Looking for my first .22

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jona710

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Looking for something my girlfriend isn't afraid of but also interested in cheap plinking for myself.

I just was at cabelas handling the following:

10/22 stainless
597 cheap scope combo
Marlin 795
Savage 64 with a cheap scope combo

Obviously the price difference savage 64 to 10/22 is double but is 10/22 really worth it? It looks much better but I'm not interested in the aftermarket parts or mods which seems to be the biggest selling feature.

The 597 is the only one that cabelas has mags for more than 10 rounds and is still about $80 cheaper than the 10/22 and it comes with a cheap scope with mount and rings. The cabelas salesman mentions it had a heavy trigger pull - not sure if that would be a problem or not.

The marlin 795 is cheap and extremely light. Not sure on performance.

The savage 64 has the worst cheap scope but I'm more looking for iron sights anyway which it has. It is $200 and this is the only one my girlfriend actually handled and she said she liked the weight. It's about 5 pounds and all those other rifles are within 1 pound of it.


I guess my main question is for what I'm looking for is there any reason not to get the savage 64? The cons are I don't know about its performance and it appears you can't get more than 10 round mags for it

Any help appreciated
 
Is your heart set on a semi automatic?

The reason I ask is because you mention ” something my girlfriend isn't afraid of” – if it was me I would be looking at something with as small a “bang” as possible.

Normal .22LR ammunition is about 140 db. That’s well into the range where it’s a good idea to wear ear protection and on the borders of suffering permanent hearing damage if you don’t. You will need to wear ear plugs or muffs.

You can however buy quiet .22LR ammunition. (CCI Quiets are the ones I use – there are others). These are under 70 db. That’s about the same as a vacuum cleaner or a kid planning a piano close up. No hearing protection required at all. You do lose some power, which may be important if you are hunting, but then you can always switch to the higher power ammo for hunting and wear the ear plugs.

Most semi-automatics wont work properly with the Quiet ammunition. They wont cycle properly and you have to hand pull the mechanism each shot. That sucks if you’ve paid extra for a semi-automatic.

My way around this was to get a lever action.

I got a Henry .22.

It works just fine with most types of .22LR ammunition (and as a bonus lets you use .22 short too).

It isn’t as fast as a semi-automatic for sure, you have to work the lever each time, but that soon becomes not noticeable. And as a bonus I feel like John Wayne when I shoot it!
 
Hey jona710~OF those, the Marlin 795 would be my choice (the only semi I own, and I've had several come and go over the years) Best features/accuracy for the $~and I've owned a new Ruger 10/22 too btw. However, I always recommend people buy bolt guns as their first, THEN move to semis. In my experience (almost 30 years shooting rimfires) new shooters get bored the quickest with semis. An accurate bolt gun with a decent trigger just seems to hold the attention of new shooters longer. Flying shell casings are fun too...but not as fun in the long haul. Don't ever let "package" guns tempt you, as the scope that comes with them is never anything to get excited about. I've never liked 597s (never owned one) and I think 10/22s aren't worth the asking price. The 795's sights are rarely straight, but I scope almost everything...so not a deal breaker for me. If you get a 795, a nice (inexpensive) upgrade if you're even a LITTLE handy is a spring kit from MCARBO. Makes a good gun even better for a few bucks.

Semis have their place too, I just think bolt guns are a better choice. Especially as a "first".
 
Thanks for the replies guys.

By not afraid of I mean my other rifles are .308 or bigger calibers and she doesn't like the recoil! I always wear hearing protection anyways.

@.22lrguy - It's not my first gun just my first .22. So I get what you're saying about the semi vs bolt gun. I had been leaning toward the marlin now that I saw at bass pro they have 25 round mags for it. Can you recommend a bolt gun for me to look at when I go back to cabelas later ? I'll handle a Henry lever too just to see what's up.
 
I've had all those rifles and they are all good in their own way.
10rd mags are ok, especially if you intend to do any shooting off a bench.
I think the Savage 64 is the easiest to clean/ simplist to take down.
You really can't go wrong on any of those, and all are reasonably accurate for plinking needs.
I think the Rem 597 has the most adjustable sights if that is important (not sure if your set on a scope or going cheap red dot, or irons).
I find the Marlin stock short, but the rifle is good. The magazines seem to be harder on my fingers for loading than the other 22's you mentioned.
As for small bang (dB) longer barrels are quieter. I have a Ruger 10/22 with a 22" barrel and seems noticeably quieter than the 18.5" 10/22.
 
I owned the 795 and I would buy again if I desired a semi 22lr. Light weight and accurate, as accurate as you could expect from the cheapest ammo. I always recommend the 795 over the 10/22 unless you want to tacticool or ninja it up.

Can't speak to which bolt 22 is good. I am on that mission currently.

I never wear ear muffs or plugs for shooting 22. I don't find its loud enough to bother. Even if I shoot several hundred in one sitting, and no I did not have ringing ears after. I probably would if 10 or more people were shooting around me though. I am sure people will say I am crazy but I have never worn ear protection for 22lr since I was 8. Got hearing tested by the army and civilian side and one said I was perfectly normal and one said slightly below average. Can't remember who said what though.
 
jona710 said:
@.22lrguy - It's not my first gun just my first .22. So I get what you're saying about the semi vs bolt gun. I had been leaning toward the marlin now that I saw at bass pro they have 25 round mags for it. Can you recommend a bolt gun for me to look at when I go back to cabelas later ? I'll handle a Henry lever too just to see what's up.
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@ Cabela's~you'll probably be limited to Savage's and Marlins. Savage Mark II, Marlin XT. You might see a "Ruger American" in 22LR too. IF they have a Ruger American, I might be inclined to go that route. Savage have come out with a new/improved 22 bolt gun called a B22. Of all those, I think I'm most curious about the B22. If budget allows, for about 30% more, you could be into a CZ452 which to me...are about the best you can get for the $. They're discontinued, but a couple of CGN sponsors like Prairie Gun Traders and Frontier still have them. They come in around $600-$675 before tax, but they're great rifles. However, as a "first" 22 at a more affordable price, I'd personally be trying to track-down a Savage B22 or a Ruger American. Then Marlin XT, then Savage Mark II. In that order.
 
.22LRGUY said:
@ Cabela's~you'll probably be limited to Savage's and Marlins. Savage Mark II, Marlin XT. You might see a "Ruger American" in 22LR too. IF they have a Ruger American, I might be inclined to go that route. Savage have come out with a new/improved 22 bolt gun called a B22. Of all those, I think I'm most curious about the B22. If budget allows, for about 30% more, you could be into a CZ452 which to me...are about the best you can get for the $. They're discontinued, but a couple of CGN sponsors like Prairie Gun Traders and Frontier still have them. They come in around $600-$675 before tax, but they're great rifles. However, as a "first" 22 at a more affordable price, I'd personally be trying to track-down a Savage B22 or a Ruger American. Then Marlin XT, then Savage Mark II. In that order.
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Interesting I was holding a used b22 there yesterday they hadn't even got on the shelf til later this week they said probably be around 399 as they paid 325 for it.
 
I'm quite fond of the Remington 597, was my first rifle 18 years ago. Had it at the range this morning and ran 150 rounds of "match" type ammo through it, zero cycling issues. Every semi will have the occasional jam or malfunction (for that matter, bolt actions will sometimes fail to extract/eject properly too, or have a stuck mag, but the incidence of occurrence is significantly less). The last shot bolt hold open feature is great. My trigger is 4 pounds and a little creepy, but this is fine for a plinking gun or hunting (I am going to try some tweaks soon to see if I can get it down to 2 or 3 lbs). You can get a VQ hammer and/or MCARBO spring kit and achieve a 1.5-3 lbs trigger, or even get a JARD trigger kit for 1-3 lbs trigger. Now we're talking 10/22-like modding :rolleyes: Well, not really. Unlike the Ruger, the Remington really doesn't need much to perform well.

I can't complain about my Remmy, any issues I've ever had with it were 100% due to my kitchen table gunsmithing :d Some people don't like 'em, or got lemons, but reality is that there is always a risk of getting a lemon with any factory grade rifle. Just ask me about all the troubles I've had with CZ's :rolleyes: I wouldn't recommend a 455 (no experience with the 452's, but there seem to be less issues with them).

What kind of shooting do you plan to do with it? Do you see that changing in the near future? Plinking popcans in the backyard? Just about any rifle will do. Think you might try for some more accurate shooting (like the 1/2" challenge?) Probably gunna wanna look at a bolt action. Skip the "package" optics, but I can't really suggest anything in that department without knowing what kind of shooting you're into.

Today's best Remington 597 group with RWS Rifle Match "S". I should mention my barrel is not factory... :evil:

Uploaded at Snapagogo.com
 
Well, going on what you mentioned in your first post, I would reccommend the Savage 64 FXP package from Cabelas. I read many reviews all over about many problems, but have yet to encounter anything myself. Great little gun with a decent 4x scope if you are so inclined to install.

As per the question in post #4 regarding bolt action rimfire. Savage Mark II. Nice clean, crisp trigger, very decent accuracy right out of the box, adjustable accutrigger as well. I will stay away from giving a specific model of Mark II as there are a few, and to each their own. They all seem to be very accurate, so pick the one you like best!
 
Well I took the girlfriend back to cabelas and judging by reviews and the fact that I was looking for iron sights (she has a hard time looking through scopes while wearing her glasses). Also the fact I found some 25 round mags at bass pro I got the marlin 795! Hopefully I can get out to the range tomorrow and try it out. Very light and easy to manage for her small frame (like most .22's) but this was definitely the lightest. Thank you all for your input I will likely track this thread for future considerations !
 
jona710 said:
Well I took the girlfriend back to cabelas and judging by reviews and the fact that I was looking for iron sights (she has a hard time looking through scopes while wearing her glasses). Also the fact I found some 25 round mags at bass pro I got the marlin 795! Hopefully I can get out to the range tomorrow and try it out. Very light and easy to manage for her small frame (like most .22's) but this was definitely the lightest. Thank you all for your input I will likely track this thread for future considerations !
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The 795 won't disappoint. Just some pointers from my experience with it.

be careful when you are putting the bolt back in. Its easy to crush the spring sideways under the bolt. It still works but you will forever have a bent spring

If you find the rear sight difficult to see through, I took a round file to it. It made the notch a little bit bigger which helped me
 
Gnome75 said:
The 795 won't disappoint. Just some pointers from my experience with it.

be careful when you are putting the bolt back in. Its easy to crush the spring sideways under the bolt. It still works but you will forever have a bent spring

If you find the rear sight difficult to see through, I took a round file to it. It made the notch a little bit bigger which helped me
Click to expand...

^this is great advice Jona. Part of why I always recommend bolt guns, but, just watch carefully when pulling the bolt back to remove it (action upside down/trigger group out). You have to compress that spring slowly/carefully...just replay that process in your mind when carefully reinstalling~should be all good. Watch a couple of YouTube videos to help you through the first few times.

The 795 is a fun gun~love mine.
 
Got the 795 and two 25 round mags and went out yesterday. I like a little more power but I'm happy with my purchase as this was for the girlfriend and for if I want to shoot off 300 rounds for $30 and I think it will be perfect. Might grab a cheap scope to throw on it if she wants but for $219 you can't really beat it! Shot 200 rounds of cci standard velocity without a single problem. Solid gun so far.
 
Jona, if you haven't picked up a rifle yet, might I recommend something that is a little more unique and memorable as your first .22. For a semi, i would recommend a Springfield 87a which is tube fed but if you want a magazine, the Erma Werkes .22 semi is a good option. if you are concerned with reliabily and parts, one of the best .22 is the Gevarm e1 which is an open bolt design and can be found with 8, 20 and 30rd mags. It only have 3 moving parts. Something a little more common would be something like the Browning 22SA. The Belgium made one are top notch in quality and design.

If you are considering a rifle other than semi, lever actions are always fun. Recomendations again is a Browning or a Henry. For a bolt action, an old Anshutz repeater can be found for between $200 to $300. I bought two this year from site sponsors for around the $200 mark. If you want a unicorn than it is pretty hard to beat a lee enfield no.2mk4. Or the repeater varient of the no4mk1 in .22. I think its is the no.7. Those will set you back a little.
 
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