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Remington 514

11K views 21 replies 7 participants last post by  blackbird94 
#1 ·
I have a Reminton 514 ss bolt action .22lr. Just refinished last year. Very good condition and shoots well. Probably have put 500 or so thru it this summer. Any idea what I could get for it? Want to get a semi auto .22 scoped. At 100 yds I'm just guessing with the iron sights. Thanks
 
#2 ·
The Remington 500 series rifles are great little guns. Everyone that I have ever shot have been quiet (long barrels) and real tack drivers. I have a 510, two 512's (including my first rifle) and a 513. Depending on the condition, the 514 sells for $100 to $200 here in Virginia at local gunshops.
 
#5 ·
If you are looking for a real tack driver most of the 22 target guns are not that good. The Ruger 10/22 target is not much of a target gun at all. The chamber is not match, the bolt is not set for minimal headspace, the trigger sucks and can not be made worth a d*** no matter how hard you try. I have a KIDD version of this gun and it is a tack driver. about twice the price of the Ruger but worth every penny.

A 514 is about 100 to 150 dollar gun refinished. It was one of the lower end Remingtons. It is not on par with the other 500 series Remingtons. Parts do not interchange either.
 
#6 ·
I agree that the 514 isn't on par with other 500 series Remingtons as far as action. But IMO is likely just as accurate. IMO your 514 is a keeper. No more than you could get for it, IMO you won't be able to buy anything better as far as accuracy.
 
#8 ·
The 514 should be an OK shooter. If you want more of a target gun for a bargain price look for a Mossberg US or one of the Remington or Winchester lower end target rifles. All these are bolt action and usually on par with much more expensive guns made today. Many are already set up for scopes.
 
#9 · (Edited)
My take on this is two fold. 1st. As far as accuracy, in general the average field grade .22 rifle is designed for relatively short range (50 yards or so) plinking or hunting accuracy. And in that respect one make/model is pretty much as good as another. Then there are target rifles that made for more precise shooting. But even with these, precise shooting at 100 yards is reaching the outer limits. And to buy a modern target grade rifle, you're looking at a price tag that far exceeds what you're likely to get in selling your 514.
But IMO, which is debatable, some vintage field grade .22 rifles are nearly as well made as some of the so called target grade modern rifles. And I would include the Remington 500 series, of which your 514 is bottom of the line, in this group. But IMO the principle difference between the 514 and the 510 (Which the other 500 series single shot) is mostly in the action. But the barrel quality is IMO likely comparable. So IMO you could likely scope your 514 and do just as well or better as far as accuracy as you would buying a modern field grade semi auto rifle. Of course all depending on barrel wear in your 514.
As Mike Baker suggests, there are some vintage target .22 rifles that are still available at more affordable prices than a modern target grade rifle. Most of these are IMO Mossberg's. Mossberg made several vintage target grade models. As did Winchester, Remington and Savage/Stevens. And while all of these models from any of the makers have become collectibles, Mossberg made the most of them and therefore based simply on supply & demand seem to have to the most affordable current prices. Basically what I'm saying is that you're likely not going to be able to buy a more accurate rifle than your 514 at Wal Mart. You have to either go to a vintage target rifle or step up to a much more expensive Anschutz or custom made modern target rifle at a gunshop.
The other factor is one mainly of my opinion. I'm a huge fan of single shot rifles. For the simple reason of the mental aspect it fosters in regard to accurate shooting. If you know that you only have ONE shot, you are far more likely to take your time and make that ONE shot count. Than if you know you have 10 more chances as easily available as pulling the trigger again and again. A semi auto IMO tends to produce more of "spray and pray" mentality. Which is great for military applications. But if you want to be a marksman, nothing will hone your skills more than a single shot rifle. In my life I've owned probably 100 .22 rifles of all types. And currently own several. All single shots. For me it's about being a marksman. Throwing down at hitting what I'm shooting at every time. Verses spray and pray of which mentality IMO a semi auto tends to develop.
Consider the movie " Quigley Down Under". Much is made of "the rifle" in that movie. But it's really about "THE RIFLE IN HIS HANDS". In a close quarter gunfight, anyone with a Colt revolver would have a tactical advantage over Quigley. But what they feared was that if he shot at you at any range with that single shot rifle, HE WAS GOING TO HIT YOU. It was his skill with the rifle that they feared.
I would encourage you to keep that 514 and hone your skills with it. While saving for an upgrade.
 
#11 ·
Not looking for competition accuracy. Just have the "aging eyes" thing. At 100yds, what we usually shoot, I am just guessing on the location of the bulls eye. Point at the darkest part of the target and hope for the best. I like the 514 a lot and it was a gift/first rifle/firearm ever owned. So I have a soft spot for it. If I can get a scope mounted reasonably, that's what I will do. I'll find out today. Gunshop trip after the range. Thanks all
 
#13 ·
Keep it! It is worth more sentimental value than dollar value. I still have my 511! It stays in the safe most of the time, but my grandsons do shoot it. That's 4 generations that have fired that old gun safely. I hope it makes fun for another 4 generations...
 
#15 ·
I've got aremington 522 viper that was my first rifle. It's mostly plastic but keeps on plunkin along almost 20 years later!
 
#16 ·
See through rings are the worst possible choice. Weaver bases and rings to fit the scope you choose are the least expensive and strongest for the money. See through rings put the scope way too high above the bore and they are prone to being weak. More a gimmick then anything else.
 
#17 · (Edited)
I understand your dilemma now. You want a scoped rifle. And wanted to sell/trade your 514, which isn't grooved for scope for one. As much as I'd hate to see you lose your 514, I understand your problem. And would also hate to see you drill & tap the 514. Which would diminish it's admittedly modest current collector value. But who knows what it might be worth in 50 years? I remember when $100. at gunshow would get you a wheel borrow full of Japanese Arisaka's. Now try to touch a decent one for less than $200.
If you've got the $ to invest in having a gunsmith modify your 514 for a scope. Surely you can find a decent grooved receiver rifle for scoping at comparable price. And possibly keep your 514 to boot. Here's one type I might recommend. It's a Mossberg 320K from the late 1950's/Early 1960's. I have owned several of these over the years, and still own one. And every one of them was a tack driver. In fact it is the only rifle that I currently have scoped. They are man sized rifles with long barrels (as .22 rifles tend to go). Made in single shot and clip repeater. Best part is that they were also marketed under several store branded names. Such as New Haven (Wards) or Revelation (Western Auto). Which although the same gun as the Mossberg branded model, can generally be found cheaper. The ONLY problem with these is the automatic safety. That gets automatically set every time you open the bolt. But if you can get past that, they are GREAT shooters.
 
#19 · (Edited)
Another favorite of mine from the 1960's that can often be found cheap is the Marlin Model 10. Which can also be found in store branded models. While a smaller rifle than the Mossberg, they are grooved for scope and are very accurate. 1st gun I ever bought for myself. Later sold it and regretted it. Eventually replaced it. Paid $125 w/a Weaver scope that I took off.
Here's mine.
 
#20 ·
Another favorite of mine from the 1960's that can often be found cheap is the Marlin Model 10. Which can also be found in store branded models. While a smaller rifle than the Mossberg, they are grooved for scope and are very accurate. 1st gun I ever bought for myself. Later sold it and regretted it. Eventually replaced it. Paid $125 w/a Weaver scope that I took off.
Here's mine.
I had one of them (actually I still currently do). Actually mine is a Glenfield Model 10, with groundhogs instead of squirrels on the stock. Bought it at a LGS about 15 years ago in a pile of broken and abused firearms. He thru the Glenfield in for $10. My 9-year old Abigail Leigh laid claim to it last spring, because it had groundhogs (she thought they were guinea pigs) on the stock. When she is old enough to own it and decides to move away, it his for keeps!

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