.22 rifle suggestions wanted.

[felixthecat1]

The hype, the masses, the advertisements... I think I want a .22lr rifle. Semi Auto, or bolt, I don't know. What are the advantages, disadvantages of both?

Ur going to ask, what do I want to do with it? I want it to look sweet, be accurate to 100 yards and further as my skills advance. I want a scope on it, I want it to be customizable, upgradeable, and dependable, and I don't really "plan" on killing anything with it.


I just came back from the 2010 Shooting Fair @ Raahauges, and I got to fire the .338 Extreme, the .416 Barrett, and a .50 BMG. They all made me want to get into rifle shooting. I'd love something like a 7.62, or even the .338 extreme, but I'm gonna take it slow, and all the posts I've read here (yes, I read, and even used the search function before posting this) have what seem to be the more experienced people suggesting 22s, and the OPs saying they want a Big boy gun. Well, I got time, i have (a lil) money, and I want to learn the fundamentals well, before throwing buckets of cash at more expensive, though possibly a whole lot more fun, larger calibers.


10/22?
795?
AR with .22 upper?

Please, chime in.

Also, what is a respectable range for a new (rifle) shooter to be practicing at?

[jyo]

10-22, they are the best!

[9mmepiphany]

if you want to learn to shoot well, i'd avoid starting with a semi-auto

you need a good bolt action so that any errors you encounter will not be the fault of the rifle.

my personal favorite is an Anschutz M-54 actioned sporter...i have the M-1412 Sihouette. the only thing is that it isn't very upgradeable as it is just about perfect the way it comes from the factory.

at a less expensive level, the CZ 452 American really stand out

at an entry level, the Romanian M-69 has everything you need as far as accuracy, trigger and sights. the wood is a bit rough and the metal finish is nothing to brag on, but it's a great shooter

[deebix]

I question "errors with the rifle" suggestion above. Grab yourself a Marlin 795. You will NOT beat it with anything in that price range period. end of story. It was my first rifle that I bought on a whim at big 5 when I turned 18 once upon a time ago, and have NEVER NEVER regretted it. Might explain why some of you are having trouble finding mags every now and then, its because I have over 26 or somewhere close to that # haha. Go marlin or go 10/22 fanboy

[BHP FAN]

10/22 hands down. Practice and sight in at 25 yards. Move on to the fifty yard line when you get optics, and/or your skills increase.I think of the hundred yard line should be the goal.sure you can hit further out, but then you have to change the settings on your sights or optics, and re-zero when you come back.

[calibanman]

Can't go wrong with a 10/22 and you can make it a "cool" as you want. But my real suggestion would be a Savage 93R17 TR.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.thegunsource.com/DisplayPic.aspx%3FPIC%3D289198&imgrefurl=http://www.thegunsource.com/item/215169__Misc__Accessories_SAV_96772_93R17TR____17HM.aspx&usg=__rur_ZqEHhT9nNeTqIQctvlntNVA=&h=64&w=410&sz=5&hl=en&start=22&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=TcYZ4-wI7_xW0M:&tbnh=20&tbnw=125&prev=/images%3Fq%3D93r17%2Btr%26start%3D20%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26ndsp%3D20%26tbs%3Disch:1

[asme]

I recently shot my 10/22 and a friend's Marlin 795 side by side and I must say the Marlin is better in regards to trigger, accuracy, and build quality.

If you're into customizing, though, get a 10/22. However, today's stock 10/22s are so bargain-bin quality that you're going to feel like you have to upgrade something right off the bat. If that's a good or bad thing, I don't know.

If you're not into modifying, and I'm certainly not, get the Marlin. When the next sale rolls around, I'm picking one up for myself. The 10/22 is by no means a "crappy" option, it's just that every bit of the marlin is a little bit better.

If you have more money, can the two autoloading options and get yourself a nice, wonderful, awesome CZ 452 lux. Excellent excellent bolt action.

[felixthecat1]

So, like I thought, the majority of you say either 10/22, or 795... but none of you really say why. I'm hesitant to hop on the band wagon, just because everyone else is on it. I would like American made, and of course, availability of accessories, including magazines is definitely a factor to consider. My goal as of right now, is 100 yards, but of course, starting out at the indoor range, I will first be waiting til I can hit what I want to hit at the range max of 25 yards. No lasers, or red dots, but I do want some sort of scope, even if I have to get it separately, of course.

Also, price is a factor. What should I plan on pulling out of my wallet for these? Including an extra mag, some sort of case/bag for the rifle, and an entry level scope? Do i need to buy a "rail" ?

I really am a noob at this, and some more feedback would be greatly appreciated. I'm not in too much of a rush, though buying while the fiancee is out of town, so I don't have to explain why I bought "another damn gun" would be nice... lol.

[beachmood]

I'm looking for a good beginner .22 rifle, too. I'm currently eyeballing the Marlin 925 bolt action rifle. What's everyone's opinion on this one?

[turbogg]

Also, price is a factor. What should I plan on pulling out of my wallet for these?

Well, if you're looking for the lowest price and still getting a good quality .22, you should consider a Marlin for sure. They are selling for $109 at Turners right now (that's with the $25 rebate). That is a great price for a .22 rifle. A 10-22 will easily be double that price or more.

[bballwizard05]

If you want a 10/22 they are excellent. Ruger stands by it's products and they are WELL made. However I say that because they 10/22 I own is from 1976 handed down from my dad. All parts are metal, and well built. I have not handled a newer one, but I hear the trigger mechanism has plastic parts and that they are not as sturdy as the originals. On the other hand the other .22 I have is a Remington target master from 1939. It is bolt action single shot. And I have hit soda cans from 100+ yards with iron sights. (I dont know if that is good or not, I'm just saying I was very impressed by how accurate it seemed). AND the remington is extremely simple, to take apart and clean. These remingtons can be found at gunshows and such as a C&R, and I love it.

[41M]

A few other options to consider are the Marlins, bolt (981) or semi-auto (60), with tubular magazines. I like the tubular magazines because my forward hand placement is not effected by the magazine location, if the magazine is one that protrudes. Another .22 I like is the Savage MK II series, the stock on mine is much more like the stock on a centerfire rifle in terms of heft and how it fills the hands. Also, the Savage is drilled and tapped in addition to having a dovetail groove giving you more options when you are ready to add optics.

[XDRoX]

10/22
-more upgrades available
-better built (yes, even the new ones)

795
-less expensive (a lot less)
-more accurate out of the box


I would also consider the Marlin 60. I think tube fed guns are cool, especially that one. But of the two above, if you don't mind spending the extra money then I'd get the 10/22. You get what you pay for.

[BSlacker]

So, like I thought, the majority of you say either 10/22, or 795... but none of you really say why.

With the 10/22 you would be getting a good solid base gun. Good for plinking/informal target shooting out to 50 yards, right out of the box. It will have the most options at the best price. Most have iron sights and are drilled and tapped for scope mounts. You can improve its accuracy as you get more experience and money. Good for folks who like to tinker and plan to progress in their shooting.

Most 795s will shoot good enough for informal target shooting right out of the box. There are few aftermarket options available. The way it shoots out of the box is what you get. You may out shoot it quickly. Marlin makes good rifles in bolt action and semi auto. They are good values and generally shoot well in their price range. I am a big Marlin fan but I would go with something else.

If you want to learn better shooting with an eye to centerfire target rifle in the future. I would suggest a bolt action rifle. Almost all accurate long range rifles are bolt action.

CZs 452/455 have a reputation for quality. Put your money in optics you can move too a centerfire rifle and it will be a lifetime investment. The triggers are decent from the factory and a few mods are available. The aftermarket stock choices are limited and expensive this may change soon. They have a good selection of styles and looks with more being introduced all the time. With better ammo these will shoot. Mine likes most any ammo. They have a simple scope mounting and you can get it with irons to start. Just remember factory stocks on iron sighted rifles often don't work well for scopes. CZ sells the stocks as parts.

Savage MKlls have a wide range of models to fit your desires for looks and accuracy, irons now and scope later is easy. The options in aftermarket parts are good. Spend money on optics that you can use for centerfire later (24X or more) and it will be a good value. These are the 10/22 of the bolt action rifles. Lots of stocks available at around 100 bucks and good tech support on the web. The Accutrigger is good out of the box. Mine likes expensive ammo. Wears a Mueller 8x32.
This is the way I would go.

[socalserf]

Any quality .22 will get you were you want to go.
I'd recomend a semi-auto for your first rifle. Bolts guns are wonderful, but they add one more element to master. That said, if they resonate with you go for it!

Ruger 10-22- infinitely customizable, and you'll need a bunch of custom parts to make it user friendly. Trigger parts, automatic bolt hold open, sling studs, etc. and that is just the basics.
I own a couple, I love them, but they have been money sponges.

Marlins, 795 is a GREAT little gun for the money. Amazingly accurate out of the box, far better than the stock 10-22. I my experience they are far less fussy about the ammo they will feed reliably. This is NOT the rifle to get if you want to customize, there are some after market parts, but nothing compared to the 10-22.
For the price they charge these are the best bargain in the rim-fire rifle world.

For bolt guns;
CZs- I freaking love CZs! Beautiful, accurate, wonderful to shoot out of the box, and while not cheap you do get a very high quality rifle.

Savage- These rifles work very well. Good bargains for what you get.

What ever rifle you get, and I'd recommend a semi-auto for your first, get to an Appleseed clinic and learn how to use that rifle properly!

http://www.appleseedinfo.org/smf/

BTW, if you want to 'test drive' a Marlin 795, or Ruger 10-22, most instructors have loaners that you might be able to use. Sign up for an event and ASK.
Good luck on your Rifleman journey!