Wanted: Advice on a .22lr Rifle

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BuckeyeChuck

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I'm fairly new to gun ownership and shooting, and all of my attention has been on handguns. I find myself wanting an inexpensive rifle chambered in .22lr, but as I have little knowledge, I ask the advice of my more knowledgeable friends here.

What are my constraints? Primarily cost. Secondarily, I'm open to advice on something that can be easily outfitted to other calibers, like an AR.
 
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Look at the CZ .22s They are cheap and very accurate. I have a model 452 and, at 50 meters, it will shoot almost as well as my Anschutz.
 
If your constrained by price, then you don't want an AR. And an AR isn't neccessarily easy to adapt to many calibers. It can be done, but how deep are your pockets?

I would stick with a dedicated 22 rifle such as a Ruger 10/22. There are more accessories available for the 10/22 than any other 22 rifle.

If you can't afford one, save up for it. If you try to buy a decent 22 rifle on the cheap, what you buy may take the fun out of it. You can't go wrong with a 10/22.
 
I have a Thompson Center and love it. Simple, rugged and accurate.
 
if you want just the AR look then go with a S&W15-22 but if you want a all around .22 go with ( and my fellow 15-22 buddies may scold me for it) go with the ruger 10-22... bunch of parts to make any configuration you want, even a hand cranked gatling but you need 2 for that.
 
I concur, the Ruger 10-22 is an ideal entry-level gun that can be improved and modified six ways from Sunday. Take a look at the newly announced take-down version --- I think I need one of those...
 
If your in to customizing the 10/22 is the one.

If your in to classic fun check out a Henry pump or lever.

Or look for an old Winchester pump like a 62a. I have a beater and it's still fun. I paid 300 for it. The price goes up every day on the nice ones. I was seconds from buying a really nice one for a grand but ran in to a better short term investment. ;)
 
I can only comment on the ones that I have so here goes. If you can afford it and want something that resembles an AR platform, what better than the Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22. My wife and I both have one and it's more accurate than people seem to think plus rail accessories can be added. If you're looking for a .22 lever gun, Henry makes a great one and the blue version is not too heavy on the wallet. Plus the Henry will shoot .22 shorts, longs and long rifles. A Marlin model 60 is a good plinker and can be bought for just a few shekels. If it's real inexpensive you're looking for, the Mossberg 702 Plinkster can be had for around $130. It ain't gonna win the Olympics but it will hit the side of the barn.

CW
 
Another vote for the Ruger 10/22. Also have a Remington 582 bolt action that is very nice, but have not seen many available as of late.
 
Beware of the 10-22 it can become a disease, I have rebuilt mine over a 20 yr. period, Now has heavy barrel,over powered scope, new trigger,and is glued into a laminated stock. drives tacks at 100 yards with sv loads.
On the other hand I scoped a stock 10-22 for a friend the performance was 1/2 in. groups at 50 yards with hv. loads.
I don't see how you could go wrong with a 10-22.
 
Marlin and Savage make very good bolt action and semi-automatic .22 LR rifles. They are accurate and work very well. Ascetically some find them less than stylish. The same is said of Glock pistols. But they work superlatively just the same. Ruger makes excellent .22 LR rifles. The 77/22 is an outstanding bolt-action rifle. The 10/22 is the best .22 LR semi-automatic rifle available. It is an outstanding rifle. When my daughters were ready for a .22 LR rifle, I bought them each their own 10/22. It was money well spent. HTH. Sincerely. brucev.
 
The CZ 453 American (has single set trigger) and the CZ 452 (standard trigger) are incredibly well made, dead nuts accurate, and pretty too! You can score one for about $550 or so, (less for the 452). An older Marlin 39A (pre rebounding hammer) is a great .22 if you like lever action rifles. That will set you back around $450 or so (in good condition). The Ruger 10/22's are not my bag, but they are inexpensive, accurate and well liked by most. Don't know the price on those, but they are not expensive and readily available. I would personally stay clear of the Rossi's, but that's another story. If you look online (Gunbroker) you can buy a used Marlin bolt action .22 with either a standard magazine or tubular magazine very reasonably and they usually will shoot quite well. They sell for really low prices and while they are no Winchester M52, they will get the job done.


Chief38
 
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so many options out there.....
I'll limit my suggestions to no gadgetry economy priced semi-autos.

I like a Marlin 60. Cheap accurate and no big mag hanging out the bottom. the 795 if you like a mag fed gun.

10-22 hands down if you are going to mod it, but there is a price premium over the Marlins for no real gains if you plan on leaving it stock.

If you really want to play around with calibers, get an AR lower and a dedicated 22 upper, but you'd be better off with 2 separate guns IMO than going that route.
 
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