22LR lever action for rabbit...

[Lee Robinson]

If you were getting a 22 LR and were planning on shooting rabbits, possibly on the run, which lever riffle would you buy? Accuracy and reliability are the most important criteria.

[Sixgun]

Lee
I do alot of shooting with my 22 lever action rifle.  It is a Marlin Goldrn 39a.  It is very accurate and durable.  I think it may be a bit too long and too heavy for shooting rabbits on the run. 

I tried a 9422 this past silhouette season and didn't like it, however, several of the guys that I shoot silhouette with use them and even beat me occasionally.  I found the 9422 to be a bit less accurate and if you short stroke it, you get rounds under the carrier which means that you have to take it apart to get it working again.  I would not like to do that in the field.  There are too many parts to loose.

The browning may be a good choice.  I have only fired one for one silhouette session but with the short lever throw, it may be the ticket.  I am sure you could get good rabbit hunting accuracy if you tested different types of ammo until you get the right one.

I have never been a Henry fan.  I know several guys who use Henry Golden Boys for silhouette but they never win any matches.  I have shot their guns and have not been impressed.  As far as the less expensive henrys go, I know that there are lots of people who post here that really like them.  I think I would spend another $100 and get a little more quality. 

Whatever you get.  Consider a marbels tang sight or a Wiliams reciever sight over a scope.  You will get faster aqusition(SP?) on the target and with a small amount of practice you will be just as accurate.  If you think your eyes are too old just keep using smaller appatures until everything clears up.

Sixgun

[buffermop]

For rabbits on the run I would use an autoloader.

[Lee Robinson]

Rabbits are about the only game I hunt only for fun/sport. Of course the meat is used still.

Just seems to me a lever action gun would be more fun than an auto.

[LEO]

I have one of the little Browning BL-22 and absolutely love it.  It is not a target rifle but the accuracy is plenty good enough for hunting, if you miss it is you not the rifle.  I have had this rifle for almost 30 years and have shot a truck load of ammo through it and have had zero problems

[Jerry Lester]

If you're interested in a very reasonably priced lever action 22 rifle, I'd suggest a Henry. The bluing isn't all that tough, and the recievers are painted, but as far as dependable, and accurate, they're nice little rifles for just over $200. I've had a couple of them, and my boy had one, and also my uncle had a couple. They were all very accurate, and 100% reliable.

[buffermop]

I agree with Jerry on the Henry 22 lever. I own one and had no trouble at all. The good factor is that it is made here in the USA.

[Swamp Yankee]

Another vote for the Henry, but for hunting I'd change the front sight to a 3/32" white bead. The 1/16 seems to get lost in the buck horn sights. They are $8 at Brownells [well worth it]

[jpsmith1]

My 9422 is a tackdriver.  I've never been disappointed in the accuracy of the gun.  I've also never had a malfunction of any kind.

I've never seriously tried a running rabbit with it, but if I were up to the task, I'll bet the gun is.

[kyote]

+
I like my win 9422  it has never been the paper puncher but when out blastin.it hits what I aim at and is fun to shoot.

[hammerless99]

I have a Ruger 96 in 22 WMR that I really love. It's fast, short lever throw and has a 9 shot detachable rotary clip that works flawlessly. They just stopped making this in 22 LR but I think that you can still find them around.

[Uncle Ji]

I shall also throw in a vote for the Henry H001 levergun, the best bang for the buck in a levergun.  This is a "Chevy" not a "Caddy" so don't compare the two except performance in which they are equals.  Also some question the longevity of it's non-steel  receiver but there is shooter from rimfirecentral who has over 100,000 rounds thru his with no troubles reported.  Also this design goes back over 30 years sold under the Ithaca, IverJohnson, and Erma names with many of these guns still in service.  If you can afford a Marlin buy it, but for those on a budget the Henry is a nice option. 

[duke21]

i have a golden boy that i love,  but will admit, feel like a bit heavy and long for quick target rabbits.   I think a standard henry would do just fine.    most of my small game is with a old mossberg palomino( how many of you remember these?)  and being a carbine is a lot of fun.   I also have a ruger 96/22  i am getting ready to put a williams site on, this is a sweet little carbine, that swings up to action easy, is accurate and has that 10 round magazine.   i look forward to trying it out soon.   Thing with the ruger is if you are looking for a western style gun, it wont suite your needs.   it kinda reminds you of a lever action 10/22 or a scaled down savage 99.   i like all of mine.

duke21

[buffermop]

Duke21, as you mentioned the old Mossberg "palamino:, I sold one I had years ago. Worst mistake I ever made. I had gotten numerous woodchucks with it as a youth growing up on a farm. Nicest little 22 I ever owned next to the Henry.

[Lloyd Smale]

win. browing henry marlin>there all good guns. A lever makes a great small game gun my favorite has become my 3220 with light cast loads.

[Dune]

I like the extra weight in the marlin, swings smootly, accurate, the only other one I have expirence with is a winchester 9422 trapper, I didnt like it all too much.