Best .22 rifle for under $200?

[leadcounsel]

I'm in the market for an inexpensive plinking .22 rifle to aid in honing shooting skills. Importance placed on durability, reliability, accuracy, upgradability, the usual stuff. Would prefer magazine fed and semi-auto.

Considering the Ruger 10/22 and the Remington 597.

Recommendations?

 

[geim druth]

I like my Remington 552, cycles .22 shorts as well as LR, don't know if you'll find one for $200. I've heard good things about the Marlin 60.

 

[_N4Z_]

I would look at a Tula imported from Russia. Supposed to be very nice and under your price range. *hmmmm think those are bolt action though.

No experience with 10/22's. Some love 'em, some hate 'em. They are king of the land of upgrades.

I do have very recent experience with Rem597... reliability WILL be a coin toss if you go the Remmy route. Buyer beware.

I myself have gone to bolt actions and now use a scoped Marlin 925. I have two friends that each have a Marlin60. Those things are machines and quite accurate. Might give one of them a look, and can be had for little more than 100 dollars.

 

[dm1333]

My Marlin Model 60 is accurate and reliable. I've also heard good things about Savage .22 bolt actions but I don't know the cost of one. I would think any Marlin bolt gun with the micro groove barrel would also be accurate.

Don

 

[Cueball]

The Marlin Model 60 would be a good choice and fits your requirements.

 

[Squidward]

I've got a couple of 10/22s and like them alot. As previously mentioned they are easily upgraded/modified. Rimfirecentral is a nice place for info.

But, I have been considering a lever action in .22. They sound like fun..

 

[gazpacho]

CZ 452 Scout. For $220 you can get a CZ 452 Special/Trainer, which will get you a longer barrel and a tang rear sight.

 

[The Scandinavian]

I would look at a Tula imported from Russia. Supposed to be very nice and under your price range. *hmmmm think those are bolt action though.

Tula TOZ-99 is semi auto

http://www.tulatoz.ru/en/main.html

 

[rangerruck]

Marlin , any of the 81 series, from 1937 to present. new 981's are about 150 . they are tube fed, very accurate, will fire s.l.lr's, and will hold 25 shorts in the tube at one time~ lots of ouchy. but thats a boltie. then i would go marlin , mossy, and ruger, for accuracy , in that order. the Ruger will be the nicest looking though.

 

[Cosmoline]

Since I got my CZ 452 ZKM I can tolerate no other rimfire. It's truly in a class apart, like a Mauser scaled down. The balance is perfect, the action both smooth and strong. The accuracy can be surreal.

 

[evan price]

You can get the Savage 64 rifle new at Wallyworld for under $99 or so. It's a cheapy but it is dead nuts accurate as far as I have seen.
The benefit to a real cheapy like this is you don't have to care if you ding it up or loan it to your kids.

 

[hossdaniels]

cz 452 if you can afford it, if not get marlin 60 and keep it clean.

 

[Bottom Gun]

The Remingtons and Marlins will be far more accurate than the Ruger. The 10/22's are not noted for accuracy.

See if you can find a used 500 series Remington bolt action at a gun show. They sometimes sell for $100-200. They are durable, reliable, accurate rifles.

 

[CZguy]

CZ 452 Scout. For $220 you can get a CZ 452 Special/Trainer, which will get you a longer barrel and a tang rear sight.

Good advice, it is the most accurate rifle you get get for the price.

In your post you listed the requriements of under $200.00 and a semi auto.

If you are sure of that, then get a Marlin model 60.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3869129

 

[Technosavant]

I bought the Wal-Mart special Remington 597 with camo stock for $130, and added a 3-9 Bushnell rimfire scope for another $35. The thing absolutely drives tacks. It's fun, it handles well, and it's reliable. Add in another magazine and a brick of ammo, and you're still under $200.

More fun can be had, but just try finding it at the same price. Just be sure that if you get one, back the two guide rod screws out a bit- they are usually too tight from the factory.

 

[mrmeval]

I saw a Buckmark carbine which is pretty much a Buckmark pistol with a longer barrel and a buttstock molded in with the frame. Neat looking as heck.

http://www.gunblast.com/Browning_BuckmarkCarbine.htm

I assume molding the buttstock in with the gun keeps you from having a visit by the Gewehrpolizei.

 

[Gord]

You can get the Savage 64 rifle new at Wallyworld for under $99 or so. It's a cheapy but it is dead nuts accurate as far as I have seen.

Mine (64F) is pretty accurate inside of 100 yards. It's got a cheapo synthetic stock and isn't what I'd call heirloom material, but you can buy extra mags at Wally World for $12 and as you said, you don't have to worry about beating it up. It's also pretty lightweight.

Doesn't like the cheap Walmart ammo though.

 

[toivo]

CZ 452 Scout. For $220 you can get a CZ 452 Special/Trainer, which will get you a longer barrel and a tang rear sight.

The Scout is a youth model--shorter stock too. (Are you sure about the tang sight?) Go for the Basic or the Special/Trainer. A little over $200, but not much.

If you're set on a semi-auto, go Ruger 10/22, Marlin 60, Marlin 795. Chocolate, vanilla, strawberry. You really can't go wrong.

 

[Cosmoline]

Also you can get the CZ 452 used for $200 or less and it won't be any worse for it. In fact a little break in makes them better.