Beginning to consider a .22wmr bolt-action fishing rifle.

I think you're describing a ruger American rimfire.
There is probably a savage in that mix too.

Does it have to be a bolt action?

This is a gun you could throw in the tool box or the trunk:
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I have AR-style flip-up sights and a red dot on it now, but make the red dot or scope quick detach and it's a pretty rugged firearm.

Another vote for Ruger American.

used marlin 25 around pawn shops for 200buckaroos.

Savage mk2
Marlin Papoose ***my choice
Takedown or regular 10-22
Cricket single shot (cheap light almost pocketable)
Ruger American
Marlin model 60

I’d go .22 personally. I like the NEF sportsters.

Another vote here for the Ruger.

I really like my Ruger American .22 WMR... so much so I am considering a Boyd’s stock to replace the synthetic factory stock.
I know they’re fairly inexpensive, but man is the metal finish nice on mine.

Let us know what you finally decide on .

Stay safe.

The title made me think you were fishing with a rifle not a pole...

For knockaround how do you beat a 10/22

Ruger 77/22 stainless all weather with Zytel "boat paddle" stock, and NECG rear aperture sight.

Drifter27 said:

For knockaround how do you beat a 10/22

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With a stick.........


Stumpy 10/22 magnum would be cool. Personally I'd probably go with a cheap marlin or savage. Just because they are cheap, and generally good guns.
On a slightly higher budget I'd get a American, and if versatility was desired (and time wasn't an issue), a 457 with barrel sets.
It takes me about 5mins to swap tubes on my 457, but I don't know how easily I can return to zero yet. Haven't worked with it that much.

Im on my 4th ruger american rimfire I think you would be happy. Cz are to nice to beat around.

If it's a rifle you don't mind banging up and bolt action in 22 magnum. Than consider a Rossi for under $200

My first rifle was a Marlin 783 tube fed .22 WMR.

I put untold thousands of rounds through that rifle before it was stolen. Taking groundhogs out to 100 yards was no problem.

Unfortunately, that rifle was stolen many years ago. I've since found another one, though.

Over the years, this rifle model morphed from the 783 to the 883 to the 983, and finally to the XT-22MTR. (All these are bolt action, tube fed .22WMR rifles.)

If you like a magazine fed rifle, then Marlin currently makes the XT-22M (wood stock) and the XT-22MR (synthetic stock).

Current prices for the Marlin XT series .22WMR rifles are comfortably between $200 and $300.

I do not, however, have any experience with the new designed trigger on the XT series. Perhaps someone else could speak to this.

792mauser said:

Savage mk2
Marlin Papoose ***my choice
Takedown or regular 10-22
Cricket single shot (cheap light almost pocketable)
Ruger American
Marlin model 60

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He wants .22 WMR, not LR. Some of your list are available in both, but some aren't.

I have a Marlin XT-22 that wears a "retired" Nikon scope. It is a hoot to shoot, can make awesome groups, even at distance.


I've been very happy with the trigger, it reminds me of a Savage Accutrigger. It wasn't THAT much more than the 22lr version, and I'm glad I went with the 22 mag.

I was given a marlin 22 mag model 25 in a trade a few years back and found another too cheap to pass up in a used deal... grabbed some extra mags. I always thought they would make great truck guns for ohio... good at man sized to a couple hundred yards and most critters we have 100 yards or so... maybe more and ammo is small n light even compared to a .223 I have em but dont spend as much time with them as I should... I tend to use a 17hmr or hm2 for my truckgun... my latest are a savage 17hm2 mk in a boyds thumbhole stock and a H&R heavy barrel 17hmr cut down to 16.25" barrel but those .22 mags would likely come out if I was not as urban in the uses or the social festivities would ever begin. the break barrel H&R in .22 mag would be great too.... I would likely buyone if I ever find the right deal and cut it down also

I have the exact gun you mentioned, but unfortunately its not made any more. Its a Marlin 882SSV. I bought it new over 20 years ago for a little over $200. Maybe you could find a used one in a pawn shop or gunbroker.

Something that one might actually carry around with oneself doing almost anything..

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Sounds like one of my Savage 24’s. Except the ,22lr/20 ga is my favorite combination.

Bolt action, I’d go with a CZ because I could always buy another barrel and magazine and convert it to .22lr or .17 hmr

The ruger all weather 7722 is the win.
What a classic.
My buddy has one, he has done it all with it.

I like my Ruger 77/22 mechanically but it’s not as accurate as my CZ and the caliber swap from LR to the magnums requires more than just a barrel/mag swap.

Monster Zero said:

Oh, and did I forget to mention... "Cheap"? If one scuffs it all up or breaks it dragging it around, no big loss.

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Norinco JW-23? Made by unskilled assembly line workers, stock made of very cheap beech and inletted by a stoned beaver, fit and finish N/A, bolt rattles AND grinds audibly in the action at the same time and the action doesn't even fit in stocks made for Brno Mod2 it's supposed to be a knock-off of. No pride of ownership whatsoever.

But boy, does it shoot. Paid $99 for mine, brand new, in clearance. Doubles as a club, paddle and fence pole if need be.

Well, I suppose you could use an under-barrel mount for the reel.

Your thinking is good OP. This one has filled the needs you describe for me for a lot of years now. That's a Leupold 2x7 compact on it which I think is ideal for this rifle. Both are no longer available new, but if you can find a used one, do not hesitate. A Ruger American would work fine too. And I have always admired the Marlin .22 WMR rifles. Actually like the tube fed models over the detachable box magazine ones.

Good luck and do let us know what you find.

I've been thinking along the same lines as the OP, and am currently leaning toward the Savage 93FSS if I were buying new. I like the Ruger American design, however their nearest stainless competitor has an MSPR almost $200 higher than the Savage.

I have a strong sentimental attachment for Marlin rimfires and would put them first if availability wasn't an issue; likewise for the NEF Sportster, which would be about neck and neck with Marlin. I love my .22 LR versions of both:



The adult version of the Crickett single shot might do the job. The scope mounting system seems a bit weird, but I'd keep the rifle on my shortlist for price and features. I've got a Henry Mini-bolt with an adult Acu-bolt stock that is a .22 LR version of something similar:



CZ's WMR offerings are more expensive than Rugers, and the Browning T-Bolt is yet more expensive than the CZs. I've got a friend who owns TWO of those semi-auto Magnum-Lite WMR rigs with the exotic laminated thumbhole stocks, but they are also pretty pricey rifles.

However, this assumes normal availability. In better times, my strategy would be to just let my LGS dude know what I was looking for and wait for a deal on something used. Right now, you either take what's available or wait until supply chains recover.