Hi Dan,
Probably the first advice anyone would give you is "don't buy anything just yet!"
Second: Take your time and read through ArgunBBS and get an idea of what the heck everyone is talking about, and still don't buy anything
Third: Take yourself off to your nearest club - I'd recommend Cambridge HFT, you are probably only about 45 minutes drive from Cambridge HFT at Shepreth - and have a good chat with the people there. They'll let you try their kit out, and will take you round the HFT course with a loan rifle - and still don't buy anything.
Fourth: Visit a good shop (there's one just up the road from you, near Biggleswade) and try out as many different rifles you can for fit, and scopes to see if they suit your eyes - but don't buy anything yet.
Fifth - review what you've learned with the people here and at the club
Sixth - have a look in the for sale section here and decide whether you'd want to get a rifle here or from a shop (and pay full whack)
Seventh - go on - treat yourself!
- Meanwhile, buy a selection of the shooting magazines (personally, I favour Air Gunner) and gain some more information and pretty pictures to further whet your appetite
- Most clubs have a "for sale" table and it is surprising the good deals you can get from good people.
- Also, if you fancy trying FT shooting go along to Midshires Marksmen at Hatch, Near Sandy
And then - ENJOY!
Finally, if you do want to visit Cambridge HFT, let me know (PM) and we can meet up there
AA TX200, HFT 500, AS400 .22
Daystate Grand Prix & Mk3
Parker-Hale/PAX Phoenix Mk2: .22 & .177