Top 5 Beginner Rifles for New Canadian Shooters

So you’ve done it. You’ve passed your CFSC/CRFSC, waited patiently for the mail, and now you have a brand new Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) in your wallet. Congratulations and welcome to one of Canada's oldest and most rewarding communities!

The next question is inevitable: "What rifle should I buy first?"

Walking into a gun store for the first time can be overwhelming. The wall of rifles is impressive, but choosing the right one is crucial for building a solid foundation of safety, marksmanship, and enjoyment. A good beginner rifle should be reliable, affordable to shoot, easy to handle, and effective at teaching the fundamentals.

This list is designed to give you a starting point. We've ranked these non-restricted rifles based on their suitability for a brand-new shooter, considering factors like caliber cost, recoil, ease of use, and aftermarket support.

#1: Ruger 10/22

If there is one rifle that could be called "Canada's beginner rifle," this is it. The Ruger 10/22 is a semi-automatic rifle chambered in the ubiquitous $.22\text{ Long Rifle}$ cartridge. For decades, it has been the go-to choice for new shooters, and for good reason.

Why It’s Great for Beginners:

• Minimal Recoil: The $.22\text{ LR}$ cartridge has virtually no recoil, which prevents new shooters from developing a flinch and allows them to focus purely on trigger control and sight picture.
• Inexpensive Ammunition: You can buy bricks of 500 rounds of $.22\text{ LR}$ for the price of a couple of boxes of most centerfire cartridges. This means more range time for your dollar.
• Unmatched Aftermarket: The Ruger 10/22 is the most customizable rifle platform on the planet. You can change the stock, barrel, trigger, sights, and more. It can grow with you as your skills develop.
• Reliability: It's a proven, reliable design that will function flawlessly with a wide variety of ammunition.

Things to Consider:

Being a semi-automatic, it requires a little more discipline to focus on fundamentals compared to a bolt-action.

Best Suited For:

The brand new shooter who wants to learn the basics of safe handling and marksmanship on a fun, affordable, and endlessly upgradeable platform.

Check out our video review of the Ruger 10/22 Here:

#2: Savage Axis II XP

For the beginner who knows they want to get into hunting or longer-range target shooting, the Savage Axis II XP is an incredible value. This is a modern bolt-action rifle that often comes as a package deal ("XP") with a factory-mounted and boresighted scope.

Why It’s Great for Beginners:

• Bolt-Action Simplicity: The manual action forces a slower, more deliberate pace. This is fantastic for learning breath control, trigger squeeze, and the fundamentals of precision marksmanship.
• Savage AccuTrigger: Most Axis II models include the user-adjustable AccuTrigger, one of the best factory triggers on the market. A good trigger makes it much easier to shoot accurately.
• Common Calibers: Available in popular, manageable, and readily available calibers like $.223\text{ Remington}$ or $6.5\text{ Creedmoor}$. These have moderate recoil and are effective for everything from varmints to deer (with proper shot placement and bullet selection).
• Budget-Friendly: For a reliable and accurate centerfire rifle with a scope, the Axis II XP package is very hard to beat on price.

 

Things to Consider:

Ammunition is significantly more expensive than $.22\text{ LR}$.

The included scope is basic but perfectly functional for getting started. Many shooters upgrade it down the line.

Best Suited For:

The new shooter focused on learning the art of precision and who likely intends to go hunting.

#3: CZ 457

If you take the low-cost, no-recoil benefits of the $.22\text{ LR}$ cartridge and put it in a rifle built with the precision and quality of a high-end centerfire, you get the CZ 457. This is a premium bolt-action rimfire rifle from the Czech Republic.

Why It’s Great for Beginners:

• Superb Accuracy: CZ rimfire rifles are legendary for their out-of-the-box accuracy. This rifle will be more accurate than you are for a very long time, making it an exceptional training tool.
• Quality Build: The fit, finish, and smooth bolt operation feel like that of a much more expensive rifle. It's a rifle you buy for life.
• Excellent Fundamentals Trainer: Like the Savage, the bolt-action nature promotes good habits, and its accuracy gives you immediate feedback on your technique.
• Interchangeable Barrels: You can easily swap barrels to other rimfire calibers like $.22\text{ WMR}$ or $.17\text{ HMR}$.

Things to Consider:

It carries a higher price tag than the Ruger 10/22 or other entry-level rimfire rifles.

Best Suited For:

The beginner who appreciates quality and wants a top-tier training tool for marksmanship without the cost or recoil of centerfire ammunition.

#4: SKS

With so many semi-automatic centerfire rifles now prohibited, the venerable SKS has become one of the last and best options in its class. This historic military surplus rifle is rugged, reliable, and chambered in the potent $7.62\times 39\text{mm}$ cartridge.

Why It Remains Legal: The SKS was designed with a fixed internal magazine that holds 5 rounds and is loaded from the top with stripper clips. It does not meet the new legal definition of a prohibited firearm, which targets rifles originally designed for large-capacity detachable magazines. It's also a hunting firearm for most aboriginal peoples, which the government is hesitant to interfere with as it would violate their treaty rights.

Why It’s Great for Beginners:

• Affordability: Both the rifle and its ammunition are typically very affordable, making it one of the cheapest ways to get into centerfire semi-auto shooting.
• Incredibly Durable: This rifle was built for the harshest conditions and is famously reliable.
• Historic Value: You are owning and shooting a real piece of Cold War history.

Things to Consider:

It has dated ergonomics, a heavy trigger, and mounting optics can be a challenge. Be sure to clean thoroughly after using corrosive surplus ammunition.

Best Suited For:

The history buff and the budget-conscious shooter who wants a durable, hard-hitting semi-automatic rifle.

#5: Henry Classic Lever Action .22

Lever-action rifles are an iconic part of firearms history and are an absolute joy to shoot. The Henry Classic Lever Action in $.22\text{ LR}$ is a beautiful, smooth, and incredibly fun rifle that makes an outstanding choice for any new PAL holder.

Why It’s Great for Beginners:

• Fun Factor: There is simply something satisfying about working a smooth lever action. It’s an engaging and fun experience that keeps you coming back to the range.
• Safe and Deliberate: Like a bolt-action, the manual action encourages a thoughtful pace of fire, reinforcing safe habits.
• Affordable to Shoot: Chambered in $.22\text{ LR}$, it shares the same low-cost ammunition benefits as the Ruger 10/22 and CZ 457.
• Classic Design: It has timeless good looks with its blued steel and American walnut stock.

Best Suited For:

The new shooter who appreciates classic design and wants a fun, affordable, and engaging rifle for plinking and target practice.

Final Thoughts

Your first rifle is the start of a journey. The most important thing is to choose a rifle that you will actually take to the range and practice with. Our best advice is to use this list as a guide, then go to your local gun store. Ask to handle these models. See how they feel in your hands. Talk to experienced staff and other shooters.

Your PAL is a license to learn. Invest in ammunition, range time, and proper training. Stay safe, and have fun!

You can also join our community where we regularly discuss and share information about firearms, accessories, ranges, regulations and more. Click here to join us.