuff), and you'll be a gun owner! Don't forget some boxes of training ammo (115gr FMJ). 50-200 rounds is a good start.

Next look at a holster. Kydex is preferred since it is specifically shaped to the model of your pistol and light, which you should also order now if you want one. Streamlight and surefire are solid brands that won't limit your holster options.

Then find a class and learn as much as you can! A concealed carry course will teach you basics and legal aspects of defensive gun use. Practicing between classes is key. Don't be afraid to safely dry fire or clear rooms in your house. It looks goofy but it's fun too! Once you're comfortable you can find competitions and give it a go, they will challenge your skills under pressure.

Beyond pistols, AR-15s are popular for a reason. Lightweight, ergonomic, low recoiling, precise. They can handle everything from home defense to 300+ yards and there are plenty of classes for those as well.

Hope this helps!

Before you pick up a gun, you should definitely familiarize yourself with the four rules of gun safety. Just give them all a careful read, and spend a few minutes making sure you comprehend them. They are simple and obvious if you grow up around guns, but if you have never dealt with firearms they are the key to ensuring that you never have a gun go off when you don't intend it to.

• Treat every gun as if it were loaded.
• Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.
• Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target.
• Be sure of your target and what is beyond it.

It depends on a lot of factors. Is this character up close or far away? How protected is the lunatic and what would be the best avenue for approach? Can the character get to an effective position without giving themselves away? Do they care about guards or people nearby?

Sounds like a spicy story, I bet a lot of people would like to read it

From what I remember of history class, a Carcano will get it done, but a Röhm .22 only causes downstream problems like huge protective services budgets, and legislative and legal battles that last decades.

here you go.

It's hard to beat a Mossberg 500. If you're on a budget, a Maverick 88 is another good option. I'd recommend sticking with reduced recoil ammunition if you go this route. They're just as effective ballistically, but allow for quicker follow up shots and less potential hearing damage in an enclosed space.

Alternatively, if price is no object, you'd like some recoil reduction, and want to eliminate the chance of short-shucking, a semi-auto Beretta 1301 would fit the bill.

Can't go wrong with a Mossberg. My roommate has an 88 and I've got a 500, both are great. Sometimes you can get a combo deal that comes with a long and short barrel, barrels from them are close to $200 USD and the combo is usually less than half that more than the shotgun itself.

I have 2 shotguns, a Mossberg Shockwave 12 gauge, and a Henry .410.

A lot of people will tell you a .410 isn't as useful, but it all depends on what you load it with. 😉

For example, I'm set up with these:

Each trigger pull sends a slug and 2 ball bearings. So a gun that holds 5+1 rounds actually has 18 projectiles in it.

OTOH - The Shockwave goes "CLICK-CLACK!" and the sound alone could make an intruder shit themselves. Super satisfying on your end, super scary on the other end.

As others have said Mossburg has earned it's reputation for reliable shotguns.

Shotguns have quirks though. They have limited ammo capacity, and reloading isn't as straightforward as a mag fed pistol. It will take time and practice to get good, especially if this will be your go to in an emergency. So be sure to get out there and practice a lot!

You also need to look into ammo types. Others have explained that so I won't delve into it too much but it is important to learn what your ammunition does in your gun at the ranges you expect to use it. Shotguns have "spread" but at home defense ranges it's about the size of a hand so shot placement is still important.

If it was me I would not use a shotgun. Me, groggy and rolling out of bed at 3am to investigate a window breaking will be way better with an AR or handgun. The controls are simpler, the ammo capacity is larger, it's accurate and will have significantly less recoil. And I've practiced with them the most

Yes, my recommendation for a home defense shotgun is DON'T.

Shotguns have very limited capacity (unless you have a 3-gun shotgun with an extended magazine, but then you have a problem moving it around indoors), and loading them efficiently takes a lot of practice. Also, at home defense ranges--under 10y--spread on 00 buckshot is going to be pretty minimal. And you shouldn't be using bird shot at all.

I would suggest instead getting a PCC as an SBR. That gives you capacity, the ability to easily mount a light, and far more controllable than a pistol

Why a shotgun over, say a pistol or rifle? There's nothing wrong with shotguns but they do have limitations. Less ammo capacity, higher recoil and relatively complicated reload process. My point is it takes a lot of training to get good with a shotgun.

It's hard to go wrong with a mossburg, they are proven and used by many professionals. In general guns are tough and as long as you don't drag it though saltwater sand or mud you don't need to worry too much. Just read the manual or find a youtube video for cleaning and you're good.

Feel can definitely vary and is something you kind of have to experience for yourself. You can go to a gun store or to a range that lets you rent different guns. Length of pull (how long the stock is) is a big factor. That's why almost all AR stocks are adjustable. Hope this helps!