.22 Mag Rifles

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Scote313

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I am in the market for a .22 Mag for hunting varmints and target shooting. So far I've seen the Savage 93, Marlin ? and Ruger 10/22wmr.

I'm not looking to break the bank and so will probably pass for now on the ruger (I know very fine weapons). Anyone know any pros or cons for the Savage and Marlin?

Thanks
 
I've been looking around at buying a.22 and you can pickup a decent second hand ruger cheap. I'll be paying attention to this thread..
 
FWIW...

Marlin makes a few .22 magnum models but I've only shot their cheapest one, and that only a few times. However...

I've shot, and seen shot, a Savage 93 quite a bit and have been really impressed with it.

I have always liked the Ruger company but I wouldn't even consider the 10/22 in .22 magnum.


:cool:
 
FWIW I like my Ruger 77/22 mag. Shoots about 1-1 1/2" at 100 yards. Never any problems, handles well. With everyone wanting the .17s, you might find one used.
 
My first rifle was a Marlin 25MN. I never had a single problem with it. More accurate than me (which does mean I'm not sure exactly how accurate it was), and the fit and smoothness were A-OK. Actually a very nice-looking gun for the price; I sold it because I had no use for it, not because it didn't do its job.

I had fun patterning 22 Magnum shot rounds out of it; the "donut pattern" that rifles make with shot wasn't too apparent. (Off-topic note: Marlin made an actual shotgun based on that! I guess it's for wacking little critters that try to eat your lettuce. They called it a garden gun, but I say, if it's a smoothbore it's a shotgun, even in .22. :) And you have a choice of I think one or two whole factory shot loads for it.... Cool idea though.)
 
the marlins, if you find used, in the "7" series, are some of the best 22mags ever made. Also their 25 series, has been unchanged for about a million years, and still has great accuracy. A lot of dudes like the total simplicity of it, and remake wild stocks for it.
 
.22 Mag Rifle

Hi, Scote313
I have a Marlin 883ss with laminated stock. that is the tuber, which I have a preference for. Like it a bunch and it shoots a whole lot better than I can, in any configuration from seated to contorted. My personal best at 50yds was1/2" with 40gr Fiocchi using 4x Bushnell scope. For combined perforance and beauty rangerruck is right, the 782 (clip) and 783 (tuber) are almost masterpieces (walnut stocks usually) and priced right. Marlins are the best kept secret in accuracy in rifledom.
TaKe CaRe
Ted
Oh, this is the 2nd time I have owned this particular 883. I traded it, regretted it, and when the chance to get it back arose I jumped.
T
 
I'll give a thumbs up for the Marlin, too. For the money, you really can't beat it, or the Savage,(they look like the same rifle to me). My 882 stainless was my first rifle and I still love it. That gun is very acccurate and was the first rifle several of my freinds, and wife ever fired. Even though I have a safe full of rifles now, including another .22, I don't think I will ever get rid of it. I will add though, that if I had it to do again, I might go with a .17 hmr. I know some guys with Savage .17s that will outshoot my Marlin, but that round was not an option back when I bought mine.
 
I have a Marlin 25MN .22mag I inherited from my dad.Havent shot it a WHOLE lot yet, but it seems like a good, solid, reliable and pretty accurate gun. Dont know what he paid, or what they go for now (if even still made), but I cant imagine they are all that much, and based on mine, seem like really good guns. Mine has been 100% reliable, and equally accurate with all the ammo I have tried so far, which is 3-4 different types/loadings of CCI stuff.
 
25's are still being made, and they are still unchanged, except for price... they will set you back 200 plus if new... the genius of the 7 series, is the wood.
Not only were they super stable platforms, where you never hear guys needing to bed them or tweek them, but they wood they used was truly beautiful, and had some fantastic checkering.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I actually checked out the Marlin 883 on the web and really like the tubular magazine myself...

It's actually getting hard to finf a 22mag around here--all they seem to have are the 17's.
 
Marlin and Savage both make accurate bolt guns for the .22 mag. one of my favorite ctgs. I don't think you can beat Savage for it's price, but I don't think you could go wrong with either. If you want to step up get a cz452.
 
My Savage Model 65M is very accurate at ranges up to (and slightly beyond)100 yards. I glass bedded the barrel channel and action. It has a 4x Bushnell scope.
 
Henry makes their lever guns in 22mag. Inexpensive, accurate, and fun as all hell to shoot.
 
I have a Marlin 925-M that I bought at Dick's last year for $179. Its a great bolt action 22 mag, accurate, very nice stock.
 
You might also look at the Biathlon Basic, made by Izhmash and imported by Russian American Armory. Fast toggle bolt action and hammer forged barrel. These rifles have a reputation for great triggers and excellent accuracy. They're available in both .22 LR and .22 Mag. Here's a review of the .22 LR version at Gunblast.
 
My Savage 93 has been stellar. Luckily it's a 17, so I get sub MOA at 100. I would like to try some of the new BT ammo in a 22mag though.
 
I have the Ruger 77/22 and it is a MOA shooter. For a less expensive but still great shooter an older Marlin is what I would look for. If you want new get a CZ.
 
Scote313, either the Savage or Marlin rifles will serve you well for small game hunting or informal target practice. There are more expensive target rifles chambered for the .22 Magnum, as others have noted, but unless you are willing to pay substantially more, then stick with the Savage or Marlin.

Regarding the Ruger, I believe their magnum version of the old 10/22 encountered more than a few problems for a variety of reasons. My recommendation is that you avoid it. The bolt-action Ruger 77/22 is a different story. While it is more expensive than the Savage or Marlin rifles discussed, that gun delivers good accuracy from reliable reports I have encountered. I hope this helps.


Timthinker
 
Don't forget the CZ 452! If you have $200-$250, get a Marlin or Savage. If you have $350 or so, get a CZ452 of some flavor - better looking; better fit/finish. Or the Biathlon Basic mentioned. I do have a Marlin 25N and it's a nice rifle for the money.
 
The Remington model 5 falls between the Marlin 925M and the Ruger 77/22 price wise, and is the nicest of the three IMO.

five_780.jpg
 
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