Which autoloading .22LR Rimfire?

S

SVTNate

New member
Last night I shot my first rifle - the classic Ruger 10/22. I had a ton of fun with the little guy! The range rental had poorly zeroed sights, so my groups were consistently off center but tight nontheless (at 25 yards).

So I've decided to pick up a .22 rifle for plinking and paper punching. I want an autoloader...I have been looking at the 10/22, but also the Marlins.

I want something that will be accurate out of the box, and reliable. I am willing to pay a little more, rather than customize down the road. I am a little confused about Marlin's "tube loaders" and "magazine loaders". Is it just personal preference, or is one more reliable/easier to clean/etc than the other?

I did a search for everything Marlin, but most of the posts I found were too advanced for me :)

I'm just a handgun-kinda guy who is new to rifles. Help me out!

Also, please direct me to any rifle cleaning and maintenance threads/sites where I can learn how to care for my new Rimfire.
 
SVTNate,
Check out my post in the Buy, Sell, Trade section. I have a custom 10/22 that is lots of fun, and it's for sale.
 
Ruger 10/22's are a standard by which all other .22 auto's seem to be measured. I really don't know anyone who doesn't speak highly of them.
One of the great things about them is with the world of accessories available. Can make your rifle into anything you want.
Take Care
 
Let's say that I did buy the 10/22, and decided to upgrade it in the future. Where would I buy parts, what are the most respectable brands, and where can I find a 'smith in my area to work on the gun?
 
I'll have to toss my hat in the 10/22 ring. I've had a ton of .22 auto-loaders, and my favorite has been the 10/22. Here's my latest 10/22...

86292_Ruger_10322.jpg
 
Check out sportables.com- they are here in Texas, and they specialize in 10/22s. They have the best of everything. It would be cheaper in the long run to just assemble a rifle from scratch rather than buy a stock rifle and replace all the parts with better ones. (or you could buy one from someone thats already assembled for less than you can put a new one together);)
 
This is a no-brainer...

Ruger 10/22 all the way! ;)

After all these years, still one of my favorite guns to shoot. I know you don't want to do much customization, but I would recommend getting an inexpensive scope for it (e.g., Bushnell SportView). The 10/22 is a tackdriver out-of-the-box and the scope allows you to realize its fullest "fun meter" potential.

Good luck!
 
I like the new Thompson Center the best of all... Check it out.

http://www.tcarms.com/tc22classic/

But, if you can find a customized 10/22 it can often be obtained for much less than the owner has paid for it. Last year I picked up one that cost the seller a little over $1,000 and after a couple of months in the local shop, I paid $375 for it. It shoots equally with the Thompson for me.

The nice thing about getting started with 10/22s is that you could fill a very large gun room with variations and add ons for the 10/22 alone. :)
 
My 10/22 hasn't been touched as far as upgrades go. It's got the stainless barrel in a synthetic stock, and I paid about $165 for it.

It's minute-of-soda-can out to 50 yards. :D
 
fireals,

The best part of my 10/22 is I bought it exactly that way for $300, the barrel would cost almost that much from Volquartsen! The only thing I did was spend $50 on a trigger job, and it's a real tack-driver. It easily shoots dime sized groups at 50 yards, which is as steady as I am capable of being, even from a rest. :)
 
That is wonderful John.

The customized 10/22s on the resale market are, in my mind, the most wonderful bargains in the gun shop. Great gun and bargain priced as a rule.

My son got a box of 10/22 stuff with one a couple of years ago; with a couple of target barells, three different folding stocks, lots of extra magazines, some target ammo, a couple of gun cases both short and long a couple of scopes a couple of extra after market adjustable sights, extra rings, and all kinds of stuff I don't recall, ohhh yeah some extra red-lip hi-cap magazines... five of them I think it was! All for $500 Ohhh yeah and it included the original stainless gun with the layered cammo wooden stock and a synthetic target stock with cheek piece.

The deals on custom 10/22s are cause for salivation!!!!!!!!!


They don't come around often but they do come around!
 
Thanks everybody.

The gun shop opens at 10AM, it's 8:45AM here. I'm going down there, cash in hand, and picking up a 10/22.

I've got a question, though - can I use the stock barrel with the Hogue stocks? I won't need to bother with an upgraded barrel, because I'm not planning on doing much shooting beyond 50 yards. I'd like the Hogue stock and the Volquartsen HP Action kit (probably the hammer and sear, also).
 
I agree with all the 10/22 comments above as I own 2 myself.
However, I would advise you to not contact Sportables for anything.
Either they have decided to go out of business or they feel that business is so good that they no longer need to answer phone calls and emails. I have been trying for over a month to contact them in reference to a 10/22 receiver I ordered. I have also heard from several others who are experiencing the same problem. Find yourself another dealer where your business is appreciated.
Oh Yeah, You'll want to buy lots and lots of ammo cause your gonna love shootin that little rifle.:)
 
I just got back, ordered a 10/22 in Stainless/synthetic for 200 bucks.

I was wondering how difficult it is to install the Hogue stock, and the Volquartsen action kit. Are these things I can do myself?
 
You should be able to handle both of those installations with little to no difficulty.

Congrats on your new rifle, and happy shooting! :D
 
SVTNate,

I'd recommend sending the trigger group to one of the many gunsmiths that will give it a nice trigger job for around $50. It's cheaper than buying the parts, and the results will be guaranteed. As far as what barrel is required for a given drop-in stock, you need to check the specific stock you're interested in to see if it's cut for the stock barrel, or a bull barrel. Many are cut for replacement barrels, so you'll have to check carefully before ordering.
 
As for the after market stocks. Any of them should work fine with your stock rifle. Mine is in a aftermarket stock that's cut for a .950" barrel. I have a REALLY floated barrel with my little stock stainless barrel in that big barrel channel. It shoots great and looks kinda neat at the same time.

Who are some of the smiths doing trigger jobs for $50? The last time I looked they were running over a $100 and there weren't but a couple doing them for that. Thanks for any info.
 
Well, I had Claude Gatewood do both of my 10-22 triggers, but I don't see that service listed on his website now. You might contact him and see if he still does them, the results were very nice, and the price was right.
 
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