Buying your first rifle in Australia

You've got your licence — now what to actually buy. Here's the framework experienced shooters wish they'd had on day one.

Pick the calibre by purpose, then the rifle.

Rabbit, fox and target shooting under 200m: .22 LR. Foxes and goats out to 400m: .223 Remington. Pigs, deer, all-round game: .308 Winchester or .243 Winchester. Larger species and longer range: 6.5 Creedmoor or .30-06.

New vs used.

Used is fine if you can inspect it. Look for: bore condition (light wear OK, pitting bad), wood-to-metal fit, recoil-pad condition, action smoothness. Walk away from rifles where the bolt feels gritty or the barrel is heavily fouled — those signal neglect.

What to spend on the rifle vs scope.

A common mistake is half on the rifle, half on the scope. Better split: 60% rifle, 40% optics + mounts + bipod. A $1500 rifle with a $500 scope groups better than a $2000 rifle with a $0 scope.

Dealer vs private sale.

First firearm: buy from a dealer. They handle the PTA paperwork, check the firearm before transfer, and stand behind it if something's wrong. Private sales are fine once you know what you're looking at.

What to budget

• Rifle: $700 – $2,500 for a serviceable bolt-action.
• Scope + mounts: $400 – $1,500.
• Cleaning kit: $80 – $150.
• Cabinet (if you don't have one): $300 – $800.
• 500 rounds for break-in and zero: $200 – $500 depending on calibre.

The total for a credible first setup is around $1,800 – $3,500. Spend the high end on glass, not the rifle.