Which inexpensive .22LR? UPDATE: Post #66!

[DanGunner]

At last count I had seven .22 rifles - two very old mint condition Remington Model 12 pumps, two Ruger 10-22s, a Remington semi-auto clone of Browning, a Remington 521-T target rifle and a single-shot Savage boy's rifle that's at least 120 years old and still works. You can't have too many. And that doesn't count at least 13 .22 handguns. Can't have too many of those either.

[M76]

10/22 is a no-brainer, the winchester wildcat is not a bad choice either

[hermosabeach]

I would consider a used kidd 10/22

All the reliability
Great trigger
Accurate
About $600

[FNGGlock]

Just FYI for folks talking about 22long and short, unless you already have a stash they are more expensive and harder to find than 22LR these days.

Similarly, I haven’t seen the Marlin’s in a long time. Perhaps you can pick up a used one.

10/22s and Buck Marks are easy to find, lots of options and both are highly recommended.

[Imageview]

[Tango_Down]

Ruger 10-22. Lots of upgrades available later if you want.

[stormvet]

10/22 is a no-brainer, the winchester wildcat is not a bad choice either

[Peahi2]

10/22 is a no brainer. And before long you will be upgrading parts and stuff. Before you know it, you've spent outrageous amounts of cash that could have gotten you a primo 10/22 variant in the first place.

The cz 457 or tikka t1x. I am biased towards the 457!

[k1dude]

Another 22 to consider is the Henry pump action.

[TrappedinCalifornia]

I've decided to add a .22 to the herd. Have several handguns, a pump and a semi-auto shotgun, a couple AR-15's and a Winchester Model 70 in .30-06. Would like to add a .22/.22LR just to have, for plinking fun and could come in handy for small game. Just can't decide which direction to go. Henry level-action, a bolt action like a Ruger American, or would a Ruger 10/22 semi-auto make more sense?

Don[t want to spend a lot and would prefer to keep it under $500.

The bottom line is that there's something out there to fit just about anyone's personality, preference, and/or need. For under $500, there are really only a couple of choices in semi-auto worth discussing for most people. As others have indicated, the two most popular models on the market have long been the Marlin Model 60 and the Ruger 10/22. As a FIRST .22 LR, you really can't go wrong with either. But, they do have different strengths and 'weaknesses.'



The biggest advantage of the 10/22 is the aftermarket support and options. It's only rivaled by the aftermarket support for the AR-style rifles. However, it's a two-edged sword if you're not careful in that it can turn an "under $500" .22 LR into a money pit. As some say, a 10/22 is like Lay's potato chips in that you can't have just one and, even worse, it's typically something you can never stop tinkering with.

Otherwise, the Model 60 is simple, accurate, and will get the job done. Some will say the Model 60 is far more affordable... Marlin 60 vs Ruger 10/22: Comparing Accuracy, Features, Reliability, and More. But, that's going to depend on which model of 10/22 you go after. Yes. A Model 60 can usually be had for a bit less than a base model 10/22; but, the price difference isn't that great at that level, particularly if you catch a 10/22 on sale.

Overall, there is no 'correct' answer as to which is 'better.' It's an endless, though often fun, sometimes dubious, periodically heated, debate. Not quite as serious as .45 ACP vs. 9mm, but comparable in many respects.

Now, if you're willing to go a bit more price wise, then the CZ bolt actions and the Henry pump action are definitely worth consideration. If you just want a bolt action under $500, then the Ruger American is worth a very hard look; but will, generally, be a bit more expensive than a base line 10/22. The Savage Models are very accurate, but not everyone is a fan.



In the end, whatever happens, if you acquire a .22 LR and get "into" the fun, you're likely to find yourself eventually owning a number of them in various brands, actions, price ranges, etc.

If I had to pick just one as my FIRST .22 LR? If I wanted the semi-auto, then it would most likely be the 10/22. If I wanted a bolt action, I'd take a very hard look at the Ruger American; but, knowing what I do about the CZ's, I might just hold out and pay a bit more for one. (Though the magazine aspect might just tip it in favor of the Ruger these days given the price and spotty availability of the CZ magazines.)

[Oceanbob]

[Oceanbob]

[Wordupmybrotha]

I wouldn't get a Ruger 10-22. If you're set on that platform, I would get a TCR22 instead.

Review I did of various semi auto 22LR:

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1581307

I reviewed other 22LR action types also.

[MyOdessa]

For your purposes of plinking and hunting you would need to look at .17 HMR, unless you are planning to hunt outside of California. There are simply no good hunting ammo in .22 LR.
Saying that, in bolt actions, there is no better value in rimfire for accuracy, reliability, value and aftermarket parts (realistically, you don't need them, both rifles are GTG) then Tikka T1x or CZ 457 or older CZ 455 in either .22 LR or .17 HMR.
For semi autos, it is hard to beat Ruger 10/22, but it fast becomes a rabbit hole of aftermarket parts. It is really easy to realize that your $250 rifle is already cost you north of $1K, not including optics.

[Wordupmybrotha]

For inexpensive semi auto, hard to beat a Marlin 795 (for detachable mags) and Marlin model 60 (tube fed). Not a bad idea to pick up both. They're both classic and inexpensive.