What is the cheapest rifle to shoot? (besides a .22)

I would look at military round rifles. Usually can get good deals on surplus ammo. Also some pistol caliber carbines. 9MM for sure.

Paul

VinnyVeee wrote:

Caleb C wrote:5.45x39 is pretty cheap.

Is that what the AK-74 shoots?

Nope -- the 74 is usually chambered in 5.45×39mm

Might want to look at the Mosins in 7.62x54R - still a lot of surplus ammo out there!! Guns are "cheap", too!!

Nagants

No, AK-74's usually come in 5.56.

Paul

Caleb C wrote:

captain-03 wrote:

VinnyVeee wrote:

Caleb C wrote:5.45x39 is pretty cheap.

Is that what the AK-74 shoots?

Nope -- the 74 is usually chambered in 5.45×39mm

Might want to look at the Mosins in 7.62x54R - still a lot of surplus ammo out there!! Guns are "cheap", too!!

Hey, Captian....... I think I've been confused by your confusion.

So... The AK-74 IS chambered in 5.45 x 39?

VinnyVeee wrote:..What is the cheapest rifle to shoot....

The one you reload for.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AK74

Wow. This thread is all confused.
The AK 74 fires 5.45x39.
5.56x45/223 is for the AR15/M16 variants
AK47 fires 7.62x39

Now that's settled. Lol
5.45x39 is really cheap. Usually around $130-150 for a 1080 spam can. I've been hearing this ammo supply is drying up so I'd buy a bunch if you buy a rifle. Don't expect precision out of an AK74 because they aren't that accurate but they are a lot of fun and a lot less recoil than an AK47. As for cheapest centerfire that's not foreign I would say 223.

They make AK's in 5.56 but unsure of the designation.

Vermilion wrote:They make AK's in 5.56 but unsure of the designation.

I know the Saigas can be had in either 5.45x39 or 5.56, I don't know of any others though.

I can tell you what isn't and that is my Schmit Ruben K31 7.5x55. I love it, and its one of the most accurate rifles I own. Paid about $75 for it but can not afford to shoot it or hoard much ammo for it. The bayonet for this thing is as much as I payed for the gun! Was a good investment though. Its tripled in value. I would suggest a Nagant(7.62x54r) or an AK(5.45x39mm).

I do not like to shoot surplus ammo. You have to realize the country selling the ammo is probably still using the caliber in question. They sell the worst lots first. I would rather reload my rifle ammo.

Doug

22 is the cheapest and most efficient in my opinion. My wolf ammo in 556 is pretty cheap too though

VinnyVeee wrote:Just curious. What is the cheapest rifle to shoot besides the .22 cal?

Mine is the M1 carbine...just bought 500 rds for $200 at CMP

No one has mentioned a muzzleloader. My little .40 caliber loaded for small game and plinking can get 200 shots out of a pound of powder. Goex runs around $15 and the KIK was $11 a lb. Cast my own roundballs and my lead is free.
As for cartridge rifles...Eaglestroker hit the nail on the head...any you reload for.

I shoot .40 cal.'s also. Have a ton of lead cost was $.06 per lb. Can get GOEX for $11.00/lb. Can make my own flints. I haven't figured the cost/shot in a long time ,but it used to be less than .22lr.

T....