22 rifle for hunting

[2571]

New Mossberg Tactical levergun comes in .22. Supposedly a squirrrel-killing machine.

[CalvinMD]

Got a ton of 22's but most times I'm carrying either my first model 60 or my Ruger 77/22 stainless with a Bushnell 3x9

[bdhold]

Springfield model 83 singleshot bolt. It never misses.

My dad's 1934 Winchester Model 67a is right up there.

[OJ]

This bolt action single shot did it for me in 1933 -



But, now I prefer this Browning BL22 -

[GoatGuy]

Low powered scoped (old eyes) 10/22 Ruger. IMO, can't be beat. Accurate, light and handy, well balanced even with a scope, quickly loaded with its 10 round magazine and reasonably priced.

Really liked a 9422 I had years ago, but it seemed somewhat big for its .22lr cartridge, awful pretty for a woods gun and the magazine tube follower had a hard time keeping its' place, so traded it off in a moment of weakness for something else ...I forget what.

Wanted to like the Marlin 39, but the two I owned over the last four decades or so never lived up to the accuracy "love" I'd been fed by its supporters. So they both went to other folks to appreciate.

[AJMD429]

they jam in Marlin 39a, and not recommended by the manufacturer for Henry .22s

Hollowpoints work JUST FINE in the Ruger 96's - since they use the same 10-shot rotary magazine as the 10/22's do...*. I also use some rounds I've run through Paco's diameter-bumping tool, and they DO perform terminally on small varmints (and feed just fine, as well).

(*or you can also use the high-capacity 50-round ones, if you're so inclined).

[turnkey]

Hollowpoints seem to work fine so far in my 9422.

[CalvinMD]

I dunno??? my 39 works fine with everthing and most hunting was done with hp's

[OJ]

In my opinion, there are a lot of good guns around - my BL22 digests everything I have fed it since I bought it in 1968 (dealer friend sold it to me for $115 - the same day he sold me a new Winchester 94 Buffalo Bill 30-30 Commemorative rifle for - would you believe $90!!) - HPs, even longs and shorts in the same magazine load with the long rifles of all breeds - though I usually shoot long rifle ammo. It's funny - back in the 1930s we were in deep depression and I shot shorts because they cost two bits per box and long rifles were four bits per box of 50. Now, it seems, shorts are more expensive than long rifles - at least the last time I priced them.

[cshold]

This is my one and only .22 rimfire ‘rifle’ I’ve ever owned.
I bought this Remington 541S new in 1979 as well as the Redfield 4X wide view scope.
Many a tree-rat & groundhog have been taken over the years with this Remington.
Her favorite ammo. is the Winchester T22. Hole through hole accuracy
(and yes I have the targets to prove it, indoor range @ York Rifleman )

I had a 541S a few years back and it shot tiny one hole 5 shot groups at 25 yards with a 6x Leupold Compact with and AO (off the bags of course). I got my best accuracy with then what was called "Eley Gold Benchrest" . Later when Remington brought out the Model 541T-HB I got one and it never held a candle to what the older 541S would do !

My cousin always envied my S model and what it could do.
So thinking he could one up me he bought one of those heavy barrel T models.
He found out as you did, not anymore accurate than my S and way to heavy
for slow walking the trails for squirrel.

[stinkycat]

Marlin 39a

[C. Cash]

wow! Serious fun kit there.

[6pt-sika]

This is my one and only .22 rimfire ‘rifle’ I’ve ever owned.
I bought this Remington 541S new in 1979 as well as the Redfield 4X wide view scope.
Many a tree-rat & groundhog have been taken over the years with this Remington.
Her favorite ammo. is the Winchester T22. Hole through hole accuracy
(and yes I have the targets to prove it, indoor range @ York Rifleman )

I had a 541S a few years back and it shot tiny one hole 5 shot groups at 25 yards with a 6x Leupold Compact with and AO (off the bags of course). I got my best accuracy with then what was called "Eley Gold Benchrest" . Later when Remington brought out the Model 541T-HB I got one and it never held a candle to what the older 541S would do !

My cousin always envied my S model and what it could do.
So thinking he could one up me he bought one of those heavy barrel T models.
He found out as you did, not anymore accurate than my S and way to heavy
for slow walking the trails for squirrel.

The 541T-HB could shoot some really small groups . However the biggest consternation I had with it was the fact that EVERYTIME you shot it from a clean bore or a fouled bore that was cooled off it would throw the first shot maybe a 1/2" outta the group at 25 yards . Now granted for squills that isn't a big deal . But for shooting paper it was a PITA .

Strangely THE SMALLEST 5 shot group I ever shot at 25 yards with a 22LR was fired with a standard Winchester Model 61 I still own shooting the Eley Gold Benchrest and a old Weaver K10 on top . That group was .145" over the diameter of the bullet . A friend and I were shooting that day and he had a old Browning T Bolt with him that according to him was the best shooting 22 in the world . I shot my group and he tried for 2 hours to better it with no luck . He tried to get me to shoot mine again and I told him there was no need until he beat my group . He got a little PO'd , such is life . To this day he's never bettered it with that T Bolt

[C. Cash]

Trying to get this old bird cranking and back into the field...an old family 22 that still has good strong rifling. It is a Ward's Western Field(Mossberg) made in 1937 only. I started using it at about age 4-5, and the amount of ammo it digested from five boys over many years, is beyond reckoning. I don't like bolt rifles but this one has an old timey look that I like alot.

[Meeteetse]

I have four .22 rifles that are great fun and accurate.

My oldest is a Mossberg semi-auto that dates from the late 1940's and was a gift from my father, but for hunting there is no doubt which I would choose, my Ruger 77/22 that I bought in the first year they were made. It has iron sights but also wears a 3x9 scope. It is a full sized rifle and is extremely accurate.

My favorite rifle for carrying in the woods and camping is a beautiful little Browning BL-22.

I also have a Ruger 10/22 because everybody has one. Someday I am going to change the barrel and a few other things to see if I can make it into a tack driver. Right now my granddaughter thinks it is hers.

Considering all the guns I have owned over the last 50+ years, I think all my .22's may be my favorites.

[2ndovc]

I have (and shoot) several 22LR rifles but my absolute squirrel hunting tack driver is my CZ452 American. These rifles are absolutely incredible. I don't know what they are going for now but mine was OTD for under $350. One of my best ever buys!

I love my CZ as well. It's a 452 Magnum with a Mannlicher stock. Freaking deadly but preferrs the heavier bullets, 40-45 grains.

My 50's vintage Marlin 39 is a close second. After that my 10-22.

jb

[Derenius]

Well, I only have one .22 caliber. So I guess I´d take that one. It´s my Winnie 9422M, and I love it. Granted, the WMR is a bit pricier to shoot a lot, but for hunting I really love it. These things are really nicely built and put together!
Here it is, all cozy together with my 1894, before I fixed up the wood on the 1894:

[hightime]

I like this one. A Mark XXII Weatherby.

Owen