Finally getting a 22 rifle, need suggestions.

[CandG]

I've been really lazy about buying my first 22. Been meaning to for years, but have been too distracted with buying other guns, especially ones under threat of legislation... but I'm well overdue, and I kind of need one now. Here's what I am looking for it to do:

-I'm not interested in a Takedown model or an AR-7 type thing, I want a 1-piece rifle.

-It will be used (someday) for teaching my son (and others) how to shoot.

-It will be used by me, right now, for varmint hunting. Thus, it needs ability to accept a scope, and decent accuracy would be nice.

-semi-automatic, but I don't care if it's a box or tube magazine.

-cheap, ideally under $200, maybe $250 at the most.

^ those are the must-haves. If I can get all that, AND have a rifle that's well-made and will last for generations, then great. But longevity is a lesser priority than everything else I've listed. I can always buy a different, nicer 22 to pass down to my son later.

At this point, I've looked at the 10-22 (the obvious suggestion), but now I'm seriously eyeing the Marlin 60. The larger-capacity tube magazine and the cheaper price are the biggest selling point to me, but I know nothing about their quality or value. So, Calguns, what rifle do you think fits the bill? Feel free to suggest something besides 10-22 and marlin 60, I'm open to any make/model. I'm also open to buying used in order to stay within budget.

[mnichols]

Hard to beat a 10-22.
Marlin 795 is a great option as well. Nothing wrong with its tube-fed cousin (mod 60), im just not a big fan of tube-fed rifles.

A bolt action makes a great trainer and can be more accurate than a semi, food for thought.

[asabino]

First 22

I've been really lazy about buying my first 22. Been meaning to for years, but have been too distracted with buying other guns, especially ones under threat of legislation... but I'm well overdue, and I kind of need one now. Here's what I am looking for it to do:

-I'm not interested in a Takedown model or an AR-7 type thing, I want a 1-piece rifle.

-It will be used (someday) for teaching my son (and others) how to shoot.

-It will be used by me, right now, for varmint hunting. Thus, it needs ability to accept a scope, and decent accuracy would be nice.

-semi-automatic, but I don't care if it's a box or tube magazine.

-cheap, ideally under $200, maybe $250 at the most.

^ those are the must-haves. If I can get all that, AND have a rifle that's well-made and will last for generations, then great. But longevity is a lesser priority than everything else I've listed. I can always buy a different, nicer 22 to pass down to my son later.

At this point, I've looked at the 10-22 (the obvious suggestion), but now I'm seriously eyeing the Marlin 60. The larger-capacity tube magazine and the cheaper price are the biggest selling point to me, but I know nothing about their quality or value. So, Calguns, what rifle do you think fits the bill? Feel free to suggest something besides 10-22 and marlin 60, I'm open to any make/model. I'm also open to buying used in order to stay within budget.

Hands down: Ruger 10/22. AWESOME and problem free. It'll eat anything you put into it! You won't be disappointed.

[Teachu2]

The Marlin 60 is a more accurate choice in stock form. The 10/22 is far more customizable. My current 10/22 will out-shoot my Marlin 60, and all I did was change the stock, the barrel, and all the trigger parts to get it to that level. Not counting the scopes, I have almost four times as much money in the 10/22 as the used 60 I bought at the LGS.

[ejhc11]

If you haven't gotten a 22LR rifle then the 1st one and last one to enjoy is a 10/22 for its versatility and reasonable price. Black Friday you may see them around $200 or less. And its very easily scoped.

Other rifles may be more accurate and some cheaper but none are as customizable as a 10/22.

I own two and a single shot Marlin 915Y for my 8 yo kid.

[GreggieBoy]

Really like my Remington 597. It gets a lot of bad press but I am one very satisfied owner. Very accurate, has a big rifle feel.

[olhunter]

The Marlin 60 is a more accurate choice in stock form. The 10/22 is far more customizable...

This.

And you won't lose or drop any magazines.

Find an older 18-round model (Marlin or Glenfield) and you'll be happy as me on election day.

Easily found for $200 or less.

My stock Marlin's out-shoot my stock 10/22's all day long. By far.

If you want to spend another $600 to make a Star Wars gun, then yeah, get the 10/22.

[71MUSTY]

10/22 or a Henry Lever.

[as_rocketman]

What you want -- almost -- looks a lot like a so-called "Liberty Training Rifle," or LTR.

The LTR is the cheapest and simplest rifle that is set up properly for target work. There is no out-of-the-box rifle that does that, excepting only the Marlin 795 LTR variant, which is now difficult to find. A more typical build uses a stock Marlin 795 or a Ruger 10/22 as a basis, and the Marlin is the cheaper option (not to mention more accurate). I have seen approximately 1,200 different rifles on the line at Appleseed, of all imaginable configurations, and these two are hands down the best way to go.

Starting with the Marlin 795, all you need to do is add sling studs, 1 1/4" swivels, and an M1 GI or M1907 sling, and the scope of your choice, and you're done. You can do this with the Marlin 60 as well. Box magazines are superior for training rifles, since they better approximate match rifles and modern fighting rifles, but the tube magazine is wholly appropriate for varmint hunting.

If varmints are the focus, however, you might consider a bolt gun in .17 HMR.

[Chaos47]

but I know nothing about their quality or value.

The Marlin 60 has been around longer then the 10/22, and has produced over double as many million rifles! I prefer the 795 magazine fed variant but there is something to be said about never having to worry about loosing magazines. As others have said they are a great value, are 100% reliable and are very accurate out of the box.
Heres my 795 guide which most of the info can be applied to the M60 too:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=607193

[OldAudioNerd]

I had my eye on the Model 60 deluxe just because I wanted a legit walnut stock and a few of the other touches that make it a sort of "classic rifle" so when it went on sale for $199 at turners I jumped on it. Haven't had the chance to take it to a range yet, only some dry fires (with snap caps) changed out the stock springs with the Mcarbo set and didn't think a plastic trigger guard belonged on a "deluxe" model so the guard and trigger were swapped out with the DIP set. Gave the bolt and a few of the inner contact surfaces a light sand to smooth things out and it all feels silky smooth now. Can't wait to take it out and shoot it

[oilcanhenry]

Really like my Remington 597. It gets a lot of bad press but I am one very satisfied owner. Very accurate, has a big rifle feel.

597=jam-o-matic.

[oilcanhenry]

Hands down: Ruger 10/22. AWESOME and problem free. It'll eat anything you put into it! You won't be disappointed.

Works great.......after you put a Kidd bolt, ect. in it.

[oilcanhenry]

I had my eye on the Model 60 deluxe just because I wanted a legit walnut stock and a few of the other touches that make it a sort of "classic rifle" so when it went on sale for $199 at turners I jumped on it. Haven't had the chance to take it to a range yet, only some dry fires (with snap caps) changed out the stock springs with the Mcarbo set and didn't think a plastic trigger guard belonged on a "deluxe" model so the guard and trigger were swapped out with the DIP set. Gave the bolt and a few of the inner contact surfaces a light sand to smooth things out and it all feels silky smooth now. Can't wait to take it out and shoot it

Yeap! Marlin 795 or 60 series are the best out of box rifles.

[M1XdColt]

+1 on Marlins can't go wrong with it. You won't regret it @ all, plus all 22's Marlin RimFire has the Micro-Groove with their Rifling, but if talking about the 17 than that's a different story