Cheap .22LR, Go tactical or simple rifle?

[Texashiker]

OP, there are two 22 rifles I would suggest, the marlin model 60, or the ruger 10/22.

My dad owns a marlin model 60, its about 20 years old, and still shoots like a champ.

My ruger 10/22 is 26 years old, I bought it January 1986, and it still shoots great.

Forum dedicated just to the ruger 10/22 - http://www.perfectunion.com/vb/ruger-10-22/

I have taken my 10/22 on all kinds of hunting and camping trips. The only problem I had with it, was a screw on the rear sight broke shortly after I got the rifle. A buddy of mine that bought a 10/22 had the same problem. The screws are so small, it seems that any kind of pressure breaks one side of the head off.

 

[olds]

Ruger 10/22

 

[Pia]

.223 is probably one of the cheapest centerfire rounds to fire unless you go surplus calibers.

You can get 500 rounds for $104 (Wolf at Aim Surplus) + shipping.

First bulk 22LR ammo I found with Google was under four cents each, which makes 16 cent cost difference per round to that Wolf 223.

A shooter who goes to the range once a week and shoots 100 rounds would save about $500 every year if they were able to replace 60% of their 223 shooting with 22LR shooting, so most conversion kits should pay themselves back in a year or two. A serious competitor might shoot four or five times that much, with corresponding savings.

 

[QuantumPion]

You can get a new 10/22 for $169 on CDNN.

I wouldn't get a dedicated 22 AR. Better to get a real AR and a 22 conversion kit for plinking.

 

[brainhulk]

That's a really clean-looking gun. Is it just above SBR length?

Thanks, the barrel is 17", and overall length is 35.5".

 

[Gillbot]

First bulk 22LR ammo I found with Google was under four cents each, which makes 16 cent cost difference per round to that Wolf 223.

A shooter who goes to the range once a week and shoots 100 rounds would save about $500 every year if they were able to replace 60% of their 223 shooting with 22LR shooting, so most conversion kits should pay themselves back in a year or two. A serious competitor might shoot four or five times that much, with corresponding savings.

Local place sells 22LR for under $0.03/round which is part of my motivation for going 22.

You can get a new 10/22 for $169 on CDNN.

I wouldn't get a dedicated 22 AR. Better to get a real AR and a 22 conversion kit for plinking.

I haven't seen one that low. Unfortunately the local place decided for me today that I wasn't buying anything. Couldn't get a single person to help me in the firearms department. :thumbsdown:

 

[JDMnAR1]

I have a .22 conversion kit for my AR-15. It is not a different upper, the US military used these for training and it is a drop in replacement for the bolt carrier. Same barrel / upper. Its a great money saver for plinking.

...but nowhere near the accuracy of a dedicated .22 (be it AR- or traditional-style) as the normal twist rate on your standard AR barrel (anywhere from 1:7 to 1:9) isn't really suited to accuracy with a .22LR. Great for plinking though as stated, but if you go into it expecting to drive tacks with it you will be sorely disappointed.

 

[Analog]

...but nowhere near the accuracy of a dedicated .22 (be it AR- or traditional-style) as the normal twist rate on your standard AR barrel (anywhere from 1:7 to 1:9) isn't really suited to accuracy with a .22LR. Great for plinking though as stated, but if you go into it expecting to drive tacks with it you will be sorely disappointed.

yes obviously true.

Still a great accessory.

 

[QuantumPion]

Local place sells 22LR for under $0.03/round which is part of my motivation for going 22.

I haven't seen one that low. Unfortunately the local place decided for me today that I wasn't buying anything. Couldn't get a single person to help me in the firearms department. :thumbsdown:

Link Page 55

 

[SilthDraeth]

Going to chime in here. The Henry is best as a survival rifle you keep in your survival back pack. Or in a kit in your car if you ever break down, etc. It doesn't have the durability to be an every day plinker, and I wouldn't want to take it down and put it together over and over.

I use the 10/22 but a marlin, or Remington would still be good.

 

[shortylickens]

Going to chime in here. The Henry is best as a survival rifle you keep in your survival back pack. Or in a kit in your car if you ever break down, etc. It doesn't have the durability to be an every day plinker, and I wouldn't want to take it down and put it together over and over.

I use the 10/22 but a marlin, or Remington would still be good.

 

[Possessed Freak]

Marlin 981T. Tube fed, allows for short, long or LR. Dirt cheap and freaking reliable.

 

[gorobei]

i was going to post about the ithaca m6 but figured it was off the original topic.

really cool combination rifle: .22 rifle barrel over a .410 barrel. though some came in 22 hornet. break action means it can fold in half for a slightly smaller storage. love the ammo holder in the stock. cant remember if you could fire pistol ammo in the .410, not that you would really want to on a smoothbore.

 

[uli2000]

I have a .22 conversion kit for my AR-15. It is not a different upper, the US military used these for training and it is a drop in replacement for the bolt carrier. Same barrel / upper. Its a great money saver for plinking.

That was going to be my suggestion. If you want a AR type gun, buy and AR and spend another $150-200 on a .22 conversion kit.

 

[Gillbot]

Couldn't get a single person to help me in the firearms department. :thumbsdown:

Filed a complaint online about said store. Pretty sad when they don't want your money. Though, I guess it's more of an issue of the employees since it's a "chain" store. Probably all kids in the back avoiding work. :\

Stopped by a local shop hoping to run across something and all I can say is LOL!!!! Their prices make Cabelas look like firesale pricing. A simple DPMS 5.56/223 AR-15 was over $1800!!

 

[schneiderguy]

A simple DPMS 5.56/223 AR-15 was over $1800!!

D:

 

[Gillbot]

I think the planets are against me buying anything, seriously. First it was a 50BMG that I couldn't find a FFL for, now I can't even get a simple .22LR over the counter!! Craziness.....

 

[x-alki]

Not sure where you from or if it has been mentioned but have you tried walmart?

 

[Pocatello]

I have a marlin 795, I like it a lot, for plinking. It's not pretty, with the plastic stock, but it's accurate, can take plenty of abuse, and very light to carry. I have a Savage Mark II bolt action, marlin 795 and a Henry lever action, I can never decide which is more fun to shoot. The Savage with the heavy barrel is bear to carry into the woods though.

 

[boomhower]

.223 is probably one of the cheapest centerfire rounds to fire unless you go surplus calibers.

You can get 500 rounds for $104 (Wolf at Aim Surplus) + shipping.

For steel case yes it is pretty cheap. But I shoot only brass out of mine. It's not outragous if you shop around you can get M193 for ~$.30/round but at the rate you can go through it it's still not cheap.

 

[Gillbot]

Not sure where you from or if it has been mentioned but have you tried walmart?

Ohio, but the closest Walmart is in PA so it's a pain.

 

[Zebo]

Wise choice a 22. Cheap ammo and can still kill. The old classic 10/22 is most overrated. I get a tube loading marlin 60. If you check reviews you'll find it's a more solid weapon, more accurate and easier to load.

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/selfloading/60.asp

 

[MrPickins]

Apparently they suck: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PukEsTaPhx0&feature=fvsr

Wow. D:

Nevermind, then.

 

[x-alki]

Ohio, but the closest Walmart is in PA so it's a pain.

That sucks. I bought a Savage MarkII F a couple years ago from Walmart. That thing is dead on accurate. I think I paid about 130 for it.

 

[EagleKeeper]

When a kid, many a grey went into the pot, courtesy of the bolt action Remington .22 longs with target sights.