Like most hunter/shooters, I've had my share of available 22 rifles. My first was a Savage single shot that I liked fine as a kid. My dad bought me a 99M1 one CHRISTmas and that was a decent rifle too. I then bought a Rossi Mod 62 that was my hunting rifle for many years. I also used my brother's 9422M and also another one that I bought myself. 2 years ago I finally bought a Ruger 10/22 and found much to like about it. My latest was an old Remington Model 24 that was very trim and handy. I've owned a closet full of pretty decent 22 rifles.
Yesterday I bought a Weatherby XXII that was made right about the same year that I was. It is an early one, with "Made in Italy" on the side of the barrel. It is their semi auto rifle and it came with a 3/4" Weaver scope and a 5 shot magazine. This one has the 24" barrel, but it's a slim one and it doesn't feel off balance or muzzle heavy. The rear sight is adjustable for windage by drifting in its slot, and it has 3 sight settings by means of folding leaves. The bluing looks very nice. I don't really like the alloy cover on the receiver, and I'm not sure about the tubular bolt knob, but it works fine.
The stock is made of rosewood, and it has nice figure that shimmers when viewed from different angles. The steel buttplate on mine has some rust colored junk stuck to the toe but it's coming off by soaking in oil. I'm going to get some solvent to soak it in and see if that works any better. The trigger is adjustable, but it feels just about right to me as is. I wasn't sure what the single shot feature should be good for, but now that I've tried it, I think it's a good feature.
After shooting it, I'd say that this one is easily accurate enough for head shots on grouse and ptarmigan, and I will use it for that purpose next fall. I was almost too cheap to pay $425.00 for it, but I'm glad I came to my senses in time. This is only the 3rd or 4th one I've seen in 20 years or so of attending gun shows, and I would be kicking myself right now if I had allowed it to get away.
