First Rifle

[Funguns5]

Looking to buy my first rifle. Been really looking at a Savage Mk2 but can't decide on what version. Not looking to spend a lot. Any ones to avoid or a simple cheap fix for a lower model to make it comparable to a higher end plinker even of a different brand?

Was also looking at getting a Marlin XT22 with the tube mag. Would this be a better option? And I know the ammo capacity for that is 17 rounds but it says .22 is only allowed 10 per magazine so will you get in trouble for the 7 extra it can hold?

Thanks a lot for helping a newbie.

 

[BlackPowderBurner]

In my opinion the heavy barrel synthetic stock MKII seems decent, stick a half decent scope on it and you're set for a couple years. Try and find the rifle on sale of course. The wood stock MKIIs seem poorly finished, I've handled probably 15-20 of them and none of the stocks look finished and the metal isn't really blued. Marlins feel good in the hand, have a nice long barrel length and bolt-trigger placement is good. There is NO place in any legislation saying .22 is allowed only 10 per magazine. Simply not true. There are restrictions when it comes to magazines that also fit handguns, you may have got some confusion with the recent 10/22 mag debacle. The Marlin XT22 is totally legal with capacity over 10 rounds, same is true with the Remington 597 with their 24 round mags.

I think this boils down to if you value a detachable magazine more, being able to quickly reload compact 10 round savage mags sure beats filling a tube every few minutes when plinking. Both rifles will be accurate and comparable in quality.

 

[easyrider604]

IMO, you can't go wrong with the best value in a bolt action 22 lr rifle, the Savage MKIIF with synthetic stock or MKIIG with wood stock. My MKIIF is about as accurate as my CZ452 Style and Varmint. I also have a MKIGY single shot which is pretty much as accurate. These MKIIF or Gs are sometimes available on the EE for cheap. The Marlin XT22 with tube mag is a great option although my Marlins (60, 70, 981T) were never as good as the Savage MKIIF in terms of accuracy.

 

[brybenn]

I have 2 savage mark2 FV. 22lr and 17 mach 2. Both are amazingly accurate. I like the weight of the heavy barrel even though I do carry either of these rifles while squirrel hunting. The accutrigger is nice as well

 

[Ron AKA]

Looking to buy my first rifle. Been really looking at a Savage Mk2 but can't decide on what version. Not looking to spend a lot. Any ones to avoid or a simple cheap fix for a lower model to make it comparable to a higher end plinker even of a different brand?

The Savage rimfire guns are made in Lakefield Ontario and are an upgraded version of the former Lakefield rimfire. All of the actions are basically the same, and you don't get a better action when you buy a more expensive gun. If accuracy is your interest, then make sure you get a heavy barrel. Doesn't matter if it blued standard steel or stainless steel. The difference is cosmetic. I like the barrels that are about 21" long. The extra weight makes for better accuracy. When Savage bought Lakefield, they fitted their AccuTrigger to the Mark II models. They are very good, and with some tuning you can get the trigger pull down under 1 lb. So basically once you pick a Mark II and a heavy barrel, then the only difference in the models is the stock.

I believe the most basic Mark II and least expensive list price that meets these requirements is the Mark II FV. The only issue is that the plastic (often referred to a Tupperware) stock is not great. The next step up is the Mark II BV. It has a laminated stock which is quite good, but can be improved with bedding and pillars. What many of our US friends do is buy the FV model and replace the stock with a Boyd's stock for them at a $129 US cost. One strategy here in Canada is looking around on EE for the gun or a stock.

This said shop around for specials. Sometimes places like Cabelas and Wholesale have special package guns that are a good price. Just make sure you are getting a 21" heavy barrel and a Mark II version with the AccuTrigger.

As for accuracy I get under 1/2" at 50 yards with good target ammo. With top end target ammo it will shoot down to 1/4". A friend has an Anschutz Sporter version and I can shoot quite competitively with that gun, especially with high quality target ammo.

Hope that helps some,

 

[.22LRGUY]

^I agree with most of that. I should add..don't sweat the "first rifle" thing TOO much because 22s are fun, your tastes will likely change and before long..you'll be adding another 1 or 2 to the collection anyway. Don't underestimate the value of a decent scope, they ARE worth saving for and will make the shooting experience that much more enjoyable. Look for a model that has an adjustable objective. When it's time to buy ammo~buy a variety to try out, as most rifles will show a strong preference for one ammo type over another. Your job to find out which one it likes most. (=shoots best)

 

[IanC]

I liked the mark II G the best, amazing accuracy, wood monte carlo stock, open sights, cheap.
Mine would take grackles in the field at 75 yards with a 4-12 banner. Really nice rifle and still very light to tote around in the field with big glass.
I sold it for a great deal on a 1911. Wish i had it but getting a custom stainless mrkii sporter this week to replace it.

 

[Funguns5]

The Savage rimfire guns are made in Lakefield Ontario and are an upgraded version of the former Lakefield rimfire. All of the actions are basically the same, and you don't get a better action when you buy a more expensive gun. If accuracy is your interest, then make sure you get a heavy barrel. Doesn't matter if it blued standard steel or stainless steel. The difference is cosmetic. I like the barrels that are about 21" long. The extra weight makes for better accuracy. When Savage bought Lakefield, they fitted their AccuTrigger to the Mark II models. They are very good, and with some tuning you can get the trigger pull down under 1 lb. So basically once you pick a Mark II and a heavy barrel, then the only difference in the models is the stock.

I believe the most basic Mark II and least expensive list price that meets these requirements is the Mark II FV. The only issue is that the plastic (often referred to a Tupperware) stock is not great. The next step up is the Mark II BV. It has a laminated stock which is quite good, but can be improved with bedding and pillars. What many of our US friends do is buy the FV model and replace the stock with a Boyd's stock for them at a $129 US cost. One strategy here in Canada is looking around on EE for the gun or a stock.

This said shop around for specials. Sometimes places like Cabelas and Wholesale have special package guns that are a good price. Just make sure you are getting a 21" heavy barrel and a Mark II version with the AccuTrigger.

As for accuracy I get under 1/2" at 50 yards with good target ammo. With top end target ammo it will shoot down to 1/4". A friend has an Anschutz Sporter version and I can shoot quite competitively with that gun, especially with high quality target ammo.

Hope that helps some,

This helps a lot thanks.

 

[Funguns5]

In my opinion the heavy barrel synthetic stock MKII seems decent, stick a half decent scope on it and you're set for a couple years. Try and find the rifle on sale of course. The wood stock MKIIs seem poorly finished, I've handled probably 15-20 of them and none of the stocks look finished and the metal isn't really blued. Marlins feel good in the hand, have a nice long barrel length and bolt-trigger placement is good. There is NO place in any legislation saying .22 is allowed only 10 per magazine. Simply not true. There are restrictions when it comes to magazines that also fit handguns, you may have got some confusion with the recent 10/22 mag debacle. The Marlin XT22 is totally legal with capacity over 10 rounds, same is true with the Remington 597 with their 24 round mags.

I think this boils down to if you value a detachable magazine more, being able to quickly reload compact 10 round savage mags sure beats filling a tube every few minutes when plinking. Both rifles will be accurate and comparable in quality.

Ya I must have gotten the handgun magazine and the 10/22 debacle. But the reload factory makes a lot of sense. Most people seem to be going with the savage

 

[Beermaker]

I got the Mark II FVT figure this gives me all the "upgrades" I want. It comes with the bull BBL for target, Williams aperture/globe target sight already D&T for mounting if I want old school practice. D&T for bases for scope and a synthetic stock that I don't have to worry about. It is pricey but if you look at any gun smithing for the sight mounts its worth it. I have a bipod on it and a 3x-9x scope for my oldish eye sight. The only thing I don't like is the way the 10 rd mag sits against your forearm when holding in prone. Other than that its a great little rifle. Note: It doesn't like Winchester ammo. The Winchester rim is just a c hair smaller than CCI and Remington so you get FTE's. I have tried CCI, Winchester and Remington and I get about the same for groupings. So get a bucket o bullets too.

 

[Funguns5]

I got the Mark II FVT figure this gives me all the "upgrades" I want. It comes with the bull BBL for target, Williams aperture/globe target sight already D&T for mounting if I want old school practice. D&T for bases for scope and a synthetic stock that I don't have to worry about. It is pricey but if you look at any gun smithing for the sight mounts its worth it. I have a bipod on it and a 3x-9x scope for my oldish eye sight. The only thing I don't like is the way the 10 rd mag sits against your forearm when holding in prone. Other than that its a great little rifle. Note: It doesn't like Winchester ammo. The Winchester rim is just a c hair smaller than CCI and Remington so you get FTE's. I have tried CCI, Winchester and Remington and I get about the same for groupings. So get a bucket o bullets too.

How is the stock. I have heard that the synthetic is flimsy. I was wanting the heavy bull barrel for target shooting. Having it tapped already for scope mount would be useful

 

[RabidM4U5]

How is the stock. I have heard that the synthetic is flimsy. I was wanting the heavy bull barrel for target shooting. Having it tapped already for scope mount would be useful

I would avoid the tupperware, especially if you're going to use a bi-pod. Even with the wood stocks, some reinforcement work is a good idea since boyds hogs out way more wood than necessary for the inletting. AFAIK the Mark II's all come with Weaver style bases mounted ready for you to install a scope.

 

[Ron AKA]

How is the stock. I have heard that the synthetic is flimsy. I was wanting the heavy bull barrel for target shooting. Having it tapped already for scope mount would be useful

Keep in mind that the list (US) of the FVT is $230 or so higher than the FV. Basically the FVT is just the FV with iron sights. You are paying a lot extra for the sights if you plan to just use a scope. The FV comes with scope bases installed. You could pay for a Sightron Rimfire scope, for that price difference...

 

[Suther]

I would get a plain Jane mkii f. Not a heavy barrel, but you get iron sights on them.

Learn to shoot with the iron sights first, then get a scope. It'll be drilled/tapped, just doesn't come with bases.

 

[Funguns5]

thats the plan. get iron sights down then invest in a scope and get better groupings from farther out. only problem with the plain version is the stock i hear and I don't know nearly enough to swap stocks and bed the new one.

 

[easyrider604]

As somebody posted earlier, this is only your first of many .22s.
Just run to your local lhs and buy a MKIIF or G. My F shoots better than my bud's FV. Don't sweat the synthetic stock, it's fine. My CZ452 Style and Weirauch HW97k Blackline both wear synthetics and both can kill bulls eyes the whole day.

 

[ratherbefishin]

I remove the butt plate and fill the 'Tupperware' stocks with NON expanding foam...( very important,expanding foam can distort the stock)

Course,I admit I like the old bolt action mossbergs...and in a new rifle the best value is a Norinco JW15 ( CZ knockoff)

 

[Ron AKA]

As somebody posted earlier, this is only your first of many .22s.

That is my problem. My first .22 rimfire was the Savage Mark II BTVS. It shoots so well I can't justify buying another gun. I am afraid if I bought an Anschutz it might cost me a whole bunch of money and not shoot any better than my Savage...

 

[Beermaker]

Agree all the II's are D&T for scope bases. The open sights that come with it are standard notch sights forward of the receiver on the barrel. For me I wanted the aperture sight which places it close to the eye with a considerably longer sight radius. Different strokes depending on what you grew up with. No other rifle without going to a competition style had aperture sights predrilled. The stock seems flimsy at the for-end but it is only attached at the receiver so it is fully floated. Wood might feel better or seem firmer but the balance of the stock is solid.

So the standard mark II out of the box, even with the normal barrel will give you a Canadian made rifle with scope ready mounting. The accu trigger is nice and is already set at around 3 lbs. You don't need to break the bank on a scope either but you do need to be aware of parallax. I always soot at the same range so I made adjustments to my scope to account for parallax. But that is a different subject altogether but can make or break a good grouping.

Just noticed you wanted a bull barrel for target shooting. The only Savage that has iron sights in the bull barrel would be the target version IIRC. The bull barrel takes you up a notch for pricing too. Also don't confuse the magazine limits between center fire/pistol and rimfire long gun. A 17 shot tube magazine is legal on a .22 and can handy as it doesn't get in the way of your wrist like a 10 shot mag on the savage.

The only issue I have with my tube on my JC Higgins is if you have a FT Extract with a subsequent feed of the next round. But you learn.

Not as easy as you thought? Everyone has an opinion based on experience. If you have a list of what you want as an ideal first rifle the price can get up there. Have you looked at any used rifles? One option is maybe get a good ol' single shot Cooey. Nice long barrel on a lot of them for accuracy, no changing mags just drop in the next round. Some have the 3/8"/11mm dovetail for scope mounts. Standard open sights. You could get one for 60 - 100 bucks.

 

[Funguns5]

That is my problem. My first .22 rimfire was the Savage Mark II BTVS. It shoots so well I can't justify buying another gun. I am afraid if I bought an Anschutz it might cost me a whole bunch of money and not shoot any better than my Savage...

I agree. I'm looking for just one that'll be on that level for a long time with going back to school and only being able to make a couple gun buys for the next 3 years or so.