Buying a 22 rifle

[kmw1954]

Don't know why but suddenly I feel the need for a 22 rifle even though I have never been a rifle shooter.

I'm not in a hurry or need to rush out and do this and as I'm retired now and on a fixed income I have set a budget of no more than $200.00 and do not have an issue with buying a used one which is what I will most likely do.

Last weekend the wife and I went to a local gun show and I didn't see anything I liked or that was within my budget. At this time I believe what I would like is a bolt rifle rather than a semi-auto, pump or lever. I also think I would like to stay away from single shots. Mag fed or tube fed doesn't seem to matter.

I have been watching Armslist for rifles in my state that would eliminate having to have it shipped and then have to deal with an FFL transfer fee. Which just that alone would most likely add $40.00 to $60.00 to the cost of the gun. Having to pay sales tax would be much less.

So for now I've looked at many of the new and old model Marlin Bolt rifles, Some of the Savage rifles and a few old rebranded Sears, Wards, and such other store brands.

Any input you fine folks can provide will help. Right now I have a line on a used Savage MKII that looks pretty good with the right price only minus a scope. Some of the Marlin model 25's and 80's are fetching close to the same price as a new XT.

[Kestrel4k]

IME, the best new-mfg 'budget' bolt-action .22LR may be my Savage MkII FVSR (16" bull bbl).
With regards to accuracy, it /approaches/ (but does not quite match) my CZ's, Ruger 77, etc - but at ~half the cost.

The one thing to keep in mind about those, though; for any of the newer inexpensive plastic-stocked versions, $100 needs to be budgeted for a wood or wood laminate stock IMO, to get the accuracy & consistency that is desired.

I am less familiar with the various older budget models however, and it certainly is hard to beat a basic old-school quality .22 bolt.
There are so many of them on the used market that prices will in most cases be very reasonable, for what are usually very solidly-built, lightly used examples - the Marlins are the first that come to mind.

-----

Edit: Are you looking for a field rifle, or to primarily shoot from a bench?

My trim CZ 452 & 455 Americans are /far/ superior for a carry rifle, but my heavier laminate-stocked heavy-bbl Savage MkII is much nicer for serious bench work.

[kmw1954]

The one I'm looking at I believe is just a model F pre Accu-trigger. Priced just over $100.00 used

[Ozark Howler]

Check out the Marlin XT22 Series, many dealers offer great sales on the models (BassPro, Cabela's, Davidson, etc.) usually from $160 to $199. I have one with heavy barrel, clip feed, and Pro-fire trigger. The stock is (was) plastic (switched to Boyd's thumbhole). A very nice rifle at a reasonable price, also, it shoots great...

[18Bravo]

IME, the best new-mfg 'budget' bolt-action .22LR may be my Savage MkII FVSR (16" bull bbl).
With regards to accuracy, it /approaches/ (but does not quite match) my CZ's, Ruger 77, etc - but at ~half the cost.

The one thing to keep in mind about those, though; for any of the newer inexpensive plastic-stocked versions, $100 needs to be budgeted for a wood or wood laminate stock IMO, to get the accuracy & consistency that is desired.

I am less familiar with the various older budget models however, and it certainly is hard to beat a basic old-school quality .22 bolt.
There are so many of them on the used market that prices will in most cases be very reasonable, for what are usually very solidly-built, lightly used examples - the Marlins are the first that come to mind.

-----

Edit: Are you looking for a field rifle, or to primarily shoot from a bench?

My trim CZ 452 & 455 Americans are /far/ superior for a carry rifle, but my heavier laminate-stocked heavy-bbl Savage MkII is much nicer for serious bench work.

+1 on the Savage mark II. If there is a more accurate out of the box .22 in this price range, I haven't found it. Combined with the Accutrigger it is a tack driver. Look around the web, they can be had new for what you want to spend.

Here's a good site to start your search:

https://gun.deals/search/apachesolr_search/Savage%20Mark%20II?view=list

[wv109323]

I think for a new rifle the Savage with Accu-trigger would be hard to beat.

[sparkyv]

+1 on the Marlin XT22. Heavy bbl, laminate wood stock, $199.99 new a few years ago. Shoots well on CCI Std. Vel. And Blazers too! Used should be well within your budget and leave enough for a rim fire scope. I like the Simmons 44 Mag.
http://www.simmonsoptics.com/riflescopes/44_mag.aspx

[kmw1954]

After reading and watching youtube videos and contacting the seller I just purchased that used Savage MarkII for $115.00 and I can pick it up somewhat locally. It's about 1.5hr drive but it's nice country and the leaves are turning colors already. It's also on the way to a Cabela's and also Titan Reloading so that will make for a nice road trip.

Now I need to figure out a scope and mounts for it. Suggestions please?

For those suggesting it I really was looking and watching for a Marlin 25 or XT22

[Scorpion8]

Now I need to figure out a scope and mounts for it. Suggestions please?

For the price, the Simmons 22Mag rimfire scope is hard to beat. Usually a 4x32 or 3-9x32, they run about $49 and are superb. One of the best buys around, but also consider any old Bushnell 3-9x40 take-off. Used scopes can be had pretty inexpensive.

[kmw1954]

No doubt I'll be spending time in ebay scouting scopes. Anyone know which mounts I'll need?

[Traffer]

I bought 2 22 rifles in the past year and a half. One is a semi auto. Mossberg 702 Plinkster. Very reliable, accurate little gun. But I really don't care for semi-autos. I paid $99 for it NEW at WALMART. That was less than 2 yrs ago. They still offer them for sale at that price. The next gun I bought was a Savage MK II. It is the Walmart one, bull barrel, but no accutrigger. (I found a mod on youtube that will make the trigger as good as a accutrigger for $0 investment.) I paid $149 or $147 for it. NEW at WALMART about a year ago. They still have them at that price. These guns are not built like the old ones. They have some cheap feeling stuff but they are very fine guns. If taken care of will last a long time, certainly more than a lifetime. I use the Savage to test high pressure loads that I am working with. They have a fail-safe designed into them that is a small portion of the face of the rim is not supported by steel. WHEN THEY BLOW OUT CASES the gas goes down into the magazine and not into the face. I have only blown out cases when pushing a 40 grain bullet at over 1650 fps or equivalent. According to our calculations that is over 22,000psi. No factory ammo will cause case failure in this gun. It is a strong and safe gun. Bolt action 22s are more expensive than semi autos. Unless you find a used bolt action that someone doesn't realize the value. You will not get a better deal than a new Savage MK II. And actually I find that the Mossberg Plinkster is a more pleasant gun to shoot. Very lightweight. Very ergonomic. It is a little small but fits a normal adult just fine. Where as I had to extend the stock of the Savage about an inch to make it fit well. I am not a really good marksman so I can't tell you first hand how accurate these guns are but I have read that people consider both of them outstanding in accuracy. The Mossberg has microgroove rifling like Marlins. I don't know why.

[Traffer]

A word of Caution! The Savage MK II is drilled and tapped for a standard 1" scope mount. Don't buy a typical 3/4" 22 Rimfire Scope for it. You need a regular 1" Scope. I got a Tasco 3x9x40 "Pronghorn" Scope for mine for real cheap money. I am pretty sure it was under $30 at Walmart. It takes a Weaver # 48024 or NO 24 Scope Mount. Standard 1" rings fit on that mount. I believe that it's 22mm. Not the 3/8" or 11mm standard for 22 rimfire and air rifles. Here are some pictures of the scope and mount:
205297205298205299

[smkummer]

Marlin 60 semi auto. Feels like a full size rifle but perfectly portioned. Accurate as heck. $150 should get you a nice used rifle. Why work a bolt action when you don't have to? It's not like your saving your brass.

[Kestrel4k]

No doubt I'll be spending time in ebay scouting scopes. Anyone know which mounts I'll need?
I have inexpensive Weaver bases (~$10), and inexpensive Weaver Classic rings (used for ~$10 at a gunshow, new for ~$15 shipped via eBay).

It's really difficult to improve on the Weaver system without spending /much/ more money. :)

[kmw1954]

Thank you everyone. This is going to be interesting for sure as I have never done this before..

Seems I am seeing conflicting info in that some pages I see with the Savage show it with dovetails while others do not. That it is drilled and tapped.

Also seems I have a lot to learn about scopes. Which are good, which are good, which are OK and which to avoid altogether..

I am rather excited about picking this little rifle up and checking it out.

[Scorpion8]

I am rather excited about picking this little rifle up and checking it out.

You should be. A block of 22 ammo and a good 22 rifle is like being a kid in the bathtub with a Dixie cup. Endless cheap fun. Save up some old tin cans, soda cans, or any old targets and make them dance. The scope will help immensely, and these rifles (on average) are extremely accurate. We use these Savage rifles in our Hunter's Ed classes for the live fire quals and they routinely put 3 shots into an area the size of a penny at 50 feet.

[Traffer]

Thank you everyone. This is going to be interesting for sure as I have never done this before..

Seems I am seeing conflicting info in that some pages I see with the Savage show it with dovetails while others do not. That it is drilled and tapped.

Also seems I have a lot to learn about scopes. Which are good, which are good, which are OK and which to avoid altogether..

I am rather excited about picking this little rifle up and checking it out.

When you get yours check to see if it is drilled or if it has cuts in it. If it is drilled it does take a Weaver NO. 24 mount. Actually two of them. I think I bought a packet of two for like $6 at a place that sold that stuff. When you put those on (two screws on each one which come with them) you will have the mount. Then get standard 1" rings. Also inexpensive in the right place. I bought mine on eBay for about $3 for the pair. Then you are set up for any 1" scope you want to put on it. Even the cheapest 1" scope is better than almost any of the 3/4" scopes out there. For a 22, unless you are going to do some crazy world class match shooting, any 3x9 power scope will be PLENTY. As I said I bought the cheapest one they had at Walmart. I think it was under $30. Now for under $200 I have a rig that probably could do very well at a match competition. Enjoy!

[kmw1954]

Thanks Traffer. Going tomorrow morning to pick it up and yes I am excited. Been a long, long time since I've fired a rifle of any kind. We have a club nearby that runs a target league during the summer which sounds like a lot of fun.

[greenwart]

It will probably not be your last 22 puchase. Look around for a ruger 10/22. They are just fun. I picked up a couple they go for around 130-150 with a scope down here.

[greenwart]

I also agree woth kestrel4k. The CZ 452 is the real deal but the price will be more than 200 for a good used.

[country gent]

Hit the Local Gun Shops and Pawn Shops, Look at and handle as many different models and styles as possible to see what feels right to you. Determine the uses for this rifle before hand, Hunting, small game , stalking or stand hunting, Informal target shooting or plinking, Formal target shooting. There are a lot of different .22 rifles out there and all can be usefull and a lot of fun. weight can vary a lot from 4lbs up to 14 lbs for a full blown target model. Watch the auction sights, also check the CMP store as they have used 22 target rifles from the military at times. Mossberg, Winchester, and Remington, I believe the kimbers are gone now. Local guns shows, GunShops Pawn Shops and even some dept stores ( wall marts, Ace hardware, tractor supplys) all may have a deal at times.

[Kestrel4k]

When you get yours check to see if it is drilled or if it has cuts in it. If it is drilled it does take a Weaver NO. 24 mount. Actually two of them. [...]
Actually, the info I've put together on my Savage MkII has all of the following as being compatible:

#15: 0.195" height
#16: 0.205" h
#43: 0.265" h
#45: 0.396" h

IIRC, I've used (& still have) three of the four sets above, for when I was swapping different scopes (& their associated objective bell diameters).
If you are saying #24 as well, I guess I have to add that one to the database as well, lol.

[Traffer]

Here you go: This is the one that is on my gun and working just fine.
https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/weaver-detachable-top-mount-base-zb-22-savage-mark-ii-mini-mark-x-standard-mount-no24-black-48024-076683480248.do?sortby=ourPicks&refType=&from=fn

[Traffer]

As there is no need for anything different than a basic mount the #24 is all you need. If you want to make the scope higher you can use those elevated scope ring mounts that attach on top of the mount. I don't know the correct term for them except that when you order rings they will state if they are elevated or not.

[kmw1954]

I have talked with the seller and he tells me there are 3/8" dovetail rails on the receiver. He is also a small dealer and has offered to put a scope on it. What he has offered is a Simmons 8 point 3X9 for $40.00 and bore sighted or either a 2X7 or 3X9 FM scope for $35.00. What do you folks think? Should I take it or pass?

[Traffer]

I have talked with the seller and he tells me there are 3/8" dovetail rails on the receiver. He is also a small dealer and has offered to put a scope on it. What he has offered is a Simmons 8 point 3X9 for $40.00 and bore sighted or either a 2X7 or 3X9 FM scope for $35.00. What do you folks think? Should I take it or pass?

That is different than mine. Maybe an older (and better) model. I would go with the Simmons 8 point scope. But others may disagree. I believe that is a 1" scope so you would need special mounts to mount it on the 3/8" rails which are made for a 3/4" 22 caliber scope. But as he is a gun smith he would have access to the different mount. As far as "do you want a scope?" If your eyes are like mine you do.

[roysha]

Weaver, Redfield, (my 1st choice) and several foreign brands, make 1" rings to clamp onto the 3/8" dovetail. They are readily available at most any gunshop worthy of the name. You just have to make sure they are high enough to clear the objective bell and the rear sight may have to be removed in some instances.

Be aware that at typical 22 RF ranges, with a non-AO scope, parallax can be an issue.

For economy scopes with AO, I have found BSA to be a good value, especially their Essential Air series, although almost any of the economy scopes will pretty much be the same, dollar for dollar. Pay your nickel and take your choice.

I believe, were I doing this, with your level of knowledge, I would hold off on the scope till a bit more research was done.

[rfd]

hands down, the savage mkII fv. cheap and mighty accurate. its bull barrel is a plus. add in some decent 4x32 glass and yer good to go. while not at all required or needed, i swapped the plastic stock for a boyds barracuda and added simmons 4-12x44 glass. very accurate at 100 yards with cci standard .22lr ammo. sweet.

https://i.imgur.com/8S0geZx.jpg

[kmw1954]

The rifle is now in my hands. I'm pretty impressed with it's overall condition for a used $115.00 rifle. I passed on the scope. Last night I read some reviews on the Simmons he had to offer and I wasn't that impressed. So there is no hurry to get a scope on this I will take the time to educate myself a bit more about scopes before I buy one. A case of I'd rather spend a bit more the 1st time than have to do it twice. But I'm still thinking a 2-7 or a 3-9.

[Kestrel4k]

When you scope your rifle, I would most likely be able to send you a set of RF dovetail rings, for free - which should accommodate most typical scopes. Just send me a PM anytime.

[kmw1954]

Thank you for the offer Kestrel.

Did a lot of reading last night, especially on 22 rimfire rifle scopes and close ranges. So for right now I have my search narrowed down to 2 makes. The Nikon and the Barska. Leaning towards one of the two Barska models of either the 3X9 Plinker 22 or the 17 hot Magnum. Both have had excellent reviews.

[rfd]

like most things in life, only FAR more so with rifle glass, you will get what you pay for for the very most part. having seen and used barska glass, i would feel lots luckier with a nikon product. but don't listen to me or anyone else - if at all possible, check glass out in person, then do yer buying at the vendor's store or online.

for a .22rf, one need not go further than a simple but decent 4x32 fixed power scope. the glass will probably be better than a variable and so will the extended power view. lots less to go wrong with fixed power and a 4x is fine out to 100 yards, with a larger field of view. i have a 4-12x44 on one of my .22rf's, and it's really overkill. but, to each their own. enjoy.

[Traffer]

like most things in life, only FAR more so with rifle glass, you will get what you pay for for the very most part. having seen and used barska glass, i would feel lots luckier with a nikon product. but don't listen to me or anyone else - if at all possible, check glass out in person, then do yer buying at the vendor's store or online.

for a .22rf, one need not go further than a simple but decent 4x32 fixed power scope. the glass will probably be better than a variable and so will the extended power view. lots less to go wrong with fixed power and a 4x is fine out to 100 yards, with a larger field of view. i have a 4-12x44 on one of my .22rf's, and it's really overkill. but, to each their own. enjoy.

As long as we are on the subject of scopes. I am a casual shooter. I have used 4x and 6x scopes on the 22 rifles that I have. I bought a 3x9 because my eyes are really that bad now. This is a $30 scope with an adjustable parallax. It sure enables me to see and hit a 100 yard target like none of the open sights or 4x or 6x scopes that I have previously used. It seems to hold zero just fine. So being quite naive about these things, why would anyone need anything better than that?

[kmw1954]

I too am of the failing eyes camp.

We had to run out to Walmart this morning to pick up a few things so I wandered back to sporting goods. There in the cabinet was the Barska scope I had been looking at online. Only instead of being the $50.00 that it was listed on their website it was only $25.00 so I bought it. Again everywhere I looked, Midway, Amazon, Walmart this was in the $50.00 range. And again all the reviews were excellent so I figure for the money it was worth a shot.

It mounted right up on the Savage and it looks very clear and bright. Still will have to get out and sight it in. Range report will be due!

[tazman]

As long as we are on the subject of scopes. I am a casual shooter. I have used 4x and 6x scopes on the 22 rifles that I have. I bought a 3x9 because my eyes are really that bad now. This is a $30 scope with an adjustable parallax. It sure enables me to see and hit a 100 yard target like none of the open sights or 4x or 6x scopes that I have previously used. It seems to hold zero just fine. So being quite naive about these things, why would anyone need anything better than that?

They aren't all bad. You just don't know until you try it out whether it is a good one.
The odds are just better with more expensive glass.
That said, the most expensive scope I own cost me $470. It is a Weaver t36 target scope and it sits on my long range rifle. I use scopes up to 20X on my 22rimfire rifles. Usually, cost is around $200.
A couple of my older 22s wear scopes that cost $30-50 and work just fine for what I do with them.

[kmw1954]

Well I'm going to look at it from this viewpoint. I only paid $115.00 for the rifle so it doesn't make much sense to put a $100.00 scope on it to basically shoot bottles, cans or paper punching. I also don't believe adding a $100.00 or better scope to it would have increased it's overall value. One of the primary concerns that I'd read about rimfire scopes is the distances that they are normally shot to. The Parallax issue to be more precise.

So with my eyes and rifle skill level I will be more than happy to be able to see the target at 50yds. and to be able to hold 2" groups.

Also I can't say enough about the reviews I'd read on this scope from Midway, Amazon and one other site that I don't recall. Very few with a don't buy it. I then also compared those reviews to the Simmons scopes, The BSA scopes and some of the Bushnell scopes made for the 22 rimfire and as best I could tell this scope rated the best.

I understand this is not a "top of the line" product but then I'm not a top of the line shooter either. You also will not see me bash it if it doesn't perform. That goes for the gun also. Anyways that's my perspective.