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Best .22lr bang for the buck?

119K views 38 replies 31 participants last post by  Kent Detective 
#1 ·
Gunruner
Member
Posts: 5
(2/25/02 12:39:14 am)
Reply Best .22lr bang for the buck?
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I was a big .22lr shooter in the 70's and I knew them all and shot them all. I got into reloading and centerfire guns and forgot the .22's. I would like to get back into .22lr and get my daughter involved but finances are the governing priority. Now I see Thompson Center .22lr, Remington's new .22, Savage .22's, and the Ruger 10-22, etc. I want to get back into .22lr shooting but I want quality/accuracy/economy and a great price. This will be a scoped rifle and a open sited pistol/revolver. What are the "best buys" and Why? You guys shoot them. What would you buy on a budget? Any info is appreciated........Mike

jeeper1
V.I.P. Member
Posts: 165
(2/25/02 12:54:42 am)
Reply Re: Best .22lr bang for the buck?
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You can't go wrong with Rugers, the 10-22 and the Mark 2 or whatever it is called now. Mine are all very old and I don't keep up on what they are called.
The Curio and Relic Firearms Forum To err is human. But to really screw things up you just about have to have a computer.

WV Mike
Member
Posts: 3
(2/25/02 7:12:17 am)
Reply Re: Best .22lr bang for the buck?
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Everyone I know that has a 10-22 is very happy with it, and if they are as reliable and accurate as claimed then $150 is a great price. Dont know much about 22lr bolts but will say that my Marlin .22 WMR bolt topped with a thirty dollar 3x9-32mm Simmons punches tiny groups. Again the gun goes for around $ 150. In the handgun line a Ruger Mark II is hard to beat for quality and accuracy. Mine is ten years old with thousands and thousands of rounds shot through it and not a problem. This pistol has put lots of squirrels in the pot. I think that the price for the stainless steel target model like mine is around $350 (??). On the other end is my Heritage .22/.22mag combo. At $150 it shoots ok, but not as well as the MK II. The added versatility of interchangable cylinders is a real bonus.

Good luck in your search!

Mike

shooter45 us
*TFF Chief Of Staff*
Posts: 1288
(2/25/02 9:52:17 am)
Reply Re: Best .22lr bang for the buck?
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Buy a Ruger 10/22 then later, if you want, add all the aftermarket parts and have a real tack driver.

Gunruner
Member
Posts: 6
(2/26/02 12:12:05 am)
Reply Re: Best .22lr bang for the buck?
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Thanks guys. I would like to know if anyone has any experience with the bolt .22lr guns and the wheel guns. It seems from all I read that in an auto-loader the Ruger is the way to go, pistol or rifle...............Mike

TallTLynn
*TFF Senior Staff*
Posts: 3280
(2/26/02 1:07:40 am)
Reply
ezSupporter
Re: Best .22lr bang for the buck?
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Bolt actions .22lr's are fun! I bought one (mom ended up with it) last year and it's a grand little rifle to shoot. It's a Savage and it has a 10 round clip but you still have to work the bolt. Light weight and perfect for a female or a child.

Now as to wheel guns I can't help you. All the .22lr's I've had have been semi's.

kornhauser
Member
Posts: 7
(2/28/02 6:35:08 am)
Reply Best .22lr bang for the buck
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I agree on the Ruger 10/22. Tricked mine out and have a blast with it. Even bought one of those silly trigger cranks to play like it's a machine gun.

Just picked up a Ruger Mark II pistol a few monthes ago. Great gun.

But for hunting, I use a bolt action Marlin 781. Given to me when I was 13 years old. Still drives tacks and pops squirrels twenty-five years later.

TangoZulu
Member
Posts: 8
(2/28/02 5:20:10 pm)
Reply Best .22lr bang for the buck
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For a bolt action rifle I would recommend a CZ ZKM (CZ is also kown in Europe as BRNO) but I don't know about its price as I got mine in 2nd hand. It looks like a baby Mauser, shoots with extreme accuracy and is very robust. This czech manufacturer has the reputation of using one of the very best steels in the world.

Gunruner
Member
Posts: 9
(3/1/02 12:31:35 am)
Reply Re: Best .22lr bang for the buck
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Thanks, I believe SOG has "Bruno" .22lr straight pull bolt guns. I believe they have them for less than $200 with walnut stocks. Anyone own or shoot one of these?

VT4ster
Member
Posts: 1
(3/4/02 9:29:33 pm)
Reply Re: Best .22lr bang for the buck
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Best bang for your buck??? That's a tough one. I've got a custom 10/22, mostly drop in easy do it your self stuff; Butler creek Barrel, Hogue stock, Volquartsen (sp?) trigger group, extended mag release etc.. It's a great shooter but when all was said and done I still had about $700.00 in the gun.
Now, on the other end of the spectrum I just got a Savage Mark II GL (I'm a lefty bolt action nut) 150 bucks. For that you get a floated barrel, adjustable trigger but the action and stock are a little rough(hey, it's a savage). The gun shoots great though, right there with the 10/22. It's got to be up there as one of the best buys going today.
As for pistols I've got a Browning Buckmark std., great gun all aroundFor kicks you can put a Jack Weigland or B-Square weaver rail and low end red dot scope on it and you've got a ton of fun!!! Punching paper, plinking cans, small game hunting no problem.
Hope this long winded reply helps
Take care

Tac401
Administrator
Posts: 3722
(3/4/02 9:55:42 pm)
Reply
ezSupporter
Re: Best .22lr bang for the buck
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Welcome Aboard VT4ster!
The Firearms Forum Vietnam Memories Bulletin Board Contact Administrator

Gunruner
Member
Posts: 10
(3/6/02 12:05:01 am)
Reply Re: Best .22lr bang for the buck
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Hey all, I really appreciate all the answers. Have a great day folks!!!!!!!!Mike

rezeda
Member
Posts: 4
(5/10/02 2:18:48 am)
Reply Re: Best .22lr bang for the buck
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I had a Winshester 94/22 Legacy lever action, can be scoped, shoot 0.75" at 50 meter, for $350. Currently picked up a used 10/22 at the Harrisburg gun show for $150. I built one using the original Ruger receiver from a new gun ($200) ended up ~$800. I like them all, good shooters, different price range. I had a bad experience with Savage. However my favorite is the brit made BSA Supersporter-Five originally it was equipped with a peep sight, wich is missing, also its missing the magazine, so i had to replace it with a wood block, but with open sights, using any kind of amo, shoots 1 inch groups. The price? $15. (fifteen) Paid that price two months ago.
For handgun, I suggest a CZ Kadet, or, to make it more fun, CZ 85 Combat 9mm, plus a 22lr conversion kit. Like this she can learn the basics using the 22, and later switch, to the 9mm. The price? www.ruger-firearms.com/home.html
www.cz-usa.com www.jgsales.com pub69.ezboard.com/fczechp...82792frm45 pdmall.com/CZC/rifles~2.htm www.remington.com/index.htm Try theese web sites. www.marlinfirearms.com/

nevada paul
Member
Posts: 12
(5/10/02 11:18:41 am)
Reply Best 22 for the buck
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I've always thought the government should come a leave a Ruger 10/22 on your doorstep when you turn 16. Every member of my family has his own.

My favorite plinker handgun is also my MarkII ruger.

As for wheel guns, I have a couple of S&W Model 17s. The old six shooter is very nice. The newer one is a 10 shot. It's a beautiful gun, but I've had some timing problems with it.

shooter22
*TFF Staff*
Posts: 1081
(5/11/02 3:20:27 pm)
Reply Re: Best 22 for the buck
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If you are not going to trick out the gun, my suggestion would be the Thompson center new 22. It is a well thought out firearm. I am thinking about selling my Marlin Model 60 stainless laminated to get the Thompson.

BetaOp9
Member
Posts: 1
(5/25/02 1:39:27 am)
Reply e: Best 22 for the buck
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I currently own a Remington 597 .22LR Semi Auto, Personally the gun is great for learning on and simply to chuck 500 rounds knowing your only spent $15 on bullets.

In the way of handguns, I think the Walther P22 is a very neat handgun and is made by a great company. Something worth considering.

shooter45 us
*TFF Chief Of Staff*
Posts: 1488
(5/25/02 6:12:59 am)
Reply Re: e: Best 22 for the buck
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Beta, welcome to the board.

BetaOp9
Member
Posts: 2
(5/25/02 9:20:39 am)
Reply Best 22 for the buck
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Thanks!

Tac401
Administrator
Posts: 4721
(5/25/02 1:07:35 pm)
Reply
ezSupporter
Re: Best 22 for the buck
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Welcome Aboard Beta!
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Zigzag2
*TFF Senior Staff*
Posts: 3405
(5/25/02 1:11:36 pm)
Reply Re: Best 22 for the buck
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Beta, welcome to TFF

warpig883
*TFF Staff*
Posts: 3518
(5/26/02 12:15:14 pm)
Reply
ezSupporter
Re: Best 22 for the buck
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Browning, shoots better, looks better, comes better equiped from the factory and you will not be supporting Bill Ruger.

Them Marlin 22's are also much better guns than the Rugers.
"I'M NOT GOING TO HAVE SOME REPORTERS PAWING THROUGH OUR PAPERS. WE ARE THE PRESIDENT." - Hillary Clinton commenting on the release of subpoenaed documents

BetaOp9
Member
Posts: 3
(5/27/02 1:57:45 am)
Reply Blunder of the week.
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Took my Remington 597 to the rifle range, shot at 25yrds and sighted her in and everything, let the gf shoot a hundred or so rounds to get used to the gun. The gun shoots great, except in showing the gf how to hold and use the rifle, i forgot to tighten down the rear sight, now i get home and my windage is just moving around. Could be worse.

Having finally used my Remington 597, I have to say its a great gun, solid weight makes it more stable. Got a clip for $6 cause it was in the lost and found and unclaimed, yay! :p

ibtrukn
V.I.P. Member
Posts: 977
(5/29/02 9:08:34 am)
Reply Re: Blunder of the week.
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Rite on Piggy....great minds think alike

an dats de troot"

Ruger ah I got one a 10/22 international new in the box, never shot it. Keep seeing "bill ruger" spose i should get over it

Ok Piggy u hooked me on that one!! U dudes readin this, CHECK the date on the postup!!
IB not B takin this layin down......

Edited by: ibtrukn at: 10/16/02 1:31:12 pm

Elite Sniper Squad
Member
Posts: 2
(10/15/02 9:54:52 pm)
Reply 22 rifle and pistol
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the ruger 10/22 has mediocre accuracy stock and requires large sums of money to upgrade for still mediocre accuracy, bang for the buck marlin 25n ($125)is great, mine has 6x32 scope and shoots under an inch with remington subsonic hollowpoints at 100 yds, marlin 25m shoots federal premium 22 mags .75 @100yds, best accuracy for money oh and 3-9x40mm simmons scope, 10/22 with heavy target barrel s/s flutes butler creek and butler creek stock, new trigger and titanium firing pin around $400 and still shoots over 2 inches@100 missed another squirrel ~damn gun, great can killer at under 75 yards. For a pistol,contender shoots as good as a ruger 10/22, wheel gun ruger bearcat, semi a lot of them are good as these are most popular. hope this helped.

flyer
Member
Posts: 3
(10/16/02 4:26:47 am)
Reply Savage MKII
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I have a Savage MKII (bolt action, 10 round magazine) with the synthetic stock and it is a fine shooter and won't break the bank. Marllin also makes fine 22's - they and Savage just about have the .22 perfected.

Pay attention to the bull barrel models if your budget permits - they are said to be especially good, especially for target shooting.

Check out pawn shops if you have any in your area. If a rifle is clean and free from dings and scratches it almost certainly hasn't been abused and sometimes you can get a very good buy.

You can have better luck with cheap scopes on a .22 than on a higher power rifle because they don't get beat to death by the recoil. Let your dealer suggest one and get it from him if the price is right and if he will stand behind it if it craps out. He can provide mounting rings and do a bore-sighting.

I don't like semiautomatics - you can't feed single rounds and that is enough to nix them. Hell, I don't really like magazines either, would much rather feed single rounds.

A friend has a Ruger 10/22 and it is a nice rifle but sets no records for accuracy. Everybody says they are great because of aftermarket parts to make them shoot better but that leaves me scratching my head. I think part of ther reason for their popularity is that the dealers like to carry them because of their higher price and that semiautomatics have a certain appeal to the spray and pray crowd. Give me a basic bolt action any day.

Zigzag2
*TFF Senior Staff*
Posts: 4458
(10/16/02 6:56:15 am)
Reply Re: Savage MKII
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yep
In this age where truth is fleeting and mass manipulation is common, the ability to detect when something doesn't make sense is a valuable one.

ibtrukn
V.I.P. Member
Posts: 1414
(10/16/02 12:37:25 pm)
Reply Re: Savage MKII
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For a nice cheep bolt gun to start with think Remington 500series....510,511,512, 513(can get pricey),514. U wanna spend some "jing" Rem 541S, every small bore dudes that I no wants one of these, but they COST. Going to auction Fri that has one. To the bank to the bank to the bank!!!

tuckerd1
*TFF Staff*
Posts: 1311
(10/16/02 3:17:44 pm)
Reply Re: Savage MKII
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Am very pleased with my 541T heavy barrel!
"They that can give up essential Liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither Liberty nor safety." (...Benjamin Franklin, 1759)

yuppiejr
Member
Posts: 2
(11/20/02 12:03:35 am)
Reply CZ 452 .22 Bolt Action
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I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that the best value in a .22 rifle in stock configuration is the CZ 452 Trainer/Standard model. I believe they sell somewhere around $200 or $250 if you can find a local dealer (check www.cz-usa.com for a location near you) and are built better than most of the big american made rifles in the same price class.

I'm certainly not saying that the American made rimfire products out there are not worth a look. I spent months comparing and shooting the various bolt and SA models out there but nothing compared to the CZ 452 in stock configuration for the money (Ruger, Savage, Remington, Marlin, etc). It lacks the overall "tinker" appeal of the Ruger 10/22 (I own 2) but is a better choice as an accurate and well made rifle out of the box. There is simply no better deal on the market today for under $500 for a well made .22 rimfire rifle.

warpig883
*TFF Staff*
Posts: 5294
(11/20/02 10:07:53 am)
Reply
ezSupporter
Re: CZ 452 .22 Bolt Action
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All under $500

For Class, sheer genious of design, and beauty

For plinking

For accuracy

Bill
Member
Posts: 10
(1/9/03 5:29:00 pm)
Reply Best 22 rifle
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Ha...Glad to see Warpig883 posted a picture of the Buckmark rifle with bull barrel. Ceratinly not the most cost effective autoloader, but what a unique, fun gun.
I have the sport version with the lighter barrel..BSA red dot and it points and shoots as sweet as can be. Very lightweight super fun gun. Draws lots of attention due to its unusual style.
 
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#27 ·
jean I have one of those Marlin Mod 60's also in blue steel I got it new at Wally world couple years ago gun,nice sling and 3 x 9 Tasco for like $150 you can pop old spend 12 Ga. cases off the fence post at 100 yds all day long with it and thats using cheap bulk pak. ammo to boot. I'm thinking about getting me one in SS. have you ever seen one of those 8 tube 15 Rd. speed loaders for tube magazine rf rifles. http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/GNS120-44767-1172.html
 
#28 ·
jean I have one of those Marlin Mod 60's also in blue steel I got it new at Wally world couple years ago gun,nice sling and 3 x 9 Tasco for like $150 you can pop old spend 12 Ga. cases off the fence post at 100 yds all day long with it and thats using cheap bulk pak. ammo to boot. I'm thinking about getting me one in SS. have you ever seen one of those 8 tube 15 Rd. speed loaders for tube magazine rf rifles. http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/GNS120-44767-1172.html
Yes I have one. Works slicker than a greased pig. Stay home and watch TV and load up at night and you then can shoot most of the next day!
I can only get 14 long rifles in mine. I heard you can load .22 mags but I can't think of a tube fed .22 mag off the top of my head right now. I'm sure there is.

I should buy one for my son in law. He's got an old turn of the century Winchester .22 that can only fire .22 (shorts). It's a pump that's tube fed!
I agree with you that the model 60 is a really underrated semi. I find that I like it a lot better than a 10/22 although I do like Rugers!

My Model 60 has not met any cheap ammo it doesn't like.

You know, it's a funny thing but I have never seen a model in blue up here in Maine. All the ones I have seen are stainless steel, maybe it's the weather:D
 
#30 ·
Marlin Mod. 983 22 Mag tube fed comes in SS also. http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/22WinMagnum/983.aspx

Check this Mod 60 out also if you like a camo rifle.
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/SelfLoading/60C.aspx
Great guns. I gotta say that I'm not into camo. Must be the 25 years of being a cop. I like black, the blacker the better, heh, heh.

To the mods: For some reason I can't enhance the text when I'm writing a post. No BOLD, UNDERLINE, or even smilies?
 
#32 ·
shot a 46mb mossberg today with a 3X9 scope at 25 yards. wolf mt gave a group of .169 th. and remington sub sonic gave .115th. this is a 95 buck pawn shop gun. talk about bang for the buck.(thats using a really good rest with no wind.)
 
#33 ·
re long guns,semi auto must be ruger,fairly cheap at discount stores and endless mods if needed or wanted,there is no second choice.next would be a bolt action marlin.try and find an older one that will shoot shorts longs and long rifle.this was common in older guns but its a premium now.advantages are you can shoot cb shorts in rifle with(tube feed)it will hold 20-25 rounds these are so quiet that you can shoot varmits in your back yard and neighbors will never know.i am not telling you to do this though.i myself prefer tube feed.as to pistol i suggest single action ruger(convertable)can shoot 22 lr or change cylinder and shoot 22 mag.i have one that is 25-30 years old it has never let me down.a good gun to learn pistol shooting.no accidental firing,must be cocked each time fired and good gun for teaching new shooters.also the ruger semi-auto is a good choice if you want that type of firearm
 
#36 ·
Im a beliver in bolt guns too, it kind of puts ability to shoot back on the table. SA are ok
if thats what you like, but bolts don't jam very often. CZ makes some of the best rifles
for the price, superb accuracy simple to work on, there is one main problem with them, it's the trigger! I bought a 452 special for about $360 and it had about 3/32" creep. that
was unacceptable! the easyest way to fix the problem is to go to ebay and order the
"yodave" trigger tune-up kit. you get four different thickness tubes and four trigger springs. instructions are included and it is not hard to improve the trigger greatly. I
orderd the Eric Brooks kit, it's the same thing and did not get the kit or my money back.
I found out later that happens with him often. So I went with an Automations adj sear.
Unless you have alot of willpower and experence with springs, it is a bear! It took me 45
minutes and alot of cussin to get it in! but if you pervail it is worth the work, 0 creep.
Anyway that is my choice and they make the 452 in several different modles and after this year it is to be discontinued and will become a different model
 
#37 ·
Marlin 795 ($129) or Marlin 60 ($149)...hard to beat.

Many, many posts on other forums about folks who take 'em straight outta the box, clean & oil 'em, and shoot sub-1" five-shot groups at 25 & 50...and a few at 75 & 100 yards :)

Inexpensive...lots of options...plenty of stocks...Heavy Target Barrel's available from $34-$58.

Accurizing is inexpensive as well...pillar bed 'em & do a quick trigger job (it ain't rocket science) and they can dust CZ's all day long...if the shooter is up to it.
 
#38 ·
Glad to see I am not the only one who has found a new love of the .22
I have a mint 69A that I found going thru my grandfathers stuff that was made in 1939 and shoots perfect, then I just found a nearly mint Remington 581 at a garage sale for 50.00, and the next day this guy I know calls me and asked if I want a marlin 66 for free. I guess he was cleaning out some old stuff after his wife died, he is going to a senior retirement place. Got a few Sears and Ithaca shotguns from him too.
 
#39 · (Edited)
Good question (unlike asking for BEST .22LR rifle). :p

"Bang for Buck" (very American phrase that one) would be like this -

1. CZ Model 452 (or older Brno)
2. Marlin Model 60 or model 795 (most popular rimfire rifles ever)

Plenty of other contenders out there. It's all about personal taste and what you happen to use...:D

Never liked Rugers because their "build quality" isn't as good as CZ (in my opinion based upon limited experience). But the 10/22 does seem popular. Everyone I know with a RUGER spends time replacing most of the poor made/quality parts (triggers etc). I prefer a rifle that shoots straight from the box - CZ.
 
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