.22?

D

DA/SA Fan

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Hi. I don't really frequent this section of the forums very much. I'm not a hunter, although I would like to be. Not having been brought up into the culture.(lived in the Northern New Jersey suburbs for 55 years), I am looking forward to getting some acreage a few years down the road.

Any way, I'm thinking some small game hunting would be in order for my retirement years. I would probably use mostly low noise 22 rounds for close range squirrel, rabbit, etc. I see the 10/22s are ubiquitous,and I wouldn't mind having one of them, but I'm thinking the low powered 22s might work out better in a bolt action. I like old school rifles with conventional wood stocks. Any suggestions for something preferably 300.00 or less new? Anything out of production that would be something worth looking for on the used market?

Thanks
 
Semi auto's don't like low velocity so bolt action is probably good for that.

If I was to get a semi auto I would get a 10/22 or Marlin Model 60.

If I was to go bolt action there are a lot of good 22's out there for well under $200. I like Marlins with a tubfeed or magazine.
 
For a semi-auto 22, I prefer the Marlin 99M1, which is a discontinued variant of the model 60. They work great with standard velocity ammo, as well as the high velocity stuff. They have a much nicer trigger pull than a stock Ruger 10-22, and are more accurate as well. Especially so with subsonic target ammo. Real Walnut stock, too. Here's a link to one for sale on GB: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=451403246. But, there are some good bolt action 22's which generally, for most shooters, promotes better marksmanship and making every shot count.
 
ironically, the only 22 rifle you'll find with a wood stock for less than $300 is a semi auto. the 22 does do a little better from a bolt gun, but not enough to really matter, most of it has to do with barrel length rather than the action type. if you want to play in the 22 semi auto world there are two makes and models that you really want to pick from, the Ruger 10/22 and the Marlin model 60. two completely different beasts.
the 10/22 has the advantage of detachable magazines and high capacity magazines, but many of the high capacity mags not made by ruger are prone to breaking down(plastic feed lips) or are just garbage to begin with(usually the magazines that are larger than 25 rounds). the marlin on the other hand has a tube magazine, 14 round capacity(older models have an 18 round tube).

the ruger has more of a reputation for reliability but due to the iffy quality of most 22 ammo anymore this is somewhat moot.

the Marlin has an 18 inch barrel where most 10/22s have 16 inch barrel, giving a very slight increase of velocity to the marlin

the ruger is shorter, the marlin is thinner.

personal experience with both is that the marlin can gum up pretty bad if you don't clean it right but is more accurate than the 10/22. with that said I can shoot the head off a grouse at 15 yards with the 10/22 so you can take that for what it's worth. I used to be able to shoot empty 22 casings with the marlin at 25 yards when I was younger, I probably couldn't replicate it now.
 
10/22 hands down. You will not have issues running them with standard velocity or subsonic 22s (Remington blue label or CCI Green Label, for example), but they will not cycle with CB caps. The 10/22 is a much better built gun than the Marlin 60, and the newer Marlins are not as good as the older ones.
 
Well, just yesterday, I was looking at a wood stocked Remington model 581, clip fed, bolt action 22 in nearly new condition for $150.00. I was tempted, but didn't buy. There were at least four 10-22's; the two cheapest were both $199.00; one of them had a plastic trigger guard, etc. The Rugers did not tempt me. Their best feature is that marvelous rotary magazine. Their other plus is that they are readily customized due to an incredible variety of after-market replacement parts. However, most of that stuff is a bunch of tacticool, "upgrades", that undermine the basic concept of a simple, reliable, solid, no frills 22 carbine for all around, general purposes. A basic, beater truck gun that just works. It always did need a better trigger. Maybe a better rear sight too. Except for the magazine, the Marlin 99M1 is a better rifle. For a newer Marlin, the model 795 is a similar format, but I think they have changed it up with a plastic trigger group and plastic stock, barf.... And if the trigger is like my buddy's new model 60, well, it ain't what they used to be. Just look for an older rifle in good condition; something from the '60's or '70's, perhaps. At the same shop, yesterday, they had my favorite, model 99M1, a pre '68, in, as new, pristine condition. I was truly tempted, but they wanted $299.00, and I already have a decent one. That model shoots really, really, well. For newer bolt 22's, the Marlin and the Savage both have good reputations for accuracy.
 
The marlin XT- 22 is a nice bolt action rifle with an adjustable trigger and is drilled and tapped for scope mounts or use the grooved tip off type if you wish. They come with 2 7rd magazines and can be had with some really nice looking stocks. I have a vintage weaver K6 on mine and is quite accurate at 50 yards with quality ammo. And acceptably accurate with most ammo. Not to mention its a larger rifle and fits my frame better than my 10-22. The new rugers come with a lot of plastic parts on them now with mediocre wood. I would opt for a used one if that was the rifle i chose to buy.
 
I have both a 10/22 and a Marlin 60. Both are great. I would choose the 10/22 over the 60 for a new gun. My 60 is a great rifle though. I cant really complain. I picked the 60 up at a gun show for $100 in very good condition. A 10/22 used goes for about $170 around here.

My favorite .22 rifle of the three I own is my old Ted Williams 3T(Winchester 109 maybe??). Most accurate of the three. It holds a 1" group at 100yds after thousands of rounds through it. I have owned the gun since I was 11, I'm 48 now
 
There are lots of used wooden stocked bolt action Remingtons and Winchesters in you price range that are typically better rifles than current offerings in the same price range.
 
Best combination of noise reduction,accuracy, and function is Remington C-Bee HP ammo. It most likely won't operate the 10/22(especially a new one not well broken in) but nothing wrong with a mag fed single shot for your purposes.
I use "low noise" ammo on the trap line and shoot 100's per year so I get more experience than most. Here's my list based on use in a well worn Ruger 22/45 pistol:
Rem C-Bee HP-Accurate, good noise reduction, good killer, won't operate action.
Win Low noise HP-Fairly accurate, good killer, slightly more umph than Rem and operates action about 40%(but you don't know which 40%).
Super Colibri-Most quiet, poor accuracy, lacks killing effect, doesn't feed well from magazine( I no longer use this ammo).
These are the only brands I've tried.
 
The only new bolt action $300 or less in a wood stock that I can find is the Savage Mark II G. Around $200. I have not seen the G(wood stock) but I had a Mark II in the composite (plastic) stock. It shot well for me. I had bought it for my wife, but she didn't like having to "load it" every shot (work the bolt) so I traded it on a 10/22 that she likes because she can just pull the trigger without having to load it. Bet you can't tell she doesn't shoot much. :rolleyes: I too am old school and would like to find a wood stocked, tube fed bolt action 22. That is what I spent many of my teen years shooting and I was a much better shot than my friends with autoloaders or even in some cases shotguns.

Of the 10/22 or the Marlin 60, I have both and like both. Both have their pros and cons and I can't say which one I like better. I also have the Henry lever 22 and the Henry pump action both of which I recommend you give at least a little consideration. The pump is more expensive. I paid $429 but I wanted a gun like my Grandpa had. It is not exactly the same. His was a Winchester 62 I think, but it is a pump with external hammer.

One other thing to consider is magazine capacity if detachable magazines are used. I personally prefer a minimum of 10 rounds per mag. Five or seven round mags in a 22 don't make much sense to me except for looks in the rifle. I liked the 10 round mags for the Savage because they were flat and easily carried in a shirt pocket.
 
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You can find the Zastava Z5 for around 299 in most gun shops, sometimes for less on sale. The stock patridge style sights are useable, but a low powered rimfire scope makes things a lot easier. Replacement magazines are a tad spendy though.

Jimro
 
IMO, one of the best all-around .22 rifles out there is the CZ452 (or newer 455) Training rifle, and would be ideal for small game hunting. The beech stock keep the price down, but it's built on the terrific 452 action and has great iron sights, so one could use them, or mount a scope. It comes with a 5-round mag, but 10-round mags are available, too. You can find them for few bucks over $300.
 
glenfield 25

I would suggest going with a used bolt fifle. FYI, my used rifles are not for sale. My Glenfield model 25 shoots better than I do. You can get one used for less than $200.00. The finish on the stock and steel are far superior to inexpensive rifles of today. An Ithica model 49 is a good shooter as well, if you don't mind single shot. Both of the rifles that I mentioned are from the late 60's or early 70's.
 
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