.22LR rifles: Comparing the Ruger 10/22 to the Marlin 795

[ColtPythonElite]

I don't care for the looks of a Marlin, but will admit that the average one seems to shoot better than the average 10/22.

 

[FlyinBryan]

If accuracy is what you wanted aren't there some companies that sell 10/22's already built to achieve really good accuracy? I know they're not cheap but they're probably less expensive than some of the 10/22's some people put together. As far as getting the exact gun a person wants that's up to them. I spoke only of my preference when I said I didn't understand it. And the way I understand things a person can essentially buy aftermarket parts and build their own Ruger like weapon without buying the Ruger first. That way you don't end up throwing parts away. You just start from scratch and build your own.

well, in my case i already had the rifle. i bought it 20ish years ago used for 100-125 dollars (cant remember exactly how much)

i shot it that way for all those years, but then got lazy and started shooting from a bench. it was fun but it wasnt all that accurate.

then i was walking through the mesquite tx gunshow, and came upon a table with a guy selling nothing but 1022 parts.... barrels, triggers, mags, stocks,,,,,, more goodies than i can even remember.

he must have had 100 barrels laid out, starting with the most expensive, and working down.... i started at the expensive end and started walking towards the less expensive ones, and walked all the way to the end, where i found a new, stainless steel green mountain barrel for about 100 bux.

he said if i bought a barrel he would throw in a hogue rubber over-molded stock for half price, so i walked away with a stock and a barrel for less than $130.00.

i really dont consider the cost of my 1022 into the equation because ive had it so long, and definitely have got my moneys worth out of it before i bought the bbl and stock.

so basically what i wound up with was a really fun little semi-auto tack driver for $130.00

i liked it so much we went back the next day and bought my son the same setup. it literally took less than 10 minute to change the barrel and stock out, they are sooo easy to work on.

its definitely one of my favorite rifles now. used to be when i packed up to go shoot i would take a couple of bolt action rifles, a couple of m1 garands, a couple of ar15's, and a few pistols......... now my 1022 never gets lonely in the safe, lol.

its a really fun, accurate, reliable, and easy to shoot and work on little plinker, and in my case i was onle out $130 bux on it.

 

[slowr1der]

Appears our last few posts responding to each other got deleted. However, I'd like to comment on this

Savage makes incredible rifles IMO

This is something we definitely agree on.

 

[FlyinBryan]

the 60SS I have will shoot quite well. Here is a group I shot at 90 yards with that rifle. The bull is 9/16" and the group measures .39

that is indeed a fine group for that range. things start getting goofy with a 22lr after about 60-70yds, and a group like that would most certainly translate to a fantastic little tattered hole @50.

marlin does make a fine little rifle for sure, and have been for a very long time.

there really is no best rifle, there are just different ones. to say one is best is just as silly as saying there is a best fishing lure made. it just doesnt work that way. there are different water conditions, different species being fished for, at different depths, and at different times of the year. there is no "best", but many different lures for different needs and desires.



p.s. the bill lewis rat-L- trap is the best fishing lure ever made

 

[mg.mikael]

Yes those are tech sights and I love them. I've not had any problems with installing them. I also have a set on one of my 10/22s. I love both the 10/22 and 795. Why argue which is better, get both!

The typical below group was shot with my 795 w/tech sights off of sandbags at 25 yards and CCI Blazer Ammo. I am not big on spending money on cheap rifles but the Tech Sights make the 795 (and 10/22) a great little rifle.

I shot ten 10 shot groups similar to this one on those 1" square target and was giggling like a little school girl when I got done.

So if I want to squeeze more accuracy out of my 795, you're saying that Tech-sights are a good investment? Because I'm still a bit weary of the price, which let's face it is more then half of what the gun actually costs.

 

[22-rimfire]

From my limited experience, the stock Marlin will generally outshoot a stock Ruger 10/22. I don't own either a Marlin M795 or M60, but I often recommend them for frugal 22 shoppers. I do own a Ruger 10/22 Deluxe and have had it for about 20 years. (It was my 3rd 22 rifle.) It is a fun little rifle. But I really don't shoot it much past 50 yds at paper targets. It is a better quick pointing small game gun for me than some of the others I own with sufficient accuracy. It carries a 4x scope on it and not likely to change. I tend to just buy another rifle and mount a different scope.

I favor the Marlin M60 over the M795 as I prefer the tubular magazine for general shooting.

I dislike loading the factory Ruger rotary magazine. But I like its snug fit. I have passed the 30 round stage of my life with 22's and pretty much go with the factory magazines. But I will still plink with some of the larger capacity after market mags that fit the Ruger 10/22 from time to time. It is all about fun. But it is also fun to hit what you aim at too.

 

[mac66]

mgmikael,

In most cases spending money on something so cheap to make it something it isn't is not a good investment. The old "can't make a silk purse out of sow's ear" or "a prom dress on a pig is still just a pig". I bit my lip hard when I shelled out 70 clams for the Tech Sights. On the other hand, oh what a difference they make. It is a hoot to be able to shoot so well with iron sights.

You could look at it like this. A 795 with Tech Sights is still cheaper than a 10/22 with crappy factory sights.

As I mentioned earlier, I do have 10/22 with Tech Sights.

I wish Tech Sights would make a set for round top 22s. I have an old Marlin bolt action that I would love to put good iron sights on.

 

[CraigC]

Because I'm still a bit weary of the price, which let's face it is more then half of what the gun actually costs.

If that's the way you look at it you won't get very far. Tech Sights are a great value, an excellent quality peep sight set for the price. Forget about how much they cost in relation to the rifle. For several years my $100 Remington 597 wore a $400 Leupold 1.5-5x.

It is very much easier for me to load a tube mag. You just drop the rounds down the tube and replace the inner rod. Simple and easy.

Can't argue with that and never understood why so many seem to hate tubular magazines.

 

[Caliper_Mi]

Lots of good commentary here. I have to share that my Marlin 795 and 60 both seem more accurate than my g/f's 10/22. Mostly I just don't like the grip shape on the 10/22 though.

Ease of cleaning depends. Are you detail stripping it or just removing the FCG? Marlin has two screws and one pin whereas Ruger has one screw and two pins (three is you want to remove the bolt). The 795's pin can be pulled by hand where Ruger requires a punch. Really neither is hard to take down overall though. I also find the Marlin action easier to fully take down once you understand how it works. Pop off a few e-clips and done.

Really, my choice in low price .22's is leans to the Remington 597 though. I guess they had some feeding issues early on, but my rifle runs flawlessly for me. The new mags are better than either Ruger or Marlin and the mags drop free right out of the box. Plus Factory 30 rounders are available under $20 and they feed 100% also. Last shot hold open that works like a 1911 (not like the Marlin that you must manually push down the lever). Remington puts both a dovetail and screws for a Weaver rail. The FCG has very few parts, very simple and rarely gets much grime in it. Bolt rides on two rails so the action is really smooth. My only complaint is that the stock positions my hand too high relative to the trigger giving a poor angle that makes the pull feel heavier. Some rasp and file work made the notch deeper and I like it much better now. Aftermarket stocks are available as well.

 

[berettaprofessor]

I dislike loading the factory Ruger rotary magazine.

I'm sure you guys know you can buy a $20 plastic loader that makes loading these magazines a snap; there's another one for the Ruger Mark III mags.

My new 795 cost $100 after rebate and it is, as others have noted, very accurate. I checked, the barrel on this factory rifle seems to be free floated, perhaps accounting for the accuracy. Now if they would just make a rapid-loader for the 795 mags!

 

[CraigC]

Me either. It's true they only hold 15-18 rounds in a Marlin (LR's) but you can carry ammo in your pockets and reload them in a hurry. The 795 takes box mags, which I think are easier than the round Ruger mags BTW, so you can swap them out quickly and have a lot of ammo ready to rock but I don't see a lot of situations where I need 20, 30 or 50 rounds of .22 ammo.

Tube magazines are imminently easier to top off than box magazines. IMHO, they are far better in the field. Yes, a box magazine can be replaced quicker than a tube can be refilled but they don't load themselves either.

However, of all the .22LR box magazines I've used, the Ruger is my favorite. It holds twice as many rounds as most others, even many that protrude from the magwell. They also tend to drop-free when you hit the mag release. A big advantage at Appleseed events. But I don't have problems with arthritis either so one must find what works.

I think a near-perfect rimfire sporter would be a 77/22 with a 24" match grade sporter weight barrel and a beautifully figured English walnut stock with a more elegant pistol grip design. Something longer and leaner. The factory stock's grip is too cramped. The magazine design has a lot to do with why I'd have one built.

 

[quietman]

It's funny how many 10/22 users miss the point that to get a 10/22 to just shoot as well as a 795 is going to cost you at least another $100.

If that's what you want, then fine. But that attitude of "I want to make it whatever my heart desires" is a very small portion of the shooting public. The VAST majority are looking for something they can pull out of the box and start shooting. The add-ons most people look for is a very simple list. Buy a sling, buy some extra mags. Maybe add a scope, maybe add peep sights. But other than that they don't want to spend any more money.

And contrary to what CraigC may think, the Marlin 795/60 is very easy to work on. May not be as easy as a 10/22, but it is still easy to breakdown and put back together.

Last there are more options for the 795 than most people think. Gun and Game has a thread on this
http://www.gunandgame.com/forums/marlin/82869-marlin-60-795-accessories.html

Sure you won't find a lot of aftermarket barrels for the Marlin. But the reason is simple. They don't need them. Both the 60 and 795 I've used were as accurate as the bull barreled 10/22 the other guys with us were shooting.

 

[quietman]

Ok, so you can't get a 50 round mag for a 795, but you CAN get a 25 round magazine
http://www.shootersridge.com/products/accessories/magazines/marlin_mag25rd.aspx

As I said, most people slam Marlins for not having add ons. Most of the time they are just parroting what everyone else says instead of actually looking for themselves.

 

[FlyinBryan]

As I said, most people slam Marlins for not having add ons. Most of the time they are just parroting what everyone else says instead of actually looking for themselves.

i wouldnt slam them at all. i do agree that for out of the box accuracy they are the way to go, but some people actually like to tinker with their rifles, or at least have the option to do so, and for those people the 10/22 is the way to go.

 

[travisd]

Bought a 25rd mag for my 795 a few weeks ago. Fired 2 shots through it, then it was down to jamming after every shot. On the 10th round it jammed so bad I couldn't get the mag out. The green upper piece then broke off the rest of the mag. Took both parts and the rifle back into the store gave the mag to customer service, went upstairs and the gunsmith took a screwdriver and popped the bullet out that had ended up getting stuck straight up and wedging the mag tighter into the gun so it couldn't come out. Took the other piece down to cs and returned it and got a factory 10 round one. So yeah they do suck lol

 

[CraigC]

And contrary to what CraigC may think...

Contrary to what I may think after owning one for 27yrs and killing truckloads of critters with it???

As I said, most people slam Marlins for not having add ons.

It's not a slam. It's a fact. It's up to the individual to decide whether or not it's a dealbreaker.

Sure you won't find a lot of aftermarket barrels for the Marlin. But the reason is simple. They don't need them.

You won't find any. Because they are not easy to replace. The huge aftermarket exists for the 10/22 because it is highly modifiable. Like many other Ruger designs. Not because it "needs" it.

Both the 60 and 795 I've used were as accurate as the bull barreled 10/22 the other guys with us were shooting.

Then, like so many shooters, they probably used a cheap barrel just because they look cool. Then people like you delude yourselves into thinking that all heavy barrelled 10/22's are created equal. Sorry sir but a Ruger with a "good" barrel will shoot circles around a $100 Marlin. If they didn't, we wouldn't be building them.

Ok, so you can't get a 50 round mag for a 795, but you CAN get a 25 round magazine

None of the aftermarket magazines for the Marlin or Remington are as good as those from TI or Ruger for the 10/22. Period.

 

[FlyinBryan]

Sorry sir but a Ruger with a "good" barrel will shoot circles around a $100 Marlin. If they didn't, we wouldn't be building them.

this has been what i have seen repeatedly as well.

a marlin will no doubt outshoot a stock barreled 10/22. ruger just cuts some really spacious chambers. (i have however seen factory ruger barrels cut to shoot about equal to a factory marlin barrel)

however,,,, i have yet to see a stock marlin hang with a quality .920 aftermarket barrel.

 

[FlyinBryan]

And I have seen some Rugers that came very close to matching the quality of Marlin's stock rifles.

ive never seen a single stock ruger that would shoot with a marlin. i wouldnt even call it close.

i have even seen a factory ruger 1022t (factory heavy barrel basically) that would not quite hang with an old model 60.

the marlin is without question better out of the box. its not really even close (in my experience)

 

[quietman]

Contrary to what I may think after owning one for 27yrs and killing truckloads of critters with it???



It's not a slam. It's a fact. It's up to the individual to decide whether or not it's a dealbreaker.



You won't find any. Because they are not easy to replace. The huge aftermarket exists for the 10/22 because it is highly modifiable. Like many other Ruger designs. Not because it "needs" it.



Then, like so many shooters, they probably used a cheap barrel just because they look cool. Then people like you delude yourselves into thinking that all heavy barrelled 10/22's are created equal. Sorry sir but a Ruger with a "good" barrel will shoot circles around a $100 Marlin. If they didn't, we wouldn't be building them.



None of the aftermarket magazines for the Marlin or Remington are as good as those from TI or Ruger for the 10/22. Period.

No Craig, I am not "deluding myself". These were bull barreled 10/22's used by appleseed instructors that used them in competition. You missed the point here too. The point is that you often need a better barrel to get a ruger to shoot as good as a Marlin. (Not always, I've seen a couple of factory rugers that are decent shooters, but they are much rarer than Marlins with the same accuracy.)

You also proved my point in that when you talk about not all barrels being the same by talking about the more expensive barrels- you aren't thinking about what Joe public is looking for. Most 10/22 fans bragging on what they can get ignore the real question- whats the better bang for the buck for an individual not willing to spend money to make a rifle as accurate as another make that is damn good right out of the box?

Once again the average person is NOT going to be interested in spending that much money. So whether or not the barrel is easier to replace than a Marlins is a moot point for them.

I'll give you the fact that you can dump a buttload of money into a 10/22 and get accuracy pretty darn close to a target bolt action 22. But then again, how many people that buy 22's are interested in competition or even that kind of accuracy anyway?

My 60 has shot the 1/2 inch bullseye out of a target on numerous occasions at about 40 yards. The 795 will shoot a 10 shot group the size of a nickel at the same distance. Just how many average plinkers and shooters will ever see a need for accuracy better than that? Those group sizes were achieved without a rest. I don't use rests when target shooting as I can't use them hunting.

As for no aftermarket add ons- did you bother to follow the link I posted? Doesn't seem like it with your "you won't find any" remark.

But, you would be very correct saying there aren't as many for a Marlin as for a 10/22, but the fact is, they do exist.

Here's some pics of some of the stuff available.

Stocks

A 60 is in the pic below but there's also a bull pup for the 795

Ruger pictured below, but they make one for the 60 and one for the 795.

Trigger guard, trigger ,charging handles, rails

 

[Inebriated]

Sooo we've established that the Marlin has a limited aftermarket, and that CraigC thinks Ruger does no wrong.


What's the point of this thread? I think it's been generally accepted that the Marlin is incredibly accurate, especially for the price, but isn't quite the Barbie that the Ruger is.

 

[CraigC]

Most 10/22 fans bragging on what they can get ignore the real question- whats the better bang for the buck for an individual not willing to spend money to make a rifle as accurate as another make that is damn good right out of the box?

I never ignore this question and concede on the out of the box accuracy EVERY SINGLE TIME. However, how many shooters do you really think settle down and bench test their plinkers??? Not many. Fact is, even the box stock Ruger is accurate enough for most shooters who own them. So not only is accuracy not everything, to many, the difference is irrelevant.

Yes, I'm well aware of the stuff available from Boyd's and DIP. I said "you won't find any" barrels.

I am generally very positive on Marlin .22 autos. They are very good rifles for the money but they are what they are and aren't what they aren't. The problem arises when you guys have to trash the Ruger to make your point. Seems to me that many Marlin owners are completely unable to be objective about this stuff.

These were bull barreled 10/22's used by appleseed instructors that used them in competition. You missed the point here too. The point is that you often need a better barrel to get a ruger to shoot as good as a Marlin.

No, you missed my point. My point is that many folks like yourself think heavy barrelled Rugers get hundreds of dollars dumped into them to be "just as good" as a Marlin. No doubt this perception is due to exposure to 10/22's with cheap barrels. Lots of shooters think that any heavy barrel will be a tackdriver but many low end barrels don't shoot any better than the factory barrel. You Marlin guys shoot alongside a Ruger shooter with a $79.99 fire sale barrel and think they all shoot like that. They don't.

I don't use rests when target shooting as I can't use them hunting.

That speaks for itself.

 

[Caliper_Mi]

Are you thinking of the old Marlin design? Because Marlin's hold the bolt open automatically after the last shot is fired. Maybe I'm not understanding what you're saying.

Sorry, I wasn't very clear... I was referring to the action of the LSHO after inserting a fresh magazine.

The 795 has a detent that will hold the LSHO engaged until you manually release it by both pulling the bolt back and pushing the lever down.

On the Rem 597, after a fresh mag is inserted, one just pulls back on the bolt handle to load the first round. The LSHO has a small spring and it pops out of the way when the bolt is retracted slightly.

Personally, I like the latter much better. I have already removed the detent on my 795 so the LSHO generally releases by just bulling on the bolt handle and I plan to add a small spring soon.

 

[22-rimfire]

I once made the comment that my Remington 541-S would consistantly shoot 1" groups at 100 yards when in fact I rarely shoot a 22 rifle at targets at 100 yds. It was an extrapolation from my good groups at 50 yds... We all know this to be an incorrect assumption with 22 rimfire rifles. This was early in my THR days and I was challenged on the point. They were right. The "consistantly" part was an exaggeration. But the point is that a lot of us really like our 22 rifles whether they be stock or otherwise. So you get statements made that are "a bit excessive" concerning accuracy when there is no mention of the ammunition used and so forth.

I believe that the average stock Marlin M60 or M795 will shoot better at 50 yds than a normal stock Ruger 10/22 on average.

Frankly, I seldom shoot my Ruger 10/22 at 50 yds as it has a 4x scope on it and prefer to use higher powered scopes now on my 22's that I shoot at paper at 50 yds. But it is a fun gun to plink with at times. I also know that the groups I get at 25 yds do not necessarily represent real world groups at 50 yds. You really have to try to get good groups at 50 yds and further with a 22 rifle and it is quite the challenge at times. I feel sure that many are more gifted shooters than I am, but I mostly shoot for fun.

 

[stchman]

I will agree with the OP that a stock Ruger 10/22 is not the most accurate thing.

I have a stock 10/22 and with the barrel band removed I get about 2-3" groups at 50 yards with bulk ammo.

I did purchase a 10/22 Tactical with the bull barrel and bipod. What a HUGE difference, I'm getting < 1" at 50yards (with CCI Mini Mag ammo).

I sold my stock 10/22 to a buddy and am going to get a Marlin 60. I like both .22LR rifles.

 

[mac66]

So, have we beaten this subject to death yet?

Some like the Ruger, some like the Marlin, some like me like both.