Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires which 22?

I have a friend that's getting into hunting. So far he's only borrowed my guns but now he's ready to buy his first gun. His budget is $150 or less. I recomended a used 10/22 but he was looking at the Remington 597 or the Marlin Model 60. Which do you tguys think would be the best choice for a new hunter?

I think that the Marlin 60 is a heck of a rugged 22.

That said, I would recommend that he save his pennys for awhile longer, so that he could buy a stainless Ruger 10/22. There is just so much potential in a Ruger 10/22 that most people end up there at some point in their shooting lives, so why not just skip right to the 10/22?

Another plus to the 10/22 is that there are a gazillion factory barrels out there that can be bought for less than $25, lined, and chambered for 17 HM2. My 10/22 mannlicher in 17 HM2 is a lot of fun to shoot and will match the 17 HMR out to 100+/- yards at about 1/2 the ammo cost.

EDIT: If your friend's budget is really limited, the best buy that I have found in used 22 semi-autos are the Sears 3Ts. They can often be bought in excellent condition for under $75 and are the same as the Winchester 190. Unlike most current 22 semi-autos, they will shoot 22 shorts and 22 longs, in addition to 22 long rifles.

Jeff

Why a semi-auto? There are wonderful old single shots out there to be had in that price range that will shoot better than most of us.

Plus a single shot to a new hunter will instill some descretion and discipline.

JMO...

This is most likely the only 22 that he will ever buy. So there won't be any stepping up later.

If he intends to buy one, do nothing other than use it, well I guess the Marlin 60. Why? It is more accurate than the Ruger out of the box. The magazine being attached is great for hunting rifles. Nothing to lose. Holds a number of shots which is convenient.

There are alot of 22 bolts out there. For what he wants most any would do. I bought my last Ruger 10/22 for $100. If its a bolt action get one with a magazine that holds 7-10 rounds. Single shot 22s are a tad cumbersome if youre chasing squirrels tree to tree and trying to reload. But don't forget lever action tube fed 22s. They are great for new shooters with a taste for the old West.

If no Ruger then go for a Marlin M-60. The current Remington's seem to be problematic.

Savage bolt 22's are very accurate, but their triggers suck just like everyone elses.

Spot

if only buying once i would probally also go 10/22 but i own a mod 60 that i've hunted rabbits with since i was young and no problems as far as 597 i have no experience

150 Hmmm, can't get much quality for that. Add a couple of bucks get a Savage bolt with Acutrigger. 597 sucks big time. 10/22 works just fine. CZ 452 American (bolt) would be my first choice for a about $100 more. You can make noise or shoot accurately, get the best he can afford.

Hunterbug,

If it will be his only .22 Rimfire, I'd probably go with a bolt action as well.

I've found Winchester 69A rifles for around this amount of money. They are a great rifles if he wants a bolt action. It may take a while to find one though.

Go with the 10/22 - the most popular model .22LR out there, but also the most easily modified and tricked out! And not necessarily with things that "look good" or "look kool," but aftermarket stocks, barrels, magazines, scope-mounting systems that can make any Ruger as accurate as any Volquartsen or other .22.

DON'T LET YOUR FRIEND BUY A PIECE OF JUNK BASED ON "EMOTIONAL" APPEAL OR REASONS, but rather buy a quality .22LR based on logic and sensibility.

I've owned lever-.22's, bolt-.22's and will own (soon) T/Center and Handi-Rifle singleshots ..... If I was limited to only one .22LR, it would be a blued Ruger 10/22 with the trigger group tuned and smoothed up, a quality .920" bull barrel at 16 1/4in on a stock that has the same LOP, drop at comb and heel as my big game rifles. Before Herr Hitlery gets to be Prez (and hicap mags outlawed), I'd stock up on 25 or 30rd agazines too.

Many of these things can't be done with any Marlin or Remington, etc. Plus the 10/22 is a better survival weapon than most other .22's.

The M10/22 simply has more potential as a weapon as well as precision shooter! Plus as an experienced shooter I rarely just blast away ammo - just because I'm shooting a semi-auto.

I sure like my Marlin 39! Circa the mid 1920s; standard velocity rounds only.
My model 60 (1985) and the Glenfield 70 (1965) are good too; I just have to keep them clean (very little lube) to work dependably.
If I do that, they are fine and accurate, too.
The semi's are finicky with what they are fed, but the Marlin levergun likes everything I've given it.

1

can't go wrong with an old mossberg bolt action

You're advice to buy a used 10/22 is excellent advice.....

A Handi-rifle would be my next pick.

+2, Nebraska!

Get him hooked, for life. A used 10/22 will turn him into lifer. Their great fun, and then he'll start "improving" it. Pretty soon we have a life time firearms advocate.