UPDATED: Range Results for: Best "value" in a .22 rifle?

[lawrnk]

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.

Touche , touche. 53 million morons voted wrong last November. But I think the ruger smokes the marlin

[lawrnk]

I am pretty sure I saw that 22inch barrel Henry yellow boy in .22 for around 400-450.

Now the golden boy with the oct barrel is one I really want. That is a beautiful weapon (with plenty of history) and would make a fine heirloom.

[rpecunia]

i vote, along with others, for the Henry lever action - my son loves his - inexpensive, high quality piece of workmanship - and the open sights have really improved his shooting skills (or is it from hours and hours of xbox call of duty play ?!)

[Oldgringo]

I expect to pick up my 3rd CZ 452 this evening.

The American has a 3-9x32 Centerpoint AR22 and a Harris BiPod on it, The FS beauty will be left with open sights for aesthtic reasons and the Trainer may get as much as a 4-16x40 scope on it. With adjustable triggers, they are all tack drivers out of the box. They all appear to prefer the bulk Win HV over the Federal or Remington .22 LR's which is another plus. They'll have to pick one of these bulk .22's, I can't afford the high priced target ammo.

I bought the first one but was able to make satisfactory trades for the next two with our local pawn/gun store. Considering that the unused guns which were traded had been amortized over a considerable time, these were indeed a value. I love 'em.

[tb7475]

I pick Ruger 10/22,it shoots pretty good out of box and there are tons of after market hop up parts available.

[UpTheIrons]

I pick Ruger 10/22,it shoots pretty good out of box and there are tons of after market hop up parts available.

Actually, I eliminated the 10/22 early on after I started the thread because I wanted something that would just shoot out of the box, and not need any tweaking down the road. The requirements were a gun that I could put a scope and sling on and start plugging squirrels without too much effort or accessorizing.

I've been happy with my Marlin 60. So far, I'm about 500 rounds in and still haven't had one FTF, FTE or misfeed. Guess I've gotten some pretty decent boxes of ammo so far.

Here are some targets from ammo testing and sighting in. I need a real rest, as these were at 20 yards without an adequate rest. I'll reduplicate this when I get a decent one to see if there is any change (especially tightening of the groups). Needless to say, I was somewhat surprised at the results. The white squares are actually 15/16", while the 'boxes' are advertised as being 1". The red circles are 3/4" in diameter. The black bull on the last picture, after I adjusted the scope (Bushnell 3-9x32), is also 3/4". The first three are 15 shot strings, the last one is 5. Since you should shoot what your gun likes, it looks like it is Winchester Xpert, unless something else comes along that's better.

The CCI Mini-Mag left a bigger spread than I suspected:



The Wal-Mart Federal 550 round bulk-pack high-velocity hollow points are not going onto the rotation any time soon if they keep up this performance:



The Winchester 550 round bulk pack of Xpert high-velocity hollow points performed the best:



Here is 5 rounds of the Winchester again after I adjusted the scope:



ETA: changed title

[Deltaboy]

You made a good choice I had a Ruger 10/22 and I traded it for a pistol. I am on my 2nd Marlin the first came up missing at my parents house. I also have a old 512 Remington tube feed bolt that is my go to squirrel gun.

[PeteCamp]

CDNN.com has Winchester Wildcat regular barrel $169 and bull barrel $199. Don't know much about this rifle, but seems like a good deal (they claim MSRP is over $300 for each).

The Winchester Wildcat is an incredible value, but largely unknown here in the US (except for hard core rimfire bench folks). They are made by the same Russian group that makes their Olympic competition rifles. They are great shooters.

I have to put my vote in for the CZ452 Varmit. With the $15 trigger kit, it will easily outshoot my $1,000 custom 10/22. Mine has no modifications other than the trigger, and is absolutely amazing. I highly recommend them- if you can still get one. I have no information on the replacement for it.

I also recommend the Appleseed shoots for those of you looking to improve your skills:
http://www.appleseedinfo.org/