Author Topic: Inexpensive 22 Semi-autos (Read 2892 times)

BattleRifleG3 · « **on:** March 24, 2004, 09:02:12 AM »

I have a Ruger 10-22. I'm not parting with it because I made a custom stock for it, but I was wondering if it would be worth my while to get another 22 semi auto rifle.

Mainly the 10-22 mags are a pain to load, the rifle's been used a bit, and reliability's typical for a Ruger.

I've heard great things about the Remington 597. Its dual action rods appear to make a difference in accuracy. How's the trigger?

How would these compare to Savage or Marlin, either box or tubular magazine fed?

How much difference would a heavy barrel make?

Tc300mag1 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 24, 2004, 09:13:50 AM »

Stick to the 10/22 stay away from marlin clip feds had lots or problems with them

And what do you mean 10/22 mags are a pain to load i dont have a problem with mine

Lawdog · « **Reply #2 on:** March 24, 2004, 01:02:17 PM »

BattleRifleG3,

I agree, stay with the Ruger 10/22. I also need clarification on your statement,

Quote

Mainly the 10-22 mags are a pain to load

The Ruger rotary magazine is no harder to load than any other detachable magazine. Sure a tubular magazine may hold more but I carry extra(as many as 4 in my pocket) Ruger magazines with me which gives me even more fire power if I was to ever need it. I have never had a problem with a Ruger rotary magazine, some after market copies I have bought didn't work right but never a problem with a Ruger factory magazine. I have eight Ruger rifles that use their rotary magazines and never saw the need for anything else. It may be worth keeping in mind that when CCI first came out with their Stinger ammo the only semi-auto .22 that was stated safe to use with them is the Ruger 10/22. Lawdog

BattleRifleG3 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 24, 2004, 06:20:37 PM »

I mean the springs seem to be stiffer than I'd like and it hurts to load them. Maybe I'm just remembering a couple Ramline Hi-caps I had and sold. Remington 597's mag seems like it would be more comfortable to load. Can't wait to see hi-caps out for it after the expiration of the Assault Weapon Ban.

Fla Brian · « **Reply #4 on:** March 25, 2004, 08:41:27 AM »

The Ruger 10/22 is the best, most reliable inexpensive semi-automatic .22 available today.

Customized with the appropriate parts, it's the best semi-auto .22 at any price level.

IMNSHO!

azshooter · « **Reply #5 on:** March 26, 2004, 04:38:44 AM »

Still trying to figure out what do do about my young sons 597. Took it to a Remington repair center because it was a jam-omatic. A month later no action. After calling Remington, I finally got he gun back. They simply replaced the trigger group assembly - 6 weeks. I took it out with my son to shoot and it no longer holds the bolt open like it should on the last shot. Nice job. Made it through 2 mags full and on the third it stovepiped on me.

I bought a 10-22 on the same day as the Remington. It is more accurate and has NEVER jammed in hundreds of rounds of different types. After my experience with them I would discouraeg anyone from buying a Remington of any type.

BattleRifleG3 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 26, 2004, 05:05:57 AM »

That's a shame. I always thought my Ruger was a jammomatic and it is far from that bad, and usually improves with cleaning. I'll take your advice to heart when thinking of upgrading. Not sure I would recommend this, but reducing the mass of the bolt would reduce the likelihood of short cycling if that's your problem. At least from a physics perspective.

Fla Brian · « **Reply #7 on:** March 26, 2004, 05:58:40 AM »

Quote from: BattleRifleG3

That's a shame. I always thought my Ruger was a jammomatic and it is far from that bad, and usually improves with cleaning. I'll take your advice to heart when thinking of upgrading. Not sure I would recommend this, but reducing the mass of the bolt would reduce the likelihood of short cycling if that's your problem. At least from a physics perspective.

One of my favorite stories about our 10/22 is from when I had the trigger job done. The gunsmith asked me if when I had cleaned it last as it was incredibly gunked up inside. My response was that I couldn't remember that far back. I had left well enough alone. Since it had never given me any reliability problems, and had maintained its accuracy, I wasn't about to mess with it.

Since then, with its tight Bentz chambered bull barrel, and and after running thousands of rounds through it without cleaning, it's as reliable as ever. And I used it to max the BDT on a gusty, windy day in early February.

I don't know why a few people refer to it as a jammomatic, but, as with any mass produced product, there are bound to be a few that are just not right. You must have gotten one of them. Since you've proven so able to beat the odds, I suggest you go out and buy a lottery ticket. My commission is just 10%.

dangerranger · « **Reply #8 on:** March 26, 2004, 08:27:59 PM »

all of my semiautos are jam o matics with the wrong ammo. with the right ammo they will shoot all day with little problem.

azshooter · « **Reply #9 on:** March 27, 2004, 04:13:48 AM »

I guess I have been lucky - my 10-22 feeds everything I have put in it as well as my old Winchester 191. My sons 597 on the otherhand, I have not found anything it will shoot reliably.

Fla Brian · « **Reply #10 on:** March 27, 2004, 04:42:18 AM »

Quote from: azshooter

I guess I have been lucky - my 10-22 feeds everything I have put in it ...

I've had the same experience with mine. Even stuff, like Colibris, that aren't powerful enough to cycle the action will feed well when the bolt is operated manually. The 10/22 that won't feed as reliably as that is a rare bird indeed.

Lawdog · « **Reply #11 on:** March 27, 2004, 10:23:11 AM »

Fla Brian,

Quote

The 10/22 that won't feed as reliably as that is a rare bird indeed.

We may discuss big bores a lot but we agree on Ruger 10/22's. I have never had a problem with any Ruger FACTORY rotary magazine feeding standard or higher velocity ammo. Now sub-sonic ammo or after market magazines - now we are talking problems. I have a few 25 and 50 shot after market magazines and they just sit in my drawer out in my shop. I stick with Ruger factory 10 shot magazines and never a problem. Small groups and tight lines to you. Lawdog

Fla Brian · « **Reply #12 on:** March 27, 2004, 03:19:16 PM »

Lawdog,

About 10/22s there can be no argument. They're the best thing in semi-autos to come down the pike. I had trouble with aftermarket mags in the past also. It's Ruger factory mags only for me as well.

Low powered cartridges will give trouble cycling the action. Mine worked beautifully with the Lapua Standard Club I used to max the BDT, but I had a rather unusual occurrence with them. One was obviously underloaded as it his way low and didn't cycle the action. That's pretty unusual for Lapua.

I got in a load of Wolf Match Target and I have to get down to the range and try it out in the Ruger. I hear such great things about that stuff. You ever try it?

SG & TL right back at ya.

Lawdog · « **Reply #13 on:** March 28, 2004, 10:14:24 AM »

Fla Brian,

No I haven't yet but would be very interested in your findings. I am going to order some and see how they like my tricked out 10/22 with it's 22" Green Mountain Running Boar barrel. Keep me informed. Lawdog

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #14 on:** March 28, 2004, 04:57:14 PM »

The Wolf works very well in our Rugers and even better in my CZ ultra lux, but the Aguila's outshoot anything else Iv'e put thru mine even the subsonics cycle the ruger unless you let the bolt get to gunked up, but thats usally afters several bricks of shooting.

dz86 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 01, 2004, 06:34:19 PM »

It's hard to beat the Marlins. My son and I both play with the PSS Papoose (it's very nicely balanced for a youngster) constantly, my 70 is fun and shares magazines, and the scoped model 60 is a tack-driver.
They are simply great rifles for the money.

Dave

madmikeray · « **Reply #16 on:** July 15, 2004, 12:01:28 AM »

why buy a ruger 10/22 , and then have to order other barrels to get it shooting good groups? buy a marlin 7000, put a simmons blazer 4+16+40 ao scope on it ,and see what happens! gurantee u will be a marlin man then. gun is about $189,scope is about $79. at 50 yards it is a tack driver!!!!!and will shoot better than a 10/22 with a after market barrel.

Stan_TheGunNut · « **Reply #17 on:** July 16, 2004, 05:53:12 PM »

I have a Ruger 10/22 that I bought years ago. I have shot thousands of rounds thru it, and the only time I've ever had problems was when I was shooting ratshot. The shotshells wouldn't cycle and I had to manually cycle the bolt. When I'm not shooting it, it stays loaded in the house, ready for me to grab should I see a varmit that needs shot. This is a gun that gets worked. I don't clean it after I shoot it, and actually can't remember the last time I did anything more than put a little oil on the barrel to prevent rust. For the price, I definatly can't complain. Accuracy is acceptable, though not equal to my Browning, which is a tack driver, but cost quite a bit more.

A friend of mine has the Remington 597, and it is very finicky. It jams frequently, though it seems to have improved as it's been shot, and he's found ammo that it likes better. For an inexpensive 22, I'd go with the Ruger. I don't have any experience with the others you listed.

jh45gun · « **Reply #18 on:** July 16, 2004, 06:54:11 PM »

IMH the rugers are vastly over rated. Yea they are nice guns but not that accurate for factory guns. That is why every one is adding factory barrels to them to get them to shoot. While not semi auto my Henry 22 mag lever and my Romanian 69 bolt action shoots better with more types of ammo than I ever could get a 10/22 to shoot. Yea I had more than one also I have had 4 stock ones over the years and one 10/22 T While the T was accurate my Romainan 69 still shoots better than the target did. Ruger used to make good guns now in my opinion they are average at best and their quality control sucks I would not own a Ruger single action pistol anymore if ya gave it to me and if you did I would sell it! BIll Ruger did a lot for the firearms industry and should be praised for that but a lot of his guns out of the factory should have never left there. This seems like a in the last 20 years or so as they used to be great guns! I suppose you still get a good one now and then but I am tired of playing buyers roulete with them! Jim

Snowshoe · « **Reply #19 on:** July 17, 2004, 12:56:58 AM »

After shooting my Marlin 795 for two months, I couldn't be happier. It is very accurate and trouble free. I just hate getting what everyone else has, so the 10/22 was out for me. I am glad I picked the Marlin.

Lawdog · « **Reply #20 on:** July 17, 2004, 04:39:39 AM »

jh45gun,

Want to know why I changed the barrels on my Ruger 10/22's(and the 77/22's for that matter)? It wasn't because of accuracy because they were accurate. It was because the barrels are just too darn short. I prefer at least a 20" barrel(I went with the 22" barrels on my 10/22's and 77/22's). Guess what that is the same reason I re-stocked them too(too short). Of course most rifles don't fit a fellow of my dimensions(6'7", 257 lbs.). I have found that standard Ruger 10/22s will shoot with any other standard factory .22(no target rifles please). I dont care for Winchester and Remingtons well deserved reputations for jamming in their newer offerings. Lawdog

jh45gun · « **Reply #21 on:** July 17, 2004, 02:14:36 PM »

Quote from: Lawdog

jh45gun,

Want to know why I changed the barrels on my Ruger 10/22's(and the 77/22's for that matter)? It wasn't because of accuracy because they were accurate. It was because the barrels are just too darn short. I prefer at least a 20" barrel(I went with the 22" barrels on my 10/22's and 77/22's). Guess what that is the same reason I re-stocked them too(too short). Of course most rifles don't fit a fellow of my dimensions(6'7", 257 lbs.). I have found that standard Ruger 10/22s will shoot with any other standard factory .22(no target rifles please). I dont care for Winchester and Remingtons well deserved reputations for jamming in their newer offerings. Lawdog

I guess we differ but after owning 4 stock 10/22s I found them to be average plinkers and yes I tried different ammo. My Romanian 69 trainer will out shoot a 10/22 all day long ammo brand for ammo brand~! We are talking 50 yards here! My Henry although a mag will do the same! Both will shoot 1/2 inch groups at 50 yards if I do my part with ammo they like and stay under a inch at 50 all day long. I have never had a 10/22 shoot that good. The Target model I had could but it was very ammo fussy and even at that did not shoot great groups constantly. Ruger guns are too inconsistant and I am not the only one who thinks it I have talked to others as well. AS long as you are happy fine but There are other options. Every thread I have ever read about Ruger VS Marlin semi auto's the Marlins won constantly. I bet My Springfield semi auto that I just got will out shoot a ruger after I find the ammo it likes. Jim

Lawdog · « **Reply #22 on:** July 18, 2004, 08:14:38 AM »

jh45gun,

I have had 5 regular 10/22's (bought them for the rest of the family when they were young) and still have two of them in the safe as we speak. Used to have a 10/22M(.22 WMR) but a friend wanted it so bad he pestered me until I sold it to him and bought me a 77/22M. Not knowing what you consider average accuracy to be I have nothing to judge how well mine shot before I changed the barrels. At 50 yards all of them would shoot under an inch before the barrel change. This was not with any particular ammo either. Maybe I should have played around with different ammo to see just how well they did shoot before I went to longer barrels. Lawdog

Essex County · « **Reply #23 on:** August 13, 2004, 08:01:33 AM »

Although I've never owned one, I guess the 10-22 would be a smart choice. My son owns thatis all tricked out. Quite a piece of equiptment.In the past I've owned a 550 remington,two Marlins,an old Stevens and a Gevarm. Before anyone jumps on me the Gevarm I was drunk at time of purchase. Now that I've sobered up I just own three Mossburgs. Trouble free and accurate. Walnut stocks and nicely finished for $100 to $150. Just my simple thoughts.........Regards Essex :-)

Javelina · « **Reply #24 on:** August 14, 2004, 09:45:30 PM »

Hello all,

I have a Rem 597 Stainless that wouldn't go through a single clip without at least 2 jams when it was new - but the rifle was incredibly accurate with. . .of all things. . .CCI Stingers. At 25 yards they go into about .5" all day long - go figure. I'm still scratching my head on that one, but I'll take it. Back to the jams - I called Remington and told them what a hunk of junk I had and they said they'd send me a new magazine so I took them up on it. The new magazine is the metal kind and it seems to work A LOT better than my original plastic one. As I am approaching about 1M rounds the gun seems to cycle much better without jamming. . .now, I rarely have a jam. There must be some things that need to wear in on this gun for it to work well. It handles very well and I really like the synthetic stock, but the trigger really stinks and I will have to pay some attention to that soon, but if you're willing to work with the 597 a little, you may find that it turns into a shooter after some breaking in and swearing! :grin:

Safe and good shooting to you!

Javelina

Slash5 · « **Reply #25 on:** August 28, 2004, 01:21:43 PM »

Remington Nylon 66

goldhound56 · « **Reply #26 on:** September 06, 2004, 04:42:58 PM »

:-D I have 2 in the house one I have about $500 in it and the other is a full stock ( ss with green stock ) !! And parts to build others !!

madmikeray · « **Reply #27 on:** September 07, 2004, 07:16:09 PM »

whats wrong with u guys with these 10/22's. a marlin 7000 will beat them out of the box hands down!!

tbu61 · « **Reply #28 on:** September 29, 2004, 06:18:14 PM »

I have two 10/22's and never had more than a dozen jams in 20 years with them (combined)...... That's a lot of shootin!!!!
There was a Bushnell banner 12X layin around the closet and for giggles I popped it on my Ruger. Got a lot of stares at the range but kept 50 rounds inside of a silver Dollar at 50 yards.... Folks at the range quit starin' at me a started lookin at the target :shock:

As for the fella that mentioned a NYLON 66>>>>BRAVO!<<<<<

I was a FOOL and gave mine to my Dad many moons ago.
He has lots of sense, wont give it back to me :cry:

Poll

Which 22 semi auto?

Author Topic: Inexpensive 22 Semi-autos (Read 2892 times)