I saved up my money in an old coffee can, and when I had enough, I gave my dad the money and he ordered me a brand new Ruger 10-22, Sporter model. That was in 1983, I was 13 years old as I recall. He was so proud that I saved enough money, that he sprung for the base, rings, and Bushnell 3x-9x scope for it. Dad owned a very small gun shop at the time, before he went "big", and I remember thinking that the UPS guy musta forgot how to get to his shop after he ordered that rifle for me. I never have enjoyed shooting a gun any more than that one. Seemed like no matter what brand/weight of 22LR I sent throught her, it was dead on!!