Durable, reliable rimfire rifle

[BCRider]

If you want something more reliable yet still quite fast to shoot I'd go along with the idea of a lever rifle. And I'll add to that the related pump action.

The manual action can't achieve the fire rate of the semi if you're simply dumping ammo. But if you and your buddies are actually aiming at stuff then the time needed to cycle a lever or pump becomes a very small percentage of the time between shots. So for AIMED strings of fire intended to hit the targets I'd suggest that over a string of 10 shots the lever or pump action options would only be a few seconds longer.

A bolt action rifle, with a little practice, would be about the same amount longer again as the semis vs lever or pump. So again a slick operating bolt action rifle with a little practice would not need to be that much of a disadvantage other than simply dumping onto a large target as fast as one can go.

And going with one of the manually cycled options sure does increase the reliability factor. Suddenly you don't need to worry as much about a little dirt or fouling buildup forcing a halt to the shooting session.

 

[big boom]

I vote a marlin 60 or a 597( but if you get one, make SURE the guide rails are tightened equally, or it's not reliable)

 

[YZ]

That's true, a lot of ammo gets wasted on rapid fire just because it's a semiauto. In this caliber a wall of fire is seldom called for.
I've been tempted with the Browning 22s. The lever action has a short and slick lever throw, and the bolt action is straight pull, both quite fast.

 

[zhyla]

Nothing about the OP's requirements suggest a semiauto is a good idea. Bolt guns are simple to clean, even in the field, super reliable, and accurate. I have nothing against a 10/22, 795, etc, but if I was going to bum around in the mud for a week I would bring a bolt gun.

 

[mgkdrgn]

Marlin 60 or a Remington Nylon 66.

both tube fed, no mags to buy or loose, under $500, will shoot any 22lr you car to feed them, very accurate.

 

[ford8nr]

Our guns got wet and muddy more then once. With a little dirt and rain. The ruger turned into a jam o matic.

That's pretty much any .22 semi-auto.
What are you using your guns for that gets them THAT muddy
I had / have 10/22's and very seldom strip them completely for a cleaning. If you want ease of cleaning and accurate I'd look at a CZ bolt action

 

[YZ]

Honestly? A lot goes for a bolt action rifle. Except, chambering one little 22 round at a time gets boring quickly.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Marlin model 60 if it has to be an auto loader. No magazine to lose, holds a lot of rounds. Take care of it and it will last a lifetime.

 

[RCArms.com]

The Sig 522 remains my choice. Drop dead reliable and accurate, capable of accepting any optic I choose to put on it, and magazines are reliable and plentiful.

I had a Marlin Model 60 years ago. Sold it as it was a a pain to load the tube and as it fouled, it became less that completely reliable.

Light and slender yes, but the magazine tube and plunger is always a concern to sustain damage that would compromise reliability.

Don

 

[mac66]

If removing the bolt guide rod/spring is a problem for the OP he should stay away from the Marlin 60/795 and/or 10/22 and most other semi auto 22. An AR15 type 22 might be easier to strip down. I own multiple of all of those. My Remington 597 has two guide rods/springs which remove from the rear of the receiver. It is pretty easy to do without kinking the spring.

 

[swampcrawler]

Ok I feel kinda dumb here because I'm not sure of the name of the rifle. A few years ago I bought my dad a marlin for his birthday, its a tube fed bolt action. Has iron sights, looks like a bolt action mod60. By far my favorite inexpensive 22. It feeds longs, shorts, cbs, super calibres, whatever. Accurate and no problems with it to date. Will be my next 22

 

[P.B.Walsh]

The rifle you refer to is a Marlin 981T, looks like very cool rifles. I'd buy one if I wanted a cheap, accurate enough, fun plinking rifle. No magazines to loose, and can shoot shorts. And the fact that I cut my teeth on a Remington Model 34 makes the Marlin cool for me.

 

[REWTEX]

I would go with a 10/22 Takedown model.