Looking for an interesting squirrel rifle

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Do like my older Winchester 9422XTR in .22LR as well as my .22WMR in the same configuration. Recently put scopes on both of them as my eyesight has started to fail me. I've shot quite few bushy tails with the .22LR, with and without the scope. Noticed nobody mentioned the Winchester. Also do like my Winchester model 62, which I'm about to put a rear peep sight on/tang on it, just can't get a good sight picture any more with my failing eyesight.
 
I know you said no bolt guns, but maybe trying a different caliber would add the interest. I recent;ly bought a used Anschutz 1502 with 1,000 rounds of ammo for $700. Not a bad deal at all when you consider the price and scarcity of Mach 2 ammo. It is wickedly accurate. Or you could try a 17 HMR...lots of options there. But, if you are sticking with .22LR, not a bolt gun and want something with a vintage feel, go for a nice lever action. But, please, don't put a scope on it.
 
Bernie - if you are interested in that "vintage" feel, your best options will probably be one of two leverguns.
While I have no experience with the Henry, its bright brass receiver might be too flashy for hunting. I can't speak of its accuracy.
The other is one I used to have and really miss. That is the aforementioned Marlin 39A leveraction. I don't know about the newer versions but mine could feed Shorts, Longs, & LR, even mixed, but was from the early '70s. With a Weaver 2-7x scope, it was a handy and versatile little gun. Remove that one large screw in the receiver, flex it over your knee, and it was ready to clean.
 
I appreciate almost all of the input so far. I have taken lots of rabbits and squirrels over the years with .22 handguns, and it is an entirely different challenge if you have not tried it! I have also owned .17's in the past, and they do shoot lights out, but I am trying to keep my logistics simple without adding more calibers to my ammo closet. I also appreciate the heads up on peep sights, but I have found in heavy canopied forests that can get somewhat dark, they do not allow enough light through to allow me to always pick out the target. My compound bow has a peep, but it is really more of a ghost ring when you look at the size of the aperture! That is why I want to use a scope at this point. Thanks for all of those recommendations! I am not above trying new things with firearms. I am old enough to have tried a lot of stuff so far. As to not being a "rifleman", I consistently qualified "expert" with the rifle when I did my time in the service. I hit what I aim at more often than not.
 
I think that leverguns just look the part of the "squirrel rifle". While I haven't really met a .22 levergun that I didn't like, I agree that the Marlin '39 series fit the bill nicely. One reason I'd go with the 39 for your purpose is that it's the only one that comes with open sights and readily accepts receiver sights or a scope without any modifications, depending on the year model you get.
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Fella's;

If you check both the CZ USA site and Midway, it's very possible to get a magazine for well under $40.00. CZ has a regular sale at least once a year, and Midway whenever they feel like it I'd guess. That includes the 10 round mags as well as the standard 5 round ones.

900F
 
I used to hunt the tassel eared squirrels here in AZ, but problem got to be it coincides with the fall turkey hunt. Gobbler seekers got to banging away at the squirrels and so many hunters took all the fun out of it for me.
 
One rifle I have now that I won't part with is a pump action Rossi Model 62. It's a clone of the old Winchesters and it's a lot of fun to shoot. Very slim and old-school and different. I bought the one I have for my dad because he'd always wanted a Winchester 62 but had never gotten one, and then it got passed back down to me. I've also owned a Winchester 94/22 (mine was a Legacy with a semi pistol grip stock) and it had major style. It wasn't quite the shooter that my CZ is and it would jam occasionally, requiring me to yank it apart and clear things. That may have been ammo related - but I shot that rifle a lot and had a lot of fun with it. A gun that I feel I missed out on was the Ruger 96/22. My dad and grandfather always used the 99 Savage for their deer rifles and the 96/22 kind of resembled them. Wish I had bought one when they were in production. I'd like to add another lever action .22 at some point, but there are a lot of good bolt action .22 rifles available right now, so that's what has me looking hard at the Ruger American Rimfire. I like my CZ so much that if I can help it, I'd rather kind of baby it and use something else when it's a little rainy or nasty.
 
Fella's;

Don't know why, there's nothing much in common between them, but the above reminded me of the Ithaca model 49. There's one for sale on Gunbroker now, item #449994648 with a couple of days to go on the auction. It's a single-shot lever action .22, mostly a kid's gun, therefore so very light and maneuverable in the woods.

900F
 
If you really want something out of the ordinary, step back in time a bit and get a small caliber Muzzle Loader like this.

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Thompson Seneca, in .36 caliber, caplock.

But for a cartridge gun, I just like the good old Ruger 10/22. I just got this one a few days ago. Made in 1968, it sports an Overton Walnut stock, metal buttplate and barrel band, brass bead front sight. Light and easy to carry, and plentty accurate enough for squirrels.

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squirrel guns

I have a couple of old single shot bolt actions that are surprisingly accurate; a Winchester model 67 and a Stevens model 15B. The Stevens is grooved for .22 rings and is scoped, the Winchester, I shoot with iron sights. These don't usually bring more than $125-$150. I've seen the Stevens for less than $100.

I also have a Winchester model 62 that is an excellent shooter, but they are much harder to find and usually have a failry hefty price tag.
 
In the last few years, i've shot more squirrels with my Henry lever than any other 22 that I own... It's accurate, feeds absolutely EVERYTHING and just keeps on keeping on!

BUT, my absolute fav 22lr that I own is my NULA,

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Melvin builds a precision tool that's very accurate,

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and I REALLY like the all steel magazines that are flush to the stock,

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All made right here in the USA,

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DM
 
a Winchester model 67 and a Stevens model 15B. The Stevens is grooved for .22 rings and is scoped
Click to expand...

My Stevens 15-B won't accept a scope at all. How did you get a scope mounted on yours? Mine has killed more squirrels than any other rifle I own. My brother hunted with it for 15 years or so. It's a great shooting rifle. I generally like hunting squirrels without a scope but I'd like to try target shooting with my 15-B. It shoots very well.

If you have photos of how that scope is mounted I'd sure like to see them.
 
"If there was a 22LR falling block rifle out there, that might be an interesting option."
I fecently got a nice one,the Savage/Stevens Favorite Model 30 mine shoots.22 and .22 mag is available too i beleive it looks like a shrunken down buffalo gun . they made a boatload of them back in the day ,but sadly most of them are about worn out,But savage is building the Favorite in Canada now and the new ones are a good copy of the old ones ,light handy, accurate and Fun!
 
Another recommendation that the OP take a closer look at a CZ. To me, there's something about them beyond their excellent accuracy that just makes shooting them very satisfying. The 452s are built essentially the same way that the BRNOs were in the 1950s and have a feel that is simply engaging. The downside is that they are the Lay's potato chip of guns; Bet 'ya can't own just one. ;)
 
Fella's;

I heartily agree with I-6. Let me put it this way, it's close to owning and using a pre-64 model 70 Winchester in .22 rimfire. The sole exception is the trigger guard as far as I'm concerned. If that bothers you, the fix is in with D.I.P.

900F
 
CB900F said:
Fella's;

I heartily agree with I-6. Let me put it this way, it's close to owning and using a pre-64 model 70 Winchester in .22 rimfire. The sole exception is the trigger guard as far as I'm concerned. If that bothers you, the fix is in with D.I.P.

900F
Click to expand...

EXCEPT that the mod 70 has a safety that works in the RIGHT direction!! lol

DM
 
I6turbo said:
Another recommendation that the OP take a closer look at a CZ. To me, there's something about them beyond their excellent accuracy that just makes shooting them very satisfying. The 452s are built essentially the same way that the BRNOs were in the 1950s and have a feel that is simply engaging. The downside is that they are the Lay's potato chip of guns; Bet 'ya can't own just one. ;)
Click to expand...

I agree 100%.....My first CZ lead to four more quickly.
 
A couple years ago, my nephew brought a new Stevens semi-auto rifle to deer camp for plinking. We all shot it and were impressed by the accuracy of this rifle. Unfortunately, semi-autos are banned for hunting within Pennsylvania. Strange but true.

TR
 
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