Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires Hi grade semi autos

Years ago Weatherby bought out a very sweet .22 LR semi auto and it was extremely accurate. However (at least the three I had) jammed seriously. Often times failing to execute a 5-shot clip successfully.

I was looking for a fine auto to replace my Marlin 60 but just don't seem to find one available.

Anyone know of a classy walnut stocked .22 semi auto on the market?

Thompson Center.....steel and walnut. A beautiful rifle and the one my son has "shoots".

Look at a used Browning from the 60's thru the 80s's--dont know the model --but it's the one that loads from the buttstock

Maybe they even still make it. Very slim, Very pretty, Very well made, a little pricey

Yep, few prettier than the Browning.

Browning .22 takedown at Cabelas

My BIL has one and it is sweet!

Have both the Browning and the Thompson Center and they are both fine rifles. The Browning is a bit on the petite side if that would bother you.

Is the Browning a highly accurate gun?

I was told years ago that they wasn't very accurate.

I'd like to see 1" 50 yard groups.

My favorite steel/walnut 22 semi-auto is the Winchester 63.

Bruce

Re, Vapodog:

The Browning semi-auto .22 rifle (take-down), a thing of beauty, is the ONLY "semi-auto" .22 rifle model Browning currently manufactures (although in three grades).

As to accuracy, I have always "heard" they ARE regarded to be extremely accurate. I purchased my Browning SA-22 in the late 50's and have always found this to be true with my rifle- as well as with the 'newer' models I have fired.

The first thing I learned about my then "new" Browning .22 was it's bottom ejection port ... when the "hot" ejected casing bounced off the tender flesh inside of my bare wrist. After a few times ... I learned to hold my fore-arm clear.

The Browning SA-22 is also of extreme quality in all materials used and in it's craftsmanship.

I also much regard my Marlin 60 and two Ruger 10/22's for their quality and accuracy ...

Still, the Browning .22 - is a BROWNING !

Mine too is actually the Winchester 63, just didn't mention it because it's no longer being made. Shouldn't be much of a trick to find a nice one on the used gun market though.

Were any of those M63's ready for a scope?

Here is one that makes that point.

M63 with a scope mount

Yep, TC's Classic is the most accurate 22 semi auto out of the box. I have eight Ruger 10-22's and they shoot well, but I did a whole lot of upgrading to get them to where they are today. TC's equal the tricked out 10-22's right out of the box.
I have a buddy up here that has a TC Classic. He was at the range one day shooting it when I was there. I watched him shoot a 5 shot, 1/4" group at 50 yards with the TC using Wolf Match target ammo. I was blown away. They are that accurate...

I have a new SA-22. It's a semi-auto, it's high-grade, and mine is pretty accurate for a semi-auto.

What it's not is a benchrest rifle. It was never meant to be.

If a man wants to shoot squirrels through the eye at 50 yards, I'd suggest he go in a whole different direction.

But if he'd like a high-grade walking-around rifle, a magic-wand that leaps to his shoulder and perforates small, sometimes quick-moving targets out to 50 yards while he is standing on his two feet, then a high-grade semi-auto like the SA-22 would be a fine choice, IMO.

- Tom

I believe the last 63's were grooved. No idea how many or for how long.

Bruce

The Browning ATD is cool on alot of levels, the T/C is accurate but leaves class with the 10/22 IMO.

Have you looked at the Remington 552? I have one and its super accurate and does not ever jam.

I like the "full size" feel of the gun

This really isn't a bad looking gun and it's priced about the same as the Browning.

I couldn't find a price on the Thompson Center gun

There really a classic IMO. I found mine at Gander Mt in near new condition for a steal, keep an eye on gunbroker I see them there all the time. Top it off with a Leupold M8 4x and you will have an accurate classic.

Here is mine with M8 4x

Nice outfit. Have always wondered about these rifles.

Thanks, I always wondered about them too. As usual I needed to buy one and find out for myself and Im here to tell you there a sleeper! The 10/22 gets so much attention in the auto market I think most of the others get overlooked. But these guns have been around for ever and there is a good reason for that.

Here is some good reading on them.

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=296877&highlight=552+club

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=290009&highlight=552+club

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=291298&highlight=552+club

The T/C Classic is a fine .22 rifle. I bought mine just after they came out several years ago. I still have it and it is very accurate and well made.