Looking for a rimfire rifle.

[locosway]

I grew up with a .22 semi auto, and I'm not looking to get another rifle that's similar. I have 4 kids, which would be using this in a few years. I myself and my wife would also use it as well.

There was a lady shooting a nice lever action in .17, not sure if it was WMR or the Mach 2. The ballistics of the 17 Mach 2 look nice, and ammo prices aren't bad. So my question is, is there a reason to get a .22LR over a .17 Mach 2?

The .17M2 seems to be good to 175 yards (max), and has better trajectory to 100 yards than a .22LR. The benefit of the .22LR seem to be lower price of ammo and slightly longer max distance.

[HotRod9mm]

I like the 17HM2 a lot. I just picked up a NIB Savage MKII off GB for $260 shipped. Not the best price but I'm not one to complain. The plastic stock is a bit cheesy but the rifle is very light weight so I think it would be easy for the kids to handle. You can get one of the Boyds TactiCool stocks for when they get older and you want a bit heaver rifle.

JMHO

The seller on GB states he won't ship to CA
Savage MKII <--- link

[locosway]

I like the 17HM2 a lot. I just picked up a NIB Savage MKII off GB for $260 shipped. Not the best price but I'm not one to complain. The plastic stock is a bit cheesy but the rifle is very light weight so I think it would be easy for the kids to handle. You can get one of the Boyds TactiCool stocks for when they get older and you want a bit heaver rifle.

JMHO

The seller on GB states he won't ship to CA
Savage MKII <--- link

Same rifle from Gallery Of Guns is $239 in my area. I was looking at it because I like Savage. Can you stick iron sights on this?

[Bigdaa]

22 is simply a natural, in either bolt. lever or semi auto. In my humble opinion, each and every gun owner should have at least two. They are unmatched in versatility, ease of use and economy. They are also the first step in passing down the Great American Past Time to the youngins.

The 17 HM2 is simply a natural offspring of the 22 rimfire. Same platform with higher velocity for better varmint performance, but also greater target performance to boot. I understand that the 17's may be a bit more finicky when it comes to clean chambers, but I have no first hand experience here.

The 22 is going to give you a wide choice of ammo, from bargain basement to ultra match, all out of the same barrel. 17 M2 has much catching up to do, but comes with great projectiles right from the get go.


I hope that this is helpful to you, loco.

[sofbak]

Can you stick iron sights on this?

Yes, you can:

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=292161

But is far less expensive to buy a Savage MK II model with the "T" designator, as it comes from the factory with the sights, and is drilled for scope blocks.

HTH

sofbak

[jackandblood]

well turners has the 22lr plinkster, a bolt action 22lr. for a very decent price. it would be a different experience than the semi. otherwise I'd go with 22 wmr bolt action. from my observations the 22 mag is gaining momentum. more so than the 17 hmr. They have em in a spitzer-esque bullet shape. accuracy is improving as well as velocities and performance at ranges .17 hmr begins to struggle with.

[Canucky]

http://www.chuckhawks.com/17_M2.htm

[375Ranger]

I just bought a NIB Savage Mark IIFV yesterday. It's the bull barrel w/plastic stock for $280 otd. I had the 10/22, and like you , wanted something different. Can't go wrong with a bolt-action w/Accutrigger. Cheap to shoot, accurate, and good quality. My .02

[ArticleTheFourth]

I'd start with a lever action 10/22 like the one below.



When you're ready to go the simi-auto, it's a natural transition to the most popular .22LR on the planet, the Ruger 10/22.



Then, when you're ready for a real gun...

[azlester]

When you're ready to go the simi-auto, it's a natural transition to the most popular .22LR on the planet, the Ruger 10/22.

I hate to break the bad news to you, but the Ruger is not the most popular .22lr on the planet. As of 2010 figures, Ruger 10/22 total production is about 4 million units. The Marlin model 60 is over 6 million. The Ruger still has alot of ground to cover to catch up to be the most popular.


If you want a real lever action 22 look no further then the Marlin 39. A machined steel reciever not alum or plastic. The longest running quality lever 22 in the world! And very accurate out of the box. Not cheap but worth every penny.
For the semi auto look at the Marlin model 60 or the model 795($25 rebate this year and can find on sale for $124 or less). Best value 22 and one of the most accurate 22's out of the box.(no need to spend 100's of dollars to fix the accuracy, mag release, last shot hold open problems of "other" mfg)
For a bolt the Marlin 925 or the Savage make sine and very accurate bolt actions. Very high value at reasonable prices.

[locosway]

I have my AR, Glock 17 and 20. The 17m2 appeals to me because its more accurate than the 22 and it loses energy faster. Seems ideal for targets to 100 yards and for training new shooters.

[azlester]

I have my AR, Glock 17 and 20. The 17m2 appeals to me because its more accurate than the 22 and it loses energy faster. Seems ideal for targets to 100 yards and for training new shooters.

Only major drawback to the 17M2 is the cost of ammo.
Even good quality 22 ammo is available at less then $.03 ea. While 17M2 is $.40 to $.45 ea. Hope you have an unlimited shotting budget. My 5.56 ammo costs less.
There are millions of us that have learned to shoot with 22's for more then a few decades. With a good rifle and good ammunition you can shoot very accuratly at 100 yds with 22. But hey, it is your money.

[ArticleTheFourth]

I hate to break the bad news to you, but the Ruger is not the most popular .22lr on the planet. As of 2010 figures, Ruger 10/22 total production is about 4 million units. The Marlin model 60 is over 6 million. The Ruger still has alot of ground to cover to catch up to be the most popular.


If you want a real lever action 22 look no further then the Marlin 39. A machined steel reciever not alum or plastic. The longest running quality lever 22 in the world! And very accurate out of the box. Not cheap but worth every penny.
For the semi auto look at the Marlin model 60 or the model 795($25 rebate this year and can find on sale for $124 or less). Best value 22 and one of the most accurate 22's out of the box.(no need to spend 100's of dollars to fix the accuracy, mag release, last shot hold open problems of "other" mfg)
For a bolt the Marlin 925 or the Savage make sine and very accurate bolt actions. Very high value at reasonable prices.

I do not have production numbers and you may be correct, but when I look for 22LR accessories , I see mostly Ruger.

I have Marlins for centerfire, but I'm not a fan of tube-fed for rimfire.

The Marlin 795 at $166 (Gallery of Guns) does looks interesting; I generally like box magazine over rotary.

I may have to try this one out:

[docsmileyface]

My local Big 5 had Marlin 795s on sale for $159, with a $25 rebate.

[azlester]

Dick's Sporting goods had them on sale for $124.99 less the $25 rebate = $99.99(what I paid 3 weeks ago) Sports Authority puts them on sale all the time at $125 or so. The rebate is good till 12/31/11. One of the absolute best deals out there for an accurate 22. Shooters ridge just released 26 round mags for the 795. Boyd's makes custom stocks for the model 60 from time to time(if you can get them fast enough) that can be easily modified for the 795. Rimfire Technologies makes some charging handles and DIP makes some very nice alum trigger housings and triggers as well as the charging handles for both the model 60 and the model 795. Oh and the model 795 comes standard with sling studs installed.
What other accesories do you need?
I installed a Simmons 22MAG 3-9x32AO scope, a GI M1 cotton sling and got a few extra mags and I am all set. I am doing an Appleseed shoot here in April.(I was temped to do the Tech-Sights, but my eyes aren't like they used to be) From prone I am shooting sub 1 inch groups at 25 meters with CCI SV. From the bench I can cover the 10 round groups with a nickle. You have to love a rifle that shoots like that for about $100!!