Nylon 66
opaul,
Not an expert, but I own two of the 66's.I bought a black diamond back when they came out. I inherited another one from one of my Uncles, it is the black and chrome version. He bought this rifle in the 60's, and this little rifle led a hard life & is testimony to the ruggedness & durability of the Nylon 66.
This particular Uncle lived off from 50's acres of ground along the Eel river. He was a child of the depression, He existed on what he grew, raised, hunted, trapped & caught. He was an avid coon hunter, fish and turtle trapper, fur trapper. His nylon 66 was his constant companion. If he was planting, it was on the tractor with him to shoot ground hogs.
I have seen this rifle on the driving deck of an open cab combine/corn picker covered in chaff and bean dust. I have seen this 66 in the bottom of his jon boat, submerged in river water, with flat head catfish, snapping turtles, traps and lines piled on top of it. I've seen it frozen, covered in snow, with traps, pelts and gear piled on top of it. It never saw a gun case or a gun rack.
When I was young, I always thought it a bit gaudy. Six decades later, I have a different perspective. If you picked up that little nylon 66, you would never know the life it led. The combination of the chromed metal and Zytel stock made it impervious to whatever was thrown at it. It is in amazingly good condition, all things considered.
This rifle was in service up to 2012, when I acquired it. I still tote it around when I feel the urge. So, in summary. If you want a light weight, reliable, pretty much "bullet proof", accurate 22 cal. rifle, go buy that one.