What is the most plentiful bolt-action .22LR?

[superpunchy]

I'm new to bolt-action rifles and was wanting to get my very first bolt-action .22LR rifle. What is/was the most plentiful, most produced, best-selling and most popular bolt-action .22LR rifle in the world?

I'm specifically looking for the model that has sold the most units worldwide so that way I will have a vast repository of back-up spare parts to choose from in case I need them in a worst-case SHTF type scenario.

 

[cliffy]

Nothing seems plentiful at this time . . .

Unless it's made in China. Can Chinese employees supply us with rifle and pistol primers? Obviously, Brazil cannot, hense the desparity of primers in America for making my practice-range loads of 50-100 per week. I'm out and looking for some supplies to further my range-work. Range-Shooting is my ONLY hobby, so maybe I should just curl-up-and-die. cliffy

 

[Dookie]

This is an interesting question. The first thing that popped into my mind was the Marlin 80. But for current production I would say Savage, Marlin, CZ and Ruger.

 

[cliffy]

p.s. the best for the price .22LR rifle . . .

Is the Ruger Model 77. It's also American-made. Let's support our own American Industry, although I know it's difficult currently with salary slashes. America is nearly Asian-owned, but we are not down-and-out YET! NOW is the time to strike back, and if not now, when? How many more foreign countries will make American a third-world country? Too little-too late? I don't think so. I just bought my wife a FORD, so there! cliffy

 

[jim in Anchorage]

Where are you getting spare parts in a SHTF situation? Brownells? Buy what ever you want and get the spare parts now.

 

[CajunBass]

Just get a 22 rifle you like from a manufacturer you've heard of before. The odds are you will never need a spare part in your lifetime.

 

[Snowdog]

For $214 sans sales tax, you can purchase two Savage MK2s at Wallyworld that are as "bare-bones" (and thus reliable) as they come. That way you'll have a "parts gun" that will supply you with every conceivable part needed for your "primary" MK2. However, as you'll likely never need these parts... you'll have an identical 2nd rifle instead. It really does make more sense this way, IMO.


Mine cost $107 a few weeks ago, came with a robust plastic stock and is so darn simplistic that I can't imagine what might break, especially since the .22LR isn't known for punishing firearms and battering actions. With cheap Centurion 40gr fodder (manufactured by Aguila and similar to Winchester Wildcats or CCI Blazer), this rifle keeps up with or outshoots my Marlin M60, my other cheap .22LR.

 

[woof]

I agree that it isn't the best way to deal with the parts issue, but to answer the original question, I'd say maybe the Remington 510 series, some of the best, too.

 

[alistaire]

crikket? See http://www.crickett.com

 

[eye5600]

What is/was the most plentiful, most produced, best-selling and most popular bolt-action .22LR rifle in the world?

As noted, it's a false premise. Do you have the most plentiful, most produced, best-selling and most popular can opener? There are can openers more likely to fail than a good 22LR.

+1 on buying two.

You might want to get some ideas from the folks here about synthetic vs natural wood vs laminated stocks.

Opinions (not mine) here:
http://www.survival-gear-guide.com/Survival-Rifles.html

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

My guesstimate would be the Savage Mk2, followed closely by Marlin and CZ.

It's not a "false premise", because it's not a "premise" - it doesn't support any conclusion - it's simply a QUESTION.

 

[snakeman]

i would go with marlin or savage

 

[DavidABQ]

It is hard to go wrong with a Marlin bolt action.

 

[ThomasT]

The thing about guns is that once a factory gears up to build one they usually build several hundred thousand or even several million copies. I have two Marlin bolts and can't find any weak spots that might break under normal use.

Unless it was made 50 years ago and is now a collector item parts should be easy to find. If you get a magazine fed rifle buy several spare magazines. Thats the one part most likely to fail.

Also another vote for the Ruger 77/22. I just got one off GB and the total with all the fees it cost $400.05. This is a high quality gun that is built to last. It came with a 4X straight tubed scope and will keep 10 shots inside of a 3/4" square at 50 yards. I have shot over 600 rounds and not had a single misfire or feed problem. It wasn't as cheap as the Marlins I have but I wouldn't take for it. It took a long time to find one of these with open sights.

If I ever find one in 22 hornet I will buy it also as long as it has open sights on it.

 

[LTR shooter]

It is hard to go wrong with a Marlin bolt action.

Yeah they are out there everywhere and one of the most common 22 bolt actions to be found. I would say one would be hard pressed to wear one out depite being one of least expensive US produced actions. I own one of the 925s myself.

 

[Funderb]

I vote savage mk2.

 

[280shooter]

I have a pile of 22's and I just put a order in to marlin for 2 clips..mine broke after 25 years,,not bad,so i ordered 2,, 12.95 each,and I never had any of my 22's break, I shoot them all..

I dont have a savage, but I have Rem, marlin,browning,mossberg,ruger,iver johnson,

But I will have a Henry, and cz 452 real soon,.

I would say who has sold the most.. i think it would be,Marlin,

 

[gvnwst]

Savage MKII, i have the $105 base model, pre accutrigger, and the thing is awesome. Accurate, reliable, and durable. Lacked some ergonpmics, but nothing bubba can't fix with some cardboard and duct tape

 

[rangerruck]

Easy. Marlin model 80 series. 80's or 81's, have been made, with little changes, since 1937. Again, CONTINUOUSLY MADE, EXCEPT FROM 42 TO 45' , the war years. They are tack drivers. they reliably eat any ammo. the early ones can still be had with the peep sites on them, very cool!!!
the best part is , they can shoot short, long or long rifle; if you get a tube fed version, it will hold just about 25 shorts at one time, how schwing is that?
Next best is the marlin/glenfield 25, it is like a carbine version of the above, it is mag fed only, and if you get an old one as well, it will also fire short, long or long rifle. new ones are 22lr only. They also do this in a 22 mag; again, accuracy is outstanding; you will often see dudes make custom stocks for these, because the action / bbl is so nice an stiff, and make some very nice target/ sillouhette/ bench rest shooters out of these. Both can be had, used, for under 100 bucks sometimes, new they can found for between 150 and 200 bucks.
In my opinion these are the absolute two best/ cheapest/ most underrated
22 rifles ever made, and still the cheapest.

 

[Runningman]

Hard to go wrong from a reliability standpoint with a bolt action 22 from Marlin, CZ, or Ruger. I own examples of these bolt action 22s and more.

The Ruger 77/22 is interesting in the fact the the action, trigger parts, and magazine have been the same since its introduction in 1983. Ruger parts along with a good supply of aftermarket parts will most likely keep a 77/22 going for two or three generations or more. Most bolt action 22 makers have upgraded and changed some parts of the basic design reducing parts interchangeability between older and newer models in last dozen years or so. That being said most bolt action 22s will last for many decades of use with no issues if not abused.

I also own a stainless Savage Mark II I bought new around 2003. The quality of this example was beyond disappointing.