Thinking about getting a .22

What do you want out of your purchase: A fun gun to play around with; a laser-accurate tack-driver; or a sturdy hunting rifle for grouse, gophers or whatever else you have around your area?

Figure out what you want it for, then start compiling a list. Most rifles can fit two of those criteria, very few can fit all three.
 
I'd start with a bolt-action if I were you. Savage or a Marlin. Don't shy away from older/used models either. Lots of guys put $250 scopes on used, $100 .22s, and have VERY accurate $350 rifles.

Those Mossberg tacticals look pretty cool in the photos, but not so much (in my opinion) in person. The only one I've ever seen shot was at a range about 2 months ago. The fellow shooting it couldn't get 3 shots in a row out of the thing without running into a problem. I'm sure they're all not like that, but I'll never buy one.

If you want to know what I'd be looking at in that budget, take a look at the Savage Mark II rifles and Marlin XT22. Both ought to leave a little extra $ for ammo. or a really inexpensive scope.
 
I started with a 10 22 with a 3x9x40 scope.Very reliable have put about 3000 rounds with only an occasional jam. Very easy to take apart for cleaning. Accuracy is good enough for me, 25 rd mags are fun but you can go through a lot of ammo. I paid extra to get the deluxe version has a little nicer stock.
 
I started with a 10 22 with a 3x9x40 scope.Very reliable have put about 3000 rounds with only an occasional jam. Very easy to take apart for cleaning. Accuracy is good enough for me, 25 rd mags are fun but you can go through a lot of ammo. I paid extra to get the deluxe version has a little nicer stock.
Yes, nice walnut stock with checkering makes huge difference!
 
Zastava Z5 if you're looking for a beechwood stock with nice machined and blued steel. They're $279, and they're very accurate rifles. They're comparable to a CZ for much less $. Then when you get some more money, buy a scope for it, and an extra mag or two. Mags are pretty expensive and hard to find though.

If you're looking for more practicality out of your rifle, buy a stainless steel with synthetic stock (good against bad weather, SS is good for noobs). Bolt action go with Marlin or Savage. Marlin has issues of late, so Savage would be my first choice. If you want a semi auto, go with a Ruger 10/22, or Marlin 795 (clip fed) or model 60 (tube mag).
 
Don`t beleive every thing you hear about 10-22`s not being accurate. My old ruger is as accurate as the ammo it consumes. Cheap bulk stuff is what it is, cheap and not as accurate in every gun. If i run some better quality ammo and a scope i`m not at a disadvantage. It has been set aside right now for some CZ`s i am playing with but will always be my dependable go fencing and ride the tractor 22. Some claim the new 10-22`s aren`t as good but i can`t say personally, i`ve only seen one that has some feeding issues.
 
Don`t beleive every thing you hear about 10-22`s not being accurate. My old ruger is as accurate as the ammo it consumes. Cheap bulk stuff is what it is, cheap and not as accurate in every gun. If i run some better quality ammo and a scope i`m not at a disadvantage. It has been set aside right now for some CZ`s i am playing with but will always be my dependable go fencing and ride the tractor 22. Some claim the new 10-22`s aren`t as good but i can`t say personally, i`ve only seen one that has some feeding issues.

Old Ruger 10/22's are good rifles; no one can doubt that, but over time the company has gotten complacent about what they put into the rifle; they know people buy them to modify, so they've bottomed-out the quality of their barrels and triggers while charging the normal price to maximize their profits.

The new ones aren't in the same league as Marlin, Savage or CZ.
 
Some great things about a .22 rifle are that you can take one to practically any range :yingyang: , you can afford to feed it more easily than just about anything else ;) , and it is great for shooters of all skill levels....:)
 
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my 10/22's beg to differ. You can all them down all you want but they shoot just fine.
Of course they shoot just fine.

Just not that accurately.

From a thread posted today;

Ok, so....
I bought a 10/22 "deluxe sporter model, was less than "deluxe" to me....
50 yards = 2 inch spread. But, i already knew what you could do with the 10/22 so i didnt stress it as i wanted to build it up anyway.

It is now an accurate rifle... after the guy installed the following:

16.5" Dlask barrel (1/2 x 28 thread)
Cheap "flash hider"
Hogue Overmold stock
Tasco 2.5-10x42 mildot scpope on weaver rings, factory base
PC extractor
PC hammer
Tuffer Buffer
DIY bolt release mod
DIY internals polishing

The proof is, as they say, in the pudding. My bone-stock $160 Marlin 60 does .58" at 50 yards. Out of the box.
 
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