What is the best semi-automatic .22 out there?

[Ky'sFinest]

Was looking at getting either a savage with detachable mag, or a fieldmaster tube loader. will be used for fun and squirrels. want low cost, but i want quality as well.
figured you guys may know of some others that i am not aware of.

[killer]

Ruger 10/22 probably, but I like the remington speedmaster there alittle higher but they are tube magazine type and they shoot shorts, longs, and long rifles. I really like shorts when I'm squirrl hunting or shooting frogs.

[Pugs]

want low cost, but i want quality as well.
figured you guys may know of some others that i am not aware of.

Certainly hard to tell what is low cost any more as I bought my first 10/22 for $87 back in the early 80's :rolleyes: The one I would look at today that's very well thought of is the Thompson Center

http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/rimfireRifles.php

About $450 MSRP but more reasonable at most places.

[Strutter]

Check out the Ruger 10/22 classic. My son bought on and it is one fine looking rifle. The stock is walnut and is very nice looking. The butt plate is flat instead of the sharp rounded style that most 10/22's have.

Rob

[GunCat]

...as I bought my first 10/22 for $87 back in the early 80's ...

I vividly can remember wanting the 10/22 that Woolsworth (in the Hopkinsville Mall) sold for $69.95 :p

[brasskeeper]

Its hard to beat a Ruger 10/22

[killinmammals]

Yeah rugers are fun to play with too when you have a few 50 round clips!!! You can get them for cheaper than walmart sells them for if that is there price in store...walnut stock 10/22s can be found alot of places for around 180. Plus I would never buy a gun from walmart.

[RocketRider]

I've had several 10/22s but was surprised with the out of box accuracy of the Remington 597. Not as much aftermarket goodies available but, for the average shooter gets my vote.

RR~

[guackerkiller]

love the accuracy of my remington 597 plus they have the high capacity mags out for them now too

[trust me]

If you want cute and sexy, and money is no object, find a Browning. Otherwise, the Ruger is cheap and dependable.

[Ky'sFinest]

preshadit fellas, ill have to check out that ruger... that mini 14 looks cool but probably more than i want to spend. 10/ 22 may be the one im lookin for.

[bloodhounder]

another vote for the Ruger 10/22. fun little shooter and more aftermarket stuff for it than all the others combined!!

[weedwalker]

I like my Marlin model 60. It's tube fed and is a tack driver. About $125 new.

[Hoot]

I ahve had the same Ruger 10/22 since 87 and it has never failed. Good little shooter. I'm normally not a Ruger fan but I can not complain about this one at all.

[quackrstackr]

I like my Marlin model 60. It's tube fed and is a tack driver. About $125 new.

X2

I have one of the base models and also a SS/laminated one. Both tack drivers and never had a hiccup from either one.

[SmokeyBear]

love the accuracy of my remington 597 plus they have the high capacity mags out for them now too


I absolutely love my 597. It is one of the best shooting 22's I have ever owned. I have been looking for a high cap mag for it but have not found any yet. Where can I find a couple? The 10/22 has plenty of aftermarket toys out there you can add to them but as far as accuracy goes, I have not hunted with my 10/22 since I got my 597 a couple years ago. My 597 is a far more accurate rifle than my 10/22.

[JDMiller]

I vividly can remember wanting the 10/22 that Woolsworth (in the Hopkinsville Mall) sold for $69.95 :p

GunCat.... I figured you more of a Cayce-Yost person. :D


The first 22 I owned was a Marlin-Glenfield "Golden 50" ... My dad bought it for me at age 6... still have it. It's a shooter but I have to admit I bought a Ruger 10/22.. 15 plus years ago and have never had a bad word to say about it. In my opinion its about as good as it gets for a semi-auto.

I've always wanted to break down and get a nice bolt-action 22 like a Ruger 77/22 or Remington 541.. (I think thats the right model on the Remington).. just never could bring myself to do it. They have always been a little pricey but it would be a good one to pass down through your family.

[Ky'sFinest]

i always prefer bolt action on any other rifle, but i prefer semi on a .22. rounds are cheap and more fun to squirrel hunt with when you can fire siftly.

[skin_dog1]

My vote is for the 10/22. the great thing about the ruger is how customizable they are for a do it yourselfer.

[TROPHYTAKER308]

I like my Marlin model 60. It's tube fed and is a tack driver. About $125 new.
yep,,,, me 2..+2

[stalkingbear]

PLEASE do yourself a huge favor and get a ruger 10-22 or a tc. If you don't,you'll kick yerself in behind until you do indeed get 1. This way,you'll have a "keeper" from the start. I've built comp 10-22s(not just slapping a bull barrel and stock on) that will group into .253 for 10 shot groups at 50 yards,but they are full comps.

[Ky'sFinest]

any product that gets that much credit must be a good one.

[KYhunter79]

I love my Remington 597. I have no plans get any other one at the moment. I have shot the Marlin 60's and the Ruger 10/22's as well. I don't think you can go wrong with any of these three to be honest.

[Ky'sFinest]

yeah, i look into all three to get a feel for them all.

[trust me]

.

I've always wanted to break down and get a nice bolt-action 22 like a Ruger 77/22 or Remington 541.. (I think thats the right model on the Remington).. just never could bring myself to do it. They have always been a little pricey but it would be a good one to pass down through your family.

I broke down and finally got the 77/22 back in 1992. It's solid as a bank vault, but it won't shoot with the Marlins. At the end of the day, hitting what you shoot at is the name of the game, and the Marlins are just better at it than the Ruger 77/22. The 10/22's I've fooled with weren't that great either...apparently they need a lot of work to be super accurate. The Marlin rifles just seem to come out of the box that way.

[JDMiller]

I broke down and finally got the 77/22 back in 1992. It's solid as a bank vault, but it won't shoot with the Marlins. At the end of the day, hitting what you shoot at is the name of the game, and the Marlins are just better at it than the Ruger 77/22. The 10/22's I've fooled with weren't that great either...apparently they need a lot of work to be super accurate. The Marlin rifles just seem to come out of the box that way.

I've had good accuracy with the Marlins as well but my 10/22 will shoot tighter. However its about like comparing apples to apples. I've never even shot one of the 77/22's but I'll admit I've heard complaints as yours. I had a friend who had the 77/22hornet... accuracy with it was'nt good at all. I blamed the cartridge more than the rifle but could be a trend.

Have you ever had any dealings with CZ bolt 22's?? I looked at one awhile back... it was a nice rifle but priced comparable to the Rugers & Remingtons.

[trust me]

Have you ever had any dealings with CZ bolt 22's?? I looked at one awhile back... it was a nice rifle but priced comparable to the Rugers & Remingtons.

I bought a CZ Ultra 452 for the boy (yeah, right) and I love it. It shoots much better than I can and the open sights are so much fun I won't put a scope on it.

Everything about it is quality except the finish; it seems a bit thin and wants to rust quickly, but as long as my eyes will allow I'll be rolling squirrels and cans with this one.

[barney]

I had a friend who had the 77/22hornet... accuracy with it was'nt good at all. I blamed the cartridge more than the rifle but could be a trend.

I also own a 77/22hornet. The rifle looks and feels like it should drive a tack,but it wont. My rifle will shoot 2.5 inch groups@ 100 yards consistantly, but no better. At first I blamed the ammo,then after trying all the different kinds I could find,with no tighter groups,I knew it must be the gun, and it was.One day while surfing,I came across a fellow who owned the same rifle,and the same problem,but insted of him just accepting that his pretty little rifle would not shoot,he began trying to figure out why,and did! Turns out that the "play" in the two piece bolt was the blame! He punched a "washer" from some .005 stainless sheet stock,disasembled the bolt, instaled the "washer" and wala, .75 groups @ 100. I have never found the time to "fix" my rifle,but plan on it soon.

[25-06]

If you want cute and sexy, and money is no object, find a Browning. Otherwise, the Ruger is cheap and dependable.


Yeah,cute ,sexy and very accurate-I have one!!!!

[Ky'sFinest]

well i eventually got me one. i bought a marlin 60 wood stock with a 3-7 scope. great shooting gun and about as inexpensive as they get.

about 1000 rounds through it so far, one stove pipe on the first 200 rds, none since.

thinks for all the advice.

[matewsq2]

GunCat.... I figured you more of a Cayce-Yost person. :D


The first 22 I owned was a Marlin-Glenfield "Golden 50" ... My dad bought it for me at age 6... still have it. It's a shooter but I have to admit I bought a Ruger 10/22.. 15 plus years ago and have never had a bad word to say about it. In my opinion its about as good as it gets for a semi-auto.

I've always wanted to break down and get a nice bolt-action 22 like a Ruger 77/22 or Remington 541.. (I think thats the right model on the Remington).. just never could bring myself to do it. They have always been a little pricey but it would be a good one to pass down through your family.
THey used to make a model 81 that was the bolt action 22 to have.

[Kcoyboy]

Ruger 1022 is probably one of the better ones. I have a Remington speedmaster which I like a lot but My Marlin 60 has a bigger diameter barrel and shoots 10 shots in less than an inch at 50 more like 1 half inch. Now the trigger pull isnt the best but I had to work on the Remington also. I bought a better Marlin stock at Brownells as the one that came with it didnt fit me. Still the Marlin shoots great1

[Kcoyboy]

I bought the stock for the stainless model which is a bigger stock. It feels good and is well worth it . Call Brownells the blued receiver and barrell will drop right in. Also its laminated!! anyone who has the reg stock you wont be disappointed I think its around 60 but may be a little more. Good shootin to all the Ky people on this great forum!!

[stalkingbear]

For all you 77/22 hornet owners who are having trouble getting them to shoot-rechamber it to K hornet, Glass bed, trigger job, and then start about 11.5 gr of AA1680 and cci br4 primer behind an 40 gr Nosler ballistic tip, working carefully up to 12.8 (MY load in MY rifle only) gr. It will then group under 1/2" for 5 shots at 100 yards.




I also own a 77/22hornet. The rifle looks and feels like it should drive a tack,but it wont. My rifle will shoot 2.5 inch groups@ 100 yards consistantly, but no better. At first I blamed the ammo,then after trying all the different kinds I could find,with no tighter groups,I knew it must be the gun, and it was.One day while surfing,I came across a fellow who owned the same rifle,and the same problem,but insted of him just accepting that his pretty little rifle would not shoot,he began trying to figure out why,and did! Turns out that the "play" in the two piece bolt was the blame! He punched a "washer" from some .005 stainless sheet stock,disasembled the bolt, instaled the "washer" and wala, .75 groups @ 100. I have never found the time to "fix" my rifle,but plan on it soon.

[Ky'sFinest]

For all you 77/22 hornet owners who are having trouble getting them to shoot-rechamber it to K hornet, Glass bed, trigger job, and then start about 11.5 gr of AA1680 and cci br4 primer behind an 40 gr Nosler ballistic tip, working carefully up to 12.8 (MY load in MY rifle only) gr. It will then group under 1/2" for 5 shots at 100 yards.


i get all that... but how do you learn to shoot as good as the gun!!:D

i am a pretty good shot for a country boy but wouldln't go so far to say comp level. gunsmithing and target shooting is a science.

good post.

[hunter115]

For me its a toss up between the Marlin 39A and the Ruger 10-22. The Ruger have so many after market accessories that you can do almost anything with them.

[Beretta-fan]

I have a 10/22 deluxe sporter that I bought new 4 years ago. It has the absolute worst trigger I have personally ever felt on any rifle or even shotgun for that matter. I haven't scaled it but it has to be close to 10lb. and I'm not exagerating.
I've been meaning to get a volquartsen trigger group for it but just haven't gotten around to it yet.

[duckslayer870]

I have a 10/22 that will shot the bottom out of a coke can at a hundred yrds with cheapo rem 22 ammo. I love it. I worked on the factory trigger, put in a bolt buffer, also a extended mad release. The 10/22 is a diy friendly gun, I would take the trigger completely apart unless you are good at puzzles though.:)

[treed in ky]

Marlin model 60 most fun .22 ever made!:)

[cub4466]

my vote 10-22 ruger also have a charger like both of them

[Justin Helterbrand]

A marlin,my dad has had one for many years and it shots like a dream still.:)

[CRFoster68]

I have the Rem 597 and mine seems to jam alot when you are shooting... But on the other hand I have not shot any other 10/22's out there...So I cant tell you if it is better than others.

[Auk1124]

Apparently I'm the only one who had a bum Marlin/Glenfield 60. Mine would pattern about like a shotgun, and jam every few rounds no matter what I fed it (yep, it was kept clean).

It don't live with me any more. All brands are capable of a lemon or two, I guess. :(

[Tim Compton]

the marlin is hard to beat. they are not too bad pricey and every one i have fooled with shot great right out of the box.

[Haves]

I have the Rem 597 and mine seems to jam alot when you are shooting... But on the other hand I have not shot any other 10/22's out there...So I cant tell you if it is better than others.


You probably need to upgrade your clips. The early models had bad clips. They modified them and I believe are on there third generation of clips and feed flawlessly in my experience.

If you have an older 597, do a web search and find out how to tell the difference between old and new and go out and get a few. It will be a night and day difference.

[Racer1]

I love my 597. Very accurate, rarely jams, and is made right here in Kentucky what more could you want????? The only thing that bothers me is it is a little tricky to disassble the action for cleaning. The high capacity mags can be found at any Bass Pro (not on-line) or on-line at Cabela's.