Browning semi-auto or Savage Mark II .22??

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MikeA57

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Hi guys! This is my 1st post here, I've looked around a bit and liked what I saw so I joined. Hope to be able to contribute in the future but for now I need some advice.

I've been looking for a couple of nice .22s for my son and I. I got him a Ruger 10/22 with a Bushnell scope and I've found a deal on an older Savage Mk II bolt action with Accu-Trigger. It has a very old Weaver 12X scope mounted on it. It also has a bipod attached to it that I can get for $50 more. This gun has been used but it's in good shape; a couple of nicks on the stock but it doesn't seem worn and the metal is in good shape. The guy that is selling it has been shooting it and says that it is very accurate. From what I've read here and at other websites that seems to be the overwhelming opinion - the Mk II is a very accurate gun.

But, I have also found an older Browning semi-auto .22. I haven't seen it yet and I don't know if it's a Belgian or a Japanese Browning, but they guy that owns this one said that he bought it for his daughter about 25 years ago to hunt with but it was so pretty he never let her take it out in the field, so it has just sat in his gunsafe. He's fired it about 10-12 times and he said it doesn't have a scratch on it. It is priced $100 more than the Savage.

Which one would you go with? I like both guns. I've always wanted a Savage rifle but I know that the Browning is a top notch rifle too. (My shotgun is a Belgian made Browning Sweet 16, probably 1950 or 51 model) My research though has found that while most people don't have any complaints about their Browning, a few have stated that it sometimes gave them feeding problems. Of the people that have the Savage, I didn't see anyone say they had feeding problems with it.

I plan on taking my son to an Appleseed Project some weekend this spring so we'll be putting a lot of rounds through our guns during that time. They concentrate on teaching how to make long range shots and, while I know I can't make a 500 yd shot with a .22 it will work for the closer range stuff and it will be cheaper to boot. Easier on my shoulder too...

Mike
 
I would go with the browning. It will hold its value better then the other.
Great shooter and is small enough for kids to handle well.
 
I have the Browning and I love it. It's beautiful to look at, and it feels and works great. It would be a gun that he'd be proud to hand down to his kids.

Just to be clear, does you son already have the Ruger 10/22? If so, that would be the gun to take to the Appleseed shoot. The Browning doesn't have peep sights, and loads through the stock, which is fine for all-around plinking and hunting, but I think that it would be a pain at an Appleseed. Also, flopping around on the ground with that beautiful glossy Browning wood would be a travesty.

So, get your son the Browning, but make sure that he has something else to use for the Appleseed.
 
Go with the older Browning, regardless of whether it is Belgium or Japanese.
There is no differance in quality.

They are the gold standard in .22 semi-auto's, and are not getting any cheaper or better.

Savage bolt guns are a dime a dozen if you want one later.

As far as feeding problems?
Maybe with todays crappy cheap bulk ammo. Everyone is having problems with everything.

But I have a 1970's Browning .22 Auto that has never ever jammed since it was new almost 40 years ago.
Then again, I use nothing but Super-X or CCI ammo most of the time.

rc
 
Thanks guys - yeah my son has the Ruger 10/22 and he'll use that, but I'm still looking for one for myself that I'll be using at the Appleseed shoot. I was all set to just buy the Savage but then this Browning came into my sights just today.

One thing about it, if I buy it, I'm gonna use it. I don't buy guns to sit in a gunsafe and not be used...
 
Well, the savage will outshoot the crap outta the browning, and the weaver scope is very fine, would be a good get on any rifle.
You did not mention the prices, but if the browning is under 400 bucks, then it is proly a steal!!!!

It's just fine to shoot the brownings, does not kill their value, just keep it looking just as nice...
 
If the Browning is a Belgium made one, I would get that. Not that the browning is 'better' than the Savage, as was said, the Savage will more than likely shoot circles around the Browning, but snagging a Belgium Browning 22 is a good thing in anybodies book!
 
I have the Savage and have been very pleased with it. It sounds like the Browning will appreciate though...
 
I had a savage as well, no complaints at all. Very accurate esp for a $300 w/ scope special on a heavy barrel .22. Browning might be prettier, but as stated repeatedly, probably less accurate....how much that matters is up to you.
 
I still have my Browning A-22 from 37 years ago...

(Man won't that make you feel older than dirt)

It still goes out to Montana and shoots gophers every spring. For an heirloom you can't beat it. If you don't want it PM me and I'll make the guy an offer.

We are talking about one of these guys right?

Auto22-1.gif

browning22rifle+009.jpg
 
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I have a MKII I bought from Wally World for $130. I mainly bought it as a knock around gun that would not make me mad if it was knocked over or banged around, etc. That is untill I shot it. Very accurate. Now its my main long range .22lr. Also this is rifle is a composite stock no accutrigger base model rifle. It may not be worth as much down the road but thats not why I bought it. Thats just my $ .02.
 
i say neither get yourself a nice 10/22 as well
then you can share mags and incredible after market
 
[QUOTE RANGERRUCK]
Well, the savage will outshoot the crap outta the browning, and the weaver scope is very fine, would be a good get on any rifle.
You did not mention the prices, but if the browning is under 400 bucks, then it is proly a steal!!!!
[/QUOTE RANGERRUCK]
:banghead:
It's $400 (being new around these here parts, I wasn't sure about spewing prices) which I know is a DEAL. The Savage is, like I said $100 less without the bipod attachment. It's at a pawn shop that was recommended by a friend of mine.
:banghead:
As much as I want the Browning (and man I DO WANT THAT GUN!!!), right now the edge seems to be going with the Savage because that is what I plan to take to Appleseed. And accuracy is the name of the game there.
:banghead:

And Hey-memphisjim, do you work at the top of Clark Tower?
 
Isn't that high for the Savages? The basic non accu trigger one is like $120 or something at Walmart isn't it? I think I've also read reports of getting the Accu Trigger one under $200 but I'm not 100% sure on that. Depending on the bipod you can get the Winchester one for $50 or so at Walmart or Harris ones seem to be able to be had around $80-90. Then the scope I'm not sure what that's worth and it's probably a good scope but is it worth a lot? It sounds like to me you could buy a new Savage Mark II, a new bi pod, and a new scope and not be much if anymore than this rifle is used. I may be wrong as I don't know exactly what the scopes worth or what kind of bipod it is but I'd be inclined to check out new ones instead.
 
The scope is a an older Weaver 12X scope, and I thinks it's a 40 mm objective. I don't know much about Weaver scopes. The only thing that bothers me about it is there's a little rust on the barrel of it; Light rust but no pitting. Does anybody know anything about these

I thought it was a little high on the gun too so he's gonna have to wiggle a little bit on it. He want's to add another $50 for the bipod, so $300 without it and $350 with it. The stock and the OK, but it has been shot, you can tell that. He said he and his family have been having a lot of fun shooting it so it may be that he doesn't really want to sell it.

My son is also wanting a 12 ga and this guy's got what looks like a nice older Remington 1100 28" ribbed barrel and he wants $425. I want to look at it again though. That would add up to a total of $775 for both. I had thought about offering him $675 for both and the bipod stays on the Savage. See what he says...
 
If it's rusted too I'd just go buy a new Savage MK II. They aren't that expensive. You can get the ones without the accu trigger for pretty cheap and even the ones with the accu trigger from what I've heard are under $200 brand new. You could then buy a $40-50 bipod at Walmart for the same price of what he is asking for his. Then you could throw a decent scope on it for $100 and be at the same price he wants for one that's old and rusted and you'd have all new stuff.

The $425 for a Remington 1100 doesn't sound all that out of line. I've seen them cheaper but it I've also seen them for more. If it's $425 though it should be in like new condition. If it's not I wouldn't pay that much for that either.
 
Thanks guys! I really appreciate all the advice. I'm new to all this buying of guns so its tough to know if I'm making a good deal or paying too much.

We got iced in over the weekend so I didn't get a chance to check out the Browning. Since I've already got 1 semi-auto I'd really like a bolt action just to have something different, but I definitely want to see what this one looks like. Oh, and a good friend of mine told me that he'd let me use his M14 for the Appleseed if I want to so I may take him up on that!!

Mike
 
Here is a good follow-up for you if you are interested in a budget friendly shooter. FOLLOW LINKY.....

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1594326#Post1594326

My 2 cents. I own a Savage MKII BV, .22lr, heavy barrel, Laminate stock, it's scoped and a few other accessories. It is a top notch firearm and shoots circles around all the 10/22 fans in my area, they get awfully upset when they see mine or another one at the range. I am not particular, just wanted a competitively priced accurate shooter, both for varmints and targets. I just don't like stuffing money in something that doesn't perform to begin with! Maybe it's just me. Sorry if I offended in advance to all.:D
 
Just got a Savage MkII and though I've yet to shoot it, I am impressed with the fit and finish. I may have to find out how to bring out the tiger stripes in the finish it looks so nice.

That said, I've always wanted a Browning like you describe. I think I may have to go with a Mossberg stock-loader to fill that .22 niche. I wish everything I owned was as good as the one Browning I have, but I can't swing the numbers for one of those take-downs. I know they're worth it; I imagine that if I was going to spend 4-500 I'd likely go with another kind of rifle. If I ever have that kind of 'mad' money you can be sure that's the present I'd get myself!
 
The Savage will put shot after shot into the same hole. YAWWWWWWN

The Browning is accurate enough to hunt with and is oh so pretty.
 
Yesterday I went to Classic Arms and Bass Pro while at lunch. Classic has a REALLY nice new Savage Mk II with Accutrigger, heavy barrel and a Leupold scope. It waaaaas pretty. But they want $549 for it. I asked how much for it without the scope and they said $350. I checked the Savage site and the one I saw was the BV and $352 is the MSRP on it.

I didn't see anything at BPS I was interested in.

The search continues...
 
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