Most Reliable Bush .22?

T

tommyguitar

CGN Regular
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Location
West Kootenays
I am a trapper and I am looking for the absolute most old school, reliable .22 out there that can take a beating and keep on ticking. I don't think I'm interested in having a detachable magazine for fear that it will get lost. I'd like to carry this on my back with a shoulder strap in summer and winter. Preferably be able to shoot .22 short and long. In the cold winter I have had issues with scopes getting fogged and snowed in. Scope cover, maybe?

What do you guys recommend for me? I was thinking a Cooey with iron sights?
 
Ruger 10/22 with the flush 10 round mags and stock mag release (which is flush with the bottom of the receiver, so that you can't snag it).

For frequent outdoor use, get the stainless version with the synthetic stock so that you don't have to worry about rust and/or mold much. I find that these things are proven and 100% reliable (the AK of .22's), plus they feed any ammo you put in them (which is not the case with many other .22LR makes/models). I have a collapsible "Black Warrior" stock on mine and love it... with the butt folded sideways, it measures just over 26" and can be fired without extending the stock. The butt actually acts like a forward handle in the folded mode, which is awesome for extra control.

This is very close to what mine looks like, although this one is a "Butler Creek" folding stock:

800px-Ruger_10-22_%282%29.JPG


(and yes, accessories are plentiful for these... so you can customize it exactly to whatever your needs are).
 
39, 75,82 single shot cooey or mod 60 or 600. i use one all the time and beat on it. n/p. shoots shorts longs and long rifle, and they are accurate and cheap.
no scope needed irons are good enough. these guns are under rated
 
drslav said:
39, 75,82 single shot cooey or mod 60 or 600. i use one all the time and beat on it. n/p. shoots shorts longs and long rifle, and they are accurate and cheap.
no scope needed irons are good enough. these guns are under rated
Click to expand...

+1 on the 60 or 600. Pick up a cheap beat up but reliable one. Tubular mag that accepts shorts, long, and long rifle ammo. And you won't have to worry about scratching it up!
 
Marlin 60.

In the TV series "Swamp People", alligator hunters use the Marlin 60 to finish off hooked alligators before landing them. I don't know if it will take shorts, though.

In their business, reliability is paramount. Speaks well for the Marlin 60, IMO.
 
Nylon 66, considered the most reliable. Won't cycle shorts and longs, but the may a still work if you work the bolt with each shot. Shoot it with open sights. You can put a sling on it, with some drill work. Holds 14 shots, tube feed in butt stock. Weighs 4 lbs.
 
LarryG said:
Nylon 66, considered the most reliable. Won't cycle shorts and longs, but the may a still work if you work the bolt with each shot. Shoot it with open sights. You can put a sling on it, with some drill work. Holds 14 shots, tube feed in butt stock. Weighs 4 lbs.
Click to expand...

The Nylon 66 would fit the reliability, durability, and tubular mag requirements. It's reputed to have shot over 100,000 rounds without a misfire. I read the nylon acts as a natural lubricant for feeding and makes the stock durable. But it won't feed shorts or longs, just long rifle rounds.
 
The Browning lever BLR.22 is very small and light, will cycle all the .22's and has nice irons.
Not the best trigger for precise target work but it's a great carry rifle.

I would have to say the least complex and therefore most reliable would be some tube fed bolt action rifle.
Certainly the easiest to keep clean would be a break action or single shot bolt action. For sure they'll feed anything.
 
Marlin makes a synthetic tube fed 22 that shoots s, l, and lr that might meet your needs. The 981T can be had for around $200 or so "NEW".
I believe even a SS version is now an option for a bit more cash. Comes with iron sights very good gun for the money. I love mine and bought one in 22 mag as well (983T).

Here is a picture of the pair.

P1040976.jpg
 
X2 on the 981 marlin. Fits your criteria perfectly, tube fed, feed short and long rifle, super reliable and accurate. And it's very affordable!
 
The older Remington, Mossberg or Marlin tube-fed bolt-actions....:cool:

My personal favourite being the Remington 512....:evil:...that thing will eat any ammo with scary reliability...:D
 
Definitely a bolt action....Cooey, Marlin or Mossberg tube fed mag being first choice.

As for ammo....i think you will find the LR cheaper and more available than shorts.
 
I can tell you that a Cooey 39 will last you generations. It's a simple single shot .22 that has no magazine. I don't think the bolt is likely to fail if kept clean, so you could expect it to run until the sear malfunctions. A barrel, a sear, a trigger, a very simple bolt and a stock is really all there is to it. Simple and reliable, light as well. Drilling in the studs for a sling is easy too.

Accuracy on the one I shoot is far better than a stock 10/22.
 
I also concur with the Marlin 981T bolt action above. I recommended the Marlin 60 or 795 first, since follow up shots are way faster, which might come in handy in the bush. As well, the 60/795 is lighter and shorter than the 981T.

My two 60s are very close in so far as accuracy, to my 981T. No issues at all with FTFeed, FTEject on my Marlins...using cheap Winchester bulk Dynapoints.
 
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