Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Buying a semi-auto rifle in 22 LR - which one?

Buying a semi-auto rifle in 22 LR - which one?

Looking for inexpensive gun for shooting at range or while camping, I know there are a million add on's for the 10/22 but the only thing I will be adding is a 4x scope.

My list is down to:

Savage A22 in 22 LR $230-250 OTD (Out the door)

Ruger 10/22 in LR $300-325

Remington 597 in LR $199

Marlin 60C $240

I have had 10/22's before so I am leaning towards one of the others but have no experience with either the Marlin 60C or Rem 597...

I would go with the savage A22.My neighbor bought one and the trigger is fantastic and it really shoots.

I wouldn't trade my Ruger 10-22 for nearly any other rifle. Just me.

Jerry

i have several 10/22s and built some for my kids. so my vote is for the 10/22,
But my brother loves his Marlin 60
i think the 60 shoots better than a stock 10/22

No question 1022...he only semi I'd ever buy

Ruger 10-22. Do they make another semi auto 22lr rifle???

Sounds like most folks feel the extra $$ for the 10/22 is worth it. Also had a couple of PM's for the Savage.

I ruled out the Remington 597 and Marlin 60 and will look around to see what I can get a A22 or 10/22 for locally.

thanks

Another for the 10-22. Ruger got it right a long time ago.

Yeah really. 10/22 is the chevy small block of the 22 world.

A stock Marlin 60 will outshoot a stock 10-22 9 rifles out of 10. Your prices seem high. You can buy a Marlin 60 for 169.00 from Wal-Mart.

+1

If you were close enuff---- I'd bet you Gun for Gun on my 10-22.

Jerry -- SW Ark

Coming down ?

I've had 6 of each personally and shot a bunch more. I know WTF I'm taliking about. If you have an exceptional 10-22 good for you but it doesn't disprove my experience.

Offer still stands.

I can only speak for mine !

Jerry

In other words you have very little first hand experience/knowledge on the subject..

Guys -- I'm not taking the bait.
"Better things to do "

Jerry

I wouldn't cross the street for a chance to win a 10-22, much less go halfway across the country. How well your particular example shoots is irrelevant to the discussion here. Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn once in awhile.

In my experience a stock Model 60 will shoot better than a stock 10-22 for less $$$, however if you want to pimp it out at all I would go 10-22.. Both are good rifles, but I prefer model 60's day in day out. Having a herd of rotary mags is very nice though.

Someone really needs to market a higher end 22 autoloader for us boomers with money in our pockets.


41

I think Kidd and Volquartsen Rifles may be what you are after.

They do. I have a TacSol X-Ring rifle that I dropped a KIDD trigger in and love it- http://www.tacticalsol.com/x-ring-series-rifles/x-ring-rifle-with-hogue-stock

Try KIDD I have 3 of them and I do not think there is a better one out there on the market. There not cheap.

http://www.coolguyguns.com/KIDD-22LR-Original-Supergrade-Sporter-Rifle_p_126.html

Some one already did, Thompson Center had the Classic 22 and the R-55. Smith and Wesson discontinued the T/C's 22 rifles after buying T/C in 2006.

Doc

They do. The Browning. You can get on at a good price now at CDCNN.You can mount a scope but for a fun gun you don't need it. The Browning 22 Auto is both accurate and reliable.

Next is the older pre-rebounding hammer Marlin Model 39M. Add. Lyman peep sight, a Marbles flat top folding open sight with windage and the front sight you like best. The Model 39M is a fine blinker and good training rifle with the only drawback being weight.

The Remington pumps are also great trainers but the need better sights. You can start them off single shot if you like and add the magazine tube later.

I've had my Model 60 for probably a little over 30 years and have shot a chit load of ammo through it, been a pretty good little rifle.

I've had probably 8-10 10/22's and still think there's three in the house, few mild customs and one that the only thing on it Ruger was the magazine. Kind of still wish I had it, but for the most part I'd take my Marlin over any of them.

I don't know if you have a Big 5, there - but they had an ad in the paper, this AM, Ruger 10/22's under $250 ($240 IIRC)

Didnt pick up a Sunday paper this weekend, will have to check the store out tomorrow.

Browning SA22

All the 10/22's I have had needed triggers. Not hard to do but the factory trigger was gawdawful. Accurate and super reliable after that.

FWIW, we got my Dad a 597 for Christmas a few years ago. I like it's man-sized stock more than my carbine length 10/22. It's very accurate, and they're a lot easier to clean than the 10/22. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one...but I'm not selling the 10/22 either.

To Everyone -

Obviously the M 60s are very good 22 autos.

In my early response I did NOT say that the 10-22s were better than all M 60s ! !

I ONLY said MY 10-22 was very accurate. I'm not talking 'comp' shooting but in general mine is extremely accurate. I have shot 22rf hulls off
fence posts at unmeasured distances.

Yes, the trigger could be BETTER but it's not horrible.

I've had it since @ 1997. Our W Ms put them on close out &160.00 and I bought 1 for myself and 1 for my son. It's SS w/Laminate stock. I put a scope on it THEN and never had to change sight in. I squirrel hunt it and my Mk II Pistol. It's a pleasure to handle, balance & swing.

Several Xs I have shot it a yr or 2 apart JUST to check ZERO. Never had to adjust it.
I have several 10 round mags and 1-2 25/30 round 'clips' for it.

I absolutely love it and have never thot about replacing it.

I did NOT insult nor intend to insult anyone's M 60.

I'm just tired of 'net' quarreling. I have "better things to do" than that.

Jerry

Not all 10/22's are the same.
My first, new in '72 shot pretty good and was bone stock.

Had a '67 sporter (also known as "fingergroove") that did pretty darn good with CCI Blazer- best 10/22 I've had. Around 3/4" at 50 yards.
It did have a Kidd buffer and Volq hammer.

I got another '67 standard and the walnut looks goood (after refinish)...........but inlet I suspect was bad from factory, way too much tip pressure.
Sanded out so all good now, just need to test. With the high pressure, worst shooting 10/22 I've had.

DSP was good but shifted impact. Didn't bed it, missed whopper chuck twice so got mad and sold it (more than I paid for it so tolerable).

Hopefully my '67 standard shoots decent now, if not then find another pre warning bbl and swap. Trying to get an OK shooter in "stock form".
I did stone the factory hammer and clip trigger return spring, almost as good as the Volq hammer/spring, but not quite. I put the stock parts back in the other one som put them in this one.

If it shoots like crap I might do the Victor stock and GM bbl deal. But I really hope it shoots decent as is. My hunting bud dug his out last yr to shoot pineys, 1980 w Weaver 4X, Was in super good shape. Reminded me of my first one (mine was walnut, his isn't) so I went looking for one .......have taken on classic status IMHO.

IMHO I wouldn't buy a new 10/22.
Have one, and that's good enough.

Of course if another old sporter come by at a silly good price I'll jump on it.

They look awesome!

The std has a newer mag. Will hunt for slotted screw versions at gunshows or when a pre warning pops up at LGS.
'76 was there, folder stock, beat up............and it had slotted mag in good shape. Asked sales guy if I could buy it...........sold me a new mag at reduced price, and we swapped. The rig on the rack was modified enough, and beat up.........it didn't matter what it had as long as functional. I let that one go with the sporter.

Only need two for the standard and will be content.

Don't need mine to be a target rifle. Kids/guests proly shoot it mostly.
I got a beater Anschutz 184 that loves WW42gr Max.

The old lady said she wants the 10/22.............told her to buy her own. Receiver good (no marks). Gunkoted alloy buttplate and refinished stock. Bbl needs gunkoted or blued (if it tests good). Have about 175 in rifle and stock redo. It looked pretty rough when I got it. Mild dings and finish wear, all over the walnut.

Son has current possession of mine, so I have no need of another 10/22.
"Current" possession seems to be becoming permanent possession, but that's all right! (I'm just as happy with my 77/22 !

I don't think you could really go wrong with either the Mod 60 or 10/22 for semi auto's. Still have the marlin my wife got me 20 some-odd year ago and it still chugs away like new. The 10/22's I've had have all worked too. Haven't had the others so I wouldn't comment on them

Ruger 10-22 in stainless.

You really can't beat the 10/22. It's the hands down leader in this category. But I understand wanting something different. I've had lots of marlin 60s and for the most part all were good guns.
-Jake

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Jerry

I have Ruger 10-22 with target barrel. Tons of fun to shoot.

As you can see the Ruger is a very popular choice and for good reason as they shoot good and are attractively priced. This is just my opinion but the10/22 causeda lot of the competition to fold their tent and give up the 22 market. Similar to the way the std 22 auto pistol killed off a lot of the great 22 auto pistols. The marlin model 60& the Browning are about the only alternatives left if you want to buy new. I love the little Browning but as a takedown you have to use a bbl mounted cantilever mount or risk the zero wondering as you take it apart and put it back together. My big complain't with the Ruger is the stock. Way more wood than is needed imho. If you can find one the mannlicher stocked ones are pretty cool.

If I needed to pick up a new .22 I think I'd look into finding a used Remington 552 Speedmaster.. My cousin picked one up 40 years ago and it still is trouble free and as accurate as ever..
Don't know about the new ones though..

My son has the 1980 10/22 carbine I purchased as a gift to my Dad. Has a Lyman perma-center in 4x setting in Weaver rings.

Very accurate .22 & not @ all picky as to ammunition it's being fed. My son says anything the fine cross hair's covers ether dies of gets bounced.


41

I have a 10/22 and a Marlin Model 60. I have both because the kids and grandkids used them at the range. I needed more than one rifle on our trips there. I had a second 10/22 that I was going to fix up - trigger, new stock, etc. - but never got around to it, so I sold it.

I think it's a personal thing, and something that you have to try out before buying. Some people like tubular mags. Others prefer rotary mags or stackers. All the little 22s seem to carry and shoot differently. I am not a fan of the 10/22 stock trigger, but other than that, it's fine.

This is my 13 yr old grandson. I bought him a Henry pump when he was younger, but he likes my Model 60 better. He gets it honestly. It's my favourite autoloader too, but I never told him that. I figured he would want to try them all and settle in on one. He doesn't like my old Lakefield (now Savage) Model 64. He says it shoots funny. I'm not really sure what he means, but he knows what he likes.

10/22 then the 60

What about the HK270?

My '6710/22 standard hates WW 42gr Max. Doesn't like CCI Minimag either.
Does better with CCI Blazer.
Was pretty horrible with all three (plus a couple other brands) in stock form.
Wood was pushing very hard on tip of stock (on bbl).
Socket of appropriate size and sanding paper.....got the bbl band to go and off much easier.
Tightened to 15 ib lbs. Stock to receiver bolt 20.

Not a match rifle, would like to drop group size by 1/3.

10 at 25 yards. Not great, not horrible. Almost tolerable LOL
The look of the standard IMHO is a "classic" but the old Sporters are downright pretty.
Really like the flush fit magazine as that's where my hand goes when carrying.
Grip a little fat.....not a fan of the bbl band in looks...........but it grows on ya.

I have to say 10-22 as well if I were to choose. Whittakers has them for $169.99 right now too.Even if you do no modifications to it they will last forever, are reliable and can use a detacheable mag which I like. My second choice would be the marlin, I have always like them but they are are a bit different animal with the tube mag. The tube mag doesn't bother me but it depends on the kind of shooting you want to do.

You can't go wrong either way and I could say just buy them all, because I have many .22 rifles and don't think you can have too many.

This topic was in the rimfire section a month ago

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/12063454/1

I currently have 22 semi-automatic .22 LR rifles:

Colt Stagecoach carbine
Marlin 60SS (x2)
Mossberg 715T (x3)
Remington 66 (x5)
Ruger 10/22 (x8)
Winchester 290 (X3)

Plus 5 semi-automatic .22 MAG rifles:

Kodiak 260
Remington 597 (x2)
Ruger 10/22M (x2)

To use "as is", without spending any additional $$, I'd recommend looking at the Marlin 60SS as they are both rugged and reliable.

If you're looking to spend additional $$ to personalize it for your specific wants/needs, I'd recommend looking at the Ruger 10/22 as they are the small block Chevy of the rimfire rifle universe in terms of after-market parts.

IMG_2582_zpsrdvkxxrz.jpg

10-22s are fine after replacing the trigger.

Tube-fed are a pain to unload without shooting all of the ammo out the barrel.

The Ruger has the best magazine ever invented for a 22.

Darrik has some 10/22s with a great price on them right now. How can you go wrong for this price?

https://shop.whittakerguns.com/product/ss-130

Well Ted, what did you wind up getting?

I like the Ruger 10/22 and the Marlin 60. But my favorite autoloader 22 is the Browning. Though I have never shot a browning with a scope, I'd be afraid to scope a browning because it might spoil the balance.

This. But it is a personal thing and in this case the magazine design speaks volume to me. I like both the Marlin and the Ruger but if I was going to buy just one I would pick the Ruger. I also feel that the Ruger holds there value better but that is just my opinion.

I never had any trouble REMOVING the tube and dumping rounds out.

A T S T, I prefer the Ruger box mag.


Jerry


I don't think you are wrong.

in my younger days chasing coon hounds and running trap line....I carried several different rifles...only one that would work reliably in the cold and rather abusive conditions we put those rifles through was dads 10-22 his is a verry early one. Late 60s maybe..
I even ran over it one time when I forgot it leaning on the truck bumper....bent the barrel pretty bad.....I replaced it years later and he wasn't the wiser....

I have a 10/22 stamped "Made in the 200th Year of American Liberty" that I received for Christmas in 1976 when I was 11 but it's my little Browning that I reach for most of the time if I'm shooting an autoloader. I love the little SA-22.

My two go to .22 autos are my Nylon 66 and an old Marlin 60 carbine with the 16" barrel. Mainly because I prefer the tube fed .22 auto over a damn magazine. I've had my share of 10-22's over the years, and always go back to the two above mentioned rifles.

One of these days, I'm going to buy a Browning SAA .22. CDNN had the .22 short version on sale for a very tempting price a while back, but I've never heard anyone say how the .22 short versions feed.

Thompson Center made the Classic 22 and the R-55 but Smith and Wesson decided to discontinue both rifles after buying T/C in 2006. Superbly accurate rifles for $350.00


Doc

Agreed. I put off buying one, not thinking that they would be discontinued.

Hi Tom

Have been busy upgrading scopes on several rifles so no 22 yet but I see my local Dicks have Ruger 10/22 in todays filer!

SIL is a medium size farmer/rancher. Lots of land and game, but he, daughter and grand kids live about five hours away. To eliminate the routine transport of guns in between here and there, I keep a small battery of guns in their safe. An old Remington 510 single shot ..22 which is super accurate (inherited from my bride's father) and a decently accurate scoped 10-22 Sporter about 10 years old. Also keep an 870 and a pretty accurate later issue Mini-14. During deer season , a deer gun of the season lives there as well.

I have a pair of Browning SA . The older one has a milled groove on the receiver for scope mounting. The later Belgium has a cantilever mount and is pretty accurate. Both need high velocity ammo to eject. I have the mentioned 510 and a really nice 511 (detachable magazine) repeater that both shoot as well as any of the several Anschutz 54 Sporters that I have had, which means outstanding. Then I have a pair of older Marlin 39A Mounties. They both shoot good but the '67 issue does quarter inch groups with favored ammo at 50 yds when wearing a Leupold Ultralight 3-9AO. It normally wears a little Leupold/Gilmore red dot for small game and plinking.

I agree that everyone needs a good SA .22. I usually grab the Marlin lever gun or the 511 for dependable accuracy and shooting fun.

Enjoy,

JACK

ah humm - the tube fed is a magazine.


You reminded me... I have a Remington Nylon 66, called the Apache. It was the first thing I bought my wife in 1971. That was back when Kmart sold guns. Price was +/- 65.00
She shot it enuff that she could eat your lunch with it. NO JOKE.

I used to shoot it and squirrel hunt with it. It is a VERY accurate rifle.

Jerry

ps: DON'T disassemble to clean. I've seen pix of 100s of small parts & springs!!!