Savage Mark II 22LR as 100 yard Varminter... Pros? Cons?

Status
Not open for further replies.
D

dubious

Member
Joined
Feb 19, 2007
Messages
442
Hello y'all... I'm interested in getting a Savage MK II .22 LR with Accutrigger for Varminter purposes. Specifically, I want to scope it and headshot bunnies at less than 100 yards and more like 30 yards with subsonic ammo (minimag CBs and Aguila SSS perhaps) for minimal noise. Yes i'll check my barrel after every shot :rolleyes: . Does anybody know any pro's and con's of this setup?

My pros: I'm pretty happy about the idea of a bolt action rifle, as it seems to imply more accuracy than a comparably priced semi auto, but I'm sure this is just a generalization. The price of a little more than $200 seems just right. Everybody has glowing reviews of the accutrigger. I like the bright iron sights and the length of pull seems pretty good for my long arms. And it's pretty light. I've heard they are quite accurate.

Cons: Virtually no aftermarket anything is available. Nothing else that I know of.

Do you guys think this is the right rifle to get in this class? Should I just get a 10/22 instead? But 10/22's are too small and require more investment in parts to get to the level of accuracy i'm looking for.

A CZ seems out of my price range... I know the 22 crowd swears by em, but nothing besides a youth rifle is anywhere near my price range.

>>>EDIT ADDED AT 9:31PM: I'd like to clarify my post: I'm planning on shooting match ammo or whatever I find works best at the club range at 75 yards... but maybe someday I'll find a 100 yard range to shoot it. I'll mostly be using it at home with subsonic ammo to hunt (headshot) bunnies and gophers at around 25 yards.


Comments are appreciated...

Dubious
 
Last edited:
Yes... I like the price and variety of Ammo. There's not a lot of wind in my area, so I'm not too concerned.

One day I'll try a .17 or something, but not right now.
 
22lr

17 HMR would be what I'd look for.

22lr will do it though. It just kinda get trickier past 50 yards.

17HMR will give you at least 100 yards without having to think.

The beauty of the 22 is that you can practive till your hearts content, so shoot it at various ranges up to 100. You'll be fine.
 
In truth, it's unlikely I'll make any 100 yard shots with it, since I live in a densely forested and hilly area... let's say 75 yards (the max at my range).
 
I have a Savage Mark II .22LR that i got from walmart for $100. it doesnt have the accutrigger, but i have a redfield scope on it and can hit clay pigeons at 100yards everytime, with no wind. i like savage so i say go for it.
 
dubious

CBs are not the most accurate rounds. OK, but nothing to write home about and they seem to do better in some rifles than others.

OTOH I think you will find subs are pretty accurate. While not as loud as SV or HV ammo they are louder than CBs. For any kind of precision work at 30 to 75 yds, subs will offer the better chance of accuracy. Seems to me Aguila and CCI subs do a little better than Remington. YMMV.

Sounds like this will be a walking-around rifle. If you can find one locally a TOZ 78 might be cheaper, probably lighter, equal to if not a tad more accurate than the sporter contour barrel on the MKII and IMO the trigger is a bit better than the accutrigger. If you get a TOZ it should come with 4 magazines.

Nothing wrong with the Savage. They are great rifles. I have two so my observations are based on 1st hand experience. Sounds like you hunt in about the same kind of place that I do. Any bunny farther than about 50 yards from me is safe unless it's got its Day-Glo rain suit on. The hummer will sure do the job farther out but the question is how often do you think you'll actually get 100 or even 75 yd shots?

Best,

S-
 
I have a Savage MARK II-BV with AccuTrigger and love it. The squirrels and rabbits hate it. As its been said, practice.
Know your ammo, know your rifle, know your limits for taking a shot.
Besides a scope and a couple of 10 round magazines theres nothing else I've done to or put on my rifle.
 
I'd say you're set.

I've used one without the accu-trigger, and it was a nice shooting rifle. Dime sized 10 shot groups at 25 yards. will probably be able to headshot a squirrel more often than not at 50 yards.
 
My brother bought a Savage MARK II-BV with AccuTrigger 2 weeks ago. I put a BSA 3-9 scope on it for him and we headed to the range last friday.

Several 1/2" 5 shot groups at 50yds. Mostly 3/4" to 1" though. For his shooting the Savage is a perfect fit.

His did very well with Federal 40 grain ammo. Good luck. The Savage seems to be a very good gun for the price.
 
Selfdfenz: What do you like about the TOZ's trigger? I'm actually a sucker for combloc weapons... my favorites of my collection are my Moisin and my SKS.

Does anybody else think the TOZ is a better buy? I see one on gunbroker with scope and free shipping for $200... yummy. Don't steal it from me high roaders! Just kidding... I'm not ready to decide yet.
 
The TOZ has an adjustable trigger that can be made crisp with a reasonably low pull weight. Amazing for a rifle that cost less than $200. For a hunting rifle I don't dial mine down to the the raw edge for safety reasons but it will go 2#s or less I feel pretty sure.

The trigger on mine was awesome right out of the box. Short travel, light, crisp. I say that given I have one Savage with the accutrigger and I installed a Rifle Basix on the other Savage and I like both setups.

These TOZ rifles could be found for about $100 not too long ago but the price is increasing. I think I paid $150-ish for mine and I'd get another one tomorrow IF I could find one for that price & not think twice. Like the CZs, people are starting to "discover" these rifles so you can look for price increases. If you like the sights on combloc rifles you'll be at home with the irons on the TOZ. The front sight looks like it came off an SKS and adjusts the same way. The rear sight is a rotating wheel/express type sight.

Check out the the Russian rifle tab over on rimfirecentral for more info. http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=178

If you can't locate a TOZ you will likely be very happy with the Savage.
Best

S-
 
Last edited:
Savage makes fine rifles. I have two of their rimfires: a Mark IIGL and a 93GL, .22 LR and .22 Magnum respectively. The Mark IIGL likes the CCI .22 LR Subsonic HPs, it'll put them into a nickel at 50 yards. Considering the crappy trigger (mine is pre-AccuTrigger), that's not bad.

Don't cheap out on a scope. Take a look at the Nikon ProStaff 4x32mm rimfire scopes. New, they go for about $110. However, Natchez Shooters Supply often has factory refurbs for much less. I have one of the latter and it's a nice piece of glass that sells for under $100.
 
Hey, nice glass is great, but a 40 dollars bushnel 3-9x40 will still have you pulling 1/4" groups at 25 no sweat. All you will get out of a higher end scope is clarity. You have no need to fear a scope losing zero on a .22 unless it's REALLY bad.

Even my 4x32 BSA mounted on my Marlin 925 will allow me to print 1/8" 3 shot groups at 25 yards.
 
Just noticed a really nice feature on the TOZ, which me a little bit torn. The rear sight is adjustable for 25-50-75-100 yards. I'm not sure if you can adjust the elevation at all on the Savage... can you?

On the other hand, the TOZ sights are closer together than the savage which would presumably reduce accuracy a little bit. Also I like the bright firesight style sights on the savage better than plain iron sights. But since the iron sights are similar to my sks and mosin, it would probably make me more proficient with those rifles.

hmmmmm
what to do?
 
Hey, nice glass is great, but a 40 dollars bushnel 3-9x40 will still have you pulling 1/4" groups at 25 no sweat. All you will get out of a higher end scope is clarity. You have no need to fear a scope losing zero on a .22 unless it's REALLY bad.
Click to expand...

The nicer scope not only gets you better clarity -- which is important in a scope -- but better light transmission, and durability and resistance to inadvertent knocks.
 
Savage MKII F .22LR Bolt Action

Hi,
I am looking to buy a Savage MKII F .22LR bolt action without the accutrigger and with scope groves not mounting holes. If anyone knows where I can find one please respond to my post. Thanks.
 
I'd say Aguila SSS unless your rifle (whichever you pick) really won't shoot them well.
 
Hi,
I am looking to buy a Savage MKII F .22LR bolt action without the accutrigger and with scope groves not mounting holes. If anyone knows where I can find one please respond to my post. Thanks.
Click to expand...

The Walmart near me had some last summer. Not sure if they were new enough to have the Accutrigger or not.

Why do you want a grooved receiver? Weaver makes bases for the pre-drilled and tapped holes and most of the latest Mark II models (Not the Mark II F) are equipped with Weaver style bases from the factory. You should be able to find a lot of different scope rings to go with those.
 
The Savage Mark II .22LRs are wonderfully accurate. I use .22LR on woodchucks to 175 with zero concerns for power and accuracy. If you are firing sub-sonic .22LR, it will drift less than most centerfire .22s, ie. the .223 Rem. If you get one, get yourself a good scope mount!

Here are some links to the base/ring mount I use on most of my .22LRs.For "normal" ranges and out to 175 yards:
http://www.bkltech.com/1_inch_Dia_6_Screw_Unitized_Dovetail_Mount_p/bkl-260.htm

If you run out of adjustment in your scope, you will need this mount:
http://www.bkltech.com/1x4x0_6_DC_007_Scope_Rings_Unitized_Dovetail_p/bkl-260d7.htm

Call me crazy, but the BSA Sweet 22 is a pretty good little scope for the money. Then again, so is the BSA 36X or the Weaver T36X.

Geno
 
I suggest you look at the Savage Mk II in 17 HM2. High quality ammo can be had for 5 dollars a box, and shots out to 100 yards can be taken with ZERO holdover and shots out to 200 are not too much more difficult. I used to use .22 lr for my hunting needs, but I got the savage in HM2 and never looked back. Great round that doesn't get a lot of press these days. Mine will shoot groups < 1 inch all day at 100 yards. less wind drift than a .22 as well (the bullet is going 2100 FPS), without a lot more noise.
I could go on. It's one of the most useful varmint cartridges ever, but not well known, as the HMR steals all the thunder (why I don't know...18% velocity increase for $8 a box more:confused:).
 
My heavy barrel Mark II-BV shoots sub 0.3" to 0.5" groups at 50 yards. With a better trigger I believe it would be a 0.2" rifle (the lowest it will go is 3#). It wears a BSA 6-24x44 Platinum Target with 1/8 MOA dot.

At 100 yards on a good day (calm nerves and no wind) I can keep the groups under 1.5" with match ammo.

The problem with head shots on rabbits is that .22LR is dropping fast by the time it gets to 100 yards, and if you don't know exactly what distance the target is, you are going to miss.

If I were hunting rabbits a Sweet 22 scope would probably be on my list.
 
@Coach11
You asked about where to find a Savage Mark II .22LR with scope grooves as opposed to screws, rails, etc. Just bought one today from Dick's Sporting Goods and it's got grooves. It actually came with a simple 4x scope which magically clamps right into the grooves. Haven't fired it yet, that's a project for another day. I got a bolt action, magazine-fed Savage Mark II .22, scope included, for $189 at Dick's.
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/h...d_-_National:Core:dick's_sporting_goods:Exact
 
my only suggestion is to go heavy bbl, and possible thumbholer if you like. the savage is notorious for bbl heat, on their sporter bbls, so if you plan on taking more than 1 shot per minute to 1.5 minutes, then I would do a heavy bbl here.

Also as an aside, the sss ammo, can either be 1 holer ammo for you, or keyhole after 25 yards; only the old remmy _____masters were the only rifles I know of, with the right chamber/bbl twist to handle these monsters, but you may get lucky.
a real surprise ammo I have found for accuracy, and not very loud , is the cci short, hollow point, high velocity ammo. super good and accurate. Cb's? not so much; you almost have to get a rifle chambered, and bbl twisted for it...
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

A
  • Locked
New Gun, Which to buy?
Replies
4
Views
377
archerben
A
J
  • Locked
  • Poll
.22-250 Varmint Rifle Opinions
Replies
18
Views
1K
LOLBELL
L
I
  • Locked
savage MKII vs. marlin 980S HELP!
Replies
12
Views
3K
Geno
G
sarduy
  • Locked
Savage mark II
Replies
7
Views
738
Treegunner
T
wally
  • Locked
Long Range .22lr?
Replies
9
Views
905
adcoch1
adcoch1
Back
Top