First rimfire. 597 or 10/22?

Great info so far guys! Guess I need to expand my horizons and check out a few other brands.

Too many awesome .22's, and so little time...I tried very hard to limit response to your OP. I've owned over a hundred of 'em, and usually have a float of about a dozen. Pumps, levers, bolts, semi's, and even a few others too! Any of them can be used for plinking
 
My favourite rim fires are bolt action tube fed (Marlin 981T). If you want a semi…. look at the Marlin 60 (tube fed). Get a set of Tech Sights and you're good to go.
SFRC sells the 60 in either wood or synthetic stocks…and on sale!
 
between the two options i would choose the 10/22 because you can customize it so much to make it the best plinker for you, stocks etc. As i have, i am very happy with mine. There are many upgrades to make it more accurate as well so you can build it up over time. Like others have said there is a reason why it's so popular.
 
I'm considering the Marlin 795. I like the idea of 25 round mags that work well, and from what I read the promag are good. Who does the warranty service for Marlin in Canada? Not that I expect problems but you never know. I'm not that into modding but so far I've seen one aftermarket stock. Do any of our sponsors have more accessories?
 
I had a Marlin 795 first and then a 597 and a 10/22. If I had to pick the the best out of the box rifle, I would take the 795 over the other two.
 
The 10/22 is a fine gun, and easily modified. What sold me on the 597 were the two reliable ones already in the family and the fact that I paid less for my 597HB (16" heavy barrel, top rail and OD green stock) than you'd have to shell out for a dead stock and very basic 10/22. Add Bushnell red dot, a handful of 30 round magazines and go shooting. The Remington factory 10 rounder was utter crap though, my brother in law's and uncle's both work fine. I'm starting to suspect that a large part of the 597's reputation for poor feeding is largely caused by inconsistencies in the Remington magazines. YMMV.
And for what it's worth that Marlin semi auto is a nice little job too. Balances nicer than a stock 10/22, in my hands anyway.
 
I have found my beautiful BRNO 581 on the EE for 425$. Accurate, reliable, real walnut stock, and no pot metal. IMHO much higher value than all of other rifles mentioned above with the funds you have. I had a 597 a while back and hated it. Never had a 10 22. Also had a Marlin 60 in walnut and liked it. Pretty accurate.
Good luck.
 
If you are going to spend $500 buy a good bolt action then you will be able to actually hit something if you are stuck on a semi don't waste your money on the 597 absolute junk
 
If you like to swap parts, you cant beat the honda civic of rifles

Good lord. The Honda Civic of rifles? I'm tossing my in the garbage right now. Everyone! stay away from the 10/22!

I never even heard of the JW14 before. It looks pretty cool and for $99 #### yea! I think I'll have to pick one of those up. They kind of look like a miniature G43.

Buy a used CZ and be done with it:)

Easily the best rimfire rifles for the money you're spending.
 
In general, the 10/22 owners I've met are happy with them. Like the guy with a bone stock 10/22 that uses it for shooting gophers out to 75 yards with good luck. Add some 25 round mags and they are even more pleased.
I know one guy that has/had a 597. He eventually switched to a 10/22 because he had some jamming issues.
Not sure where all the 10/22 haters come from, I haven't met many myself.

If you know folks that already have them, try them both out and then decide for yourself. For me, I'm quite happy with the 10/22.
 
Best for accessories... Ruger 10/22
Best over all build quality... CZ
Best value... Marlin 795 ($159 at Cabelas)
Most accurate... Marlin
Thickest barrel... Marlin
Cheapest... Savage ($125 at CT)
Canadian made... Savage
Most tactical looking... Mossberg 715t
Best at not standing out but is a decent rifle... Remington 597

22 i like shooting the most is a Marlin XT bolt action with a wood stock.
Best rifle in terms of fun factor... Henry lever action. Only one i don't own and it's on sale for $299 at Cabelas Canada. I am eying that sucker as we speak...
 
I've got a pair of 597's that are dear to me, accurate, inexpensive, but I did tinker with them a bit. There is some aftermarket support, but much harder to track down than the 10/22. If you want a nice laminate stock, your better off buying one so equipped than looking to add one at a later date. I also have a few Savage bolts that I would highly recommend, if your interested in a bolt gun, my FVSR and MKII are essentially the same and both shoot very well. I have an older Cooey model 64, and it has given me some heartache, mostly jamming. I've never tried one, but the newer ones are supposed to be much improved. I think you can get yourself into a .22 for alot less than $500 that will give you some experience and point you in the direction you want to go in for your next few .22's. You will NEVER own just one.
 
Best for accessories... Ruger 10/22
Best over all build quality... CZ
Best value... Marlin 795 ($159 at Cabelas)
Most accurate... Marlin
Thickest barrel... Marlin
Cheapest... Savage ($125 at CT)
Canadian made... Savage
Most tactical looking... Mossberg 715t
Best at not standing out but is a decent rifle... Remington 597

22 i like shooting the most is a Marlin XT bolt action with a wood stock.
Best rifle in terms of fun factor... Henry lever action. Only one i don't own and it's on sale for $299 at Cabelas Canada. I am eying that sucker as we speak...

795 is currently $139.99 @ Bass Pro. Marlins also sometimes on sale @ SRFC.

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/foru...Marlin-795-on-sale-for-139-99-Bass-Pro-30-off!
 
In general, the 10/22 owners I've met are happy with them. Like the guy with a bone stock 10/22 that uses it for shooting gophers out to 75 yards with good luck. Add some 25 round mags and they are even more pleased.
I know one guy that has/had a 597. He eventually switched to a 10/22 because he had some jamming issues.
Not sure where all the 10/22 haters come from, I haven't met many myself.

If you know folks that already have them, try them both out and then decide for yourself. For me, I'm quite happy with the 10/22.

You would need good luck to hit a gopher at 75yards with a bone stock 10/22.

Maybe with a 70's or 80's production one... The one's coming off the factory in the past couple years, notsomuch. Their QC got chucked out the window to ramp up production to meet demand.
 
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