.22 hunting rifle?

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Matt018

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Hello everyone, I am new to the forum, but am an avid shooter. I mainly shoot pistols but every now and again I get out with my old Ithaca NID to do some bird and squirrel hunting. I would like to get a .22 rifle for some small game hunting. First of all, would you recommend a 22lr? or a .22 WMR? second I need a bolt action because i live in PA and you cannot hunt with a semi. Also i am a lefty, I am not sure if it would be worth it to get a left handed savage or something. It probably wouldn't bother me because i have shot right handed single shots left handed all my life, so a mag fed righty probably wouldn't bother me. Also i don't think i would have a second shot on a squirrel if i miss so it wouldn't matter anyway. Also do you think a scope would be a good idea? I may or may not want it, what do you guys think? Anyway i hope you guys can help me find a good rifle for the upcoming small game season. Thanks,
Matt
 
The .22 is plenty potent on small game such as squirrels,rabbits,rats,etc.
The magnum is more than is needed for this work imho.
I prefer a .22 rifle that is made to handle all three variations of .22 ammo.
In other words shorts,longs,and long rifle ammo.
Remingtons pump .22 can still do this and I have heard Henry lever actions can still use all three.
Most bolt actions made up until the late 1980's were still capable of handling all variants of .22 ammo.
 
I have used both .22lr and .22wmr for squirrels and other small game. The magnum will allow for longer shots on squirrel and for other game up to fox size even coyote but generally the .22lr is going to be plenty.
Henry lever actions can still use all three.
Click to expand...
This would be a good choice for a lefty. I would definitely scope whatever you choose. A squirrel has a very small head that can be hard to see at longer ranges. Oh! and welcome to THR!
 
Well right now i would prefer to stay in a budget of $300. I may go with a lever, put the Remington pumps seem pretty cool. And also i believe the tube fed marlins can handle all three.
 
It all depends on your pocketbook. I'd venture to say even all the budget bolt action rifles provide more than acceptable accuracy for hunting. So if you are on a budget and want a knock around the woods gun, there is nothing wrong with the budget Savage or Marlin from Wally World or similar.

If you want to spend a little more, i'd strongly recommend one of the CZ's. More than that, I think you'd be having the point of diminishing returns for hunting.
 
Perhaps the tube fed bolt actions Marlin .22's can handle all three but I dont think my semi-auto model 60 can.
There are a boat load of used Marlin bolt action .22's out there that can be had for under $150.00.
I just snagged a very clean older model 25 for $100.00 last week.
 
jimmyraythomason said:
Perhaps you missed this in the OP.
Click to expand...

Fair enough. Savage MKII. I believe you can get it in a left handed model. A scope is a good idea IMO. I use a fixed 4 power with good results. I wouldn't drop the cash on anything too expensive. A Bushnell or Simmons will do just fine.

b

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yes I think any savage that has a "L" in the model is a left hand model. If you are near a Cabelas, they are going to have the Savage Mark II BVXP with heavy barrel & accutrigger for $199 on black friday, also includes a scope. But the BVXP is a righty, but it's also one heck of a deal.
 
Left handed Savage, yes. ($)

Or a Henry lever ($$) or pump ($$$)

Or a Marlin 39A lever action ($$$)
 
What ever you get, go for a tube fed ... then you won't have to mess with/worry about loosing mags.

Don't over look some -very nice- "pre-owned" bolt action rifles. A good used Winchester Model 72 or Mossberg bolt action would get the job done very nicely.

Single shot wouldn't be entirely out of the question either.
 
The remington speedmaster and fieldmaster pump can handle short, long and long rifle (yes I now the speedmaster is semi-auto, its also the only American semi auto that can handle all three 22 rounds) and have regular rifle sights which really go a long way in taking the rifle to its full potential.

Sorry I missed the part about living in PA. go with the fieldmaster pump. Its not as fast as the semi auto but its real quick and an all around great 22. One day I'll find one for a great price and I'll have more than memories of my buddy's from when we were kids.
 
Okay, I understand the benefits of a tube magazine, but i don't see when I would want to be shooting shorts. Also I really am thinking that the simplicity of a bolt gun would be what i would like, just easy to bring home scrub the bolt, and swab out the bore. No detailed strip or anything. And I do agree, I think a scoped rifle would be really nice for some 100 yard shots that are impossible with irons. So I am thinking right now something along the lines of a marlin 925 or 925m.
 
The Marlin 925 is just a continuation of an improved long line of Marlins such as the model 80,25,etc.
It is also pre drilled and tapped so you can use regular scope bases instead of the receiver grooves if you want.
A very good choice of rifle.
 
Also, How is the WMR, Id it to powerful, I have n=been told that a FMJ will go through the squirrel that it will not kill it instantly, and it will be able to run away, and that a hollow point will rip the animal up if you cant get a head shot. So if i have a WMR hollow point and get headshots, will I be fine?
 
Almost any 22LR rifle in good shape (good bore & crown) will be plenty accurate for field hunting. I'd be over a GunBroker and AuctionArms doing a search for ".22" and "left" and see what you get? There are some great used 22's out there :)

I used to have a pile of 22's because I wanted to try all the varieties. It's what I collected. I have sold quite a few. Now I have a Remington pump and a 513 Target Master, a Browning auto, a Sears Ted Williams lever, and a JC Higgens single shot bolt. Always wanted a Weatherby 22, but never got one. Now I'm onto other things.

Of all my 22's, the Target Master is the most accurate. It will shoot clover leafs at 50 yds with match ammo. But my cheapest JC Penny "Foremost" (Marlin) bolt would shoot 3/4" at 50 with a scope. Squirrel ain't going to know the difference. And you would not want to hump the Target Master all day. The Remington pump is a joy to carry and shoot. Point being, take your time and look around. There are a LOT of good 22 designs out there.

I do have some 22 WMR stuff and it's very nice to shoot. The reach is quite a bit longer, but ... It's WAY more costly to feed for plinking :( Aguila makes a couple of hyper velocity 22LR rounds that bridge the gap between LR and WMR. They are not too expensive and move right along at 1500+ from a good barrel :)
 
I have several 22lrs, but my favorite for small game hunting and for target shooting is my Savage MkII bolt action. It is very accurate and yet is very reasonably priced.
 
Also, How is the WMR, Id it to powerful, I have n=been told that a FMJ will go through the squirrel that it will not kill it instantly, and it will be able to run away, and that a hollow point will rip the animal up if you cant get a head shot. So if i have a WMR hollow point and get headshots, will I be fine?
Click to expand...

Yes, with a .22 WMR you'll have to take head shots, otherwise you'll blow the squirrel apart. .22LR is good for headshots out to 50 yards. And a body shot out to 100 yards won't blow them apart.

I'm speaking of hollow point ammo BTW, and I always recommend using hollow point for hunting.

I think for your use the .22LR is the better choice.
 
alright, just an update. Right now I am planning to go to dicks tomorrow because one of my friends says they have a Mossberg 802 plinkster. It is a bolt action 22 lr, I has a 10 round mag, Blued, And a camo stock. Right now it is 110. I could get the gun some extra mags a case and a sling for what a marlin would cost me so I will check it out tomorrow. Also if i get a new rifle I have heard that you should do a break in procedure?? What would that entail? Because with pistols I have always just scrubbed off the oil they are shipped in cleaned the bore and went to bust rounds.
 
Just a thought

I thought maybe I'd drop my 0.02 worth on this. I picked up a Savage 93r17 a couple months ago from Cabelas for $210. It came with a Pine Ridge (Cabelas) 3x9x40 scope, accutrigger, lammy stock & bull barrel. It's a bolt (righty), 5rd mag. This rifle is dead on! I've shot a lot of dogs with it up here in N. Idaho & the longest was 150yrds DRT.

My point is, this same rifle with same options come in a .22lr for the same price. I'm so impressed with this set-up in the .17HMR I'm going to buy one tomorrow in .22lr for my girlfriend. Unless your dead set on the Mossy, IMO it's worth checking out.

As for the breaking a .22lr, I've had many in different makes & I break them in by simply shooting them. .22 is a great, fun caliber but dirty. I just clean them after every couple outings & they go bang everytime.
 
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