Mossberg 802 Plinkster?

Well I'm expecting a little sum for a tax return and was thinking over picking up some AK variant or a Mossberg 500 Mariner, but I've been wanting to do some true long-range shooting for a while. Thing is, in Louisiana there's not a great deal of long range to be had. I remember once on here I was recommended to use a .22 at ranges around 100-200 yards to simulate shooting something more powerful at much further ranges.

But the why isn't really important, I just ramble a lot. The actual question is: do any of you have experience with the Mossberg 802 Plinkster? I've also looked at an offering from Savage, but the Mossberg has 10-shot magazines over the Savage 5, looks nicer, and is cheaper.

Specifically I want a bolt-action with a removable magazine and a scope installed from the factory. Good accuracy is pretty important. Low cost is also a plus (the $171 MSRP of the 802 with scope looks like a steal!) and I'd prefer a wooden stock to synthetic, but that's not a huge concern. I'm also considering .17 HMR or WMR but am not sure. If I found some .22 CB caps, I might even be able to shoot in my backyard, which would be neat. Thanks in advance.

nevermas said:

I've got one, it is cheap ($79) and accurate. Magazines are expensive and rare, so take care of the one that comes with it. You may want to purchase your own scope and sight it in yourself rather than the one that comes with the factory, just in case. But, if you have more money, I would recommend getting something else. Such as a Marlin or a Savage. It is a bolt action so number of rounds in the magazine doesn't matter, just accuracy.

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Well I was going to go with the factory scope and see how it runs, then change it out for something else after I see what I like and don't like about the factory one. I've never used a scoped rifle before, so I figured I could make a more educated decision when I know what I really want based on experience.

I have enough to spend more, I just like to save when I can. I'm open to more expensive models, thought I'd like to stay under $300 or so. I'm looking over the Marlin 925 now that you suggested Marlin, and it also looks like a nice option as well, and is offered with a wood stock.

Marlin's 925R looks good. Would the Marlin's 22" barrel make any significant difference over the Mossberg's 18" as far as velocity?

I do like that the Marlin features sling studs and the scope looks to be of better quality. Is the recent buyout of Marlin by Winchester going to effect production times? Because when I tried to order a Marlin 336C I was told that production was slowed down severely and it could be months to a year before I could get one.

Also, would these .22 Long CB caps feed reliably in a bolt-action .22 LR? http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/63206-5.html

I looked over the Savage and was considering it, but I don't like it for two reasons: no back-up iron sights, and it's listed as 6 pounds. I mean correct me if I'm wrong, but that's pretty heavy for a .22 rifle. I'm sure I would be firing it offhand most of the time. For comparison the Marlin 925R is 5.5 and the Mossberg is 4.6 pounds.

I'm kind of thinking I'll pick the Savage Mark II. I keep reading reviews and everyone seems to love the Accu-Trigger and think it's the best thing since self-contained cartridges. It's hard to argue with so many positive words. I'm still open to other models, but it looks like a really good choice. Or at least I hope it would be.