I would recomend looking for a .223 remington in either a remington 700 adl or savage. You can get either one almost anywhere for around 300 bucks and it will be a better rifle than the H&R handirifle. Whatever gun you get, the best scope that you can afford the better. If you are already a bird hunter you might try predator hunting for a while with your 12gr first. federal 3" 2oz lead 2s is a dandy predator load and will work out to 40 yards or so and most places where you predator call you can get a animal within that distance.