Recommendations for a SHTF .22?

[ShooterMcGavin]

I do not know my .22 rifles. By a 'SHTF .22', I am looking for a reasonably accurate .22 rifle for hunting small game. It would be nice if it can, in a pinch, go a little while between cleanings while still functioning. Certainly, it does not need to be life-or-death reliable, like a defense weapon. I would like the ability to mount a scope on it. The option of getting it with a synthetic stock would be nice. I do not want a single-shot.

If the rifle is small-ish, light weight, folding, or otherwise easy to carry, that's a nice bonus too. I don't have a lot to spend lately, so I'm looking for one of the "best deals" types of rifles. Maybe I can get two recommendations - a good accurate .22 and another that has the benefit of folding if sacrificing accuracy? Can it be kept under or around $300?

Thanks.

ETA: I guess people have not read my post following this one. I do not want a single-shot .22. This gun should be capable as a fun range gun too. That's a lot of the reason I want to be able to mount a scope. I do like the simplicity of a bolt action.

ETA again: Ok, can we narrow some options down? What would be a bolt action .22, capable of mounting a scope, good accuracy (~2MOA or less), with more than 5 shots (10+ would be great)???? Oh, and around/under $300? Definitely want to attach a sling and a little smaller is better (under 40" OAL would be good).

 

[Jed Carter]

Ruger 10-22

This is the most prolific .22 rifle, parts, magazines ( up to 50 rounds ) are everywhere. They shoot great and are very ( convertable ), from a polymer side folding stock to a thumb hole laminate with a bull barrel. The final word is Ruger 10-22.

 

[madcratebuilder]

IMHO, a true SHTF .22 would be a pump with a long tube feed that would take .22short, long, or long rifle. I have a hundred year old Winchester that has NEVER jammed in the fifty years I have been shooting it.

 

[mgkdrgn]

IF you can find one, a good used Remington Nylon 66 should fit that bill quite nicely.

 

[doglb]

How about a Henry Lever Acton?
Holds 15/.22lr and up to 21/.22 shorts

Acurate, good customer service-you can mount a scope-
Dicks Sporting Goods had them for around $219 not to long ago-
Gives you enough extra $$$$ for a scope and some ammo for $300-

The only thing is that I do not have a synthetic stock for them, at least not one I have found.

 

[woof]

Seems to me a semo auto would be the last thing you'd want, too many things to hang up. I would go with a bolt action. You can still pick up pre accutrigger Savage Mark II Fs (synthetic stock) for under $120. I'm not sure why you'd need takedown but these only weight 5 lb. Put the rest of the money into a scope (do you really even need that?) and a cache of ammo.

 

[John828]

What I really need is a good fan to handle all the S that must be coming down the pike.

Any recommendations? Should I start a thread?

 

[rockymtnhigh]

agree, the lever gun that I have had for the last twenty some years (Browning) is faithful, never jams, is accurate and I have a scope and irons as well.

My brothers both have Marlins, and they do jam.

 

[skoro]

I'd also recommend a decent bolt action. If you're hunting, the first shot is all you'll really need, so a speedy follow up isn't all that important. I have both a bolt and a semi-auto 22, and over the years, the bolt has taken a LOT more game. They're simple, rugged, reliable, and just about foolproof. And since it's a SHTF rifle, I'd stick with open iron sights rather than a scope on a rimfire. Marlin, Savage, and Remington all make good affordable models.

 

[John828]

If you get a bolt, look long and hard at the CZ line. If you get a CZ, look long and hard at the Trainer--the iron sights are ambrosia for the iron sight shooting gods.

 

[Mongoose]

I's say the Ruger 10/22. It's both tried and true. You can get them with 16in, 18.5in, and 20in barrels. There's even a 10/22 pistol.

 

[ATAShooter]

I would have to go with a bolt gun. Let me explain before the 10/22 crowd stomps me into a bloody heap.... I have a 10/22 (which I love), a Marlin 99, and a Remington TargetMaster. If I use CCI Minimags, the autos function for me without fail. However, Cheap (bargain) packs of ammo, they dont like so much. The bolt gun eats it all. Now definitly, you ain't gonna be able to rapid fire a bolt gun, but when using bargain ammo, usually she always functions without a jam. Marlin, Remington, Henry make some real nice ones. Mossberg makes a Plinkster for about 100.00.

 

[BHP FAN]

10/22.The thing never jams and gobbles any cruddy .22 LR made.The argument for pumps and boltys has some merit,but the odds on you finding a box of .22 longs [not long rifle] or shorts nowadays are pretty slim.

 

[GeezerwithGuns]

Ruger 10/22 with a good scope, several 25 round Butler Creek magazines and about 5000 rounds of ammunition. At least, that's my approach.

 

[expvideo]

Marlin Papoose. Very reliable, pretty accurate, incredibly light weight, breaks down like a survival rifle, synthetic stock, bolt catch, removeable magazine, scope rail, about $200.

 

[MrBorland]

I'd recommend a CZ 452 bolt rifle, as well - except the Scout version. Very small, very light, very handy, very reliable, and very accurate. Comes with a single shot mag, but accepts standard CZ 452 5-shot, as well as a 10-shot mags, too. Mount a scope with QR rings, install some slings studs, and IMO, you'd have just about the ideal SHTF .22LR.

http://www.cz-usa.com/product_detail.php?id=5

 

[Mongoose]

10/22s eat everything that you throw at them too. I once found about 11rds of 22lr ammo of various brands sitting on a table at the range one morning. I procceeded to load the rounds into the magazine and cut loose on a target without a hitch.

 

[regal]

I just bought a Savage Mark II FS in stainless steel for a SHTF survival rifle. It has great sights. In PA a semi rifle is illegal for hunting. Best thing about this is it shoots and feeds super aguila rounds which are dead silent which will come in handy to hunt when the economy falls.

 

[natescout]

Ruger 10/22 gets my vote, sooooo many options !

 

[benEzra]

Ruger 10/22 with a Butler Creek folding stock and 25-round magazines.



http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0031476227292a.shtml

 

[chad1043]

Marlin 981T is what you are looking for....

 

[woof]

LOL, threads like this are always the same, everyone recommending what they have. By the way, I have had several 10/22s and they have all jammed at one time or another. Anyone who would trust a semi over a bolt in a life situation is a real gambler.

 

[John828]

Too true woof on all accounts.

Not knocking any particular brand, but I would imagine all semi-auto 22s jam at some point or another unless you are meticulous about cleaning and hand pick your ammo, and, even then, I bet it still jams.

 

[ScottG1911]

+1 CZ 452 one of the most accurate 22's you'll find. if it's SHTF weapon then you dont want an automatic 22. you want a precision 22 you can hit something with at 100 yards that will not let anything else know where you are. if you take on 5 armed deer with a 10/22 with a 25 round mag and red dot sight, you are suicidal. but hit just one of them armed deer with that cz at 125 yards, and the other 4 deer are hitting the ground taking cover

 

[woof]

I think if you hit that deer with a .22LR at 125 yards and the other four hit the ground, they will be the only ones. There has been so much talk about the inadequacy of the .223 for deer let's not suggest the .22LR can drop one, especially at 125 yds.

Now that said, if it were a life situation and I needed to kill a deer I would have no problem doing it with a .22 if need be. But at that point I would be ignoring all the other laws too and would have no problem walking up with a spotlight or putting out salt. I would expect all shots in a true SHTF scenario to be close.