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I'd suggest you look in the used guns in a gun shop (not a sporting goods store that also sells guns, and not a chain, but somebody who has a love for guns). You're likely to find something unexpected that you'll fall in love with.

I'm still kicking myself for not buying rifles I saw and "thought about" fifteen and twenty years ago. There are a few that are really unusual and beautiful, and for your purposes, you might as well hold out for one of those.

These likely won't fit your tastes, since my primary focus is on hunting, but a couple of the ones that "got away" for me were a beautifully sporterized Portugese Vergueiro 6.5x58 and a likewise well-done Springfield '03 in 333 OKH. Both were one-of-a-kind custom jobs in rare calibers that can't be had routinely, but my purpose is just to show you that you can make very personal aesthetic choices.

If I had 1200 bucks to buy a rifle right now, hands down it would be an AR-10 in .308/7.62 NATO. If I had 1500 bucks it would be an AR-30 in .338 Lapua. The .338 Lapua is an awesome caliber, and is being used for distance sniping in the sandbox at this very moment. It is a bolt action rifle and has a five round detachable single stacked box magazine. This would be the ultimate in paper hunting, as it can reach out to distances almost a mile away. If you’re going to challenge yourself, why not do it right. Ammo is the only pitfall, at $5 a round; you would need to learn to reload your own ammo if you didn't already know how. Auction arms has an AR-30 .338 Lapua that is lightly used and already scoped. There is also four more guns I feel you should consider though . . . first of all the 22-250 is well renowned for its high velocities and flat shooting characteristics . . . although I haven't researched any particular models, at quick glance ammo can be had for as little as $12 for 20 rounds. Next I would consider a 25-06, I'm a Ruger freak, so there is no point in asking what I'd buy, although the Rem. 700 is a fine rifle that has been proven and has survived the test of time. At a glance ammo is $20 - $25 for 20 rounds. The 25-06 is an amazing little cartridge. With a fairly flat trajectory, its super velocity, and superb stopping power this cartridge can reach out to 500 yards and still have 1224 ft lbs of energy. It is truly an all around cartridge. Another rifle you should consider is a 9mm carbine, the Ruger (police carbine) PC9 is a great little rifle, and fun to go plinking with, they are no longer in production, yet they are heavily sought after. I have a thorough knowledge of this gun, and I believe it will appreciate in value. There are other 9mm rifles out there, but I have no personal experience with them. Another great attribute of the PC9 is that the mags can be interchanged with those of the P series Ruger 9mm pistols (except the new SR7.) The same configuration can be had in 40 S&W, known as the PC4. 9mm Para Bellum is also a NATO round, cheap, and easily acquired. The PC9 (and a p series pistol to accompany it) could be had for under a grand. Although, finding one might take some patience. An AR style rifle in 9mm might be a lot of fun too. Last, but certainly not least, is the Polish Tantal made by anyone but Century Arms International. The Polish Tantal is akin to an AK74, it shoots 5.45x39; which can be found for as low as $200 for 1000 rounds, considering that .223/5.56x45 is selling for $399 for 55gr and $499 for 62gr (you need 62gr to reasonably stabilize a bullet out of a 1:9 twist mini 14) the 5.45x39 is a bargain. It is affectionately being called "the new .223," which is not far off from Russian .223, its name here in the States. Beware of Century Arms imports though, because rumor has it, they have pulled a fast one by installing .223/5.56x45 barrels to accommodate the mandated U.S. number of parts required to legalize these for importation. What's been happening, is that they have been key holing when they hit the target. The ones manufactured by Interarms are the ones you want to look at if you decide to purchase. Check out atlanticfirearms.com or presidentialarmsinc. They go for about $600-$650. The Dragunov Style Sniper Rifle, in Romanian .762 x 54 r, found at Atlantic Firearms might be worth checking out too, Ammo is pretty cheap for it also.

You already have a 10/22 that you like and apparently like the Mini-14 you shot. So, why not buy a Mini-14. .223 ammunition is inexpensive (for centerfire ammunition) and plentiful. A new one should be around $800--a used one even less, just look around. While they only make the Ranch Rifle now, Ruger used to make a "standard" version--if you buy a used one, either will work well, but I prefer the Ranch Rifle. If you want "minute of angle" accuracy you can get the current target model for about $1000. (A couple of hundred for ammunition is a good start). The Ranch Rifle is also available as a Mini-30 that shoots 7.62X39 ammunition (originally designed for the SKS)--also very inexpensive to shoot. Some people prefer the .223, others 7.63x39--maybe you can find someone with a Mini-30 you can try out. Anyway, my suggestion is the Mini-14 Target, but that's what I'd buy. You buy what makes you happy.

Well if all you plan to kill is paper, may I suggest a .223. If like your 10-22, then get a ruger mini 14. Ruger now makes the Mini in a match grade configuration, and shoots sub MOA.

Also an AR-15 of decent quality can be bought for about 1000 dollars.

The reason I suggest this, is that you could get some real long range fun(200 plus meters), out of the .223.

I believe the Ruger and most AR's are cut with 5.56 chambers so they will digest surplus ammo with out any troubles. The .223 is the least expensive round to shoot long range with.

Good luck.

I LOVE military surplus rifles, especially Eastern Europe/COMBLOC nations. SMLE Enfield rifles, Mosin Nagant 1891/30 or M44, Schmidt-Rubin K-31, etc. The guns are cheap, you can pick up an M44 for $75. The ammo is way cheap, surplus cases can be gotten for as low as 10 cents a shot.

The Mini 14's are not accurate at all. You can pick up a DPMS or Rock River AR for around $900 or less, and are as accurate an AR as I have ever shot. The upside is: if the crap hits the fan (and you have to shoot more than paper), you have an AR15. Remember, if you get an accurate rifle, you will want to get a good optic, so budget that into your plan.

If you want to buy a gun before the next election, get an AR15 and plenty of 30 round mags. Worse comes to worse, you will still be able to buy a bolt gun. Stock up on assault rifles and high-cap mags while you can.

Well either a serious target 22 (Savage FVT at the low end Anschutz at the high end) or a centrfire rifle. Since you aren't hunting I would recomend a AR-15 they are modular and can be adapted and accesorised in many ways from a casual plinker to the heavy barrel target configuration used in the National Match at Camp Perry. Another fun gun is a M-1 Carbine. If you are not recoil shy there is the M-1 Garand. BTW there are two ladies who shoot in the Matches I run using ex-military bolt action rifles, one uses a Lee Enfield the other a 1903A3 Springfield.

if you like the Mini-14 I think you'd LOVE an AR-15, aside from that there are a wide range of 223 bolt guns available that would please you wonderfully I suspect. (note 223 is what the mini-14 was using, and is basically what an M-16 is using, the AR-15 is a 'civilian M-16' and dozens of companies make good ones for around $800)

Check out CZ-USA's line of small bore centerfire.

This handy little carbine is a ton of fun, avaialble in 223 or in 7.62x39 (AK ammo)

http://www.danwessonfirearms.com/product_detail.ph...

of course you can go iron sights if you want, no scope necessary.

Same with the Lux, which is the same gun but with a longer barrel. However, most folks in the USA who are shooting 223 want a scope, so this is pretty hard to find unless you special order

http://www.danwessonfirearms.com/product_detail.ph...

(I think it has a wonderful look to it)

then there is the 'american' with no sights and a stock better suited to scope-use

http://www.danwessonfirearms.com/product_detail.ph...

I like the Ruger Mini 14 alot. But that doesnt mean I will recommend one. If you want super accurate long range capabilties then the Mini 14 isnt for you. If you want to do some informal target shooting or hunting critters to the 125 yards range then The Mini 14 would be fine......

http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-NEWMini14.htm

On the other hand if you want a longer range rifle then consider the tried and true Remington 700 SPS chambered in .223....

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerf...

Or the Remington 700 SPS in stainless... Chambered in .223...

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerf...

You already have a 22, so another 22 doesn't make much sense to me. You need to specify whether or not you are ready to advance to a larger caliber. You also need to specify how much you are willing to spend.

The only reason you should get another 22 is because the ammo is so cheap and you dont plan to kill anything anyways. But I suggest you step up to a larger caliber, perhaps .223 like an AR15. But THAT is expensive.

Goosey

If worried about the election and I see gun owners getting hurt big time A beautiful respectable woman like yo should buy a few AK 47s with allot of mags. That is what they will go after first