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

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I'd look into a used Marlin 782/882. Sometimes you can find ones that have had a lot of love for relatively cheap. My 883 (tube fed version) gives consistent 3/4-1" groups at 50 yards and 1.5-2" at 100 yards once I found some ammo it likes (40g Maxi Mag). Some of the ammo it didn't like was closer to 3" at 50 yards, mostly the lighter and faster 30g stuff. It particularly likes Federal 40g FMJ's and shoots those sub moa, but I'm not going to use those for any hunting purpose.
Each of these are 5 shot groups.

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The OP must go fishing for some really big, mean fish. :D It's a joke, OP, so don't get upset.

On the serious side I have never found the need for a fishing rifle. It's enough trouble to haul my fishing gear without including something as large and heavy as a rifle. A handgun does fine for me without being in my way.
 
Ruger 77/22 stainless all weather with Zytel "boat paddle" stock, and NECG rear aperture sight.
Had one of these. 1 1/2 MOA and it was the only one of five WMRs that could do that. Marlin, H&R, Winchester, and Henry.....best I could get out of any of them was 3 or worse.
 
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.

All the standard 77/22 needs to switch from 22lr to 22Mag (or 17 HMR) is a barrel, trigger guard, and magazine as long as the original rifle is not super early (early 77/22 bolts are not cut for magnum)

"Boat paddle" Zytel stocked 77/22 are very difficult to switch due to the need for a hard to find magnum Zytel boat paddle stock, and if original rifle is not "boat paddle" to begin with a special ejector mechanism which are just not available

An improved trigger, action bedding, and reversible glued in barrel usually really improves the precision of most 77/22.

I'd much rather have a good receiver sight than a cheap scope for hard use, marine environment, camp rifles.

I also like a short 16" barrel with aftermarket ramped front sights for the extra handyness on a "camp", "truck", or " boat" kind of rifle.
 
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Marlin 25 in 22mag or 17 in 17HMR. Same gun different caliber.

Marlin Papoose is such an under rated gun, but its a semi auto 22 LR. Formidable when loaded with Aguila super maximums or cci stingers though and uses the standard marlin magazine.
 
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Funny you should mention this, but I have been loving my little Ruger American Predator in 22WMR lately! I’ve been sniping squirrels off my backyard deer feeder by the dozens lately. Dang this little gun impresses me! I use a suppressor on it and it just flat kills! I think it would make the perfect “do-all” rifle within 125 yards.
 
All the standard 77/22 needs to switch from 22lr to 22Mag (or 17 HMR) is a barrel, trigger guard, and magazine as long as the original rifle is not super early (early 77/22 bolts are not cut for magnum)

"Boat paddle" Zytel stocked 77/22 are very difficult to switch due to the need for a hard to find magnum Zytel boat paddle stock, and if original rifle is not "boat paddle" to begin with a special ejector mechanism which are just not available

Yep the CZ doesn’t need a trigger guard or different stock, wood or synthetic.
 
. . . bolt-action, preferably but not necessarily synthetic stock, .22wmr.
In my experience, .22WMR is really loud for its power.

For a rifle I was likely to use without hearing protection, I'd get into a larger caliber with lower muzzle pressure. A NEF in .30-30, or a Savage O/U rifle/shotgun combination gun.

In my case, I carry a handgun, and a diaper bag with a .300BO AR pistol if I want more.
 
The OP must go fishing for some really big, mean fish. :D It's a joke, OP, so don't get upset.

On the serious side I have never found the need for a fishing rifle. It's enough trouble to haul my fishing gear without including something as large and heavy as a rifle. A handgun does fine for me without being in my way.

Don't laugh.

My 783 got me a couple fish over the years...

:D:D:D
 
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.

Same here. Mine is the Model 882 SS (stainless steel), with synthetic stock and open sights. I put a Simmons 2 1/2 X scope on mine and a sling. With an extra magazine or two, this little .22 Magnum bolt-action rifle made for the perfect "rough and tumble" companion for various outdoor adventures. I paid $188.74 for mine from Wal Mart on 1-7-02. I wasn't aware they weren't making them anymore but, for what you're looking for, it's probably worth a search in the used gun market.
 
Bought a Ruger Precision Rimfire in .22mag a while back and put a Leupold rimfire scope on it --the whole thing was pretty reasonable and shoots pretty well---I need to spend more time with it, maybe tomorrow-----was in the LGS the other day and the prices are really climbing up there now.
 
Another vote for Ruger American Rimfire in 22 Mag. With the right ammo shoots around 1 inch at 100 yards. Puts down woodchucks and other critters very well. I'd also consider a newer CZ switchbarrel. I think CZ makes a semiauto 22 Mag as well. For the price Marlin and Savage are good.
 
My knock around gun like you’re describing is a Savage 93F17. It has a cheap BSA scope on it but is every bit as accurate as my CZ 452 in .17 HMR. It’s a handy gun to take when it might take more of a beating than I would subject my more loved guns to. I’m not going to worry about it getting dirty or falling off the tractor in the woods.
 
I had one of my brothers years ago, not long after the .17 HMR came out, recommend that I get a rifle chambered in that caliber.

I did some looking into it at the time and decided that for my purposes the .17 HMR didn't really give me anything significantly more than what I was already getting out of my .22 WMR rifle. For general plinking, small game, and varmint hunting, it wasn't going to do me much better. If I really needed something more than what I had, I would have gone another route...say, a 30-30, 273, 5.56, 30-06, etc.

Now, had it been out when I first bought my rifle, then it would have been a consideration at the time. And certainly over the years, it's proven itself a decent round. So if the thought of a .17 HMR floats your boat, I say go for it.

But I think the .22 WMR the OP settled on is a fantastic balance of power and price in a .22 caliber for his stated purpose. It's a proven cartridge for this purpose.
 
I did some looking into it at the time and decided that for my purposes the .17 HMR didn't really give me anything significantly more than what I was already getting out of my .22 WMR rifle. For general plinking, small game, and varmint hunting, it wasn't going to do me much better.

took me a lot of years before I got my first 17hmr... the thing I find about the .17's that I like if how frangible the bullets are.... I feel that they won't ricochet nearly as bad as the .22 rimfires in the semi urban areas I use them in. I think that is where they really shine and after having them I like em! And on top of that they tend to be a lot more accurate
:)
 
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I had a CZ 455 in .22 WMR and it was okay, but didn't like the accuracy, so bought a heavy-fluted .17 HMR and really love the accuracy and hitting power! Accuracy is improved, but the improved trajectory is considerable and it kills more quickly, taking a few coyotes 50-130 yards. The one at 130 was running away and went down dead on an offhand shot, aimed at the top of the back.
 
My “fishing” rifle is a Marlin M782 Stainless Steel w/Simmons 3-9. It is camouflage painted and taped.
It’s better than 2moa at 100yds. I prefer the CCI “Game Point” 40gr PtSpt ammo.
It’s a real game getter, on small game hunts...

It’s my “truck gun”...
 
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