December 29, 2012, 03:32 PM | #1 |
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Bolt or Semi .22 Rifle
I cannot decide between a semi or bolt .22 rifle. I plan on using it for small game and some target/plinking. Any suggestions on which to get?
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December 29, 2012, 04:08 PM | #2 |
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May I suggest a semi auto Ruger 10/22. For a bolt gun, a CZ is good enough. The best are Cooper's. I have a match grade chambered Kimber Classic...but sadly --- Kimber --- located in Yonkers, New York, removed it from production. Why not get both?
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December 29, 2012, 04:26 PM | #3 |
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Both types are great . If you are more interested in accuracy the bolt gun would be a good choice. Slower operation might mean less bullets consumed. The semi is a fun gun but sometimes you tend to shoot more without focusing on marksmanship. Be bold- Get both.
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December 29, 2012, 07:20 PM | #4 |
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I'm a bolt gun fan myself, I have owned a few ruger 10/22s and they were great little reliable guns also, I just recently bought a heavy barrel model 93 savage .22 mag with thumbhole stock and I really like it, kinda depends on how much you want to spend, you can go all out these days on some very high end .22 target rifles
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December 29, 2012, 09:08 PM | #5 |
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I really wish I could get both but I can't afford to get both. I am trying to keep in around or under $200.
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December 29, 2012, 09:39 PM | #6 |
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Something in the lines of a marlin bolt, maybe a stock ruger 10/22 but not sure how much they are these days?
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December 29, 2012, 10:59 PM | #7 |
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I have really come to appreciate my Marlin 981T Bolt action. Absolute tack driver. Only reason I can personally see to get a 10/22 is for something like an appleseed event or comp shooting.
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December 29, 2012, 11:03 PM | #8 |
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I really like my Ruger 10/22 because I was able to turn it into a tack driver by simply replacing A LOT of parts. I think all that is left is the receiver and bolt, but it was a fun project, and it does shoot really well.
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December 29, 2012, 11:09 PM | #9 |
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A 10/22 and pockets full of Mini Mags is a great way to spend a morning.
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December 30, 2012, 12:26 AM | #10 |
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CZ makes a nifty bolt gun called the Farmer that has great ergos. I really enjoy my Henry but wouldn't mind picking one up anyway. Price was about $225 last time I checked.
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December 30, 2012, 12:07 PM | #11 |
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A good bolt or lever instead of a semi-auto can give you more and perhaps better options for ammo & accuracy. Subsonic and shorts probably don't feed well or operate the action. They can be more accurate and quieter. Semi-autos often work best with certain brands of high velocity. These rifles using high velocity ammo, may or may not be dialed in well enough depending on your needs. I can make a single ragged hole with my Henry and Eley Sub-Sonic Hollow points, and I can do the same with my $200 Charles Daly Zastava import, but I can't be as good with my Ruger 10-22 and high velocity ammo.
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December 30, 2012, 01:36 PM | #12 |
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I've found that, for hunting small game, it depends..........
If YOUR small game hunting consists of mostly Squill sniping, while a BA is just fine, and accurate too, I find that a semi-auto to be an advantage in closer Squill groves, where the motions of cycling a bolt is enough to drive the game into hiding for another half-hour or more. (With a semi, only your trigger finger moves ) I've used both 10/22's and BA .22's out to 75+ yards, so it might be a option to buy one of each USED, so your hands-on experiences can help you. Of course, if you're like most of us, it'll be no help at all - since you'll most likely use one gun for one type of hunt, and the other for another type and/or plinking. . |
December 31, 2012, 10:21 AM | #13 |
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For what you want to use it for, a Marlin 60 would be hard to beat. Cheap. accurate and dependable. 11,000,000+ have been sold so they have been proven over time.
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December 31, 2012, 10:27 AM | #14 |
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Both are nice. Just one? Go for the auto. For plinking and small game? Go for the bolt. As SteelChickenShooter mentioned, you'll have a larger ammo selection.
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December 31, 2012, 10:29 AM | #15 |
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Actually why try to decide at all?
22's can be very inexpensive, so get one of each. You might like the semi-auto for plinking and a bolt action for hunting. I have a lever, bolt, and semi-auto just to suit whatever I happen to be doing. I guess for me there really isn't one single type that is "best". I like to plink, target shoot, competition shoot, as well as hunt. I have found one of each type covers my interests just fine. |
December 31, 2012, 04:24 PM | #16 |
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Here's a vote for you to get a bolt action .22. You'll be a bit of a dinosaur but one with class.
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December 31, 2012, 07:41 PM | #17 |
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If this is your first .22 rifle, go with a bolt gun.
Haunt the used gun stores till you find one that fits well. |
December 31, 2012, 08:18 PM | #18 |
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My vote is for the 10/22. Lots of options, modifications, and adventures to be had. But in the end, I think you will be happy with any of the above suggested options. A good 22 is a staple, and something you'll likely own and enjoy for a long time.
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January 1, 2013, 12:24 PM | #19 |
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I have both, I bougth the Ruger 10/22 first then bought the CZ 452 American later. I like both rifles But If I had to do It over again I'd get the CZ first.
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January 1, 2013, 12:38 PM | #20 |
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I'm much happier with my Savage MKII than a 10/22. If you do decide on a semi, Savage makes a nice budget one of those too.
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January 1, 2013, 12:52 PM | #21 |
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It's hard beat a semiauto like a 10/22 for plinking fun but right out of the box a good bolt action like a CZ455 or a CZ453 is generally (unless you get a lemon) far more accurate. Either will work fine for hunting. The 10/22 will allow follow up shots while the CZ455 can be ordered in a single caliber or with interchangeable barrels in 22LR, 22MWMR, and 17HMR. The best choice is the one that fits your needs.
FWIW a 10/22 can be modified to be just as accurate as a CZ but it takes time, money, and work.
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January 1, 2013, 12:58 PM | #22 |
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Hunting only? Either. But toss in a sort of range time and bolt action rimfires are boring as hell. Another vote for the 10/22.
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January 2, 2013, 03:17 AM | #23 |
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usually your bolts tend to be more accurate. The marlin 60 is a great gun but the trigger is crap and its hard to do a trigger job on it if you arent pretty mechanically inclined (ton of pieces in the trigger group). Marlin 25 is a great cheap bolt action, and your savage mk2 can be had under 200$ as well, with the accutrigger no less.
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January 2, 2013, 06:12 AM | #24 |
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Bolts are more accurate but the 10/22 is called Every Man's gun for a reason.
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January 2, 2013, 08:41 AM | #25 |
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I've got both but actually prefer the bolt. One reason is that I can shoot CB cap shorts out of the bolt. Those things are only as loud as a pellet gun and are deadly on tree rats out to about 20 yds (i.e. they are perfect for culling the excess population in my back yard).
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