I need something that shoots .22LR

for .22LR...

  • good .22LR rifle; good accuracy and bang for the buck

    Votes: 88 93.6%

  • Spike's conversion kit; plinking in an affordable AR package

    Votes: 3 3.2%

  • dedicated AR upper; pricey but more accurate plinking in an AR package

    Votes: 3 3.2%
  • Total voters
    94
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RP88

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I need to get a .22LR rifle of some sort soon. Why? Because I'm a poor college kid who needs something that he can shoot all day without going broke on. Feeding my AR(s) and AK for more than a couple hours has become a burden - either because the $8.25 tag on PMC .223 is just too ridiculous for me, or because there isn't any x39 to be found at the moment. But, I know absolute jack about .22 rifles.

For a .22 rifle, anything between $0.01 and $300.00 would be my price point. Would like something that would last forever, shoot forever, and shoot with a good degree of accuracy. Not exactly a tack-driver (unless one can be had within the price point), but good accuracy. Tube mags aren't my favorite thing, but I'm open to it. Would prefer something with detach mags. Semi-auto or bolt-action would work fine for me.

Then, the conversion kits I know all about. Spike's Tactical seems to be the best-reviewed, but the price point coupled with the price of mags would kind of suck, especially since these don't get a great degree of accuracy compared to dedicated rifles and .22LR AR uppers. But, it would be an affordable and cool way to plink, and would give my other AR a use again (semi-dedicated .22 AR)

Then, the dedicated upper from Spike's. I could sell the one AR (either the whole thing or just the upper) and either make more than enough to buy the dedicated upper, or come close enough to pay off a major difference in it. Or I could not sell anything and bite the whole price - something I'd rather not do since I'd like to get a handgun soon (and still have money around for comfort and bills). But it would have great accuracy in a cool AR package.

Feel free to recommend makes and models, give feedback on choices you've tried and liked, etc.

Thanks :)
 
Just get a good accurate rifle. The others are either toys or special purpose training tools.
 
what would be some good ones to look for aside from the generic answers of Ruger 10/22 Marlin 60?
 
...the two you just mentioned. :) If you wanna have some fun you could look into the GSG-5. the 10/22 has a lot of accessories that can go into it. chech out www.hawktecharms.com. If you wanna build a good one you could do it at this site, just start with a receiver and buy from there.
 
Good values; These are not generic answers.
Semi-auto: Ruger 10/22, Marlin Model 60 (tubular mag), or Remington Model 597.
Bolt Action: Marlin or Savage Mark II.
Lever Action: Henry or save more for a Marlin 39A.

My recommendation is a Savage Mark II in which ever model version you prefer and can afford. I have the Mark II Classic which runs around $450; the most expensive one.

Some bargains can be found with the Remington Model Five under $200.

The CZ 452 is an excellent choice if you can find one used. Magazines are expensive and limited to 5-rounders. Very accurate typically however and you will probably want a scope.
 
I've got the 597,it's a good rifle,but picky about being cleaned,I'd rather have a good Marlin Model 60,or better yet a 77/22
 
i love my rem 597 has the big gun feel to it. and you can get a 30 round mag for it to. it shoots circles around my 10/22. also just received a henry youth 22 lever action nice gun also
 
I recommend the Marlin Model 60. The Wally World down the street is selling the basic blue/wood version for $147. It is VERY accurate, more so than the 10/22 that it is always compared to.
 
Just got a Spike's kit; if you don't have the RRA two-stage match trigger, it hums, and those BDM mags are amazing. My roomie shot it in his, and now he wants one, as does everyone that tries it.

I was toying with the dedicated upper thing, but first things first, and if you're trying to save money, just the Spike's bolt to begin with is a sure bet to have fun for cheap.
 
I know it's not a rifle per se, but it's really fun to shoot. I just added a tri-rail to the pistol.

PLR22013.gif
 
Shop around and try to find a used Marlin 60 for $100 or less if you're budget conscious - you can do it. opps you want other less common suggestions - how about Marlin 989? It uses a mag and looks kinda like an m1, 18in barrel. Seriously, I expect you would not regret it.

Occasionally you see things like a used Colt .22lr BCG conversion kit for AR.
 
?

IMG_0692.jpg

This Maybe?

Love the feel of wood in my hand. A wood stock that is... ;)

Else, an upper or conversion is a good idea.

I have this...:

IMG_0441.jpg

... for the PTR91. It is perhaps the most useful accessory I have, and certainly the one that gets the most use.
 
Here's the problem as I see it. You won't see a return on savings for quite a while if you buy something that shoots 22.

Now if it was given to you free, that would be a different story.

It's like all these people trying to save gas buying those little $17k Smart cars.

Personally if I was to ever get a 22 rifle, it would be the Henry lever action. Shoots everything...22LR/L/S/CB's .
 
I'd get a Spike's conversion. That way you get more trigger time with your AR-15.

And return on savings?

Conversion = $200
.223 = $350 per 1,000 plus shipping or tax (Brown Bear at Ammunition to Go)
.22 LR = $35 per 1,000 (and that's if there's been a price hike I'm unaware of; last time I was at Wal-Fart, it was still $14 per 550)

At a savings of $0.315 per shot, a $200 .22 conversion or rifle pays for itself 100 shots into the second brick! Even if you refuse to patronize Wal-Fart and end up paying $50 per 1,000 for .22 LR, it still takes only 667 shots for a $200 .22 to pay for itself.
 
I would check out local pawn shops for used .22's. I recently picked up a Romanian Trainer for $45 that shoots excellent. Sure, it may take some time and you have to know what you're looking for, but it is also a lot of fun.:)
BTW, you may know this, but this is a simple bolt .22 with a 5 round mag. They were really popular in the 90's as surplus plinkers. Normally they sell in the $100-150 range, so I consider myself lucky. Got a great shooter (squirrels don't like it) and it cycles well, even if it isn't pretty.
 
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aside from the Marlin 60 and 10/22 choices, a few others that have crossed my mind are: Remington Mod. 597, Savage 64, and Savage Mark-II-F

anyone know a general price-point on the Remington 597? Couldn't find it on their website...
 
CMP usually has Mossberg 44us(a)'s for about 150. They aren't that bad accuracy wise. They have already lasted 50 years and are generally in ok to good shape, and they will last another 150 if you take care of them.
 
CZ makes a great little 22. I love mine, but I believe they are a tad over your price limit. 452 will be cheaper than the 453s due to the lack of the single set trigger. If I had to go with anything other than the CZ it would be a 77/22 or the Savage. Good luck with the search.
 
marlins; all new or used, and these are what you want.
mod 60,semi auto, preferably an 85' to 88 model. which had both the last shot bolt hold open, plus the 17 round tube. Nasty!
mod 795; a mod 60 that is mag fed.
mod 7000, target version of the above.
mod 80 or 81 from 1937 to present; mag or tube fed, will shoot short,
long , and long rifle. bolt action.
mod 25, bolt action, shorter bbl, shorter stock, mag fed, older ones will
shoot from a mag ; short , long, and long rifle as well.
mod 880sq, like the 80 or 81's but with a bad A@$s thick bbl, and usually some
pretty good sites, sometimes diopter front and rear sites.

All can be had for 300 or less, most can be had used for 150 or less.
the mod 925, mod 60, mod 795 and 981 are still made new, the others
must be found used.
 
I love my dedicated .22LR upper.

However, it doesn't do anything I can't do with my Marlin 60, which I also love.

The upper was $475; the Marlin was $135.

The Marlin plus a Nikon 4x32 scope ($100 at Wally World and an excellent optic) and some ring should set you back FAR less than the upper. The standard 60 has a laminate stock -- it's not stripe-stained but it's laminate nevertheless. It's a VERY accurate rifle and unlike some .22 rifles I could name, requires no add-ons to make it a reliable, enjoyable, great shooter.

At the end of the day, a blown-out 10 ring is more satisfying than going broke for tacticool.:)
 
Gander Mountain (if you have one near you) is selling the Marlin 795 (Marlin 60 action with removable magazine) for $170 before the $20 mail-in rebate.

The package comes with a cheap 3-9X Bushnell scope and rings if you prefer that option, but I bought one and then added a pair of Tech-Sights for an AR-15-like sight picture.
 
I would go either with a savage MKII, or a dedicated upper. You are going to get way better accuracy with the MKII than the spikes upper, unless you get the $100 lother walther barrel, and maybe even not then. But, it is not semi auto, and not nearly as fun. (again though, it does help save ammo, i was shooting the other day, shot 50rd through my MKII, took over 30min, shot 50rd through the spikes, took 30 seconds...:D)
 
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