Cheap 22LR semi

D

ddtank

Regular
Rating - 100%
8   0   0
Location
Burlington ON
Just browsing the $200-$300 range on the Cabela's site: Marlin 795 / Mossberg Blaze / Remington 597 / Savage 64G...
There is also the Savage A22, which is on sale and in this price range at present ($280 from $400). Perhaps that is superior given that its regular price is higher?
Any to particularly recommend / avoid (for up to 50 yd target / silhouettes)?
(I have asked similar questions about other rifles and been told opinions vary from one person to another and whether a gun is a good one or a dud - fair points indeed but just wondering, input from those more experienced than me is always good.)
 
Well, since you asked. I will put my .02 in here. Depends on how quickly you want it, I will put forth my suggestion of the Savage 64 FXP. Great and fun little plinking rifle. Solidly built and have put any and all ammo through one now with no problems. Reason for asking how quickly you want it is that they are regularly $199.99 and very often go for $169.99. They also include a nice Tasco 4x scope as well. Nothing fancy, but solid. Save some money and buy more ammo! The only difference between this and the 64 G you mention is this is a synthetic stock, and between $100 and $130 cheaper.
 
If you're looking at the 597, the heavy barrel is worth it. 1.5" groups at 100 yards isn't hard to do. I have even managed a few in .6"@50yards.
 
I had a 597. Even with a voltquartsen extractor, polishing and Mini mags it was a piece of junk jam-o-matic. Sold it for a loss and bought a Marlin 795. Love the Marlin...best bang for the buck.
 
weasel1 said:
If you're looking at the 597, the heavy barrel is worth it. 1.5" groups at 100 yards isn't hard to do. I have even managed a few in .6"@50yards.
Click to expand...

Agreed strongly on the 597
It's one of my most accurate rifles. I have a set of tech sights on it and I can put tighter groups at 100 meters (way low but that aside) with it than my 20" iron sight AR15.
It's extremely accurate right out of the box. I think I paid like $170 for it off the EE. It's been dead reliable as well.
No aftermarket stuff but that stuff is just heavy expensive crap anyway that doesn't make the rifles shoot better. Depends what you want I guess. If you want cheap, reliable, very accurate then get a used 597. If you want all that but need to play barbie dress up with the rifle at the same time, then pay another couple hundred and get a 10/22.
The 10/22 is a good rifle. I just think it's overpriced for what it is. Again that being said I don't tactical up my rifles. Not my thing.
I was a 10/22 fan for a long time before I skeptically picked up the 597. Since sold my two 10/22 and now my 597 is on my never sell ever list. Have heard some people had reliability problems but mine has never had a single stoppage with the factory ten round mags. I loves my 597!
 
Good stuff and some other ideas now in the mix, thanks all.
To neos, I am in no hurry and regularly watch Cabela's prices as they are always up and down. A bit like CTire / never pay full list price for anything as it will always have its turn on sale.
 
I have a 597 but I'd still have to recommend the 10/22. It just has way more aftermarket support. You can stick a short barrel on it from Dlask Arms if you are so inclined. Other upgrade parts are readily available, other than magazines over 10 rounds...thanks RCMP!
 
The 597 was my first rifle, 18 years ago, back when you could still get a laminate stock and stainless barrel. It functioned well for me, but the old Gen mags I could only load up to 7 before rounds would stick. Not much really needs to be done to a 597, there are JARD trigger assemblies available for better pull, or VQ hammer and MCARBO spring mods for some improvement to the trigger. I just had a Lilja barrel fitted to mine, it's now a bonafide semi-auto tackdriver :) I had no cycling or extraction issues with it, and that's with a match chamber in the Lilja. You probably won't get a factory barrel that shoots this well on a 597, but you should expect it to shoot around 3/4" at 50 yards on average.

 
I would get something a little more unique just to set yourself apart from everyone else. Might be easier for me to say because I have a pretty sizable .22 collection but there are some very reliable and inexpensive .22 out there that are sub $200 and are head turners at the range. Take a look at the Tradeexcanada website under product and .22. My vote would be for the Franchi semi auto which is a Browning SA copy or the Voere, an open bolt .22.
 
Another vote for the 597 heavy barrel,I have a TVP stainless and it cycles everything and no issues. Accuracy is very good out of the box, mine is topped with a Nikon 2-7 . As mentioned trigger is so-so but there are parts available.
Second on my list is the Marlin60/795.
Third is the Savage 64, I have my original Lakefield still from 30 plus years ago and its reliable and squirrel accurate at 25-50 yards. But they do have heavy barrel versions now that apparently are very accurate.
 
Canada tail said:
I think a 10 22 is also quite a tack driver. simple it just works. lots of aftermarket options.
Click to expand...

^I'm not sure I've read that comment before. :) DEFINITELY not my experience with a 10/22~the one I owned, or the several others I've used.

Of the guns mentioned, my vote would be the Marlin 795. Even though I own one (my only semi) I will admit that semis hold very little appeal to me. A fellow I know who prefers semis, and is an extremely experienced shooter/rimfire fan...tells me that the Remington 597 is the most accurate of the econo semis. In fact, I had this conversation with him a couple of weeks back.

10/22s chug along gleefully like the Marlin 795 does, it just costs more...isn't as accurate...lacks things like a proper charging handle and last shot bolt hold-open, etc. Mags are superior to the Marlins, they all have heavy/gritty triggers in stock form...pick the one that makes the most sense.

As long as it's a 795. :) A Marlin 60 if you like guns that are more handsome, but fussier to load.
 
The 10/22, IMHO, has only one saving grace: the availability of a ton of aftermarket barrels, triggers and stocks (as well as lots of useless crap) so that you can delude yourself into believing you are doing a "build". This stuff is available because the design of the gun lends itself to very simple removal of its various components...and also because the thing desperately needs all the help it can get. Been there, done that; I've had probably a dozen 10/22's over the years and none of them remained unaltered, but I'm down to one now and won't ever buy another.

I agree that the 597 is a good performer, but personally I feel that the Marlin 795 or 60 represents by far the best value in a rimfire semi these days. Stone axe reliability, good accuracy and handling, an excellent gun right out of the box...wow, what a concept! :)
 
ddtank said:
Just browsing the $200-$300 range on the Cabela's site: Marlin 795 / Mossberg Blaze / Remington 597 / Savage 64G...
There is also the Savage A22, which is on sale and in this price range at present ($280 from $400). Perhaps that is superior given that its regular price is higher?
Any to particularly recommend / avoid (for up to 50 yd target / silhouettes)?
(I have asked similar questions about other rifles and been told opinions vary from one person to another and whether a gun is a good one or a dud - fair points indeed but just wondering, input from those more experienced than me is always good.)
Click to expand...

I think any of those will do. Over time, you'll probably own at least one of each.

As others have mentioned, add the Marlin 60 to the list.

I had a Remington 597 but was disappointed with the amount of plastic in the mechanism. Mine lost a little retaining sleeve at the range making it totally inoperable. I repaired it later at home but never really trusted the thing after that.

I'd recommend against the 10/22 unless you want to get into modding and customizing. The one 10/22 I've owned was of markedly disappointing quality for its price. Very disappointed and would not buy a stock 10/22 again. Might build a custom one some day, but I'm just not that into them.

If you want something unique, look for a vintage Savage 6 or Stevens 87, sometimes called "gill guns" for the slots milled into the side of the receiver. Unique and entertaining actions. And with long and relatively heavy barrels, they are skookum accurate. They can be found for $100 to $150.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom