I just know this is asking for grief but here goes anyway
I need a rifle or two or even 3 or 4
Not for myself per se but to use as a intro and training rifle for young people whom I will be putting through a 6 month shooting course for their D of E (Duke of Edinburgh) skills section of the award.
I'm not really interested in 2nd hand unless all the same as I want some consistency in what they will be using. Scopes I can sort. They need to be...
.177
Ambidextrous (preferably)
Easy to use with a safety so probably break barrel.
Have open sights with scope rail for later.
Have the ability in the right hands to hit a 40mm Nockover target at 35 yards.
Reasonable power (to hit those longer range targets) again in the right hands.
Budget - this is a voluntary project so low cost is very important.
Easy to service in the event of breakages.
Suitably sized to allow both junior (14/15 year olds) to handle and still be acceptable to adult shooters, say on a "have a go range" or club induction.
Ideally, you will own or at least have tried your suggested rifle.
"If" I had been asking many years ago I would be considering such classic as BSA Meteors and Supersports, HW30/35's and not to leave them out, some of the smaller Webleys. Now, with a couple of the above being owned by other companies I have no idea what their performance is like.
Over to the collective for hopefully some good advice please, if you have experience of suitable "budget" guns.
Thanks in advance.
Bob