Sub $200 22 LR Rifle

[ArchAngelCD]

My gun club is running a .22 LR shoot ones a month now. I have a Savage Mark II Bolt Action that I like but I'm looking for a semi-auto because it's a times event and most are shooting a semi-auto. I don't want to spend more than $200 but I'm looking for a rifle that is very accurate for a $200 rifle. This rifle doesn't have to be a super 1/2"MOA @ 200 yards monster. Some of those rifles have stocks that cost more than $200. This rifle is just for a fun club shoot.

I was looking for a none custom semi-auto .22 LR for $200 or less that is more accurate that any other $200 rifle.

I like Savage and they have a M64F semi-auto. $139
I'm looking at Mossberg 702 Plinkster. $138 - $166
The Remington 597 is under $200.
The Marlin 795 looks very promising. $152

I'm sure there are more good .22 LR semi-autos out there so suggestions would be appreciated.
I would especially appreciate first hand knowledge please.

Thank you...

 

[MRIman]

Ruger 10/22 !!!!!

 

[woad_yurt]

Marlin 60. 11 million users can't be wrong.

 

[tbtrout]

If you want to keep it under $200 for ever then a Marlin Mod 60. if you want to start Under $200 and spend another $600 or more then a 10/22.

 

[woof]

the marlin

 

[ArmedBear]

Stock Ruger 10/22 is about as accurate as a slingshot, with a heavy trigger to boot.

Marlin 60 plus a custom trigger makes a very accurate semiauto for $200. It shoots nicely without the trigger, but with it, it'll shoot as well as a 10/22 with a bunch of money thrown at it.

 

[NewShooter]

the plinkster gets mixed reviews.
I vote Marlin. More accurate out of the box than 10/22.

 

[sharkhunter2018]

Mossberg Plinkster. If you look around some, you can find Plinksters cheaper. If there is a Wally World near you that still sells guns, they should have it anywhere from 95-110 bucks. Atleast in my area.

 

[greyling22]

bump for the 10/22. I don't know what the naysayers are talking about. plenty accurate and fine trigger (or at least the ones I have seen are) and ruger rugged. that extra $600 mentioned may go toward ammo. other guns may be a tad more accurate, I don't know and don't shoot off a rest, but for fun, nothing beats it.

 

[Ed Wagner]

+1 Marlin, excellent rifles, my mod. 60 was bought new in the very early 60's and still shoots great. Ed

 

[ZeSpectre]

Marlin 60
Savage 64
(or get weird and look for a used Henry 001 levergun)

 

[Gifted]

Go to the gun shop, and see what they have on the discount rack. Most stores will have a few used .22s for sale, and they will generally be below $200, or at least not much over.

 

[rangerruck]

I have had, and fired every one of those you have chosen, plus the marlin mod 60. they are allmore accurate, and more reliable than the ruger 10.22.
the remmy and the mossy will be the only ones that have fully adjustable front and rear sites, the mossy one is a screw type, and simple, but very funtional, the remmy is more of a tradiotnal type adjustable rear site, with lines and screws, etc.

 

[rangerruck]

also, you should be able to go to a pawnshop, or used gunshop rack, and buy them cheaper than that. Gander mtn., sells the mossy for about 100 bucks.

 

[Quoheleth]

Here in Texas, Academy Sports has the Remington 597 "combo" - with a 3-9x32 scope (and no sights on the barrel...a very nice, clean look) for $169. I'm sure the scope isn't Leupold quality, but if you're basically looking for a fun range gun, this might be something to look for.

Q

 

[chris in va]

I had a plinkster. It did nothing but jam on every type of 22 I gave it. Might have been a lemon though.

Same with the Marlin 60 I had, just not quite as bad. It would start jamming after 50 rounds or so.

If you want reliability I'd stick with a lever or bolt action.

 

[Smitty in CT]

If you are looking for accuracy AND low $$, look for a Mossberg 802 (bolt-action).

There are less parts to fail and the trigger is 10x better than the trigger on the 702 (semi)

Good Luck,

 

[JonB]

+1 Marlin 60. plenty accurate out of the box. 10/22 - never had interest in them, but for folks who like afternarket stuff you can't beat a 10/22.

Only thing I have *heard* about 10/22 is that they aren't the best out of the box w/o dumping more $ into them. Again, no experience with them, and unless someone gives me one for free it'll probably stay that way.

Can't go wrong with a Mod 60 though.

 

[mp510]

Get a 10/22

 

[DonP]

Another vote for the Marlin Model 60. I have three of them and they all shoot better than they have any right to and certainly more consistently then I do..

My newest if a stainless with a composite stock that I picked up new at a local store for $130 a few months ago.

If your club allows scopes for the competition, there are some really nice and inexpensive Simmons scopes that fit them perfectly and are around $30 so you don't feel like a fool putting a $400 scope on a $100 rimfire rifle.

Pick up an EZ Lodr for it too. It drops 15 rounds in the tube magazine in a second and has 8 tubes for 8 reloads at the range. More shooting less reloading.

 

[foghornl]

Not a big fan of Dick's Sporting goods, but right now they have several autoloader .22's on sale... Mossberg Plinkster, Savage 64BXP, Ruger 10/22 and Rem 597 Scoped Combo, from $110 for the Plinkster, up to $169 for both the Remmy and the Ruger.

The Savage & the Mossy both have scopes included, as does the Remington. Ruger does not include the scope.

 

[ArmedBear]

Look, a stock standard model 10/22 is not accurate enough for any competition that requires a scope.

For shooting cans, plates, whatever, with iron sights, a 10/22 will be fine. If that's all you've ever done with yours, I'm sure it's been okay. That's what mine is now relegated to, since fees, etc. here make it not worth selling.

The basic action is fun to modify, but the gun out of the box is nothing special.

A Marlin 60 has a much heavier, better barrel and a laminate stock that's the right height for a scope, and a nice serrated trigger: the base model, right out of the box. It could use a lighter trigger for competition, but the 10/22 needs it, too. The difference is, that's ALL the Marlin needs. And it can be done at home if you have the inclination. http://www.glocktalk.com/showthread.php?postid=2169225

That said, a bolt or lever will cycle target ammo reliably. That's one key to tiny groups with a .22. Expensive ammo, but it does work.

Depends on the competition you're doing.

Also, if you need a detachable magazine, the 60 won't do.

 

[Bear2000]

I am very new to shooting (about three months), and my first gun was a Ruger 10/22 (about one month ago). I love it.

I picked up a Walmart special with a 21" stainless barrel for $225. I put a BSA scope on it and bought a 25-round magazine. It's lots of fun and plenty accurate for me.

 

[ArmedBear]

The 60 I just picked up new (on sale) was $120, BTW.

My current 10/22 was $180 a couple years ago.

Re BSA scopes: some people love them. I've bought one, I gave it away to someone who eventually threw it away. It wouldn't hold zero worth a crap. I'm glad it works for you, but I won't buy another.

The question is: what kind of competition?

Also, if you get a Marlin boltie, you can get a Rifle Basix drop-in trigger set that will make it shoot like a dream, all for pretty cheap.

Now, there are some incredible .22 rifles for a lot MORE than $200, of course, but that's not what the OP asked for.

 

[sectional_density]

Marlin 25 would be a good choice, IMO. For me anyway, I like the bolt action, cuz I tend to concentrate on each shot, rather than going off with the semi-auto. I save that for something w/ a little more oomph.