Any .22 Fans?

Handwrecker · Feb 26, 2011

I really enjoy shooting, and have been finding that my .22lr is quickly becoming one of my favorite guns. Can't hunt deer with a rifle down here in Ohio, and I all do is hunt small game and target shoot. I recently snagged a used Marlin 60 that needed some work done for it. I took everything apart, gave it a good cleaning, stripped, sanded, and re-blued the barrel and tube mag where the rust was eating it up. I'd like to refinish the stock at some point, but between warmer weather and other priorities, it's not at the top of the list. Finally, I tossed a BSA Sweet .22 scopes on top of some Leapers 1 piece rings, and off I went. All in all, this gun came in well under $200 dollars, and she shoots like a champ. Cheap thrills I tell ya!

Anyone else into plinking? If there are any .22 fans hiding out here at the Spyderco forum, feel free to join in!

Here's some groups from today, CCI Blazer bulk:

These are all 5 shot groups at 50 yds.

Here's 14 shots, or a full 60 mag

TTT · Feb 26, 2011

Looks like it's shooting pretty darn good! I had the model 60 and it shot very good also; unfortunately I lost it along with several other guns in a house fire

dipbait · Feb 26, 2011

My marlin is accurate but the trigger pull is hideous.

Halfneck · Feb 26, 2011

As ammo prices got higher & higher I found myself shooting my .22s more & more. Ammo is cheap & you can shoot a lot of it without beating yourself up. Long day of shooting .22s and usually my thumb gets sore from loading magazines before anything else.

Nice model 60.

DennisStrickland · Feb 27, 2011

those 50 yd. groups are good. credit the shooter as much as the gun. for small game & fun it's hard to beat a .22. the principles of good .22 shooting are the same as the big guns.--dennis

Handwrecker · Feb 27, 2011

Thanks for the feedback, I agree about the price of .22 bulk being a life saver.

dipbait said:
My marlin is accurate but the trigger pull is hideous.

I got pretty lucky, my Marlin comes in right around 4 lbs. I've heard polishing the sear and messing with spring tension ca be an easy fix for a heavy trigger on the 60.

DWK2 · Feb 27, 2011

I have a pile of 22s and really enjoy shooting them. My favorite rifle is a Browning reproduction of the legendary Winchester Model 52. Many varmints have fallen to it.

My favorite revolver is a S&W K frame (Model 17, I believe) with a 4" barrel and all the target options. I also shoot a six incher in that model.

Favorite semi-auto handgun is a S&W Model 41 with 7 inch barrel. However, the best .22 varmint shot I made was with a Ruger Mk II with a 10 inch bull barrel and a 2x Leupold scope.

Sentimental favorite is a tie between a Winchester single shot my late father bought me for $16 from the gun shop Patty Hearst held up (Mel's) and his ancient Winchester pump chambered in 22WRF.

DancesWithKnives

[Edit: Yes, I do have a Marlin Model 60 and they are very good shooters, especially considering the modest price.]

spoolup · Feb 27, 2011

I love 22s. Nothing is better then heading to the range, shooting for a few hours and realize you only spent $10-20 in ammo. I think I own 10 22s?

A marlin model 60 I got from my father when I turned 12.
SS 18" 10/22
purple 16" 10/22
S&W 617 6"
Ruger SP101 22lr 4" halflug (neat little find for a good price)
Spikes dedicated 22lr build
Ruger single six convert
Ruger MKIII hunter 6"
Kimber 22lr conversion for my few 1911s
2- 22lr AR conversions for my many ARs
And my newest 10/22 build, spent way too much money on a 22lr, but still. Its fun to shoot, infact received a email stating my Volquartsen T2000 trigger shipped Friday. Its about done now.

Still want a 22 lever, prefure a take-down 39.

Nice shooting on the old 60 my friend.

DWK2 · Feb 27, 2011

I've heard good things about that Kimber conversion kit. Do you like it? Pretty reliable and accurate?

Thanks,

DancesWithKnives

sherlockbonez · Feb 28, 2011

Love them. My favorite are the browning SA22. I got a belgium and a jap one. Both great shooters and a pleasure to carry in the woods.

hlee · Feb 28, 2011

DennisStrickland said:
those 50 yd. groups are good. credit the shooter as much as the gun. for small game & fun it's hard to beat a .22. the principles of good .22 shooting are the same as the big guns.--dennis

This is why my .17HMR is a bolt action. I love my ruger 10/22 but I want my wife to be able to practice all of the motions for her deer rifle with the "practice gun." And, it shoots quarter sized groups at 100 yards. But, the trigger is terribly heavy. Its going to have to be replaced...

spoolup · Mar 1, 2011

DWK2 said:
I've heard good things about that Kimber conversion kit. Do you like it? Pretty reliable and accurate?

Thanks,

DancesWithKnives

The SAs seem to like it, and so do I. Just wish someone would come out with a 22lr conversion for the Xd since that is my go to gun. Alas they have no support for that.

FYI reliablity and ammo have alot to do with 22lrs. CCIs seem to be the more bullet proof round for most my conversions.

DWK2 · Mar 1, 2011

Thanks!

I agree on the ammo----CCI Mini Mags seem to work well with all my 22s.

DancesWithKnives

Big philly 1 · Mar 1, 2011

I love the .22lr. Its awesome. in the last 5 months i shot almost 5000 rounds of 22lr out of a ruger 22/45 i bought back in 2003. 22's are becoming everyones (whos on a budget anyway) favorite becuase of the cost. the 22 isnt goin anywere. And by the way a 22 pistol with ammo is better than your 308 that doesnt have any ammo. keep the 22.

1066vik · Mar 1, 2011

spoolup - if you're not totally stuck on the idea of a takedown, the Henry .22 lever guns are pretty nice. (and half the price of any 39 I've seen in the past 2 years)

Handwrecker · Mar 1, 2011

Some very nice guns in here, that 10/22 is making me drool spoolup. :thumbup:

1066vik said:
spoolup - if you're not totally stuck on the idea of a takedown, the Henry .22 lever guns are pretty nice. (and half the price of any 39 I've seen in the past 2 years)

I've also heard a lot of great stuff about those Henry lever .22s. American made with the smoothest action imaginable, apparently.

spoolup · Mar 1, 2011

I looked at Henrys and see nothing wrong with them, but if I am going to drop coin on a impulse buy it would the the takedown. Henrys can be found almost everywhere for almost anything.

Also thanks guys about the words on the current build. Im liking it. Figured I should show the 22 pistols

hoopster · Mar 1, 2011

Last year I picked up one of the new Marlin .22lr in black polymer for $99 after rebate. It's hard to beat for the money but will never have any character.

On the other hand, my brother just picked up a 1941 us army training mossberg .22 for $180. It's in beautiful condition and has an amazing swing away peep sight. I can't wait to help him sight it in.

1066vik · Mar 1, 2011

Handwrecker said:
Some very nice guns in here, that 10/22 is making me drool spoolup. :thumbup:

I've also heard a lot of great stuff about those Henry lever .22s. American made with the smoothest action imaginable, apparently.

it's supposedly a steel frame copy of the old winchester 94/22 - all i know is I got to borrow one for an afternoon of prairie dog hunting and that was enough to convince me i needed one! (love my 10/22 as well)

spoolup · Mar 1, 2011

Hoopster, nice find your brother made there. I really like that piece of history. For some reason, anything that says military looks even better in my eyes. Never seen one of those before, but I wouldnt mind one.