classic .22 rifle suggestions?

[boatdetective]

OK, confession time: since my good friend sold my Ruger 77 on me, I do not have  .22 rifle. I know, a shameful state of affairs- but there you have it. Anyway, I'm in the market and would like something a bit more classy than the utilitarian 10/22.  At this point, a Winchester 52 is just too spendy for me.  As new guns go- everyone's going for the CZs. I was thinking i might be able to get something from back in the day that shoots as well, has nice wood, and is a relative bargain.  Any suggestions? 

[Lannis]

OK, confession time: since my good friend sold my Ruger 77 on me, I do not have  .22 rifle. I know, a shameful state of affairs- but there you have it. Anyway, I'm in the market and would like something a bit more classy than the utilitarian 10/22.  At this point, a Winchester 52 is just too spendy for me.  As new guns go- everyone's going for the CZs. I was thinking i might be able to get something from back in the day that shoots as well, has nice wood, and is a relative bargain.  Any suggestions? 

I've got several 10/22s, an old Remington Model 41P Targetmaster, and a Winchester pump .22.

The only other .22 rifle I'd spend money on is the classic Browning .22 Auto.    I don't know about the "relative bargain" part, though - pretty subjective criterium!    ;-T

Lannis

[RinkRat II]

 Remington 121 or 572 Pump. Super accurate,shoot all day and relatively inexpensive . My favorite plinker.

     Paul :BEER:

[jomarti3]

Remington 541S.  They were discontinued several years ago and are going to be pricey.  Also, Browning T-Bolt 1970's period.  And lastly, a Kleingunther K-22.  The K-22 as I recall ( don't quote me on this) had Austrian Styer barrelled action and was stocked and and fitted by Kleingunther out of Seguin Tx. It's beautiful in looks as well as performance but I doubt there's many available.

[bratman2]

Remington 541. I have the T version and it is very accurate. They are not made anymore but surely a nice used one can be found on gun broker and shipped to a dealer near you.

What jomarti said!!

[boatdetective]

Well, let's put it this way- They are getting $400 for a CZ 455 American new.  I'm looking for something to punch paper (I don't hunt and there's nowhere near me to just plink).  The club I'm looking to join is very much gear to target rifle.

[Frulk]

Well, tuff to beat a bone stock Henry .22 lever action. Relative bargain and most Henrys have great wood in their stocks. Certainly is a "classic" platform but maybe not a "classic" in the true sense like a Nylon 66 or say the pump gallery guns. But then the Henry won't make you pay the price to get in and play with a well cared model of the former.

[Sasquatch Jim]

  I always had an affair with my Marline model 39 A.  It looked good and was tack driving accurate with a micro groove barrel.
 I lost it in a fire.  I would highly recommend one to you.
 Mine accounted for a great many rabbits and sage rats and an occasional grouse. Head shots on grouse to not ruin meat.
 It is a lever action exposed hammer gun, very easy to take down and clean.  Exceptional accuracy with iron sights or scope.

 http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/22rifle/golden39a.asp

[rboe]

Kimber makes a nice .22, I'm fond of the Browning .22 auto already mentioned but the Ruger 10/22 (Deluxe, with walnut stock and cut checkering) is a better rifle. If not better looking. I keep kicking myself for every CZ I did not buy.

Further down the list, a nice .22 pump. Remington/Winchester or Italian copy/repo are nice. They shoot anything (amazing guns when shooting gallery rounds. Absolutely quiet.

Dad had a Mossberg .22 bolt action so I have  weak spot for  them, but have never actually owned one.

Curve ball option, Thompson Contender with a .22 barrel. You can go rifle or pistol now. Single shot, but you can buy other barrels and go .22 mag, or andy center fire.

[Maaka]

depends what you what it for..
pumps and lever, to much free play when reloading..
bolt not bad, but slower than a semi auto if require a second shot.
wood or plastic stock and rails
short barrel, long barrel.
short stock, long stock.
I have a CZ bolt, and a Win semi, several Russian sniper rifles, and pump action shotty's
I prefer the CZ for open range, and the Win's shorter barrel for forest work, as it doesnt get wrapped around trees so much.
price and availability of ammo is another consideration.
I like wood, accurate, light, 5 shot,
when you make your choice, pick up as many rifles as you can of that model,you will know the right one, as it should fit your shoulder and arm like a glove, and balance near perfect.
Russian's make a nice 22..Tozia I think..not to complicated..you dont want complicated, but ease of pull apart and clean.
I was a professional hunter for ten years...just some ideas.. good luck

[AJ Huff]

Never owned one but always loved the vintage Henry's.

-AJ

[190 Octane]

+1 on the Henry lever action.

[cruzziguzzi]

Marlin 39 for style and accuracy.

Marlin 60 to get the same accuracy as the 39, same operation as the 10-22 but not the annoying Ruger mag. Simple tube, easy to load and unload and you'll never loose it.

Marlin Levermatics are too sweet and undervalued. Same micro=groove as the above Marlins. Short stroke lever and wood that really pretty's up nicely.

Another plus for the Marlins is the ease of scope mounting and the number of very nice aftermarket iron sights for up-grades.

Henry...  'Cause they try so hard ad you can polish the hell outa the receiver? Nice rifles and exceptionally well priced.

Todd.

[krglorioso]

If you hanker for a Browning .22, check where made.  Some were made by Miroku in Japan and I believe some in China.  Kiss of death for me.

I will suggest an older Remington 572 "Fieldmaster" pump, as I have one and delight in it.  I also have a Winchester Mdl 63 semi-auto takedown (fired one box since new in 1960) and that's a nice gun, but $$$.  I think a 30-40 year old Fieldmaster in very nice shape will be under $400 and will always hold its value. 

Ralph

[canuguzzi]

Anschutz 1416 or if you can go that way, the 1516 in 22 mag.

Accuracy is unbelievable and you won't find yourself with another me too 22. A little pricey but not crazy.  They are those keep forever 22s and nothing other than a full on 3 position rifle can match them for accuracy.

[atavar]

In the sub-$500 market look at the Savage FVT Mk.II .  You can find them as low as $300 with some shopping and should be able to find one locally for about $400.  These are serious and competitive target rifles you will be very happy with.  Bolt action is going to be more accurate than a repeater, and these have a very decent trigger and a 21" barrel. 

[Two Checks]

It doesn't matter what ya buy, ya can't find ammo!  :'(

[stmike]

It doesn't matter what ya buy, ya can't find ammo!  :'(

 :+1 My thoughts exactly! I haven't shot my 22 in ages because I want to keep the small amount I have.

[Waterbottle]

??? An ammo shortage is the US, surely not.
 BoatDetective my Apologies if this somewhat hijacks the thread, but while all the .22 guys are looking,
 I have been given a very nice .22  Mauser-Werke A.G.Oberndorf a.N.       Pre wwII item. I'm looking for a Magazine for it, 5 or 10 shot ? not sure what it came with.
can anyone help or point me to someone who can.
Again , sorry Boatdetective, but my pick would be a Brno Model 2 if you can find one, I'm sure the Czech's copied this Mauser to make the brno's, I used a model 2 for a while target shooting years back did quite well  ;-T 

[Gliderjohn]

I also suggest the Marlin 39A lever action. If you want to consider an older classic look for a Remington Model 34 bolt action. Can be had for around $200 and is an extremely well made and accurate rifle.
GliderJohn

[JoeB]

I have been given a very nice .22  Mauser-Werke A.G.Oberndorf a.N.       Pre wwII item. I'm looking for a Magazine for it, 5 or 10 shot ? not sure what it came with.
can anyone help or point me to someone who can.

Try here: http://www.triplek.com/Products/id/38/grp/412/prd/962/  Found small discussion on .22 Mausers here: http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?138006-Mauser-werke They may be of help.
My most accurate .22 is a heavy barrel Win model 60. When bought used at a low price this single shot looked like it was rode hard an put away wet. Cleaned it up and taught the daughter how to shoot with it. Now waiting for grandkids to appear.

[lucydad]

Man I love .22s.  Have not bought one in decades though.  When I retire: get back into plinking and trap and skeet and pistol.

My favorites, in order:

1)  Browning lever BL-22:  smooth and fast and pretty and fun
2)  Weatherby semi-auto:
3) Anschutz sporter with schnabel for-end and an action that will last 1000 years...

My brother has a big collection of .22s.  One of these days I may see if he will part with some of them.

Good luck, I know all the above are pricey.  Check estate sales.

[old head]

It doesn't matter what ya buy, ya can't find ammo!  :'(

very hard to find 22 ammo.  You have to work at it. 
I have had some luck by checking walmart inventory at night before bed, then getting up at 530-6 and checking again to see if the stores have any in stock.  If so then be at sporting goods counter before 630 to wait in line to get a box or two.

there is usually a line, so the earlier you get to the store before 7 the better your chance of getting a box.  They usually only get 2 or 3 cases of 22 at a time, and limit you to 3 boxes per customer so it runs out pretty fast.

Old Head

[boatdetective]

Excellent suggestions! I was reallly hoping noone would mention Anshutz. They were as rarified and legendary as "Moto Guzzi" when i was a kid.

What is it about .22s that always stirs up positive memories? I first learned to shoot on heavy barreled single shot models with peep sights down at the local police department.

[Aaron D.]

I'm finding .22 around again, mostly at real gun stores. Got some Super Colibri for my fox hunting stuff, even. I'll do a separate thread on that, except to say you can plink with a rifle in your back yard with that ammo.

[Rotten Ralph]

You might want to look for a BSA Martini Mark II. Very accurate and sometimes available for $500-600. You can also sometimes find an older Anschutz 64 for under $1000.

Remington 37s and 40Xs along with Winchester 52s have really risen in price lately but there are still occasional bargains out there. Last year I picked up an original 52C for $700 - great bluing, stock not dinged up, Redfield Olympic sights- so you never know.

If you're thinking about some serious club shooting I would hold out for one of the above. ;-T

[Chuck in Indiana]

I was thinking i might be able to get something from back in the day that shoots as well, has nice wood, and is a relative bargain.  Any suggestions?

I love my Golden 39A.. and it ticks your boxes.

[charlie b]

If you qualify look at the CMP (civilian marksmanship program) web site.  They usually have some nice target rifles for not much.

Others have suggested most of what I would.  I had a Rem 581 in the old days.  It is now in the hands of a friend's grandson.  Great little rifle but not target quality.  My current one is a Rem 597.   Inexpensive and as accurate as any of the sporters out there.  Finicky about ammo (likes the higher speed stuff) but plastic stock, not what I'd consider a classic.

[kirb]

OK, confession time: since my good friend sold my Ruger 77 on me, I do not have  .22 rifle. I know, a shameful state of affairs- but there you have it. Anyway, I'm in the market and would like something a bit more classy than the utilitarian 10/22.  At this point, a Winchester 52 is just too spendy for me.  As new guns go- everyone's going for the CZs. I was thinking i might be able to get something from back in the day that shoots as well, has nice wood, and is a relative bargain.  Any suggestions? 

.22 pistol with a suppressor can. Shoot it in the garage.

Obtaining the can might cost more than the pistol, but it's a load of fun regardless.

[Dilliw]

I've got an old Savage Mark 10 hanging around somewhere that hasn't been shot in about 40 years.  It would probably clean up into a nice paper puncher.