First 22LR rifle question

Getting a good rifle in either bolt or semi can be accurate, do your homework first and then shop around. Of your choices I'd probably choose the Savage.
 
With the new information, it sounds like an inexpensive bolt action might be the best way to go... With your budget, get a Savage FV and decent scope. The Mueller APV is a good, inexpensive option for a scope on the FV.
 
604hunter said:
I must first say I really appreciate the wealth of knowledge and opinions everyone is sharing

I know I'm new to firearms but just as I keep thinking I have come to a decision I end up doing 180 and start looking at something else...lol.

It sounds like for all my needs I need two rifles, one bolt action and one semi auto. Right now two 22's aren't in my budget so I really need to decide on which one to go with. I'm looking at a sub $300 rifle to practice at the range but also take out and have some fun with ie "decompressing". I won't be hunting with this rifle but would like it to be accurate. I don't see aftermarket parts being that big of deal for me as the only item I see myself wanting is a larger capacity mag. if I went semi auto.

Would a semi auto marlin/savage be the happy medium between what I'm looking for?

Thanks again for the help
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I bolded a bit of your post...

I adore my 64's...The Savage semi is a mode l64. They are based on the Cooey 64 (later Cooey-Winchester, and even later Lakefield), but are still made today. 50+ years in production means something. One issue (see bold in your post) is that there are no hi-cap magazines for a Savage. Another issue for me, was the last time I looked at .22's in a store the Savage was actually more expensive than a Marlin 795. I would lean towards the Marlin based on cost alone, but also note that a 64 can be a finicky rifle. Marlin does have 25rd (hi-cap) magazines available. So do the Remington 597, and the Ruger 10/22.

That's just covering "new" semi .22's. To muddy the waters in what can be a tricky decision already, there are some used gems that can be had under your budget that shoot very well too!
 
I'm definitely open to the idea of a used rifle, though I think it would have to be a local one as I would want to see how I like the shape and feel of it.
 
Maybe your best bet would be to get in touch with some local shooters and try to get a range day together. I'm sure if you offer up a meal or some Timmie's you could lure some Vancouverites out to try a couple rifles. Try not to think of it as a right or wrong decision, a lot of new shooters feel pressured to buy the right gun first. Then their second is a big deal. Then one day you realize you've gone through so many guns and accessories that you picked a winner eighteen guns ago and bought 17 more to prove it. My point is there are too many guns to pick just one, you'll buy more and sell some. It sounds like you're on the right track so get out and have some fun with whichever you choose. Welcome to guns :)
 
If you are going to be hunting with a bolt, I would get a bolt action 22. This will help muscle memory when it comes to working the action etc. It will become second nature under the heat of the moment when hunting to work the action etc. I have a Savage mark II and I am very pleased with it for the price.
 
604hunter said:
I'm definitely open to the idea of a used rifle, though I think it would have to be a local one as I would want to see how I like the shape and feel of it.
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It used to be that for cost in vs. fun out, used was the only way to go...not so now. Some folks want as much, or more for a used rifle than something shiny-new over a counter. And to be fair, Mossbergs (and others) of old, are of unparalleled quality by newly manufactured gun standards. Many are also "full sized". If you're new to the game, limit yourself...kinda like car sopping. Lots of folks will sell you "a" car, but not all of them should be "your" car.


supernova said:
Maybe your best bet would be to get in touch with some local shooters and try to get a range day together. I'm sure if you offer up a meal or some Timmie's you could lure some Vancouverites out to try a couple rifles. Try not to think of it as a right or wrong decision, a lot of new shooters feel pressured to buy the right gun first. Then their second is a big deal. Then one day you realize you've gone through so many guns and accessories that you picked a winner eighteen guns ago and bought 17 more to prove it. My point is there are too many guns to pick just one, you'll buy more and sell some. It sounds like you're on the right track so get out and have some fun with whichever you choose. Welcome to guns :)
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^^ this is pretty nifty advice. Also, to avoid getting a bad reputation, bring a LOT of ammo. Every shot you take, give the owner a round.
Most of us are pretty pleased with our gems, and the notion of seeing someone carefully handle, and shoot it isn't off-putting. Do you have any peers who shoot? Parents of peers? As long as you don't come off as a COD sniper, most of the gun lovers I know would happily help someone new to the game.

Same with the "right" gun purchase...If you don't really know what you want, how can you buy the "right" one to start? The only "wrong" I can conceive is a shooter not having a .22 at all! Interests may change, and .22's are a cool way to express that. If your ultimate goal is to shoot dimes at 100yds, a tacti-cool rifle may not be the best choice. If you're lugging it through country, looking to bag a few grouse, a 24" super-heavy barreled single shot may not be your first choice. etc etc etc. That being said(typed), no matter what you choose in a .22lr, you can have all kinds of fun with it! You really can try to shoot tiny groups with a tacti-cool at 100, and you really can slay a grouse with target gems.
 
604hunter said:
It sounds like for all my needs I need two rifles, one bolt action and one semi auto. Right now two 22's aren't in my budget so I really need to decide on which one to go with. I'm looking at a sub $300 rifle to practice at the range but also take out and have some fun with ie "decompressing". I won't be hunting with this rifle but would like it to be accurate. I don't see aftermarket parts being that big of deal for me as the only item I see myself wanting is a larger capacity mag. if I went semi auto.

Would a semi auto marlin/savage be the happy medium between what I'm looking for?

Thanks again for the help
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For 2 rifles right around $300 I would pick up a marlin model 60 for the semi (the new ones hold 15 rounds), then pick up an old cooey model 60 or older remington, mossberg something like those. Should be able to get both for 300 maybe a touch over. Ive also seen some smoking good deals on the marlin xt22. Buddy of mine has an xt22 and it shoots really good for not a lot of $$
 
I've owned a few rimfire rifles over the years.....bolts, semis and levers. I have only two now and both are bolts. I find bolts are less finicky with ammo and require less cleaning overall.
Many nice and pricey rifles have come and gone but for now my "old" Marlin 981T with a 3-9x scope keeps me happy. It cost ~$180 and shoots accurately enough for my needs. The tube mag capacity is also a great feature IMO.
I have no interest in semi's but would consider a Marlin 60 with a laminate stock and tube mag and Tech Sights. There are some good reviews on its performance right out of the box.
 
My first rifle was 10-22 Deluxe Sporter. Fun little rifle to shoot but lacked in the accuracy department. 10 years later I got interested in 22s again and bought my first CZ. After I added second CZ I decided to “acuratize” the good old 10-22. The only rule was no new parts. I polished and stoned the trigger (down to 3.5lb), installed over travel limiter, polished and chamfered the bolt, installed bolt buffer (the only new part!), floated the barrel, installed brass pillar and bedded the action and barrel. Lots of fun doing all that work…..it shoots much, much better than before, but it still doesn’t shoot like the bolt action CZs straight out of the box. Buy the CZ if you can afford the extra $150-200.
 
hometownhero said:
For 2 rifles right around $300 I would pick up a marlin model 60 for the semi (the new ones hold 15 rounds), then pick up an old cooey model 60 or older remington, mossberg something like those. Should be able to get both for 300 maybe a touch over. Ive also seen some smoking good deals on the marlin xt22. Buddy of mine has an xt22 and it shoots really good for not a lot of $$
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I have an stainless synthetic tube mag XT 22 and it's great. Fit and finish is not the nicest but it works well and the 24" barrel is nice for keeping the noise down a bit. I also just ordered a model 60. The 795 shoots well and I've heard of them going for 139 new.
 
Cooeys are unbeatable and will never let you down. I have a browning auto loader made in about 1920 that will out shoot a 10/22 and is more reliable. There are a billion options out there. If you don't like it you can sell it.
 
aaron v said:
I have an stainless synthetic tube mag XT 22 and it's great. Fit and finish is not the nicest but it works well and the 24" barrel is nice for keeping the noise down a bit. I also just ordered a model 60. The 795 shoots well and I've heard of them going for 139 new.
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Ya the buddy of mine with the xt22 the blued finish is a lot better then the blued savage he had. His savage would always have rust on it. If you just oiled it then touched it a few hours later was already rust on it. Never had that happen with any other brand of gun. I notice that the savage I had were similar to his experience. Even the centerfires I have now will if you don't keep oiling them.

Bass pro had the 795 for $139. Its the same as the 60 just mag fed instead of tube fed.
 
hometownhero said:
Ya the buddy of mine with the xt22 the blued finish is a lot better then the blued savage he had. His savage would always have rust on it. If you just oiled it then touched it a few hours later was already rust on it. Never had that happen with any other brand of gun. I notice that the savage I had were similar to his experience. Even the centerfires I have now will if you don't keep oiling them.

Bass pro had the 795 for $139. Its the same as the 60 just mag fed instead of tube fed.
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I thought basspro doesn't ship to Canada, is this not the case?
 
Safety is another thing to consider. Since you're "new" you may not want a semi-auto. They're always ready to fire another shot even if your not. A bolt action will always give you time to pause between shots.
If you do go semi, then consider the Marlin 60. The tube magazine holds more (14) than most stock box mags (7-10), and you can't lose a tube mag.
14 shots is plenty for "decompressing" and if you hunt small game with it...well 14 should do for at least one squirrel ...LOL.
 
I have tried many semi .22 rifles and will not own a 10-22. Marlin 60 no doubt are more accurate and reliable out of the box. but i have come across a couple Winchester 490s that are equal or superior to the Marlin. Not many around so i bought what was available. at $200 each, c/w scopes and extra mags....i could not pass them up.
 
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