Looking for a .22 rifle need opinions

PIRANHA · Oct 16, 2013

I recently got the itch to get a rifle for plinking and have been looking into a few rifles mainly the S&W 15-22 because I hear great things about it, however I am on a tight budget currently an 500+ is out of the question. What other .22 rifles are out there that are inexpensive and fun to shoot? I'm thinking Ruger 10/22 but am clueless at this point, any help is appreciated.

Thanks

Hit and Run · Oct 16, 2013

10/22 is good rifle and well within your price range

hvymax · Oct 16, 2013

Rem 597 and Marlins are amazing values and some of the best shooters out of the box. The 10-22 can turn into anything you can imagine when funds allow. They are better than Barbies er GI Joes.

budman93 · Oct 16, 2013

cz 513 basic or a savage mkII. Both are very inexpensive and very accurate.

Kman · Oct 16, 2013

Marlin 795 for about $150.

Add tech sights for $70ish, for real plinking fun.

joppaj · Oct 16, 2013

Semi-auto, bolt, lever action?

For a semi, I like the 10-22 and Marlin 60. The Marlin is tube fed, the 10-22 uses detachable mags.

For levers, the Marlin 39A is the industry standard, Henry produces at least two more.

For bolts, I like the Savage Mark II series.

All of those guns have LONG track records of happy users.

DC-W · Oct 16, 2013

It's impossible to go wrong with a 10/22.

IMO however, try not to spend too much on modifying one down the line if you're on a budget. They're only $200-$250 and are excellent for what they are out of the box.

mbz300sdl · Oct 16, 2013

For me a Semi 10/22 or 15-22
Lever Henry
Bolt 77/22, Savage MKII or CZ

Mooseman · Oct 16, 2013

Go to Walmart and get a Ruger 10/22. They are great shooters. I, myself, own four of them.

photoracer · Oct 16, 2013

10/22 at $233 at WM or Rem 597 at $167 at WM. Marlin 60 is also a good rifle.

PIRANHA · Oct 16, 2013

I think I'm going to look into a Ruger 10/22 it seems to be a good value for the money, what kind of range would it have and what mods would you recommend? I like a challenge and that's why I want a .22 rifle for 100 yard target shooting. Also I want semiauto and mag fed.

hvymax · Oct 16, 2013

PIRANHA said:
I think I'm going to look into a Ruger 10/22 it seems to be a good value for the money, what kind of range would it have and what mods would you recommend? I like a challenge and that's why I want a .22 rifle for 100 yard target shooting. Also I want semiauto and mag fed.

Still needs a Tac Sol barrel

glock9mm · Oct 16, 2013

You can't go wrong with a 10/22.

Mooseman · Oct 16, 2013

If you are looking for a challenge, the 10/22 may be wrong for you. They practically shoot themselves.

SS396 · Oct 16, 2013

As far as semi-autos go, the Ruger 10/22 would be my first choice. I have two. The one I just bought has never jammed once out of about 1000 rounds. I did buy a Marlin model 60 last year (stainless) and really like that too. I actually like the "feel" of the Marlin a little better. The only problem was some jamming until I got about 700 rounds through it. I lubricate it with dry graphite lube so that it doesn't collect powder, etc., and use quality ammo.

A bolt action has no jamming issues and will shoot many different types of .22rounds where a semi-auto may not. Sometimes standard or sub-sonic ammo wont work the action on a semi-auto. My son has the Marlin XT-22 bolt action. Nice rifle.

Maverick0313 · Oct 16, 2013

Ruger 10/22....

PIRANHA · Oct 16, 2013

hvymax said:
Still needs a Tac Sol barrel

What is done to that 10/22 and what is the base model? I looked on rivers site and there are a number of 10/22 models. I don't know what to look into in the 10/22, are they all the same and just different colors? Or am I missing something?

wt71 · Oct 16, 2013

I like my Henry....

Udon · Oct 16, 2013

joppaj said:
Semi-auto, bolt, lever action?

For a semi, I like the 10-22 and Marlin 60. The Marlin is tube fed, the 10-22 uses detachable mags.

For levers, the Marlin 39A is the industry standard, Henry produces at least two more.

For bolts, I like the Savage Mark II series.

All of those guns have LONG track records of happy users.

Totally Agree in this list and also Marlin 795. Henry Lever Action is awesome.

For really Budget, Marlin 60 or Marlin 795 can't go wrong. Both can get for less than $150 and can out shoot anything in it class out of the box without Mod.

My first rifle is Marlin 795 and I still have it and now got new stock.

new_shooter · Oct 16, 2013

Since you asked for opinions:

Ruger 10/22 and Marlin 60 are classic choices, especially if you want a semi auto.

Marlin 60 is tube fed. If you want something similar, but with a box magazine rather than a tube, there's the Marlin 795.

Alternatives to the Ruger 10/22 is a 10/22 with mods. There are no end to the aftermarket mods for the 10/22.

Remington 597's are a roll of the dice. Some people love theirs and say they've had zero problems. Others call theirs a jam-o-matic. Very affordable, though, and if they work I hear they are very accurate. Make sure you buy with a good return policy, just in case.

If you aren't hard set on a semi auto, I suggest a lever action, either a Henry or Marlin. Lever actions are far more fun than you expect them to be. The Marlin 39a is super solid. Low end Henrys are less expensive and shoot fine. (LOVE mine.) But they don't feel as rock solid as the marlin. (I can't speak about the higher end Henrys. It's a good company so I'd almost assume they are fine.)

Looking for a .22 rifle need opinions

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