which one first?

JWhite

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Alright so not being a gun expert, I am very comfortable with guns, I just have no ownership experience since never owning my own gun before. For all intents and purposes at the moment, I am looking for a nice plinking gun, something that is reliable, inexpensive, fun to shoot and a best-bang-for-your-buck rimfire rifle.

After doing some research, I am sure I have narrowed it down to two models (buy me a few drinks and I can be persuaded…but don’t tell my wife).

Ruger 10/22
I love the looks of this gun. That stock is a beauty and the overall finish just smells of a classic. From the reviews I have read (and I won’t go on about accuracy, mod capability, jam%, etc), this new model may not be on par with its predecessor, but is still one of those rifles that are talked about on most forums. Perhaps all the talk and popularity is based on older versions, because I have read that the newer model has some parts which have been replaced with plastic.

Good alteration or bad for the name?

Savage 64 G
Another rifle that catches my eye in an instant. The stock finish and lines, the blued barrel, I mean come on, is this gun already a classic or what? Can you imagine reading about die-hard Marlin owners switching for this gun?! A mockery I tells ya! Accurate, cheap to shoot, easily
stripped down, but again I won’t go on and on. Another company with a history of producing quality guns.

Also cheaper of the two.

Now keep in mind I am a gun-shooting-lefty and I am not sure if either model is ambidextrous. Sway me one way or the other folks, this is one of the reasons I joined…ok I know in the end I will probably end up owning both at some point.


But.....which one first?
 
Get a 10/22... They are solid little guns, fun to shoot and you can dress them up more than a Barbie doll...
 
(Savage 64) I mean come on, is this gun already a classic or what?

It was a classic back when cooey produced them.
Which, I would chose over the savage, cooey didn't pollute the receiver with safeties.
 
Question, what are you going to shoot and how far?
The reason why I ask is if you're looking to shoot 50yds or less, a semi auto is great. If you're going to shoot 100yds+, you need to be looking at a bolt action unless you want to drop $1500+ on a semi auto that groups as good as a bolt action.
That being said, I love my ultralight 10/22. Axiom stock, tactical soultions barrel, upgraded extrater and charging handle. Sunk in including taxes, $650 after buying and selling the extra parts including the new 10/22. A tactical solutions built gun costs $1200 not including taxes/shipping. The gun is 3.75lbs loaded with optic!
However this gun can't hold a candle to my btvs Savage 22. I also love my savage and they make great guns.
I'm going to get flamed for being honest, the savage 64 IMO out of the box will out group a 10/22. However the 10/22 is upgradeable compared to the savage.
So long story short,
If you're sticking with a semi auto and not spending alot, the savage is the answer.
If you're willing to spend $650+, the 10/22 is the answer.
If you're shooting more than 50yds, buy a bolt action!
 
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I picked the 10/22 first
Because of all the mod's that can be done
2nd choice was a Savage Mark 2 G
One that will work good right out of the box
Brian
 
Question, what are you going to shoot and how far?

Good question and that may help out in providing some guidance.

To be honest at this point it will be any inanimate object with a Bruins or Leafs logo on it :cool:

No seriously though, just some target practice for now (the odd zombie or two) and really I am not going for competition range shooting (at this point). That is one of the reasons I am looking at a semi-auto over the bolt action. If I was going for pure accuracy, I would definitely invest in the bolt action, but for now I want to just have some fun plinking away. I would say no farther than 100yds is the goal at the moment as the shooting ranges we have around here are only at the 150yd mark, so I am not too concerned with hitting long range targets.

Thanks for the replies folks!
 
I adore my 64's. As mentioned they are already classic with very few changes in 50+ years of production.(From Cooey to Winchester to Lakefield and now Savage). My first and fav .22 (I've owned/own quite a few dozen .22's...).
I didn't always love mine. They have to be kept clean, and are fussy eaters. Once you have that down pat they provide years of fun (25+ for mine, and it was OLD when I bought it).

I don't tolerate 10/22's on the premises. I've owned 2, and nothing but issues for me! They do have a huge following. If buying a rifle, then buying all manner of aftermarket bits is your thing, these are tops! The coolest thing I find in the 10/22 is the flush fit of the 10rd magazine, a completely useless innovation if you stick a h-cap magazine in it.

As much as I love my 64's, new at a store the 795 can be had for less $'s, and they are certainly no less a rifle. I've also had lots of fun with a 597 Remington. Full sized, accurate, smooth running, and it's 10rd magazine is very low profile (not quite flush).

Too many rifles, and soooooooooo little time/budget.
 
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Don't know the budget, so I'll throw in the Browning Buckmark rifle for a cool, don't have to dress it up, accurate semi. They handle and shoot mighty fine.
 
I really think that you will have to handle them and decide for yourself. Like you see everybody loves different brand. IMHO Buy what you feel is right for you once you have it in your hands. Later if you change your mind, put your rifle on CGN EE and get another one!
Good luck
 
All I can say is that any self respecting Habs fan would go with the very reliable Ruger 10/22 and have a world of upgrades available as desired in the future. The Savage is more geared to your typical Leafs fans who will be satisfied with mediocre performance & substandard reliability...
 
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All I can say is that any self respecting Habs fan would go with the very reliable Ruger 10/22 and have a world of upgrades available as desired in the future. The Savage is more geared to your typical Leafs fans who will be satisfied with mediocre performance & substandard reliability...

How can I refuse advice from a fellow Habs fan (and you put it so eloquently that I can't refuse - or maybe it's the Habatar that convinced me)

The Ruger 10/22 is what I am leaning towards...now to find one.

Thanks everyone for responding and providing some insight.
 
2 things I didn't like about the 64. You have to take the barrel off for cleaning and no aftermarket parts ( charging handle is too small, you can operate mag release with gloves as it is small and no mags that hold more than 10 rounds). I sold the 64 and now I own a 10/22 that is as accurate and as reliable as the 64. If you want more accuracy go for a bolt rifle like mk2 GL.
 
I own a cooey 64 and a 10/22
I shoot the 10/22 more often. 25rd magazines. Aftermarket stock. Aftermarket peep sights(which is possible on a 64 as well)
 
I am also a left handed shooter. I have two newer 10/22s. Shooting left handed with them is a non issue. I find stripping them down to clean very easy. I have shot over 10 000 rounds in the 2 years I have had it with no problems. I don`t find quality on the newer ones to be a problem. I have the deluxe sporter model which gives you a nicer stock (walnut with checkering). It seems ruger can`t make them fast enough to fill the demand. The 25 rd mags are fun and are easily found. I will say you will want to have the trigger lightened they are too heavy out of the box, mine cost $85 to have done. they are a fun gun that is easy to look after.
 
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