looking for a new .22

hutchster

hutchster

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after playing around with the 10/22 bug for a while i sold my modded 10/22 a couple years back, and started to try out the 17 hmr.
now that i've sold the 17, i'm wanting a 22 again:redface:

for some reason i keep looking at 2 tube fed guns, the marlin model 60 and remington 552.

i've always been a remington guy and am leaning towards the 552, but i am looking for opinions of anyone that may have tried both, and if there's any noticeable differences in accuracy.

i think the remmy has a cleaner look, but function prevails over form, so let me know how they've treated you all.

also, has anyone tried out the remington model 5?
good or bad?

any info would be appreciated
thanks
hutchster
 
Marlin 60 pros: microgroove rifling, hold-open option.

Remington Speedmaster pros: fires S/L/LR in a semiautomatic action (though won't cycle CB's - I've tried), fires quickly.

Disclosure: I've only used the Speedmaster (I currently own one), it has the bolt on the left-hand side and has fed most .22 ammo reliably (including Remington Golden hollowpoints - no mean feat). I like its accuracy, but the left-side action takes some getting used to. :)
 
Tried my buddy's brand new model 60 on it's first time out a few months back, overall it seems like a really good gun.
 
the price on the marlin model 60 can't be beat, thats for sure, a synthetic blued is 170.00 from cabelas/sir.
the first gun i ever owned was marlin 795(?) stainless bolt action .22, and it was definately accurate, but it just didn't feel warm like a remmy seems to:)
all i know is i can't afford to start the 10/22 bug again:(
 
Synthetic blued is what my friend has. Came with a real CHEAP I think 4X20 scope. Swap that thing out with something half decent and I bet you'll be happy.
 
I had a 552 about 3 years ago and a marlin 795 as well. It shares the same receiver as the 60 even has the hole for the tube but its a clip feed.

In my view the 552 was twice the gun. Its sort of like comparing the henry lever action to the marlin golden 39 in terms of quality.

The 552 is based on the same modular design as the 870/1100 so with a few attempts it becomes quite easy to dissasmble, Also it shares the same trigger set up so lightening the pull is as simple as changing a spring. The pull is very short and crisp making for very fast followups. I also found the 552 to be a very flat shooting rifle with little muzzle flip. I thought the marlin i had was much too light so i added a great deal of lead sinkers to the inside of the forend. Marlins trigger is also much heavier.

As for accuracy yes the marlin was great with its micro groove but i found the 552 would measure up about the same. I found the 552 had a much better weight and ballance with a scope as well, It didnt seem to have as much shake in it compared to the almost too light marlin.
Also i really ended up likeing the left hand action, it made it actually easier to single load rounds if i wanted, feels natural since you grip the rifle with your right. not sure why more semis arent like this.

THen i bought a really sweet 10/22 international, high capacity mags, loader etc, and stopped shooting my other rifles. I sold them both and kind of regret getting rid of the 552. I had a .22 as a plinker for fun at the range. Now i want accuracy, my anschutz should be here next week.

Really i would go for the 552 if you look in the dealer section you will find one for sale. If you have any other questions feel free to ask or PM, BTW the coolest thing about the 552 is the ability to load and cycle 25 shorts in the magazine
IanC
 
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scope

My 552 is coming with a 2-7 Leupold on top, haven't shot it yet but I have the same scope on my Browning lever 22 and it is a great combination. Wish I could afford the Leupold Rimfires on all my 22's. FS
 
The 552 is a classic. It's kind of ugly and kind of ###y, it just depends on your mood and what your tastes are. I would own one just because, but I never have. The model 60 however I did own. It was wonderfully accurate and extremely reliable with certain flavours of ammo. But it was a pain in the rear when it got dirty. It only liked high velocity ammunition, and was very fussy in that respect. Takedown is a little hairy too, and I suggest not doing it in a dark dirt basement. It is troublesome to reassemble. But once it is clean, their great.
 
Your options for a scope are limitless, but may i suggest something with high magnification and an adjustable obective since a great deal of sopes are made for longer distances than used in rimfire. I never had a lot of money to spend on scopes so the one i had on the 552 was the
bushnell banner 4-12x40/AO. My wife has a bushnell .22 scope and even at 25yards it has some paralax issues on high mag.
For me the higher the magnification the better. We used to do grass hopper snipeing contests at the range from the bench.

A tip my brother taught me. Always buy what you want, otherwise you will have settled and will want something better in time.
IanC
 
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