22lr Opinions

[spazzy]

Hey everyone, I just graduated college with an undergrad in Cellular/Molecular biology, minors in microbiology and chemistry. I am buying myself a graduation gift with all of the money from the cards the flock in. I am getting a 22, but don't know which to pick. This will be MY first gun, I have on "extended loan" a Remington 870 wingmaster and Ruger M77 Mark II in .243 from my father, I am not new to shooting or hunting.

I am looking for either semi-auto or lever action, I am looking to buy new. I would prefer to stay between $200-300. I would prefer wood stock and blued finish. I would prefer open sights with the option of mounting a scope at a later time.

I am looking at Marlin Model 60, Ruger 10/22, Remington 552 (but its over my budget), Marlin 39a (again its over my budget) and Henry basic lever action model.

Any pros/cons to these models that I should know about? Which one is best? Could I find the models over my budget cheaper?

 

[ball3006]

You can't go wrong with a Marlin 60. They have been around for a zillion years and can be had new for around 150 bucks.......................chris3

 

[Ghost Tracker]

Be CAREFUL if you pick a 10/22. As a biology whiz (congrats! BTW) you'll understand a easily-contracted virus called "rugerous modifidus". In layman's terms - it means almost NO ONE can control a budget once they start modifying a 10/22. I've caught it...more than once.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Save your money, and when Remington gets it's Marlin game straightened out, get a M39A. You'll regret spending less and getting less gun.

I went through the same "process". I graduated in a similar field (zoology/animal physiology-game management) in the late '70's.

I messed around with a lot of "inferior" guns. I even had a M39A that for some reason wouldn't shoot.... staight, at least.

Now, I've got a CZ Mod452 "American" that with select ammo will shoot 1-hole groups at 50yds and 1moa at 100yds.
And, I've got a circa 1970's Marlin M39D, that is my "daily" companion (rides in p/u truck). With replacement iron sights (to replicate those on the M39A), it shoots "bug-holes" poa-poi at 50ft and as such is the ultimate "utility" gun as far as I'm concerned.

That, and you're going to have a hard time finding a job in your career field. You'll need the money for expenses till you land a career position.....

 

[spazzy]

How is the accuracy on the Marlin 60? I am kind of partial to tube fed guns and its looking like the model 60 is in the lead. I dont need it to drive tacks at 100 yards or anything, but shoot straight enough to kill some squirrels and pop cans with my brother. I am not looking to modify the 22, so for that reason the model 60 is ahead of the others.

As to the future for me, I am just looking for some entry level lab jobs for about a year and a half, I just have to decide on some future professional schooling (im stuck between becoming a PA, pharmacist or going to med school.)

 

[Fishbed77]

Be CAREFUL if you pick a 10/22. As a biology whiz (congrats! BTW) you'll understand a easily-contracted virus called "rugerous modifidus". In layman's terms - it means almost NO ONE can control a budget once they start modifying a 10/22. I've caught it...more than once.

Yep - my $199 10/22 has quickly become a $800 10/22.

Worth every penny of it too.

 

[rule303]

10/22, Marlin 60, or Henry lever action. All solid performers at a reasonable price.

 

[TxBobS]

Hard to go wrong with a 10/22.

 

[ms6852]

Don't forget savage rifles. These are very accurate and within your budget.

 

[gscrasher]

I've always had at least one 10/22 in my safe. I prefer the styling of the Ruger to the Marlin, and also the rotary box magazine to tube fed. From a functional point of view, however, the Marlin and Ruger are equal.

Just get the one that fits you and handles/feels best in the hand.

Also, you might visit RimfireCentral.com for info on any rimfire rifle you may be interested in.

 

[HKGuns]

Congratulations on your graduation. Now run out and get yourself the gold standard of 22's. The Ruger 10/22 is a rifle everyone should own.

 

[BrocLuno]

The 10/22 is not a "Gold Standard" - more like ANSCHÜTZ. But that aside, the 10/22 is a popular standard for an auto-loading 22. There are certainly others. The venerable Marlin 60 has an enormous following. But there are many more options. The Remington 597 get's good reviews for the good ones (note: there have been a few bad ones).

I think you might want to reconsider your desire for "new". There are some mighty fine semi-auto 22's from back in the day. With new you will take a hit on the price as soon as you walk out the door. With nice used, you will hold your value or have it appreciate

Mossberg and Savage both made many models of the 22 semi. They have a cool sort of an AR knock off in this: MOSSBERG TACTICAL 22LR and it's in your price range

Savage still makes the 64 and they have made some real cool models in the past, some quite futuristic

Then there is the whole Nylon 66 thing if you have any interest in that rifle. Prices are going up daily, so you are unlikely to loose any money on a 66

 

[moxie]

I love my 60. If you get one be SURE to get a TechSight for it. Pricey at $70 but well worth it.

See: http://www.tech-sights.com/

 

[holdencm9]

I vote for the 10/22, but if you have no intentions of modifying anything, the Marlin 60 is just fine.

 

[Bushpilot]

The Marlin 39 would be my first choice of the rifles you mentioned and probably the most accurate by far but it is out of the budget you mentioned. I didn't like the Henry I had and dumped it at the first oportunity. I personally like the Remington 572 pump but not the 552 auto. 552's are expensive and not as durable IMHO as the Model 60 or 10/22. I've had both the 60 and 10/22 and for the money it's hard to go wrong with either.

 

[whetrock]

CZ 452 if you can still find one ( CZ discontinued this model and replaced it with the 455 and most people prefer the construction of the older 452 ).

 

[gbran]

I have 2 10/22's and 2 Model 60's. I use the 60's far more than the Rugers.

 

[slowr1der]

10/22 would be my choice. The thing that ruins a Marlin 60 for me is the built in dovetails on top. These things require the use of .22 rings, and are prone to allowing the rings slide around on it. To top it off, Marlin in recent years has been having a problem cutting these so they aren't straight which amplifies this problem even more. I have no idea why they would build this crappy thing onto the gun, and it's for this reason that I will not recommend a Marlin 60.

There are several other things I like better about the 10/22, but that's the biggest dislike about the 60. Out of the box, the Marlin 60's tend to be more accurate, and I'm sure you will hear this from others. Let me point out that when people say more accurate, while it is usually true, it's not that the 10/22 is inaccurate. You may shoot a 1" group at 50 yards with cheap ammo and a 1.3-1.5" group with the 10/22 for example. It's usually small differences and either are fine for plinking and shooting small game. IMO the benefits of the 10/22 outweigh the fact that the M60 is a hair more accurate.

 

[beatledog7]

I don't own a 10/22, but when I buy one it'll be plain wood and blue steel, and it'll stay that way.

 

[GWARGHOUL]

Marlin 60SS is the best 22LR out there out of the box.

 

[GWARGHOUL]

. The thing that ruins a Marlin 60 for me is the built in dovetails on top. These things require the use of .22 rings, and are prone to allowing the rings slide around on it.

I hear this crap once or twice, but its so un-true. I don't even know what "22 rings" are, but, tighten your screws once in a while, and you are good to go. I've hear of people scuffing it up with some fine grit sand paper.. its just paranoia. Mine doesn't move, not did my Winchester 94-22 with the same design grooves.

 

[nfafan]

My votes; the versatile Henry lever or Remm 552 Speedmaster. Both will flawlessly shoot .22S, Longs, LRs. Look for a used Speedmaster - shoots laser-guided bullets.

For the uber-cool; SIG522 - so sweet and dependable a hi-cap .22 "EBR", you could take it to war.

The 10/22 can be dressed out with the new ProMag Marauder "H&K G36" stock kit and makes for a dependable and kewl .22 "EBR". You will like it.

 

[BCRider]

I can't imagine two rifle styles with more distant points of view than a semi auto to a lever. It makes it hard to really know where to start.

I will say that if you're the sort that enjoys having to do something for each shot other than just pull the trigger that rifle action styles don't come in much more fun filled styles than lever action.

On that side of the coin and with the present difficulties I keep reading about vis a vis Marlin under their new leaders the 39A isn't an option unless you're willing to shop for used. That pretty much leaves the Henry. And an excellent option it is. For the money you get a very slick handling action that seems to be less prone to any issues than many other mechanical things these days. And if something does go wrong? Well, the Henry forum over at Rimfire Central is filled with accounts of how the problematic things or those that just went bang and died have been fixed and the rifles sent back in record turn around times. But don't take my word for it. Check out the threads over in the Henry forum at RFC.

For my own part I've put around 600 rounds or more down the bore of my own Henry H001 basic gun and have only had to clean the barrel bore once. And that mostly because I just felt guilty. The gun was still shooting just fine. The stock sights are about what you'd expect on a basic .22. They work fine but aren't anything fancy. The top of the recievers on all the black finish models have a dovetail mount.

If you opt for the idea of a bolt action I've tried out and have been totally won over by the Savage Accutrigger models. The barrels shoot really well and the triggers being adjustable is fantastic. I find that the little safety blade making contact first is even re-assuring as it tells me where my finger is in relation to the trigger shoe.

As for semi auto you're on your own. I suggest Ruger just because there's a world of accessories or hop up parts. But if you're on a student budget you likely shouldn't be opening yourself up to that sort of temptation.

 

[JRH6856]

I have both a 10/22 and a Marlin 60. Both unmodified except for adding a scope to the Ruger--the Marlin came with one. Love both, can't complain about the accuracy of either. Marlin's Microgroove barrel is extremely accurate without being expensive. Main advantage to the Ruger is it is easier to reload if you have extra magazines. And you can always get hicap mags for the 10/22. Not an option for the Marlin.

 

[scythefwd]

gold standard of 22's. The Ruger 10/22

I think he is only looking for one gun right now man. There's the gold standard, the anschutz 54 (there are better, but it's down to a per rifle basis instead of a model thats better at that point) and then there is the lego toy of 22lr... the AR 15, wait make that the 10/22.