OK guys. Needing your advice again. I'm wanting buy a really good .22 semi-auto. I've had a Ruger 10/22 and sold it because I just couldn't warm up to it. I'll be using it for general plinking, no competition shooting, might shoot a few squirrels, but I have really great squirrel getters so probably not. I just want an accurate well functioning rifle that will manage most ammo without jams. I also want it to look good; either better than average wood with blued barrel and receiver. Or a stylish composite (never flat black) with stainless barrel. I'm willing to spend for a good one. So please let me know what you think. I will, as always, appreciate your help. Tom
Which semi-auto .22 LR??
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troy fairweather
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The cz
ColtPythonElite
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Brand new and good looking? Rem 552 BDL
midland man
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marlin model 60
sirgilligan
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Browning 22SA.
There must be at least a million and one upgrades available for a 10/22. What didn't you like about your 10/22?
It is one of those guns that you can make into pretty much anything you want it to be... and you don't have to be a gunsmith to do so.
I love my ultra-lite build. Accuracy and reliability has never been a problem with any of my 10/22 builds.
It is one of those guns that you can make into pretty much anything you want it to be... and you don't have to be a gunsmith to do so.
I love my ultra-lite build. Accuracy and reliability has never been a problem with any of my 10/22 builds.
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I bought one with a heavy barrel to hunt squirrels with, thinking I needed faster follow-up shots and believing the heavier barrel would be more accurate. It was attractive with a laminate stock and a good looking finish on both stock and barrel. But, the heavy barrel became tedious and it was not as accurate as 4 other rifles I own and hunt squirrels with. So, I needed more follow-up shots because of occasional misses. Put a good Leupold scope on it. Best thing about it was it was easy to sell once I grew weary of it's shortcomings. My desire to have a reliable plinker has grown stronger. I sit on a bridge that crosses a small stream near where I hunt squirrels and I plink at anything that floats down stream. I love the immediate feedback of splashing water and I've become quite adept at hitting very small objects with a point-and-shoot style. It's great fun and good practice. I've also shouldered dozens of 10/22s, thinking I would eventually buy another one, but they never seem to trip my trigger.
Yeah, some guns just don't mesh with some people. I understand what you mean about swinging a heavy barrel. My heavy barrel 10/22 is fantastic from the bench but leaves a lot to be desired for plinking. This is why I went with the lightest barrel I could find, the carbon fiber tentioned barrel, on my ultra-lite build.
Have you considered a high pressure air rifle in .22 or .25 caliber? They are a hoot to shoot and very quiet without the hassle of a suppressor. The scuba tank isn't that much of a hassle. Mine is a single shot, my buddy's is a semi... just a thought.
Have you considered a high pressure air rifle in .22 or .25 caliber? They are a hoot to shoot and very quiet without the hassle of a suppressor. The scuba tank isn't that much of a hassle. Mine is a single shot, my buddy's is a semi... just a thought.
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Bottom Gun
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I just bought a Remington 597 on Gunbroker. It's a good accurate rifle with a decent trigger and even has fiber optic sights. I'm pleased with it.
I don't care for the standard 10/22 either, but they make close to 100 variants. I like this one.
https://ruger.com/products/1022Sporter/specSheets/1235.html
They make them in all blue, all SS, and blue receiver and SS barrel. Mine is blue with SS barrel
https://ruger.com/products/1022Sporter/specSheets/1237.html
That is a 20" medium contour target barrel with the target trigger and chamber. They are much more accurate than the standard rifles, but since it isn't a full bull barrel weight is reasonable. You won't find one at Walmart, but you can get a better gun shop to order one.
If you want good wood, blue, and tack driving accuracy you want a bolt gun.
https://www.budsgunshop.com/product...877/cz-usa+cz455+bolt+22+lr++205"+walnut+blue
My personal favorite doesn't check off many of your boxes, but it is the absolute most accurate 22 I've ever fired. Nothing else that I've fired comes close. And it is light enough for easy carry. I've fired some 5 shot groups at 50 yards that were only slightly larger than 1 bullet hole.
https://www.budsgunshop.com/product...2+lr+20"+threaded+barrel+synthetic+stock+10+1
https://ruger.com/products/1022Sporter/specSheets/1235.html
They make them in all blue, all SS, and blue receiver and SS barrel. Mine is blue with SS barrel
https://ruger.com/products/1022Sporter/specSheets/1237.html
That is a 20" medium contour target barrel with the target trigger and chamber. They are much more accurate than the standard rifles, but since it isn't a full bull barrel weight is reasonable. You won't find one at Walmart, but you can get a better gun shop to order one.
If you want good wood, blue, and tack driving accuracy you want a bolt gun.
https://www.budsgunshop.com/product...877/cz-usa+cz455+bolt+22+lr++205"+walnut+blue
My personal favorite doesn't check off many of your boxes, but it is the absolute most accurate 22 I've ever fired. Nothing else that I've fired comes close. And it is light enough for easy carry. I've fired some 5 shot groups at 50 yards that were only slightly larger than 1 bullet hole.
https://www.budsgunshop.com/product...2+lr+20"+threaded+barrel+synthetic+stock+10+1
Agree.
I came across a CZ 512 American carbine online for about $280 – snapped it right up.
It’s been discontinued and must have been languishing in a warehouse somewhere as it has a 2017 date stamp.
It’s an ugly little so-and-so with its shoe polish black stock and 16 in. threaded barrel, but it’s 100 percent reliable and very accurate – averaging five-shot groups at under an inch.
It runs perfectly with standard velocity match/target ammo such as Wolf, Center-X, and RWS; the type of ammo that tends to not function well in semi-autos.
Hey...While this rifle is different than what I'm asking about, I'm glad it was posted since I am looking to buy the Tikka in 17HMR. I've heard equally great things about it. For now I'll keep my search going for the semi-auto. Gonna be in Florida for a few weeks and have many gun shops to visit.
cdb1
Member
CZ 512, Browning SA-22, Volquartsen Classic.
ThomasT
Member
Marlin really got it right with the model 60, 75c and 795. I have one model 60 and two model 75C rifles. Great shooters and I only paid $80 for the model 60. One 75c was free and the second one $50 out of the local paper. And they shoot like target rifles. Even new they are very affordable. A few years ago Academy was selling the 795 with plastic stock for right at $100. I should have bought a couple as gifts. For me.
bannockburn
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Sniper66
Still a big fan of the Ruger 10/22 but I can understand if it's just not your thing. If I were in the market for a quality .22 semi-auto I would look for a Thompson Center 22 Classic. a well built and stylish rifle that has some great ergonomics.
Still a big fan of the Ruger 10/22 but I can understand if it's just not your thing. If I were in the market for a quality .22 semi-auto I would look for a Thompson Center 22 Classic. a well built and stylish rifle that has some great ergonomics.
BrocLuno
Member
If you are willing to spend, then it's the Browning BAR22. Fine, fine rifle and fairly scarce, but no problem getting parts (if it ever needs any ...).
Beautiful wood, fine finish, great sights, and tiny groups.
You'll have to find a used one in good condition. GB will help.
Plan on upwards of $750 for a really nice one.
Beautiful wood, fine finish, great sights, and tiny groups.
You'll have to find a used one in good condition. GB will help.
Plan on upwards of $750 for a really nice one.
crestoncowboy
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I have a 10-22 which I dont care anything for. Still likely the best semi-auto 22 there is. Anything can be built from one. I've just seen too many that wouldnt function. My sa-22 is pretty terrible in the accuracy department. My BL-22s outshoot it by a lot. I have an old savage 64 I won on a punch board for 8 dollars that is just as good IMO. Plus a few marlin/glenfield etc That are usable. The remington 572 is decent as well.
Personally I'd take a lever action or pump (or a bolt) over a Semi auto 22 rifle any day for fun. A nice Bl-22 or even a henry (and I detest the henry) would be my pick over any of my semi autos. Unless you want to find a marlin 39 or Winchester 9422 used then the browning is the nicer looking one right now.
Personally I'd take a lever action or pump (or a bolt) over a Semi auto 22 rifle any day for fun. A nice Bl-22 or even a henry (and I detest the henry) would be my pick over any of my semi autos. Unless you want to find a marlin 39 or Winchester 9422 used then the browning is the nicer looking one right now.
Most .22s feel too small to me, which is why i like the Remington 597s, tho Its not what id recommend for you given what your asking for.
If i were recommending something, it would probably be doing a custom 10/22 type build, IF your comfortable with the operation and basic design of the gun. You may have to play with stock to find one you really like, but a carbon barrel on one of the custom actions using a good aftermarket trigger would be where id start.
I also dont own one like that because for some reason Ive never developed a liking for the 10/22s, even the super nice custom ones, and im not sure why.
If your ok with the smaller rifles, than the Browning or a 795/M60 would be my recommendations. I LIKE the 795 ive got right now, but its not classy by any means. After I figure out what i really want out of it i may give it a nicer stock, and a longer barrel to make it a little more classy.
If i were recommending something, it would probably be doing a custom 10/22 type build, IF your comfortable with the operation and basic design of the gun. You may have to play with stock to find one you really like, but a carbon barrel on one of the custom actions using a good aftermarket trigger would be where id start.
I also dont own one like that because for some reason Ive never developed a liking for the 10/22s, even the super nice custom ones, and im not sure why.
If your ok with the smaller rifles, than the Browning or a 795/M60 would be my recommendations. I LIKE the 795 ive got right now, but its not classy by any means. After I figure out what i really want out of it i may give it a nicer stock, and a longer barrel to make it a little more classy.
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