Help Choosing my next 22

[tacweapon]

I am looking to get a new .22 rifle. I have a Ruger 10/22 that I use for squirrel hunting, but now I am looking for a good target 22 rifle that is semi-automatic, that will be capable of half inch groups out ot 75 yards. I would prefer not to get another Ruger but I am up to suggestions. I am looking to spend no more then 400 dollars. I do not like the thumbhole stocks so I am going to try not to get one with stock of that type.

Thanks for the help

 

[K5mitch]

Why not go for a bolt?

I have a Marlin 981T, shoots as well as I can hold it.

Edit:

Misunderstood your post. I thought you had the target rifle and wanted a hunter...

 

[hksw]

...a good target 22 rifle that is semi-automatic, that will be capable of half inch groups out ot 75 yards....spend no more then 400 dollars.

Does not compute.

 

[B.D. Turner]

You can do bunches to the Ruger you have and save money.

 

[tacweapon]

I know that my expectations are a little high, but that is what I am hoping for. I would rather have two different .22s so that I can have my 10/22 set up so that it light and accurate enough and then have the other .22 set up for target or bullseye shooting

Thanks for the help so far

 

[Red Tornado]

...a good target 22 rifle that is semi-automatic, that will be capable of half inch groups out ot 75 yards....spend no more then 400 dollars.

Yep, not gonna happen. But you might be able to upgrade your current 10/22 for that price to those specs. However, 1/2" at 75 is going to be tough.
RT

 

[Z-Michigan]

I have a 10/22 and Walther G22 (both semi-auto), recently got a Savage Mark II bolt-action and it is by far my favorite of the three. Accurate, easy to shoot, no jams, no powder in my face or on my hands. Can easily single load if I want to. Also very easy to mount a scope on. Cost around $300 for a BV (nicer) model; they start around $150 for basic models.

 

[cracked butt]

If you want 1/2" groups at 75 yards, you're going to need a bolt action, and a $1000+ at that, though CMP is selling Kimbers for around $600 that might be able to shoot that well with the right ammo.

 

[tacweapon]

the half inch at 75 yards is not a requirement just what I would want in an ideal world I guess what I am looking for is the rifle that will be the closest to what I want it to be able to do in my price range

 

[CajunBass]

Find yourself a used 10/22 for $100.00 to $150.00 bucks. The cheaper the better. If you figure on using the 10/22 you've got you're ahead of the game, but you said you wanted another rifle.

Then check with the guys on RimfireCentral.com and ask them what to do to get the most gain for the least money and give them your budget. $250.00 to $300.00 bucks if you can find a used rifle, all $400.00 if you work on the one you got. I'll bet they can get you headed in the right direction. You might not get 1/2" at 75, but you can get it shooting a lot better than stock, and can do more as you go along.

 

[JohnBT]

"ask them what to do to get the most gain for the least money"

Here's what I'd tell him over there. Grab the scope in your left hand and hold it very still. Remove the 10/22 and replace it with a good bolt action. IOW, start with a good gun.

Forget 75 yards, shooting 1/2" groups at 50 yards is hard enough to do consistently with any good rifle and the ammo that it likes. So much of rimfire shooting is finding the right batch of ammo for the gun.

John...the known 10/22 hater

 

[Selfdfenz]

1/2' @ 75 yards ..hmm...hard for the 22 LR. 50 yds is more like it.

Still the CM-2 might make the grade.
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157539

Where you might find one for $400 given the value of the USD is hard to say but CDNN had some basic, used models in the past that got good reviews.

Best

S-

 

[22-rimfire]

You have two very good choices: Current production Thompson Center R-55 in whatever configuration you like; used Weatherby Mark XXII which are mostly available at gunshows and online auctions.

The TC R-55 is the best shooting 22 semi-auto on the market today. I get 0.3-0.5" at 50 yds (standard velocity ammo) and I suspect I could get something close to 0.5" with good ammo at 75yds. I get about 0.5-0.75" with things like Remington Thunderbolts at 50 yds. Some of these are used at Camp Perry and have won in the small bore sporter class.

The Weatherby is capable of 1" groups at 100 yds or a little better with good ammo and perhaps 0.5" groups at 75 yds. Just remember, all things are not the same and some will shoot better than others. The Weatherby's are probably the finest 22 semi-auto made in the last 50 years. You will have to experiment with whatever you buy to see if there is a particular ammo preference. But generally, the more you pay, the more consistantly they shoot (within reason).

Added: The Weatherby will exceed your price range (maybe double). I just noticed the $400 figure when I reread it.

 

[ThomasT]

If you go to www.rimfirecentral.com most people there will tell you to get a Marlin model 60. Also do a search there and look at some of the 100 yard groups some people have posted with the model 60.

Its an inexpensive rifle that shoots like a target gun right out of the box. Plus there are tune ups you can do yourself for very little to no extra money.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

For that accuracy, you're gonna need a Kimber, Cooper, Anschutz, Walther, Pardini, RWS, or old Win 52 - these are all turnbolts and expensive. Like someone said, does not compute. Which criteria do you want to give way - accuracy requirement or cost?

 

[john917v]

I have never fired one, but I have heard wonderful things about the Marlin 60. I saw one the other day @ Wal-Mart, for about $200. I have heard of them out-shooting many of the other .22s, and some well-priced bolties!!! It's a really handsome rifle, too!!

 

[gpr]

22lr

keltec plr22....gpr

 

[Selfdfenz]

tacweapon

As a follow-up to my previous post CDNN has used CM-2 listed for $299 on pg 21 of their newest downloadable catalogue.

Rimfirecentral is a great place to educate yourself on what's up with rimfires.
I love my Model 60's but 75 yds and a 1/2" target is tough for me and it's not all me.

Best of luck.

S-

 

[22-rimfire]

It is pretty hard to shoot less than 0.5" at 50 yds consistantly. It takes some effort to get there and a lot of effort to get in the 0.25-0.3" group class at 50 yds. It's quite a challenge actually. That means dime sized groups or less at 50 yds. That is not too difficult at 25yds, but 50 is a challenge.

If you plan on trying to shoot that good, choose a higher magnification scope. The Mueller APV 4.5-14x is quite popular over at Rimfire Central. I have a Weaver 2.5-7x rimfire on my TC.

Of the cheaper semi-auto's, the Marlin Model 60 or the Remington 597 would be the choice. Folks have already mentioned the Marlin, but the Remington does pretty well too. Get current production rather than one from years ago as they had problems consistantly when they were first introduced.

 

[Red Tornado]

That CM-2 currently listed in CDNN is going to be very hard to beat on an accuracy to price comparison. With shipping and transfer (I don't know how CDNN works if you're not FFL) maybe $350, roughly. I don't know if you can find a more accurate rifle for that price.

If you're not familiar with the CM-2, go to RFC and look under the Russian section.
RT

 

[tacweapon]

I would rather give a up some of the accuracy requirement because this is just going to be used for fun. I thought about the model 60 but I do not really like the idea of a tube fed magazine. I am not going to consider another 10/22 I bought the one I have only because I got a good deal on it I paid $ 120 for the rifle a 3-9 scope and 4 10 round mags never fired from a friend. I do not really like the ergos of it and I really hate the magazine release. I have be looking at the R-55 Benchmark and I like it but I would like to spend a little less then that since I hope to get the rifle a good scope and some more .22LR ammo for the 400 dollars.

Thanks for Your Help

 

[22-rimfire]

I hear that the R-55 Classic shoots just as well as the benchmark. I have the all weather version with composite stock; actually what was called the "Lynx" prior to the name R-55. Match chamber and a full sized rifle. I'm pleased with mine, but it still has the ocasional jams which are supposed to work out as you shoot more. I was looking at a Classic at Bass Pro for $349 saturday; so that should probably be the upper price range for the rifle.

 

[Chem Geek]

If it didn't have to be semi-auto, I'd highly recommend a CZ-452. Like others have said, I don't know a semi-auto that will hold 1/2" at 75yrds for under $400.

 

[woad_yurt]

Is this really so remakable?

I didn't know that 1/2" groups at 75 yards is so rare. I have a Marlin 60 w/a big scope. I've done 1/2" groups 75 yds out w/Velocitors. Not tons of them but the rifle is capable. Of course, I have to take time, breathe, all of that, and I'm not the most patient guy so I don't do it often. I'd rather shoot at rocks or cans. But this Marlin can do that. I can't all the time but the rifle can. I do know that it's way more accurate than my friend's 10/22.

 

[hksw]

As noted by others, if you are willing to use your current 10/22, your best bet to get close to the performance rquirement is to dump most of your capital into a Lilja, Shilen, or other high end barrel (they should be a little less than $400) and whatever stock is needed to fit them if you have a sporter and the barrel is bull.

Of all of the Model 60s I've tried out (4 including my own), have never seen then do better than ½" @ 50 yds. (From hyper velocity to match grade.)

Can .22 lrs do ½" at 75 yds? Sure, on occasion, particularly with 3 shot groups. Regularly? If it can you have an extremely rare sample that was built just right (which is unlikely to be the same for the rest of the production samples).