Budget .22

[Der Stro]

Hi all,

After dropping a hundred dollars for only 440 rounds of 7.62x54R, I realized that I may not be able to afford to go to the range as often as I'd like, and therefore decided I need a .22, quickly.

My main concern here is budget, all .22's I've looked at were at least $200, but generally much more expensive. Are there any models out there known for being cheap, and of fairly decent build quality? I'm not fussy over brand names or anything, I would just like something I can punch paper all day with, without breaking the bank.

Thanks!

 

[Armored farmer]

Anything Ruger
Single Six or MKII, MKIII
I have both, can,t say which I like better. MKII may be a little more accurate, Single Six is more versatile w/ magnum cylinder (a big plus).
I can't imagine you wouldn't like one also.
I think both are available in stainless "Hunter" models.
You need not worry yourself about buying used....I don't think you can hurt one If you tried.

 

[vermont88993]

mossberg 702 plinkster (auto-loader)
mossberg 802 plinkster (bolt action)
remington 597 (auto-loader)
marlin 795 (auto-loader)
marlin model 60 (auto-loader)
marlin 981T (bolt action)

thats about all i can think of (these all are long guns, not pistols) i have no experience with any of these guns... i have a ruger 10/22 and saving for all of these 22 rifles since i can only afford 22LR (im a teen and don't have a job...i wish i had a job!!!) i recommend any of the marlins and the remington i have no feedback on the mossbergs so i cant say anything about the mossbergs. the remington 597 or the marlin model 60 would be my first choice...
just my 2 cents

 

[KodiakBeer]

Rifle or handgun?

In either case, I'd say spend a few extra bucks - $300 (instead of $200) will put you into the realm of decent quality .22's.

With handguns, I'd say the Buckmark is the best choice, with the the Ruger at a close second.

Rifles - it's hard to beat the Ruger 10/22.

 

[bgeddes]

As this post is in the rifle section of this forum that's where the concern will be focused.

I have not shot the Mossbergs, so I will not comment on them.

For a $200 bolt gun, you have to consider a Savage Mk II w/ the Accutrigger. A steal at the price and accurate enough to actually work on marksmanship skills.

Semi-auto, the Marlin 60 is a classic, tube fed gem. While typically not as accurate as a bolt gun, certainly a good piece. The Remington 597 is the sleeper of the bunch. Available all over, at least as accurate as a Marlin 60, but a full size gun for adults.

Ruger 10/22? Popular, yes. Reliable, yes. Modifiable, yes. Accurate by comparison, No. They are good guns. But out of box, there are better choices, IMHO.

 

[Geno]

Savage Mark II is about as good as one can buy at $169.00, and they very accurate.

Geno

 

[JoeMal]

Marlin Model 60 - $150

 

[JFrame]

If you want a .22 rifle on a budget -- do NOT get a 10/22. You'll start accessorizing the darned thing, and wind up spending four times the value of the rifle!

<------ (Speaks from first-hand experience...)

.

 

[44Dave]

Marlin 795. Accurate enough, and damn inexpensive.

 

[Der Stro]

Thats for all the replies guys, I think I settled on the Savage MkII. I found them for under $150 used, and I do love a good bolt gun.

As for the 10/22...well, I stared picking out all sorts of accessories and stocks and before I knew it I was looking at a $500 project gun

 

[ForumSurfer]

Marlin Model 60 - $150

Accurate and fun. I have two. It's a great choice if you aren't doing any customization beyond sights and optics.

Ruger 10/22

Also accurate. Can be customized and accurized to whatever level your wallet can stand.

 

[CajunBass]

Thats for all the replies guys, I think I settled on the Savage MkII. I found them for under $150 used, and I do love a good bolt gun.

Good choice. I've got a few 22's, rifles and handguns, and I ALWAYS head to the used counter/rack first. I don't remember the last NIB 22 I bought.

 

[NCsmitty]

I ALWAYS head to the used counter/rack first

+1 on a used 22.

There are literally tons of good used 22 rimfire rifles at gun shops or pawn shops, just waiting to be adopted. Often good deals can be found.



NCsmitty

 

[mattyizzo]

I just picked up a Remington 597 about a month ago for about $180. Shortly after that I spent about $25 on 500 rounds of ammo.

Cheap and fun to shoot right out of the box.

 

[ForumSurfer]

here are literally tons of good used 22 rimfire rifles at gun shops or pawn shops,

I see many used bolt action 22's in my area. Guys buy them to punch holes in paper, then realize they'd rather have a semi auto that doesn't require lots of reloading. There's almost always a high quality, barely used bolt action 22 or 17 that is optics ready in the used section.

 

[Atticum]

I agree with used but for a Savage MkII maybe not, only b/c the older ones dont have the accutrigger. If you find a used mkII with an accutrigger you are good to go.

 

[22-rimfire]

I agree with Atticum. The Savage Mark II is a very good choice. I have one but it is the more expensive Classic version with the walnut stock. You may have read the other active thread on choosing a 22 rifle. The Marlin is a good choice also if you are looking for "cheap". You want to punch paper.... the other rifle that I would look at is a CZ 452 Trainer which run about $350 new. They will probably be discontinued soon, but they are still around new and you can find them used too. This is the CZ that has a hard wood rather than walnut stock, the long 26" barrel, and very good iron sights. Costs more than the Savage Mark II if you are looking at the lesser priced models in particular. But a very good buy if you compare to the pricing on the CZ 455. (It replaced the 452 and 453 models.)

 

[P.shooter]

If you want a .22 rifle on a budget -- do NOT get a 10/22. You'll start accessorizing the darned thing, and wind up spending four times the value of the rifle!

<------ (Speaks from first-hand experience...)

.

That's why I got the Target (Tactical) version. With the bull barrel and tight trigger it's already got most everything I want on it. The only thing I added was a scope, some extra magazines, a sling, extended magazine release, auto bolt release...

Crap, nevermind.

Well at least most of the parts are pretty cheap.

 

[Hoppes Love Potion]

I recently got a Henry lever-action .22 with the octagon barrel. $315 but it's really a great-handling and extremely accurate rifle. The basic model with round barrel can be found for about $240.

Lever-actions are just so much fun.

 

[JFrame]

That's why I got the Target (Tactical) version. With the bull barrel and tight trigger it's already got most everything I want on it. The only thing I added was a scope, some extra magazines, a sling, extended magazine release, auto bolt release...

Crap, nevermind.

Well at least most of the parts are pretty cheap.

Heh...Evidently, there are only DEGREES of 10/22 madness...

.

 

[otcconan]

I find it hard to believe that after he mentioned he was spending too much money on 7.62X54 (a rifle cartridge), and posted in the rifle forum, still some were asking rifle or pistol.

I know you already made up your mind, but my .02 says a Marlin bolt-action like the 880. Don't think they make it anymore, but I bought mine at Wal-Mart for $150 and it had a heavy competition barrel and shot 1" groups at 50 yards. And I'm a BAD shot. I'm betting you can find a used one for around that amount.

 

[momchenr]

I grew up with a Marlin Model 60. Many, many fun summers with it even before I left home, and now I have one of my own. I've put thousands and thousands of rounds through them and think they're great. They may not be as accurate as a heavy-barreled bolt gun, and some people dislike the tube-mag... but for general plinking and rodent control they're hard to top in my book.

 

[TheDriver]

Another vote for Model 60.

 

[ForumSurfer]

I grew up with a Marlin Model 60. Many, many fun summers with it even before I left home, and now I have one of my own. I've put thousands and thousands of rounds through them and think they're great. They may not be as accurate as a heavy-barreled bolt gun, and some people dislike the tube-mag... but for general plinking and rodent control they're hard to top in my book.

Yep, mine has fired 100's of 1000's of rounds probably and it still shoots "minute of rat." When you're firing 1000 or so rounds at the time, that tube feeder isn't going to be any slower than the mag fed models...unless you have 1000 rounds preloaded in mags.

The only time it gives me issues or predictable unreliability is when I clean it. Once it's got a couple hundred rounds through it and the ammo has it dirty...it runs like a champ.

If I was strictly shooting paper, I might opt for something more pricy and a little more accurate.

The 60 is a very, very, very fun gun. If I lost all my weapons tomorrow, the first thing I'd replace would be my ccw piece followed by another 60. It's just fun and "accurate enough."

 

[wlewisiii]

Marlin 60.