The Gun Digest Book of .22 Rimfire. James E. House

the Semi-Auto 22 is available in several grades that differ in the amount of engraving and inlay work. Known as Grade I, the lowest priced SA 22 has a list price of $519 while the elegant and ornate Grade VI has a list price of $1,112.

      The MA 4 allows the rimfire shooter to configure the rifle to fire 22 LR, 22 WMR, 17 Mach 2, or 17 HMR by interchanging four barrels and two bolts.

      One of the most unusual 22 LR autoloaders is the MA 2000 from Majestic Arms, LTD. This rifle is a take-down model based on the action of the Henry U.S. Survival rifle to which has been fitted an Aluma-Lite barrel with a Lothar Walther insert (see Chapter 12). The wire, skeletonized stock has a nylon cover that functions as a storage bag for a cleaning kit and a spare magazine. The suggested price of the MA 2000 is $389.

      In early 2005, Majestic Arms announced that in mid year a new rifle known as the MA 4 would be available. This unique rifle is designed so that the same receiver and stock can be used with four different barrels to make a system that will fire 22 LR, 22 WMR, 17 Mach 2, or 17 HMR cartridges. The barrel must be changed to adapt the rifle to each of these calibers, but two bolts accommodate the 22 WMR/17HMR and the 22LR/17 Mach 2 combinations. A wide variety of options exists with regard to types of stocks, sights, etc. Also known as the Majestic Arms Rimfire Rifle System (MARRS), the MA 4 has scope mounts on the barrel. As a result, even though the rifle is a take down model, the sights remain in permanent alignment with the bore. The MA 4 may represent a trend toward interchangeability and versatility for the rimfire shooter.

      Suppose that you want to get a rimfire rifle that is capable of good performance, but your budget will not allow even a $250 retail price or you simply do not want to spend more for the rifle. In this category, there are a number of choices that will still allow you to go plinking, small game hunting, or varmint shooting successfully. Because rimfire rifles are part and parcel to inexpensive shooting, there is a broad range of rifles in this category. First, there are the numerous bolt-action repeaters (having either box or tubular magazines) from makers like Marlin, CZ, and Savage. These are sturdy, dependable rifles that normally give good accuracy (around 1-inch groups at 50 yards) when appropriate ammunition is used. It is the experience of this author that these lower-priced rifles frequently seem to show a greater difference in accuracy with the type of ammunition chosen than do bolt-action rifles like the Ruger 77/22 or the CZ 452 American. Testing several types of ammunition will usually allow you to find one or two types that perform very well in a specific rifle. For example in the tests, the bolt-action Marlin 25N (forerunner of the current Model 925) gave an average group size for five five-shot groups at 50 yards of only 0.78 inches with Wolf Match Target ammunition. The average group size was also under an inch when using CCI Green Tag and Federal Match Target ammunition. Several versions of the Savage bolt-action models known as the Mark II series provide excellent performance, and they are inexpensive rifles. The point is that even an inexpensive rifle may give performance which equals that of more expensive models if some testing is carried out to find the ammunition that performs best in that particular rifle. The CZ Basic, which has many of the features of the 452 American, is a lowcost bolt-action rifle that has a suggested price of only $240 and it should be available for a lower price at retail.

      The rimfire shooter who wants good performance at a rock bottom price need look no farther than the Marlin Model 925.

      The Savage Mark II bolt-action rifle is a dependable, low cost model that gives performance beyond its price.

      If a bolt-action is not your choice, other rifles in the under $250 price category include many that have other types of actions. Economically priced autoloaders that generally sell at retail for $150 to $200 include the Ruger 10/22 Carbine and the 10/22 Rifle, the Remington 597, the Marlin 60, Savage 64, and the Henry U.S. Survival rifle. Some of these models are available in several versions that differ in metal finish and stock configuration. In terms of units sold, these are the most popular rimfire rifles made.

      For example, the legendary Ruger 10/22 autoloader is available for well under $250 in both the Carbine and Rifle versions. Savage offers the Model 64 series of autoloaders consisting of several versions that are available with different stock material and metal finishes. All of these are competent, dependable rifles that are adequate for informal rimfire sport shooting.

      One of the most successful 22 LR autoloaders of all time is the Ruger 10/22 Carbine with about 4 million having been produced since it was introduced in 1964. This model is offered in several variants, but the most popular is that with a carbine style hardwood stock and 18.5-inch barrel. It has suggested price of $250 but is heavily discounted to a retail price of around $160 to $170 in many stores. New for 2004 is the 40^th Anniversary model which has a large nickel silver medallion embedded in the stock.

      It is difficult to imagine a better choice than the Ruger 10/22 Carbine autoloader if an inexpensive rifle with that type of action is desired. Moreover, once you have a 10/22, it is capable of being modified almost without limit. Such upgrades are not merely cosmetic because match grade barrels are popular options. The new Ruger 10/22 Rifle (shown on the cover of this book) has a list price of $275 and normally sells at retail for around $200 or so. This handsome rifle has all the desirable qualities of the legendary 10/22 Carbine but has a 20-inch barrel and far better styling. Also in this category is the Henry lever-action, which should be given serious consideration. The experience of the author is that the Henry lever-action will give accuracy at least as good as most inexpensive autoloaders, and it is light, compact, attractive, and classic in styling (see Chapter 13). As a 22 for woods roaming that costs under $200, it is hard to beat one of the Ruger 10/22 versions, the Marlin 60, or the Henry lever-action. They can be used very successfully for plinking pine cones or potting squirrels.

      In the same general price range as the Ruger 10/22 Carbine is the Remington 597. This rifle is available in several variants that feature different metal finishes and stock materials. The weight and dimensions of the Remington 597 make it a convenient rifle to carry while hunting, and the matte finish and

      The autoloading Henry U.S. Survival rifle is a takedown model, and the barrel and action can be stored in the stock.

      One of the most popular rimfire rifles of all time, the Ruger 10/22 Carbine is the standard by which other autoloaders are judged. Shown is the 40^th Anniversary version. synthetic stock render it resistant to harsh conditions

      The autoloader that has been produced in greater numbers than any other is the Marlin Model 60 in its numerous versions. For about half of the $250 figure, it is possible to buy a Marlin Model 60 autoloader since one of the large “marts” regularly sells this model for around $115 to $120 in the blue and hardwood form. Versions having stainless steel metal parts and composite stocks are also available in the under $250 category. Almost any combination of barrel and stock from blue and hardwood to stainless steel and laminated is available in versions offered for this popular rifle. Getting one of these rifles and adding an inexpensive scope (see Chapter 5) enables a shooter to enjoy rimfire shooting with a minimum outlay of cash. One of the interesting facts about the Marlin 60 is that it has been produced for many years for sale not only carrying Marlin’s name but also the names of other retailers such as Western Auto, Coast to Coast Hardware, etc. The Marlin Model 60 is one of the true classics among American 22s. We will have a great deal more to say about the Marlin Model 60 in Chapter 13.

      Bolt-action rimfire rifles in the magnum calibers normally sell for approximately $20 to $25 more than the similar model in 22 LR. For example, the lowest priced variant of a Marlin Model 925 (22 LR) bolt-action has a retail price of around $150 while the 925M (22 WMR) and 917V (17 HMR) sell for around $170-$180. A similar situation exists for the Savage