First Rifle 22lr help.

[TonyAngel]

As Mac66 requested, my definition of beer can accurate is that I can consistently hit a beer can at 50 yards with a wide range of ammunition. Farther out than 50 yards and it becomes a crap shoot to an extent.

If going with a 10/22, I would at least suggest that you shop some pawn shops or gun shops for a used one. My 10/22 is something around 15 years old. It has an aluminum trigger housing and came with all metal parts. I don't know when the transition occurred, but the last 10/22 that I looked at in the store had a plastic barrel band, plastic trigger guard and I could have sworn, a plastic trigger.

I'm not saying that I don't like the 10/22. This is mine....


Aside from the scope, I have $100 in the barrel, $100 in the stock and about $60 in the trigger, plus a bit of elbow grease into opening the barrel channel and bedding the stock. Initial testing has shown that it will shoot MOA at 50 yards if I really take my time with the occassional inexplicable flier using Wolf Match ammo. It shoots pretty well with Federal bulk ammo too, but the "fliers" are much more frequent and pronounced (as in hitting the target next to the one I'm shooting at). This is a tinkering project. My goal is to tick the guys off (in a friendly competitive way) at the range that are shooting the Remington 40Xs and Anshutzs in the local rimfire match. I know it won't shoot as well as the others, but I believe that if I'm persistent I will, one day, have that one day that I'll be able to talk about for years.

 

[joepa150]

So I plan on checking a few pawn shops.

Any suggestions on how I could tell if the rifle is in good condition besides looking at the outside?

If I could get one at a pawn shop that is in good condition and for a great price then I probably will jump on it. If I can get one new for $200, I am hoping for a good condition used one for less than $100.

 

[GWARGHOUL]

Awesome choice. You can get a box of 550 rounds of Remmington High Velocity hollow points for like $14!

 

[joepa150]

Two pawn shops and no Ruger 10/22 or Marlins. I did find a Bolt Action Savage Mk II for $75. He wouldn't come down in price though.

 

[benzy2]

TonyAngel, what is the stock? I've been looking for a replacement and that looks decent.

 

[TonyAngel]

benzy, it's a Boyd's Tacticool. It's the same stock that the Savage TR comes in. Although it looks like a synthetic, it's actually a painted laminate. The run about $100, when you can find one.

 

[Grey Morel]

Both the Marlin 60 and the Ruger 1022 are great guns out of the box...

But, once you take nostalgia out of the equation, the Marlins 60's tube mag is nothing but a weakness - they ware out, are nearly impossible to replace if damaged, and they reload slowly.

Look into the Marlin 795 - It is essentially a Marlin 60 with a box magazine. The aftermarket is expanding for these things - you can get match triggers and machined aluminum trigger guards for them now, so there is some customizing options to be had.

You can't go wrong with a Ruger 10/22 either - I have 3 .

 

[longshot7.62x51]

I have shot ruger 10/22s since i can remember its is easy to tinker with them and even if they are not the most relible they are fun to shoot also they hold their value pretty well even at 15 years old they still go for 150ish so if you dont like it you can sell it or trade is and they are good to learn on then you can move up but no matter how often we go to the range the famliy always brings at least one 10/22 so pay 200 if you have to cause if it is what you want then it is worth it and it sounds like you want one

just my 2 cents

 

[henschman]

You should buy an AR-15 and a .22 bolt conversion for it. That way you can shoot your cheap .22 ammo, and whenever you get to go to the outdoor range, put your big boy bolt in and shoot 5.56.

 

[longshot7.62x51]

hen

that is another good option

 

[22-rimfire]

I think the OP doesn't even want to spend the $ for a new 10/22 let alone the cost of an AR-15 with a conversion unit.

Grey Morel, I would venture to say I could reload a tube fed M60 quicker than you can the 795 from scratch with an equal amount of ammo without the potential finger damage. I have never had a tube wear out, but easily replaced from Marlin should it be necessary. You have to be careful not to bend them.

 

[joepa150]

22-rimfire,

You are right about not wanting to spend money for an AR-15 and a conversion kit.

The 10/22 in terms of money isn't a big deal. Its just I don't know if the 10/22 is what I want to spend the money on.

 

[benzy2]

benzy, it's a Boyd's Tacticool. It's the same stock that the Savage TR comes in. Although it looks like a synthetic, it's actually a painted laminate. The run about $100, when you can find one.

I knew it looked familiar. I have an order waiting to send in for one of their Savage and one of their CZ tacticool stocks, but I'm waiting to see if they come back in stock first.

 

[Captain33036]

All very good information here.

I wanted to add that the Marlin 60 tube is not a big deal. The best practice is to take the plunger tube all the way out, when loading. That minimizes the chance to bend it.

But even so, Marlin will fix it.

As someone posted above, you can get a very nifty speed loader for tube fed rifles. Loads them up in a couple seconds. Very simple.

Just wanted to add some info. Could not go wrong with an M60, 10/22 or Bolt Ruger, Marlin or Savage.

My best to all.

 

[Kendal Black]

Ditto what the Cap'n said. The guns you are considering are all good ones and your choices are win-win.

 

[Rmiller31]

Don't get too carried away with the perfect forum rifle. Shoot it first and then decide what you need or want to improve.

I have found for my general purpose of plinking and small game hunting with the 10/22 to be more then adequate. A decent barrel can be had for under 200$ easily and a hogue stock is only 60-70$ but as I said get one and shoot it first and see what YOU don't like about it.

Also, you say you don't have many places to shoot outdoors. This leads me to believe you will be shooting at indoor ranges. Maybe its different in your are but around me there are no ranges past 25 yards. Personally I wouldn't trick out a target rifle and never really get to stretch its legs. I'd get something fun to shoot for that.

 

[akolleth]

Another vote for the Marlin model 60

I bought mine used from a gun show for $50 out the door. They can be very frequently had for $100 used. They are excellent shooters right out of the box, and mine loves almost all types of 22lr I feed it.

Its a great rifle to buy and spend some serious quality trigger time with.