Bamashooter
New member
My 10/22 didnt require any tinkering to shoot accurately. It was a dandy right out of the box. YMMV
Marlin 60 or Ruger 10 22
- Thread starter Pukindog12
- Start date
Over the years I've owned many 10/22's. Only one was good to go from the box. But that was back in the late 70's. I bought 'em to fool around with 'em after all the aftermarket parts started showing up.
I also own 4 Marlin 60's. If all you are after is a rifle to take out of the box, sight it in and go hunting or plinking, then the Marlin is a much better deal for you. It's accurate enough to go out and play right away with. If you ever plan on "gee, wish I could do this or that to the rifle, then it'd be perfect" then go with the Ruger.
Either way, you'll have fun just shooting.
I also own 4 Marlin 60's. If all you are after is a rifle to take out of the box, sight it in and go hunting or plinking, then the Marlin is a much better deal for you. It's accurate enough to go out and play right away with. If you ever plan on "gee, wish I could do this or that to the rifle, then it'd be perfect" then go with the Ruger.
Either way, you'll have fun just shooting.
Marlin 60
I currently have three Marlin 60's. One of the early models, a mid-80s, and a recent 2004 production. I've owned two 10/22s and have sold them both.
The Marlins stick around because they're easy to use, easy to clean, and wicked accurate. My father and I both routinely put federal junk rounds into the 8" ring at 100 yards. The Marlins will eat all the 22lr I've ever thrown into them, and I only clean them when the bolt starts getting stiff (still feeding and shooting though).
Buying a speedloader for tube feed 22s isn't a big deal: http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/GNS120-1.html It's backordered right now, but they should have them back in shortly.
I may be the exception, but the 10/22s are finnicky re: ammo, as is my 22/45 for that matter. In 22s, I want something that will eat anything (in terms of ammo), take squirrels and rabbits as needed, and be reliable and fun to shoot. My 60s do this easily and have since I was a teenager. Ruger 10/22 or 22/45--not so much. But the rugers are great for dressing up and going on a date I suppose...
I currently have three Marlin 60's. One of the early models, a mid-80s, and a recent 2004 production. I've owned two 10/22s and have sold them both.
The Marlins stick around because they're easy to use, easy to clean, and wicked accurate. My father and I both routinely put federal junk rounds into the 8" ring at 100 yards. The Marlins will eat all the 22lr I've ever thrown into them, and I only clean them when the bolt starts getting stiff (still feeding and shooting though).
Buying a speedloader for tube feed 22s isn't a big deal: http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/GNS120-1.html It's backordered right now, but they should have them back in shortly.
I may be the exception, but the 10/22s are finnicky re: ammo, as is my 22/45 for that matter. In 22s, I want something that will eat anything (in terms of ammo), take squirrels and rabbits as needed, and be reliable and fun to shoot. My 60s do this easily and have since I was a teenager. Ruger 10/22 or 22/45--not so much. But the rugers are great for dressing up and going on a date I suppose...
Pukindog12
New member
Marlin won!
Yesterday I went out and purchased a Model 60SB stainless with a walnut finished laminated hardwood stock at Wally World. Along with it came a 4x20 scope. Looks like this one - http://www.smsguns.com/marlin_model_60 SS.htm
Took it out shooting with my brother in law, who coincidentally owns a Ruger 10 22 so he brought it along, and I couldn't be happier. I put around 150 rounds down range going from 25 yds to 75 yds. I sighted the cheap 4x20 scope in at 50 yds and I was keeping up with his Ruger with a good 3x9 scope.
For comparison I shot his Ruger also and I didn't care for the trigger or the box magazine compared to the Marlin. (That's not a slight against the Ruger because it is a great weapon but just my personal preference.) His is "out of box" stock with the exception of the scope. I did like his scope so this is a reminder to me to get a better scope.
As far as accuracy goes I'd state they were equal. But FWIW his Ruger has many more rounds through it along with the help of a much better scope.
All in all I am very satisfied with my purchase. I think this rifle will give me many years of unblemished service as long as I do my part.
And many thanks for the suggestions and invaluable advice. Much appreciated!!!
Yesterday I went out and purchased a Model 60SB stainless with a walnut finished laminated hardwood stock at Wally World. Along with it came a 4x20 scope. Looks like this one - http://www.smsguns.com/marlin_model_60 SS.htm
Took it out shooting with my brother in law, who coincidentally owns a Ruger 10 22 so he brought it along, and I couldn't be happier. I put around 150 rounds down range going from 25 yds to 75 yds. I sighted the cheap 4x20 scope in at 50 yds and I was keeping up with his Ruger with a good 3x9 scope.
For comparison I shot his Ruger also and I didn't care for the trigger or the box magazine compared to the Marlin. (That's not a slight against the Ruger because it is a great weapon but just my personal preference.) His is "out of box" stock with the exception of the scope. I did like his scope so this is a reminder to me to get a better scope.
As far as accuracy goes I'd state they were equal. But FWIW his Ruger has many more rounds through it along with the help of a much better scope.
All in all I am very satisfied with my purchase. I think this rifle will give me many years of unblemished service as long as I do my part.
And many thanks for the suggestions and invaluable advice. Much appreciated!!! Glad you are enjoying your Marlin 60 
Here's my pages of Marlin 60/795 accessories.
http://www.gunandgame.com/forums/marlin/82869-marlin-60-795-accessories.html
Best single item you can get for a Marlin 60??
A Spee-d-loader
http://www.spee-d-loader.net/Loaders.html
Once you get the hang of the Spee-D-Loader, you can reload faster than most 1022 owners...
which also has the benefit of making them wonder why you are shooting faster & more precisely
Here's my pages of Marlin 60/795 accessories.
http://www.gunandgame.com/forums/marlin/82869-marlin-60-795-accessories.html
Best single item you can get for a Marlin 60??
A Spee-d-loader
http://www.spee-d-loader.net/Loaders.html
Once you get the hang of the Spee-D-Loader, you can reload faster than most 1022 owners...
which also has the benefit of making them wonder why you are shooting faster & more precisely
I've shot both, and I highly prefer the 10/22. I'd not even consider the Remington mentioned earlier in this thread. It's not even in the same league as the other two.
I wanted to touch down on a few points.
That being said, the trigger on the 10/22's I've shot have been far from great. They have also been heavy and had a long pull. However, I personally prefer them to the Marlin 60's I've shot. So I guess this is a personal preference. Both need a trigger job out of the box imo.
All that being said, the Marlin 60's have been slightly more accurate on average out of the box than the 10/22's I've shot. However, the 10/22's haven't been any slouch in the accuracy department. With modifications the 10/22 can be made to be a lot more accurate.
The biggest thing I dislike about the Marlin 60 and what ruins it from being a great rifle imo is the crappy scope rails being built on. I absolutely hate that style scope rail and since it's built onto the gun you are forced to use them. I've found quite often when using that style setup the rings like to slide on the rails after repeated use. This doesn't help that there are a ton of recent reports of these rails being cut so they aren't straight which magnifies this problem. Since Remington took over it seems the quality of these has suffered.
On the 10/22 you can use whatever style scope base you'd like.
I wanted to touch down on a few points.
While I don't really like the 10/22 trigger much at all, every Marlin 60 I've shot has been 10x worse. The triggers on the ones I've shot have been absolutely horrible. They have had a ton of travel in them before they break, they have felt gritty, and they have been heavy.
That being said, the trigger on the 10/22's I've shot have been far from great. They have also been heavy and had a long pull. However, I personally prefer them to the Marlin 60's I've shot. So I guess this is a personal preference. Both need a trigger job out of the box imo.
This is also a personal preference. The advantage to the 10/22 here is it's safe to dry fire, while most rifle manufacturers say don't dry fire rimfire rifles if they have a bolt hold open feature. I'd personally rather be able to dry fire it, but some others would rather it hold the bolt open.
All that being said, the Marlin 60's have been slightly more accurate on average out of the box than the 10/22's I've shot. However, the 10/22's haven't been any slouch in the accuracy department. With modifications the 10/22 can be made to be a lot more accurate.
The biggest thing I dislike about the Marlin 60 and what ruins it from being a great rifle imo is the crappy scope rails being built on. I absolutely hate that style scope rail and since it's built onto the gun you are forced to use them. I've found quite often when using that style setup the rings like to slide on the rails after repeated use. This doesn't help that there are a ton of recent reports of these rails being cut so they aren't straight which magnifies this problem. Since Remington took over it seems the quality of these has suffered.
On the 10/22 you can use whatever style scope base you'd like.
Good choice and good to hear you are happy with it. You definitely need to upgrade the scope. For general use, a 3-9 is a pretty good choice. If you decide to go higher, I would definitely consider an adjustable objective.
Imo, the Marlin is the better choice stock while the Ruger has pretty much an endless number of upgrades available. I have both and I would give the edge in accuracy to the Marlin but I think the biggest difference is how easy it is to reload the Marlin's tube magazine. As far as the triggers, they aren't that bad for an out of the box 22 but like most stock triggers, they aren't that good either.
Imo, the Marlin is the better choice stock while the Ruger has pretty much an endless number of upgrades available. I have both and I would give the edge in accuracy to the Marlin but I think the biggest difference is how easy it is to reload the Marlin's tube magazine. As far as the triggers, they aren't that bad for an out of the box 22 but like most stock triggers, they aren't that good either.
Average Joe
New member
I had both, now I only have the Ruger. I think its a better rifle.
Stevie-Ray
New member
I have an old Glenfield that was superbly accurate in it's day, and that was with the irons. I also have a Ruger 10/22, but have not yet fired it, even though it's from 1967. I've also not fired the 60 since around 1970 or so. (Long story) So I can't really comment on which I'd prefer except get both. Barring that, I don't think you could go wrong with either.