A cheap training rifle

I am asked all the time: "what would make a good, cheap gun to learn marksmanship with?"
Let me answer that question this way:

I feel that rifle marksmanship is easiest to learn, and translates well into pistol marksmanship. Also, all the tactical training in the world is useless if, when you pull the trigger, you do not hit your target.Marksmanship is the most fundamental part of shooting as a martial art.

Also, for folks looking to get a good rifle setup for Appleseed, this is the way to go.

The Rifle:

Out of all the possibilities out there, I have selected the Marlin 795 as the training rifle of choice. Naturally, the 795's older brother, the Marlin 60, is a fine choice as well. There are numerous other makes and models that will suffice, but the 795 was the cream of the crop in several categories:

Detachable box mag. 
I personally like the tube-feed Marlin 60, but most people want or demand a detachable box mag.

Price.
At $125 (this price is true at most retailers), the 795 is the least expensive semiautomatic rifle on the market.

Reliability.
Marlin's legendary reliability dwarfs competitors such as Ruger. The 795 is also less picky about ammo than most other models on the market.

Accuracy. 
Marlin's micro-groove technology is unparalleled. To get a more accurate rimfire, a person must spend no less than $500 - thus destroying the fundamental premise of this article.

Ease of use. 
The only complaint about the 795 with regards to ease of use is that magazines do not drop free. That's OK - they are removed easily with the gentlest of tugs.

The Modifications

Marlins are not perfect. No gun is. But the Marlin requires the fewest modifications of any "out-of-the-box" rifle on the market. The only real modification that most people will need is a trigger job. Some want more, and I'll give you links to that, as well.

Trigger job:
1. Clip 1 coil off the hammer spring. File the clipped remainder smooth.
2. Weaken the return spring.

This will yield a trigger with a pull weight of about 5 lbs. That's all you need for most training.
Here's a link to some photos, as well as some other suggestions for trigger weight reduction.

Here's a more in-depth trigger job.

Sights:
Tech sights or a scope are a must.
A good scope can be had for less than $50. Tech sights are $75, delivered.
Center Point makes a good 3-9x scope that can be had at Wal Mart for about $50.

Magazines:
Marlin 795 magazines are about $20 - online or in some stores. Sometimes more, sometimes less. Pick up one or two extra. Generally, I advise getting the nickle-plated 10-round magazines, though Marlin makes some 7-round mags that will work, too.

Be mindful - not all Marlin 7-round mags will work in the 795!

Sling:
For those shooting the 795 at an Appleseed, here's a link to their site, with some suggestions. Also, anybody wanting to use a USGI sling for shooting will find that the Marlin already has studs installed, so all you will need is a 1.25" swivel. These are available from Uncle Mike's (online or at a local Wal Mart or sporting goods store), or Talon (often available at Academy Sports).

Bipod:
For those outfitting their Marlin with a bipod, you will have many to choose from. Use bipods designed to attach to the sling stud, as Marlins come with studs installed.

Ammo

Marlins are well known to be very forgiving with a variety of ammo. As with all .22's, they will like certain types of ammo better than others. The difference is that other rifles will jam, or have severe accuracy issues with ammo they don't like. Marlins will still feed it and shoot it straight, just not as straight as higher-quality ammo.

Most bulk ammo types will do OK. Generally, Remington ammo is the worst. Federal and Winchester bulk are perfectly fine. CCI is more expensive, but also more accurate and more reliable.

One can purchase higher quality match grade ammo, but unless you compete, there will be no need.