Want A New .22, Better Than 10/22 And Marlin Model 60?

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Remington 552 or Browning Semi-Auto 22, but expect to spend a lot more than $300, new at least. Also, aftermarket accessories will be much, much harder to come by. If you already have a 10/22, would it be better to spend $300 upgrading it?
 
aftermarket accessories will be much, much harder to come by

Who cares? These rifles aren't junk, so you don't need these accessories. That's also why there's not a huge market for them.

If you already have a 10/22, would it be better to spend $300 upgrading it?

Not IMHO. That's why I sold mine and re-used the money on something better. But 10/22 fanatics have a different opinion.
 
I have a built-in-2008 Browning sa-22 that has yet to hicccup in thousands of rounds. A very simple, accurate, wonderful gun. It works fine with standard velocity ammo.

What a genius that Browning guy was.
 
I'd love to hear from someone who's owned a SA-22, as I've not been able to find a ton of first hand reviews of them (as opposed to, say, a 10/22 or Marlin 60).

Have you stopped by Rimfire Central?

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"....you know, a classic design that's stood the test of time and could without reservation be your one and only .22 if need be. Something easy to find parts for, easy to fix but not prone to issues, not crazy expensive but not "cheap", accurate enough within reason, etc.. So far, that criteria has led me to some great weapons that I have no reservation owning, so I'm hoping I can land on an equally cool .22 with that same approach.

I think he's talking about a Marlin 39A.

I'm sure he is..............if you had to own only one, that would be the one I would pick. :cool:

Of course I would have real difficulty in owning only one. :D
 
Yeah, I'd love to own several .22s, but $$$ dictates the number of them I can own, and right now (and for the foreseeable future) that number is one. :)

So Marlin 39A, huh? Even over a CZ in that same price range? I'd have thought that if I were to spend $500-ish on a .22 I'd land on a nice CZ452 FS or Lux, or even a Browning SA-22.

As for semi-auto, bolt, lever....I don't really care too much, so long as the gun meets my general criteria. And yes, I've stopped by rimfirecentral.com, but figured I'd get a few opinions here as well...which have always been helpful and informative in the past.

I suppose my Marlin question now is whether there is an appreciable difference in accuracy, reliability, and quality moving from a Marlin 60 to a 39A.
 
Never really put the Marlin 39A into the same catagory in terms of accuracy as things like the CZ 452 or 453, or the TC R-55. But they are very reliable sound accurate rifles. Can't say if one will out shoot a Model 60 on the average. I don't own a Marlin Model 60. For me, I shoot the 39A with open sights or with a fixed Weaver 4x rimfire scope. In fact, I was eyeing up that scope today in a local store for just this very rifle since it is still scopeless.

The Browning SA-22 will shoot good. It is just not intended to shoot dime sized groups at 50 yds, but it might.
 
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right now, I agree with the t/c , browning, and if you can find one, a cz or Brno semi auto. Also Armi Italy makes a very fine piece, and you can find them here and there on auction.
 
also comes to mind, the TOZ 78, which can also be seen as the winchester wildcat, is brilliant with rear express sites, and comes with 4 mags.
And if browing makes a semi auto, that uses their infinity shaped mags, that would have to be awesome as well.
 
Based on the price range you have posted I would go with a Savage BTV, thumbhole stock and bull barrel for about $350
 
Depends on what you mean by "better" I think. Personally if I wanted something "better" than a 10/22 or a Marlin 60, and I had a price point of $300.00, I'd go looking for a Ruger 10/22 DSP. That walnut stock makes all the difference in the world in turning a ugly duckling into a swan. They don't shoot any better, but I've never had a problem with the way mine shoot.

Now, if I wanted something totally different, I'd say a Remington 597 on the low side. The one I've got might, MIGHT be more accurate than my 10/22's, but if it is, I can't tell it. With it's plastic stock and matte finish, it's a long way from good looking, but it runs like a watch. Not really a step up IMHO. Just a lateral move.

The Remington 552 Speedmaster is one I don't have, but plan to add to my motley "collection" of 22 rifles. That's the way I think you're looking. I'd look for a used one. The 572 pump would be fun too.
 
The Speedmaster has no relation to the Marlin 60.

Why the Remington over the Browning? Traditional appearance and handling, I think. Also, since it's not a takedown and it has a high comb, it would be a much better gun for a scope.

But as I said, the Browning feels really good, even if it looks like it would balance funky. And it IS a takedown, if you want that.
 
Cool. Thanks.

So the Speedmaster has no connection to the Marlin 60? Both being tube-fed semi-autos I figured there might be some crossover. Would you say the Speedmaster is the "better" gun of the two, price considered?
 
Why the Remington over the Browning? Traditional appearance and handling, I think. Also, since it's not a takedown and it has a high comb, it would be a much better gun for a scope.

One other reason is that the speed master will shoot shorts as well as LR. :cool:
 
I doubt you could get a T/C R-55 or a Rem 552 for $300 or less; well used yes, new no.

Why do you want a semi-auto? My prefer my turnbolt, lever, and pump .22s. Divested myself of all semi-auto .22s.
 
Please note that the OP is Sigbear and Dehughes just joined into the thread since he is looking for a "one and only". The budget figure of $300 does not apply to comments for DeHughes' potential acquisition.

DeHughes, you need to decide what action you want. There are many classic 22 rifles made that are accurate. The TC R-55 is probably the most accurate semi-auto available new today. The Marlin 39A is a different kind of gun and most people don't think of lever action rifles as being precision target guns. But of the lever action 22's that are available, the Marlin 39A is the best and Marlin is known for producing accurate 22 rifles. Just how accurate is the question? I don't expect 1/2" groups at 50 yds with my 39A as I am unlikely to shoot that consistantly with normal open sights.

The Remington 552 Speedmaster is a classic rifle and is not cheap. I highly doubt one would shoot as well as a TC R-55 out of the box. Most people just don't use the 552 for precision shooting activities. But the 552 is the only semi-auto 22 rifle made today that will shoot short, long, and long rifle ammunition.

In bolt action 22's, the most cost effective accurate rifle available is the CZ 452. I have the Varmint version and it lives up to it's billing of shooting consistantly 0.5" groups at 50 yds if I do my part. I'm not a huge CZ fan in general and much prefer the Weatherby Mark XXII bolt action rifle over the CZ. But I am fortunate to have both. The Remington 547 is an Excellent near custom bolt action rifle and Remington is producting some now that have higher grade walnut stocks. They are fine rifles and will shoot 0.3" groups at 50 yds with good ammo. But my TC Silver Lynx (similar to R-55 All Weather) will shoot 0.3" groups if I am careful and conditions are right (no wind). I don't always shoot that good, but it is possible to shoot that well with them. The Remington 547 is just one beautiful rifle. At a glance, it looks very similar to the old Remington 541-T. The old 541-S will often outshoot a 541-T. Both are great rifles.

I don't own a Anschutz rilfe. But competitors generally choose an Anschutz eventually.

Coopers are also very accurate 22 rifles but you pay dearly for them.

But if you don't want to spend a lot of money and want a very good out of the box rifle, the Marlin Model 60 isn't a bad choice. You can also buy the customized factory 10/22's these days which shoot well. Weatherby is selling one now, but I have never seen one or heard any reviews. The truth is I don't know if Weatherby has sold any yet.

The CZ 452 is hard to beat with a trigger job. But it will likely not shoot as well as the more expensive rifles unless you get lucky. I'm speaking out of the box. They shoot good which is why many 22 shooters like them... price and quality.
 
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Good info. Thanks. I suppose bolt/semi/pump/lever is unimportant to me....just want a solid .22 that I'll not regret purchasing later for whatever reason.
 
I, like some other posters, have several .22LR rifles. One of them kinda leads to another.

Unless you spend major money, bolt actions are more accurate than semi-autos! Period. If it's accuracy you are after, then you can get accuracy, for way under $300. May I suggest the Marlin 981T? Less than $200 bucks. You can dress it up with a walnut stock from Numrich. This is my favorite .22LR.

How about a Savage MKII? There are many different models of this rifle available. I have the cheap ($117 Walmart, non accu-trigger) model. This is my second most accurate .22.

My 10/22, Remington 551 and Nylon 66, in order, are the next most accurate.

I have a Marlin 25MN .22 magnum, that's my most accurate rifle. But, it's a magnum and doesn't fit your question.

You can spend a lot more money on higher end rifles. In the accuracy department though, you may not realize a return on your money.
 
Just trick out your 10/22. There are lots of aftermarket options, and you can do it a piece at a time.
 
IMO, the 10/22 is an excellent rifle for .22 shooting. I have put several thousand rounds through my 10/22 with no problems.
 
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