Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires Cheap Rimfire Rifles

My old Stevens 870 22 might have finally had it. It was my grandpas gun that wasn’t babied, and it hadn’t been shot in a few months. Today I tried ammo from 3 different boxes. None were old or had been wet, but only 2 rounds fired out of probably 20. Of the 2 that did fire, they ejected but the next round would not feed. Figure i could have it fixed but not sure what it would cost. I have a 22 Crickett as well that I bought for my wife to shoot at the range but I can’t see the sights under field conditions.

All that being said, are there any decent rimfires on the market for under $200? Prefer bolt, auto or lever but won’t rule out anything. If I’m using a rifle for squirrels I’m aiming for the head so cartridge isn’t as important to me.

It should be easy to find a new Marlin bolt action .22 for under $200 if you look around and/or wait for a sale.

The current Marlin detachable magazine styles are the XT-22, XT-22R, XT-22RO, XT-22RZ, and XT-22VR,

The current Marlin tubular magazine styles are the XT-22TR and XT-22TSR,

I'm guessing that you intend to buy new, but with gun sales being so slow there are some great used deals around.
I.e. - I just picked up a Remington 512 (a well made & accurate tube fed bolt) for $100 at a local store. Practically new - looks like it sat in someone's attic or basement unfired for decades.
You sound like you're a one-gun, really using it guy. A solid older gun like that might be just the thing for you.
There should be deals like that most everywhere if you look around for them.

I regularly peruse the used gun racks for older 22's. 200 will definately get you there, in a bolt action. Loads of Marlin 25's, old Remingtons, Mossbergs, are very good shooters. Got a very clean Rem. 581 for 199.00 last month. Very accurate indeed.

Lucky you. I need to get out more.

Spend an extra $25 and get a new Ruger 10/22:

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog.../Ruger+10%2F22CRR+22LR+CMP+FOS+16.5+1168

Or look around and find a used one for under the $200

Here are some Winchester's in your price range being sold here on the 'fire:

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...17448/gonew/1/4-winchester-22s-fs#UNREAD


But, I'd still go with the Ruger 10/22.

Or buy from CDNN.

Thanks Pappy!
I wasn't trying to brag though, just to give an example of what's out there to be found since the man needs a good .22 and kinda has a $200 cap.
In the last few months I've bumped into a Rem 581, the Rem 512 and a Savage 23-AA. Max price on any of them was $125.
The two Remingtons would be good choices for field work, and there are plenty of 552 autos, Marlin & Savage bolts, 10-22's & Model 60's out there at good prices.
I'd look at any of the older "Acro-Groove" Mossbergs too - if the triggers are decent I have found them to be very accurate and to be reliable.

I don't really know the new gun market well enough to pass along any kind of opinion. Other than spend more and pick up a CZ..... 👍

I’m not against buying used at all, probably half of my current guns were purchased used. If there’s a solid 22 out there that regularly goes used for $89 I’m all over it. For centerfire rifles I like to have a lot; but for shotguns, bows, handguns and rimfires I really just need a good one that works.

JJWise: I go along with another poster above - look for a deal on a clean used Ruger 10/22 - many of them are capable of excellent accuracy and the rotary magazine is the cat's meow!
By far the best value for the money spent IME.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Look at pawn shops, local gun shops, and gun shows and you can probably find a good Winchester 69 or 69A for your price if you're patient. I would also look at any Remington 512, 513's that come up if they are close to your price range. All great rifles that will out last you and your children IMO. Depending on what you're into, 10-22's come up on sale around here a couple times a year for around $189. Hard to beat them for a utility .22... Good luck- the search is half the fun....

Bob

Used is probably the way to go for a bolt action. You can get a used Marlin 60 semi auto very cheap, and most of them shoot well. factory triggers suck a little but can be improved if you like to tinker. need to be willing to take it apart and clean it...they get dirty inside. ruger 10-22 is good of course. The old 511 remingtons work well but it might be worth checking trigger and function before buying...they are getting pretty old. Savage bolt action .22s work well and the newer ones have an accutrigger. Keep your eye open.

There’s some great deals to be found on brand new ruger Americans if you keep an eye out. Some don’t care for the looks but they certainly shoot and for about a dollar the trigger can be made very nice indeed

JJWise,

I've got 4 or 5 10-22's. If I had only one 22LR it would be a 10-22... not even in the cards as I love my CZ 452 Trainer.

BUT the 10-22 is in need of some TLC as it comes from the factory. The trigger is often heavier than the rifle. It is easily fixed by the owner with a little emery paper and a new (inexpensive) spring. Same can be said for the CZ's though!

If a single shot works for you, NTO has several Remington 580's at a very reasonable price shipped in the classifieds. Great accurate rifles. The Remington 580 (single shot), 581 (magazine fed) and the 582 (tubular fed) are all excellent rifles. The 581's I had were just on the cusp of being as accurate as my CZ's.

In your shoes I would save more and buy a CZ 452 Trainer,

Jerry

I find the same to be true, CZ vs. 581. Not QUITE as good, but darn close! Underrated, underappreciated, today.

I agree with the Remington 58X vs CZ comments, and the Remingtons can be found for a lot less with some patience.
I happen to like the tube version best, most will prefer the magazine version even though they're plastic.

The sights on a CZ trainer are a LOT better than on the Remington though.

MSRP on a new CZ 457 Scout is $375 or so - should be able to find them around $300 soon enough.
Major improvements including the trigger, safety, 60° bolt lift and nitride finish (basically rustproof), if youre willing to spend a bit more than $200.
Compact and easy carrying too.

A guy named John Reed makes a very good quality steel mag for the 581.

I have an older 582 that on a calm day has put 5 into an inch at 100 yards. Ammo was cci standard velocity. Nobody believes it however I've seen enough shooters to shoot that gun at 100 yards to know that it's capable of at least a 1.5 or smaller inch group at 100.

My local Wal-Mart has Savage 64s priced around $100 and stainless Marlin 60s for around $200.

I'm a Marlin 60 fan and think that they are typically a better "out of the box" shooters than comparable Ruger 10/22s.

I have several 10/22s, but they have all had upgrades from $60, replacing the trigger with a BX unit, to $500, for a 'smithed rifle with an after-market barrel and stock. 10/22s can easily turn into "stone soup" money pits if you aren't careful.