Wilderness .22lr

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seanystrangle

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Oct 1, 2009
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Sorry this maybe in the wrong area move it if so please? But I'm looking for a small .22lr I can hunt small game with and take backpacking with me I was looking at a m6 scout a henry lever action or a ar7 which would be best or would another maybe work better? Thank you in advance
 
I had an AR7 once and it was pretty crude, heavy trigger and I could not shoot it accurately. Better to have a 22 Ruger pistol. Never held an M6 but looks interesting and I'm sure owners love'em. Too bad they don't make them any more. My recommendation would be a Ruger 10/22 over an AR7 or lever gun.
 
for really small, get one of the small cricketts single shot .22. Made for kids, but I keep one in the truck to shoot groundhogs and such. It's accuracy is minute of squirrel and groundhog, so works for me. Is a wee bit small, but for occasional use, when one would not normally have a rifle, works great. The M6 is great but a bit pricey, same with the henry, and the AR7 is not that good. Also look at Marlin Papoose.
 
Is the M6 even commonly available anymore?

You may want a Ruger 10/22 or a Marlin Model 39.
 
I have the M6 in stainless and the Henry version of the AR in camo.

Despite a lot of bad press for AR7 style rifles, my Henry is minute-of-squirrel accurate at reasonable distances and does not jam excessively with good ammo like CCI. However, it does not hold a candle to the M6 when it comes to accuracy. My shooting buddies and I were astounded at how accurate such a simple rifle could be.

Hitting clays with the M6 is not easy because of the very short stock and the unusual trigger. However, it can be done with practice and the 410 would be effective against grouse, ptarmigan, and not-too-spooky quail or bunnies. With the 410 loads that carry several 000 balls of buckshot, you could kill a deer with a side shot from archery type ranges.

If you can find a M6, I think you will greatly prefer it.

DancesWithKnives
 
Love my Henry lever gun - smooth action and probably more accurate than I am.
 
I fornd a m6 at a pawn shop it's pretty beat up but looks like it could work I don't know if it helps but my budget is for between 200 and 350
 
As has been mentioned, the M6 has a really short stock. It also has a wierd trigger. I would recommend that you shoulder the one at the pawn shop and make sure you like it.

If it's priced within your budget, I say jump on it. I love mine. Just takes a little getting used to.
 
A really good quality and reliable 22 semi-auto is the Browning Take-down rifle. I had one but sold it to buy the S&W 22 AR rifle.

The Browning takes down in 2 seconds. It's compact and extremely reliable.
 
I don't think a guy can do better for his dollar, in terms of accuracy and durability, than a marlin bolt action .22. I have a 98ts (tube fed, synthetic stock) that has routinely outshot stock and lightly modified 10/22s, as well as a model 60 that has had similar results. Great rifles for the money, but there aren't many aftermarket goodies for them.

That said, a Henry lever is on my list of rifles to get someday, so smooth.
 
If you want semi-auto then get a 10/22. If you are looking to go bolt action then get a CZ 452. I've handled a M6. Neat small gun but not very comfortable.
 
I guess the question is what you mean by "take backpacking with me". If you are willing to tote the rifle on a sling while backpacking, the Marlin, CZ, and Ruger would all be great. That CZ is an accuracy champ. However, if you want to be able to take the rifle down easily and stuff it inside your pack, then the M6 and Browning would have an advantage.

If I were carrying a 22 by sling, it would be my Browning reproduction of the legendary Winchester Model 52. That's a CZ class shooter!

DancesWithKnives
 
I bought a feather and couldn't get rid of it fast enough. I wouldn't recommend it unless it was free.

The CZ 452 Scout rifle is very good entry level rifle.
 
Forgot about that Papoose. It is also easy to take down.

One of the comments earlier reminded me that I have a 10 inch bull barrel Ruger Mark II pistol and I've shot it so much that it would probably work as well as many rifles at reasonable varmint plinking ranges.

DancesWithKnives
 
Although most people hate the Ar-7 I really like mine. That being said, the Ruger 10/22 is a much better gun. The synthetic stocked non bull bbl guns are light enough to strap to the side of your pack and not notice, even with a small variable power scope. That being said, if I could legally carry a Ruger 22/45 instead I would.
 
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