marlin/sako/ruger .22 rifle

cornbacher

I am thinking of buying a new .22 rifle. I have an old marlin that served me well but is pretty used up. I have a winchester that is a tack driver but I want another bolt action. 1. Is it worth spending the extra money on a ruger 77/22 or Sako Finfire or will the marlin give me enough performance that the extra money isn't worth it? 2. Would I be better off buying a .22 WMR rather than the .22LR. I have had several LR but never a magnum and I am wondering if the extra punch has any real advantage for this small of a rifle.I have never shot a ruger or sako and want to know if anyone has any advice? I use the rifle for squirrels (sp?), plinking, and once in a while 100 yard targets when I get a wild hair.Any comments would be appreciated.

wiredog

i had a marlin 883 blued w/walnut stock in .22 wmr I liked the accuracy of a bolt action but the capacity of a tube fed rifle (12+1) and no mag to lose. I bought mine like new but used for $200 and mounted a 4x scope on it. I had no problem hitting out to 100 yds with it or killing an occasional squirel or rabbit with it. Just a little more expensive to shoot than a 22 lr. I also have a friend who bought one of the cz's in .22 wmr bolt rifles and put a leupold on it. He says it drives tacks.

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I spent all my money on guns, women, and beer. The rest I just wasted.wiredog70@hotmail.com

idsman75

I was looking to buy a .22 awhile back so I picked up a Ruger 10/22 at the sporting goods store and put it to my shoulder. It felt like a youth model. It just didn't feel right. I picked up a Marlin and and a Remington 597 and both felt just right. I was looking for a magazine-fed semi-auto so I went with the Remington. Everyone I've talked to that has owned a 597 has liked it and has said that it is accurate. It was only $139 so it's a risk I'm willing to take. I like the fact that it has an internal magazine.

beantole

Idesman is correct that a Ruger 10/22 may feel like a kid's rifle to some people. Despite that I wouldn't trade mine for any other .22 sold today. It's operation is flawless and my wife and kids can shoot it also. When I want to shoot a bigger firearmI shoot an AK or SKS.

gunnut

Guys, lets not leave out the wonderful Kimber 22's "expensive but nice"

He Dog

Gunnut beat me, but I suggest you look at the Kimber Custom. It is indeed spendy, but well nigh perfect IMNSHO.

TLynn

I picked up a 22lr Marlin in stainless steel last week. Came with a little Tasco scope (it was part of the gun guys). Bought it at Walmart for $159.95 (before tax). Tube fed and sure shoots nice.

DaRoosta

Just depends on what you're going to use it for the most. 22LR ammo is so cheap to buy, it's hard for me to justify buying a 22WMR. I'm a fan of Sako, but generally for their larger calibers. IMHO, you can't beat a Ruger 10/22 just because there are so many ways to trick it out and it's very affordable. Maybe I'd suggest starting with a stock 10/22, see how it works out and then start throwing some upgrades on it.

idsman75

I still think that the 10/22 feels like a youth model and the length of pull is all wrong for a grown man. Shooting a .22 is cheap so you are probably going to expend more ammo through it than, say, a .30-06 which means that you are going to develop more shooting habits (good or bad) with that .22 than anything else. Do you want a gun that you are going to fire more than any other to be one that isn't the right size for a grown man while you are developing these habits?

buddyb

Bought a Savage bolt action 22 mag from Bass-Pro in Atlanta for $109 on sale.With Remington 33 grain ballistic tips it will keep half inch groups at 70 yards.

truckershaverightstoo

A couple of you mentioned Kimber .22's, I have a question . I was looking at a new Kimber SVT .22 and was quite impressed with the way it felt on my shoulder. The salesman then told me it was $800! I asked him(knowing what the asnwer would be ha ha!!) How about trying it out first for group because I would hate to spend $800 on a .22 that won't out group my marlin. He told me that ALL Kimbers have a target chamber that in his opinion did not like high velocity ammo if if I want to keep using my favorite winchester superx hollow points I would be dissapointed. Any body ever shoot a kimber? I am a absolute total accuracy nut who will settle for NOTHING less than hole for hole accuracy at 50 yds from a .22 with any ammo, if the goles don't atleast touch everytime I DO NOT WANT IT!!

truckershaverightstoo

oopsy I meant to spell HOLES fat fingered again

DaRoosta

trucker... - if that Kimber fits you, I'd say you'll be pleased with it's performance. I don't want to come down on hollow points, but my opinon is they're not the best for target shooting. The problem with the higher velocity rounds is they don't usually have as high standards. I would say the salesman isn't exactly correct with his statement, but most target model rifles are a little picky. It also depends on the standards and expectations you have. I know when I used to shoot competitively, I'd buy a couple cases of the same lot number of target ammo just so I wouldn't have to keep sight adjusting. Even the same type of ammo from a different lot can be extremely different in it's characteristics. We're talking hitting pin points, though, and not diameters of bullets. The 9-ring was the diameter of a .22 punch and the 10-"ring" is a dot the size of that afformentioned pinpoint. This is the same type of competition where I was first introduced to Kimber. I used to live in Clackamas, where Kimber held it's first home. Not very well known then. They still have the same craftsmanship and high standards as always. Just my 2-cents.

pending

I can see why people are saying that the 10/22 feels like a kid's rifle because it is so short. That's what a carbine is supposed to feel like. It all depends on what feels good to the shooter. As far as just a plain good gun, the 10/22 is probably the finest semi-automatic .22 on the market today, in every aspect. That's just my opinion, however.

pending

I can see why people are saying that the 10/22 feels like a kid's rifle because it is so short. That's what a carbine is supposed to feel like. It all depends on what feels good to the shooter. As far as just a plain good gun, the 10/22 is probably the finest semi-automatic .22 on the market today, in every aspect. That's just my opinion, however.

Trader Dave

I agree with Pending. Ruger's 10/22 is by far the best 22LR of its kind for the money. If you want to add anything to it, there are many additions you can find. And I have never had any problem shooting any of the ones I have owned.My favorite 10/22 has a Volq. heavy barrel and synthetic stock with a 4 x 12 x 50mm scope. This one is a fine tack driver. Ask the crows in my garden - 100 yards and closer they do not stand a chance; 1 shot 1 kill. I am 6' 4" and never has any 10/22 felt like a kiddie gun. As for the 22 mag., it is a nice shooting round however, they are not as cheap to shoot as the 22LR. Up to 150 yards the 22mag is accurate. Beyond that it is hard for me to account the drop for total accuracy.