Hey guys this is my first post but i have been creeping around this site for some time. I really want to get into shooting rifles (hopefully higher power when im older) and i hear a .22 is the best place to start. Just a little background: I am 20, i have limited experience with rifles (some experience with shot guns) and have hunted deer with a bow for awhile,and have done some hunting with a slug barrel. My dad was always way more into fishing and i kinda wanna get into hunting a lot more. It is a bigger deal because I am so broke from college or else i would just buy both (seems like everyone has more then one .22). My buddy says i will get bored of the bolt and that it is more for match shooting then for plinking and hunting. I figured why not get as close to the actual thing as possible, and get the most accuracy as possible (for my very restrictive budget that is). Anyways thanks a lot for the future posts, just looking for some advice from someone with more shooting under their belt.
.22 Bolt or autoloading
- Thread starter jimhead88
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ARGarrison
Member
A bolt .22LR is a very versitle rifle right at home hunting or plinking. I like Marlins both the detachable magazine and the tube magazine models. I also find the Marlin 60 an accurate auto loader. Many including myself also like Ruger 10/22.
Here about six months ago a friend of mine and I went to a gunshow. he picked up a used Marlin model 60 for $60.00. It is a very nice rifle and very accurate.
Here about three weeks ago I went to another gun show and seen many bolt action twenty-two's for around $100.00.
I like bolt action my self, but if you want to get into shooting, a Marlin model 60 is about as good as it gets. A brand new one is about $129.00 around here.
Here about three weeks ago I went to another gun show and seen many bolt action twenty-two's for around $100.00.
I like bolt action my self, but if you want to get into shooting, a Marlin model 60 is about as good as it gets. A brand new one is about $129.00 around here.
KBintheSLC
Member
Welcome aboard.
My first rifle (I doubt I am the only one) was a Ruger 10/22. Its hard to beat. They are very diverse... great for plinking, hunting, and can be set up for match shooting. It still functions perfectly after over 25 years of shooting.
This is not to say that a good bolty has no place in the world... it does. But if I only had one rifle, it would be my 10/22.
My first rifle (I doubt I am the only one) was a Ruger 10/22. Its hard to beat. They are very diverse... great for plinking, hunting, and can be set up for match shooting. It still functions perfectly after over 25 years of shooting.
This is not to say that a good bolty has no place in the world... it does. But if I only had one rifle, it would be my 10/22.
MMCSRET
Member
I prefer a bolt gun, I've owned and used levers and autoloaders. I do not like the 10/22 because it is not tube fed. The Marlin M60 is good. I have several 22 rifles but only 1 is clip fed.
Damon555
Member
I'd say get a bolt action first....Take your time, learn to shoot and enjoy spending very little money on long range sessions. My first rifle was a Winchester single shot .22. It was a wonderful learning tool. I think you learn the value of the 1st shot much better with a bolt gun. Cruise the pawn shops and you should be able to find good deals on decent bolt action rifles.
This site will give you loads of advice about anything 22... http://www.rimfirecentral.com/
This site will give you loads of advice about anything 22... http://www.rimfirecentral.com/
Shawnee
member
After you've been shooting for a while you probably won't care much if the rifle in your hands is a bolt or semi-auto or lever action - so any of them are really Ok to start with.
Since (unfortunately) you are on a strict budget, the Marlin 60 is probably as good as any and better than many to start with.
I'll offer a thought for "later down the road"...
Your .22 (or .22s - plural) are the rifles you will shoot more shots than all the other rifles you ever own put together - by a factor of about 500.
So - to my depraved mind - "going cheap" for the .22 makes sense only if there simply is NO money around or expected in the near Future. (Have you checked under the sofa cushions ?).
A first class .22 rifle - the very instant you can swing it without a third mortgage - is one of the best investments someone who likes shooting can ever make.
My 2 cents wurff.
Good Luck and welcome to a Great Activity !
Since (unfortunately) you are on a strict budget, the Marlin 60 is probably as good as any and better than many to start with.
I'll offer a thought for "later down the road"...
Your .22 (or .22s - plural) are the rifles you will shoot more shots than all the other rifles you ever own put together - by a factor of about 500.
So - to my depraved mind - "going cheap" for the .22 makes sense only if there simply is NO money around or expected in the near Future. (Have you checked under the sofa cushions ?).
A first class .22 rifle - the very instant you can swing it without a third mortgage - is one of the best investments someone who likes shooting can ever make.
My 2 cents wurff.
Good Luck and welcome to a Great Activity !
Get One of Each
.22 rifles are not that expensive, unless you're looking at an Anschutz target rifle or something like that.
I say get one of each. I like bolt action rifles purely for nostalgic reasons. My first rifle was a bolt action, tube-fed Savage .22.
But I love my Ruger 10/22. Plus, there are hundreds of accessories and add-ons for the 10/22. You can turn it into just about anything you want, from a pseudo-military style plinker with a 30-round mag to a high-end target shooter to a back-woods rabbit hunter. It's probably the most versatile .22 rifle around.
In the long run, however, you will enjoy whatever you end up buying. And it will only be your first .22, not your last.
.22 rifles are not that expensive, unless you're looking at an Anschutz target rifle or something like that.
I say get one of each. I like bolt action rifles purely for nostalgic reasons. My first rifle was a bolt action, tube-fed Savage .22.
But I love my Ruger 10/22. Plus, there are hundreds of accessories and add-ons for the 10/22. You can turn it into just about anything you want, from a pseudo-military style plinker with a 30-round mag to a high-end target shooter to a back-woods rabbit hunter. It's probably the most versatile .22 rifle around.
In the long run, however, you will enjoy whatever you end up buying. And it will only be your first .22, not your last.
aka108
Member
I've been shooting for over 60 years and the bolt action is still my favorite by far.
tubeshooter
Contributing Member
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- Aug 15, 2006
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- 2,149
Agreed. Prices are only going up, so don't wait.
When I first started wanting a 39A, they were about $325. I waited; ended up paying $425. I understand they are approaching an honest $500 now.
Do I wish I had picked it up at $325? Of course. But I've been enjoying the rifle immensely, long after the sting to the wallet has died down.
This is one situation where it pays to do something really nice for yourself.
Shawnee
member
You make a good point about rising prices, "Tubeshooter". And a High-5 for the Marlin 39A lever-action .22 rifle !!!
My thinking is: "Why on Earth should the gun I'm going to shoot the most be the cheapest one I own?"
My thinking is: "Why on Earth should the gun I'm going to shoot the most be the cheapest one I own?"
22-rimfire
Member
If you hang with a group that shoots or should I say likes to plink, you will enjoy a semi-auto rifle more at first. I'd pick up a Marlin Model 60 now which I see Walmart sells for $167 with blue and about $200 in stainless. It is a real value and will serve you well.
Get the bolt a bit later. With the current rifles, you would be hard pressed to do better than a CZ 452 or 453 under $500. If you by chance run onto a Remington 541-S or 541-T that is the one I'd buy after the Marlin. Enjoy!
I have both the 541-S and -T, a CZ, Ruger 10/22 Deluxe, and several other 22 rifles. I still need a Marlin Model 60. Not having it does not mean isn't a very good rifle. You would be hard pressed to do better for the price!! Buy one!
Get the bolt a bit later. With the current rifles, you would be hard pressed to do better than a CZ 452 or 453 under $500. If you by chance run onto a Remington 541-S or 541-T that is the one I'd buy after the Marlin. Enjoy!
I have both the 541-S and -T, a CZ, Ruger 10/22 Deluxe, and several other 22 rifles. I still need a Marlin Model 60. Not having it does not mean isn't a very good rifle. You would be hard pressed to do better for the price!! Buy one!
woad_yurt
Member
Marlin 60. I and almost 12,000,000 others recommend it.
I agree - And learn to shoot open sights too. I started with a Winchester model 67 which is a bolt single shot. Lots of trouble to reload, so you REALLY learn to hit what you shoot at.
I started shooting that gun when I was less than 10 years old, and I'm 42 now. Every time I get ready to lay down money for a new gun of any kind, I think about that old Winchester, and that makes me want to buy guns that I think I (or my kids) will still look forward to shooting in 30 years.
There's really only one lower priced .22 rifle made today puts me in mind of my older guns, and that's a CZ 452 with the nice iron sights. I'd highly recommend it. I have one, and it will make an average shooter look good.
22-rimfire
Member
I can't disagree with that. But you have a lot of time to choose something else or better down the road when you can afford better. Needs change. I predict if you get the Marlin M60, you will forever look fondly on that rifle regardless of how many Anshutz's, Coopers, Kimbers, or Winchester M52's you own later.
avan47
Member
I have both, the 10/22, and a ruger 77/22 bolt action. I like the bolt action better. Out of the box, the bolt action is more accurate. Both of mine have after market sears and hammers for better trigger pulls, and the 10/22 has a bull barrel which makes it as accurate as the bolt action. I still like the bolt action better.
mr.trooper
Member
get both!
I have a Savage bolt, and a Ruger 1022 and they are both great.
I have a Savage bolt, and a Ruger 1022 and they are both great.
RNB65
Member
I prefer bolt action. Specifically, the CZ 452.
DaveInFloweryBranchGA
Member
It's kind of a matter of personal taste to me. See if you can at a minimum handle both rifles, preferably shoot them before selecting one over the other.
Dave
Dave
rangerruck
Member
first off, if you do not have a bolt 22 with open sites, this is what you should learn on , to learn how to properly shoot, correctly using sites, correct breathing, trigger control, etc., a semi can be good, but is not as condusive to this. Every now and then you will wanna let er rip, and this just isn't good.
I suggest a new or used marlin , 80 or 81 series, they can be had new or used from 150 bucks, down to 70. they can be tube or mag fed, I like the tube; they will also fire short, long, and long rifles, and the tube feds will hold up to 25 shorts at one time!!!! how ultra cool is that? Plus, shooting shorts, cb shorts, or Aguila super colibri bullets, are so quiet, you can fire some of these rounds in your backyard, without freaking out the neighbors. just make sure if you fire the cbs, or the Aguila supers, that the first time your fire them, or do not feel the full 'pop' , that the bullet actually made it all the way out the end of the bbl.
this is also easy to check with a bolt action, not so with a semi...
I suggest a new or used marlin , 80 or 81 series, they can be had new or used from 150 bucks, down to 70. they can be tube or mag fed, I like the tube; they will also fire short, long, and long rifles, and the tube feds will hold up to 25 shorts at one time!!!! how ultra cool is that? Plus, shooting shorts, cb shorts, or Aguila super colibri bullets, are so quiet, you can fire some of these rounds in your backyard, without freaking out the neighbors. just make sure if you fire the cbs, or the Aguila supers, that the first time your fire them, or do not feel the full 'pop' , that the bullet actually made it all the way out the end of the bbl.
this is also easy to check with a bolt action, not so with a semi...
onemsumba
Member
CZ no question
have to go with a CZ
have to go with a CZ
I prefer a bolt action. Rapid fire can be fun, but it won't keep you entertained for long. All else being equal, the bolt action will be more accurate and as far as I'm concerned, accuracy is where it's at. I also find bolt actions to be easier to shoot accurately. You usually have less movement and a better trigger. It just seems like it's easier to flub the shot with an autoloader. I find this to be true with centerfires too.
Z-Michigan
Member
Either one is fine, but I would recommend a bolt-action to start. The Savage Mark II in particular is a great one to learn on. Manual actions help you focus more on each shot, while semi-autos can make you focus more on the following shot, distracting you from each shot (IMHO).
I bought a cheap autoloader for my first 22 and have regreted it ever since , if you can afford a 10/22 , thats a different beast , accurate out of the box , reliable and endless goodies to add to it are available . But if I had to do over then I would go for the bolt gun , less picky on ammo , less to go wrong and usually more accurate .
Whatever you get , learn how to shoot it right and youll have a blast , the 22 is an amazing round for its size and very accurate in the right hands , good luck
Whatever you get , learn how to shoot it right and youll have a blast , the 22 is an amazing round for its size and very accurate in the right hands , good luck
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