[Jim Doran]

Need some advice on which .22 Rifle to purchase. I've done some internet research and the Ruger 10-22 and Savage Mark II seem to have a loyal following, but that is just 24 hours with google.

When I was young I shot a lot of .22 at boy scout camps, and did years of .177 airgun plinking in the back yard. As time has moved on I'm out of sync with what is available, and therefore , I'd probably characterize myself as a newbie.

Some of the characteristics I'm looking for include accuracy up to about 150 yds for small game, target plinking, and local indoor shooting range use in the winter. Price is not a constraint within reason.

I'm left handed ( sometimes that matters ) and wear 1.5X reading glasses, but have excellent eyesight other than closeup. I'd like to use a scope. I probably don't want a bolt action reload after each shot, prefer a magazine w/ 5-10 rounds ( guessing ).

Also need advice where to buy, local gunshop, or big chain stores ( dicks, cabbala's )

[69goatboy]

Ruger 10/22 is hard to beat. I have the takedown version which breaks down into 2 pieces. No shortage of scope or other options. The hard part will be to find ammo.
22's seem to be the last caliber that has yet to recover from the ammo shortage.

Standard is a 10 round mag, but there are plenty of 25 round mags out there.

I'd look at your local gunshop, if they don't have it, I'm sure they can order what you need.

[Jagtec1]

I like my Marlin Model 60.

[Bob Dillon]

Get the Ruger 10/22. Don't use the included scope mount-buy a Weaver rail from someone like Midway, and use better glass than the usual style of .22 scope. Brownell makes a reasonable one; there are many others. The 10/22 is the small-block Chevy of rifles. Everbody makes accessories for every part of it-stocks, barrels, trigger kits. etc. There are even a few kits around to convert it to a .17 HMR.

Using the .22 for game at 150 yards is extremely sketchy. Bullet drop at 100 yards is 6", so obviously 150 is much worse, and that's not even considering delivered energy to the game.

As to reliability, I bought my first 10/22 in 1966, when they first came out. (It was $54.50 ) It's still shooting. I even clean it once in a while.

[devauxmidwest]

For years I had a Remington model 66, a nylon stock .22. I loved that rifle and wound up giving it to my brother.
Skip ahead 30 years and I wanted to get a pair of new .22 rifles, one for myself and one for my youngest daughter. I got both of us a Henry Golden Boy with the large loop lever. Super quality, fun to shoot, and very accurate.
Ruger makes a nice .22, but if you'd like to get a rifle that's great looking and fun to shoot, consider a Henry Golden Boy.

[David Jones]

I've had a 10/22 for some somewhere in the neighborhood of 40 years.
Great weapon.

[rwfisher]

Ruger 10/22 all day long. This has to be one of the most popular, most versatile a reliable .22 made. There is a huge aftermarket of parts available to turn it into anything you want. If your want a great Black Rifle style go for the S&W M&P 15...

[Jim Doran]

Thanks for the info. The analogy to the SBC is exactly what my research had concluded.

So, it appears there are many different configurations of the 10/22 ( carbine, compact, target, shorter, takedown, tactical ). What guidance towards each of these models would you suggest ? Looks like carbine, target, or shorter are the obvious choices.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruger_10/22

Dumb question, but do I have to shoot .22 LR cartridges in this style of gun, or can I shoot .22 shorts also say for instance indoor target range ?

[GT182]

I like my Model 152 Mossberg I've had for 50 years.

[geeteeohguy]

For a semi auto, Ruger 10/22. Bulletproof, proven, accurate. For a bolt gun, the CZ 452 and 453 can't be beat for old-school high quality, fit and finish, and accuracy. It'll shoot circles around a 10/22 regarding accuracy. But you have to work the bolt. Left hand versions are available, as are 10 shot clips.

[gtoguys]

The Ruger 10/22 is a great gun. I own 2 of them. You can use Standard Velocity ammo for indoor competition. It looks like a High Velocity shell but with greater accuracy for targets. I use a 22 for Comp shooting at 300 yards with Standard Velocity ammo. The drop is around 6 feet at 300 yds.

[rwfisher]

Originally Posted by Jim Doran

Thanks for the info. The analogy to the SBC is exactly what my research had concluded.

So, it appears there are many different configurations of the 10/22 ( carbine, compact, target, shorter, takedown, tactical ). What guidance towards each of these models would you suggest ? Looks like carbine, target, or shorter are the obvious choices.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruger_10/22

Dumb question, but do I have to shoot .22 LR cartridges in this style of gun, or can I shoot .22 shorts also say for instance indoor target range ?

.22LR only. The model you chose depends a lot on what you want to use for. For me, I bought the cheapest model I could get from Wal Mart at the time and turned it into a tack driving target rifle for a few hundred $$ more....

Check this site out before you buy:
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/index.php

[spartazoo]

Ruger makes two great .22LR models. For semi-Auto you CANNOT beat the 10/22! For a bolt gun the new American line is nice and pretty accurate out of the box with open sites.

[marxjunk]

ive had my marlin since i was 12...thats 39 years...its a tuff gun..and shoots dead accurate...well built easy to maintain and dirt doesnt bother the mechanism much,,,just a great gun...cheap and easy to find

[jstites]

Henry Golden Boy

[mviker]

I've got a Winchester lever action .22LR that's a blast to shoot. Extremely accurate and reliable. Fun gun!

[Formulabruce]

Originally Posted by devauxmidwest

For years I had a Remington model 66, a nylon stock .22. I loved that rifle and wound up giving it to my brother.
Skip ahead 30 years and I wanted to get a pair of new .22 rifles, one for myself and one for my youngest daughter. I got both of us a Henry Golden Boy with the large loop lever. Super quality, fun to shoot, and very accurate.
Ruger makes a nice .22, but if you'd like to get a rifle that's great looking and fun to shoot, consider a Henry Golden Boy.

Best Looking 22 I have ever seen. Great to shoot and a wall hangar to boot!

[4mula73]

Marlin Model 60. My dad bought mine for me the day I was born. I will admit that the 10/22 is more popular and its removable magazine is more convenient than the Model 60's tube mag. However, my Marlin is much more accurate than my best friend's 10/22, and that's with me shooting both. I'll attach a pic of my best grouping.

[4mula73]

My best 3-shot group with my Model 60. .217" at a little over 25 yards using CCI Mini Mag 36gr hollow point .22LR. That's sub-MOA shooting for a bone stock gun. I could not be any more pleased with this gun.

[Jack Gifford]

Originally Posted by Jim Doran

... characteristics I'm looking for include accuracy up to about 150 yds...

To be effective at 150 yards on small game, I suggest a 22 magnum rather than a 22. Even the 22 mag is challenging at that range.

As for a .22- the Stevens semi-automatic I bought back in 1956 is still serving me well (lockable bolt allows shooting shorts and longs, also).