Bolt action .22S, L, and LR.

Status
Not open for further replies.
Z

Zach S

Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2003
Messages
5,533
Location
Western NC
Grrr. I'm posting from my phone. I got a call as I was about to hit the submit button, and lost my post. Rant over, back to typing on a tiny keyboard...

Over the years, I've acquired wrong ammo (shorts, CB shorts) and crap ammo (X-pert, GBs) that dont cycle reliably in any of the semi autos I've owned. I've got crickets for the kids, but they aren't ready for the range yet, and aside from monthy oiling to keep the rust away, their rifles aren't coming out of the boxes until they're ready to shoot them.

So, I'm looking for a bolt action, magazine fed .22 that will shoot shorts, longs, and LRs, for cheap. Box or tube magazine doesn't matter, iron sights (and the ability to easily add a scope later) are required. Must be at least stock 10-22 accurate.

A quick google search has led me to the marlin 918T or the XT-22T. While I didnt have a number in my head, they cost a little more than I want to pay (new), but I am willing to spend it. Considering the supply and demand of .22lr, I may be able to pick up a used one cheap...

Your experience with the two? Any other suggestions? Assume I know nothing about bolt action rifles (thats not much of a stretch).

Thanks.
 
I don't know your definition of "cheap" or "inexpensive" but there are a number of really good used rifles out there i the $200 or less range. The Remington 511 or 512 models come to mind along with many Savage and Winchester rifles. The older Remington bolt guns are excellent shooters and will out shoot my stock Ruger 10/22 and any stock 10/22 I have shot easily. I see the older guns at gun shows and gun shops all the time. Something to consider anyway.

Ron
 
I have an XT that seems to shoot well. I haven't shot it enough to compare by measurement but it shot shot as well as a 10/22 or maybe a little better. I have no experience with the other model but from what I hear it should be good. Most older bolt actions shot all just fine. All L.R. Bolt Guns should should S. L. And LR.
 
I adore my ~1933 manufacture Remington Model 34. Usually can get a clay pigeon about half the time at a hundred yards.

I love the rifle, and could never let it go, except maybe to my long away future kid.....
 
To be honest, I didn't know what I considered cheap or inexpensive. I got a LNIB 10-22 years ago for $100, so that might be the number I had in my head. While looking around online, the 918T and XT22 were going for just under $200, so I'm considering that my budget. Searching the used market (aside from online) is an issue. I now work first shift, after 13 years on third. Where my day was pretty flexible since I could shift (or do without) my sleep as needed, I cant do that with my hours at work...

I know that a bolt action LR will shoot shorts and longs, my concern is the magazine feeding. None of my semi autos (past or present) will feed a short from the magazine, doesnt matter if I slingshot or ride the action.
 
Yep, the box magazine working with different length 22 ammo could be tricky. Without hands on testing, you'll have to rely on owner feedback.

The two bolt action detachable mag .22LRs I own are at opposite ends when it comes to feeding .22 shorts.

My daughter's Zastava made Remington Model 5 won't feed shorts at all. The rounds nose dive in the mag and never make it out.

My CZ452 Trainer feeds shorts just as well as LRs. The difference in CZ mag design and quality of manufacture is huge compared to the Zastava mags. The CZ452 mags (same as 455 mags) appear to be designed from the get-go to work with all ammo types.
 
Last edited:
Zach S said:
To be honest, I didn't know what I considered cheap or inexpensive. I got a LNIB 10-22 years ago for $100, so that might be the number I had in my head. While looking around online, the 918T and XT22 were going for just under $200, so I'm considering that my budget. Searching the used market (aside from online) is an issue. I now work first shift, after 13 years on third. Where my day was pretty flexible since I could shift (or do without) my sleep as needed, I cant do that with my hours at work...

I know that a bolt action LR will shoot shorts and longs, my concern is the magazine feeding. None of my semi autos (past or present) will feed a short from the magazine, doesnt matter if I slingshot or ride the action.
Click to expand...
My old Remington Model 511 shoots 22 S, 22 L and 22 LR just fine and is magazine fed from a small box magazine. My Model 512 uses a tubular magazine and just like the Model 511 shoots 22 S, 22 L and 22 LR just fine. While they are old they are excellent shooters in walnut stocks, a classic 22 rifle.

The new CZ guns are indeed excellent accurate rifles. While they do carry a price tag they are well worth the bucks for someone looking to buy a heck of a sweet 22. I would be happy to own any of the ones I have had the opportunity to shoot.

Ron
 
My Savage Mark II won't feed shorts or CB Longs from its box magazine. I'm glad to hear others have had better luck with their box magazines.
If any of your kids turn out to be left-handed shooters, they will be completely SOL if they ever want a lefthanded .22 boltgun with a tube magazine. The last one was produced by Mossberg in 1938. There were only 201 of them made.
 
I'm cross dominant, and therefore a southpaw with most two handed activites, from longarms to chainsaws.

I haven't put ambi anything on any of my long guns and dont own any southpaw guns, I just adapt the best I can and do pretty well most of the time (bullpups excluded, of course). While I wont impress anyone cycling a bolt action, I've managed pretty well with other folk's rifles in the past.

The kids are right handed, not sure about eye dominance, will cross that bridge when we get to it.
 
My wife's BL-22 is marked S, L, or LR but I haven't tried shorts in it. And while it was a good deal when I bought it I wouldn't consider it inexpensive now.
I have a 521 Remington with a 5-round magazine also marked S, L, or LR but since I use it as a kids training rifle it gets loaded single shot.
 
Henry?

Might sound crazy, but a Henry lever will feed S, L, and LR. I have seen some used ones around the $200 mark--new around here are $280. Just a thought.
 
I have shot shorts in one of my rifles but I do not remember which one, maybe my Mossberg 136b, a tube feed, or Daisy 22 rotary magazine. I think it was the Daisy. Not much help as they are no longer made and are rare.
 
Winchester 190. They were produced for decades and recently (2011?) dropped from production and are plentiful.
 
I don't think you want to shoot 22 shorts in your bolt action. They'll lead up your chamber making it difficult to shoot LRs. And the lead is a pain in the rear to get out.
 
So, I'm looking for a bolt action, magazine fed .22 that will shoot shorts, longs, and LRs, for cheap. Box or tube magazine doesn't matter,
Click to expand...
In general, box magazines aren't happy with cartridges they aren't designed for. You'll have problems getting a box designed for .22 LR to reliably feed .22 Short.

Most .22s advertised to shoot "Shorts, Longs and Long Rifles" have tubular magazines.
 
Remington 552 Speedmaster autoloader and Remington 572 Fieldmaster pump are short, long, and long rifle capable. I have one of each. Both have tube magazine.

blindhari
 
Another vote for a Henry lever. My basic H001 model did just fine when I ran it with some shorts. I haven't tried it with longs but if it handles so easily with shorts and LR's then I'd guess it'll be fine with longs as well.

What about a nice adult size single shot rifle? There's any number of nice bolt action singles around that would be considered as cheap. Or if you like you can shoot the works all the way up to options like a BSA Martini or an Anschutz. And a single shot won't care WHAT you put into it.

Or unpack one of the kid's rifles you've got stored and add a slip on recoil pad. The pad isn't for the recoil of course. Just to increase the LOP to suit you.

Hey, it's not like you're going to wear out their rifles shooting a few hundred rounds of mixed ammo. And if they see you shooting the rifles and then you let them shoot them and finally tell them that they can have the rifle then it might just mean more because they got "Dad's" rifle instead of something that just came out of a box.
 
Look around for a discontinued Marlin 25. They are fairly cheap, shoot long rifle, longs, shorts and bird shot. They are clip fed. Well worth the money spent.
 
The magazines pictured below are factory Remington Model 511 Scoremaster magazines. Factory Remington magazines for the 511 came in 6 round and 10 round flavors, pictured are 6 round magazines. Several companies make aftermarket magazines including some 15 round flavors. The model 513 used the same magazines as did the 521, both of which are bolt action rifles that also shoot 22 S, L, and LR.

While the little 22 short looks a bit lost in there they feed reliably every time in my 511.

Rem%20511%20Magazines.png

The beauty of the tubular magazine guns is it becomes pretty hard to misplace or lose the magazine. :)

Ron
 
New transmission needed broke in, so I ran around a little and looked around at some of the pawn shops and found what I expected - well used guns at almost new prices. Other than Crickets, I didn't see many bolt action 22s.

The transmission smoothed out and I ended up at a LGS that made a lot off of me when was single and better paid. I had him order the XT22. For some reason I didn't think about Walmart and Dick's.

One of those Crickets I have are pink, cant really play that as one of mine... They'll be under the Christmas tree in the next few years. Maybe the ammo supply will catch up to demand by then.
 
I have a Marlin XT-22TR which has a tube mag and shoots shorts, longs and LR's. The price is around $200 which is a very decent price for this rifle IMO. Buds has them for $195. You can get them at Walmart for about that price too but you may have to order one. Maybe you could find one in stock.

IMO the price is pretty good for a rifle with the features the XT has. The trigger is very good and it's probably the smoothest operating rifle that uses shorts, longs and LR's.

The tube will hold 25 shorts so that's a plus too. It has the ProFire trigger which works essentially like the Savage AccuTrigger. It is drilled and tapped for scope mounts and it has a rail for tip off mounts. It's rare to see a rifle with both. It also has iron sights.

Mine is built very well and is very accurate. I have more accurate rifles but they cost considerably more. The XT is every bit as accurate as a stock Ruger 10/22.

I've shot my friend's Henry many times. I like it but I'd rather have a bolt action than the lever action he has. I also don't like the tube mag being in the butt stock because you have to stick the barrel down and it's too easy to stick it on the ground and that can be a very bad thing if you get a rock in the barrel or some mud. Or you can just ding up the crown. Being able to rest the stock on your foot while you feed the tube on a Marlin is a good thing. I can load the XT full with 17 LR's in about 3o seconds.

The XT's are built in Kentucky at the new plant and they are built well. Mine is very solid. I've seen some complaints about canted sights but not that many. It happens with all rifles. My friend's Henry had the same problem. He had to send it back to the factory to get it fixed.

I just know what I bought. I bought the XT and I have regretted it one second.

BTW I had a Marlin 925, which was the upgraded version of the 25 and to be honest I didn't like it that much. I think it was just a matter of it being a bad example though. Most people like theirs. But it lacks the ProFire trigger as does the 25. And that is something that is worth having. Most of those rifles don't shoot shorts though. It's the Marlin 981 in recent years that was made to shoot shorts. It also lacks the ProFire trigger. Trust me it's worth the extra money you might have to pay to get it. But the 981 wasn't all that cheap either if I remember. I had a hard time finding one too. I wanted one for years and couldn't find one. That's why I bought an XT so quickly after they came out.

IMO if you want a used model you can probably find a used XT by now. They've been out long enough that someone is probably selling theirs.
 
Cee Zee said:
I've shot my friend's Henry many times. I like it but I'd rather have a bolt action than the lever action he has. I also don't like the tube mag being in the butt stock because you have to stick the barrel down and it's too easy to stick it on the ground and that can be a very bad thing if you get a rock in the barrel or some mud. Or you can just ding up the crown.
Click to expand...

I'd guess you are talking about a different gun than the Henry when you mention the tube mag in the butt stock?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

G
  • Locked
Which .22s, l, lr rifle?
Replies
8
Views
498
strykerfire
S
FFGColorado
  • Locked
22LR bolt action, magazine fed rifle-recommendations
2 3 4
Replies
93
Views
4K
HowieG
H
TTv2
  • Locked
What .22 LR rifles shoot .22 Short well?
2
Replies
25
Views
6K
Obturation
Obturation
J
  • Locked
Can bolt action .22lr rifles fire shorts?
Replies
9
Views
873
rangerruck
R
Macchina
  • Locked
Looking for a short, stainless .22 in bolt or lever.
Replies
8
Views
487
cluttonfred
cluttonfred
Back
Top