looking to buy a .22 and I have some questions

[bhhacker]

Hello there guys,

I am not new to firearms, but as of late I have been wanting to get a rifle with a scope on it, basically to just get used to using the scope instead of iron sites. I figure a .22 is the way to start out. I am looking for a rifle that is dependable as well as accurate. Also, I had read a few people talking about hunting with a .22...how practical is that? Whats the biggest game you have taken down with a .22 round? Size of the rifle isnt a problem as I am a big guy and here is what I have in my closet right now, just to give you guys a feel for what I've been shooting.Thank you for your time

Yugo sks
springfield 1911
Norinco Model 372 shotgun
old pre serial number shotgun (savage arms i think)

 

[Lovesbeer99]

You have a lot of options but you should think about it a little more. If it's just for practice get one similar to the gun you plan to use. For instance, if this is practice to use a rem 700 in 308, then get a .22 bolt gun. If you intend to practice for the use of an auto, then get an auto. Once you get this gun you may find that plinking is awesome and like to keep it around.

My favorite .22's are all practical, take cheap ammo well and have decent iron sights, but will also take a scope. In no particualr order
Ruger 10/22, Henry lever action H001, Old Mossberg 320 BB bolt action single shot. Buy the way, all 3 are on the inexpensive side too.

Enjoy -

 

[foghornl]

I don't hunt much anymore, but I did use the .22LR for squirrel and rabbit hunting. My Nylon 66 was a lot handier to shoot from the operators platform of a combine or cotton picker than a shotgun.

Yeah, I grew up in the "Agricultural South", near Memphis, TN.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I am looking for a rifle that is dependable as well as accurate.

I am biased in favor of bolt actions. Good choices include the CZ 452, the new Savages with the Accutrigger and the Marlins. These are reasonably priced and renowned for accuracy.

Also, I had read a few people talking about hunting with a .22...how practical is that? Whats the biggest game you have taken down with a .22 round?

Traditionally, squirrels and rabbits are the basic game for the .22 LR. One great thing about this is that you can get in a lot of hunting - squirrel limits are generous.

Some people hunt prairie dogs and gophers with .22s, shooting at ranges normally considered extreme for the cartridge.

 

[cat_IT_guy]

If you want something that will resemble a big game rifle, probably go with a bolt action, with a heavyish barrel. The savage mark IIs are very good, accurate, affordable, and come with a decent scope.

 

[cpttango30]

Do not count out going a little older and getting a good 500 series Remington bolt 22. I have a 511-x with a 6 rnd and 10rd mag. It will shot with anything out there at 50 yards. .6" groups with cheap Remington bulk wally world ammo. My dad has been buying these like they are on fire. I think he has about 12 or 13 guns of all the different model now. Now he is on to buying up any mossberg 22 he can find. The older ones that is.

Try looking at the CMP also.

Not sure what your budget is. But these rifles are some great buys.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=81336138

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=81123645

http://www.gunsamerica.com/97686133...odern/Non-Model-700/Remington_Model_521_T.htm

 

[rangerruck]

go with two for starters, both marlin, mod 60 and a 981. one is semiauto, the other is bolt. they both are under 200, you should be able to find both used for 100 bucks or less, and they have a fantastic rep for accuracy, and reliability.
I have a pawnshop mod 60 , that i bought for 75 bucks, and a 70 year old model 81, that shoots lights out , with it's factory peep site.
these are both tube fed, they also make mag fed versions of both of these.
the best thing about he 981 is, it will shoot short, long, and long rifle.

 

[MilsurpShooter]

Henry Lever action .22, top of the reciever has a dovetail for a scope, got bored one day and actually put on an old crappy Daisy BB gun site. Took it off because I needed it on my BB gun and as it's accurate with the irons but I'd not be suprised if the thing would hold sub MOA at 50 yards with a competent shooter, IE not me.

Cheap, reliable and no worries about being knocked around a little. Plus it's got the old west feel to it

 

[Sharps Shooter]

I love my Kimber bolt action. I think it's called the "Classic" model. At any rate, it's accurate, dependable and closely resembles my favorite big game rifle in both looks and feel. But it wasn't cheap! The fact is, that Kimber cost more than what I paid originally for my Ruger 10-22 PLUS what I paid for tricking my 10-22 out. And now that my 10-22 IS tricked out, it's actually more accurate than my Kimber.
As far as hunting with a .22 rimfire, I suppose the biggest animal I've killed with one is probably a coyote. But I was hunting rabbits at the time. That dumb coyote wandered across about 20 yards in front of me completely unaware I was even there. Usually I hunt coyotes with a .223. The biggest animals I've ever really hunted with a .22 rimfire are rockchucks. They can go up to 10 or 12 pounds occationally. I don't shoot them with a .22 rimfire unless I'm close enough for a head shot insuring a clean, humane kill.
I'll bet you're going to hear accounts of people who have killed deer and other big game with .22 rimfires. Yeah, it can be done. In years past, my dad, grandfather, father-in-law and a couple of uncles all killed deer with .22 rimfires. That doesn't mean .22 rimfires are big game rifles though. Besides, hunting big game with .22 rimfires is illegal around these parts.

 

[PcMakr]

Nylon 66, for a great little .22, that your not afraid to knock around. Have had mine since early to mid 60's and it still is a very accurate little rifle. Not made by Remington anymore, but someone is making a knockoff or maybe find a used one. IIRC they were the first firearm made with a nylon (Zytel) stock, and were made in magazine fed, or tubular in stock. I think they made them in a lever action as well, but, the semi-auto was the most popular.

My personal favorite that gets more use these days, is a Marlin 39A, with a Leupold 4X rimfire scope, that has parallax set for 75yds. Great shooter. 39A has been around for a long time and has a good reputation for accuracy. They make it in a rifle length (24") and used to make it in a carbine length (20"). This is a lever action and stems from the Model 1891, which was the first lever action chambered in .22LR, and has been essentially the same rifle for over 100 years. It is a takedown model that had been noted over the years for its accuracy.

Another favorite of mine is a Winchester Mod. 67, that belongs to my dad (82 now). He bought it back in the 30's brand new for $5.25 from Montgomery Ward. It's a nice little bolt action single shot, that has served him well. He used it to help feed the family during the depression and has prbably shot more rabbits than most of us have ever seen. He and his brother used to go out and shoot sometimes up to 300 rabbits a day and sold for a nickel apiece. They were then shipped to markets in Philadelphia. That's how he used to help support the family. Thay lasted until 1939, when tularemia, rabbit fever, hit and the rabbit population has never reached those highs since. It is what I first learned to shoot with 50 yrs. ago and to this day it is still a very accurate rifle.

The Ruger 10/22 has a fine reputation as well as a lot of aftermarket "goodies" that are only limited by money and imagination.

So many other fine rifles out there to be listed. Some cheap and not so cheap. Depends on action style you prefer, and amount of money you want to spend.

 

[Slugless]

Choices, choices

Oooh, good question - which .22? I suspect that you will end up with more than one. Or more than two. Or....

Let's see, I own a Nylon 66, Marlin 39A, Browning BL-22, used to own a Remington 512 (stolen), a CZ-452, and a a Remington 121 (condemned by the gunsmith). Now I'm in the market for a Remington 572.

Lovesbeer puts it well: what will you use it for? My CZ is my trainer for offhand shooting with bigger rifles, ala AR-15. Also for bench shooting. My Marlin carbine originally came with a scope and shooting it at 25 yards offhand wasn't challenging. I took off the scope and put on peep sights, now it's a handy little carbine with good iron sights. The Remington 512 was pretty handy for a long barrel bolt action, was accurate and very inexpensive.

My Nylon 66? It's "my little friend." I've read on THR that it doesn't do so well with scopes, benches or with handy slings 'cause it's too flexible, don't remember the details. I've never shot any other rifle that was so much fun offhand. I've only shot two rabbits with it but it was a trivial exercise each time.

You state that you want to get used to shooting with a scope. Are you looking to practice 100 yd+ shooting? Varminting? A bolt gun like a CZ 452 would be a very good choice, esp. for bench shooting. Start at 50 yds then go to 100. Read up on THR about scope rings for CZ's. One of the reasons for getting the CZ, however, are it's WWI military style iron sights right off the Mosin Nagant. If you don't care about iron sights, a Remington would be a good choice. You can't beat a bolt gun for learning/practicing the basics of marksmanship.

If you want an all purpose rifle that scopes well, the Marlin is a good choice. But the lever isn't convenient for bench.

Let us know what you want to use it for.

 

[bhhacker]

I am planning on hunting eventually, but I want to be a good enough shot to make a clean kill. I figure its better to start off small and work my way up with scoped rifles.

 

[ArmedBear]

If you plan to get a lever gun, the Marlin 39A is a great practice gun for the 336. Not cheap, but it's a gun its owners cherish.

The CZ 452 Varmint resembles a big game boltie pretty well; the overpriced but nice Ruger 77/22 is VERY similar to the 77 bolt action centerfire rifle. If you have the cash, the new Weatherby Mark XXII (Anschutz barreled action in a Weatherby stock) is really pretty and made to resemble a Weatherby centerfire. None of those guns are cheap, though the CZ isn't bad.

All told, though, a Marlin 60 is a great gun, and well worth scoping. It's cheap, too. Stock geometry works well with a scope. I'd consider starting with that.