Help me decide on a new rimfire.

The 10/22 is popular IMO because its simple, relatively inexpensive, readily available and has an aftermarket rivaling the vaunted AR15. Many buy them knowing that they will be making lots of changes, or at least knowing that if there is something about the rifle they don't like, it can easily be changed.

It is to rimfire what an 870 is to shotguns. I have two. One is a bone stock 10/22 T model (well, I did put a buffer rod in it for $5) and the other started out with a stripped receiver and is 75% non-ruger parts. Both shoot well, but the custom's groupings are 30% smaller. Every Ruger 10/22 I've ever shot will easily be minute of beer can at 50 yards, which is plenty for most folks and the intended purpose of the rifle. A lot of stock 10/22s will shoot very well, just not phenomenally. Most that modify them likely just want their rifle to be a little different, or are looking for more accuracy, which is a very deep rabbit hole...proceed with caution.

I nearly bought a third a few weeks ago until I talked myself out of it. Was looking at the 50th anny design model. Intended to keep it mostly OEM and irons/red dot as my other two have spectacles. Used to have a dot on my T model and miss the fast shooting.

One concern I had with a new one was the trigger. Have been hearing that many are terrible lately....of course you can buy a trigger group from Ruger to combat this issue...convenient? (for Ruger lol). There are many aftermarket triggers and trigger services available as well.

Its a great do-all little rifle with limitless potential dependant upon what you are willing to spend and/or what your expectations are. It lacks the class of say a CZ 512, but should hold its own on the firing line and if it doesn't, you can buy a barrel that will best the 512.

 

Left to right
Marlin 60 ss, Browning t-bolt, Ruger 10/22

 

I have a marlin 795 that is an absolute track driver right out of the box. Semi auto mag fed and cheap. Definately worth looking into imo

 

10/22 is the ar of .22 world. Very easy to mod.

 

thought about buying the AR to .22 conversion kit? I think they are really easy to take in and out and are like 100 bucks? Just throwing options out there!

I have a ruger 10/22 and its by far my favorite but....

 

Been a little while since I've shopped .22's, but here's what I've purchased over the last few years when I was in a gun buying mode:

Browning Buckmark Stardard URX for a .22 semi-auto. Loves to eat the Federal Auto-Match. I'm by far the limiting factor in its accuracy, liked the grip angle of it more than the Ruger.

Savage Mark II BTVLSS (lefty stock and bolt!!) - thumb hole stock, heavy stainless barrel, mounted a 4x11 scope for target use. Need to get it out to the range again.

Browning BL22 - the fun of a .22 lever action, the beauty of Browning wood, the lever action operates over a very short throw, 'flick of the finger tips' kind of short.

 

22lr vs 17hmr. Huge difference in price and capabilities. If you want to spend the extra cash and don't need semi-auto, the 17hmr will be a lot of fun playing at longer ranges.

People don't mod the 10/22 because they suck out of the box. Like everyone said, they're like tacomas. They are good quality and reliable and are good off the lot but have a lot of potential mods to suit your interest.

I see the 22 as a good plinker for kids to learn on, or a cheap small hunting rifle if you are into that. If you want to have fun at the range the 22 may bore you after a while, while a 17hmr is going to perform a whole lot better and give you better accuracy WAY further down range.

 

I have a marlin .17 hmr that is a tack driver. I can keep a group inside a quarter at 100yds on a good day. No mods, straight from the factory. I would get the marlin .17 hmr or savage. Every savage I've had was also super accurate right out of the box. Also of the rounds you listed, the .17 hmr is the best of all of them. Better accuracy at further distances. If you like to shoot varmints and stuff like that it's also the better round. It's my go to gun for spotlighting. Killed hundreds of critters, a couple of coyotes and several hogs included.

I have a .22 also, but once I got the .17 and realized how much better it was, I quit using it. You'll also have no trouble finding .17 hmr rounds right now compared to the .22

 

I'd rather spend a few more cents per round and shoot 5.56 than 17hmr. .25/rd? I have a ton of .22lr and can shoot three times or more for the same money. I will not argue the .17s accuracy, but "better" than 22lr?...nah. Also, no .17hmr pistols out there that I'm aware of and being supersonic, .17 is less effectly suppressed. Besides...the new Winchester .17 super magnum has hit the market.

 

i have heard good things about the 795... Turner's just put it up for sale a few weeks ago for $130 so i went and picked one up... haven't had a chance to shoot it yet...

 

If you are still thinking of a handgun I have the Ruger markIII target. It is ridiculous how accurate that little pistol is out of the box. I've hit hotwheels cars about 70 yards out with it when helping my buddy sight his .270. Its a fun little gun. But I also have tried the 10/22 and the savage. I like both guns but if I were in the market i would buy the 10/22 take down without a doubt.

 

M&P 15-22!

I know, not a bolt action, but damn fun to shoot and very accurate!

 

My latest addition to the .22lr family. Fleshy built have not have a chance to fire it maybe in a week or so but it looks and feel pretty badass. I've seach the net and not many have this set up so there it is Shilen Kidd custom 10/22

 

I absolutely love my uncle Henry lever action .22 it's a rabbit slaying machine at 50yards but I vote for savage 93r17 I've got one and love the power and range for it to be a rimfire

 

For .22 bolt guns I'm a fan of the CZ 455 Varmint. Clean, classic looking, heavy barrel. Interchangeable barrels, you can swap calibers, .22LR, .22 WMR or .17HMR.

 

Browning Buckmark ftw as far as pistols go. Hard to go wrong with Ruger too. You'd likely be disappointed with the S&W or sr22.

Savage fvsr is a great accurate bolt rifle. Threaded and cheap.

 

what I got. Accurate. Right out of the box. No mods required.

Also, I'm not buying into the .17 accuracy claims. every one I have seen in person has been no better than any other plain jane .22. Add to that the ammo costs and what point is it.

 

my vote is on the 17HMR
I dont have any pictures of my setup but I have this with a scope and bipod
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/17HMRMagnum/917VSF.asp
yes the ammo is a bit more than a 22 but im able to hit 30/06 shells at 100 yards with it and I think thats pretty good for teach myself to shoot and I set it up with no help from the gun shops. The 17 has more stopping power for little creatures at 100yds also and it has a nice pop when its shot also I think its way more fun to shot the the 22 I have that I would like to get rid of

 

22 can do that all day long too. I'll concede you the KE and flat trajectory.

 

Alright buddy hope you got your dream toy by now these two are my latest additions 10/22 and cz455