22 Rifle options that won't break the bank

[MacAR]

Of the two you mentioned, I suggest the XT. I have one in 22 mag, and contrary to popular belief, its a 1 moa rifle. The trigger is adjustable (mine is set at +/- 3 lbs) and I also polished it to make it smoother.

Now, given a choice, I'd rather have a Henry for an all-purpose gun. They can shoot any 22 ammo, hold more rounds than most bolt guns, and cycle faster than one too. Henry's can be had under 300 at your local wal-mart, so there's another option for you to explore.

Mac

 

[jmorris]

A couple years ago I did a side by side with the Remington 597, 10/22 and model 60.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/side-by-side-597-10-22-model-60.811602/#post-10380271

Budget wise the 60 cost me $70 new at Kmart, so it was the cheapest of the three.

That said I have a couple old Remington 510’s I use more often and then one of them was $35 at an estate sale.

 

[Picher]

I was lucky. Got my marlin 39 from a guy that just didn't understand it. Said it wouldn't eject. Looked in it and the eject rod was locked down to make running a cleaning rod easy. Sold it to me for 40.
The Glenfield a guy just shot the dog out of but didnt bother to keep it maintained. Got to shooting 2 jam on 3. He gave it to me. The loading paws were worked dry and marred. Little time on the fine diamond hone good cleaning and lube. Now it shoots great. Just as fast as you can pull the trigger.

You "stole" the 39 Marlin, didn't you?

 

[someguy2800]

I'll cast a vote for the Savage Mark II. My heavy barrel Mark II can shoot about .5 MOA w/ CCI Standard Velocity if I do my part (and I'm no great shooter), only thing I did was swap out the stock for a Boyd's Prairie Hunter. It's a little heavy but still perfectly usable for squirrel hunting.

Great looking rifle, but if you can post two .25" 50 yard 5 shot group (.5 moa) I will eat my own shoes.

 

[bannockburn]

Something new I would go with a Ruger 10/22 or a Ruger American Rifle. My 40+ year old 10/22 was so good right out of the box that I had to put a scope on it just to see how accurate it could shoot! Not only is it accurate it's super reliable with just about any ammo I run through it (favorites are Wolf Match Target and CCI MiniMags), and have never had a problem with the 10 round magazines. You can get a new 10/22 and decent scope for it for under $300.

 

[skeeterfogger]

You "stole" the 39 Marlin, didn't you?

Yeah should have stole the 03A3 he want 60 for. That was back in late 70s. Too young and too broke.

 

[Boattale]

I'm in the look for a good used bolt action .22 camp. If for example you can find a Remington "5teen" for a price you can live with, they are all quality rifles.

 

[tubeshooter]

Another vote here for pre-owned.

I have acquired a number of nice used .22 rifles over the last few years. None were over $150, if I recall correctly.

I had a shot at a Rem 512, which was going to be $225 or $250 I believe.
Highly regarded older tube-fed bolt gun.
It is "the one that got away"...



Odds are these old gems will outshoot most any mass-produced .22 rifle you would buy today.
As an added bonus - they will have more character and soul, too!

 

[Boattale]

Another vote here for pre-owned.

I have acquired a number of nice used .22 rifles over the last few years. None were over $150, if I recall correctly.

I had a shot at a Rem 512, which was going to be $225 or $250 I believe.
Highly regarded older tube-fed bolt gun.
It is "the one that got away"...



Odds are these old gems will outshoot most any mass-produced .22 rifle you would buy today.
As an added bonus - they will have more character and soul, too!

I had a 512X. Foolishly traded it away. I still regret it 50 years later.

 

[flashhole]

I picked up a Stevens Favorite years ago. It's a 4.5 pound single shot 22 with iron sights but some come with screw holes to mount a scope. It is a very accurate rifle if you don't mind loading every round. I've shot mine in friendly competition against lots of high dollar 22's and came out on top more often than not. I'm considering having mine converted to a 22 WMR just because I want one. I think I paid $150 for it new.

 

[skeeterfogger]

Use to shoot my marlin 39 open sights against guys with the fancy thumb stock bull barrel and moon shot scopes. I'd put 5 or six down 100 yards on plate and hit it every time while they were trying to get comfortable for one shot. Pissed a lot of them off.

 

[BigBL87]

Great looking rifle, but if you can post two .25" 50 yard 5 shot group (.5 moa) I will eat my own shoes.

Doesn't matter to me whether you believe it or not. I don't claim to be an amazing shot or anything. I've had a few under .5, most probably in the .6-.8 range though, not saying it is .5 on a consistent basis (hence "can" and "about").

 

[dbmjr1]

If you happen upon a cheap Chinese Norinco JW-15, for $100-150 dollars. Don't pass it up.

Then go on Ebay and buy one of those old Weaver K-6 scopes, and clean up the glass. Get one with fine reticle.

Just a bunch of old junk.

 

[Mowgli Terry]

My shooting partner and I both shoot, among other 22's, Savage Mark II's. They are good solid guns and give excellent accuracy. I'm thinking that people who own Marlin's say the same thing. Flip a coin and come up with a good 22 rifle.

 

[Reloadron]

Hey everyone! I'm just getting into small game hunting, and hunting in general in fact. I have a 20 gauge that I am good with, but I would also like to get a 22 rifle to use for things like squirrels so I don't have to worry about picking out pellets and so on.

I don't have a ton of money, so I'd rather not go for a $300+ gun. Right now, it's between the Marlin 60 and the Marlin XT, with the latter being more likely.
Opinions on these two guns? Any others I should maybe give consideration?
Thanks!

Between the two rifles you mention I personally would go with the Marlin XT simply because I lean towards the 22 rimfire bolt guns. Both are fine choices for what you seem to be looking for so it's more a matter of your personal taste.

I also would not rule out some of the really nice lightly used older 22 rifles out there in pawn and gun shops. The older Remington, Mossberg, Winchester and Savage guns can often be found in the $200 range give or take a little. So those are certainly worth consideration.

Ron

 

[DairyVet]

If it’s not too late another vote for the savage Mk 2. Mine came with a scope under $200 in ~2006. Scope isn’t wonderful, but worked very well on rabbits last winter.

 

[The Evangelist Cowboy]

I just got a Stevens 15 for 20 bucks and some 9mm ammo.

 

[Walkalong]

Use to shoot my marlin 39 open sights against guys with the fancy thumb stock bull barrel and moon shot scopes. I'd put 5 or six down 100 yards on plate and hit it every time while they were trying to get comfortable for one shot. Pissed a lot of them off.

I could do that back when I was a youth and could see. Certainly not cheap anymore, but great shooting guns. I need a scope now, although I can do "OK" with readers.

 

[PegTheLeg]

I'll likely look into savages too~
If Walmart is doing a sale, it's a pretty good option. As far as I know, we don't have many really good places for pre-owned guns in my town. I've looked. But, I'll check around again~

 

[skeeterfogger]

I could do that back when I was a youth and could see. Certainly not cheap anymore, but great shooting guns. I need a scope now, although I can do "OK" with readers.

Nice.
Same here but no scope. I have a little 3x but can still shoot it pretty good even with my old eyes and trifocals. Do same to with readers. I just got a Zouave. Those sights are a pain. Saw the clamp on sniper sight so I gave it a try. Wow made a big difference. Can't see the cross hair in it but just having the big O out there really helps. Thinking about making some for my other open sight rifles.

 

[BigBL87]

I'll likely look into savages too~
If Walmart is doing a sale, it's a pretty good option. As far as I know, we don't have many really good places for pre-owned guns in my town. I've looked. But, I'll check around again~

One thing I will suggest, if you do go with a Savage make sure you get an Acutrigger model. Night and day difference.

 

[C.R.]

sometimes you can find the Henry on sale for around 300 . I like mine quite a bit , a 10/22 is a good choice , and if you can find a decent old fahsioned single shot you should be able to take two or three home ! Good luck

 

[fpgt72]

Another vote here for pre-owned.

I have acquired a number of nice used .22 rifles over the last few years. None were over $150, if I recall correctly.

I had a shot at a Rem 512, which was going to be $225 or $250 I believe.
Highly regarded older tube-fed bolt gun.
It is "the one that got away"...



Odds are these old gems will outshoot most any mass-produced .22 rifle you would buy today.
As an added bonus - they will have more character and soul, too!

The only thing with used is you get what you get. Who knows how it was taken care of....or not.

 

[skeeterfogger]

That's why I never buy used what I can't put my hands on and inspect.

 

[fpgt72]

That's why I never buy used what I can't put my hands on and inspect.

I buy from some of the bigger auction houses....Morphy and Rock Island, I have done enough business with them to know that I am getting better then they describe.....they are also good at additional photos if you want.