Best Semi-Auto 22LR

N

Nek

New member
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
Location
Gatineau, QC
Hi all,

I am looking forward to buy a semi-auto .22, but I am not sure which one to choose. I will shoot about 2000-3000 rounds per year, so I need something reliable also.

I like the Ruger 10-22, but after reading a few topics there seems to be a few issues with those?

Also, does a Stainless steel barrel last longuer?

Thanks
 
I am very happy with my 190 dollar Remington 597. I have added some stuff to it but nothing was needed. Just scope it and shoot it.
 
Here's the deal buy a 10/22 put a new stock, barrel, trigger, extractor, ejector, mag release and if you can find one reciever and it will work mint.

Just joking every 10/22 i've had worked mint from the factory and i've owned a few.

Definately don't buy a 597 unless your prepared to do some work on it. Then i hear they work fine.

Personally i like marlins if your buying new.

If your looking used try and pick up a remington nylon 66

Oh one more thing you'll wear the gun out before the barrel so don't waste your time thinking about barrel life.
 
One of the biggest complaints about the 10/22 is accuracy... but in my experience, 99.9% of those issues are ammo related. Find the right ammo (mine LOVES Blazer bulk stuff) and they're quite accurate, I'm talking 1" @ 50 yards for stock everything.

Barrel life is essentially unlimited with a .22lr rifle. The main advantage (IMHO) of the stainless steel barrel is corrosion resistance. If you can, I'd pick up a used one with the metal trigger guards, the quality of the 10/22's has decreased since they switched over to the plastic ones. The machining is noticeably better, along with the fit and finish, of the older ones.

I would definitely buy a Volquartsen extractor and an auto bolt release though, they are the only upgrades that everyone should get (although, I'm still using my original extractor, I think I got lucky and got a really good one from the factory).

DSC_0313.jpg

Only at 25 yards, but under 1/2" 5 shot groups.

DSC_0312.jpg

Stock rifle except for the auto bolt release.
 
The ONLY thing I don't like about my marlin 795 is the trigger,but its accurate right out of the box with no mods....and if you do pick one up-get a Boyds nutmeg laminate thumbhole stock for it-$69-beautiful.Yes,I know they are the marlin 60 stocks, but they basically inlet 90% of them for BOTH models, and all you do is drill out the floor and finish it with a chizel and wood file.I finished mine with about 8 coats of sprayed verathane then wet sanded it and hard waxed it.Absolutely gorgeos.The barrel channel is for the #60-but the 795 drops right in and the unused magazine channel may actually help with the accuracy-because it basically ''free floats'' the 795 barrel...now if I could just get a nice light crisp trigger...
 
A big part of accuracy is also the trigger, and the 10/22 has the worst trigger I've ever used on a rifle. I'm not a semi-auto guy, but the only one I have my eye on is a Marlin 795. I've shot one, and really think it's the best bang for your $ out there.

If the stars align...and I have enough $ if/when the get here...a Kel-Tec SU22 will be an awfully big temptation.
 
.22LRGUY said:
A big part of accuracy is also the trigger, and the 10/22 has the worst trigger I've ever used on a rifle. I'm not a semi-auto guy, but the only one I have my eye on is a Marlin 795. I've shot one, and really think it's the best bang for your $ out there.

If the stars align...and I have enough $ if/when the get here...a Kel-Tec SU22 will be an awfully big temptation.
Click to expand...

You're not going to save up for one of the GSG STG 44's? :D
 
I personally like the Marlin semis. I have a Marlin 990L made in 80s I think and it is the deadliest, trouble free short barrel semi I have ever shot. I do not shoot paper at 50 yards to show accuracy, I shoot out at 100, as gophers seldom sit still enough at 25-50 yards. The Marlin long barrels( 24 inch) prove themselves at 150-200 yards.
 
I kept my first .22 semi (a Rem 597) for one day and then returned it with the bent over Remington ammo that kept jambing when it tried to feed...
I kept my second .22 semi (TC Benchmark) for a year. It was a decent shooter and would group about 0.6" @ 50M which I think is pretty good for a semi-auto action. Sold ti to a friend because I didn't like the trigger creep. I should have kept that one.
I have ordered new Volquartsen..hope it shoots!
 
Savage model 64 in composite, cheap as dirt and if you are really planning on shooting 2-3000 rounds per year none of the guns will last that long
 
10/22 are good. You can make them anything you want and the availability and variety of parts is the main thing. SR/22 is there too if you want the tactical look/feel.

Voquartsen makes some custom jobs if you have $$ to spend, and CZ makes some accurate ones too.
 
aprilfoolsme, 2000-3000 a year is really nothing to just about any 22. Some older ones probably fired 100's of 1000's.

As to which one is best - it is hard to say. Except for 10/22 I liked every single one I shot. Keep an eye on EE or consignment sales for older semi's, like Mossberg 152K that I got for 150$. That rfile probably fired a million rounds and still a shooter. Fire pin broke once but thats it. Of modern ones I like Remington 597, it is great design and probably most accurate and reliable semi
in its price range. I heard Buckmarks are good but they cost almost twice as much as 597.
 
I'm a Marlin fan, so recommend the Marlin semi autos, 60 if you like 14-round tube mags, or 795 if you like box mags. They have similar receivers and the famous Marlin Micro-groove barrel that contributes much to their legendary reputation as the most accurate out of the box, entry level priced semi-auto .22 rifles.

My 60 is almost as accurate as my Savage MKIIF at 100 meters with cheap Winchester Dynapoint bulk. Functional reliability so far has been 100 percent.
 
Last edited:
I put over 10000 rounds thru my rossi 37 pump last year alone. the barrel stills looks brand new inside. You don't have to worry bout the barrel life. The only 22 semi I have is a henry ar7 style pack in the stock gun and its great with stingers. I've never been a fan of semi autos tho
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom