.22 Magnum varmint gun opinions please

[glyn_canada]

Any opinions/recommendations on a .22 Magnum long rifle? I would like a semi or lever, relatively easy to mount a scope and accurate within 100 yds.

This is to be a Coyote/Coon gun for our back yard, not for targets.

All opinions welcome, so as it is easier to make my mind up.

thx

G

[Lawdog]

glyn_canada,

First let me Welcome you to Graybeard Outdoors.  The best forum on the net for hunters/shooters going today.  For a semi-auto I would go with is the Ruger 10/22M.  The 10/22 is a sound, solid, accurate semi that will give you great service for years to come.  I had one but wanted a bolt action instead so I traded it in on a Ruger 77/22M that I worked over to make it into what I wanted.  Again Welcome to Graybeards.  Small groups and tight lines to you.  Lawdog
 

[hammerless99]

I just got a new ruger 96 lever in 22mag (only put 100 rnds through it so far, no scope mounted yet) but it's a fun shooter. I also got mine for a coyote/fox/groundhog gun. I wanted a lever gun but didn't want to have to do the batton trick with my rifle in order to unload a tube mag lever like the winchester's and henry's so i realy like the flush clip mag on this gun. I also like the short length (18.5" barrel) it's going to be a quick easy gun to manuver in and out of vehical, load/unload, make followup shots..... As you can tell I'm quite pleased and would recomend this to anyone.
hammerless

[Lancel]

I second the Ruger 10/22M.  Mine shoots within 1 MOA.
Note that it's a bit heavier than the regular 10/22.
Larry

[jhm]

Remington also makes a 22 mag. I am sure Lawdog didnt mention it only because of a oversight on his part as we all know he is a great supporter of the big green co. :-D  :-D      Jim  ( P. S. Lawdog I had to put that in there as I know it will make your day )  The rem 22 mag. I have has never given me any trouble, but my favorite is the ruger 77-22mag.

[glyn_canada]

OK, so I went to my local outfitter and had a look at the 22 Mags. I loved the 10-22, but it was too rich for my blood right now. I thought I'd let you know that I went for the Marlin 882 SS. It was affordable and felt good, even with the bolt.

I must add that I also tried out a similarly priced Remington (not sure of the model), but it had to be the most uncomfortable rifle I had ever shouldered. .22 Mag, semi, synthetic stock, open sights. It looked good, but didn't suit me when shouldered and the sights were terrible.

The Marlin is as close to weatherproof as I am going to get without shrink wrap, and surprisingly I like the sights. I thought they'd suck, but those glow dots are effective in low light.


Now to shop around for cartridges for it. Locally I can get hold of Winchester, CCI Maxi-Mags and what looks like my current favorite, the Remington Varmint Loads