The Rohrbaugh Forum

Miscellaneous => Other Guns => Topic started by: Craigt on February 08, 2010, 07:40:42 PM

Title: Choosing a .22 Rifle
Post by: Craigt on February 08, 2010, 07:40:42 PM
I could use your help selecting a .22 LR rifle for some inexpensive fun at the range for the whole family and for emergency preparedness / feed the family type duties.  Preferably it would break down into a fairly small package that could fit into a large backpack.  Please pardon my lack of knowledge of rifles, I have never been exposed to them.

The Henry AR-7 is very intriguing but I am not sure it is rugged enough to hold up in the long term.

The Ruger 10/22 looks like it might be the best choice.  Seems to be the quintessential .22 rifle.  I recall reading that it will disassemble readily but I cannot find any photos showing this.  Presumably the barrel can be removed fairly quickly?

Looks like there many aftermarket options for customizing.

Any of you have any experience with these rifles and would comment on your experiences with them?

Or any other rifles that I should consider?

Any input is most appreciated.

Craig T.
Title: Re: Choosing a .22 Rifle
Post by: tracker on February 08, 2010, 07:54:38 PM
Craig,
Check out the Marlin Papoose model, model 70PSS. It breaks down very easily and is a good value. Additionally, it is very light at 3 lbs.

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/selfloading/70PSS.asp
Title: Re: Choosing a .22 Rifle
Post by: tracker on February 08, 2010, 10:02:15 PM


Oops, currently out of stock at the distributor.
Title: Re: Choosing a .22 Rifle
Post by: kjtrains on February 08, 2010, 10:47:04 PM
Quote
Craig,
Check out the Marlin Papoose model, model 70PSS. It breaks down very easily and is a good value. Additionally, it is very light at 3 lbs.

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/selfloading/70PSS.asp

Still, It's a good looking rifle.
Title: Re: Choosing a .22 Rifle
Post by: tracker on February 08, 2010, 10:56:00 PM
I bought a 795SS not long ago and like it a lot but it doesn't fit Craig's interests. They have made excellent rifles for a long time. I own an 1895 25-20 octagonal barrel that is really a sweetheart.
Title: Re: Choosing a .22 Rifle
Post by: kjtrains on February 08, 2010, 11:14:58 PM
Now I know I would like that!
Title: Re: Choosing a .22 Rifle
Post by: yankee2500 on February 09, 2010, 07:34:43 PM
Craig,
  The Ruger 10/22  is the most customized 22 rifle ever made.
Ruger introduced the Model 10/22 carbine way back in 1964. It was a rimfire rifle that replicated the looks and feel of their .44 Magnum carbine. Using a die-cast aluminum receiver and a ten-shot rotary magazine, it was different from any other rimfire rifle on the market. Forty-five years later, Ruger has sold over 5.7 million of the little jewels, and the 10/22 is as popular today as it has ever been. Ruger currently catalogs 35 different variations of the 10/22; blued or stainless steel, wood or polymer stocks, various barrel lengths, and even a couple of models with pink stocks that are popular with the ladies. Still, the heart of the 10/22 is the rugged and reliable action, operating as a simple blowback and still using the excellent rotary magazine, and available from 10rd. to 50rd.

Thought this might help, I have had a 10/22 for 20+ yrs and think they are great.

John
Title: Re: Choosing a .22 Rifle
Post by: birdman on February 09, 2010, 07:52:25 PM
  I have a 10/22 in wood and stainless that I got for Christmas in 1990. It still looks and shoots as good as when it was new, and I still like it as much as I did then!   Gene
Title: Re: Choosing a .22 Rifle
Post by: Craigt on February 09, 2010, 08:16:05 PM
Thanks for all the input.  I was able to do a bit of research today as well.

There is quite a lively rivalry between the Ruger 10/22 and the Marlin 60 & 795 fans.  The Papoose looks very good though I am rethinking how important the quick break-down feature is to me.  What, if anything, is being compromised to get that screw off barrel?

How long would it take to remove the barrel from a 10/22?

A frequent comment is that the Marlin is more accurate out of the box.  10/22 easier to disassemble and clean.  Any experience?

If one needed to do some serious hunting with a .22 LR, would a bolt action tend to provide the best accuracy?  Would the bolt action also provide the highest muzzle velocity since none of the energy is being used to load the next round?  (Making the most from a low powered round.)

Sorry for all the questions.  I am trying to thoroughly think this out (maybe over thinking?)

Your input is very helpful.  Thanks folks.
Title: Re: Choosing a .22 Rifle
Post by: xpistosk on February 09, 2010, 08:24:56 PM
Hello craigt. check out www.rimfirecentral.com..... ;D
Title: Re: Choosing a .22 Rifle
Post by: tracker on February 09, 2010, 08:28:50 PM

Marlin and Ruger both make fine rifles; it just depends on your priorities:
portability, weight, etc..
Title: Re: Choosing a .22 Rifle
Post by: Craigt on February 09, 2010, 08:38:34 PM
Thanks xpistosk.  Will do!
Title: Re: Choosing a .22 Rifle
Post by: Aglifter on February 09, 2010, 10:41:03 PM
I have a Ruger "race" 10/22 (Not sure exactly what it is, some non-catalogued model, but hammered barrel, and a thumbhole, adult proportioned stock.)  

The nicest one I've handled is an old Mauser bolt action of my fathers.

For a take down, what about the old Browning semi-autos?  
Title: Re: Choosing a .22 Rifle
Post by: Chief-USN on February 11, 2010, 08:11:23 AM
Many companies now have AR type .22 that are great for shooting and being able to use all your AR accessories as well as Keep in practice with your AR skills. Fun guns to shoot as well.
 Most are around $400 and come from companies such as :

  Colt
  Sig-Sauer
  S&W
 They also take a beating, are lightweight, and compact (Most have adjustable and/or folding stocks)
 
Chief
Title: Re: Choosing a .22 Rifle
Post by: Craigt on February 11, 2010, 08:57:48 AM
I appreciate all the input.  Will check the ARs out.

Power and internet kept dropping out during the snow storm yesterday.  Hopefully not today though.

Keep the comments coming!

Craig T.
Title: Re: Choosing a .22 Rifle
Post by: P7Enigma on February 11, 2010, 12:25:31 PM
10/22 is my pick....

I have one that is outfitted with a integraly suppressed barrel and a competition McMillan stock. Accurate as hell and quiet with the exception of the sonic crack. Glass is a Weaver "Grandslam" target dot. Needless to say, rodent population drasticly decreases inside 100 yard radius of the compound.

Even before the "stock" barrel was replaced, it would shoot ragged one hole groups that could be covered with a quarter at 50 yards. (It was the "bull" type hammer forged) The weapon was relatively short but as far as I know,I am not aware of a 10/22 that is easy to "take down".

Only thing more accurate would be some of the higher end bolt guns like the Kimber.
Title: Re: Choosing a .22 Rifle
Post by: theirishguard on February 11, 2010, 12:46:47 PM
I had a Ruger M77 bolt action, with a can instead of normal bbl and it was very accurate and quiet. Very fun to shoot.  Tom
Title: Re: Choosing a .22 Rifle
Post by: tracker on February 11, 2010, 12:49:54 PM

You could buy a 10/22 and equip it with a Butler folding stock that would give it more portability than the factory stock.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=null-cat20803&id=0031476227292a&navCount=0&podId=0031476&parentId=cat20803&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IA&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&cmCat=netcon&cm_ven=netcon&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=ruger%2010%2022%20accessories&cm_ite=netcon&rid=2146251080&hasJS=true
Title: Re: Choosing a .22 Rifle
Post by: Craigt on February 13, 2010, 10:12:07 AM
Thanks for all the input.  I thought that I would narrow down my decision but there are so many good choices!  Makes it tough.  Might help for me to go look at some.

The folding stock might be a helpful feature.

Any new thoughts are most encouraged.
Title: Re: Choosing a .22 Rifle
Post by: tracker on February 21, 2010, 06:34:30 PM

Another thought is a GSG-5 rifle with a folding stock; it weighs about 5 lbs., though. I've read some good reviews on these and they appear to be well built.

http://www.gsg5rifle.com/category/1694-GSG_5_Rifless.aspx
Title: Re: Choosing a .22 Rifle
Post by: kjtrains on February 21, 2010, 07:23:49 PM
Very interesting.
Title: Re: Choosing a .22 Rifle
Post by: P7Enigma on February 25, 2010, 04:52:46 PM
Was looking at a S&W AR looking 22 rifle the other day at a local shop. Can't remember the model designation but it looked well made and boy was it light!
Title: Re: Choosing a .22 Rifle
Post by: tracker on February 25, 2010, 05:10:48 PM


That is the M&P 15-22. It is quite well made and functions much better than the Colt equivalent, according to some gun salesmen I know at my shop. They like the Sig also. The problem with the Colt was failures in cycling. They have fired all of them and like the S&W.
Title: Re: Choosing a .22 Rifle
Post by: kjtrains on March 01, 2010, 05:50:23 AM
I looked at this and liked the 25 mag count.  You can do some serious prinking with this.