semi-auto for squirrels,Remington,Browning,Marlin or Ruger ?

[bcraig]

I am looking for an accurate semi-auto for squirrel hunting. I had an old marlin 60 that wouldn,t shoot worth a crap,got an Ruger 10-22 that averages bout 2 inches at 50 but really dont like the clip as I much prefer the tubular magazine.
I would appreciate some experience and information from people who have or have used these rifles.Thanks...Craig

[Rangr44]

FWIW, my 10/22 DSP shoots about 1/2" @ 50yds, and I like the detachable mag for quick unloading when jumping in a vehichle to change hunting areas.

.

[mechanic]

Any of those rifles will shoot moa, and none of them will.  By that I mean, there are bad ones that sneak out the door in any mfg.   And just like centerfire, rimfires sometimes prefer a certain ammo.

I've had a 10-22 that would stack up bullets on top of each other, and I've seen a couple that would'nt hold a 2" group at 50'.

My brother has on old Marlin Glenfield that has shot a gazillion rounds, many of them so rapid fire the barrel changed color, and it still shoots well.

Pick a good name brand that will stand by their product, experiment with ammo, and don't overclean the bore.  Most rifles shoot better with a slightly fouled bore.  Only clean it when it goes south on accuracy, or when you're storing for a long time.

Just my opinions, ain't worth nuthin' but don't cost nuthin'.
Ben

[cybin]

I have killed a ton of squirrels with an old Mossberg .22 semi auto. Has a tube magizine that loads through the butt stock. I have a Weaver K4 4x scope on it that hasn't needed any adjustment since I put it on the rifle over 20 years ago. (may have been closer to 30 years ago)

My brother -in-law owns 2 Mossbergs just like mine that shoots one inch  groupes or less at 50 yards--depending on the ammo. Mine shoots better than I can hold anymore at 50 yards---good enough to put a round through the head of a squirrel anyway.

I like squirrel hunting better than deer hunting--maybe becouse I can do more of it through out the year.

cybin

[tacklebury]

Mine's an older Glenfield Model 60 and I love it.  I really prefer the tube feed as there are no magazine's to fall out etc.  I have shot several 10-22's and there's no issue with them for me, although I get a lot better accuracy from my 60 in my experience over factory 10-22's.  There are a lot of add-ons for the 10-22, but not so much with the 60.  The only other semi I am really interested in is the Remington Speedmaster, which can accept shorts, where my 60 doesn't.  I've shot almost 10k rounds and still using it.  I bought it used already in 1987, so very durable too. 

[williamlayton]

Remington Speedmaster & Browing Take-down fill the bill.
Maybe a good optic on top would help.
Blesssings

[marine]

  Why not opt for a bolt action?  Marlin 981t has tube feed on it and it seems to be accurate from what owners are saying on Marlinowners.com. 

[BUGEYE]

there is now an aftermarket trigger for the marlin 60
for me, that would be THE selling point for the marlin.

if interested, go to marlinowners.com and someone there can tell you all about that trigger.

[tacklebury]

there is now an aftermarket trigger for the marlin 60
for me, that would be THE selling point for the marlin.
if interested, go to marlinowners.com and someone there can tell you all about that trigger.

Will have to check that out.  Thanks for the tip Bug.

Why not opt for a bolt action?  Marlin 981t has tube feed on it and it seems to be accurate from what owners are saying on Marlinowners.com

Nothing wrong with bolts, in fact my Glenfield Model 25 has more squirrel kills by a long shot than this.  When there's lots of foliage on the trees though, I prefer the semi, because if you don't get an instant kill, they can get outta sight easy here.  This scope normally is on my .22 Bolt, but it moves for early season.  Once leaves are off, I often take out the little crackshot also, because it's such a joy to carry. 

[BUGEYE]

love those crackshots.  that's one I've lusted for, for years.

[marine]

  I understand where your coming from.  I have the same problem this time of year with squirrels too.  Ive never owned a bolt action 22.  I have a stevens 1915 favorite that was my first gun.  With the model 60 you can even replace the plastic trigger group with a metal one way cheaper than you can with the ruger so that would be a plus.  the mod 60 is also easier to mount a scope on since you dont have to mount a rail first.  even after upgrading the trigger on a mod 60 you will be at the base price of a ruger 10/22.  tube feed is great too, now that ive got a 39a i never want to go without a tube feed 22.  I can load up 19rnds versus my 10/22 with 10rnds in a mag.

[BUGEYE]

in case nobody has looked it up.  the trigger for the marlin 60 and the clip version (795?)
can be found at diproductsinc.com

[williamlayton]

Back in my younger days I owned a couple of bolt actions.
I always preferred the semi-auto though.
Blessings

[tacklebury]

in case nobody has looked it up.  the trigger for the marlin 60 and the clip version (795?) can be found at diproductsinc.com

THANKS!  I shall order one soon!  I see they have one for my Papoose M70 also.  Excellent link.  The 70 is my survival pack gun.    Some time I really want to get a take down Crackshot also, to replace it.  The M70 has a nearly shot out barrel and worn out mechanism, but still takes squirrel/chipmunk at 50 paces or so.  It was my second firearm purchased the year they came out.  I had camo-taped it when I was younger and it's still on it.  lol  Pretty cheap refinish.

[nova71]

I use a Remington 552, very accurate and it will hold a hand full of 22 shorts  which is my preferred round for squirrels 

[BUGEYE]

tacklebury, your little "poose" looks good.  I'm like you, would love to have a crackshot.  but in the meantime, I carry my daughters cricket.  3lbs with scope.  I have a nice savage mark II but it weighs a ton compared to the cricket.

[fox fire]

I had a model 60 I bought when I was in high school during the early 80s (long live the mullet and heavy metal), a dump truck couldnt haul the rounds shot thru that little gun, and it shot straigt as a string till the day I sold it last fall.             

I wanted something with a better trigger and wound up buy'n a 10/22 because of the after market support, every body makes something for the 10/22, thers a reason for that, a lotta room for improvment, I'll keep it because it was a present but will continue to TRY and improve on it.

I went today and bought a 50th anniversry edition model 60, they shoot great and the tube mag is the way to go, I found some info on improving the trigger and that was the big deal with me, I hated the spongy long pullin trigger on the marlin, but now thers a fix for that,so as far as a auto .22 my vote gos to marlin model 60.

[TLARbb]

I would recommend of the ones you list the Remington 552 Speedmaster.  Also, the Browning SA is good, but scoping it can be a bit of a hunt.  I haven't owned a Marlin 60, but I did have a 99DL back in 1968.  It was accurate, but the trigger was awful, and the ejector wore down and the gun wouldn't eject properly after too short a time.  If I had the experience and the knowledge then that I do now I could have gotten new parts and fixed it, but I traded it on and Remington bolt gun (which I still have). 

The Browning SA will need a scope base that mounts where the rear sight is located (you have to remove the sight to put it on the barrel) and extends back over the receiver.  You will have to keep the barrel nut tight so that the POI doesn't move around.  It is a surprisingly accurate little piece if you do this.  A big hubble style riflescope looks peculiar on this little jewel; you'll want a smaller compact scope like the Leupold RF scopes.  Be prepared to get up off your wallet if you want to buy one.

With a 10-22 you will be getting up off your wallet several times before you get a rifle that will shoot as well as any of the others.  And it won't look anything like the one you bought for $179 when you're done.

EJ

[BluDino]

My crappy old SS Wal-Mart Special model 60 shoots 1/2 inch at 50 yards with Yellowjackets, if you can stand the dang Remington misfires.  Wolf match does well, too and Federal 36 gr for cheap plinking. I have never had a 10/22 but I wouldn't trade a raft of them for my 60.  2 cents and all...