the right 22 rifle?

Barrabas

Barrabas

Joined
Feb 8, 2005
Messages
1,135
I'm seriously considering getting a Ruger 10/22..and there appear to be 2 different options..carbine & compact.
I'd like to know your preferences, and whether I should be concerned about the durability of fiber optics on the compact, compared to the standard bead.
Not really interested in a takedown at this point.

On a related note, I've also been considering some of the lever action models from Remington, Marlin etc instead of the Ruger..but the Ruger keeps coming to the top.
Understanding the lack of fire rate if I went with one of them..I want to make sure I'm not overlooking any other compelling reasons why I should go with one of them instead of the Ruger..and would appreciate your help on that.

For the sake of the budget..I really don't want to spend more than 400..
Uses: plinking, small game, will see a lot of brush time..need reliability and durability.

Thanks for your help!
 
The Ruger is a great semi-auto.
But for hiking around, I prefer a non-auto. I'm a big fan of a mag-fed bolt because I can clear it so easily and it's fairly inert and doesn't shove an extra shell in the chamber without asking first. If I was worried about fending off packs of coyotes it would be another matter, but I'm just fantasizing here.

However for semi-autos, my pick would be the ruger.
 
At least in my opinion the 10/22 is pretty well respected. Its a good rifle with many options for custom work. This is likely the downside as well, with many,many aftermarket options, some are simply not as good as others.

The 10/22 is a great all around rifle, and I like it over a bolt gun for "general use" even in stock form it makes a cheap trainer for other semi rifles. This alone makes it a must have.

I have nothing against a bolt gun, still have the first rifle I ever touched...a bolt .22 single shot, but a 10/22 is clearly better for plinking, training, etc.
 
You can't go wrong with a 10/22. Another good rifle is a Marlin Model 60, you can get them with magazine or tube feed. The 10/22 has about a million options for upgrades, but the Marlin is kinda limited in after market accessories. Both are good shooters out of the box and would serve you well for what you are intending with room for improvement.
I have a carbine 10/22 pretty much stock that is about 25+ years old and a model 60 with a few mods on it. Both are very fun to hunt and plink with.
 
You should be able to outfit yourself really well for $400. I'd get a fixed power scope and synthetic stock. Even with stainless should be less than $300. This would leave you with money for other accessories like clips or a drop in adjustable trigger if you want. I'd choose it over the lever actions and Marlin with its tubular magazine. I'd get the one with the longer barrel, carbine I think.
 
I have the marlin and the ruger. The Marlin has a special place in my heart being one of my first rifles and my 10/22 with its hammered barrel and customizations isnt anything close to original. One is for squirrels (marlin) the other is for plinking (ruger)
 
Having owned a Ruger 10/22 since 1968, I am prejudice towards that fine rifle. Recently, I combined the action/barrel from a Compact model with the full-size lightweight stock from an all-weather/lightweight model. This fine little rifle, with it's Hi-viz sights is actually lighter than my Ruger Mk II Stainless pistol! With a Ruger 25-round magazine installed, it's one fine little field rifle.

Just my $0.02 worth!

Ron
 
Barrabas said:
Uses: plinking, small game, will see a lot of brush time..need reliability and durability.
Click to expand...

What about a bolt action? There's no arguing that the 10/22's firing rate is going to be faster, but with practice you should be able to quickly get off follow up shots with a boltie. Read abou the mad minute here.

Look no further than the CZ 452, specifically the Trainer model. This gun falls within your budget and has some of the finest iron sights available in a .22lr.

my452trainertangentsighig7.jpg


Reliability and durability will be better with a bolt action due to the design. It's simpler, so there is less to go wrong mechanically. It will also be more accurate, an important consideration since you will be using this gun for hunting. There are few factory 10/22s that are as accurate out of the box as a good bolt action. They can be made more accurate, but that usually takes a few hundred dollars of aftermarket accessories.

One disadvantage is that the CZ is better looking than the Ruger. You might be more hesitant to take it afield.
 
For general plinking and shooting I would go with a Marlin 60. Not that it has the best trigger, but every 10/22 I've owned has had a terrible trigger. The plus side is it has more accessories for it than any other .22 I'm aware of. If you are wanting a gun for hunting and to ring the most accuracy out of, I would second the CZ.
 
The CZ trainer would also be my first choice. I have over 35 22 rifles and not a single Ruger 10/22. Accuracy wise you can't beat the CZ. The good thing about the Ruger is that it is the Small Block Chevy of rifles. Thousands of aftermarket options, most of which you can add to your rifle yourself. The Ruger is a good gun, but the CZ is a great gun!
 
The current 10/22s have a lot of plastic parts. I recomend looking for an older model.

If buying new, I recommend Remington Model 597. It has a man sized stock and is easy
for scopes to be mounted. They seem accurate off the shelf. They feature 10 round magazines.

I have a customized 10/22 as a total came to over $800.00.

graffer
 
I think either the Ruger 10/22 or the Marlin 60 are great hiking, general purpose rifles. They both stand up to a lot of abuse in the stock configurations. Both can serve as an defensive arm against 2-legged vermin in a pinch on the trail too... There was a time when a 10/22 was the only firearm I had. Yes, I have many more now, but a .22 LR is about all the firearm you need - if you are a decent shot.

If you don't want to buy a bunch accessories or extra magazines - I'd go with the Marlin; plus there is no chance of loosing the magazine either; the weapon system and ammo feed are integral to the weapon. The Marlin is also less expensive by $50. Even if you buy the 10/22 you will have $150 or so left in your stated budget to buy a few extra magazines and several thousand rounds. You just can't beat a .22 LR rifle for economy.

If I were to keep just 1 firearm - the 10/22 would probably be it - even though I have guns that are 5X the cost; none are 5X the value & utility.
 
Hi Barrabas -

I have a 10/22, a couple Marlin model 40 and a Remington Viper.

I love the Marlin, and the Ruger is also a very nice piece (I have only had it to the range one time - I just bought it from a member here).

As to the accuracy - I have had one of my Marlin's for 20 years, and I paid under $50 for it new.

I can hit a soda can at 100 yards with the iron sights using bulk 22 ammo - no problem. That is plenty accurate for hunting what you will be hunting with a 22 in my opinion.

A 22 is a great piece - cheap to shoot and very capable.

I would go for the Ruger - as was eloquently said above - it is the Chevy Smallblock of the rimfire world.

I don't have any experience with the bolt action CZ - sounds like a nice choice as well if you want a bolt action. I prefer to buy something made in USA, but not against the idea if the piece is a quality piece and not matched by something made on-shore.

best

mqqn
 
Take both. Hold them, and pick the one that fits you best.

Ruger 10-22 is one of the all time top .22's for fun, and use! They just plain work, and work, and work, and work!

I have been shooting mine for something like 25 years. My dad's has been going longer.

I have put lots and lots and lots of ammo through it. I have shot over 1000 rounds in a single sitting!
 
I'll be the odd man out here and recommend one of Henry's little lever guns.
They're not the classic heirloom Henry would have you believe, but they don't cost what an old Marlin, Winny, or BLR do either (if ya can even find one).
IMO they're perfect for a fast handling,reliable, and super accurate hiking companion. Plus the fun factor of a lever gun for plinking is pretty hard to beat.
I have the octagon barreled Frontier model in 22WMR, which is a little over your budget, but the regular 22LR in carbine form is much lighter and can be had for around 250.00.
I've beat the snot out of this one chasing Cats and Coon behind my potlickers for several years now with nary a problem.
S7300978.jpg

Picture254.jpg


In your price range the CZ Trainer or Marlin M60 mentioned above are good choices too, but for me personally, the 10/22 would be last on my list as you seldom see one thats real accurate out of the box.
Yea, there's always the exception and they have tons of aftermarket parts to help with accuracy, but they ain't free. They are dependable though, and if you just like shooting lots of rounds real fast I suppose they're fine.
JMO
Luck
Charlie

PS,,,, Henrys also made in the good ol USA if that matters to ya.
 
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amflud said:
Great, before today I didn't know what a CZ 452 was. Now I NEED one.
Click to expand...

Yes you do! :thumbup:
IMO,,, CZ rimfires are one of the best deals out there even if they aren't US made.
For me anyway, buying European goods doesn't stick in my craw near as much as the Chinese crap that's shoved down our throats all to often these days.
Old world craftsmanship from a democratic country that doesn't manipulate their currency or use what is akin to slave labor like COMUNIST China does.... I can live with that.

Just make sure you have lots of solvent and patches on hand to get the tar like preservative they put in their barrels for the boat ride over here out. :D
Charlie
 
It is hard to find a 22 that isn't fairly accurate. My Marlin 795 is 2 MOA. I had a 10-22 that was a little better. A friend has a 10-22 that is 2 MOA. To put it in perspective that is 10 shots in @ 1/2" at 25 yards. If you are planning on shooting farther than 50 yards (for game) you might be better served with the CZ which usually delivers @ 1 MOA.
 
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