Marlin 22 Mag

Bald1

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Lots of post lately here and another forum I go on about high end rimfires like CZs. Seems like 22 mag is making a comeback. I had to move my safe to have carpet installed yesterday. While it was out of the safe in daylight I took a couple pictures of my Marlin 980 gold trigger mag. I haven’t shot it in 20 yrs. But that’s going to change this weekend. It belonged to my dad. He gave it to me when I was probably 10 or 11 yrs old. I was always fascinated with it because it was a MAGNUM lol.
 

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I had a Marlin 783 in .22 Mag for many years. During the Pandemic when .22 Magnum ammo was not available, I traded it for a Ruger American Rimfire in .22lr. I don't regret it, because I shot the heck out of the Marlin for a lot of years. Still it was in very nice shape at the time of trade. A very accurate rifle.

Edit: The 783 was a 1 in 14" twist. It would not stabilize some of the newer loads over 50 grain bullet weight. 40-grain FMJ and hollow point was all I shot in it.
 
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I have a nice 980DL marlin AK serial that I have not shot in several years, has the original Herters scope on it installed at purchase. Honestly, I never found it to be very accurate though.
 

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Here's mine, an early one, a deluxe. Doesn't have a serial number so pre-'68. I put an old K4 Weaver on it.



I also have a Ruger 77/22 WMR that shoots quite well. Right now it has a Green Mountain .17 HMR barrel installed on it. I took it (with the .22 mag barrel on it) on a Wyoming Prairie dog hunt several years ago and ended up killing more sod poodles with it than any other gun I took along.
 
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The siren song of the .22 WMR calls every decade or so. The same cycle of enthusiasm, anticipation and disappointment repeats itself. I've been afflicted numerous times over the decades. It is what it is: a seemingly good idea that remains a niche and frustrating choice.

I have a Marlin 782, it's a decent rifle given the limitation of .22 Magnum. I had the CZ 512 American, but sold it. Nice rifle but .22 Mag autoloaders generally have a reputation for beating themselves to death, and at the price of that rifle I decided to let it be someone else's problem.
 
Not fair!

My .22 magnum rifle is the Ruger American Rimfire and I really like it. But then here come you guys showing off these Marlin rifles with some honest to God good looking walnut stocks. That isn't playing fair! Those Marlins will shoot for sure!
 
My first gun was a marlin 882 checkered walnut 22 mag. I was about 8 when I got it from my dad. Ammo was high on a 20 dollar allowance so I didn’t shoot it a lot. Think I ever shot maybe 200 rounds thru it. My dad ended up picking up a 10/22 ruger checkered walnut deluxe and swapped me where I could shoot more for less. Still have the 10/22 I’m 36 now and it’s still mint. Taught me to take care of my stuff. Will probably buy another 882 if I ever come across one. He also collected s&w snub noses but I never did get any of them he sold them all. When I turned 21 that was my first handgun purchase he rubbed off on me and i started buying and collecting stainless prelocks. Only 22 mag I have is a 651 2” but I’ve yet to shoot it due to it being more collectors piece. Will probably buy another 882 one day if I come across one and maybe a Taurus 942 to have a revolver to shoot in 22 mag. Meanwhile I do like my 22s 617-4 4” 10 shot and my ruger mark iv lite those are my range toys in 22
 
A couple of nearly new looking Marlins posted. Very nice.

I have a couple of Marlin .22 mag bolts but I prefer the action on my Savage Anschutz.
 
Here's mine, an early one, a deluxe. Doesn't have a serial number so pre-'68. I put an old K4 Weaver on it.



I also have a Ruger 77/22 WMR that shoots quite well. Right now it has a Green Mountain .17 HMR barrel installed on it. I took it (with the .22 mag barrel on it) on a Wyoming Prairie dog hunt several years ago and ended up killing more sod poodles with it than any other gun I took along.

I like the K4 on there. My Scope Chief is old but not as old as my Marlin
 
Good thread for memories. Had a beauty of a 783 Marlin with walnut and Marlin branded scope back around 74. Unfortunately stolen! Few years back wanted a shorter barrel 22 mag. and bought the Ruger American compact and added the standard stock module for greater L.O.P. That 18 inch barrel will group very well with CCI 40 grain ammo.
 
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