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Posted: 12/28/2014 10:38:11 AM EDT
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So I'm seriously thinking about picking up a .22 for rabbit and squirrels and I'm looking for recommendations... This would be my first .22 and I'm not looking to turn this into a trainer or a tackdriver (I have other rifles for that). In all probability this rifle will remain stock and I may just stick to irons.
Basically I'm looking for... - A suitably accurate rifle to take small game out to about 50-75 yards, maybe (but probably not) a little farther. - A reliable stick that won't prove finicky or need parts replaced regularly to make it work. - Semi-auto is preferable but not manditory. So far I've been looking at the Ruger 10/22 and the Marlin 60 series. Would these serve me? Is either a better option over the other, and if so why? Are there any other brands I should be looking at? Thanks in advance. |
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Considering your preference for semiauto, your thoughts about 10/22 and Marlin 60 are right in the x-ring. For the Ruger, you might consider the 50th Anniversary Contest Winner model. Its standard aperture sight (from the Min-14) is rudimentary in adjustment, but once you have it dialed in it will be much easier to shoot precisely than the blade sight. Also, the plastic stock is light, will be impervious to weather and you won't cry if it bangs on a tree or rock.
The neat things about the Marlin 60 are the sleek tube magazine (no stick protruding from the bottom of the stock) and the fact that a used one costs much less than a used 10/22. I'd look for one made before the Remington acquisition in 2008. I have been very disappointed by the poor fit and finish of newer Marlins (known as Remlins by the cognoscenti).. Walking in the woods means shoulder carry to me. I find the AR clones such as M&P 1522 uncomfortable to carry that way. If you are open to a boltie, the Ruger American Rimfire has gotten great reviews, but the gold standard is a CZ 452 or 455. |
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Trigger bits, bolt catch, mag release, safety all the same. Stock is milspec diameter with positions. Barrel is same thread (exit end). Take a gander at the S&W Forum for highly customized 15-22's. |
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The Ruger 10/22 or the Marlin 60 are excellent choices. But if you need to keep it on the cheap side, you might look at a Mossberg 702 Plinkster. Semi-auto with a 10 rd. magazine.
These can be picked up at Wally for around $112.00 new in box. The reviews are super and they are not finiky on ammo. |
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Ruger 10-22 and the Marlin 60 are the most popular semi-auto .22 rifles for a reason. They are reliable, durable, affordable and accurate enough for most everyday owner.
The runners up I think are the Marlin 795 and Remington 597, also pretty decent rifles, the 795 is pretty much a Marlin 60 that is box magazine fed. The 10-22 can have any parts on it replaced with a variety of aftermarket ones, you can build a lightweight hunting rifle, a heavy target rifle, or a tactical trainer. The Marlin 60 pretty much is limited to a handful of stocks and 1 or 2 trigger/groups. Stock rifles, I think the Marlin will need an upgraded rear sight, they come with a stamped piece of steel like comes on a cheap BB gun like the Red Ryder, very crude. The semi-auto marlins also have plastic recoil buffers that seem to need replaced every 10years or so about a $10 part. The extractors on a 60/795 are also a lot harder to replace and fit than a 10-22 which is a drop in part. A lot of first time 22 owners also bend the recoil spring on the Marlins but if you watch a video on how to take it apart, this should not happen. Both the Ruger and Marlin have easy do it yourself trigger job instruction out there on sights like Rimfirecentral. They are easy to polish up a bit and get a decent trigger out of stock parts. I see used Marlin/Glenfield 60's all the time for $75-$80 at pawnshops and LGS, an older all metal one usually can be found cheap and cleaned up a bit to be a great shooter. Used 10-22's seem to be $150+ and the older metal ones are getting harder to find. |
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The only bits that are interchangeable that I know of are the rail accessories and flash hider. The lower is made specifically not to fit a standard AR. Quoted:
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S&W M&P15-22 Great weapon. Most bits are interchangeable with the AR. The only bits that are interchangeable that I know of are the rail accessories and flash hider. The lower is made specifically not to fit a standard AR. Stock, pistol grip, rails (and any rail-mounted accessory), sights, triggers. Just can't mount a standard upper on the lower. ETA: missed ZRX handling most of that already... |
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The CZ 455 American or Varmint would be hard to beat, as would be a used CZ 452 or 453 American or Varmint. They are adult sized, have nice lines nicely blued steel with nicely finished walnut stocks, they are accurate, very reliable and well balanced for carrying.
Another more expensive option with some collector appeal is the 9422. They are very accurate for a lever gun and are very well made with excellent reliability and durability. I'd put the browning .22 LRs in the saw category. The CZ-99 Precision is another less expensive option in a magazine fed .22 Bolt rifle. The stocks are a little crude but if you can find a Remington Model 5 stock (or a Remington model 5 for that matter - same gun, laminated walnut stock) they make very nice rifles for not a lot of money. I am generally less thrilled with the current crop of Ruger 10/22s, but if you can find an older one (1970s or 1980s) they would fit the bill. |
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I want a Kidd
buy a barreled kidd action with a lightweight barrel and put a cheap hogue stock on it and you have a very accurate squirrel gun/plinker go with the bull barrel and you have a tack driver or if you are mister moneybags get a Kidd Supergrade. Tony Kidd has built a threaded receiver for the 10/22 instead of the barrel extension slip fit. He builds a nice .22 |
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I want a Kidd buy a barreled kidd action with a lightweight barrel and put a cheap hogue stock on it and you have a very accurate squirrel gun/plinker go with the bull barrel and you have a tack driver or if you are mister moneybags get a Kidd Supergrade. Tony Kidd has built a threaded receiver for the 10/22 instead of the barrel extension slip fit. He builds a nice .22 Me too. I just bought a basic 10/22. Gonna shoot it but then go for a Kidd barrel and Kidd trigger. Haven't decided if I'll bore out the existing stock and use that or spend the $ on a higher end stock. Either way -kidd is in my future. |
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If you're on a tighter budget and don't want to pay more for the accuracy you should be getting out of the box, get one of the Marlins. Used ones can be found for under $100 if you do your shopping and the microgroove barrels are more accurate than most 10/22 will ever be even after adding a lot of expensive parts. That said, they're definitely not as customizable.
I own both Marlins and Rugers and generally prefer the Marlins; I can't recall ever carrying one of the Rugers squirrel hunting now that I think about it. Just personal preference. |
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I'll buck the trend and give some non-semi-auto suggestions:
Henry H001 or H001T lever action - Classy, and my H001T always gets picked to go to the range. CZ 455 series - I like the Trainer, but the FS or Lux versions are also very nice, if a little more expensive. Trainer has the longest barrel, at 24.5", while the Lux and FS have 20.5" barrels. These all weigh about 6lbs. |
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I have both a Marlin 60 ('70's vintage) and several 10/22's. Deluxe version was the first gun I ever bought and used at that. Can't count the rounds through it. Picked up a standard last year and after a new stock, bull barrel and over molded stock I have a tack driver.
Biggest thing I like better on the 10/22 is it's much easier to fully disassemble and clean out well. The marlin is a real challenge to break all the way down and get the insides nice and clean. |
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I don't have a marlin 60, but I always liked them, especially because they have a bolt hold open (correct me if im wrong on this) I have a ruger 10/22 and a cz 452 lux Cant go wrong with the 10/22 Keep checking the EE or gunbroker for a good used one. Yes, pull back the bolt and push it in; there's a nub on the left side of the charging handle that engages an indention in the receiver. |
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Quoted:
Yes, pull back the bolt and push it in; there's a nub on the left side of the charging handle that engages an indention in the receiver. Quoted:
Quoted:
I don't have a marlin 60, but I always liked them, especially because they have a bolt hold open (correct me if im wrong on this) I have a ruger 10/22 and a cz 452 lux Cant go wrong with the 10/22 Keep checking the EE or gunbroker for a good used one. Yes, pull back the bolt and push it in; there's a nub on the left side of the charging handle that engages an indention in the receiver. I think he was talking about the last round bolt hold open that the new marlin 60's have, if it was the manual hold open even the 10-22 has that. |
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