| Author | Message | ||
     Ratbuell |
Looking into getting a rifle, been years without one and I miss the focus that some target practice brings. I grew up with .22LR bolt-action. Wandering around the Dick's sporting goods site and some others...there's a lot of choices out there. Good brands / bad brands these days? Is more ($) better? Or can a good maker build a low-$, high-quality piece? Who makes a good lefty? I'm left-eyed. What's a good, readily-available caliber? Keep in mind, I live in the Republik der Maryland...autos or 10-round semis are verboten. Looking into target-plinking, possibly small/medium game. I don't need "flashy". Just want accurate, durable, functional. Discuss  | ||
| Ourdee |
Move. Sorry, Just my first thought. A bolt action .22LR or .17HMR for the small game. With Republik der Maryland in mind, I'd think about a Crosman Marauder in .22. It is a PCP air rifle with a 10 round rotary magazine. You refill the air from a scuba tank. It has a shrouded barrel that keeps it quiet. Here are the specs and a pic; Specifications Overview Model NumberBP2264W VelocityUp to 1000 fps Weight8.2 lbs Length42.8 inches MechanismBolt Action Power SourcePCP Caliber.22 AmmunitionPellets Capacity10 round rotary magazine BarrelChoked, rifled and shrouded Optics RailDovetail SafetyLever StockWood  | ||
| Blake |
The Ruger .204 sure seems like a nice cartridge. Don't own one, but I'm a sucker for the hyper velocity capability. Seems to fit your specification perfectly. | ||
| Rick_a |
Target 22lr. Target and small game 22mag. More distance? 17hmr. Up to medium game and several hundred yards .223. Big game and 1000 yards target use 308. Bigger game 30-06 or 270 for more sporting oriented shooting. 300WM for very large game and up to 1200 yards. 338LM for 1500 yards or more. 50 bmg if it has to bust things up at long range and make big booms. Perhaps a bit much for target use. CZ, Remington, Savage, Ruger, Browning, all have plenty to choose from. What type of shooting do you prefer, what distance, and will it have any hunting use? Savage is the best bang for the buck and they have a very diverse range. CZ makes some fine but affordably priced rifles. Several nice lever guns out there by Henry and Marlin that won't break the bank. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I'll attach photos of my house (and garage!). You'll understand why I have zero desire to move Long guns, they're less restrictive on. No permitting, no testing, no licensing. Handguns...well... But my main concern isn't so much the purchase...but ammo. They like the "assault" term 'round here, and I want to get a caliber that isn't "assault"-grade. I don't think I need to go CO/air, and I live near LEOs who like to shoot so I'm not concerned about noise. Hell...they'll come join me! My main concern is the $ versus reliability vector.   | ||
| Ratbuell |
Savage is popping up a lot. Ruger. Mossberg. Rossi. Remington. Marlin. Lots of names I recognize...just curious about current production standards and quality, I guess. | ||
| Etennuly |
.22lr will be your best plink/varmit unit $ per shot. You can buy bulk bullets that are usable for about three cents per shot. They tell me they make these with dies that no longer produce first run brand shells. Sometimes they will misfire, some the bullet tips are loose in the shell. The more expensive first run box or case shells are more accurate and cleaner to use at about double the price or more. Still six cents a shot is cheap. A buddy bought a Henry .22lr a year or so ago and absolutely loves it. He is a lefty and ordered one to fit. Henry's pilot survival .22 is really cool and very nice to shoot also. Both are very accurate with the good shells. The bulk bullets have not been so much a problem in the rifles, but have been jambing while rapid firing in pistols. | ||
| Torquehd |
Is Washington state the only place where .22lr is next to impossible to come by these days? I have tried to find it a dozen times at two different shops, with zero success. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I just dunno if a .22 (combined with my rusty "talent") is gonna bring down anything bigger than a rabbit...lol | ||
| Etennuly |
What do you consider "bigger"? Keep your aim and keep firing! One of the hardest varmits to kill is the opossum. Hollow points. Six to eight shots to the body will do it. Don't waste your time with shots to their head.....all rock, no brain. I have shot one as many as six shots in the head to have it run off. For those of you who don't like the idea of killing varmits, I guarantee if you have one of these critters in your house growling and hissing you might change your mind. If you see that one has moved into your crawl space you will soon have eight to ten! Buy the bulk bullets. Go ahead and waste 500 in a weekend or two. The rust will fade rapidly, just remember to focus, aim, breathe, relax, squeeze. I have found one of the most fun targets for free.....fill empty soda(beer for some) cans and plastic bottles with water. You will need a bunch of them and a garbage bag for when you are done. They are more fun than paper targets and when you get practiced up a bit you can try things like shooting the caps off two liter bottles before shooting the main body. Start at twenty yards and move back as you get better. If you really suck put a very large cardboard wall behind your target field so that you can see where your errant shots go. Oh yeah, make sure your background area is an earthen wall in a safe direction. These little .22lr's can travel up to a mile. I'm going to look into that Henry pilot survival rifle. It is water proof, floats, and comes apart with everything fitting into the stock making it easy to carry, like on a Uly. | ||
| Thumper74 |
If going 22, it's hard to beat the Marlin 60 , Marlin 795, or Ruger 10/22. In non-rimfire, I only have passing experience in .223/5.56, then marginal experience in .308 and British .303. | ||
| Two_seasons |
Ratbuell quote... " I just dunno if a .22 (combined with my rusty "talent") is gonna bring down anything bigger than a rabbit...lol" Don't be fooled. There are many advantages to having .22 in your arsenal! | ||
| Fast1075 |
Marlin Model 60. Add a good scope. Cheap, effective, and reliable. My newest one dead stock with good ammo will shoot a 1/2" group at 50 yards with a good scope. How well a .22 auto works is all about the ammo. If you want to shoot low velocity subsonic ammo, get a bolt action. Ammo can be as cheap as .04 per round if you can find it. But don't hold your breath. Good bulk ammo can be had for .08-.10 per round, with match grade up to .30+ per round. I prefer CCI ammo, but even bulk federal is mostly ok for plinking with 3-6 rounds per box on average with good strike/no fire problems. | ||
| Reepicheep |
.22 shouldn't be your last long gun, but it for sure should be your first. The ammo can take some work to get affordably, but with patience you can find it (and just over pay in the meantime, which will still be cheaper than other ammo). A 10/22 with a red dot site is really really fun. The Marlin synthetic stock (I forget the model name) is more reliable and more accurate, but feels more cheaply made. If you want really accurate, go through the CMP and get one of their .22 bolt actions. Pricey, and I think they are single shot, but the sights alone are worth what you are paying. For the next long gun, if you are OK with iron sights, old battle rifles are really neat because they carry so much history. You can get a decent Mosin Nagant (short or long) for $100 to $150. Full power cartridge, reliable gun, stupid durable, real history, and very Russian in character. The polar opposite is a sweedish mauser in 6.5x55 or 7mm. Built in 1906 or so, sweedish craftsmanship with german metallurgy. Staggering to think you can get something so special for the cost ($79 in 1995, no idea what they go for now). Very accurate. Ammo for the old battle rifles takes more work to get (you won't find it at walmart) but it's around, and generally not particularly expensive relative to other cartridges. aimsurplus.com is local to me, and a great source for ammo and surplus military stuff. And of course an M1 Garand from the CMP should be on everyone's bucket list. (Message edited by reepicheep on October 03, 2014) | ||
| Blake |
.22 LR Ammo? I just purchased a bulk box online at http://m.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/detail s.cgi?pdesc=Federal-Premium-Champion-Target-AutoMa tch-Solid-Rimfire-Ammo-22-LR-40-Gr&source=linkconn &lct=s&i=757197&aID=510J2&merchID=4006 Keep an eye out at the following web sites: http://www.slickguns.com/category/ammo?caliber=3 http://ammoseek.com/ammo/22lr (sort by price per round) http://www.gunbot.net/ammo/rimfire/22lr/ (sort by price per round) Ignore the Aguila Colibri, primer-only powered indoor plinking rounds, unless that's what you need. For a .22LR rifle I too like the Marlin Model 60. The micro-groove rifling just makes sense, and the old-school 18-round tubular magazine is inconspicuous, super easy/quick to reload and not likely to be misplaced. It shoots subsonic just fine too. Even better accuracy can likely be had with their lever or bolt models. A bolt-lock to allow manual cycling (improved accuracy) sure would be nice on the model 60. This video may be a bit tedious but is helpful: http://youtu.be/T_AXMh63O8g For .22 WMR, the Marlin XT-22 and Ruger model 77-22 (.22 WMR) are excellent, 1 to 2 MOA accuracy (0.5" to 1" groups) at 50 yards. The .204 Ruger didn't make Rick's list, but it's a sweet cartridge. I too have read good reports about the Savage rifles. Just don't have any experience shooting them. That's a front lawn. Looks like you have just a bit more mowing to do there. | ||
| P_squared |
1 - .22 LR, I'd lean towards Ruger. Centerfire, I'd lean towards Savage. 2 - Sometimes. For a Ruger 10/22 .22 LR, you can customize easily, only limited by how much you want to spend. For centerfire, 700 Remington has the most options, but Savage is starting to make strides in the aftermarket options. Personally, I'd stay away from new production Remington, as their QC doesn't appear to be anywhere near where it used to be, ergo my recommendation above for Savage. 3 - Savage 4 - Depends. Everyone should own a .22 LR for plinking/fun/relaxation. When it comes to centerfire, I'd need more information on what type of shooting you envision doing (hunting area(s), game size(s), distance(s), etc.) A good .308 bolt action is hard to beat for all around use (target, North American hunting, ammo availability), but may not be the best for any 1 particular thing. E.g. I'd rather shoot my .300 WM for long shots than my .308, and I prefer my 6.8x43 for deer/hog hunting (>200 yds), and my 6.5x55 Swede (m/38) is just a really fun gun to shoot. So, as always, YMMV and it's hard to make a recommendation without knowing more specifics, but I hope it helps you think it through.  | ||
| Tootal |
I have a Marlin lever action and Rugers and both are excellent rifles. If you want a nice 22 I would get a Marlin or Henri for a lever action and a Ruger for the semi auto. For centerfire and smaller calibers then I just love the mini 14. It doesn't look like that evil ugly black gun that the libs love to hate yet performs wonderfully. I have the stainless/wood model and it's a beautiful weapon that's very accurate and fun to shoot. | ||
| Bob_thompson |
One of Ratbuells questions was: "Is more ($) better? Or can a good maker build a low-$, high-quality piece?" Well Joe, over the many years I have been able to shoot many different types of weapons but now with limited income I have settled on just a few to have fun with since I have stopped hunting all types of game. I now rock & roll with a nice RRA AR, a Ruger 10-22 with an AR conversion stock, a few self defensive pistols for CC and recently a new Ruger American in 7mm-08. With the 7mm-08, like you I use it strickly for the focus of target shooting. I have a 4-16 Tasco world class scope on it, a bipod and a removable cushion cheekpiece. Right out of the box, with factory rounds it shot into an inch. Since I reload I have been able to always be under that with most handloads and with some into 1/2" with occasional cloverleafs. It was only #350.00 plus tax and the Tasco scope was right around $80.00 which seems to meet your criteria. It is a fine low cost rifle that does exactly what a rifle is supposed to do, hit accurately what you shoot at and with fairly low recoil. With good bullets the 7mm-08 can be a fine 500 yd. round. The focus and concentration of putting 6 shots (my criteria) in a 1/2" can be almost Zen like if not just plain relaxing. Have fun with your new endeavor my friend. Bob | ||
| Rick_a |
For a big, affordable caliber and rifle there's the Mosin-Nagant.  7.62x54R is like a Russian 30-06 and the rifles are rough, ugly, and have terrible triggers but shoot astonishingly well. For a bit more the sniper variant can be built or purchased.  The ammunition is inexpensive, especially if corrosive is purchased in bulk, but it would need to be cleaned immediately after shooting. There is match and hunting ammo available as well. | ||
| Azxb9r |
If you want a .22 the Ruger 10/22 is hard to beat. For something bigger in a bolt action the Remington model 700 is a proven performer. The AR-15 is a very versatile (and fun) rifle, but if state laws make it a problem the Ruger mini 14 is quite good, and the .223 is fun to play with. | ||
| Tootal |
Well, Bob Thompson brought up the 7mm 08 and for target shooting it's a really nice round. It's a necked down 308 that shoots the ballistically best bullet, the 7mm. It was designed for silhouette shooting so you can shoot a hundred rounds without bruising your shoulder! My Savage 110S shoots 1-1/16" five round groups at 200 yards out of the box. Great option for target shooting and will take any game in the lower 48. Now my gun is an older model and they had really sucky triggers so I replaced mine with a Timney. However the new Savages have their new Accutrigger that's really nice. They are making much improved rifles these days. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I'd scare up an old Mauser instead of a Nagant. The extra money will be really well spent. Then I'd get the Nagant too. Who am I kidding. | ||
| Blake |
I think old Mausers are pretty expensive. Or I'd have one! | ||
| Rick_a |
The Yugo Mausers aren't too bad these days. | ||
| Gobadgers |
What others said about the Ruger 10/22. Like the 10/22 Sporter, and then paired with the Butler Creek 10/22 Folding Stock. | ||
| Aesquire |
Given the OP... is restricted in semiautomatic use by the racists in charge we are just teasing him with 10/22 suggestions. Marlin or Henry lever action .22's. Best for plinking, hunting, and not bad for self defense. Bolt action for targets and general all around use. The Ruger 77/22 is a rimfire version of their classic bolt action. Practice with the same action you can hunt anything with. .22 to .458...... Money isn't everything the CZ's are very good as are some others. If you want a scope the rule is spend as much on glass as gun. You can feel free to violate that rule. Bubble pack Bushnell will do the job until your skill overtakes the hardware's accuracy. Most rifles shoot better than I can. | ||
| Aesquire |
For centerfire.... Savage and Ruger American for accuracy bang for buck. Surplus.... Nagants are crude but function after being pulled from under the rubble of Stalingrad. Swedish Mausers for jewel finish and superb accuracy. Swiss straight pulls for Swiss watch build and just plain fun. Enfield and Springfield for history and stone solid reliability. If you can only own one......Ruger Scout. Design concept of Col. Cooper and good for all game except the African Big 4 ( or 3 depending on era ) and will even work on them in a pinch.... | ||
| Aesquire |
Hit the used rack. That's where the fun stuff is. | ||
| Bob_thompson |
I Agree with Aesquire but not for the larger caliber rifle. A new one is always best especially with some very good quality inexpensive rifles out there. Then you have the ability to break them in correctly for the best accuracy. With that said the used market can be highly lucrative in finding some real bargains. I would, from my own experience, buy a used Ruger 10-22, fit it with an aftermarket stock 0f your choosing; I like my Archangel AR style w/some 25rd mags, and have the most "bang for the buck" out there. It is very accurate also. The only problem is finding .22 ammo cheap. The days of $25.00 bricks of 525 are few and far between; but that will change, I'm fairly sure, with a new administration in Washington soon. Vote wisely. Also pistols & revolvers of all kinds are fairly plentiful in almost any pawn shop and in the classfieds. Here is my local favorite in Utah and there are many websites like it in most "free" states. "www.utahgunexchange.com/" So have fun while you still can and hope for better days.......I sure hope they are coming; it cannot get much worse. | ||
| Gobadgers |
Nice place Ratbuell. A lovely setting. Looks like you have a lane that continues to run behind the garage. Lots of space. Is that a living space or work space above the garage area? |
