ORIGINAL: stalkingbear
The best bang for the buck is exactly what rugerM77 got. Unless you can find a used ruger mk2 target pistol, the 22/45 is the best possible economy accurate handgun you'll find-both purchase price AND cost of shooting. They're more accurate than you'll be able to shoot them. The only mod I would suggest is to have a trigger job or aftermarket trigger installed. I HIGHLY recommend you start out shooting a .22 to get the basics down such as trigger control & sight picture without sinking a LOAD of money into ammo costs. Then after you get to be an accomplished shooter, move up to a centerfire handgun.
I have a SS Target MKII with a 4X scope and I can tell you it will out shoot my capabilities and I can actually hold "one ragged hole groups at 50 yards on a good day. First time out squirrel hunting a got and seen 4 squirrels and 3 were bug eyes at 30+ yards. One awesome 22 pistol. I have an old original Ruger Bearcat that has taken moresmall game and birds than most hunters have ever seen, ButI can tell you it is jellious everytime when I reach for the MKII!
