[Atroxus]

I am thinking about getting a .22 caliber rifle for hunting small game such as squirrels or rabbits. I want something that is accurate enough to get teh job done, and reasonably reliable. I need to keep costs as low as possible though. I saw a Marlin 60 with wood stock, stainless barrel, and 4x20 scope at a local gun shop for $150. It is used but in good condition. Should I jump on it at that price, or are there better rifles available for similar price?

I am also curious about sighting in a .22 intended for small game. What range should I zero it in at, and will I have to adjust point of aim anywhere from 25-100 yards, or will that be short enough range to not have to worry about it?

[kyle1974]

that's too much for that rifle... I see them go for around $100 quite often...

Marlins are generally fairly accurate rifles though. I've got an older model 25 bolt action I got as a kid, and it will shoot 1" groups at 50 yards.

I would sight in for 50 yards...

[sheepdog]

...stainless with scope...I'd give that for it...most sold .22 rifle in the US...they just keep on shooting...the only other one I'd buy would be the Ruger 10/22...and I'd look for a used one, too, and scope it...probably end up closer to $250, though...I'd get the Marlin if it's clean...

[kyle1974]

wow... I just priced those. They sure have gone up. I bought one for about $75 15 years ago.... $150 looks like it is a good price.

[sheepdog]

...I bought a Winchester 1300 pump for 225 2 years ago...today they're 400 and they gave me 300 trade value on mine...guns have jumped right on up there...that's why I shop used...if it's not damaged, it's usually a good buy...

[schlockinz]

I like my 10/22 for small game hunting.

I currently have it zeroed at 75 (i believe) and its been setup more for a coyote gun to keep in the truck, and since its a 10/22 follow up shots are fast and uninterupted.

Have you looked at 22mags at all, to me they just seem slightly more versatile than the .22LR

[Atroxus]

I hadn't thought of .22 magnum. But that is mostly because I have a ton of .22LR ammo already. I have bunch of CCI Mini-mag HP, and Federal bulk high velocity. Would .22 magnum be much more expensive for the rifle than a .22LR?

[schlockinz]

There are some over at budsgunshop that are listing in the high 100's low 200's (savages and marlins) for the mags.

The main difference will come in the ammo, 22 mag is more expensive, but still cheap compared to centerfires.

[Kernel]

What range should I zero it in at?
With a typical scoped .22 LR (40 gr & 1240 fps) if you zero 2" high at 50 yds you'll be 2" low at 100 yds. For most small game animals you can just hold the cross hairs right on the target out to 100 yds and not have to bother adjusting up or down. The bullet will always be in that 4" window, never more than 2" above or below your line of sight, out to 100 yds. That's called a 100 yd "point blank range" for a 4" target. (BTW, your "zero range" is 87.5 yds).

[HB]

The Marlin is a good gun, as are Savages and pretty much every other big name .22 for $100. If you can, save up for a CZ. Probably the best bang for your buck out there.
I zero my squirrel guns at 35 yards.
HB

[MCgunner]

.22 mag is way too much for squirrel. I prefer my bolt action Remington with shorts, personally, CB shorts work great 30 yards and in. With regular shorts, keep it to 50 yards. Quiet is good. Don't scare off the other squirrels. I'm not a 1000 yard squirrel shooter, myself.

That said, I'd really rather hunt with a .22 pistol, myself, which is a might loud.

[Atroxus]

I thought about using pistol briefly, but I just am not accurate enough beyond 20ft with my mosquito.

[Remedyman]

I will say this, my 10/22 is nice, but I REALLY like my Sweet 22 scope on it. And I like the changes they have made to the new model even more. I would say if you have the ~15 bucks, look into it.

[swampboss]

+1 on the Ruger 10-22 . You should be able to find a used one. I bought the stainless/black about 12 years ago. For trapline, squirrels, varmits, Still shoots like new and It has had a tough life and still shoots dime size groups at 50yards with most any ammo.

[MCgunner]

I thought about using pistol briefly, but I just am not accurate enough beyond 20ft with my mosquito.

Scope it. My favorite is my TC and its 2x scoped .22 match barrel. I can put 10 rounds on a squirrel's head at 50 yards off shooting sticks with that thing. It's basically a rifle that fits in a shoulder holster that doesn't fit on your shoulder. :D Then, I have a 2x scope on a new to me Ruger Mk 2 I got a while back. I haven't hunted squirrel with it, yet, but it will shoot 1" at 50 yards off sand bags. It's plenty accurate, more accurate than my 10/22 which ain't saying a whole lot, but the 10/22 is accurate enough for squirrel hunting.

Practice, too, a lot. Shoot from field rested positions. Imitate what you'll be doing in the field, shooting sticks, using a tree for a rest shooting off your knees, etc.

[Atroxus]

Well I took my Sig Mosquito and traded it in at a local gun store. They ordered me a new Marlin model 60, and sold me a Bushnell 3-9x 32mm scope. Only cost me $9.75 out of pocket. :D Now I just gotta wait a week or so for the gun to arrive. It's gonna be a looong week though, I am not known for patience. ;)

[lgbloader]

+ 1 on 10/22. I have two of em and like them alot for small game. I also I have a marlin 22 Mag bolt action and it is accurate as heck but a bit over kill for small game that you listed. Maybe good at long distance but I like to get close to em... to me, that is most of the fun.

LGB

[Atroxus]

Well I sighted in my new rifle and scope today, and I was pretty happy with the results. I only fired 80 rounds though because it was an outdoor range and temp was near freezing. I was shooting off a bench at 50 yards. Below are pics of my best 5 shot group. Does that look good enough to hunt squirrels, rabbits, and maybe raccoons?

http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/2720/22lrmeasured12222009.jpg (http://img691.imageshack.us/i/22lrmeasured12222009.jpg/)


http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/7915/22lr12222009.jpg (http://img684.imageshack.us/i/22lr12222009.jpg/)

[Uncle Mike]

Get that Marlin...before it gets away! Only IF it is in Like New Condition.

Marlin Model 60...sight in at 33y. with 40gr. at 1240FPS ammo.

If you get a 50y shot at a rabbit or skwack, your doing something!