first rifle...dare I go hardcore?

D

deucelee

New member
EXPERIENCE:
This is my 2nd year going squirrel hunting with my old man. I've been using his regular Ruger 10/22. He also has a 10/22WMR from the early 2000's. Both fine guns. Basically I've been doing a lot of reading online but I'm still a gun newb.

WAS CONSIDERING:
For starting out, I was highly considering the Marlin 60 (cheap $160'ish) and the Deluxe 10/22 ($285'ish). I was leaning towards the 10/22.

NOW CONSIDERING:
I've been talking with several people on guns. Seems like if you buy a nice quality gun, and something that's actually desirable, the value is unlikely to go down that much over time. My dad's 10/22 WMR was bought for $425 and could probably sell for $800 easy right now. It's in mint condition. I'm not saying I'm going to buy a gun to resell later to profit from. Its just nice to know that a good gun should hold its value.

Right now I'm considering a bolt action Ruger 77/22.

It's $652, over 2x the price of the 10/22. Affordability isn't a huge issue. I can reasonably afford it. I'm not saying I'm a baller and $652 is pocket change. It does kind of hurt. But I'd rather buy something I don't regret and really like.

The thing is I keep hearing from people that eventually they grew up from a 22LR and wanted a 22WMR. I figure if I get the WMR right away, I don't have to waste that money on the 22LR. Kind of bugs me that the bullets will be 4x the price but I can reasonably afford it. I make decent dough.

What would you guys do? thoughts? anything else I should consider for under $700 that would be as nice as the 77/22? or say screw it and just get the 10/22?
 
$650 for a squirrel gun? :eek:

I'd go with the much cheaper 10/22 or Marlin. It will kill squirrels and punch holes in paper just as well as a .22 magnum.

You also have to consider demand when you think about resale value. Not many people are likely to line up for a used $500 .22 rifle. The 10/22 or Marlin will sell any day of the week, however, and you'll get a good bit of your money back.

If your gut is craving the 77/22 then by all means go ahead and buy it. But if you just want a decent rifle that will knock down fluffy critters, there are many cheaper options worth considering.
 
You definitely would not regret the 77/22, they are amazing shooters. That said, a good 10/22 will shoot as well as a 77/22. If you are just lusting for the 77/22, go for it, otherwise get a 10/22 and a good quality aftermarket barrel and have the best of both worlds.
 
thanks scorch..that's a good point...i do kind of lust for it, but i know the 10/22 has a whole world of aftermarket parts and a new barrel could help me with that extra distance
 
" My dad's 10/22 WMR was bought for $425 and could probably sell for $800 easy right now. It's in mint condition."

If and only if you find somebody who wants one. And what happens to this $800 value if demand persuades Ruger to produce a new run? IOW, "Don't count your chickens before they are hatched."

If your primary interests are squirrel hunting and plinking, there are multitudes of rifles which will work just fine--and don't cost the proverbial arm and a leg.
 
isn't a .22 WMR a bit overkill for squirrels? I figure a .22 WMR would be sufficient for larger critters, like raccoons or skunks but not small rodents.

as for value, this is something you'll have to figure out on your own. do you intend on keeping the .22 for the rest of your life? Or do you plan on selling it at some foreseable date in the future? I'm of the opinion that if you were to spend extra money on a gun then you should hold onto it for life, regardless of the value attached to it. a cheaper gun would pretty much only serve as a beater gun for me. I just bought a Winchester 9422 because they continue to go up in price. I have no intention of getting rid of it unless I was absolutely desparate for cash. if I wanted an economy .22 i'd go with the basic Henry .22, well, because it is a cheap gun and I doubt i'd lose much sleep if I beat the heck out of it.
 
Nothing wrong with Ruger's rotary mag bolt guns, but the 10/22 is really an amazing gun, with an amazing price... I love mine, two barrels, two stocks, a scope that is within an inch with the barrel change, and 22LR is so cheap it makes me FEEL like a baller, thousands of rounds literally ARE pocket change.
 
Yeah, it's hard to go wrong with a 10/22. But, there is a certain panache in using a fine bolt-rifle for squirrel hunting.
 
art eatman, i'm just basing what i said on what i'm seeing at gunbroker.com

gaseousclay, yeah i'm' planning on keeping it for a while...lifetime if i can help it.

for the folks suggesting the 10/22, yeah i hear you. looks like a killer gun for the money..
 
I got a Mossberg plinkster 702 as a first .22 and it's been great for that. I'll probably gig it to my kid as his first gun and get a 10/22 for myself. They are a go to .22 for just about anything. Don't get the mag, no need.
 
funny you mentioned that ozarkrecluse

after reading what you guys are saying and some PM's from some awesome folks here, you guys convinced me. go 22LR now and maybe get a WMR in the future as a addition since I won't want to let my 22LR go at that time.

after reading the forums, i'm considering a CZ455 ($362) since it's only $80 more then the 10/22 deluxe model ($286).

ozarkrecluse, that 453 that you mention seems to be close to $500 so I'll probably be satisfied enough with the 455

any other thoughts on a excellent rifle for under $400, let me know. thanks.
 
I question the need or even desire for a .22mag for squirrel hunting, you can kill squirrels with .22 shorts or even the more powerful air rifles. Also, .22 mag ammo is so expensive that you may as well reload .22 Hornet ammo.

If you want a fine bolt action rifle, get one in .22 LR, there's nothing wrong with using .22 LR Anschutz for squirrel hunting.
 
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