Walmart has them for 175.00 or you can get the camo model for 202.00.

 

Which rifle is that?

 

More questions for a better answer... Is this rifle for you? Or someone else? Will it be something that you will "grow into" to do bigger things later like maybe deer hunting or are you just plinking and never anything more?

 

Starting with a .22 that is an accurate gun like the marlin or Ruger, will get you started, As you learn to shoot, you can upgrade the 10-22 with a heavy barrel, and a trigger housing group for accuarcy, which will still be limited by the inherent poor accuracy of 22 rounds.
That gets you shooting. Learn the skills on targets, until you know you can hit everytime.
You won't do much against prarie dogs with a 22 since they tend to be further out than a 22 is good for. It'll reach, but the accuracy drops way down at 100 yards.
Next upgrade to a .223, in a heavy barreled, nicely trigered outfit, since shooting prairie dogs is an excersize in accuracy. This round is versatile, easily loaded to your specs, and can hit well, way way out there.
The Savage line of 223's comes with a very nice trigger, so you don't have to do much to start shooting for distance.
Ruger's are nice, but need a trigger job, so the savage comes back to the front.
I shoot ground squirrels in Oregon, out to 100 yds, with the .22 (mostly around 50 yds) and prairie dogs in Texas out to 400 yds with the .223.
Lots of fun.

 

Savage .223 as suggested above might be a good option too. But ammo will be more... Or if a .17 will kill a prarie dog then that might work too, I know they are pretty accurate.

 

You wouldn't go to far wrong with a CZ in .22 or .17HMR.
I have the .22 and it's a very accurate and reliable rifle.
Got a permit for Hmr but just aint got round to getting one yet.

 

I have a Stainless Ruger .22 Mag. The mag is just too cool. I have a brushed aluminum Leopold scope (with peep through mount). I bought this gun about 8 years ago, at Walmart of all places. Paid about $200 for it, another $80 for the scope somewhere else.

Really cool gun (cool looking too).

 

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...?Item=83906444

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...?Item=83766277

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...?Item=84082919
Seems like a pretty good deal.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...?Item=83682209

Or a mini 14 if you can find one for a good price. .223 rounds seem to be like 20 cents a piece.

 

Same here, get a Ruger 10/22 and a scope for a first taste. THen you'll go gun nuts from there! A buddy bought a nice BSA scope for around 35 bucks. I couldn't beleive how bright it is. Pretty nice quality for 35 US. I run Burris scopes on my rifles so this kind of surprised me that the BSA was so nice for the price.

 

Like I said in my original post we have a couple marlin 22s that we use for plinking around the land... But if it was my only gun I'd much rather have something more accurate and powerful and would suggest a .223. That would be able to be used on a Coyote or if you want to shoot for accuracy at a range or something then it's going to be a much better round.

Plus even though there is a high demand for rounds (ie Iraq war) they are still pretty cheap for ammo especially if you buy in bulk.

I'm just suggesting because you upped your price to $300 and at that price you probably want something that is a little more versitile.

 

Alot are recommending .223. Ammo is expensive and tough to find right now. for the price of ammo, I would go with a .243 or .22-250.

 

Fellas, thanks for all of your replies. The gun will be for me, and will be the first (rifle) of many. I don't currently plan to do any hunting, so as i get older and more experienced i will upgrade my weapons accordingly. Thanks again for all th help.

 

You looking to shoot the dogs for fun or for eradication? If you're trying to get them off your land, I'd go with a .22. Ammo is cheap and you'll be doing a LOT of shooting. The 10/22 is a perfect rifle for a beginner. Getting used to recoil and the pop will go a long way toward preparing you for the heavier recoil of a larger rifle.

If its just for fun, I'd get something that can reach out a bit, but still not too large a caliber. The 22 swift is a VERY fun gun to shoot and the recoil isnt bad at all. Sucker will reach way out there.

 

You want a fun one that wont break the bank and can really give those prairie dogs hell then i would suggest a 17 HMR. I have one thats a Ruger with a target barrel and I LOVE it for shooting those little critters, and others too. One of my friends went with the Savage brand 17 and he loves it too. I will tell you this it will EXPLODE a dog and crows too. Let me know which way you go im interested to know. By the way the Savage is quite a bit cheaper in price than the Ruger.

 

RUGER 10/22 !

22. LR is a very abundant Cartridge. The .17's are a good choice and are a better choice as far as straight performance either the .17 HMR (22 mag necked down) or the .17 MACH II (22 LR necked down). But, in my opinion, the .17's are harder to stock up on ammo for. CCI an Hornady only make small boxes and they are pricey. you can pick up 550 rds. of .22LR for cheap. If society ever broke down my trusty .22LR with 10,000 rds is what I will call upon, you can carry so much ammo. The 10/22 is an excellent starter for many, it was my first and all the rest of my family, they are simple, rugged, smaller in size for a variety of shooters and the aftermarket upgrades are endless. Having semi-auto can be intimidating to first-timers, but I have found it easier for teaching, because the pupil can be putting rounds down range soon with minimal instruction an the rifle. Now, If I could only have one? It would be a toss up between a .223 REM (5.56 x 45 mm ) or .308 WINCHESTER (7.62 x 51mm) due to the availability of the ammo in a survival situation. every police station, army base, and many civilian homes will have supplies of these cartridges. Both are adequate for hunting and defense. ( 9 mm would be my choice for the only pistol for the same reasons, .40 and .45 are popular but not as much as 9mm)


PS. I would get a good scope as soon as possible, don't go cheap. Leupold would be my choice but there are other good ones out there. But you don't have to rush, get good with open (iron) sights, they will alwyas work, and you should know how to use them.

Hope this helps