RancidSumo
Member
Scout=5lbs
Lux=7.2lbs
Lux=7.2lbs
Good .22 rifle for new, older adult beginner?
- Thread starter SJ1
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Blue Brick
Member
Marlin 795
sarduy
Member
toivo
Member
I would usually recommend a bolt action for a first rifle, but if light weight is your primary concern, then I agree with Blue Brick: You can't get much lighter than a Marlin 795.
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/SelfLoading/795.asp
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/SelfLoading/795SS.asp
Sarduy, the Savage pictured in your post is actually a Mark II FV (heavy barrel), not the plain F. I know it's the picture they have on their website, but they've had the wrong picture up for forever.
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/SelfLoading/795.asp
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/SelfLoading/795SS.asp
Sarduy, the Savage pictured in your post is actually a Mark II FV (heavy barrel), not the plain F. I know it's the picture they have on their website, but they've had the wrong picture up for forever.
dmazur
Member
Another vote for the Browning SA22.
This is a terrific little rifle. It is not only light, but it points well. Very slender grip, seems liked by those with smaller hands. Length of pull can be a problem, as it cannot be shortened (due to the fact that the tubular magazine is in the stock.)
These can be scoped, which upsets the balance somewhat, but it's still a nice rifle with a 4X scope.
They are easy to take down for cleaning (which you do have to do with a .22 once in a while, despite myth to the contrary), as the stock and barrel separate with a 90° twist. The action also takes down fairly readily for cleaning.
IMO, this was one of John Browning's better designs. Still high quality, though made in Japan now rather than Belgium.
They aren't cheap.
This is a terrific little rifle. It is not only light, but it points well. Very slender grip, seems liked by those with smaller hands. Length of pull can be a problem, as it cannot be shortened (due to the fact that the tubular magazine is in the stock.)
These can be scoped, which upsets the balance somewhat, but it's still a nice rifle with a 4X scope.
They are easy to take down for cleaning (which you do have to do with a .22 once in a while, despite myth to the contrary), as the stock and barrel separate with a 90° twist. The action also takes down fairly readily for cleaning.
IMO, this was one of John Browning's better designs. Still high quality, though made in Japan now rather than Belgium.
They aren't cheap.
I think alot depends on whether you are looking for a semi-auto or a bolt action. As for the bolt action the CZ 452 American 16 is a great rifle and will never let you down, weighing in at 5.3lbs unloaded, Ruger has 77/22-R which is a .22lr bolt action that weighs in a 6lbs even, and Savage has the Model MARK II-F .22lr bolt action that weights 5lbs even.
As for the sem-automatic .22lr, the Ruger 10/22DSP .22lr is a great rifle and weighs 5 3/4lbs, the Remington 597 is also another good semi-auto weighing 5 1/2lbs, and Browning's Semi-Auto 22, Grade I is another semi-auto that weighs just over 5lbs (5lbs 3oz).
I like semi-automics personally and can vouch for all 3 I have listed above. As for the bolt action I've only shot a handful, but I have shot the CZ 452 and it will shoot all day long. All of my bolt action rifles are high power for deer hunting, so I apoligize for not being more knowledable on this subject. From what I've heard, they are good rifles for beginners to learn on, taking 1 shot at a time. Then get a semi-auto...they are fun, especailly when you put a 30 round mag on one!!! LOL
Hope you find yourself a daisy of a gun. Happy shooting.
As for the sem-automatic .22lr, the Ruger 10/22DSP .22lr is a great rifle and weighs 5 3/4lbs, the Remington 597 is also another good semi-auto weighing 5 1/2lbs, and Browning's Semi-Auto 22, Grade I is another semi-auto that weighs just over 5lbs (5lbs 3oz).
I like semi-automics personally and can vouch for all 3 I have listed above. As for the bolt action I've only shot a handful, but I have shot the CZ 452 and it will shoot all day long. All of my bolt action rifles are high power for deer hunting, so I apoligize for not being more knowledable on this subject. From what I've heard, they are good rifles for beginners to learn on, taking 1 shot at a time. Then get a semi-auto...they are fun, especailly when you put a 30 round mag on one!!! LOL
Hope you find yourself a daisy of a gun. Happy shooting.
jjohnson
Member
Ruger 10/22
Okay, I teethed on bolt action 22s, and they're great for training for accuracy and proper technique, safety, and all that.
I've trained dozens of new shooters on the Rugers, though, and there is nothing wrong with letting the old guy have a little fun. The way I look at
it is, yes, you do shoot more ammo becuase you CAN - but new shooters usually find that to be great fun. And this is for fun, right? I mean, you're not training anybody for a Palma match or to be a sniper.
An older gent is maybe a little less likely to get excited and do those things on the range that we find annoying like trying to see how fast a mag can be dumped while war fantasies play in his head.
And the Ruger is the most popular 22 ever built - millions made - sturdy, accurate enough, reliable... all that. Nothing wrong with the CZ, and that's a fine hunting rifle good enough for informal target shooting, but I'd let the guy
have some fun with the Ruger.
Good luck - it's great to share shooting with a new guy - even if he's not a kid.
Okay, I teethed on bolt action 22s, and they're great for training for accuracy and proper technique, safety, and all that.
I've trained dozens of new shooters on the Rugers, though, and there is nothing wrong with letting the old guy have a little fun. The way I look at
it is, yes, you do shoot more ammo becuase you CAN - but new shooters usually find that to be great fun. And this is for fun, right? I mean, you're not training anybody for a Palma match or to be a sniper.
An older gent is maybe a little less likely to get excited and do those things on the range that we find annoying like trying to see how fast a mag can be dumped while war fantasies play in his head.
And the Ruger is the most popular 22 ever built - millions made - sturdy, accurate enough, reliable... all that. Nothing wrong with the CZ, and that's a fine hunting rifle good enough for informal target shooting, but I'd let the guy
have some fun with the Ruger.
Good luck - it's great to share shooting with a new guy - even if he's not a kid.
CajunBass
Member
I'm a big fan of the 10/22 right stock out of the box, the way it left the Ruger plant, but if you say it's too heavy for you, I can't argue with you. Others have made some good suggestions, but I don't think anyone has mentioned one that comes to mind. You'll have to look used, but they can be found and that's the Remington Nylon 66. I 'spect that's about the lightest full sized 22 rifle ever made, but I can't swear to it. I've seen the weight listed as about four lbs, and they are good shooters too.
Good luck, and have fun with whatever you get.
Good luck, and have fun with whatever you get.
Olympus
Member
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2008
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- 4,212
Maybe I'm missing something, but are we really seriously talking about the weight of .22 caliber rifle? Unless it's a target model with a bull barrel and benchrest stock, is it really going to be TOO heavy? I'd hate to hear what's going to happen when you get a larger caliber gun.
I seriously can't believe what I'm reading. Sounds to me like a bunch of nancy boys...
I seriously can't believe what I'm reading. Sounds to me like a bunch of nancy boys...
doc2rn
Member
Marlin 60 is the best, but if finances allow a Henry goldenboy is nice also for a lever rifle.
Gentlemen, thank you for your most helpful suggestions.
I looked at a couple of Rugers at the range. The butt is very uncomfortable and the balance wasn't right for me.
They had a CZ 452, which was easy to hold and balance. The instructor there said they are very accurate and have a very good trigger. I like it that there are interchangeable magazines. Since I do have the single-bolt Winchester 02A, I'm leaning towards something that will fire a few shots. I'm sorry to say that the Browning is too much money for me at this point.
I'll check for all the .22s in your posts when I go to the range to practice.
I do appreciate your help. I'm taking a Basic Handgun class in a few days. Step by step, it's coming along.
Note to Olympus: I am the original poster. If you were to pick out a gun for your grandmother, wouldn't you want her to be able to handle it easily? I am not looking at anything but .22s. Doubt I ever will. I just want to enjoy shooting. Not all older women want to compete with the athletic abilities of young men. I'm sure there are other threads for those interests.
I looked at a couple of Rugers at the range. The butt is very uncomfortable and the balance wasn't right for me.
They had a CZ 452, which was easy to hold and balance. The instructor there said they are very accurate and have a very good trigger. I like it that there are interchangeable magazines. Since I do have the single-bolt Winchester 02A, I'm leaning towards something that will fire a few shots. I'm sorry to say that the Browning is too much money for me at this point.
I'll check for all the .22s in your posts when I go to the range to practice.
I do appreciate your help. I'm taking a Basic Handgun class in a few days. Step by step, it's coming along.
Note to Olympus: I am the original poster. If you were to pick out a gun for your grandmother, wouldn't you want her to be able to handle it easily? I am not looking at anything but .22s. Doubt I ever will. I just want to enjoy shooting. Not all older women want to compete with the athletic abilities of young men.
I'm sure there are other threads for those interests.SJ1:
I have to agree with the Marlin 60. It has good balance, shoots well, and is relatively light weight. My mother is 92 and she can still shoot mine with no problems. She is a small women with not a lot of arm and hand strength, but still manages to put rounds down range and enjoys our time at the range.
I have to agree with the Marlin 60. It has good balance, shoots well, and is relatively light weight. My mother is 92 and she can still shoot mine with no problems. She is a small women with not a lot of arm and hand strength, but still manages to put rounds down range and enjoys our time at the range.
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