Favorite .22lr Rifle Manual Action

[amprecon]

What's your favorite .22lr rifle manual action? Bolt, lever or pump? As I am not a fan of bolt actions at all because of the very awkward motion, I would probably choose it last. But it's simplicity and durability cannot be ignored.

Lever actions seem to make you lose your sight picture when cycling them and I don't like removing my firing hand from the stock. But pump actions seem to be the most user-friendly while the trigger hand stays on the stock and finger on the trigger while the off-hand works the linear action almost effortlessly.

If I had to depend on a .22lr rifle for survival I would like the pump for it's quick operation, but for overall durability and simplicity it would be hard to beat the bolt action.

Another consideration is the whether to choose the box magazine or the tube feed. It seems that the box mags would be less prone to damage if the rifle was dropped.

I guess the point I'm getting at is that if your stuck with a .22lr rifle to depend on and your very isolated, what would be your best and most dependable long term choice?

 

[Black Majik]

Well, there's a huge 39a club thread, so I'm guessing lever action might make a lead. I haven't seen a "bolt action rimfire club" or "pump action rimfire club" yet

Go lever actions!

 

[plexreticle]

I like single shot bolt guns for .22LR

 

[elmerfudd]

I voted for the bolt action. To me, accuracy is way more important than firepower or repeat shots when it comes to rimfires.

 

[ColinthePilot]

I like bolt action box fed. The bolt, as stated above, is more reliable and you can carry multiple box mags where you can't carry multiple tubes.

 

[CajunBass]

I doubt if it would matter a tinkers hoot, in a "survival situation." One would work about as well as the other. A bolt action might in theory be more accurate, but most any 22 will shoot minute of squirrel.

Extra box magazines might be handy, but I've never lost a tube magazine. (My late father in law, lost the magazine follower to one of his once, but I never have.)

Of the 22's I've got, I'd probably take my 39A, but I wouldn't feel handicapped with one of the others either.

 

[Slugless]

I really like lever actions.

Bolt actions are nice.

I've been trying to buy an older Remington pump action for a few months but no cigar. Can't say anything there.

I don't like box magazines on a .22. Can't say why.

Tube magazine? I have more fun with my Nylon 66 than anything else.

There's another thread on "when has the hair on the back of your neck stood up?" The last time for me was when I thought my Nylon 66 had been stolen.

 

[guy sajer]

Remington Model 12 pump .

Feeds shorts , longs , long rifle . Classic "barleycorn" forend with octagonal barrel . Walnut & steel .

 

[alucard0822]

I like tube mags better in a manual action because of the 22 short/lR, cb and super colibri compatibility, allowing a silent 500fps up to 1400fps from full power 22LR, box mags in autos, due to the higher firing rate and the fact they may not cycle with the lighter loads anyway.

Bolt is nice for a target type rifle wearing a decent scope, like a CZ, but for an iron sighted walking plinker/small game hunter the levers and pumps can't be beat. Well unless you throw straight pulls into the mix, but hey tend to be expensive and hard to find.
I prefer the lever action, because they are easier to fire quickly and accurately while supported by a sling, the forearm and stock can be locked in tight, keeping the sight picture while your right hand works the action. I have a little henry that I can hit a critter on the run a couple times with. Others may have better luck with the pumps, but I can handle levers better, coupled with a colt frontier scout in a crossdraw holster, and you can play cowboy all day for $10 worth of ammo

 

[Red Tornado]

I voted the classic bolt action/box mag. Of course, I like all of the other options, too.
RT

 

[rangerruck]

marlin 81 seriies has been made for 75 years now, as well, the marlin 39 has been made for about 115 years now. they are tube feds, that will fire short , long, and long rifle, they are both accurate as heck, ahd can fire all thos diff rounds interchangeably. They also cover the spectrum in cost, you can get a used 81 for 100 bucks, and the marlin 39's can go for 400 bucks, and on up for older, vintage ones.

 

[Adam Selene]

Give me a Marlin 39M anyday of the week.

 

[Sagetown]

For survival purposes ~ when in a real tight, like being attacked ~ the only thing better than a pump in that type situation would be an auto. Had you not stressed 'survival' in a sense of rapid fire, I would have choses the 'bolt action'.

I was thankful that day I had a pump .22 when my dog brought up a couple of unfriendly prairie wolves that she wanted me to meet.

By the time I realized what in the world was going on I just had time to start throwing lead as fast as I could pump while trying to hold a bead on them at the same time.

One succombed to eight holes in him. The other left wounded.

 

[gp911]

You forgot "butt-fed" for all the Nylon 66 owners!

My father still has one of those, sitting neglected but in mint shape. It will forever be known as my (departed) mother's gun, but I may need to borrow it to "sight it in" soon...

Otherwise, make mine tube fed and built to take S, L, & LR...

gp911

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

For carrying in the woods the lever wins hands down. It just carries well. For precision shooting I like my cz scout. For nostlagia I like a single shot as that is the first rifle I owned. It made me a better shot too.

 

[Shooter973]

Manual action 22 lr.

I'd have to go with a Ruger M77/22 as my favorite manual action 22lr.
I have three(3) diffferent ones of these and they are all nearly perfect!
They are all very accurate and handle like a full size large bore rifle. Ive made shots with these rifles that would just be amazing if I told ya about them. My Favorite 22 rifles of all types.

 

[DMK]

Even though I own a few, I don't really prefer bolt action Twenty Twos because of the extreme short throw. It just feels weird. I love my 1966 Marlin 39A lever action though.

 

[amprecon]

Well I voted tube mag pump action. As a bolt may be slightly simpler in design and therefore more reliable, I do not know of any unreliable pump or lever action design out there.
So for me I think a pump action would be just as reliable as a bolt. I don't know which has more or less parts that might be a concern, but I think they all do well.
As for available pump actions, what are the options? I've only seen the Remington, Taurus 62 and Henry's. If I were to get a lever or bolt they'd be Marlins.

 

[zinj]

Well, there's a huge 39a club thread, so I'm guessing lever action might make a lead. I haven't seen a "bolt action rimfire club" or "pump action rimfire club" yet

Probably because pump .22s seem to command ungodly prices. Once you shoot a good pump .22 though, you will never go back.

 

[yesit'sloaded]

Remington 510

 

[ArmedBear]

Pump .22s aren't any more than a 39.

They are rarely seen in stores, though.

I'll have to get one of those next, since I have two 39's.

 

[dumdum303]

I like the bolt action .22's. The Remington 511-x is the only .22 I own. I learned to shoot with my dad's 511, then he bought one for me in better condition for my 12th or 13th. birthday. Great rifle. A pump action looks like fun.