whats the best .22 plinking gun?

[CRITGIT]

I've got one or more of the Marlin, 1022, and 597. The Marlin is plenty accurate and inexpensive but I'm not a big fan of the tube feed. The 597 is slightly heavier and longer and even the third generation mags leave something to be desired.
The 1022 with it rotary mag is just a great plinker...and the bonus is ...it's expandable!

JMHO!

CRITGIT

 

[MCgunner]

My 10/22 is 1.5" accurate at 50 yards on a good day. My 597 is 1.5" accurate at 100 yards on a bad day. But, the 10/22 is my favorite informal tin can type plinker and it's really handy in the field and it shoots minute of squirrel. I have a squirrel target I print out and have a lot of fun killin' that sucker with the 10/22.

 

[kcshooter]

it shoots minute of squirrel

I like that.
And I guess that's the real accuracy test anyway.

By the way, since it seems there are several others with the 597's, to get better feeding mags, disassemble, and with some 600-800 wet/dry paper, clean up the inside of the mag and just slightly break the corners of the plasic followers. A quick spray of 3M DryLube from NAPA will help a lot here too if you keep having issues.
And if the two guide rods the bolt runs on are extremely rough, pull em out and polish em up with the same paper, you will be amazed at the results.

 

[ArmedBear]

Seems that some 10/22 shooters I know just take it for granted that the thing will start to misfeed after a couple hundred rounds. I had that experience, too.

The Marlin is fairly tolerant of fouling, and I prefer the tube feed to the thumb-straining Ruger mags. But then I like to shoot a brick at a time.

The only .22 stack mag I like is the Ciener type with a light spring (.22LR AR-15), and the Ruger pistol mag is okay if and only if I use the little spring-holder-downer-thingie I have.

 

[MCgunner]

By the way, since it seems there are several others with the 597's, to get better feeding mags, disassemble, and with some 600-800 wet/dry paper, clean up the inside of the mag and just slightly break the corners of the plasic followers. A quick spray of 3M DryLube from NAPA will help a lot here too if you keep having issues.
And if the two guide rods the bolt runs on are extremely rough, pull em out and polish em up with the same paper, you will be amazed at the results.

Thanks, I'll try that. I do get a feed jam now and then where the bolt over-rides the rim of the case, know the mag follower is sticking and not pushing it up. This would likely cure the problem, I'll bet, not that it does it all that often, just now and then.

Seems that some 10/22 shooters I know just take it for granted that the thing will start to misfeed after a couple hundred rounds. I had that experience, too.

I, and my daughter who wants it, went through a 550 round federal bulk pack with mine the other day and not one jam. In fact, the thing hasn't jammed since I started shooting it a lot recently. I hadn't put that many rounds through it until about a year ago. It has not had a jam. It's had failures to fire on that ammo on occasion, but so does everything else I have. CCI works better, but they must be makin' those bullets out of gold, now.

 

[ThomasT]

This would be easier if the OP would have ask if there was a 22 that won't work for plinking. They all work just fine. If you have a functioning problem its most likely dirty. Thats good. Its the easiest thing to repair.

I bought a "like new" Marlin model 60 from a pawn shop a week ago for 80 bucks OTD. I put a round in the chamber and had to use a cleaning rod to knock it out. I scrubbed the chamber with a brush and then used a small rubber plug to plug up the chamber end. I filled it with solvent and let it sit for the day. I scrubbed it once more and now the rounds fall out when you tilt it up.

There is a good chance thats the reason someone sold that gun. Any 22 is a good plinker. Some shoot faster and some are more precise if thats your game. Let us know what you buy.

 

[Mark K. C.]

If your set on buying a new rifle, I have always liked the Marlin's. You might want to try some some good rimfire ammo first. CCI is some of the best. Welcome to our world. Keep your guns clean and always be safe.

 

[CRITGIT]

I think it's a case of "less filling",..... "taste great!"
Remington's had a boat load of problems with the 597. The Ruger 1022 is the most popular shooter ever!
If the "Q" was "plinker" then it's 1022!
Put a 25 round steel lips or equivlant on it and plink away!

CRITGIT

 

[Schleprok62]

Remington's had a boat load of problems with the 597

besides the magazine issue?? What other promanent issues are there?? The magazine issues have been corrected, and Remington replaces them FREE (actually, they'll send you two new spares per request, on their dime)

Ruger 10/22??? Mine is at the bottom of the Ohio... where they belong... Oh, and if anyone is old enough to remember when the 10/22 was first introduced... it had it's share of "growing pains" also... So, to wit, I'll keep my Remington 597 and shoot great groups out of the box...

You 10/22 guys... hey, if spending good money after bad is what suits ya... don't let me ruin yer fun...



OK, seriously... the "best" plinker is the one you find that best fits you. Regardless of the ribbing, jousting and whatnot... The Ruger, the Marlins, the Savages, the Remingtons... etc... They all make a good plinker... find the one that fits you and your budget...

 

[eliphalet]

whats the best .22 plinking gun?

The one you like and feels the best in your hands.

 

[MCgunner]

I can't bash the 10/22, never fails to work for me. I can't bash the Remington, astounding accuracy. I like 'em all. The 10/22 is probably the most popular extant. I don't know if it's out-sold the M60 Marlin or not, though. Those things are everywhere and great little guns. I'll get around to getting one, but in .22s, I wanna find an old Nylon 66 for reasonable sometime and I want to save up for a Browning. That will take a while. Browning doesn't give those things away. I think before I got a M60, though, I'd rather have a papoose. It's compact in a motorcycle saddle bag and a better gun than my current AR7 for that niche. I'd have more uses for a papoose than a M60.

 

[scrat]

glenfields model 60 are ok. kinda heavy. Have one. pretty much stays in the safe. my marlin model 700 goes to the range all the time. Best .22 i have. oh i have 3 rifles and a handgun.
model 700 is on the left. i believe they call it the model 70 papoose today. its the greatest i have 3 15 round magazines and 2 7 rounders.



oh its on the left my .50 is on the right

 

[scrat]

 

[dmazur]

I always wanted a Browning SA-22 when I was a kid. Finally caved in and got one.

Too old for iron sights, so I put a 4X scope on it. It just isn't the same light, perfect plinking gun with the scope, but it is a lot more accurate (for me) and still a lot of fun.

These are really neat little guns. Action is fairly easy to take apart and clean, trigger isn't too bad, and they are surprisingly accurate.

Unfortunately, even though they are made in Japan now, Browning wants quite a bit for them. ($500 + for a Grade I)

If you look one over at a gun shop, you might not be able to walk away from it! Fair warning.

 

[butt_ugly_cowboy]

Try a Marlin 60. I got mine for $139 new, but some places is cheaper so I've heard.

 

[CRITGIT]

I had one of the first SS 597's and loved it. I talked my buddy into one and it was a PITA. We went through all the generations of mags. We tweaked 'em and they eventually functioned fairly well. The 597 feels more like a rifle..that is it shoulders nicely. We also contacted Remington several times. We got everything from "2 for 1" is a myth to we'll be happy to replace the magazine upon receiving your faulty one.
Rem had so many issues with this gun they finally had to put it in "hyper mode" to satisify customers. I like mine but I've never had guide rail issues or much of anything else for that matter. The main plinking consideration is the high cap mag ability with the 1022.
As a walk around critter gitter I do more damage with the 1022.
One of these allows more fire power with the benefits of the reliable rotary mag. I find they are much more reliable than the aftermarket stuff.
Here:





Though the pic shows 80 rds it's easy to carry 160 "ready to rip" rounds!

CRITGIT

 

[240SX]

I would say that Remington has developed a .22lr that is in competion with the Ruger 10/22. My 10/22 is already had several upgrades, and I am working on getting my 597 up to par with the 10/22 and take them both out and see which shoot better/accrately/comfort...ect. As a matter of fact I'm picking up my 597 today from my gunsmith who just mounted a Simmons scope on it for me. Can wait to try it out. (all I have to do is walk across the road infront of my house, & I'm shooting...one good thing about living in BFE Alabama, LOL)!

 

[BoilerUP]

I was consistently hitting clay targets at ~90 yards yesterday with my Marlin 60 mounted with a cheap Simmons 3-9x32 scope. I did have to dope the range and wind a little (hold it a little high and left) but scoring lots of hits. At 25 yards in an indoor range, I can cover a nickel with 15 shots.

I could never that kind of accuracy out of my old stock 10/22 carbine, even with the same scope.

I have found mine likes CCI Mini-Mag HP better than Winchester Dynapoint, both in terms of cycling and accuracy. I'll probably get some Rem and Federal ammo next, ya know, to "test".

 

[ArmedBear]

The Ruger 1022 is the most popular shooter ever!

Actually, I think the Marlin 60 holds that distinction, but be that as it may, buy the gun that's the best for you, not the most popular.

the benefits of the reliable rotary mag

Benefits that I really couldn't find. Some of them are reliable, some aren't, and they're not pleasant to load or clean. Ruger can keep 'em. I've seen plenty of other people cussing at them at the range, too. Others swear by aftermarket inline magazines. And then again, some people have really good luck with the Ruger mags.

MCgunner has a really good 10/22 and good mags, and if I had one like that, I'd sure keep it. It's a great little gun if it works well.

What I wouldn't say, though, is that a Remington is hit-or-miss, while the Ruger is a guaranteed good gun. That is NOT my experience with the Ruger, and I'm not alone.

I have 3 Ruger firearms at the moment, and will probably buy more. They're great guns. None of them are 10/22s, though, since I sold mine.

Oh, and if you want the best plinker, I'd get a lever gun or an AR in .22LR. Problem is, neither one is cheap. I like my Marlin 60. It's accurate and really reliable, and I use it for rifle practice with a scope. But when it's for plain fun, I shoot a lever or .22 AR.

 

[JonB]

I'll add a vote for the Marlin Mod 60. Very accurate for the money. Some folks don't like the tube feed, but I do. I can load it faster than the mags from a 10/22 or bolt gun. I believe my next 22 will be a lever action though (Marlin again) as those just look like fun.

 

[Landlocked Pirate]

I've had a 10/22 for years and it's been completely reliable and is a great gun. But since I bought a Marlin model 60 last year the Ruger hasn't been out of the cabinet.

 

[CRITGIT]

That'll teach 'em to ask that question again!

CRITGIT

 

[Colorado]

10/22!! Great little plinker! Plenty of accessories. I clean mine after I shoot every time and it never fails me. Really fun. Lots of junk in the after market mags. Stick with factory mags. Get a few extra. -CO

 

[gp911]

Nylon 66!

If you can find one. They made a ton, but they're getting kinda scarce nowadays...


gp911

 

[Bill B.]

whats the best .22 plinking gun?

The answer is very simple: What ever makes "You" happy! As long as you enjoy what .22 you have there is no reason to have to upgrade to someone else's latest and greatest that shoots very small 1 hole groups at 50 yards. Personally I like vintage and Mossbergs shoot quite well and are as cheap or cheaper than many of the older .22's and that's where I would start looking.