TexasCHLforum.com

IMHO, every red-blooded American male (and female) needs three rifles: a rimfire, a semi-automatic centerfire, and a bolt-action, lever action, or single-shot "hunting rifle".

My choice?

Ruger 10/22
AR-15
.308 bolt-action rifle

Three very prevalent calibers, easy to find everything from plinking ammo and mil-surp to top-of-the-line hunting rounds for all three. First two are very popular models with easy to find parts and accessories.

So start by deciding which way you want to go on those three basic categories, then buy whichever one or two you want and will use the most now. Buy the third one later when you need it.

Personally, I'd always start with the rimfire and sounds like you're on the right track with that.

Oh, and you also need at least one shotgun .... a good Mossberg or Remington pump with an 18.5-inch home defense barrel and a 28-inch vent rib bird/clay pigeon barrel should have you covered for scattergun needs unless you get really into a particular type of shotgunning (sporting clays, waterfowl, three-gun shooting matches etc).