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Cheap,accurate youth bolt .22 for squirrels

torquimatatorquimata Member Posts: 200 ✭✭✭
edited April 2004 in Ask the Experts
Would like to get my 11 yr old a bolt action .22 for Pennsylvania squirrels and put inexpensive scope on it. There are so many to choose from, any recommendations on rifle and scope from the pros? Thank you!

Comments

  • Henry0ReillyHenry0Reilly Member Posts: 10,892 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I would strongly encourage you to teach him to shoot with iron sights. They are making the Stevens Favorite again which would make a dandy squirrel rifle.

    If it has to be bolt action, a Remington would be be a good choice.

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  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Good scopes simply don't come cheap. The fact that it is for a rimfire helps. A pretty decent, and modestly priced scope that makes a nice "first scope." is this one:
    http://www.natchezss.com/category.cfm?contentID=productList&category=20&brand=SN&mfgGroup=472&subgroup=1931&CFID=503677&CFTOKEN=34799465

    the Simmons Mag Rimfire series. I have one on a .22 and it has held up and done well.

    He Dog
  • sp306sp306 Member Posts: 92 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a Simmons 8 point (3-9x40) on 2 of my 22's. They are good scopes for a 22, and you can get them at a good price. I bought them both from J&M hunting supplies for $36. I'm not sure of their web address.
  • bobskibobski Member Posts: 17,866 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    check the marlin, savage, and mossberg websites.
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  • rediceredice Member Posts: 1,550 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I had a heavy barrel marlin with magazine in my hand today, I believe it was new for like 250, was a great looking gun.
  • adjustable riflingadjustable rifling Member Posts: 3 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I agree with the response about teaching iron sights first. You have to start with the basics and work up. The main thing about buying a 22 that you intend to scope later, is make SURE it has dovetails for mounting a scope. Most current production models already have this, but you can come across older 22s that would require drill and tap for bases. Far too much work for a starter rifle. The other thing to consider is a tube magazine as opposed to a detatchable "clip" magazine. A youngster can loose a "clip", but you have to loose the whole gun to misplace a tube mag. Bolt action is also the best route for teaching. One shot placement!! 10/22s are the best 22 rifle out on the market today, but the younger shooter will get caugh-up in rapid fire mayhem. Shot placement..bolt action..make every shot count! Marlin makes really good 22 rifles and you can usually find them used at a fair price. A good scope for a 22.....Tasco, Simmions, Swift....inexpensive. I recomend a fixed power (4 or 6). No need for a variable just yet.
  • woodshermitwoodshermit Member Posts: 2,589
    edited November -1
    See if you can find an old Winchester 67. It is a safe and accurate single shot bolt action 22. You should be able to get a decent rifle for under $150. I agree with folks who say let him learn on iron sights and maybe go to a peep sight before the scope. Good luck.
  • allechalleyallechalley Member Posts: 888 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I agree the Marlins seem to have a nice loking/functioning rifle for around the above $250 mark. The Savage from what I here is a shooter, but needs a Rifle Basics trigger to make it into a real shooter. I have been playing with one of the Romanian imports that are showing up lately for around $50. It has been much more accurate than I expected. Open sights are somewhat crude but the scope mount
    dovetail is not standard 3/8. There are a couple out there that will fit (theey are narrower). Functions well.
  • gogolengogolen Member Posts: 1,619 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Norinco .22 LR bolt action about $75-$110 depending on where you get it from. As for the scope simmons .22 mag 4X32 great scope for the money only about $40 or so. That is the setup I use at 100 yards I have MOA or better accuracy. I must say for the price that rifle really suprised me.
  • crosshaircrosshair Member Posts: 635 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    A marlin for sure. There is probably 5 or 6 in the family that own them and they are great little guns and very accurate. My son hunts squirrel with his and likes it alot. I would say use open sights then go to scope if he would like. [:D]

    Believe nothing that you hear and only one half of what you see!!

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  • richbugrichbug Member Posts: 3,650
    edited November -1
    The CZ 452 can be had in some variations under $200. Adjustable trigger, detachable mag, single shot adapter, and quality better than any of the rifles mentioned above. there is a youth model for about $150 wholesale that comes with a short stock and the single shot adapter (11-12" LOP).

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