Looking for .22LR Semi-Auto for target / Appleseed project

[johnnymordoc]

Folks,

I am looking for a .22LR semi-auto that I can use for target a taking the Appleseed Project course.

I have an older Remington .22LR bolt-action that I do not feel would give me the best experience.

I have been looking at the S&W MP 15-22, Ruger 10/22, Remington 597 and even a Marlin Model 60.


Ruger has a "tactical" with no sites and a bi-pod - barrel looks to be heavier.
They also have a "take-down" and the standard models.

Remington 597 looks to be a newer kid on the block and the Marlin 60 looks to be another .22LR that has been around a while.

I am looking for reliability - something that will shoot just about any round of .22LR and has some good options for a quality- but low cost scope or optic.

I am familiar with the AR platform - and I understand folks can use them for Appleseed - just too expensive to shoot a 5.56 vs .22LR.

I am looking for some feedback that I can use for my next purchase.

Thanks in advance.

-JJ

[Garv]

My 15-22 is fun, easy to clean and eats most .22.

10-22 would be a good second choice, but some folks here have had cycling issues with cheaper rounds.
Huge aftermarket.

[Mark75H]

Tube mag guns are hard to do Appleseed with. Marlin 795 is basically a detachable mag Model 60.

10-22 is most folks's go to .22 semi, but the stock Ruger barrel doesn't really compare to the Marlin 795 or Remington 597 for accuracy; this made for a huge aftermarket of 10-22 stuff. Only one or two 795/Model 60 aftermarket parts, but the Remington 597 aftermarket part market is picking up.

10-22 and become addicted to buying an aftermarket piece every week, or a 597 with a Volquartson hammer and extractor, Keep Shooting mags and be done without breaking the bank.

The most popular budget scope for rimfire on rimfire.com is the BSA Sweet .22. Can be found on sale for around $115 sometimes. I bought an ugly 597 on Gunbroker, a Sweet 22 scope on sale, the VQ parts on sale and have a great shooter for around $225 total.

[polygunner]

1. 10/22
2. 795
3. everything else

The 10/22 and the 795 both need tech sights.
The 795 has studs to mount the sling, the 10/22 does not.
The 10/22 is a more quality rifle and more expensive.
The mag disconnect on the 795 is annoying.
The 10/22 is easy to change barrels. 795 no way.
Unless you get lucky they both will need work to get the mags to drop free.

I have both and use them both at appleseeds. They are modified to suit my needs.

pg

[Paseclipse]

M&P 15/22's are currently banned for Appleseeds- http://bearingarms.com/bob-o/2016/09...ay-discharges/

Build a "Liberty Training Rifle"- http://appleseedinfo.org/pdf/LTR.pdf

Search around online and you'll find more info.

If you decide to go with a 10/22 I'd suggest getting a Voluartsen exact edge extractor. These help 10/22's eat pretty much any ammo (including subsonic rounds) you put through them.

For a scope (instead of Tech Sights) any 3-9 Rimfire scope that has finger adjustable turrets will work fine. The adjustable turrets are very handy if you ever do a KD Rimfire Appleseed.

I've been using a BSA Sweet 22 scope on my 10/22 LTR and it's been decent. The only gripe I have is that the impact point shifts 4 MOA after sitting in the hot summer sun for a few hours. I can't complain though because it was cheap.

[Bainter1212]

Marlin 795 is the best IMO. The older models had actual sling swivels, newer ones just have plastic molded attachment points.
The 10/22 would be great if it didn't need so many mods to work perfectly.

[as_rocketman]

Like others have said, your two real choices are Marlin 795 and Ruger 10/22. The only real advantage to an AR-22 of any stripe is if you're exclusively training on the AR platform, and frankly the manual of arms will be different in any event. So go the AR route if you want, but it's not required and in my estimation offers no advantages. Plus there is the ongoing issue with M&P15-22, which as noted above, are currently not allowed on the line at Appleseed until the safety review is finished.

Both the Marlin and Ruger offer pretty easy rimfire scope options. You will need to upgrade the sights of either one in any case. The Ruger is more expensive but it offers more customization options. The Marlin is cheaper but if its stock doesn't fit you, it's tougher to solve.

Either route will take $100 - $200 extra to get into proper running order -- sling, and possibly swivels; sights, either Tech Sights or equivalent or scope; spare magazines (five is the recommended number). Many folks like to modify their Rugers to simplify the bolt stop. Marlins will eventually wear out their trigger group and require replacement (upgrading with DIP stuff is not a bad idea).

Either rifle will be "picky" with ammunition but should function reasonably well with at least one or two of the commonly available bulk ammo. My Marlin, for instance, dislikes Remington products but does OK with Winchester and Aguila, and is downright pleased with CCI. For Appleseed purposes you will want a reliable load, so you should probably start thinking CCI Mini-mag and then experiment from there.

At the end of the day, though, the rifle has to fit you. It should shoulder comfortably, you should have a good sight picture with a solid cheek weld, and you should have positive sight adjustments. Whichever rifle does that is the one you want.

[johnnymordoc]

Thanks for the info - keep it coming.

I was able to hold the Ruger Target Tactical 10/22 with and included bi-pod and heavier barrel - no sights - it felt pretty good with the added barrel weight. $$$ will be needed for optic since no fixed sights.

The Ruger "take down" version was also interesting and had flip down sights.

I also was able to check out the Remington 597 -

I need to find a Marlin 795 to see how that feels -

When I asked about the S&W MP 15 /22 the first question asked was if the rifle was for me - I said yes and was pointed to the Ruger or other options (suspect was due to current issues).

From what folks are saying I am going to need to upgrade the trigger and extractor -

The Marlin and Remington have the last shot hold open feature that is nice.

Ammo - are most shooting 40 GR?

Thanks again for all the good info.

[Red-Osier]

I like the model 60, I have a 60/600 big-5 marlin. It's very accurate, it's heavier then the 795. For appleseed, I can't comment on which is best suited for that, But for target shooting There's nothing wrong with the model 60. Also I like the tube feed vs the mags, But thats just me.

[5.56]

10/22 no question. I'd argue that the 10/22 is America's rifle. The sky is the limit with a 10/22 and I encourage you to own more than one. I have never had a single issue with a clean 10/22 regardless of ammo type. I've shot my 10/22 out to 200 yards with a 3x9 scope and can get 10/10 hits on a 6" steel plate.


Regardless of which rifle you buy, I'd suggest spending a little extra on the ammunition if its for a competition of such vs bulk pack because it's often the ammunition's fault not the gun.

There's also the option of sticking to your AR15 and buying tulammo at 20 cents a round. 220$ for a case of 1000 rounds.

[as_rocketman]

The Marlin and Remington have the last shot hold open feature that is nice.

It actually makes less of a difference than you might think. Without it, you just learn to charge the first round manually as part of your magazine change instead of hitting the bolt release. I wouldn't consider this feature a deal-breaker.

Ammo - are most shooting 40 GR?

The best ammo is going to be 40 gr LRN (lead round-nose), but it really doesn't matter much at 25 meters. Projectile quality is more important at longer range or where terminal effects matter. If all you can shoot Appleseed with is 36 gr HV hollow-point, you'll be fine.

[RNE228]

I would argue that the 10/22 is an over-priced rifle that needs as much as it cost, invested in aftermarket parts to make it shoot and operate really well. Look around at posts here on Calguns. So many threads about getting a new barrel, extractors, triggers, springs, mag release, stock and sights before you even buy the rifle.

I have a 10/22. After some mod's(especially trigger), it is a decent little 22.

But, I question buying a $250 rifle, dumping $150-250 into it, versus just buying a good rifle... If I buy another semi-auto 22, I'll look at other rifles first.

10/22 no question. I'd argue that the 10/22 is America's rifle. The sky is the limit with a 10/22 and I encourage you to own more than one. I have never had a single issue with a clean 10/22 regardless of ammo type. I've shot my 10/22 out to 200 yards with a 3x9 scope and can get 10/10 hits on a 6" steel plate.


Regardless of which rifle you buy, I'd suggest spending a little extra on the ammunition if its for a competition of such vs bulk pack because it's often the ammunition's fault not the gun.

There's also the option of sticking to your AR15 and buying tulammo at 20 cents a round. 220$ for a case of 1000 rounds.

[Junkie]

Marlin 795 is the best IMO. The older models had actual sling swivels, newer ones just have plastic molded attachment points.
The 10/22 would be great if it didn't need so many mods to work perfectly.

Oddly enough my Marlin 60 doesn't have sling swivels (and I see no evidence of ever having had them). It's an older one (17rd).

[as_rocketman]

Oddly enough my Marlin 60 doesn't have sling swivels (and I see no evidence of ever having had them). It's an older one (17rd).

Depends on generation. Some had 'em, some didn't. My Marlin 70 (1980's manufacture) came with fixed 1" swivels that I had to upgrade with studs to put on the preferred 1 1/4" swivels.

Fortunately, if you have to retrofit it's easy to do, and not very expensive.

ETA: Magazine-fed works better for Appleseed than tube-fed. We can accommodate you if you prefer tube-feed but our course of fire is designed for magazine-fed rifles.

[golfish]

I just bought a 50th Anniversary Marlin 60 from Turners. The gun is beautiful and works great. The furniture on the gun is better then the Henry I have, and that's saying a lot.

Here's the 22 long guns that I have.
1) Remington model 512 single shot bolt action
2) Ruger model 10/22
3) Henry model H001
4) Marlin model 60 50th anniversary

Semi Auto's are fun no matter what gun your shooting. When it comes to 22's I prefer the mag tube guns over the detachable mag guns. The mags are a PITA and there's noting like getting out to your favorite shooting spot only to find out your didn't bring the mags.

I know the Marlin might not work for you with the class but I'd still recommend it over the 10/22 for everyday plinking.

If I had to choose between the 4 I'd take the Henry because it shoots LR, Long and short and is just as accurate as the others.

Good luck OP. I hope you find what your looking for

fish