.22 for a starter

[bigbucks98]

Do you guys think that a .22 long rifle is the best gun offered to start out a begginer of varmint hunting? My little brother wants one and I wondered what you guys thought about it. I personally think that its a good idea but just wanted to make sure that it certainly is a good idea.
Hes only been shooting his GAMO viper airgun and has killed a variety of animals. In fact, thats what we use to kill our chickens with for supper. He sits out on the porch and takes one pellet and hits them in the head everytime..... anyway let me no what you think on the .22 deal.

[rifleboy91]

go for it.

[kdvollmer]

.22 for a first gun is outstanding. It was my first past an airgun. Many will say buy a RUger 10-22. While there is NOTHING wrong with one, they are excellent rifles, i suggest a bolt action, either single shot, or 5 rnd magazine. That will help to force him to work on marksmanship when shooting small game as oppossed to blazing away with a 10 rnd semi-auto 10-22. Just my $.02

[IndyHunter83]

For any animal, ground hog of smaller, a .22 will be perfect for him. There are alot of good ones out there. Of course people will suggest the 10/22. I personally like marlins. I also would go with a bolt action or single shot. I think it kinda teaches to make your first shot count. A question I have is how old is your brother? If he's just a youngster, like 10 or younger, the cricket or chipmunk rifles are good for small framed people. If not, I believe marlin and ruger both make good bolt action .22s and I think savage makesone too. If he's planning on going after coyotes or foxes or things of that size I'd go for a .22 mag or .17 hmr. They're both pretty good for any varmit with in 100 yards and sometimes out to 150. Personally though, There is no funner or better learning rifle than a good 22 lr