Questions about small game rifle

A

Atroxus

New member
I am thinking about getting a .22 caliber rifle for hunting small game such as squirrels or rabbits. I want something that is accurate enough to get teh job done, and reasonably reliable. I need to keep costs as low as possible though. I saw a Marlin 60 with wood stock, stainless barrel, and 4x20 scope at a local gun shop for $150. It is used but in good condition. Should I jump on it at that price, or are there better rifles available for similar price?

I am also curious about sighting in a .22 intended for small game. What range should I zero it in at, and will I have to adjust point of aim anywhere from 25-100 yards, or will that be short enough range to not have to worry about it?
 
If you zero your .22LR for 50 yards it will be 7-8 inches low at 100 yards.
If you zero it at 100 yards it will be about 4" high at 50 yards.

A 50 yard zero will keep the bullet within half an inch of the line of sight from 10 yards out to maybe 60 yards.
A 75 yard zero will put the bullet about 1.5" high at 50 yards, and about 3" low at 100 yards.

I think I'd probably pick a zero distance of somewhere between 50 and 60 yards and then do some shooting to determine at what distance the rounds start dropping half an inch below the line of sight. That would be my maximum range for taking a shot assuming I could still make decent groups at that distance from field shooting positions.
 
I'm with John on the zero, except I shoot Stingers so 1.5 high at 50, should be about 1 1/2 low at 100, IIRC.

I've never heard of Optronics scopes. A quick search tells me that they're right about in line with price and quality of other low-end companies, like Tasco. They seem to get good reviews, but the reviews are all so similar that it makes me think that they're put there by an insider.
 
How would I go about checking the bore on a marlin 60. Would I have to hold it up to a light with the barrel pointed at my eyeball? Or would I have to take it apart? Not sure how the employees at the gun shop would feel about the latter, and I am not sure how I feel about the former. ;)
 
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Seems as I recall sighting it at 16 yards puts the bullet right on again at 50 yards. I understand note all ammo is created equal.
 
I would jump on the Marlin 60 but I am predisposed to think that way because my 40+ year old gun still shoots minute of squirrel at 100 yards even though I never shoot at one much past 50'. Line of sight problem in the woods and no shooting bench to prop my gun on make the difference. Zero at 50 yards then shoot at 75 and 100. in my gun there is a 4" difference between 50 and 100, your ammo brand needs to be tested by you in your gun. Then note it but unlikely you will be shooting much game at that distance. I do recommend practicing at 100 just because it is fun and it makes you work hard to make your shots, your close in shooting will get better because of it.
 
well..........

Marlin 60's are hit or miss on reliability in my experience. Some run, and some don't. The price seems high to me also. I'm thinkin' you can get a Ruger 10/22, new for less than $200 still????? No scope, but you can buy a scope to suit at your leisure.

And 10/22's work, they're fans are legion. Later if you want, you can customize to your hearts content, accessories are abundant.

There was an advertising slogan a few years back "you might as well start with what you'll end up with." You won't regret a Ruger 10/22.
 
I did some pricing on new guns yesterday. The cheapest I was able to find a new Marlin 60 was $147 at walmart, cheapest new ruger 10/22 was $237. Both without scopes. So I am leaning heavily toward the marlin. Now I find myself waffling on whether to get new or used. I figure with decent scope a new Marlin 60 would only cost me around $40 dollars more than the used one I saw the other day.
 
I would go new as well... I prefer a tube magazine over box magazines. Seems every time I set up for a rested shot, the mag on my savage is in the way.

I loved my marlin 60.

As for a scope, I use my Daisey 3-9. It holds a decent zero for under 50 bucks, has been in a roll over SUV crash that cracked the synthetic stock on my Savage and was still minute of critter.

Here are the current offerings from Daisy/Winchester.
http://daisy.com/shopping/customer/home.php?cat=263
Good luck and happy hunting...
Brent
 
I am not sure about the price. Shots around here are close, and with a .22 most folks are dead on at 50 yards, and can figure out the closer or farther shots. Whats nice about them even sighting them in is that they are cheap. Thats the fun being able to play around with them, and find out what you like.
 
There's nothing wrong with a Marlin model 60. I bought mine nearly 30 years ago, and while I have no idea how many thousands of rounds have been shot through it, it still shoots fine. It's also the first and only .22 LR I've ever bought new.

On new VS used; I've never seen a shot out barrel on a .22 LR. I have firearms chambered in .22 LR that date back to the 1930's and 1940's, and they still work and shoot fine.

Mine work better than some of the newer ones I've tried. Way too much plastic in the new ones for my taste.

To inspect the bore, first open the action, and then run a cleaning rod through to make sure the chamber is empty (or, look into the chamber area, or feel it with your finger if you're familiar enough wtih firearms to know what you're looking/feeling for). Then with the action open, put a piece of white paper or a cleaning patch against the "bolt face", and let the light from a window, overhead light, or flashlight shine on the white object. The "shine" off of the white will light up the bore so you can see any rust, pitting, or other problems that might be there.

And I wouldn't pay more than $100-$120 for a used model 60. They're out there for that price if you look around a bit. Maybe make 'em an offer and see if they'll deal with you.

The scope is next to worthless if it has a 1/2" tube on it. Put a scope on it with a regular 1" tube and you won't regret it.

Daryl
 
Used I wouldn't touch it. The scope is crap and will be very dim and used Marlin 60's are usually for sale for a reason. I hear stories all the time about Marlin 60's still running after 1000's of rounds but I've never seen one do it. Of all the used Marlin 60's I've seen purchased, none ran worth a spit.

Around here, used Marlin 60's go for between $50 and $100. At $150, you can almost get a new one and for $50 more you can get a 10/22. SAvage should also have something in the price range you are looking at.

LK
 
I am thinking if I can sell my Sig Mosquito I will just get a new marlin. Walmart has them for $147 new with no scope.
 
Well I took my Sig Mosquito and traded it in at a local gun store. They ordered me a new Marlin model 60, and sold me a Bushnell 3-9x 32mm scope. Only cost me $9.75 out of pocket. :D Now I just gotta wait a week or so for the gun to arrive. It's gonna be a looong week though, I am not known for patience. ;)
 
Well I sighted in my new rifle and scope today, and I was pretty happy with the results. I only fired 80 rounds though because it was an outdoor range and temp was near freezing. I was shooting off a bench at 50 yards. Below are pics of my best 5 shot group. Does that look good enough to hunt squirrels, rabbits, and maybe raccoons?




 
Considering the "vital zone" on a small grey is 1.75-2 inch... Looks like "minute 'o tree rat" to me...:D
Brent
 
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