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I've perused some threads and used the search function, but I'm just as confused as ever.

What is a good .22 rifle that you would say is a "best buy" for me? a $250 Henry lever? A $130 Marlin semi? Remmy 597? Mossy 702? Ruger 10/22? Something else entirely? What have I missed?

I'm looking for a squirrel gun, primarily, but it will also see heavy plinking use, and likely sporadic turtle duty. I grew up on tube-fed semis and lever guns, but I'm leaning toward something detachable-magazine fed for ease in reloading. I'm looking for long life and something my 7 year old can grow into without waiting too long to grow into it.

I've got an ancient (25 year old) Mossy 144 LSB, which I used in 4-H shooting sports, and it is NOT a field gun. The barrel alone weighs 9 or so pounds, so anything lighter will be an improvement.

What say ye?

ETA: Changed title of thread

The Ruger 77/22 is as pretty a Bolt Action .22 LR that $550 can buy. It has classic center fire rifle lines in a .22, IMO.

Of course, there are .22's that command more and there are .22's that command less; e.g., a Marlin 39A at $480. There is almost no end of the customization that a Ruger 10/22 can accommodate. There are those who say a Marlin M60 is the bomb.

Me? I have a Ruger 10/22 with a confirmed Prairie Dog kill at 83 yds. I also have a Henry .22 Carbine that hasn't had 50 rounds through it. I want to build a 10/22 Tackdriver. Given the opportunity, I'd trade the Henry for A Ruger 10/22 Target model.

Thank you for asking, I've just solved one of my quandries.

BTW, Va Tech stomped my Alma Mammy tonight.

Well, I guess the next question is: do I need to spend $500 to get a "good" value? For something that will last? Or will one of these sub $200 guns do it? Sounds like I just need to buy something and try it, then upgrade if needed.

So many questions ... so many guns ... so little ammo!

Sorry about your "loss" at the hands of Va Tech.

I'm a huge 10/22 fan and think they're a great deal for the money. As much as I like my old Browning Grade 1 takedown I can't bring myself to wring it out at the range... it's too pretty. 10/22's, on the other hand, I can go through a whole brick of ammo in one sitting.

UpTheIrons wrote:Well, I guess the next question is: do I need to spend $500 to get a "good" value? For something that will last? Or will one of these sub $200 guns do it? Sounds like I just need to buy something and try it, then upgrade if needed.

So many questions ... so many guns ... so little ammo!

Sorry about your "loss" at the hands of Va Tech.

See if someone will let you shoot their Marlin 60 or their Ruger 10/22. Of course, the Henry Lever Action .22 is available at Wal-Mart for $270 or so. I'll trade you my Henry for a like condition 10/22 - our distance apart notwithstanding.

You can't go wrong with either of these .22's, AFIK.

Good luck, God Bless and good shooting.

The Ball is dropping...and so am I. Happy New Year!

Out of the box, a Henry octagon barrel will be the most accurate of the 3 mentioned. The Marlin 60 would be second, and the 10/22 would be last.

http://www.rimfirecentral.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; will have more information then 1 person needs to know about the rifles mentioned.

I own a 10/22, Marlin 60 and a Henry Golden Boy. The 10/22 is fun to go through a lot of ammo with quickly. It is also the versatile in the fact that there's almost any accessory out there that you could want to bolt onto it, but to make it a better shooter then the Marlin or the Henry, you'll need to swap out the barrel with an aftermarket one.

I've owned a couple of different Marlins and I prefer shooting them over the 10/22. The Marlins seem to have less failures with the cheap bulk ammo. There's not a lot of aftermarket support though to convert a Marlin 60 into a AR15 or AK47 look alike.

My most recent purchase is the Henry Golden Boy. This is my favorite 22 rifle so far. It will shoot 22lr and 22shorts. The 22shorts out of this gun are quieter then an air rifle. This was a blast to shoot last weekend.

I just recently ordered a Spee-D-Loader for reloading tube magazines. it holds 120rds of 22lr. This will allow me to shoot just as much as a 10/22 with a couple of aftermarket mags and it's faster to reload the spee-d-loader then a 30rd mag for a 10/22.

http://www.cabelas.com/p-0012788222343a.shtml" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I liked the Golden Boy so much, that I'm getting another Henry lever action this weekend. It's the round barreled model and needs a bit of TLC, but I can't complain about the price!!

http://www.cabelas.com/p-0012788222343a.shtml" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I don't have a "Golden Boy" but my little Henry carbine is a smoothie. FLB is right about the 10/22, IMO.

I wish I'd held onto the used Marlin 39A that my dear old Daddy gave me some 50 years ago. {SOB} It took its share of squirrels back in Tennessee and my dear old Momma knew how to cook 'em.

10/22, hands down. 8 million owners can't be wrong.

lawrnk wrote:10/22, hands down. 8 million owners can't be wrong.

Not to cast any dispersions on the 10/22, but IIRC, that's about the spread in the last presidential election.

All this talk about .22's is getting my trigger finger itchy. I sure do like those Henry's. I can't find the thread now, but was wondering if there are any matches for these types of rifles.

C-dub wrote:

lawrnk wrote:10/22, hands down. 8 million owners can't be wrong.

Not to cast any dispersions on the 10/22, but IIRC, that's about the spread in the last presidential election.

Are you saying gun owners are as dumb as Obama voters?

10/22

MadMonkey wrote:

C-dub wrote:

lawrnk wrote:10/22, hands down. 8 million owners can't be wrong.

Not to cast any dispersions on the 10/22, but IIRC, that's about the spread in the last presidential election.

Are you saying gun owners are as dumb as Obama voters?

Ha ha ha. I'm guessing it would not be the same 8 million. At least not prior to the election and the awakening. LOL

lawrnk wrote:10/22, hands down. 8 million owners can't be wrong.

There were also tens of millions of Ford Escorts produced. eMachines also sold a good 10 million computers before Gateway bought them up. Numbers don't equate to quality.

Not that I'm knocking the 10/22, just the logic. What you should get depends largely on what you want to do with it.

As mentioned, the tube speedloaders are very quick, and I've read a lot of success with them, including members on this forum. If you don't want to put glass on it or accessorize it all out, I'd say the Marlin 60 is a good choice. Due to the micro-groove rifling, the gun is inherently very accurate and consistent. Mine is certainly more accurate than I am. It's a good all-around utilitarian gun out of the box, so you don't have to spend a bunch of money to make it "good". They break down easily, and are great for taking new shooters out. That accuracy and ease of use makes it a great experience for a first range trip.

The 10/22 is also a fun shooter, and I've enjoyed shooting others' guns. For me, the Marlin is more practical, and I have no temptation of "accessory creep" because I'm quite satisfied with it as it is.

Unfortunately, I have no insight into the other models mentioned, so I'll leave it to others to comment on those.

Thanks for all the insight, links, and help so far.

I'm not looking to accessorize anything, so the 10/22 is at the bottom of the list right now, even though I've wanted one off and on for several years. All I want to put on it is a scope and maybe a sling. Accuracy is #1 for me, so it looks like I have to decide between the Henry and the Marlin. It may be down to the 60 (unless I find a Wal-Mart Henry) - don't know if I can justify +$400 for a squirrel gun right now.

The Spee-D-Loader looks like a great way to reload those tubes, too!

UpTheIrons wrote:Thanks for all the insight, links, and help so far.

I'm not looking to accessorize anything, so the 10/22 is at the bottom of the list right now, even though I've wanted one off and on for several years. All I want to put on it is a scope and maybe a sling. Accuracy is #1 for me, so it looks like I have to decide between the Henry and the Marlin. It may be down to the 60 (unless I find a Wal-Mart Henry) - don't know if I can justify +$400 for a squirrel gun right now.

The Spee-D-Loader looks like a great way to reload those tubes, too!

There could be a Henry Lever Action .22 H001 waiting for you in a Wal-Mart near you for about $275.

Good luck, good shooting and God Bless with whatever .22 you choose.