.22 for Appleseed - Marlin or Ruger?

[shackleford]

Looking at going to an upcoming Appleseed with a buddy this spring, and find myself in the market for a .22. I have always fancied a 10/22, but have heard a lot of good things about the Marlin 795. I wish I would have got in on the crazy deals at Cabelas in December, but so be it. I have seen the 795 for around $150, and the 10/22 is around $210 or so. The price difference is not a big deal, but some have said that the 795 shoots better out of the box than the Ruger, but of course the aftermarket is huge for the Ruger, not so much for the 795. I know that either one would work out just fine, but any thoughts on which way to go? I've got some .22 money burning a hole in my pocket, and really looking forward to this spring!

[macphisto]

I own both. If I could only own one, it would be the 10/22.

[Rem700]

Best? Buy both

[Belgiboy]

My favorite .22 is a Marlin 39A leveraction but I don't know how viable a levergun is for an Appleseed.

It is so good that my 10/22 is a complete safequeen now. I pimped it up last year with a fancy stock and barrel but I don't really shoot it anymore. It has been supremely reliable and reasonably accurate out of the box.

[DeanC]

The biggest problem with the Ruger is the lack of sling swivels and the futzy work needed to install them. To have a half a chance at making rifleman, you really need a sling.

The Marlin is light and kind of whippy which isn't the best for marksmanship. Some guys have hogged out the fore-end and added lead to the stock to add weight.

The Marlin mags are also less expensive.

Ideally, I wanted a Marlin 7000 which is the same action as the 795, but with a heavy barrel. You'd have to get the barrel tapped to add a front sight, but that isn't the end of the world. The problem is, they have been discontinued and I passed on the last NIB one I saw because I am a dumbhead.

[ex-LT]

Another advantage of the Marlin:

Installation of Tech-sights on the Marlin is easier than on the Ruger

[EJSG19]

Best addon I did to my Ruger was the Hogue overmolded stock. $40 or so I think, and it comes with sling studs already mounted. I gave the factory birch stock with plastic "recoil pad" away just to get the ugly thing out of the house.

[DeanC]

I gave the factory birch stock with plastic "recoil pad" away just to get the ugly thing out of the house.

FYI - if anybody else does this, I'd be glad to take them. They are nice for gun safety class when we introduce muzzle control techniques in the classroom. A kid can can screw up without actually pointing a gun at somebody.

The Appleseed people also like to use them for demonstrating shooting positions. They can do a 360º demonstration without pointing a gun at someone.

[shackleford]

Found the 10/22 for $198 and the 795 for $149 + $25 mail in rebate. Might be leaning towards the 10/22 though, if only for the aftermarket.

[Spike]

http://backwoodshome.com/blogs/MassadAy ... appleseed/

That link is to a blog by Massad Ayoob about a recent appleseed that he attended. It may be helpful.

- Spike

[Daddyo]

I've got a Marlin 70HC. Very accurate, easy to handle, functions well but seems to work better with hypervelocity rounds. Every now and again I'll feed it some bulk .22, then I get frustrated and come back to CCI Stingers.

I sometimes think I should have gotten the Ruger when I look at all the accessories in the catalogs, but from what other's have said I think I have the more functional gun.

Having never done an Appleseed shoot, I can't say how it would do, but for harvesting squirrels and getting mistletoe out of the trees it does just fine.

[DeanC]

I sometimes think I should have gotten the Ruger when I look at all the accessories in the catalogs, but from what other's have said I think I have the more functional gun.

I agree.

Gadgets are cool, but this is just not practical:

[Spike]

Another advantage of the Marlin:

Installation of Tech-sights on the Marlin is easier than on the Ruger

I just put a set of TSR100's on one of my 10/22's last night and it was about a 5 minute process. The hardest part was drifting out the stock front sight. Just be sure to drive it out from left to right.

- Spike

[shackleford]

10/22 is the winner! Got the black synthetic one, and have some studs, swivels, a sling, and a bolt release/trigger combo on the way from the interwebs. Scrubbed her up good today and should be headed to the range tomorrow to put some rounds through her. How important is cleaning the barrel after every couple shots to season it? A lot of people say that it is not very necessary anymore, but would appreciate your input.

[DeanC]

On a 22lr don't sweat the breaking in the barrel.

The big thing to watch on a new 10/22 is cleaning up the paint that flakes off from the inside of the receiver.