Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips

Was thinking of getting a .22 rifle and was leaning more towards a semi auto. Which .22 rifle and which model would you prefer to own?

Marlin
Remington
Savage
Winchester
Ruger
Other

It's hard to beat the 10-22 Ruger. Good price, extremely dependable, lots of add-ons available. I own two of them and have never had a problem.

If I was to get a bolt action, I would lean towards Savage. They have come a long way..Best trigger on the market.

If I went lever action, it would be the Marlin 39A. I own one of these, also.. Great gun..

Just a few thoughts.. Mike

Look into a 17 HMR!   i have a remington 22lr semi auto and a savage 17 HMR and the 22 never leaves the house.  A little more pricey to shoot but the extra power is great.

Quote from: jellyhead48 on April 25, 2012, 11:01:40 AM
Look into a 17 HMR!   i have a remington 22lr semi auto and a savage 17 HMR and the 22 never leaves the house.  A little more pricey to shoot but the extra power is great.

I already have a Savage 17HMR and am very happy with it.  I also have a Ruger 22/45 and am very happy with it also.  I am looking for opinions on a .22 rifle perferably a semi automatic.

Thank You

bird

I have a Marlin semi-auto and have had it since i was a teenager.  Can't even begin to tell you how many shots have been through it.  It's accurate enough with the cheap ammo and does better with higher quality shells.

Cleaning the action is easy enough and the breakdown is simple.  As with all semi autos, it does get dirty and can cause some problems, but when its clean, she runs great.

If you want a fun plinking gun, this one fits the bill.

I have had a marlin model 60 for years.  It is a good shooting gun and I have taken a bunch of rabbits and squirrels with it. The Ruger 10-22 is hard to beat, too.

My next 22 is going to be a Henry lever action!  They are sweet handling, accurate guns!

My vote goes to the Ruger 10-22 and the Marlin 39A.   :z-guntootsmiley:

I've had several over the yrs. and like the Marlin Model 60 the best. Although it does have a terrible trigger. I called in a killed quiet a few gobblers way back when it was legal in Ga. I'd shoot them in the wing butt and never had one flop more than 5ft. I like them because they hold about 14 or 15 long rifle cartridges and shoot good enough to hit a squirrel in the head up in the trees.

Totally agree with Hognutz on the 10-22.  All kinds of accessories and upgrades you can do to these rifles.

I have a marlin model 60. Have had it since I was 19. Bought it cheap new for $55.00. Very Good gun for the money. Have had no problems with it. I'll bet I've put over 1000 rounds through it.

Marlin lever action, and leave it the way it comes

Check out CZ
they have some nice bolt action
.22's

SAVAGE OR REMMY
WHAT EVER FITS IN YOUR HANDS GOOD
AND THE PRICE TAG AGREES WITH UR WALLET

A while back I was in the market for a real tack driver 22. I was speaking with the Savage rep at a gun show and after telling him what I wanted, he leaned over and whispered in my ear " Go check out the Marlin 880 SQ"  I was a bit taken aback that I would get this advise from a Savage rep but I followed his advance and eventually bought one. He was right---it is a squirrel killing machine.

The 10-22 is renowned for it's quality and has tons of accessories but it's so tiny and has such a short stock I'm not sure I'd buy one.

I have a 35 year old Winchester 190 that is the most accurate .22 I've ever handled.

I can't recommend Marlin since I had a model 60 and it was a jam queen.  I never could get it to work right.  But I know others who have had great luck from them.  I know some guys like the Rem 552 as being one of the most dependable semi-auto 22's.  And like the Ruger 10/22 I had they are both hard on the trigger that you get when you buy them from the store.  That's not to mention the trigger overtravel issues.  That's why I like a bolt action over a semi.  I can tell you that CZ makes one of the most accurate bolt action 22's on the market.  But I don't know much about the Savage semi.  But I do know that Savage button rifles all of their barrels so they should be very accurate.  

I'll also tell you that most bolt action rifles will have a accuracy advantage over the semi-autos due to the lock up design of the cartridge in the chamber and a tighter chamber as well vs a semi-auto.  I will also tell you if your interested in buying a used semi-auto and can go shoot it that if you can unload the magazine shooting it real fast then it more than likely isn't going to be a jammer and will work fine.  Just something to think about if you do decide to buy one used.  A new one you can't do that with.  

I have a Remington 597 super accurate and reliable.I wish we could hunt with semi's here in pennsylvania it would make a heck of a squirrel gun. If you like to tinker I'd buy a 10/22 lotsa after market accessories for them

Ruger 10-22. I love mine. :happy0064: :happy0064:

Man I tell ya what... our local sporting goods store here really sucks (Scheels).  I went there after work today to look at some .22's and they don't have diddly for 22 rifles.  A little of this and a little of that but their selection was horrible. Then I just happen to over hear a conversation of one of the salesmen telling a guy how the Undertaker choke would be the best choke to put in his new Maxus.  I couldn't stand it anymore and asked the salesman what the constriction was on the choke and he looked at me with a dumbfounded expression.  Like usual I offered up advice when it wasn't asked for but I just hate it when these so called experts talk out their backsides.  I guess there is a reason why I rarely go in that store cuz it just irritates the hell out of me every time I walk in there.... Plus their prices are always so high too.

I got bought a new 22 mag Henry lever action yesterday. Havent got to shoot it... but it feels real nice. solid gun

Quote from: LAWRENCE BOY on April 25, 2012, 02:46:58 PM
Check out CZ
they have some nice bolt action
.22's

+1

CZ American 452 or 455

Bird I had one of the first run Ruger 10/22 rifles and never had a jam or misfire (used all brands of shells). Two years ago I gave it to a friend for his daughters to train on and the same thing no issues. I would put the semi auto up against any other brand any time.

I will agree that as far as functionability the 10/22 is probably without question one of the best.  But they come straight from the factory with about a 7 or 8lb trigger.  At least that is about what mine was.  And yes I know a little about triggers.  My Suhl 150 bench gun I had would go down to 2oz.  It was a gem of a trigger.  But not for hunting of course.  They make aftermarket trigger sear kits for the 10/22 but again due to liability reasons is why most semi-auto 22 rimfires have such hard triggers.  It's not like that on the semi-auto deer rifles like the Browning Bar Mark II I had that broke at about 3.5lbs or so.  But that is the only real kicker to the 10/22's that I don't like straight out of the box.  Now they might have improved them somewhat and adjusted them down lower now on the newer ones.  But really a 3 to 4lb trigger is a good and technically safe hunting trigger.  

I'm going to go with "other" the CZ 452 American (replaced now by the CZ 455 American) is probably one of the finest .22's on the market period...its super accurate right out of the box...has a great trigger from the factory and with a spring kit can be adjusted all the way down to 3 oz (mine was used for benchrest)...has a beautiful stock and just handles well in the field...

Now if you want to play...a ruger 10/22 highly modified with the firing pin pinned at the 6 o'clock position, the action trued to the new bull barrel, and a trigger job...then do some custom stock work and you can have a real shooter...mine will do 3/8" @ 50 yards with Federal Red Box ammo...never could squeeze that magical 1/4" group out of it...but the CZ will do 1/4" straight out of the box shooting Eley match...

The CZ's are fine. You also can not go wrong with a Ruger 10 22, they are hard to beat as for as accuracy. The trigger issue can be fixed with a drop in replacement from Cabelas or bass pro. You can also get a gunsmith to get the trigger to the weight you want. Mine is 2.5 pound and deadly accurate.

Well today I had the day off so I did a little internet researching and then some local searching.  I ended up at Dick's and will have to say that I was very pleased with the young man that took the time to help me there.  I looked at what they had in stock and handled a few and even noticed a couple of models that happened to catch my eye but in the end I narrowed my choices down to the following 3 rifles.







So what rifle do you think I went with?  Hint for ya.... I had to order the one I wanted and it should arrive in 7 to 10 days.

bird

I have a 10-22 and a 39a.  I like both.  

Out of your choices I'd have to know what your using it for.  I figure it's for shooting turkeys off the roost so I'd go with the 10-22 with quicker follow up shots.  If your target shooting and want a tack driver I'd go with the CZ.

Quote from: guesswho on April 26, 2012, 07:08:28 PM
I have a 10-22 and a 39a.  I like both.  

Out of your choices I'd have to know what your using it for.  I figure it's for shooting turkeys off the roost so I'd go with the 10-22 with quicker follow up shots.  If your target shooting and want a tack driver I'd go with the CZ.

No roost shootin Ronnie.... Call it a combination varmint shooter and/or Shoot the Zombie in the eye rifle for the wifey! (http://www.texas4x4.org/images/smilies/new_snipersmilie.gif)

In the case of zombies a no brain er the 10 shot non jam Ruger. But you are full of surprises so we wait until you clue us in?
All three are good fire arms I am just partial to the Ruger.

Quote from: mossy835 on April 26, 2012, 07:23:32 PM
In the case of zombies a no brain er the 10 shot non jam Ruger. But you are full of surprises so we wait until you clue us in?
All three are good fire arms I am just partial to the Ruger.

If I'm shootin' at Zombies, I'm usin' my AR!

And the better half?

I think you would be pleased with either one of those choices.  One of my buddy's has that CZ and it's pretty sweet running throwing Eley's through it!

I love my Ruger 10-22!!! :icon_thumright:

Quote from: mossy835 on April 26, 2012, 07:34:43 PM
And the better half?

I'll pop a open choke in all my shotguns and load her up with some 00 buck and tell her to let em rip. Don't hold back baby, blast those Zombies!!!

Quote from: AngryBird on April 27, 2012, 10:27:07 AM

Quote from: mossy835 on April 26, 2012, 07:34:43 PM
And the better half?

I'll pop a open choke in all my shotguns and load her up with some 00 buck and tell her to let em rip. Don't hold back baby, blast those Zombies!!!

Good idea but which 22 auto would you hand her as in your sales pitch to get a new one????

Come on Mossy... I have the most awesome wife in the world.  I never have to look for her approval to buy a firearm or ammo.  If I want it, I get it cuz I wear the pants around this house!

:smiley-char092:

Been there and done that with the 10/22...the factory barrel/barrel band is crap (the target version has a Green Mountain if memory serves...good barrel)...so your looking at a replacement barrel and either opening up the factory stock or a replacement stock...by the time you have done all that you could have gotten the CZ and it will still outshoot the 10/22...to get the 10/22 up to snuff it needs an action job and an aftermarket trigger or someone to work on the factory one (thats what I did along with building a custom stock)...you should also check the brass after you shoot the 10/22 and look where the firing pin hits the brass...its erratic at best...again...go with the CZ...get a $12/$15 trigger spring kit and be done with it...you might have to open the channel on the CZ to free float the barrel but it will be close from the factory...

Note...the BSA scope actually goes on the CZ...the Remington one is just hanging there to have a place to hold it...its not even tight...

Also a few that were not mentioned but might be out of the budget are the Cooper 57-m...or if you can find one a Suhl 150...maybe even a Remington 40x...sorry...I just like ACCURATE rimfires...of the three you posted I would actually pick the Savage over the 10/22 if that tells you where the 10/22 ranks in my opinion...

(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e17/Flying_Solo/IMG_3436.jpg)

ruger 10/22T is a solid gun. Do yourself a favor and look into a CZ. These are great rimfire guns for a good price.

Well don't keep us in suspense too long Al. 

I would have went with the CZ. 

Ruger 10/22 or Remington Speed Master 22. I like them both and both are great shooters.

Bet you can't find one of these but the Marlin Golden 39A lever action I have is one of the best shooting 22's I have ever handled. 

u not supposed to use them turkey huntin :cowboy:

Ruger 10/22 :fud:

OK the new .22 came in yesterday and I choose to go with the Ruger 10/22 Target.  I changed the sling studs on her and put a Nikon Prostaff Rimfire 3-9X40 scope on top with Leupold Rifleman vertical split medium scope rings.  I ordered 10 different hollow points to try out and find which shell she likes to spit down range.  I love the wood on the stock and the twist on the bull barrel.  Can't hardly wait to get to the range and break her in.

bird

Thats a fine looking gun right there.

Hope she shoots as good as she looks.

Sweet! :icon_thumright:

She is beautiful and you will not be sorry!!! Congratulations.

You can't go wrong with the bull barrel I have one on my 223 and its a tack driver at 100 yards.

That's a nice gun Al.  And it should shoot some nice groups at 50yds.

Try you some SK Pistol Match or SK Match or Wolf Match or Wolf Target to see what it will do.  The top end Eley is good, but expensive.  Lapua makes some good ammo, too.

I used to buy some of my ammo from here.

http://www.championshooters.com/start.html

Very nice set-up let us know how she shoots for ya.

Sweet critter getter right there Al!  :icon_thumright: :icon_thumright: :icon_thumright: :icon_thumright: