I have a lot of fun with my Springfield 1922 MKII. I also like my 513T, but not quite as much. So, two votes for bolt action.
.22 Rifles: Manual vs Auto?
- Thread starter JayFramer
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My very first firearms was this single shot F.W. Heym single shot .22.
It is a Heym but not a multi-thousands of dollars rifle. Made in the 1950s when German gun makers needed money so they made these inexpensive guns which they could sell tons of. Fun little gun; I have not shot it in years. I don't recall it being very accurate.
I had a Marlin Glenfield semi-auto .22. Not a very impressive rifle and I sold it to my secretary for her son for 50 bucks around 20 years ago.
I do have a Nylon 66, however - just because. I forget when I bought it and I know for a fact I never shot it. I just had to have it.
I have been thinking about a Ruger American as all purpose bolt action .22 but I so rarely shoot .22s that I never got around to it. Besides, I still have a Marlin in .17 HMR to fill that bill if I want to shoot rimfires.
It is a Heym but not a multi-thousands of dollars rifle. Made in the 1950s when German gun makers needed money so they made these inexpensive guns which they could sell tons of. Fun little gun; I have not shot it in years. I don't recall it being very accurate.
I had a Marlin Glenfield semi-auto .22. Not a very impressive rifle and I sold it to my secretary for her son for 50 bucks around 20 years ago.
I do have a Nylon 66, however - just because. I forget when I bought it and I know for a fact I never shot it. I just had to have it.
I have been thinking about a Ruger American as all purpose bolt action .22 but I so rarely shoot .22s that I never got around to it. Besides, I still have a Marlin in .17 HMR to fill that bill if I want to shoot rimfires.
Manual for me as I've never owned a semi-auto .22 that worked reliably...barring my Ruger Mark IV that I acquired recently.
fishcreekrim
Member
After loaning my 10-22 to my brother to allow some beginning shooters a chance to shoot, I decided a 77-22 was a much better fit for a 22 that is sometimes in the hands of a beginner. Just some sloppy gun handling, no injury or negligent discharge.
BLACKHAWKNJ
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Don't have a "general purpose" 22 LR rifle, I say bolt action for beginners, semiautos for more experienced shooters.
I don't believe in turning a kid lose with a semi auto from safety standpoint. But Bolt Action vs Semi auto is same as in center fire rifles. The BA tends to be more accurate. There is always the exception but that is the general rule.
shouldazagged
Absent Comrade
I no longer own a .22 rifle. Gave the one I used for forty years to my son and his boys, when I became physically unable to hunt anymore.
It was a Marlin 39A--very accurate, absolutely dependable, man-sized and well-balanced. It was the only one I felt I needed for decades.
It was a Marlin 39A--very accurate, absolutely dependable, man-sized and well-balanced. It was the only one I felt I needed for decades.
I have a Zastava bolt action that my youngest daughter likes, the older kids have all gone over to semiauto HK-416D (Walther)
I tend to like the bolt action. Kids, being kids like spray and pray. (but at least it's with 22's. )
I tend to like the bolt action. Kids, being kids like spray and pray. (but at least it's with 22's. )
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Quoting myself here to add-
I'd forgotten about my one other reliable semi .22. My dads 1966 Remington 550-1, which is still very accurate and reliable. The others- Marlin Model 60, Ruger 10/22, etc- you can have 'em
For teaching new shooters, I go to my Mossberg 144 LS
For quiet plinking, it is often an old Remington Model 12 or a Winchester 62. They can be loaded with the 22 Long Super Colibri ammunition. Though we now have the recently introduce "Quiet" ammo from CCI.
I have levers that are great as well. Again lots of fun with the 22 Short and 22 Long ammunition
Then there are the Armalite AR7s to toss in the car, boat or plane when you are headed places for other reasons
But if I am going for all out fun, it is usually a Ruger 10-22. I have several in all different configurations from bone stock to dressed up to competition ready to legal full auto
Here is the little Krinker Plinker that was built off a 10-22 style receiver. At least when you do a 50 round mag dump it does not cost you $10+
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsqVJIOGOzk[/ame]
For quiet plinking, it is often an old Remington Model 12 or a Winchester 62. They can be loaded with the 22 Long Super Colibri ammunition. Though we now have the recently introduce "Quiet" ammo from CCI.
I have levers that are great as well. Again lots of fun with the 22 Short and 22 Long ammunition
Then there are the Armalite AR7s to toss in the car, boat or plane when you are headed places for other reasons
But if I am going for all out fun, it is usually a Ruger 10-22. I have several in all different configurations from bone stock to dressed up to competition ready to legal full auto
Here is the little Krinker Plinker that was built off a 10-22 style receiver. At least when you do a 50 round mag dump it does not cost you $10+
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsqVJIOGOzk[/ame]
I like the odd and older 22 rifles, seldom seen foreign types, ect. It seems they end up being pump actions of late, but it doesn't really matter what the action type is.
I get drawn to them when walking a show or visiting a gunshop.
Not interested in more modern stuff. Usually buy orphans that need much love, understanding and a good home.
A Meriden Model 15 pump in deluxe grade,,I sold that one not to long ago. Really nice rifle.
(Mossberg bought that design after Meriden went under in 1918 and brought the rifle back with some small changes in the 20's as the Moss'b Model's K & S pump)
I picked up a Savage Model 1914 recently along with a Model 29S(Special) marked Ranger (not the later mfg A or B Model rifle though I have a couple of those too).
Marlin 97's,,gotta love those.
Remington 12B (GallerySpecial 22short) pretty rough!
H&A single shot Model 3922 Jr. Schuetzen
Wurfflein single shot mid-range 22 break open rifle
a bunch of Winchester 63, 61 and 62's
I've built quite a few custom high grade guns good .22 rifles. The right gun, restocked with nice wood, then engraved and checkered, nice blue or French Gray finish makes a nice custom rifle. The Winchester .22's always draw attention.
Stuff like that,, Many are StdVel ammo only due to their age and designs but that's no problem.
Plus I hunt only paper targets and I've never had one run very far before collapsing with a good hit even from a StdVel rd.
I get drawn to them when walking a show or visiting a gunshop.
Not interested in more modern stuff. Usually buy orphans that need much love, understanding and a good home.
A Meriden Model 15 pump in deluxe grade,,I sold that one not to long ago. Really nice rifle.
(Mossberg bought that design after Meriden went under in 1918 and brought the rifle back with some small changes in the 20's as the Moss'b Model's K & S pump)
I picked up a Savage Model 1914 recently along with a Model 29S(Special) marked Ranger (not the later mfg A or B Model rifle though I have a couple of those too).
Marlin 97's,,gotta love those.
Remington 12B (GallerySpecial 22short) pretty rough!
H&A single shot Model 3922 Jr. Schuetzen
Wurfflein single shot mid-range 22 break open rifle
a bunch of Winchester 63, 61 and 62's
I've built quite a few custom high grade guns good .22 rifles. The right gun, restocked with nice wood, then engraved and checkered, nice blue or French Gray finish makes a nice custom rifle. The Winchester .22's always draw attention.
Stuff like that,, Many are StdVel ammo only due to their age and designs but that's no problem.
Plus I hunt only paper targets and I've never had one run very far before collapsing with a good hit even from a StdVel rd.
Grayfox
US Veteran
I own .22s in all the action types. Bolt, pump, lever and semi-auto. I honestly can't say that I prefer one over another. Which one I grab just depends on my mood at the time. 
However, I will say that my favorite is the Winchester 9422. So I guess I'll go with manual.
However, I will say that my favorite is the Winchester 9422. So I guess I'll go with manual.
muddocktor
Member
Seeing that I own only bolt action 22s, you can guess how I voted. One is the first gun I ever shot my Dad gave me; a Marlin bolt gun and a Ruger 77/22 I bought 10-15 years ago. The old Marlin gets very little use but I do shoot the Ruger occasionally. Since I installed a Timney sear and spring on it, the Ruger is really nice to shoot. Before the sear addition, it had a typical lawyer trigger of around 6-8 lbs
One is the first gun I ever shot my Dad gave me; a Marlin bolt gun and a Ruger 77/22 I bought 10-15 years ago. The old Marlin gets very little use but I do shoot the Ruger occasionally. Since I installed a Timney sear and spring on it, the Ruger is really nice to shoot. Before the sear addition, it had a typical lawyer trigger of around 6-8 lbsMy Marlin 39A with D14** ser. no still shoots lights out with the iron sights. Love that lever action! It was from my dad, and I think he got it used when he got home from WWII....Manual action...
I have and very much enjoy shooting a pretty little Ruger 77-22 that my wife bought for my birthday/Christmas present the first year the rifle was offered for sale. It is a real lights out shooter par excellent. I have shot 10 shot groups at 100 yds. of under 1.5 inches using whatever ammo was for sale at the hardware store. With some selected lots, I got groups down to 1.25 inches. Very occasionally, so occasionally that it was most certainly a fluke, I got five shot groups at 7/8 inch. Do so wish I could find that target. Oh well.
When it comes to just having fun shooting at field targets ... I much prefer a semi-automatic rifle. When my daughters wanted to learn to shoot, I bought them nice little Ruger 10-22 rifles. Both the girls turned out to be extremely good field shots. They were not interested in paper targets. But, throw a Ritz cracker up in the air and they'd usually hit it before it even got to the top of the arc of the throw. Give my youngest daughter a 15-22 and you'll see a real show. Last time she was home, I took her to the range w/ four bricks of ammo and 11 magazines. It was about all I could do to keep enough magazines loaded! When she got started she had a magazine in each hip pocket, one in the small of her back and one is each front pocket plus one in the rifle. There were all sorts of moving targets for her to hit. The fellows who thought she wouldn't hit the broad side of a outhouse started laughing and hooting as she proceeded to hit a lot more stuff than she missed and in general to just have a wonderful time.
When I just want to have some quite time fun, I prefer to take the 77-22 and my 18-3 and find a nice spot for plinking. I like to shoot at Coke cans out at 100 yds. and beyond. My rifle has a nice Weaver Wide-View 2x7 scope that works very well. It is zeroed at 50 yds. To get good hits on out at a distance, just use the top of the bottom cross hair like a post sight. Stick it where you want the bullet to go and pull the trigger. Most likely a split second later, the CCI Mini-Mag or Aguila .22 LR will arrive on target. Sincerely. bruce.
When it comes to just having fun shooting at field targets ... I much prefer a semi-automatic rifle. When my daughters wanted to learn to shoot, I bought them nice little Ruger 10-22 rifles. Both the girls turned out to be extremely good field shots. They were not interested in paper targets. But, throw a Ritz cracker up in the air and they'd usually hit it before it even got to the top of the arc of the throw. Give my youngest daughter a 15-22 and you'll see a real show. Last time she was home, I took her to the range w/ four bricks of ammo and 11 magazines. It was about all I could do to keep enough magazines loaded! When she got started she had a magazine in each hip pocket, one in the small of her back and one is each front pocket plus one in the rifle. There were all sorts of moving targets for her to hit. The fellows who thought she wouldn't hit the broad side of a outhouse started laughing and hooting as she proceeded to hit a lot more stuff than she missed and in general to just have a wonderful time.
When I just want to have some quite time fun, I prefer to take the 77-22 and my 18-3 and find a nice spot for plinking. I like to shoot at Coke cans out at 100 yds. and beyond. My rifle has a nice Weaver Wide-View 2x7 scope that works very well. It is zeroed at 50 yds. To get good hits on out at a distance, just use the top of the bottom cross hair like a post sight. Stick it where you want the bullet to go and pull the trigger. Most likely a split second later, the CCI Mini-Mag or Aguila .22 LR will arrive on target. Sincerely. bruce.
Unfortunately no option for both. I only have two, a 10/22 that has been my squirrel getter for over 30 years and a Springfield bolt action that's been in my family for about 70-80 years. Both are special to me.
When was the last time you wished while shooting one action type that it was a different action type? You haven't. They're all good.
wetdog1911;140503032 But the Mounties accuracy was a VERY pleasant surprise. Wet[/QUOTE said:One of my mentors told me that a M39 Marlin may not shoot where you want it too every time but you can bet the farm that it shot where you held it.Larry
Semi auto .22 LR rifles and carbines in the house (4):
1976' Ruger 10/22 Carbine
CMMG .22LR dedicated upper on an AR-15 lower
Ceiner .22 LR conversion in another AR-15 lower
Armalite AR-7
"Manual" .22 LR rifles and carbines in the house (17):
1978' Winchester Model 9422 XTR
2000' Winchester Model 9422 Trapper Carbine
(2) Winchester Model 52 'R' Sporters
(2) Zastava CZ 99 Precisions
CZ 453 American
CZ 453 Varmint
CZ 455 Varmint Heavy
CZ 513 Farmer
Remington 541S
Remington 540XR
Ruger 77/22 (first year production)
Anschutz Match 64
Springfield M6 (.22 LR and .410)
Rossi Matched pair (.22 LR and .410)
Winchester 1890
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If I had to do with just one, it would be a photo finish between the CZ 453 and one of my Model 52 R rifles, with the 9422 XTR trailing by less than half a length.
Edit: I left out two.
1976' Ruger 10/22 Carbine
CMMG .22LR dedicated upper on an AR-15 lower
Ceiner .22 LR conversion in another AR-15 lower
Armalite AR-7
"Manual" .22 LR rifles and carbines in the house (17):
1978' Winchester Model 9422 XTR
2000' Winchester Model 9422 Trapper Carbine
(2) Winchester Model 52 'R' Sporters
(2) Zastava CZ 99 Precisions
CZ 453 American
CZ 453 Varmint
CZ 455 Varmint Heavy
CZ 513 Farmer
Remington 541S
Remington 540XR
Ruger 77/22 (first year production)
Anschutz Match 64
Springfield M6 (.22 LR and .410)
Rossi Matched pair (.22 LR and .410)
Winchester 1890
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If I had to do with just one, it would be a photo finish between the CZ 453 and one of my Model 52 R rifles, with the 9422 XTR trailing by less than half a length.
Edit: I left out two.
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