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Old January 15, 2018, 11:55 AM   #1
OhioGuy
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Best cheap .22 for target and plinking

I've been shooting pistols for quite a while, but I'm still fairly inexperienced at rifles. I've been looking at the Ruger 10/22, both the regular and take down models, as well as the Marlin 60. I found tons of reviews and it seems half of people out there prefer one and the other half prefer the other. Is there anything that really stands out about either one that would make it a better option? I've been told in many cases that the Ruger has quite a lot more aftermarket support. For now I would think the real aftermarket stuff I would want would be improved fixed sights, eventually a scope, and I'm not really sure just how much else I might want to do.

I've also heard a few gun salesman express some skepticism about the takedown model, thinking that a separable rifle would have to be inherently less accurate than a conventional rifle. Does anyone know of any accuracy or other problems with a takedown model?
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Old January 15, 2018, 12:32 PM   #2
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Both the 10/22 and M60 are good 22LR semi-auto rifles. In my experience the 10/22 will run a long time between cleanings. I clean my M60 about every 250 rounds to keep it running well.

Accuracy wise, I've found the M60 better on average (roughly 1/2 the group sizes of the 10/22) among the 2 or 3 of each I've owned.

The 10/22 comes with a reliable detachable magazine. The M60 has a tube magazine. Each magazine type has it's advantages and disadvantages.

A takedown rifle is inherently less accurate than a fixed barrel rifle. But there are some takedown rifles than shoot very well, and if you aren't trying to shoot tiny groups from a bench you may never realize the difference.

The only takedown rifle that I have experience with is the Browning Semiautomatic 22. I've had no issues with it, and it's even adjustable for wear in the barrel joint.
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Old January 15, 2018, 02:32 PM   #3
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The Ruger 10/22 will do nicely for fun shooting. Needs a lot of upgrading for serious target shooting.
"...prefer one and the other half prefer..." That's because it's a Ford Vs Chevy thing. If aftermarket stuff is important to you, only the Ruger will do though. Very little if anything around for Marlins.
"...how much else..." Trigger. No aftermarket(Timney) triggers for Marlins. Horrendously expensive for a 10/22 at $248.71. A Wolff 'Rifle tune-up Pak"(springs) runs $9. Nothing for an M60 there either.
"...with a takedown model..." MSRP is $20 more than that of a Sporter.
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Old January 15, 2018, 04:18 PM   #4
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If you don't care about detachable magazines get the marlin. Tube feeding is easier than loading magazines. That being said I love my 10/22 and will never get rid of it. Even though I've hardly shot it since I got my S&W 15-22 a few years ago. I'm a tacticool tactitard and love me some AR action.
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Old January 15, 2018, 05:05 PM   #5
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Marlin also has the 795, which is a standard box-mag fed system.
Optional 25-rd mags made by Promag and Shooter's Ridge/Champion are available.

Yep, you can pimp em if you want...I sure did mine
Pillar bedded into a Ramline Lockarm stock, then used the SKS retrofit kit to
make it a folding stock, put on a bipod, scope, & sling to make it the ultimate rabbit
snuffer of my garden



And you can also put them in a variety of Airsoft or 1022 stocks with a wee bit
of inletting skill
Defconskylude is famous for sticking 795's & 1022's in all sorts of things...
google him for some ideas if you wanna get crazy.
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Old January 15, 2018, 05:30 PM   #6
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I've had a Marlin 60 for nearly 20 years and it is both accurate and very dependable. I paid $109 for it new and you can get one now new in the $160 neighborhood. If you want a gun to shoot and not make a lot of modifications with, I would get a Marlin 60. If you want to spend money on accessories and modifications, the 10/22 is the way to go.
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Old January 16, 2018, 02:39 PM   #7
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Thanks for all the info! I doubt whether I'd be looking to make modifications beyond the sights, really. It's something to practice with, cheap, and hopefully introduce my kids to shooting as they get a bit older.
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Old January 16, 2018, 02:46 PM   #8
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Whatever you end up choosing, explore your options!

I bought my first .22 when I was 19 and every store I went in to they basically told me the 10/22 was my only option. The 10/22 sells amazingly well and is an awesome product but there are a lot of good options. The 10/22 just never felt right in my hands or against my shoulder, even with after market stocks and triggers.

I just wanted something that was going to be fun and accurate out of the box. I ended up with a Remington 597 and love it. I see stainless Marlin M60s every time I go in to walmart for ~$200 and am very tempted. I'll likely get one soon
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Old January 16, 2018, 03:17 PM   #9
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Ruger 10-22 or Marlin Model 60
Flip a coin!
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Old January 16, 2018, 04:18 PM   #10
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Get a Ruger 10/22... because they have reliable fun-size magazines. I made the mistake of ignorantly buying a Remington 597. It has Remington brand "high capacity" mags... but they are TRASH! Super unreliable. The regular 10-rounders are fine, but not as fun
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Old January 16, 2018, 06:37 PM   #11
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Quote:
I made the mistake of ignorantly buying a Remington 597. It has Remington brand "high capacity" mags... but they are TRASH! Super unreliable
I have an after market 25 rounder(I'd have to check the brand) and it has literally never had a failure. Plus the 597 stock feels like a gun stock, not a nerf gun...cough 10/22 cough.
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Old January 16, 2018, 08:04 PM   #12
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My brother in law showed his M60, saying it just wouldn't work, after looking it over I could see the action internals were very dirty. He regularly cleaned the bore and external surfaces but never cleaned the action. I took it home, removed the barreled action from the stock, gave it a good bath with gun Scrubber and compressed air.With a little scrubbing and compressed air, sprayed the action with Rem Oil, wiped it off and put back in stock .I then run a couple full mags of ammo, ran like a champ. M60's actions need to be kept clean. I was amazed at how accurate that M60 is, I could hit a golf ball every time at 50 yards hdbiker

Last edited by hdbiker; January 16, 2018 at 08:22 PM.
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Old January 16, 2018, 08:25 PM   #13
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10/22 myself, but my shooting buddy has a Marlin 60. Every time we finish shooting, we do a beer shoot-off to see who buys. One round each, one shot. We go back and forth as to who wins. Both are plenty accurate unless your striking matches. You will be happy with either one.
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Old January 16, 2018, 08:37 PM   #14
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get both I did lol
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Old January 16, 2018, 09:14 PM   #15
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22 rifles are a lot of fun. You won't go wrong with either the Marlin 60 or the 10/22. Don't omit the used market for a cheap way to shoot 22's. I picked up a Remington Speedmaster for $120 last year. I think it is a little better than either of the others although this one had a few scars. Also an AR-22, either the S&W or a Sig is a lot of fun but a lot more money. I don't think you'll regret any money spent on a 22 rifle.
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Old January 17, 2018, 03:09 PM   #16
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I learned to shoot on a Marlin 60, so I have a soft spot in my heart for it.

Another solid choice would be the Marlin XT-22 which is a bolt action, magazine fed 22. When my youngest was looking for a rifle to learn how to shoot, I left it to him to read the reviews and do the research. He came down to the XT-22 or Savage Mk II. The gun store was out of Savages when we went to buy so he got the XT-22.

He has his great-grandmother's affinity for guns, so it didn't surprise me that at the end of his first day he was shooting five shot groups at 25 yards that could be covered with a dime.
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Old January 17, 2018, 03:18 PM   #17
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Quote:
rpseraph wrote:
I made the mistake of ignorantly buying a Remington 597.
My older son got a Remington 597 to learn on. The metal body 10 round magazines have been fine. It is heavier than some others which makes for essentially no felt recoil - which my son appreciates.

His Remington 597 has been perfectly serviceable and perfectly reliable, but i prefer the feel of the Marlin 60 and XT-22 to it.

But, if we're expanding the list of choices outside the Ruger 10/22 and Marlin 60, then let me put in a plug for the old Armi Jager AP-74. It's a 22 caliber AR clone in zamak. I bought one used 30-some odd years ago and I can still hit things with it at 100 yards that I can't hit with anything else.
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Old January 17, 2018, 10:04 PM   #18
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Ruger shows over 100 different variants of their 10-22. Stay away from the basic carbine and you'll have a nice rifle. The others don't cost all that much more.

https://ruger.com/products/1022Sporter/models.html

I have this. It comes with a medium weight target barrel, target chamber and trigger. This is a tack driver that out shoots my CZ bolt guns.

https://ruger.com/products/1022Sport...eets/1237.html

I've had a couple of the Marlins. They tend to be a bit more accurate than the standard Rugers, but not nearly as reliable. They aren't nearly as accurate as the Rugers with target barrels.

The weak link with any of them is the magazine. The tube magazines wear out and are not easily replaced. The detachable mags will eventually wear out, but are easily tossed and replaced.
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Old January 18, 2018, 08:40 AM   #19
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I like tube feds. Don't know about the "wearing out" part.
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Old January 18, 2018, 09:50 PM   #20
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I have three 10/22's and one M60 . I don't shoot any of them enough to say one is better then the other . How ever the after market support for the 10/22 is outstanding . Like I said I have 3 and none are configured the same . 1) pretty much looks like an AR , 2) Is SS with a folding butler creek SS stock with Williams fire sights and a red dot , 3) Is the take down with tech sights and after market trigger . All three are great fun and even my Marlin is as well . They are all quite accurate how ever if I want true accuracy I go to my Savage MkII bolt gun .
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Old January 18, 2018, 10:09 PM   #21
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I have a plethora of 22 rifles...for the money, the Marlin Model 60 is unbeatable.
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Old January 19, 2018, 07:07 AM   #22
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My Marlin 60 has been all I could ask for but as already mentioned, if you want magazines and the option to accessorize with anything more than a scope the Ruger would be your best bet.
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Old January 21, 2018, 05:53 PM   #23
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Tube Mags wearing out??
Maybe wearing out the spring after 40-50 years...easily replaceable.
Occasionally the plastic mag follower will go, and those are around $2 from Marlin...
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Old January 22, 2018, 11:43 AM   #24
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I have both the 10/22 and a Glenfeild/Marlin model 60, had a 795 for a bit too. They both have their strong points and are both fine rifles.

The 10/22 is great because its so available, universal and adaptable. As stated you can get aaaallll kinds of goodies for em. They are easier to work on than the marlin IMHO. That being said I like the feel of the Marlins better, they make a smaller, thinner stock, which even to a guy whos 6'2" with giant hands feels like a 22 should. For me the Marlin juuust edges out tge 10/22. It'll just be a matter of opinion for ya. Either way you can't go wrong!
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Old January 22, 2018, 01:07 PM   #25
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I own both and the Marlin is the better shooter right out of the box. I have seen threads where folks brag about great their 10/22 shoots.....until you read the list of everything they replaced. Then you realize the only original part is the receiver shell with the serial number on it. Secondly, at least where I am, the Marlin is easily $60-$100 less than the Ruger.
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