Tube Fed Bolt Action 22LR

[wundudnee]

Model 72As can be found for not a lot of dollars if you take your time looking.

I am a Winchester addict so here is my late 72A that is grooved for a scope. I now have a Redfield 4 power on it. The perfect field gun. No lost magazines, load once, shoot all day.

 

[2152hq]

I have not encountered the last round hang-up problem in the tube fed lever or pump action 22's I have had. Is this just an issue with the bolt actions? Are some models more prone to it than others?

It's usually an issue due to the rifle not ever being cleaned, including the inner & outer magazine tubes or the feed throat system.
Dirty ammo run through the rifle by the hundreds and thousands of rounds, never any maint to the gun down in the mechanism,,even a drop or two of oil.

There's lots of springs, a carrier, follower, ect in there and it all has to work just right. Careless or just indifferent handling leads to dents in the tube, rust in the follower spring.
It only takes one time for a round to stick and hold back for the shooter to think the rifle is empty only to have it snap forward after the bolt is closed the final time and the round is then right there ready to be loaded the next time the action is operated.

It's just awareness that is needed, and that should be there when any firearm is in hand, not just a tube feed model.
But a tube feed of any sort is particularly prone to that sort of potential problem.
Even a pump shotgun or tube feed L/A rifle can have a round stick part way up in the tube and go un-noticed, the gun appears unloaded.
Only to dislodge and be fed into the chamber later as the action is worked on that unloaded firearm.
The 'unloaded gun' then fires.

At least the tube feed 22's you can run a dummy round through the mechanism and out into your hand to confirm there is nothing else in there.
Something you can't do with a closed ended tube feed like on a pump shotgun or LA centerfire.
Those brite colored followers for the latter are a good idea for a visual check for an empty mag tube. MAny of the tube feed 22's have them too now.

 

[Krogen]

I'd also suggest the used rack.
Some real nice ones can be found.
This is my favorite for a few reasons it is a Remington model 34

The Remington 34 means a great deal to to me. I have the one Mom had when she was growing up in Northeastern Montana. When I was a pup, maybe 5 or 6, she taught me to shoot with that Model 34. To be honest, "shoot" is quite the exaggeration. At that age about all she could do was teach me to pull the trigger and (hopefully) not hurt somebody. I have a photo of me learning on that 34. The butt stuck out from my armpit by a good 6 or 8 inches. Fairly amusing. There was Mom showing me the ropes. That 34 will never go anywhere except to a family descendant.

 

[one eye joe]

Thanks Joe. So, would that be the 881 or earlier?

IMHO, A MODEL 781 WOULD BE THE BEST CHOICE, THEY MAY BE DIFFICULT TO FIND. DO A GOOGLE SEARCH, AND CHECK THE AUCTION SITES. GUNS AMERICA HAS A NICE ONE LISTED RIGHT NOW. TAKE A PEEK, AND REMEMBER---YOU SNOOZE, YOU LOSE ! ! !

 

[italiansport]

If you don't have a dummy 22 round here's another way to check. Pull the inner magazine tube completely out. Cycle the bolt all the way back. Take a 22 cleaning rod and run it all the way down the outer magazine tube until you see the tip. At that point; you are assured the magazine tube is empty.
N.B: This is also a good opportunity to swab the outer magazine tube out with some solvent and oil lightly

Jim

 

[alwslate]

I have a Winchester 72 with a peep sight that is very accurate and a
Rem 512 that is grooved for a scope although it doesn't wear one at the
present time. I also have a Stevens 66 that is somewhat clunky in
operation but is very accurate for a cheap rifle. It has the typical
hardwood stock with the black painted forearm tip and it cost me all
of $55 at a local auction. I have never had a problem with emptying
magazine tubes as others have reported. Tube fed bolt action .22
rifles can be real bargains.

 

[4barrel]

I have a Remington 512X that I've had for over 50 years. It is very accurate and will shoot groups comparable to some of the best 22's available. If you run across one in good shape I would not hesitate.

I have a 95% 512x for about 40 years. I have seen maybe 2 more.

 

[weatherby]

Alwslate I have one of the same 66B as you with the peep sight. The B is for buckhorn.
It is very accurate as well.

 

[oink]

+ another one for the 512. One of my most used and appreciated pawn shop finds. It is in excellent condition with the exception of some sun fading on one side of the wood. Possibly it was a truck gun or sat in a rack near a window? Nice ones can be found cheap as they apparently made a bunch of them. Mine is the version with the nice big bore type rifle sights. I also have a very well used one I inherited from my FIL that came with a factory peep sight. He was an avid squirrel hunter and while not at all rusty it has very a worn finish and blueing. Great guns.

 

[C J]

I had an older Marlin bolt action with a box mag. I had a newer model with a tube and the new one was MUCH better than the old one. It was an XT. I gave it to my daughter's bf. It was a very nice shooting rifle. My older model was a 925 which looked better but it wasn't as accurate and it had firing pin issues.

IMO too many people are about nostalgia when it comes to guns. A beech stock just isn't a lot better than a synthetic stock IMO. And you don't have to worry much about a synthetic stock warping if you get caught in the rain. And yes I have seen that happen with other wood stocks. For a primary squirrel hunter the XT is hard to beat IMO. I have much nicer .22's but I use one I don't have to worry about ruining or dropping in a river or whatever when I go hunting. As long as it will hit what I shoot at I'm good with it and the XT will certainly do that.

 

[Rayfan87]

I got the itch for a bolt action .22 with a tube magazine a year or two ago, I found a nice Winchester 72 that fit the bill and is a wonderful shooter. I've also been looking into the Ruger American Rimfire, it's a bolt action that uses 10/22 magazines, I'm not a fan of the stock though.

 

[K Harris]

I wonder if the new XT will fit in an 881 walnut stock? Probably have to relieve a bit for the new trigger, but is the hole spacing the same? Anyone know?

 

[Narragansett]

I got the itch for a bolt action .22 with a tube magazine a year or two ago, I found a nice Winchester 72 that fit the bill and is a wonderful shooter. I've also been looking into the Ruger American Rimfire, it's a bolt action that uses 10/22 magazines, I'm not a fan of the stock though.

I like Ruger products, but there are no black plastic stocks in my safe, and the wood stock looks like a fence post IMO

 

[Racer X]

I have my father's Mossberg 46B and a Marlin 81. Both bolt/tube guns. The Marlin has a grooved receiver for scope mounts.

The 46B later got updated to a 146B.

Parts available for Mossbergs from Havlin's Sales.

 

[mauser9]

Miss my Marlin 783 22 magnum with gold plated trigger. Great figured walnut too. Was stolen and am still mad. Bought new in 72 with scope and sling for $75.

 

[Rayfan87]

I like Ruger products, but there are no black plastic stocks in my safe, and the wood stock looks like a fence post IMO

Theres a Talo exclusive with a wood stock that looks much better than the standard one. My only issue with that is it uses a stainless barrel and reciever whereas the regular one is blued.

 

[mauser9]

Admit I did buy a Ruger American compact 22 mag. 3 years back. No regrets as I like the light weight and 18 inch barrel for the woods. Always been a walnut lover but Ruger did a good job on this one and stock not flimsy. Like the rimfires satin bluing instead of the matte on the centerfires.

 

[Narragansett]

Theres a Talo exclusive with a wood stock that looks much better than the standard one. My only issue with that is it uses a stainless barrel and reciever whereas the regular one is blued.

First choice is polished blue and walnut. Second choice would be walnut and stainless. last choice would be walnut, and the dull matte unfinished looking bbl that is produced a lot these days. Almost like brushed steel with blue

 

[Narragansett]

Admit I did buy a Ruger American compact 22 mag. 3 years back. No regrets as I like the light weight and 18 inch barrel for the woods. Always been a walnut lover but Ruger did a good job on this one and stock not flimsy. Like the rimfires satin bluing instead of the matte on the centerfires.

I am not fond of real short bbls, especially if it does not allow the cartridge to reach maximum velocity. I like the rifle look as compared to a carbine. Just me I guess

 

[pawncop]

I received my Remington model 582 for Christmas in 1966. I still have it as it was my first firearm. Not having the other brands nor models to compare their features, I am at a disadvantage to say which is better, but after 52 years I would never part with it.

I hope you find this helpful.