Bolt or Semi .22 Rifle

It's hard beat a semiauto like a 10/22 for plinking fun but right out of the box a good bolt action like a CZ455 or a CZ453 is generally (unless you get a lemon) far more accurate. Either will work fine for hunting. The 10/22 will allow follow up shots while the CZ455 can be ordered in a single caliber or with interchangeable barrels in 22LR, 22MWMR, and 17HMR. The best choice is the one that fits your needs. :D

FWIW a 10/22 can be modified to be just as accurate as a CZ but it takes time, money, and work.
 
Hunting only? Either. But toss in a sort of range time and bolt action rimfires are boring as hell. Another vote for the 10/22.
 
usually your bolts tend to be more accurate. The marlin 60 is a great gun but the trigger is crap and its hard to do a trigger job on it if you arent pretty mechanically inclined (ton of pieces in the trigger group). Marlin 25 is a great cheap bolt action, and your savage mk2 can be had under 200$ as well, with the accutrigger no less.
 
I've got both but actually prefer the bolt. One reason is that I can shoot CB cap shorts out of the bolt. Those things are only as loud as a pellet gun and are deadly on tree rats out to about 20 yds (i.e. they are perfect for culling the excess population in my back yard).
 
I also have both, plus have had others. I am not a die hard 10/22 fan, the factory stocks simply don't fit me, but with a scope or replacement stock/sights they are fine. I prefer a full sized rifle like a bolt action, Savage, Ruger, Marlin, CZ all make perfectly good ones price and features vary. There are some advantages to each, and at times an autoloader can be very handy squirrell hunting but I find the bolt actions, or lever action Marlins to be my favorite. Everybody has different tastes, handle several and see which one speaks to you.
 
Well after looking around I have narrowed it down between a Savage Mark II or a Marlin XT-22. Any opinions on either?
 
Marlin 795 can compete with the CZ bolt

At the budget you mentioned, I think a Marlin 795 is the way to go. I have both that and a CZ 455 American. I qualified with them both at Appleseed. I haven't done a detailed accuracy comparison with best ammo for each, but they are in the neighborhood. I think I can get a dime sized 5-shot group at 50 yards with either from prone if they are getting the right ammo. Should get you going until you scrounge up $2k for an Anschutz or something. :D

I think you could get a 795 with scope, base and rings for what you were budgeted, but the glass would be nothing special. 4x magnification is all you need (probably) out to 50, maybe 100.
 
If you just want to plink and have fun, possibly some pelt conservative small game hunting, I would recommend a ruger 10/22. The semi auto nature allows you to have some fun and do things you cannot with a bolt, and you could even do some woods walks/run n guns with it. Just be safe and know your target and beyond.

However if accuracy, hunting, and a bolt action is desired, I would say get a good .17 hmr. You can find them for the same price as a 10/22. The ammunition is slightly more 10$/50 rounds, but it is much much more accurate, powerful, and flatter. For me 100 rounds of .17 hmr lasts as long as a box of 500 .22lr would last me with my ruger.

I personally just got bored with my 10/22. I threw a lot of rounds through it, but over the course of a year I began greatly out shooting what my gun could deliver, and traded it in for the .17 hmr.
 
I have to agree with jimmythegeek on the Marlin 795. It is as accurate, many say more accurate, than the 10/22 out of the box and the 10/22 is out of the OP's price range even before you get it out of the box. You can put a scope on the 795 or a set of peep sights (ex: Tech Sights) for less than $200.

$125 (795) + 60 (Tech Sights) + 15 (sling) + 5 (elbow pads) + 20 (bulk box of ammo) + 20 (RWVA membership) + 80 (local Appleseed weekend) = $325.

If there is a more accurate setup and the training to make proper use of a semi-auto then I would sure like to know about it.

NRA Life Member
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"There are some ideas so preposterous that only an intellectual will believe them." - Malcolm Muggeridge
 
I have to retract and amend my boast - quarter size @50yds

At least today. No wind to blame it on, either. My rear tech sight worked its way off, too.
 
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