advice on choosing my first fac rifle and s1 shotgun.

[froggy]

Salut,

I know sod all about shotguns but personally for your rifle budget I'd actually buy 2 rifles.
A semi-auto 22lr like a ruger 10/22 and a full bore 7,62x54 Mosin-Nagant . Both are basic, well proven design but excellent firearms that do everything the more expensive fancy toys to do.
You will even have some change from your £ 500/700 "guns treasure chest" that you can spend on ammo or save it for a future fancier toy once you have tried more. 7,62x54 is probably the cheapest ammo you can find in this country meaning you will get far more trigger time for your money.

[claytont]

Hi,
I'm in a similar situation to you in that I am also on my probation with a club and wondering what to buy to get started on my own. I have had some great advice from the forum and would pass on that you need to remember to budget for optics also potentially and a cabinet for certain.
Hope your search goes well!