The advise I got here on the island a while back was to start with a .22 caliber rifle so practice can be affordable and it can be used for rabbits, squirrels etc. so I bought a Savage Mark II .22LR. Seen as you already have a .22 then you will be set to practice. I thought I could rush into this but found that hitting a rabbit sized target from 75 yards is harder than you think when you are first starting out. I shoot targets out in the bush at all different distances and have my scope zeroed at 75 yards. I would not want to go out and "practice" on any animals until I was confident that I could kill them with the first shot so off I go and practice practice practice. I now have confidence and know my rifle well at different distances and angles to go out and get some small game at the distances I am comfortable at. 100 yards for me right now would be my maximum yardage until I get more practice at the longer yardages. I then went and bought a Savage Axis .30-06 and have been practicing with it the same way I did with my Mark II. These are affordable rifles with affordable ammo. I use Federal Fusion for $23 a box for practice and have also tried other brands from 125, 150, 165 and 180 grain and so far I get the best groups with the 180 grain Federal Power Shok. I am 5' 11" and 195 lbs. with a stocky build so the recoil of the 06 is manageable but if I were 170 lbs. I would have gone with the .270 instead. I have shot about 200 rounds in the last couple of months again at different distances at my target stand at different angles and have my scope zeroed at 100 yards. To be honest, I would not take a shot outside of 200 yards yet as I still have some flyers out of that 8" circle but I see my progress and it is obvious to me now that what experienced guys have told me is to not shoot farther than your ability and I do know my limits. I just have to keep practicing and to be honest with myself and keep within my limits. I also have taken advice from HBC and from other experienced hunters and gone out in the bush and looked for the poop and followed tracks which goes hand in hand with the shooting practice. You can't have one without the other. What I have learned is that hunting is a lifestyle and a commitment, not a weekend hobby. I cannot wait to go out this weekend to get my shooting practice while my family picks berries (and garbage!) and then we all get to look for poop and trails! I hope you get your PAL soon so you can practice practice practice which will enable you to self sustain and enjoy the wilderness as I recently have. Cheers, Cam.