there's only about a hundred choices that could work for you, you need to narrow it down. what kind of rifle (bolt, pump, lever, self-loading, single shot)? what is your purpose (fun, target, hunting, defensive, plinking)? what can you afford? there are just so many choices.
a plinker i like is the Mosin. its accurate (as far as open sights go), its a piece of history, the rifle cheap, the ammo is cheap, its similar to .308 win in performance and ballistics, its rugged and reliable, never breaks. the only two things to consider is whether your range bans magnetic ammo and unlike modern rifles mounting an optic is complicated.
the two most common variants of the Mosin is the M91/30 rifle and the M44 carbine. bolt action, 5 rounds, 7.62x54r caliber, weighs like 8 pounds or something, shellac wood stock with japanned steel finish. cheap, like $120 for 91/30 and $200 for M44. ammo is like $90 a tin of 440 rounds. that's half the cost of buying .308 win ammo.
another fav of mine is the Norinco SKS... last i checked classic arms has them for like $250. caliber 7.62x39, same as AK47, accurate, lesser recoil than the mosin, easier to mount an optic (just get a railed bolt cover), collector's piece, chrome bore so easy maintenance and cleaning, extremely rugged & reliable, semiautomatic 10 shot fixed magazine but can be modded to take detachable mags.
something that's modern manufacture and good for hunting or target shooting with magnified optics would be like a Savage 11 or Savage 10. excellent value for the price, very accurate rifles for about $500 or so. bolt action 5 shot internal magazine, polymer or wood stock, usually it's a floated barrel with an adjustable trigger, available in a wide variety of calibers such as 223, 243, 270, 308, 30-06, 25-06, 22-250. often offered with a scope combo deal.
I've got a savage 11 in .223- great target shooting rifle. easily modded and upgraded as you'd like, i have a boyds thumbhole varmint stock on it ($99) and a millet 4-16x50mm scope ($280). with american eagle 55gr fmjbt it shoots about 1" at 100 yards, with handloaded ammo I can get groups under half an inch. its crazy precise for a sub-$1000 rifle.
It really depends on what you want it for. If it's just for range fun, the other two recommendations for a Mosin Nagant or some other surplus rifle are spot-on. I have said here many times that if you can't have fun with a 91-30 and a spam can of ammo, I don't know what's up.
That being said, that's about all they're really suited for. The cheapest budget bolt-action sporting rifle will be miles ahead of a Mosin in accuracy and ease of operation. Savage seems to have the budget rifle figured out like no other company, though there are several other great choices in that category.
A bolt action in any common (non magnum) hunting cartridge would be a good choice. Zim gave you a good list.
A Mosin Nagant is an excellent cheap choice, just be aware that the recoil on that thing is very sharp.
Don't count out the .223/ 5.56. It's an excellent all purpose caliber, with almost no recoil in any form, and still enough power to do nearly anything you need a rifle to do.
Whatever you get, resist the temptation to get some tacti-cool wanna-be ninja semi-auto. Yes, they're fun, cool, and make a lot of noise.
But they teach you nothing about basic rifle marksmanship.
The coolest rifle in the world is the one you can hit every target with, every time.
A single shot, or bolt action forces you to slow down, and put more effort into every shot. This is how you lean to be an expert shooter.
You should consider an HnR Handi rifle in .223. Brand new for around 300 and very accurate.
Then you can make your next rifle something fast and crazy.
Savage Axis, Ruger American or Remington 700 in .308 Win.
Your only criteria for your new rifle is more recoil? But not too much?
I choose for you, an H&R Handi Rifle chambered in .243.
Go with a 7.62x51 nato. Good all round caliber.
ask your dad
