guns

If I get a 22 bolt action, I’ll likely need a scope. Most of the models I’m looking at don’t have iron sights. I’ve done some research, but the variety of options for scopes is incredibly broad. Would be happy to hear any advice on how I might go about narrowing down the field of candidates. For context, I’d likely be shooting the 22 exclusively on a range, almost certainly 100 meters or less.

For a nice, but relatively cheap scope I can vouch for the Redfield brand. The 3-9x 40mm scope is about $130 in the US. If you can find that sort of price where you are, I'd take it. In any case, a variable optic is going to work well in allowing you to shoot closer in for beginning practice/zero and further out. There are certainly different brand but I think any 3-9x is a good sweet spot to give you reasonable 100 yard magnification while still being usable closer. You could alternatively get 1-6x which would be more suited to the closer side of things.

Speaking of iron sights, do you think there’s value in learning to shoot with them? I’ve been mostly focused on scoped rifles as I don’t see much value in iron sights for target shooting and hunting. I could see iron sights being of much greater value for home defense, but legally speaking, home defense isn’t really a tenable thing here in Canada. Let me know if you think I’d be missing valuable knowledge / skill by omitting iron sights. As long as with the scope you are being mindful of getting good placement while looking at the reticle.

Learning irons and being comfortable does give you more versatility, but if are only ever going to shoot with limited selection of scoped rifles, I don't think it matters too much. I'll say that for any intermediate caliber or smaller where you might be putting a red dot on (which you could on your .22lr setup though doing that doesn't seem like your intention), in that case there's almost no downside to adding backup iron sights that can look through the red dot's housing.

There is always a value in learning how to shoot with iron sights.

For a .22LR specifically, I would recommend a red dot over a scope. The effective range of a .22 calibre will limit much more than the need for magnification. Plus, a red dot is much easier to pick up for a new shooter.

If you go with a 6.5 Creedmoor rifle later on, I would highly recommend a good scope.

Before anything else, make sure that you bring eye protection, ear protection, and a IFAIK (individual first aid kit) at all times when practicing, and always remember to keep the mindset that every weapon is always loaded.

A .22 bolt gun is a good place to start especially if you want to look into long range later. Relatively inexpensive for the rifle way less expensive for ammuniton. I agree it'a a good place to start!

You can't go wrong with any of those rifles, but I would suggest thinking about what long range rifle you would get and try to get the .22 to match those controls as much as possible. That way you get the most out of your practice.

Scopes can be a bit daunting! 10x is pretty much the standard for magnification, but having it adjustable for more is nice too. Not so much for actually shooting but for target id or even checking your hits, though that isn't as practical with small .22 size holes. Most scopes will have more than just a basic crosshair, with markings measured in MOA or Mils. Either is fine, just research it and see what you prefer and stick to it. Oh, if your scope has adjustable zoom I'd recommend first focal plane so the reticle stays the same scale as the target no matter the zoom level.

Irons can be fun to learn but honestly it's bonus. If you do want to change it up from scopes and there are plenty of relatively inexpensive red dots like from Vortex or Holosun. If it was me that would be on a separate rifle like a Ruger 10/22, which is a popular semi auto .22

6.5 is a good and proven caliber for long range, but I'm not sure if it would be suitable for larger game like a moose, but using the right ammo it may not be an issue at all. That's would be fkr you to research and decide.

You can get a reasonably priced .22lr and have a lot of fun with it. Even cheaper ones are fine. I bought my daughter a Savage Mk II bolt action a long time ago and we still have fun shooting it together. It's accurate further out than my eyes are, and ammo is generally the limiting factor (ie some cheap ammo isn't as accurate, but the flip side is it's cheap ). If the used market is a thing in your area, I'd definitely consider it There are many great used .22's out there. Most major brand guns are durable and most are more accurate than the people shooting them usually.

You definitely can shoot at 100m with iron sights if your eyes are good enough. A scope just magnifies more, and you will likely be more accurate with it if it's zeroed properly. I like scopes. I like red dots, I like irons. There's a time and place for everything. :-)

Be sure to get some training, and wear good ear protection!

Thoughts on calibers for longer distance shooting and hunting?

Starting with a 22 is the perfect way to defer that question while you gain knowledge. :-) You might have local/provincial restrictions on what calibers and metals you can use for hunting. What it is you prefer to hunt might influence the caliber choice. And the connotation of "all that's going on," might dictate an entirely different set of choices. In any case, one fun thing about the range is that if you chat people up, you and your wife will have an opportunity to shoot all sorts of different things.