Semi Auto .22lr cheaper than Bolt action. Why?

[Rusty Shackleford]

I was looking at .22lr rifles and I noticed the semi autos are cheaper than the bolt actions. Why is that?

With center fire rifles, the semi autos are always more expensive than bolts in the same caliber. At least from what I've seen.

While we're on the subject, do you fine folks here in the rifle country prefer the under barrel magazine tube or a detachable box magazine?

 

[shotgunjoel]

Because the 22s are a straight blowback design they are really cheap to make. With a centerfire rifle you get into locking lugs, gas systems, pistons, etc.

 

[LoonWulf]

depends on the gun, short guns i prefer box mags. longer guns like the older marlin model 60's, tube feeds.

The detachable mags DO give you the options for a larger capacity...well atleast some of the do lol.

 

[desidog]

There's more competition in the .22lr semiauto market, so they are priced accordingly.

As to tube vs. magazine, magazines are easier to use, more quick to load (the rifle) or change out, and easier to unload. Safety-wise, it would be easier to have a live round down the tube that you'd miss, think the weapon is clear, cycle the action, and BOOM accidental discharge. With a Semi there's more airspace in there when the gun is clear, which is peace of mind. Also, when loading a tube, invariably you're closer to the business-end, which goes against the grain of gun-safety rules.

 

[redbullitt]

for practicality I like the box magazine, but there was a bolt action tube fed marlin in the shop the other day what was way freakin gorgeous. It was very streamlined and held 15 or so I think.

 

[quietman]

Everything above applies and also:

People want higher degrees of accuracy from a bolt, so they are usually built to tighter specs and have steel parts where semi autos may substitute another cheaper kind of metal.

Tube or magazine depends on the type of 22 to me. Prefer tubes on levers for that classical look. Semi autos- I don't care. The main reason for this is I make my own $3 speed loaders with 3 tubes holding 14 rounds and fastened in a triangular arrangement. An Appleseed shoot boss took a picture because he though it was such a great idea. Only takes a little longer than a box mag to reload. As for safety. My Marlins have the Last shot hold open feature. leave it engaged until reloaded and you won't be able to shoot yourself. And my 42 shot reloaders are much cheaper than buying extra magazines.

On my lever I leave the lever open while reloading or stick a chamber flag in the rifle. Safety concerns taken care of again. Flag won't go in with a round in the chamber and forces you to double check whether it's loaded. Rifle can't fire with the lever open either.

So, tube or magazine better? It's all personal preference. I enjoy my wife's Marlin 795 just as much as I enjoy my Model 60.

One last note. If I didn't have the speed loaders, that would probably change my mind on this subject

 

[dsb1829]

Legitimate question. I would guess that volume production has something to do with it. Guns like the 10/22 and clones are cranked out in serious numbers. Nearly every sportsman's kid has some variation in the cabinet. Only reason I have a bolt action .22 is because it was given to me after my grandfather passed. I doubt I would ever buy one.

Of course in 22 Magnum it flips back to the bolt being cheaper. I am okay with a bolt action there since it isn't a round that I want to blast through in bulk

 

[dsb1829]

Legitimate question. I would guess that volume production has something to do with it. Guns like the 10/22 and clones are cranked out in serious numbers. Nearly every sportsman's kid has some variation in the cabinet. Only reason I have a bolt action .22 is because it was given to me after my grandfather passed. I doubt I would ever buy one.

Of course in 22 Magnum it flips back to the bolt being cheaper. I am okay with a bolt action there since it isn't a round that I want to blast through in bulk

 

[dsb1829]

Legitimate question. I would guess that volume production has something to do with it. Guns like the 10/22 and clones are cranked out in serious numbers. Nearly every sportsman's kid has some variation in the cabinet. Only reason I have a bolt action .22 is because it was given to me after my grandfather passed. I doubt I would ever buy one.

Of course in 22 Magnum it flips back to the bolt being cheaper. I am okay with a bolt action there since it isn't a round that I want to blast through in bulk

 

[dsb1829]

Legitimate question. I would guess that volume production has something to do with it. Guns like the 10/22 and clones are cranked out in serious numbers. Nearly every sportsman's kid has some variation in the cabinet. Only reason I have a bolt action .22 is because it was given to me after my grandfather passed. I doubt I would ever buy one.

Of course in 22 Magnum it flips back to the bolt being cheaper. I am okay with a bolt action there since it isn't a round that I want to blast through in bulk

 

[Onmilo]

Tube magazines are great for hunting, plinking, and general purpose rifles.
Lots of shots, nothing protruding.

If you are looking for maximum accuracy, you don't want anything attached to the barrel that can affect stiffness or harmonics, so choose a detachable box magazine.

It is far easier to machine and cast a bolt and receiver for a semi auto rifle such as the 10/22 or Marlin 60 than to machine and/or cast a bolt and receiver for a bolt action model.
Many more steps are required in the production and assembly procedure, hence the increased cost.

The opposite is true for centerfire rifles for the reasons stated in earlier posts.