After sighting in at 60 feet, I could easily cover 5 shots with a nickel ru-vid.comUgkxQt2uORDRfFOVSrO4idv4B90ThT6EOnEL ! Truly a pleasure to shoot! Scope was easy to adjust for eye relief. Only problem the varmints must have seen it delivered lol!Update: So impressed with shot groups at 30 yards I purchased a Hammers 3×9 with adjustable Objective scope! Now a true nail driver!
Great video, I bought a Remington 582 when I was 13 years old. Could have purchased a 581 but the gun shop owner convinced my Dad to get the tube fed vs clip fed. His words "never had anybody come in looking of a tube because they lost it" something like that anyways. That was back in 1970. Bought the gun, bushnell rimfire scope, brick of shells, sling and swivels and a soft case, all for $75 out the door. Money I earned myself picking asparagus for 75 cents an hour. Still have the gun today, unchanged from the day I bought it.
Christmas gift at 7 yrs old for me. Winchester single shot bolt action with a POS flip lever safety modeled on the Springfield and Mauser. I still have difficulty with that safety. My Dad cut the stock down to fit me and it carried me through NRA Marksman First Class. I still have it and used it for my kids and grandkids. At 7 I could buy ammo in rural California at the corner store and I used shot shells to shoot sparrows out of our chicken feeders. A nickel a sparrow kept me supplied in ammo, candy and Dr. Pepper. I'm not a fan of big game semi-autos and I subscribe to the Jack O'Connor school of get a .22 in the action type that you intend to hunt with. So that means my kids started with the single shot bolt action, moved to a Remington 581 that I cut down and then to a cut down Howa .243 for centerfire experience and a cut down .270 for elk. I'm fixing elk stew tonight from a 5 point bull that my 15 year old grandson shot this fall, 250 yds running, one shot broke both shoulders.
Nice review. My first rifle I bought in my early 20's...a Savage Anschutz model 164 Sporter. Absolutely great rifle as far as accuracy. Since then I've added a Marlin model 60, 2 different Ruger 10/22's, a CZ 452 and Henry Mini Bolt to shoot Aquilla Super Colibri ammo. A fellow can't have too many 22's🤠
This is all good information here. There is one point I would like to bring to light. That being the difference between an auto loader and the bolt action. With the bolt action, pressure, burned and unburned powder exit only one way. Out the muzzle of the rifle. That means that everything from the bolt face on back will stay much cleaner for a much longer period of time!! However, with the auto loader, it will get dirtier much quicker through the entire receiver because of the blow back design it takes to eject and load the next round. The other action that is much like the bolt is the lever action.
@@uzimike4733 If you think bolt .22s are boring (UZI in your moniker is telling) you probably are of the spray and pray philosophy. Bolt .22s rock for those that enjoy accurate shooting. Heavy barreled single shot .22s or the nice Anschutz are the cream of the crop. --I do own several .22 autoloaders BTW as well as bolt guns. I also am a state certified hunter education instructor and have been shooting for a very long time.
Don’t yet own a rifle but just bought my boy, 11, a bb pellet gun for starters. Going to get him instruction. Appreciate the advice. Want to start him and I with a 22 downstream.
For accuracy, I will put my Marlin Model 60 semi-auto up against the Ruger or Remington either one, it's just a lot of people don't like the tubular magazine!
@@DILLONEKR LOL well ya, but which MKII (FXV, BV, FV)? I can't choose... Do I really need a heavy barrel on a 22? Does it make that much difference? It's a life altering case of analysis paralysis!
Got a Remington 514 for Xmas in 1952. At age 82, can still, at 50 ft., light a kitchen match with first shot and blow it out with the second. All my kids and g-kids learned with it (and with a Ruger Mark 1 pistol). Keep them clean and they will never disappoint.
+Fred Block You can find most of these and others at local pawn shops and save some money but you should also check out the Mossberg plinkster and the Marlin model 60. Those are good arsenal builders because they are both $160 a piee brand new. The 10/22 is closer to $300.
Fred Block I always check pawn shops before Walmart or anywhere else. Just make sure that you have your phone handy so you can check prices and quality. That way you don't get home and find out that the gun you paid $200 for only cost $160 new at Walmart.
I have recently gotten a Ruger 10/22 and love it, but I still have more fun with my son's Winchester 9422 lever action that I bought for him when he turned 10. The Winchester is also a bit more accurate.
Oddly enough, one of the most popular "first guns" is the Savage Mark II because when it was still called the Lakefield Mk.II, it was the most popular first gun in Canada by a landslide. It's a bolt-action .22LR.
I understand your concern over losing/misplacing mags. My concern is the difficulty loading a tube. I've never used one. Not sure my fat fingers will do well when cold.
Ive had a REM 597 about 12 years and its a great rifle. Taught my son to shoot on it when he was only 11. Fun, easy to shoot and very accurate and now with Remington's 30 rd magazines its even more fun to shoot. Not to mention brand new with a scope it was about $120.
My first 22 rifle was given to me by my father. It was a Glenfield 75. It's a short carbine version of the Marlin 60, which I'm surprised is not in this video as it's one of the most popular 22 rifles in the country. The first 22 rifle that I purchased was a Walther G22. It's a bullpup with a real scifi look to it. It's very accurate and reliable, but no one makes parts or accessories for it. My 3rd was a Marlin 795. It's a model 60 that uses a detachable box mag rather than a tube. It's light, incredibly accurate for having a standard barrel, and is very well balanced. Its also one of the least expensive running between $150 and $180. Mine is configured for Appleseed shoots. My next 4 .22 rifles were 10/22's. I work in the industry so Ruger send me 10/22's for free. It's cool, I know. They are my project guns.
I think the model 60 has fallen from the #1 pedestal. They are great gun. I used to compete with a $99 model 60 against very very expensive rifle and did very well. Give me a break I have 2 Marlins out of 4 rifles in the movie already. LOL
I have a Marlin 75 my brother rescued from a 40 year old barrel of motor oil. After refurbishment it is the most accurate .22 I have ever shot. Short round tube though.
Hello again Paul. Last June (2016) I fell off my walker and broke my leg. So the rifle range is out of the question. I purchased some pellet rifles plus some weaker scopes & now I am shooting in my garage at home so as not to lose so much of my marksmanship skills. So I am re-visiting the earlier videos I learned the most from & your's popped up. Anyway, it was a pretty bad break (titanium rod & screws insertion) & at 61 we really don't know how well it will heal completely. Yes your videos really do help me. Sincerely, JAMES.
Sorry to hear about your injury. In the last 2 years I had to get both Achilles tendons removed , bone work on my feet and have the tendons re-attached. (One leg at a time) All I can say is Physical Therapy ? I went 3 times a week instead of 2 and did exercises at home. The last surgery was about 15 months ago. I got back to 100% hopefully you will to. Make sure you wear safety glasses so you don't shoot your eye out with a ricochet.
I recently purchased a Ruger American Rimfire 22 caliber rifle and I really enjoy it from the rotory magazine to the bolt action that cycles like butter. The rifle is absolutely the best bolt action rifle I have owned so far.
Love my Marlin Model 60. Original design 22" barrel, 17 round. Has a cheap ($40) 4x32 BSA scope on it, dead accurate at 100 yards. The only time it fires wild is with hollow point ammo. My ex father in law bought it brand new, never shot it. It was moved from closet to closet in a case for twenty some odd years then he gave it to me in 2002.
+Slasher the old tube feed 22s were around long before 10-22s came out. I was raised with a fine old JC Higgins (Sears!) just like a Marlin Model 60. This guy is under-informed. Notice he barely mentioned tube feeders. The only drawback with them is slow-loading the tube mag.
+pmessinger what drawback? 15 rounds is plenty if you feel a need to rapid fire, damnit.... I really need to augment my Henry 22 with a Marlin 60...... sigh...
This guy is exactly right about the 10/22. I started out with a standard issue 10/22, and I slowly started upgrading every part until I even bought a new receiver, a Volquartsen, (the legal part of the gun) to replace what was the last part of my project, after every other part of the gun, including stock, barrel, trigger group, etc, had been replaced. Essentially, I had built a new gun without any remaining parts from the old one, but it was in stages. And it is a phenomenal gun. Even though I own all kinds of toys with far greater caliber and "prestige value" the gun I am not only proud of the most, but also love shooting the most, is my custom 10/22. GREAT GUN.
your right about the marlins. I've owned the rugger, Remington, savage, winchester and of course marlin. of all the marlin had the best accuracy. at 45 yards I could hit the head of a 16 penny nail, (with scope). .22's are about the best guns for recreation shooting. not only because it's cheep, it also don't hurt the shoulder.
Thank you for posting this video. You did a great job of reviewing the rifles presented and gave good insight as who might be better served by type. You sure are right about people keeping their .22s, I've had my Glenfield Model 25 for a little over 40 years and I have no intention of letting it go!
Don't forget about the Marlin 795 too! It's basically a Marlin 60 with a magazine instead of a tube. I've got one in synthetic/nickel and it's a great looking rifle made in U.S.A. Only complaint is the trigger, which can be improved upon with some simple modifications.
My first 22 I bought while I was in high school. I walked up town to the hardware store that had a room that sold firearms and reloading supplies. It was a Remington Nylon 66, I paid 40 dollars for it, it had a weaver 4 power scope on it. They wrapped it up in the brown paper, I walked back through town, about 3 blocks to the high school, put it in my locker, when I got out, I got on the bus, handed it to the bus driver, when I got off at home, he handed it to me. That was about 1962, I was a junior in high school. I traded it to my older brother several years later. Should have kept it.
Thanks for your vid really enjoyed it. I totally agree with your accuracy of the Marlin, I have a model 88-22 with a Weaver B6 scope on it that dates back to 1955 that was my pops.All original and a great shooter. Really a accurate rifle even after 65 years. Thanks again .
My first 22 was/is a Remington 597. I am glad I got it and NOT a 10/22. IMHO, the 10/22 is over rated. Not as accurate, and costs much more to accurize one to the level of a bone stock 597. I have consistently hit targets the size if the phone I'm posting on out to 225 yards with the stock 4x32 Simmons scope. Only problems I've had with mags is brand new ones that won't hold the full ten rounds. Fill them with 9, add 1 an hour later, and let sit loaded for a week or two to help break in the mag spring. 30 round mags trend to jam if you put more than 26-28 rounds in. My recommendation for Scopes is the BSA SWEET 22 6x18x40 AO. I bought the older model for $65 including shipping from natchez ss with bullet drop turrets, but it hold zero and turrets are good to 175+ yards. Clear glass. A cheek riser helps with scopes too. The factory comb height is ideal for iron sights, not Scopes.
I love the 597 too Ryan. My dad has a 597 and we have two 1st gen 10 round mags but can only load 5, trying to get a third gen one but remington is having problems. It is accurate, light and fun to shoot. I hope they make better high capacity magazines. Which stock do you have for it? Ours is a laminated stock version with a stainless barrel and receiver that isn't in production anymore, only in .22wmr.
Mine started as the grey stock with noodle barrel. I've upgraded to a ss heavy barrel with brake and Boyds evolution ss stock in nutmeg. Check out rimfirecentral.com for mag fixes. There's a section dedicated to the 597, as well as any other make and model of rimfire gun.
ryan hawkins Where did you get the ss heavy barrel? I'm wanting to do some upgrading! I got a stock 597 for my 10 year old and it is just an awesome gun, hates Win bulk 333 ammo but cycles everything else we have tried. Gonna get a second one soon. Luv it!!
bigsi505 I lucked out and found it on eBay. I believe Jarvis and VQ (volquartsen) or a couple others make barrels for the 597- search rfc for the info. Get the VQ extractor... Mine was never picky per se but it eliminated the occasional stove pipe and kicks brass farther/more consistent. I also polished the bolt, guide rods, all moving parts and points of friction to a mirror finish. If you guys haven't polished your guide rods and added the VQ hammer and extractor and mcarbo spring already, you'll grin ear to ear when you do. I also polished the VQ hammer with a final 2k grit. Roughly 2# break now on a new trigger group with only 200 rounds on it. Old group was just below 2#, but had some pre slop.
That all depends, Paul. Every year in the county where I live when the deer hunting season is ending a friend of mine takes folks out if they didn't catch a deer. He takes them in his truck with nothing but a .22lr breakbarrel and comes back every time with a carcass. It doesn't matter what the bullet is: it's all about shot placement I wouldn't recommend it either, though, unless you're some kind of super marksman
Been very enjoying a new to me 1980's vintage Marlin Model 60. Too much fun plinking. The subsonic are quiet and everyone enjoys shooting it. Thanks for your experience.
If it's your first firearm, I recommend a bolt action single shot. Learn to shoot well before you learn to shoot fast. If you can afford the rifle you can afford to shoot a .22 a whole lot, and that's how you learn to shoot well. Take a hunter safety class whether you intend to hunt or not. Most .22s will shoot well if you find out what kind of ammunition they like. You will not become a National Match champion with a $99 out of the box .22. But you can learn to love shooting and learn to shoot well and safely. Then decide what your next rifle will be.
My first 22LR rifle was (and still is) a CZ455 with interchangeable 22LR and 17HMR barrels. Love shooting it, and will never part from it, just like you said. Great vid, useful info.
Good video great information on youth 22 rifles bought my first 22 a Marlin model 70 carbine paid for it with lawn mowing money at age 13 paid around 30 dollars for it that was 52 years ago still shooting it just keep it cleaned. Shot thousands of rounds through it accuracy is still great!
Yes I did buy one for my son and my daughters. People fear things they know nothing about, this is why teaching your children about the proper use, care, and maintenance of a firearm is very important.
I completely agree, because with the exception of the 10/22 the Marlin Model 60 is far more popular than any of the other three rifles he shows. I have absolutely nothing against the 10/22, but I was fortunate enough to be given my first .22 at a very young age and it happened to be a Model 60. I think most firearm enthusiasts are in the same boat (not as far as having a Model 60, but being lucky enough to have a parent who cares about their safety and teaches them about firearms at a young age), and their first .22 might not be a "choice". Personally I prefer the tube fed aspect of the Model 60, it holds a ton of rounds without a protruding magazine. I've owned two (one "old" and one "new" style) and I don't believe I've ever had a failure except when using *old* ammo, which is going to happen in any rimfire. In my opinion a first .22 comes down to a 10/22 or a 60, as they have both been around forever and it's extremely rare to hear anything bad about either. The main difference is if you want a magazine that will either only hold 10 rounds or stick out of the bottom, or if you prefer to load in the tube (older models hold 18 rounds, newer 15). I find it much easier to load via the tube than a magazine, unless of course you have extra magazines pre-loaded. Since a .22 rifle is primarily for small game or plinking and not self defense though, I see absolutely no problems with reloading the tube instead of using magazines. It's just a matter of preference -- my dad owns both, I just prefer my Model 60. Another item of note is that the 10/22 has a TON of aftermarket modifications available. With a Model 60 about the best you can do is a black synthetic stock if you want it to look "tacticool". I'm fine with that, I've already spent enough money customizing my AR15! I don't think I will ever have any need to use a .22 rifle in CQB, so I don't need telescoping stocks and picatinny rails and all that good stuff.
Great rifle, I had one for many years. I already had 2 Marlins in the movie. + The attributes of the 2 autoloader shown are different than the model 60. + I'm not a big fan of tube feed for new shooters , it causes new shooters to go pew, pew ,pew, pew, pew, pew, pew ,pew, pew, pew, pew, pew ,pew, pew, pew, 18 or 19 times ? in a row over and over.
My Dad gave me a Ruger 10/22, I love that Gun, it shoots very accurately and everytime I look at it it reminds me of my Dad. I agree a Single shot bolt action is a great way to start with open sights, this gives the recipient experience with loading single rounds and then learning to adjust sights properly.
Hey Oldcoinsandstuff1 - My first 22 cal was a Marlin Model 101 back in 1971 - still have it and only shoot iron-sights, and it's quite accurate and a ton of fun! I put scopes on my other 22's just not this one and not on my Win Mod 1890 22 WRF.. Take care!
Eventually you will end up with a Ruger 10-22 and a Marlin bolt action LOL So watch the paper and take the best deal. That will be the start of you 22 collection LOL I have one entire safe full of 22's but these are the go -to guns,,,, and that Remington is great. Just buy one, these are the keepers at a reasonable low cost. Glad I could help
PaulsWackyWorld There is a Remington in my gun dealers, £200 second hand with a Volquartsen carbon wrap match barrel and a good scope - I just hope I raise the cash before it sells! This is my UK gun trader, a really nice guy. www.valmontfirearms.co.uk/secondhandfirearms.html In the UK, .22 is the only semi auto we can have, although we can still buy a Barret 50cal sniper rifle, our laws make no sense!
Got a novice here. Really appreciated the video, very informative. Learned a thing or two about a thing or two. Looking forward to more of your videos. Shoot straight, shoot safe.
Exactly. none better than the 10/22. it takes a licking and keeps on ticking. the rotary 10 round mags go flush with the stock unlike the Marlin 60 which hangs out the bottom to be bent or broken other wise the marlin and Ruger operate almost exactly the same way. I'm not saying the Marlin is a bad gun its just not a better gun.
littlejpl The marlin model 60 has a tubular magazine and runs along the barrel, while I tend to like the ruger over it. They are both very nice rifles.
littlejpl What are you talking about. A model 60 doesn't have a mag that hangs out the bottom. Don't tell people shit you don't know about. The Ruger is not a BETTER gun.....You don't shoot much, do you.
The Marlin M70 and M60 an M795 are essentially the same guns except two are mag fed and the M60 is tube fed and M70 brake's down and the other two do not. That doesn't change the FACT that the Ruger is a more ruggedly built gun due to the flush mag design and not having a tube that can be dented or bent or a mag hanging out the bottom to be bent or dented as well. To me that makes the Ruger a better gun.
Marlin 39a between 1953 and 1983. these years provide microgroove AND pre cross bolt safety. Shoots Longs, Shorts, and LR. Not picky for any ammo (Bulk) deadly accurate and fun as hell. Downside, they are expensive and only available on the secondary market. Very limited on accessory options and if you only like tactical your SOL. But really, who cant love it?
Remington 597 was my first 22. Bought it after they fixed the magazine issues. I absolutely love it. Spent a little extra to get the model with the scope and was not disappointed. at 50yards at 3x zoom I can get 1" groups on a windy day. It took a little work to get the scope zeroed but once it was my accuracy has been amazing. I've only used 1200+fps rounds as advised by many rounds and haven't had a single jam. $200 was more than fair for this gun and if you can get your hands on some 22 ammo, it's a fantastic gun to go out and enjoy for an afternoon. I believe the basic magazine is said to hold 8 rounds, but you can squeeze 10 into it. With a big box of ammo, you can have an afternoon of fun easily.
My first rifle was a Stevens Savage .22 single shot with the most beautiful Birdseye maple stock I’ve ever seen. Got it at Montgomery Wards in 1972-73 for about $40. I also bought a brick of ammo for about $3.50. That thing was the most accurate stock rifle I’ve ever owned and I kick myself in the ass all the time for getting rid of it.
I'm looking at a Mossberg 702 plinkster or a Mossberg tactical semi-auto.? Do you have a idea which would be better? 1st time gub buyer. TY for the vid.
I'd stay away from the 702,,like they say,you get what you pay for.If you want an inexpensive bolt action,rifle,give the Marlin XT22TR (tube fed) a try.If you want a semi-auto,Ruger 10/22,and it's also magazine fed.Pay a few extra dollars and get a good one.Ruger or Marlin,can't go wrong with either one.
The 702 is OK but you have to get it under $120 for me to say it was an OK deal. If you would even consider spending the money for the Tactical don't, unless you want a cool looking rifle that is only marginal. Watch the movie again and reconsider your options. I would pickup a Mossberg tactical but it would have to be at a very very good price. I'm sure my grandkids would like the way it looks.
Don't listen to the 2 knuckleheads. I have a Mossberg 702 plinkster and it's an awesome little rifle for the price. Never had any issues with it and have had it for 8 years
It's been hit & miss with the 702.I don't own one but my neighbor has let me put about 1200 rounds through his.I'm glad you haven't had any problems with it.In those 8 years,how many rounds have you put through it?I hope you continue to have no problems with it,,I might buy one myself.
I have a 702 and a 10/22...... I like them both, the price $100 & $ 200 respectively may be a factor. But, to your question, I chose the 702 over the 705 because I didn't care for the plastic toy gun appearance of the 705. It looks good,but not worth double the cost of the 702 which is the exact same gun.
I purchased my old Ruger 10-22 in 1969 for $34.99. 47 years, 3 daughters I taught and several grandkids I taught to shoot with it I can say I have no complaints. I would guess that altogether it has over 55,000 rounds through it. I did however wear out the original magazine that came with it. Thanks for the informative video. I still like the old Stevens Crackshot and wish I could find one at a reasonable price. I think a single shot .22 is an excellent trainer.
My first, Mossberg model 142A, wooden flip down fore-stalk, bolt action. Shot a million rounds through it. Still works great. I now have: Henry GB, H&R Sportster 250, Marlin Glenfield & a Marlin Model 60, Mossberg 142A & a 42M-C, Ruger 10-22, Savage Stevens 62 & a Stevens 66C and a Squires Bingham Model 20. Love 'em all!
Wow! It's easy to collect them, and a lot of time so reasonable at the gun stores, used older rimfire rifles. Half the fun is opening them up when I get them home, seeing how dirty they are and returning them to a pristine clean and oiled condition. I think the old rifles thank me for rescuing them from some old damp outbuilding on acreage or farm. The older guns are so much better built than some of the junk of new. Thanks for a great video on your old friends Paul. Make another rimfire video on some of your other favorites.
My first rifle at the age of 12 , was a 375 holland &holland . At the age of 7 I was given a 410 and at 10 a 12 bore. If you can handle the larger calibres, it is easy to step down to the smaller ones . The 375 h&h was the minimum for dangerous game so it did make sense to start off with it.
Great information. For people who enjoy shooting, the 22 rifle is the way to go. It is much cheaper than the centerfires and costs less to shoot. It is a good training rifle for new shooters. I received my first at age seven after training with a Daisy BB gun for two years.
I love my Marlin 60. My son in law sold his ruger 10/22 to buy a Marlin 795 because I kept out shooting him in target practice. The Marlin 795 has been designed to accept a magazine instead of the tube magazine like the Marlin model 60. Promag makes an excellent 25 round mag that will operate perfectly well in the 795.
Back in my hunting days(circa 1969-1970) which I am being call back too, My22 was a Marlin Glenfield 60. Model 795 is definitely in my sites. My olde Marlin could pick mosquitos off barbed wire!! Now at age 70 it will take some practice to allow me to hit the barn wall from inside the barn. In those years took well over 100 squirrel and every single one was in the cast iron with the butter not one once of meat wasted. Cleaning is key with squirrel. Also with the Marlin took many ruffed grouse. You have eaten' no cut of beaf that matches a ruffed grouse off a corn field. They normally eat pine galls so olde timers told once the corn was gone forget it!! Never tested that. They dressed out just a bit bigger than a cornish hen so you would put the 22LR through the back where there was no meat!! In Colorado the hunt will be for the Blue Grouse. Supposed to be good eating. We will see!! Key point for beginning and veteran shooters. With practice your 22LR will outperform those expensive fancy over unders in putting good meat on the table and you won't need a scope because you need to get close especially in the grouse thickets!! Shotguns are classic meat destroyers. You only get 4 small drumsticks on a squirrel so do not go and blow half of it away with a shotgun!! We call those people the "Meat Hunters!!" 2-3 pellets in the breast of a ruffed grouse is madness from a culinary standpoint!!
My first 'gun' was a Daisy 'Spittin' Image' BB gun (copy of Winchester Model 94) given to me by my mother when I was 12 years old. I spent many hours shooting that down in the basement with an airgun shooting trap and I learned to shoot with an airgun first before moving on to firearms when I was old enough. Then at age 16 I was given a Marlin Model 60 autoloading .22 rimfire rifle (branded as a Western Auto 'Revelation' but manufactured by Marlin) that was the most accurate .22 rimfire rifle I ever owned. That rifle was equipped with what Marlin called the 'microgroove' barrel and it was dead-nuts accurate. Sold it many years ago to help finance purchase of my first car. Now I own a Ruger 10/22 .22 autoloading carbine and while it is a solid, dependable rifle and has good enough accuracy for my purposes, it is not as accurate as the Marlin/Western Auto that I used to own. I bought my daughter a Savage Mark II bolt action .22 rifle some years ago as her first firearm and it is a tack driver. Best first .22 rimfire firearm in my opinion is a good bolt-action rifle; be it single shot or repeater. Tyros can use a repeater as a single-shot before moving on to loading a repeater with more rounds. Even though I was given an autoloading .22 rifle as my first firearm; I feel bolt action is best for a beginner (or experienced shooter for that matter); based on my/my daughter's experience with her Savage Mark II that is an example of a good one.
The Ruger 10-22 was the worst piece of crap I ever owned though plenty of others seem to like them. I've owned a number of .22's and the best by far is my current Savage. It shoots 1 MOA with match ammo and doesn't cost an arm and a leg. The main thing with ANY .22 is to shoot every ammo brand and type you can until you find the one which groups the best. They can and do shoot very differently from each other. Hopefully it will be one that you can get locally at least after this crazy U.S. .22 shortage goes away. If we elect Hellary Clinton, we'll never get enough ammo on the shelves though just like Obama caused. Liberals = trouble.
Savage makes a real good rifle. My Mark II has brought me quite a bit of enjoyment; I recently mounted a scope and can't wait to get it sighted in. Cost me $125 used from a pawn shop in near-perfect condition.
The newer 1022's are not as good as the older ones.My fathers 10/22 from the mid 60's shoots pretty well,a good bit better than the newer 1022's.It's not as good as the Marlin 39A but none of the semi's will shoot as well as it and a lot of bolts have a tough time trying to as well.My Marlin 881 isn't as accurate as the 39A but it's killed many many groundhog out to 200-250yds.
I had an Anshutz Savage 164 for many years. Fantastically accurate and the only .22 that could ever shoot with it was my Marlin 39. Unfortunately, in 1974 my wife forgot to lock the truck while in town and it was stolen.
Loved my Marlin bolt actions - I've owned 2. They were very accurate. In 1987 I bought my first 10/22 at a Ace hardware store. Never looked back! Never noticed any difference in accuracy. Over time I tended to use the Ruger all the time for squirrels and rabbits. Last spring I bought my 2nd - Decided it was time for a stainless. Walked out of the store with a 10/22 stainless and it sported a 16" barrel and a Tapco AR stock. It was expensive. First time we went shooting decided It was worth it!
Paul, great video & a lot of useful info. Through the years I have shared many of the same views you have with my son ( bolt action vs semi auto etc....) Bolt action teaches patience, you don't normaly see snipers with automatic rifles. Two of the 22"s in my collection are Marlins. One is a model 782 in 22 wmr & the other is a model 880 SS in 22 lr. Both are old and bolt action and both are very accurate. Neither one cost a lot of money, but both rifles are well made and your right I'll probably never part with them........Marlin doesn't make junk. Thanks Paul.
My dad gave me a marlin model 60 tube feed many years ago and I have since passed it on to my son. I later bought a Ruger 10/22 that made me realize how freakingly accurate that Marlin was. Purchased a used Marlin 925 with a Marlin scope in 2007 and it confirmed my opinion with it's accuracy. The biggest complaint with the Marlin is parts availability primarily due to it being acquired by Remington and then by Ruger. Everything for this rifle is extremely hard to find, including the magazines. I wish Ruger would revive the process of making marlin's microgroove barrel and put it in their new 10/22.
As for which rifle to buy first, I did it the other way around. I've shot all kinds of rifles for over 50 years starting as a kid and including M-16 in the military. Over the years I bought and still own a bolt action military surplus 7.62, Savage .308, Colt M4, and an 870P. Only this year did I purchase my first .22, a Marlin 795 with several 25 round mags as a fun little cheap-to-shoot plinking rifle. Better late than never, I guess.
I have a 10/22, waiting on the mods for it as we speak, UPS will be here tomorrow, she is now known as the Chevy 350 of the .22lr.... I like that, I also have a Mossberg 702 (my teenage daughter's,) another choice is the Henry leverguns, I love mine... personally I want a Marlin model 60, something about the simplicity of not having to lose magazines for plinking and playing if its for a smaller child I recommend the chipmunk.... a great learner weapon there is a special feeling with a single shot, my wife has an agawam arms (now defunct) single shot lever action 22 and it is one of the finest weapons I still love shooting and I am a grandfather myself These others I mention are highly affordable firearms and in my experience also reliable. My daughter likes the longer stock on the Mossberg compared to the Savage model 64, and the weight difference between hers and the Ruger is immense. It also comes stock for 100 bucks at walmart with fiber optic sights and a 10 round mag. Just a few more options for the newer folks to think about as well, plus an update for firearms growth in the last few years
Micro groove is bad ass!! I own ruger, 5 marlins , savage , a cricket and a single shot rossy . 22 rifles and marlin micro groove is by far the most accurate.
I watched a number of these types of videos over the last year or so. All appear to be nicely done and they provided me with lots of information for the rookie shooter. I, recently, purchased the Savage MK2 GXP with a scope and 100 rounds of .22 LR from Dick's. (208.00 out the door and the service was terrific) I could see from my first couple targets that I need a lot more time on the range but, so far, I couldn't be happier with the gun's performance. It was comfortable in my hands, the magazine loaded well, the "safety" was easy to operate, and my girlfriend likes it's looks. Since this is my first rifle, I did have some trouble with the bolt's operation. I am guessing that the cycling will get better as spend more time with it.
Not unsurprising that a US appraisal of .22lr rifles appraises just US products! All of these rifles are available to us in the UK as are others from around the world. Ruger 10/22 - I both agree and disagree with you. Agree - great fun! Customisable to the point that the rifle becomes almost unrecognisable even by someone with as few gunsmithing skills as myself. Disagree - years ago rifles came out of the factory with quality fit and finish. Nowadays price comes first; plastic parts and some occasional corners cut on the finish. Despite this, still worth buying for the fun factor. Some more money to be spent on upgrades though if you’re seeking true precision. I know: volquartsen 12.3” carbon barrel, power custom trigger unit and charging handle, hogue stock, plastic bolt buffer pin and wildcat panther moderator. I’ve shot the guns you’ve shown here and guess what; I bought others. In .22lr I chose the CZ457 with a varmint barrel. Why? Because it’s pretty much a precision tool straight out of the box. In .17hmr I chose the tikka t1x. It’s impossible to be disappointed with a rifle that has tikka quality and returns less than .75 MOA at 100m with factory ammo. It was a difficult decision to choose the CZ but it’s the type of gun that you’ll get out of the cabinet to look at and feel - so much so your partner will wonder if she’s still relevant. There’s nothing wrong with the American rifles at all. I just found that CZ and tikka are premier league.
Growing up I was taught on a single shot bolt action 22 rifle using iron sights and was not allowed to touch a scope till my grouping was good and I can say it made me a better shot.
I'm 41 years old & still love shooting my 22 rifles, in fact I own 4 22LR rifles. Just recently replaced a barrel in my CZ-455 to a 22 MAG barrel, a very accurate platform. My Ruger 10/22 has been completely upgraded, new stock, barrel, trigger group. It's a freakin addiction!!!
Every .22 I have ever owned has been a quality rifle and all but one have been bought used. I completely agree with the Remington vs Ruger Out of the box 597 is by far a superior gun
The problem with the 597 is that the Remington factory extended magazines tend to jam up and be problematic. The Ruger has much nicer extended magazines. If you can't use the extended mags, the Remington is the way to go.
I had a Remington 597 few years ago, but didn't like it at all. It jammed a lot, misfired, extremely inaccurate. I sent it back to Remington for repairs, but after months dickering back and forth, a manager finally admitted that they didn't have the part to fix my rifle, and they don't know when they'll manufacture that part! I was able to get a full refund on the rifle, and then bought a CZ 455. It's a bolt action with iron sights. Love this rifle, extremely accurate. Yes, I agree that with bolt action you tend to take your time to aim and it improves your marksmanship. With iron sights only, I am able to hit a 6" steel plate 120+ yard out. I've owned this CZ455 for a few years now, and it has never had any FTL or FTF, and I can run all types of ammo through it. I highly recommend CZ 22LR rifles.
I did not pick my first 22 it was given to me when I was 7 years old. I had a BB gun when I was 5, had not shot myself, my sister, or the dog so Dad told Santa to give me a gun. My Father had a Winchester pump (1891?) that would loose the magazine tube if carried barrel down. Walked a lot of back trail looking for that tube until he finally fixed it. I got a second hand Mossburg made sometime in the 1930's, a bolt gun with a tube, not a box magazine. This was in the mid-1950's in central Colorado. I loved that gun and still have it. The extractor was broken so Dad made a new part from a hack saw blade, still in the gun and working to this day. We walked to school everyday, yes even in the snow. We took our rifles to school except in the dead of winter. We had cloak rooms in each class room and the teacher would take each rifle, make sure it was safe and stack them in the corner of the cloak room where we hung our coats and put our lunch buckets. These were not toys. On our way home from school we would walk the cattle range and shoot the common jackrabbit. Somebody had a bounty on them of 2 cents each, collectable at the local drug store and hardware stores. They dig holes that the cattle break legs in and they were prolific. Pop and beer bottles collected from roadside ditches were 1cent at the food store. A box of 22LR sold for 25 cents, 22longs were 20 cents and shorts 15 cents, but shorts would not do the job. Most rabbits fell to the 22 long. We quickly became good shots, thinned the rabbits and kept ourselves in shells. We did not study economics nor had the term self employed come into vouge. We were self professed bounty hunters. We had no school shootings, and the few would be bullies got sorted out by non-lethal means that did not involve an adult. Sad to say those times are now gone. That said If one had to give a kid or an adult a first 22 rifle I'd vote for that Ruger 10/22.
My first 22 was a Winchester gallery model 61 ..it was my grandpas gun. best 22 I've ever shot it would shoot short long and long rifle shells .Ive owned lots of 22 this one is my favorite one of all.
Great video! A few comments: Agree 100% about Marlin barrels. My XT-22TSR is fantastic. My son is especially good with it, punching through the same hole at 50-80 yards. My Marlin 336XLR is also super accurate, sharing the same "micro groove" barrel technology. Incidentally, the XT-22 is the gun I started him on, as it's tube-fed, bolt action, low recoil and quiet. The tube feed gives a chance to relax after 17 rounds. The bolt action helps you focus on stability and trigger control. The low recoil and quietness make it approachable. Finally, it's a fairly large rifle, with some weight and mass to it. Kids are going to quickly outgrow the "kid guns" and if they move up to something larger, it will seem familiar (except possibly recoil). We run Remington Golden Bullet in our .22LR rifles. It's very consistent and accurate. I have had maybe 5 total FTEs and only one FTL after about 2000 rounds. I have never had a "dud" round. The one downside is residue - they shoot filthy! This alone is why I prefer to use Winchester M22 in my blowback pistols (otherwise they're a pain to clean, filth getting all the way down into the magazine base plates!). It runs fine in rifles, I just usually find RGB on sale a lot more than M22. I think our next .22 will be a Remington 597. I see them on sale regularly and I always wanted to shoot one. Finally, you can teach young girls to shoot, too. And they don't need pink guns, neither. Please try to be a little less gender biased.
My fathers first .22 which he trained me on when I was your was a Remington sport master tube magazine fed bolt action produced in the 1940s and works with a dream and shoots perfect at 75 yards.
i've got a kids gun and i'm 53. had it decades. a 20GA. pump remmington. i live in the country and use it all of the time. agree with you.... doen't matter it's a kids model. fine gun - works fine w/o issue. everybody loves the gun just fine. i have a 10/22... had it decades, too. fine gun - zero doubts. i'm older and i still want a marlin model-60. had one as kid - love the gun and i want another one even at my age. knock-off rabbits and all small game, put'em on a stick on the ground fire. you can not beat that fun no matter what you do, IMO. thanks for video.
I bought a Squires Bingham mod 20. It is my first firearm ever. First thing I noticed from working in a hunting store; the price of ammo is crazy expensive. With a .22 I can plink all day for 50 bucks. Can't wait to take it to the range :)
Good job. I have shot many 22's over the years. Marlin, Lakefield/Mossberg, Ruger, Browning, Remington, Cooey etc. They are all fun. Some fit me better than others. The rifle needs to feel comfy to shoot well. My favorites are a 30 year old Lakefield/Mossberg bolt, Ruger's 10-22 and Brownings BLR Hexagonal barrel lever 22. They are all amazing in their own ways. The Bolt is super accurate. The 10-22 is so easy to tweek, the trigger can be tuned very fine with a hone and the bolt lock can be a single pull release, clips are readily available in varying capacity upwards of 250 rounds (not a good idea as factory barrels are not receptive to heat) and they are short and easy to handle. The 10-22 has a crazy amount of aftermarket goodies and for a first time buyer... can leave years of room for expansion and change. If you are an old time hick like me, the traditional rifle has an attraction that has no equal. Wood, engraving, nickle plating, hex barrel, lever action... Cowboy Guns!!! Brownings BLR hex barrel is just that in one package. Accurate, buckhorn sights, nickle plating, engraving, a touch of gold plating, hex barrel and a 30 degree lever action. The fun is obvious to guys like me. Move your fingers to actuate the lever. It is a sight to see. It is long in comparison to most of the modern 22 rifles and a bit heavy which in comparison to the short Ruger completely changes the feel when the trigger is pulled. The length and weight keeps the muzzle very level. It is very well balanced and fits me very well. The drawback is the price. It is significantly higher than the others mentioned and is probably not a good fit for the first time 22 owner. Your video is appreciated, keep up the great work!!! Cheers!!!
The .22 an amazing little big round. It is said that for many years many Eskimos ( politically incorrect now) only had .22 yes they hunted and brought down most game. With shot placement the .22 will kill just as dead as any round.
I also have a Thompson Center 22 Master Classic semi auto 5rnd mag. Had it for probably over 20years now and would never sell it, it's hands down the most accurate .22 I've ever owned.
I have a single shot bolt action I got when I was 8, I have an old bolt action my grand father left me holds 16 rounds tube fed, I have a Henry lever action and 2 years ago I finally got my Ruger 10/22 I think I'm set. For someone's first rifle I think especially when they are first shooting, the single shot is a good start. Others may disagree but shot placement is the first thing you should learn: Aim small-Miss small. Patience and Breathing also need to be taught so they learn to shoot well.
