Trev's right, no such thing as a dumb question here. The only dumb question is the one you don't ask.
Can't help you with the HMR but I've had some great .22LR rifles if you want to start out in rimfire. Or save up a little and look for a good second hand centrefire like a Sako .222. Then even if you move up in calibres you'll always want to keep a .222 Sako.
Dave
