Which semi-auto 22lr?

[macbrun]

I am looking to get two semi-automatic 22lr rifles for my son and I to take to Appleseed (and then plink with for a longtime thereafter!). I am considering the Savage 64, Marlin 60, and Ruger 10/22. Are there any clear winners or losers in this list? Is there another brand/model I should consider? I'm trying to keep the cost per rifle at or under $250.
Thanks for the help!

[FyredUp]

I have owned a 10/22 for over 30 years and it has been a reliable fun shooter. I bought my son one for his high school graduation present last year and he has not had any issues with it either. He has put about 1000 rounds through it and the only failures to fire were dud rounds.

I highly recommend this rifle.

[Brian Pfleuger]

Ruger 10/22 is one of the finest rifles ever made. You can't go wrong with a 10/22.

[Bigfatts]

I like Marlin 60s myself, for an out-of-the-box rifle. The SS laminate version is quite appealing to the eyeMy personal favorite is the older Weatherby Mark XXII. IMO it's the finest semi auto .22 ever made. But unless you find a really killer deal it's a bit out of your price range.

[carguychris]

I haven't been to an Appleseed- it's on my "To Do" list ;) - but the signup literature says you need something that can be reloaded very quickly, which generally means a detachable magazine or stripper clips. The Marlin uses a non-detachable tubular magazine that loads through a slot in the side, which is not the hot setup for speedy reloading. I'd think that this will probably rule out the Marlin. :(

I'd add the Remington 597 to your list.

[bigghoss]

ruger 10/22. it needs high end stuff like cci to get broken in but after the break-in it'll feed anything. also accurate and very customizable.

[CW-NH-HUNTER]

My vote is for the 10/22 i have two of them.

[James K]

The tube magazine is a bit slower to load than just replacing a clip, but if you can find one, the old Remington Model 66 is probably still the best semi-auto .22 ever made. They go thousands of rounds with no cleaning and are easy to take down and clean (if you take the time to learn how).

Jim

[triggerhappy2006]

Marlin 60, Remington 597, or my personal favorite Ruger 10/22, any you choose they will serve you well.

[scorpion_tyr]

Ruger 10/22

[luvsasmith]

Ruger 10/22 or Marlin 60- either is a great gun. The 60 was my very first rimfire. Best $60.00 I ever spent. (And it was in FAN-FRICKIN-TASTIC SHAPE- I still get excited about that deal.)

[Mike215]

10/22. That's gonna be my next gun too :)

[onthejon55]

10/22 its the best!

[The Lovemaster]

Ruger 10/22, although I second the vote for the Nylon 66. I plan to get one when the right one comes up for sale.

[sholling]

The Marlin is a fine rifle but for an Appleseed you really want a 10/22 and at least 3 spare magazines. That's because the second day is almost entirely shooting 40rds for time and accuracy and mag changes are a part of the activity. But yes you could get by with a Model 60 if you had to.

Do plan on adding a sling.

[Dirty Bill]

The 10-22 is the most popular 22. rifle in AppleSeed. They base the Liberty Training rifle on it. A set of tech sights on it,and you are good to go..:D

[Bigfatts]

As much as I hate to say it, if you're planning on the Appleseed shoots a lightly modded 10/22 may be a better choice than the 60 because of the mag problem. Even with a speed loader a tube mag can take longer to reload. Don't be afraid to look at used guns too. I had a Mossberg 151 with peep sights that would shoot rings around just about any 10/22 I ever saw, with only a trigger adjustment. Same for my Remington 24, though again a tube mag (easier to load than the 60 though.

[10 Spot Terminator]

For sheer trouble free operation either the Ruger 10-22 or the Remington Nylon 66 or 77 will not let you down. I have enjoyed the Marlin and Glenfield 60s' as well but have had mechanical problems show up that cost over 1/2 of the cost of those rifles to repair . Never a failure on the other 2 . I have a Nylon 77 that has had well over 5,000 rounds fired through it without fail and just sold an older 10-22 with more rounds than that fired . I do keep them cleaned and oiled and they return the love .

[joe1347]

More on 10/22's on rimfirecentral

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/index.php

Short answer, if you're the type that likes to mod, upgrade, or tinker with a rifle - then the 10/22 is the best (only) choice simply because of massive aftermarket support.

[justanegg]

i'd vote for a marlin not the model 60 though sep up to the model 795.

magazine fed etc. much morel ike the 10/22 but more accurate.

[B-Maxx]

Another vote for the 10/22. Fun to shoot and tons of upgrades if you want to go that way.

[Te Anau]

I am considering the Savage 64, Marlin 60, and Ruger 10/22
The Savage is easily the best choice of these three.The Ruger isn't even in the same ballpark as the other two when it comes to accuracy.

[macbrun]

The voting seems to be leaning towards the Ruger, but... I may get one 10/22 and one of the others. Play them against each other. We'll see!
I really appreciate all the help!

[nemoaz]

I have a 60 and a 10/22. Both are great little rifles. The 60 is more accurate. The 10/22 is more fun for plinking due to the magazine and it is lighter and more handy in the 16" barrel CRR version that I have.

No experience with the Savage.

[Stevie-Ray]

I have a model 60 myself, but I'd opt for the Ruger, even though I don't own one. There are so many factory options of the Ruger and so many after market add-ons that it is amazing. Had I not bought a GSG-5 last year, I would have bought a Ruger.

[justanegg]

why is it so common to compare the marlin model 60 with the ruger 10/22 ?

they are so different, why is it not common to compare the marlin 795 to the ruger 10/22 as they are much more equivalent in function and price.

[kenjs1]

Thompson

[rc]

I would suggest used 10/22 rifles with mettle trigger guards. Ruger has cheapened them to plastic parts now. They are a good design that is easy to fix and tinker with. Marlins have their following, but I would avoid the savage as they are a rather crude design. 10/22s just plain work and that's why they are so popular. rc

[BIGR]

10/22 is my first choice but the Marlin Model would be in 2nd or 3rd place.

[Stevie-Ray]

why is it so common to compare the marlin model 60 with the ruger 10/22 ?
they are so different, why is it not common to compare the marlin 795 to the ruger 10/22 as they are much more equivalent in function and price.Simply a popularity contest which, I doubt the 795 will ever become a part of.

I've never even SEEN a 795, though at least one specimen of each of the 2 others seem to appear at every range trip.