33 replies to this topic

[lukem]

Hey there. I'm pretty new to hunting and want some experienced opinions on a first .22. I found a good spot with a decent number of rabbits, and i don't think my third hand pellet gun is going to do the trick. I'm looking for a bolt action or break barrel, single shot ok, for under two hundred dollars. the area is pretty hilly, no shots over 30m, so I dont need anything insanely accurate. any advice?

[jeager]

Verify if you're in Condor Fly Zone and check DFG regs.Hate to REIGN on your Domain.

[lukem]

i am aware i am in a condor no lead zone. are you saying there is no non-lead .22 ammo?

[Hotchkiss]

I am no expert and just got into the air rifle as well. But I too just got my first .22 break barrel rifle last week and love it. That was a deal on Amazon for Banjamin Trail NP XL 1100 .22 rifle selling for $229 free shipping and no tax. MSRP was $359 from Crosman. I have check some review and almost 4.5 star on every site I have checked. You can find some review on you tube as well. I have learned that Nitro Piston least longer than springs piston and for a little bit over 200. I am sure others will give you more advise but just thought to pass out the info for good deal.

[Hotchkiss]

oops.. Sorry I didn't check it was on rifle board. I thought you were asking for an air rifle .22 . My bad.

[lukem]

no problem. i've thought about a .22 air rifle too, but decided to go the gunpowder direction.

[dangerranger]

For an under $200 rifle its hard to beat the marlins. or look for the bolt actions on the used rack at your local gun shops and pawn shops. In my lifetime Ive only seen two bolt 22s that were worn out. So they are pretty durable. A Savage 64 or Mossberg 802 also comes in at under $200.

[lukem]

thanks danger. i don't have too many gun shops in town, but ill look around the surrounding areas

[dangerranger]

In the late 70s there were at least two gun shops in SLO. Might check in Arroyo Grande or Paso Robles, both are in great hog hunting areas and should support a couple of gunshops. DRA quick web search shows at least 7 within a couple of miles of you! Might make a great sat afternoon visiting them! DRhttp://www.armsdealer.net/businesses/category/gun-shops/california/san-luis-obispo

[docskinner]

Marlins are good - you can also check for Savage and Stevens (sub of Savage). My preference has always been a good lever 22, but you would wind up over $200. And it is hard to wear out a 22LR rifle. Pretty safe buying used ones.

[Tuolumne85]

I have marlins savages and rugers. A 10/22 is hard to beat and if you ever decided to get rid of it it would be easy to do. Mags and other accessories are readily available. But as far as a bolt I'd get a savage and then you can get the one that can shoot the shorts too, which is handy to have.

[docskinner]

Just make sure to take your shorts off before you shoot them! ;-)

[Bisley]

Verify if you're in Condor Fly Zone and check DFG regs.Hate to REIGN on your Domain.

Judging by the original post, it won't matter since you don't need lead free to hunt rabbit .

I found a good spot with a decent number of rabbits, and i don't think my third hand pellet gun is going to do the trick.

[DirtyDave]

Lead is OK to use on Rabbits/Small-Game

[docskinner]

From the DFG Web site:Modifications to Methods of Take for Nongame Birds and Mammals (Section 475, Title 14, CCR) were also adopted to prohibit the use of lead projectiles in the same areas when hunting coyotes, ground squirrels, and other non-game wildlife. These regulations become effective July 1, 2008.

[NaCladdict]

Lots of folks talk up the marlin 795 as one of the best out of the box. I don't have one but my friend does and it's definitely a good stock shooter. I personally had to do a fair amount of work to my 10/22 to make it as nice. My Brother has a stevens bolt that is pretty sweet too.

[Lang]

thanks danger. i don't have too many gun shops in town, but ill look around the surrounding areas

Harbor Gun Shop 505 Morro Bay Blvd Morro Bay Ca,93442 805-772-1000 Right next door to the Tattoo Parlor.Crusty old guy runs it.

[lukem]

thanks. ill be sure to shop around

[KNOCKED UP]

Have you considered a 17 HMR?I love mine for rabbits and ground squirels.It is a real tack driver, with a little more punch than a 22 cal.Savage has a very nice bolt action.Tom

[Braz]

Definately consider the henry Lever action. At &289 from Gunbroker it's a great buy. an comes with a life tiem warrenty from Henry. Will shoot anything. I put peep sights on them and thy are great shooters and fast. http://www.gunbroker...?Item=282484727http://www.midwayusa...rd-upright-blue

[Bisley]

Leverguns and peeps go together like whiskey and ice . The guns themselves are fast, rugged, and reliable, and the peeps work just fine for the guns' ranges of use and very solid too. And the fun factor, . A man could do a heck of a lot worse.

[lukem]

you know, ive never thought about a .17, i might have to consider that.

Have you considered a 17 HMR?I love mine for rabbits and ground squirels.It is a real tack driver, with a little more punch than a 22 cal.Savage has a very nice bolt action.Tom

[jawbreaker]

Forget the .17 unless you aren't worried about the cost of ammo and you can kill sqirrels and rabbits just as dead with a .22.

[pete]

I have my uncle's old Marlin Glenfield M25 bolt gun in S/L/LR from the 60's and it still shoots fine. I put a cheap Bushnell 3-9X32 on it and can shoot a spoon spinner at 60 yards easily enough. You can find them on gunbroker for under $80 sometimes with a beat up stock and a fine bore. A little sanding, a run in the dishwasher and some oil and it'll be a nice little hunting rifle.

[mackeralboy]

LukemSave up for a little while longer and get a Ruger 10/22. They are very accurate right out of the box and being a semi auto, having the quick folow up shot is great for rabbits. Being semi auto you also aren't having to cycle the bolt or break the barrel resulting in movement and possibly spooking the game. Another great thing about a 10/22 is that there is a ton of after market stuff for them so when you get a bit more cash you can trick it out.Mc

[clampdaddy]

An old long barreled, tube fed, Remington bolt action would be my choice because I like my .22's to wear iron sights rather than a scope and most rifles nowadays are almost worthless without a scope. The sights are chubby and cover what you're trying to aim at and most .22's now wear carbine length barrels that have a short sight radius. I have a 10-22 but I never saw what all the hoopla was about them. I really like the long barreled rifle version though.

[Bisley]

I have a 10-22 but I never saw what all the hoopla was about them.

Because 99.99% of the population is more worried about how they are going to follow up with their second shot than how they are going to shoot their first shot. One of the reasons (in my opinion) for the great lack of shooting skills today, as evident at any public range. :1087:And let us not forget that you can put an extra $500+ into them and make them shoot as well as a quality rifle that only cost $300-$400 to begin with .Yes, I do own one, but I can't remember the last time it was shot. Even the kids enjoy the 39A (lever action) over it. I guess even they think it is more fun to shoot and hit consistently than to mess with jams and spray lead .

[docskinner]

39A - best 22 ever. Got mine for christmas when I was 11 (1976). Still shoots like a dream.

[Bisley]

Very nice, so you got the pre-cross bolt safety one also? Golden trigger too I imagine? Bought mine roughly 7 years ago at a pawn shop for $250 in late September after shooting the one brother came home from AZ with he bought during dove opener. I picked mine for half what he paid since it would not fire the last 4-5 rounds. I saw that the magazine tube was loose, flared it out, fit it back in, and have been shooting it worry free ever since. They truly are one of the finest examples of American rimfire workmanship. And boy do they shoot straight! They also have everything you could want in a hunting rifle. Strong, solid, reliable, you can use of short, long or long rifle, compact break down design, and tube fed so that you can rest it on anything without having a magazine stick out the bottom like many magazine fed ones. I hear the Henry's are very, very smooth (afraid to try it since I know I will buy it), but there's just something about owning the longest production rifle ever .

[clampdaddy]

The Henrys are sweet shooting guns. I especially like the frontier and golden boy. They have a longer and heavier octagon barrel that gives it a nice feel for offhand shooting. The only gripe I have with my golden boy is that there is more drop in the stock than most guns have so I have to use a shallow cheek weld to see the sights. A nice leather lace on would fix her right up.Another good option for an iron sighted rimfire would be a Taurus pump. They're a copy of the old Winchester hammer pump. I have the short barreled version in .22 mag and its a lot of fun. As cheap as they are a guy could buy the long barreled model and get a nice set of Marbles sights for it.The Cz bolt guns have a good reputation but I've never shot one.