.22 WMR rifle, best choices?

[ArmedBear]

I'm thinking about a scoped small game rifle for jackrabbits, cottontails, etc. Come to think of it, what sort of "etc." is a WMR good for? Coyote shooting at 50+ yards ethical?

CZ, Savage w/Accutrigger, Remington 597, Marlin bolt actions and Henry's lever guns come to mind.

Are there others in a similar price range?

Experiences with these in .22 WMR specifically? Accuracy, anything else I should think about?

Is a heavy "varmint" barrel a real advantage in this caliber, for small game hunting in a hot climate?

 

[chad1043]

You need to check out the H&R Ultra Varmint in 22 WMR. It is a beautiful gun. You can get one for 150-160. You can swap out barrels to another caliber. The options are numerous.

It is a single shot breach action.

Chad

 

[ArmedBear]

I've read mixed reviews of these break-actions, but nothing about the Varmint models.

What kind of accuracy do you get?

 

[The Deer Hunter]

I have a Marlin 782 in .22WMR. Its really picky on its ammo, and the CCI hypervelocity is not the gun's preference.

Before I ran into scope problems, I was shooting chestnuts at 75 yards off my back porch. And thats after like 15 or so years of my step dad not cleaning it.


And btw its like $8/50 so its no .22lr

 

[woof]

I recently bought a Marlin 983s. This is the tube fed bolt action in stainless with laminated stock. It's beautiful all around, especially the stock. Very accurate at 100 yds, even with low-priced HMR ammo which is a real plus. I bought it locally at $289. Not cheap but when you see it you know it had no business being cheap, a very nice piece!

 

[zero_chances]

i like my 597 with the heavy barrel. I havent had the chance to test the accuracy yet. Ive only used it for plinking, but it hits what you point it at. Oh, and it will shoot as fast as you can pull the trigger with no problems

BTW: mines 22lr

 

[GunTech]

Take a look at either the CZ-452, or if you've a mind to be different and want a superlatively accurate rifle with an unbelievable trigger, check out the Biathlon Basic 7-2. It's toggle operated, looks a little rough on the outside, but shoot's like a match rifle - which it is.

http://www.raacfirearms.com/Biathlon_7-2.htm

I have one in 22lr, and it will outshoot just about anything out there.

 

[GunTech]

Here are a couple of my 452s. Top is 17HMR, bottom is 22 wmr.

Here's an ammo test with various 22 WMR. Note it should be CCI maximag.

 

[FMJMIKE]

I like my Marlin 925M......... Marlin makes the best for your money .22 WMR rifles.

 

[Danny Creasy]

925M-Yes. I purchased a like new one from a pawn shop a couple of years ago and it makes for a good utilitarian rifle. It groups best with the pricey Remington Premier load with the Hornady V-Max bullet. The same day as I picked up the rifle, I stopped at Dick's and they had their Nikon 2-7 shotgun scopes on sale. The scopes are set to be paralax free at 80 yards. The scope is very clear and it has proven to be a good match for the Marlin.

 

[rangerruck]

i would use a 22wmr on yotes out to 100, they are still going 1500 fps, and still have over 100 lbs of energy. I have used, had, and shot many of those rifles, and they will all be fine. however, If i had to choose, I would go to a show or gunshop, and find a Marlin 782,882, 783,883. Especially the bolt action tube fed, 783. the 82's are mag fed. These series of rifles, especially the 7's, in the wood stocks, are not only beuatiful, but proly a top 5 choice for accuracy, out of any 22 mag ever made. Except for maybe a old brno 22 mag takedown, or a Mossberg chuckster, these two series of rifles will be the next best. Now your next choice will be a older Marlin as well, a 99m-1 or 2. These have a look that reminds you of a m14, or a m1 carbine, with a square top bridged receiver, it will be mag fed semi auto, and the are very stout!!!! but any of these rifles will cost you a few pennies.

 

[ArmedBear]

ruck, et al.-

Why the tube-fed vs. the mag-fed?

My Marlin 39 is making me really like tube-fed. But what do you like better about tube vs. magazine?

Or do some of you like the magazines better or just as well?

Thanks!

 

[Gordon]

I like the Anshutz in the $600 range and the Ruger (either semi or bolt) in the $400 range. You can get really neat aftermarket triggers and barrel and stocks for the Rugers. You won't need them on an Anshutz

 

[rangerruck]

really , i did not convey here well, but i was merely stating that they made this in both 82 and 83 models, being tube fed, and mag fed. Now a lot of dudes will tell you that you should get a mag fed, because as a tube empties , it changes bbl harmonics, and could start to move your shot groups. I feel this is true, but to a very small degree. On paper, it would certainly be true, but I think that marlin, in particular, has been making these rifles long enough now, to figure out how to let this affect their accuracy , as little as possible. I do not ever notice this happening with any mod 60 I have ever had, and the 22mags that they make , have an even thicker bbl, which I'm sure compensates just fine.
Personally , I just like the idea of the tube fed better; no mags to lose, 13 shots without refilling.

 

[rangerruck]

also , if you go for benchrest/bag shooting, the mag can get in the way, same as , if in the field or in the woods, and you need a quick , impromptu setup, or a off the top of the hood shot, the mag can , once again, get in the way.

 

[cottontoptexan]

Marlin 95MN

I purchased a used Marlin 95 MN a couple of years ago. It is clip fed. Used to have a Marlin 783 tube feed i purchased in the 1970's. The accuracy on the Model 95MN is very good. I found it favors the Federal 50 grain hollow point Game Shok. It will cloverleaf a one hole group at 50 yards under good conditions and around 1" to 1 1/2 at 100 yards. I believe they have 20 grooves in the micro-groove barrel. You can find a nice used Marlin in the gun shops for less than 150.00. I think they are a bargain.

 

[Danny Creasy]

I had a tube feed Marlin .22 Magnum that I purchased new in 1975. I regret now ever selling it. The tube sporter was more accurate than my present 925M and back then, anything with the name "Marlin" on it had a real walnut stock (they used the sub-company handle of "Glenfield" if they wanted to use a hardwood stock). It was a nice looking rifle. I killed my first three ground hogs with it.

And as the man said, the rifle was nice and smooth along the bottom. It handled better. I like the 925M. But, I wish I still had that 783.

 

[The Deer Hunter]

FMJMIKE, does your bolt clear the scope?

 

[rangerruck]

Oh , I forgot, a marlin 922 semi auto as well.

 

[jkuntz22]

i have a thompson center .17 mach 2 . this is an excellent varment gun. only draw back to these is they can be pricey........and gun is on the heavy side.

 

[BillinNH]

<Oh , I forgot, a marlin 922 semi auto as well.>

Hey, Rangerruck, I got one of those! The 922M, right? Haven't been using it much because ammo is relatively expensive and I can't reload it. But it's a very flat and accurate shooter to 100 yds or so. I put it aside and haven't even got around to scoping it yet.

What would be a good scope for it, to be used to 125 yds or so.? The Nikon you mentioned? Any other recommendations? Do you know if there are higher cap mags for it? I only have two 5-rounders.

Thanks.

Bill