Best 22LR for plinking.

S

SeR_Cyclops

Inactive
I am looking for the best affordable 22lr for shooting around the farm. I am just wanting it to go back to the back of the field and shoot still targets. I want reliability, accuracy, and affordability all in one. I don't care if its lever action, bolt action or auto loading. I was looking at the Ruger 1022 and some other guns. Just want to see what you all thought I should look at before I make a purchase.
 
There are plenty of good guns out there that wont break the bank.
ruger 10/22
henry lever action
mossberg plinkster
marlin model 60 & 795
savage mk2
H&R & Rossi single shot
I have owned or do still own most of these guns and some were better than others but for the most part all were inexpensive and functioned well.
 
While the marlin 60 and the ruger 10/22 are great rifles, the accuracy doesn't even compare with a Savage Mark II. For the money, you will not find anything more accurate. Out of the box, you get a pillar bedded action, free floated barrel, and an adjustable trigger. Who else does that? Not the model 60 nor the 10/22. You really get more than you pay for with Savage. I'm sure someone will come along and mention the CZ's and the Anschutz but I wouldn't consider them affordable. Whats your price range?
 
Another vote for the Ruger 10/22 if you want an auto. Buy a bare bones model for ~$200 and enjoy it. For a bolt action the Savage is hard to beat dollar for dollar.
 
Another vote for everyone's suggestion Marlins, Rugers. You can't go wrong with the Ruger 10/22 - go from a nice cheap plinker to a high end precision shooter with a wide array of accessories.
 
IMHO, the CZ 452 has the best iron sights for the buck. If irons aren't high on your priority, go for the Savage MK II.
 
The only 22 I have never owned is a bolt action. I really should get one.

What I DO have that shoots really well is a Marlin 39A. I have had some work done on the trigger and put a Weaver K6 on it. I gave my old 1022 to my son. It has an old steel tube Weaver K4.

Both rifles are really fun to shoot.

Geetarman:D
 
10-22 or the model 60; I give the edge in accuracy to the Marlin if the Ruger is left with the stock barrel. The 10-22 has so many possibilities mod wise. Either will serve well in stock condition.
 
Two most accurate and fun to shoot I have ever owned are the T/C Classic semi-auto, and Marlin 39A.

I sold the the Ruger 10/22 because I could drive tacks with it off the bench but when it came to off hand, I should have thrown rocks. That short carbine just didn't work for me.

Now, if you want a gun to 'tinker toy' and spend a ton of $ customizing, get a 10/22 and hope it fits you.:D
 
There are so many .22s out there that are good for plinkin it's not even funny. Much of the choice comes down to personal taste and to en extent, whats sitting on the gun store rack when you go shopping. What kind a plinkin? Rolling cans at 20 yards or shooting golf balls at 100? If you like the former that cries for a semi or to a lesser extent a lever gun. If you want precision that cries for a bolt action. Do you want cheap and reliable, mid priced and reliable or ................. The options go on and on.

Under $200:
Marlin 60/795
Lower end Savage bolts
Lower end Marlin bolts

$200-$300:
10/22
Basic Henry lever action
Upper end Marlin bolts

$300 on up:
Marlin lever action
CZ
T/C
Higher end Savages
Higher end Henry lever action.

Sure I've missed many many good choices but to me things start with the Ruger 10/22 and if I wanted a boltgun the upper end Savage bolt guns are nice. But for the most part you get what you pay for. It may only be in fit and finish but it usually translates into longevity too.

LK
 
I'm confused

What makes the 10/22 so great? I've owned 3 and while they are fun, as fun as ANY semi auto .22, to claim their accurate is just a farce. One of the 3 had a custom barrel and the best I could do on a bench was 1 inch at 50. Not bad but definately not something I would call a tack driver. I've also had several friends with them that did no better than I. While there are rare exceptions, ANY bolt action .22 is going to be more accurate than ANY semi. If you want accuracy, you want a bolt action. If you want to put lots of lead down range fast, get the 10/22. I see no practical purpose for the latter.
 
What makes the 10/22 so great? I've owned 3 and while they are fun, as fun as ANY semi auto .22, to claim their accurate is just a farce.
Click to expand...

I've got one with a Butler Creek barrel/Hogue stock combo I paid 150 for. I added a Power Custom hammer sear kit for 30 bucks. It was my first experience with any sort of customization.

This a a 50 yard group.

10-22group.jpg


Pretty accurate for the money spent.
 
What makes the 10/22 so great? I've owned 3 and while they are fun, as fun as ANY semi auto .22, to claim their accurate is just a farce. One of the 3 had a custom barrel and the best I could do on a bench was 1 inch at 50. Not bad but definately not something I would call a tack driver. I've also had several friends with them that did no better than I. While there are rare exceptions, ANY bolt action .22 is going to be more accurate than ANY semi. If you want accuracy, you want a bolt action. If you want to put lots of lead down range fast, get the 10/22. I see no practical purpose for the latter.
Click to expand...

10/22s are winning matches all over the country and your comment about semi's vs. bolts is way too broad. I have two stock barreled 10/22s that will shoot 1.25" groups at 50 yards with HUNTING GRADE AMMO. I put a green mountain barrel on one of them and the groups actually opened up with the same ammo. I haven't run it thru it's paces with target ammo yet to see what it will do but just putting a barrel on doesn't guarantee 50 yard bug holes.

Also the post was about a "plinking" .22 not a target gun. Like I indicated in my previous post, plinkin can mean different things to different folks. Some want to throw lead, others want target guns, still others want something in between. Most folk want to throw lead with a reasonable amount of accuracy in a plinkin gun and that's why a 10/22 IS A TOP PICK. But for the record, a properly set up 10/22 will blow the doors off of a lot of bolt guns. And it doesn't take a $1000 either like some folks think. More like $200 - $250and some elbow grease.

LK
 
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