Looking for opinions on .22LR rifle

View · by **driztan** on Fri Jan 04, 2013 10:24 am

I have no good explanation on why I do not own a .22LR. rifle. I guess I just have more fun buying the bigger boys. I'm sitting in a boring work pow wow and I found myselt thinking about finally buying my .22. I've considered the Ruger Takedown (waiting in line Owatanna Cabelas to get one but they sold out). I also have buddies very high on Marlins.

I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions.

View · by **xd ED** on Fri Jan 04, 2013 10:30 am

Bang for your buck on rimfire bolt guns, I don't think you can be the CZ 452. Currently not being imported, but they are around, and may be more so in the future, as I understand it, as I believe there will be some more brought in.

View · by **blacktornado11** on Fri Jan 04, 2013 10:38 am

I agree with ed! At one time I had 12-13 .22s in the safe. I love my bolt guns. Any of the older Marlins, or any Savage is a good bet. I haven't had any trigger time with a CZ, but everyone else loves em! Bottom line: Get one that feels right, then shoot til' your hearts content

View · by **Drizzle** on Fri Jan 04, 2013 10:54 am

There are 2 Marlins for sale on the board right now, save me from buying one of them. The 60 for 100.00 is a good deal, and it'll shoot forever.

View · by **LumberZach** on Fri Jan 04, 2013 10:56 am

I love my 10/22, and if I didn't already have a 10/22 I would buy the takedown model. That is just my opinion though.

View · by **RJWesleyIII** on Fri Jan 04, 2013 11:03 am

I really like my savage mark II FV-SR. Great shooter!

View · by **Jbotto** on Fri Jan 04, 2013 11:12 am

I'm a Marlin guy myself. Having 4 of them. But give me any of the older .22's my the more prevalent manufactures and I'm a happy guy. I have lots of experience with an 1960's Remington 514 and have the desire to one day own all of it's brothers (Models 510 to 514.) I have shot and handled the new Marlins and Savages, and will say that I just like the feel of the older ones better. Most any .22 rifle you buy, new or used, is capable of practical accuracy at 50 yards. My suggestion is still a Marlin .22 bolt gun like the Model 25's. Good luck!

View · by **driztan** on Fri Jan 04, 2013 11:13 am

blacktornado11 wrote:I agree with ed! At one time I had 12-13 .22s in the safe. I love my bolt guns. Any of the older Marlins, or any Savage is a good bet. I haven't had any trigger time with a CZ, but everyone else loves em! Bottom line: Get one that feels right, then shoot til' your hearts content

Curious why any of the old Marlin's specifically? FF currently has a new Marlin 60 for $149.99. Did something in their quality change in the new rifles, where they just don't shoot, last as long? as the older ones?

View · by **blacktornado11** on Fri Jan 04, 2013 11:21 am

I have one of the new XT22VR's and It shoots just as well as any of my older ones, but from what I have seen the QC is hit or miss since Remington bought the rights to Marlin.
I love both of my older marlins, my 981ts and the gun I grew up shooting, my fathers Model 60. But I really love shooting my Savage MkII Heavy Barrel

View · by **Jbotto** on Fri Jan 04, 2013 11:23 am

Like blacktornado posted, there is speculation on quality control issues. I've heard of some over on a rimfire forum as well. The newer marlin I shot was just as accurate as my older ones. I'll just trust the older ones until I have reason not to.

View · by **RAGGED** on Fri Jan 04, 2013 11:30 am

For bolt I'd go CZ, Semi I'd go 10/22, but if detachable mag semi wasn't a must I'd take a long look at the Browning semi 22, nice little take down rifles. My father has a Japanese made Browning and it’s just the coolest little thing, I have a 1926 Remington model 24 that was made off the Browning Patents and likewise, just an awesome little take down 22, they feel so tiny in hand but man do they shoot, both of ours are very accurate.

View · by **2in2out** on Fri Jan 04, 2013 11:50 am

I own both a Ruger 10/22 and a S&W M&P 15-22. Both are really, really fun rifles and I wouldn't give up either one.

View · by **JustPlainT** on Fri Jan 04, 2013 12:31 pm

I have a Marlin 60, and it works well. I'd recommend them to someone looking for a .22 LR.

My other recommendation is the Ruger 10/22.

If you are willing to pay an extra $200 or so on top of the cost of one of these, the S&W M&P15-22 is a great choice. It's just a lot more expensive and the only real benefit to it is the same ergos/form as an AR.

View · by **yuppiejr** on Fri Jan 04, 2013 1:08 pm

If you want something a bit different take a look at the Savage Mark II-FVT that the CMP sells for $245:

http://www.odcmp.com/Clubs/Forms/Savage.pdf

Easier to find and cheaper than the CZ, great trigger/iron sights on a highly accurate gateway firearm into smallbore target shooting (debating this as my next firearms adventure). The Mark I is the same basic gun in a single shot variety for a couple bucks less.

I haven't seen them locally (once at Gunstop before they closed/reopened the gun side) that often but I'm sure any number of FFL's in the forum can order you one if you don't want to go through the CMP paperwork.

View · by **2beer** on Fri Jan 04, 2013 1:38 pm

I picked up a Marlin 795 from Cabela's a few years ago for $129 with a $30 mail in rebate. I have no complaints, shoots great and feels pretty good especially for the money.I would like to pick up a .22 bolt rifle but not in any hurry to do so as this one gets the job done for now.