Ruger 10/22 -OR- Marlin Model 60

[nero45acp]

I'm looking to buy an inexpensive semi-auto .22 rifle for outdoor plinking. I'm planning on putting an inexpensive x4 scope on it, but no other mods or aftermarket upgrades.

I'd appreciate some opinions/info on either the Ruger 10/22 or Marlin model 60. Specifically, how do they compare in terms of reliability and durability? Is either one a bit more finicky with different brands of ammo, or more likely to have FTF/FTE problems when a bit dirty? I'm not looking for competition-like accuracy, minute of can or squirrel will do, but if there is a big difference in accuracy between the two, I'd appreciate knowing that.
Thanks.

nero

 

[MIL-DOT]

I spent a year or so researching exactly what you're asking, and came away confident that the stainless Marlin 60 was the way go. Last week, I was shooting with a buddy that has two re-barreled customized 10/22s, and my stock 60 outshot his TWO rifles, all day long ( and he's normally a better shot that me, at least with pistols). I know the Rugers are good guns, and have their following, but if you research this, you'll see that the Marlin is almost universally considered more accurate out of the box, and according to many,more reliable,as well.The one big plus to the Ruger is the aftermarket stuff available for it. I had no intersest in this, so it was a non-factor ( I have AK's and AR's, I wanted a .22) . Also, I find the tube magazine of the 60 infinitely less trouble to repeatedly load than box magazines, not to mention,more reliable. Honestly, you can't go wrong with either, but the Marlin is the better deal in most ways.

 

[JImbothefiveth]

Also consider the marlin 795.

 

[doc2rn]

Hard to go wrong with a stock 60 and good luck on trying to wear it out.

 

[DeadHorrorFan]

A Marlin model 60 was my first rifle, and I wouldn't trade it to you for anything. Best rimfire autoloader that I own. It's just a hair less accurate than my Winchester Model 47 single shot bolt action .22, which is considerable! If I were in the market for another one, I'd pick up a stainless/wood model. Nice looking guns, and definitely shoots better than a Ruger. I love Ruger's too, they're fun guns, but for dependability and accuracy, Marlin has them beat.

One major advantage, at least in my mind, is that the Marlin is tube fed, instead of magazine fed. This is much quicker to load than the Butler Creek or rotary 10 round Ruger magazines. It may not hold as much, but you're not going to war with the gun. And if you take both into the woods, you've got to bring along all those darned Ruger mags, AND ammo. Take the marlin, and it's just you, the gun, and the ammo. No mags to worry about!

 

[Almond27]

I would get the Model 60

 

[FMJMIKE]

Both rifles are good. Just buy the one that fits you better. I prefer the 10/22 because you can change it if you get bored with it. Lots of aftermarket stuff for 10/22s...........

 

[CB900F]

Nero45acp;

IF you don't ever want to do anything to the gun, get the Marlin. The Ruger is the tinkerer's delight, you can do anything to it, even make it a Wermacht MG look-alike.

If the Ruger owner is willing to do some serious ammo testing, it's frequently surprising how accurate the 10/22 can be.

900F

 

[BoilerUP]

My first rifle was a Marlin 60 when I was 11 years old...14 years and thousands of rounds later it still functions flawlessly and looks almost new.

I personally also like its balance compared to a stock 10/22 carbine, and the 14 round tube magazine makes for no mags to fall out of your pockets. I also found the 60 was more accurate than a stock 10/22 carbine using CCI Mini-Mags AND Rem/Federal bulk.

If you want the option to customize, the 10/22 is definitely the way to go...if you want a rifle that will shoot sweetly bone-stock, its highly doubtful you'll regret the 60.

 

[Rubber_Duck]

Marlin 60 all the way.

 

[jackdanson]

A Marlin model 60 was my first rifle, and I wouldn't trade it to you for anything.

+1 mine is stupid accurate too.

 

[bejay]

I also have a marlin 60 and it is a good reliable and accurate gun the action will need to be cleaned and oiled every once in a while to keep it cycling good and round nose bullets tend to feed more reliable than others.
im sure the 10/22 probably has similiar issues but havent put enough rounds through one to know, you probably wouldnt go wrong with either one just comes down to which ever you like best.

 

[shotgun12321]

I would personally choose the 10/22

 

[shotgun12321]

I like 10/22 because you can shoot it factory, which it does well. You can also change it up, add a lot of cool/performance upgrades on if you eventually decide to "spice" it up a little.



Here is what mine looks like: Fiberglass stock, 3-9x40 scope, 25 round clip, extended mag release. I'm thinking of adding a Harris Bipod (probably 6" - 9") and a http://www.rimfiresports.com/mercha...ode=RSC&Product_Code=VC10AC&Category_Code=R1A to increase the accuracy

Not to mention the Marlin only has a 14 shot tube mag, which as I am aware, cannot be modified to accept more. Whereas the 10/22 you can get Hi-cap mags, up to 50 rounds.

 

[Rmart30]

IF you don't ever want to do anything to the gun, get the Marlin. The Ruger is the tinkerer's delight, you can do anything to it

That about sums it up.......ive got a cpl of each and for a plinker a Stainless model 60 with synthetic stock will last foreverrrrrr and are less than $215 new. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=106366379
My 2, both stainless with laminate stocks i got online used, both look new , one was under $90, the other under $145.

 

[aka108]

Marlin 60. Was at the range last week and one of the guys had purchased a new 60 with the 19" bbl. He put a Leupold 4X on it and shot a group you could cover with a quarter at 50 yds. Another guy who shoots serious BR asked to fire it. Set it up in his rig and it shot a group of 5 you could cover with a dime. He used Tenex in it. The owner was shooting Fed, the bulk stuff you buy at Wally. Pretty good for a little over a 100 buck rifle.

 

[DnPRK]

10/22 because of magazine fed goodness.

 

[f4t9r]

Between the choices you give.
Marlin is my choice and I have had both

 

[natescout]

cant go wrong with a 10/22, so many options !

 

[76shuvlinoff]

I gained a Marlin 60 due to a brother-in-law becoming and ex brother-in-law. Got it cheap and put it away for a long time. I didn't know what I had until one day I got it out to play with it. As they say, -- it shoots better than I do -- and it will continue to do so even if I never put another dime into it.

 

[hqmhqm]

I found the stock on the Marlin 60 a little too large and heavy. I like the Ruger 10/22 with the synthetic stock. I have the stainless steel model. I sold the Marlin 60 I had bought after a while, because I found the Ruger more ergonomic for me. I like to shoot offhand, not from a bench, and the Ruger synthetic stock just has a better balance for me. I had a Ruger laminate stock, and that also was just a little too thick and heavy for me.

The Ruger synthetic stock is the closest thing to an M1 Carbine I have found.

 

[JShirley]

Also consider the Remington 597. Most folks who have one seem to be VERY happy with them.

In general, I think the Model 60 is a great piece, but I prefer box mags to tubes.

John

 

[Loomis]

Tubular magazines are WAY under-rated. For plinking out in the boonies while walking around, tubular mags are the way to go. I own a glenfield 60. I'm told it's the same thing as a marlin model 60. I can't remember which came first and which is the copy. I think I read once that the most produced firearm in the world was the model 60 rimfire rifle. AK fans might argue that though. But like many here have already posted, the 60 has excellent accuracy. I personally don't like the ruger 10/22 at all, not even a little bit. In fact, I hate it. Who ever thought rotary magazines would be a good idea for wax coated bullets is a total moron.

There is only one rimfire rifles that I would consider better than the model 60.

the slim little browning with a tubular mag in the buttstock. That's a sweet little rifle. Unfortuneatly, they don't make a stainless version with synthetic stocks.

 

[rangerruck]

that's funny... comparing a 10.22 to a mod 60 in accuracy and reliability. unless you spend another 100 bucks, for upgrades, the ruger will then be as reliable. but still no where near as accurate. this coming from someone who has both.

 

[rangerruck]

I would also go with the 597... the only cheapy 22 that has fully adjustable sights on it, not just a ladder rear site.