General Purpose .22 Rifle

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mars1982

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Hi There,

I tried a search but couldn't find anything directly related so....

I'm new to all this and want to start doing some target practice and small game hunting.

I've looked at the Savage Mark II and CK 452 in bolt action and the 597 and 10/22 in Semi-Auto.

2 Questions

1) Is a heavy barrel a good idea/ necessary/ poor idea?

I won't be using it that often but would like to put a lot of rounds through it when using it for target practice. I do also want to use it for hunting small game.

2) Bolt Action vs. Semi Auto?

Any thoughts.

As I said, I'm new to all this so sorry for the basic questions and thanks in advance for your advice.
 
a heavy barrel will by nature shoot better, but a well setup sporter weight will do very well. heavy barrels suck if you actually carry them for a day in the field.

semi vs. bolt, that's up to you!
 
The bolt action rifles tend to lean more to accuracy as a person gets used to having one shot at small game. Thus more care seems to be taken when preparing for the shot. I also use a semi auto for targets ( Mossy 151 ) but get better results with the bolt. The idea of spray and pray lends itself to the many shots trying to hit the varmints. Most rifles that are used for only target shooting seem to be bolts. Not puting down the fact that a "fixed up" semi-auto cannot shoot wee patterns at 50 yards, but I have personally outshot "playfully" a heavy barrelled $4 grand semi auto with my 50 year old Lakefield Mark II. you should shoot them both and see which seems more interesting and fits what you wish to do with it. Remember that you have to carry the gun in many fields you will be shooting in. Best of luck in your choice.
 
Probably every second reader will have the opposite opinion and everyone is just as entitled to the opinion they hold as anyone else.

For me, I prefer a bolt action over a semi auto because I seem to take my time and shoot with more precision when shooting a bolt gun. With a semi-auto, if you miss it is too easy to just squeeze off another shot or two and still miss, with a bolt gun I reload and methodically take careful aim for the next shot. So I shoot better and waste a lot less ammo.

I also feel that in general, with exceptions on both sides, a bolt gun tends to shoot better than a semi-auto of similar quality.

Some guys like the 597, many don't. Most owners, me included, like a 10/22 because of the ergonomics, reliability and lots of upgrade parts available. The older ones were very reliable, the newer ones are having some minor problems that wouldn't have got out of the factory 10 years ago.

I like a heavy barrel, in a .22 it may not be necessary for stability if shooting rapid fire but I like the balance and steadiness on target.
 
The reality is that you will probably eventually buy one of each. Personally I prefer a bolt action. They tend to be more accurate out of the box, and much less picky about ammo. I agree that its human nature to take more care with the shot on a bolt action. I think you'll be happy with either of those bolt action rifles you've suggested. I'm not really sure how accurate to expect those semi's you mention. It sounds like accuracy reports vary quite a bit with the semi auto. So does how well they function and feed.
 
This sounds like your first rifle, if so, I would definitely go with a bolt, both your choices there seem very good. After a lot of research I am pretty close to getting a Mark II BV myself, if you will be shooting a lot of shots at the range bull barrels don't heat up as quick, giving you better accuracy.
I have a CZ 452 and it's a great rifle, both of these will need a decent scope, look to pay about 150 to 200 for one at least.
The bolt is better for a beginner, who may be unable to hold back the urge to just blast away. A bolt will help teach proper shooting technique.
If you do want to go semi auto, also look at the marlin lineup, the marlin 60 and 795 are very popular, the remmy has a bit of a bad rep.
10/22 is also very popular, but you should realize they are not really a beginner gun, people often toss the barrel and stock and build a new gun from the action. (a very good action I might add) If you don't think the upgrading thing is for you, look elsewhere.
 
Don't be afraid to buy an older model....there is a definite reason why older Remington Speedmasters and Marlin 39's easily rival or outright "out-cost" a brand-new 10/22...:)
 
Thanks for all the quick replies. Great Info.

It looks like I will go with the bolt action as my primary goal is learning to shoot properly.

Thinking maybe the Savage Mark II BV as it is a bit less expensive than the CZ 452 Varmint.
 
Either one - Savage MkII or Rem 597 would be a great choice. You still need semi-auto for hunting, preferably with heavy barrel. 597 has such beautiful medium-profiled barrels that really do not add much to overall weight. I actually used my 597 against TOZ's and Annie's in our local 3p matches and owned them all. So, accuracy-wise you aren't gaining much by going for bolt action rifle, just putting youself at disadvantage while hunting.
 
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