Which .22LR?

[mr.72]

Ruger 10/22
Savage 64
Mossberg 702
Marlin 795
Remington 597

Price range is $100-230

Looking at ~18" barrel models.

I am inclined to go with the Ruger just because aftermarket parts are easy to find (such as magazines). Plus the Ruger comes in a composite/stainless finish that I really like. Ruger has good track record for reliability and longevity.

However I think these other rifles are probably also very good rifles. I have yet to handle any of them. I probably will head to Academy and see if I can check some out first-hand.

Any comments, recommendations, etc?

[Keith B]

IMO you can't beat the 10/22 for reliability, ruggedness and accuracy. It has been a long standing favorite of many folks. On top of that you can leave it stock, or trick it out with a lot of EBR accessories if so inclined.

[WarHawk-AVG]

Ruger 10/22 is the benchmark all other .22LR rifle makers try to emulate!

[bdickens]

Add another vote for the 10/22!

[mr.72]

OK, so I presume I can buy virtually all of the Ruger 10-22 parts aftermarket, right?

Can I just build one up from scratch then?

[Keith B]

OK, so I presume I can buy virtually all of the Ruger 10-22 parts aftermarket, right?

Can I just build one up from scratch then?

You have to have the base rifle (action, barrel, stock) first as far as I know. Wal-Mart has them for $198 here in Plano. The only way you might find them otherwise is to buy used and get lucky to find one without a stock or that has already been 'tacti-cooled' out.

[mr.72]

Not really looking for tacticool ... but I do want a stainless barrel and receiver, aftermarket synthetic stock, etc. Looks like I can probably build one but I'd end up paying $1K for it by the time I am done with it.

[WarHawk-AVG]

OK, so I presume I can buy virtually all of the Ruger 10-22 parts aftermarket, right?

Can I just build one up from scratch then?

You have to have the base rifle (action, barrel, stock) first as far as I know. Wal-Mart has them for $198 here in Plano. The only way you might find them otherwise is to buy used and get lucky to find one without a stock or that has already been 'tacti-cooled' out.

Actually no..you can buy the entire setup peice by peice...in fact I have the catalog from Midway USA, every component from stock to match grade, lightweight aluminum to high performance stainless steel and in between

Just do a Google for 10/22 and you will find THOUANDS of websites with everything you can imagine for them

Israel even has a silenced sniper 10/22

Just look at what people do with these things
http://countryboyartillery.com/index.ph ... &Itemid=67" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.ehow.com/how_4469522_custom- ... rifle.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

They can go from tacticool to sci-fi




here ya go!
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.e ... mid=124000" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.volquartsen.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Keith B]

Not really looking for tacticool ... but I do want a stainless barrel and receiver, aftermarket synthetic stock, etc. Looks like I can probably build one but I'd end up paying $1K for it by the time I am done with it.

There is one of our members that is looking to trade a Stainless 10/22 for a Marlin Papoose, but he might be willing to part with it for cash.

http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... &sk=t&sd=a" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

WarHawk AVG,

I didn't realize they had all of the 10/22 parts too. Pretty nice!

[mr.72]

Yeah, I saw that. Thanks, Keith. I'll send him a PM.

[mr.72]

I went by Academy today to just handle some of these rifles.

I looked a Ruger 10/22 all-weather (SS, synthetic stock), a wood-stock 10/22, a Marlin 60, Remington 597, and a Mossberg 702. They didn't have a Savage.

The best feel in my hands was the Marlin 60. I like the raised comb on the stock, nice wood stock. I could almost go for one of those. The price was definitely right. I think the stock fits me better.

The Remington 597 had the best feeling of just pure quality. They didn't have one like I wanted, though. However, this one gets high on my list.

I hate to say it but the $99 Mossberg actually was my favorite of the bunch. The best sights, big bolt lever that was easy to handle, etc. However I read not-good things about the Mossberg 702's reliability record or quality.

They didn't have a Marlin 795 in stock. They have it on the web site for $199 for nickel/synthetic. If it has the feel of the 60 then it will probably be the one for me.

I like the Ruger OK, it was kind of mid-pack for me. The wood stock version actually had quite a different feel in the hands vs. the synthetic/stainless. The wood felt too big and fat, and I liked the synth better. I was surprised at how heavy the synth stock gun was. In all I feel like this gun is just a little small for me.

Overall I think I figured out that I want a synthetic stock, stainless barrel. That rules out the Mossberg, it is only blued. The Marlin 60 felt right but I don't want a tube magazine. That is what makes the 795 look promising, since it is available with stainless barrel, synthetic stock, and hopefully the similar feel to the 60. The Ruger just felt a little small for me.

Now I need to find a Marlin 795 to check out.

In order of preference, I think it would have to be:

1. TIE Marlin 60, Remington 597 ... I like the stock on the Marlin, but need a box mag.
2. Ruger .. gets the nod for quality reputation
3. Mossberg 702 ... hard to beat for $99.

[KRM45]

I have a Remington 597 that I really like. It is much harder to find the 30 round magazines for it than for the 10/22, but I have seen them. I put a BSA sweet 22 scope on it. It's great for plinking.

[tboesche]

10-22 hands down. I bought one for my daughter. I put a Dragunov stock on it. Shoot awesome, she loves it.

I just bought another on and am going to trick it out pretty much the same way for me.

[mr.72]

I checked out the Marlin 795SS at the store the other day. It's the one for me. I just don't like the feel of the 10-22.

[NcongruNt]

Out of curiosity, why don't you like the tube magazine? I'd venture to guess that reloading is annoying, and I'd have to agree.

Beyond that, I absolutely love my Marlin 60. It is accurate as the dickens, and no-nonsense (something I like in my guns). While it is a tube magazine, mine has a 17-round (+1) capacity. That kind of capacity is not to be had with a 10/22 (or other box-fed magazine .22 rifle) without messing up the bottom end and making bench rest/prone/crouched shooting a pain. They are incredibly simple to break down and maintain. Parts are readily available.

Mine is around 20 years old, and has been a good shooter. I have had only 2 problems with it, one of which was my fault: I bent the recoil spring by accident, and the feed throat chipped recently. I've only had it about a year and a half, so don't know the full history of the gun or what could have caused the chipping. Both problems are easy to fix, and parts were cheap and are already on order. It is also a great rifle for introducing new shooters. Operation is simple, and the ergonomics seem to be well-suited for a large assortment of body types and sizes.

(edited to fix the age of the gun)