.22lr suggestions

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twenty711

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I'm sure this has been gone over before but the only thread i could find on this topic was for youth models. Could you suggest a "economical" .22 rifle that would be good for a novice for target practice? I am interested in one with a scope... are the ones that come with the scope any advantage over putting one on myself later? Thanks!
 
The Ruger 10/22 and Marlin model 60 are probalbly the most popular .22 rifles out there by far, and for a good reason.Both are very inexspensive, and plenty accurate unles your talking about competition shooting.You certainly couldnt go wrong with either for hunting, plinking, and fun target shooting.I dont think either come with a scope, but I could be wrong on that.
 
Savage Mark II BV, AccuTrigger. Mine was $235. Scope mounts included. Shoots one-hole five shot groups at 40m (0.3-0.4"). Most days I can get 1" to 1.5" groups at 100m depending on the wind. I bought mine for silhouette and I'm very pleased.
 
Probably on a thread like this.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=247447

How big/old is the child? Are you interested in shooting a lot or a little? Semi or bolt, hunting or paper only? Will most of the shooting be multi-position or off of a rest?

What is your price point and would you pay a few dollars more if it bought a unit with additional refinements that make the rifle more user friendly for a child?

Answers to the above points would provide a better picture of what you are looking for.

Best

S
 
That was the thread I found, however, this is for ME not a child. I really don't know what I need or prefer, since I have never had a rifle before. I'm more interested in keeping this around $150 or less.
 
I would start with a bolt action, and learn proper breathing, trigger, and body position techniques. One of the best, and yet cheapest, is the marlin mod 981, or any of the old 80 or 81 series. it is about 150 bucks. they are tube fed, and will fire short, long, and long rifle. you can mount a scope on them, and the ones that come with scopes are ok, but of course, with money, you can do better. but for starters, and for rimfire, you dont really need a whole lot better, or especially tougher, since the 22 has little recoil. I myself like a higher power, so I can see print at 100 yds.
 
Everyone has their favorite, but I'll toss in a vote for the 10/22 so long as we're talkin' general purpose plinker/small game gun here. It ain't no target gun, but you can even make it a target gun if you spend enough money on it. There is a HUGE aftermarket. I bought mine for general purpose and it's accurate enough for me bone stock. I put a Hogue stock on it because it was cheap and I like it. It's a stainless gun, very rugged for outdoor uses. I haven't put a scope on it because all my other .22s have scopes and I wanted one with irons on it. Been thinking about an aperture sight, though.:D I know someone has to offer one, cause you can get about anything you want for this gun. No other .22 can be personalized quite so easily and add to that the 10/22 is such a reliable little gun, I like it a lot. There are plenty of 10/22 haters out there, though. I think most of 'em just be bench rest guys looking for the last .01" of accuracy. The stock 10/22 is not more than about 4moa accurate with most ammo, but that's about the norm for a plinker type gun. I haven't tried some decent ammo in it, though. RWS and Eley match can sometimes wake up an ordinary gun. I have some RWS left and that's on my to do list.

The 10/22 is a rugged little gun, type of gun that will last a lifetime.
 
I pretty much agree with all of the above especially the recommendation to go with a bolt action 1st time out.

Not sure you will have a lot of luck finding a CZ trainer or one of the heavy barreled, accutrigger-equipped Savages for less than $200 but you never know till you try.

You might want to consider one of the TOZ bolt action rifles. They are made in Russia (a) come with 4 plastic mags that wouldn't appear to work but sure do (b) are pretty accurate with irons and better still with a scope and (c) have an excellent adjustable trigger. Classic Arms in NC has/had them for $129 if you are open to mail order and finding a local FFL/paying for a transfer. BTW I do not work for CA. Just one place I am aware of that sells them and there are others.

For a semiauto I might recommend one of the very latest generation of Remington 597 in 22lr that can be had at Wal Mart periodically in full body camo for $139. They have the 3rd generation mags. Mine runs like a top.

As always you milage may vary.

Best

S-
 
i recommend a Marlin bolt action, CZ trainer model, or even a Savage bolt action. Dont worry about buying a package unless you are sure that the scope and mounts will suffice.
I specifically dont recommend the 10-22. It is simply not accurate enough especially when you are learning to shoot (in its stock form I get 2 inch groups at 50 yards). The Marlin 60 is supposed to be a little better in this regard.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. I think I am going to have to go to a gun shop and take a look at them in person.
 
Depending on where you are in the U.S., you can find the Marlin 60 used for dirt-cheap. It's a great rifle, mounts scopes easily on its grooved receiver, and holds 14-18 rounds in the tube. Tube is easier on the finger than jamming rounds into a detachable mag.

Around Austin, Model 60s can be had around $75 on a good day. As low as $50 if you luck out or sweet-talk the clerk. The new ones are $109 or so, and I like the older ones better; little less plastic in those.

That'd be my pic for a semi-auto. Even a new one is still a good deal. For bolts, the CZ 452 seems to be the hands-down THR favorite.

-MV
 
If you are looking at a semi-automatic .22lr, then I would recommend a Marlin 60 or a Savage (You can find a couple of different models at Wal*Mart with the sub $120 price tag).

I have never owned a bolt action, but if you want a tack driver, they seem to be more accurate. Also they are suppose to help you with the whole "one shot, one kill" mentality. However, I seem to always take my time even with a semi (around 20-45 seconds between rounds). You can also just load a magazine with one round in it and then you won't be able to rely on a second shot.
 
My experience with 22's of various flavors has overall been that my Marlin 25N is a tack driver out of the box with a elcheapo 3 x 9 simmons... as a teenager with this rifle i would routinely shoot the spades, hearts, diamonds, etc out of playing cards to "practice" my shooting... This rifle has been flawless for the 15 years that i've owned it... It has seen it's fair share of abuse and neglect as the "farm" varmit rifle...

The GF's son got his first rifle at Christmas... a Savage MK II, synthetic with short barrel (youth model with adult stock)... i mounted a scope i had lying around for him it is a 1 MOA gun with him shooting it off of the bags and he is a relatively new shooter... the accu-trigger is NICE....

I have a Marlin model 60 glenfield also... and hopefully i can get it running here after parts arrive from Brownells this week. Was a free gun that was otherwise going in the dumpster years ago..

Last weekend i finally broke down and decided i needed a Ruger 10/22... so i picked up a 10/22 deluxe sporter(walnut stock / blued)... very nice gun.. so nice in fact that i am having a VERY hard time dealing with the thought of "modifying" this gun to shoot competitively... i might just have to go buy the closeout carbine at wally world to canibalize... The one i picked up Saturday shoots well... i have not taken it to the bags but offhand at 40 yds through the stock sights i can put em in a 4 inch circle with regular ease... handles Peters, Remington Yellow Jackets and CCI Stingers easily... Federal run of the mill LR's don't have enough poop to cycle the action and i had a few stovepipes this week with that ammunition... no issues otherwise... needless to say i really am growing fond of this gun...

I wont comment on my ole Winchester single shot smoothbore - my first gun, a 3rd generation hand-me-down when i was but a wee 10 years old... shoot like poop but i like it anyway :)
 
I can vouch for the TOZ-78. Outshoots a Ruger 10/22, that's for sure, and has classic styling and lines. Just don't lose the mags!

Ruger 10/22 is a bit of a blaster. You'll be making headshots on squirrels with it while the TOZ can make eye-shots :) Great for kids or for fun, I guess, but it takes major $$$ to turn it into a target rifle.
 
I would head over to the local gun shop and check out the used rack. Shoulder a bunch of rifles and see which one fits you the best. All of the rifles are good recommendations, but fit is very important. The 10/22 is a great little carbine, but it does not fit me at all. Even with an extended butt pad, I felt cramped with mine and ended up trading it for a Marlin 881.

If there are some specific rifles that you like, check out the forums at http://rimfirecentral.com. There are threads on every imaginable rifle and you can get a good feeling on the ins and outs of the ones that interest you.
 
I love this website

Everyone is so helpful! Right now I"m leaning towards a Marlin 60 or a Rem 597. When I get to the store though I'm going to have to see which one fits me best and see what others look like also. I think I have made up my mind that I want a semi-auto, I like that it was pointed out that if you want one shot one kill just load one round.
 
Like the others say, give the Savage a long, hard look. The Accu Trigger is ten times better than anything else at its price point for a STOCK .22LR.

I have a Mark II F, simple syn stock'd lightweight, bought it before the Accu Trigger. $99. Replaced the sear with a Rifle Basix $60. Topped it with a Nikon ProStaff $80. A bit expensive, but everyone loves shooting it, and it is especially useful to demonstrate to newbs a REAL rifle trigger vs. dry-firing the SKS. The Savage is a deal; just add decent rings and scope.

I would strongly advise against relying on scopes on package guns. They are built to a price, not performance. I will NEVER, EVER buy another Simmons, Bushnell, Tasco, etc. optic. Three consecutive Simmons failures (44mag 3-9x and a 4x32 on a .22LR, and a 3-9x) pissed me off. At least I didn't buy them myself. I have bought a lot of Nikon and Burris the last few years and have not been disappointed once; never had to use their lifetime warranty.


-josh
 
Scopes that come on the package deals are "adequate" for beginners, but will probably get replaced once you look through something better. IMO, you're better off buying the rifle without a scope and finding one you like to put on it. Bear in mind most scopes with fixed parallax and focus have it fixed at a range suited to high power cartridges (125 yards or so). You want one fixed at 75 yards or so, or one with AO (adjustable objective) that lets you dial it in to a range more suited to .22LR. You can get decent ones starting at about $60, but will probably spend closer to $100 - $150.

The Marlin 60 is a great choice in an autoloader.

Outside your stated price range, but if you haven't given up completely on a bolt action, the CZ 452 is about the best thing going for the money ($360 or so, depending on specific model and where you buy). It's a repeater, by the way, and not a single shot. Comes with a 5 round magazine, with a 10-round factory mag available. An aftermarket kit that runs $30 will get you a match grade trigger.

http://www.cz-usa.com/products_rimfire_rifles.php?m=1
 
For a first rifle, I'm with those who think that a bolt action is preferable to a semi-auto. Safer, less finicky, more accurate, easier to clean and maintain, just all-around better for a new shooter. As recently as last summer, you could still special-order a CZ Trainer from Wal-Mart for $221. Whittaker's has them now for $241, but there would be shipping and FFL transfer fees on top of that. Last time I was in Gander, they had a Trainer for $230. (If you go the Gander route, make sure you're not getting the 513 Basic, which is inferior in features and almost the same price.)

As far as US-made guns, Savage and Marlin both make decent, inexpensive bolt rifles. I know people who have both and are very happy with them.
 
Not sure you will have a lot of luck finding ... one of the heavy barreled, accutrigger-equipped Savages for less than $200 but you never know till you try.
Click to expand...

When I was in looking for my Mark II BV, I found a few dealers with Mark II FV (synthetic stock) for $199. I just didn't like the fit of the FV in my hand, and the BV looked a whole lot nicer too.
 
For anyone who was wondering

I picked up a new Marlin 60 today after work. It looks great, I can't wait to shoot it. The only thing i can see that i want to change is the plastic trigger and I need to add a scope someday.

Thanks everyone for your help!
 
go with the ruger 10/22 or the marlin 60. The 10/22 has detachable magazines which alot of people like better and I know alot of people customize them. I have a marlin model 60, it has a tube magazine, also an excellent rifle. I remember seeing at gander mountain they had a mossberg .22(cant remember the model) with a stainless barrel for only about $100. You can get a nice .22 rifle for under $150 dollars easily. The people who have more into it than that spend alot on customizing their rifles. You'll probably wish you had a semi auto if you buy one of the bolt action 22s, I would say the semi autos can be more fun to shoot.
 
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