Author Topic: Opinions on 22 Mag rifles (Read 5414 times)

LaOtto222 · « **on:** May 08, 2008, 09:08:56 AM »

I am thinking about a new 22 Mag rifle. I am leaning toward a single shot or bolt. I do not want to spend any more money than is needed to get an accurate one and I do not want to feel that I am lugging around a log, I want it light weight. I know that a rifle that looks good will cost more than a plain Jane one so looks are secondary to me. I have a 77/17 that shoots lights out, but not until I bought a custom barrel and trigger sear for it. I have a feeling that a 77/22 mag would be the same deal, am I wrong? Thinking real serious about a Marlin 925M with a good trigger added, but I have also thought about a CZ 452 too. I also have given some thought to a Handi Ultra Varmint in 22 Mag (I know they are discontinued). I am thinking 1" @ 100 yard range. What are your thoughts on what rifle is the most bang for the buck?

EVOC ONE · « **Reply #1 on:** May 08, 2008, 12:20:54 PM »

I enjoy the .22 Mag very much. So much so that I have yet to pick-up a .17 of any type. Practice and plinking ammo can still be had at Wal Mart for less than $8.00 per box (Win. Dynapoint's). I actually have a couple that shoot the Dynapoint's very well, but that's another topic.

I have two Marlins: A 25M and 925. The 900 series models have the T-900 control fire trigger. As a whole, I'm not sure I see much different over the older triggers. The 900 trigger on mine is heavier than I would have expected, but breaks nice. I "touched" up the trigger on the 25M and its just as nice, albeit a bit lighter. The old style triggers are easy to modify without much effort. Accuracy at 100 yards can easily be in the MOA arena once you find the right ammo.

I also have a NEF Sportster and Ultra .22 Mag. Again, both shoot excellently with MOA at 100 yards obtainable with the proper ammo. I use the Sportster for short range (inside 100 yards) ground hog hunting. No problems there. Again, finding the right ammo to do the job is just about all it takes. I've used the cheap Dynapoint's with success as well as Winchester Supreme HP's.

I don't get fancy with scopes on my rimfires. The Marlins use cheap Tasco's 3X9's from Wal Mart. The NEF and Ultra, Bushnell Sportsman 3X9's.

I usually never go to the range without bringing along a .22 Mag.

Oldtimer · « **Reply #2 on:** May 09, 2008, 04:02:33 AM »

I put a stainless .22 Magnum barrel on my 77-22 and have found it not as accurate as the best .22 LR loads, but still as accurate as I could ask for. I did also have to change out the trigger guard group and do a little whittling on the stock, but it has not had any negative effects on accuracy. It is possible to modify the 77-22 from LR to Magnum, but not the reverse, due to the spacing of the firing pin. I am not in love with the trigger of the 77-22 since I put an aftermarket trigger on my 10-22. Until then, I thought the 77-22 trigger was all right. What I have noticed about the more expensive rifles is that they shoot all ammo well, though they do show preferences, but the differences are much less than for cheaper guns (YGMMV).

I got the barrel from another GBO member at a very reasonable price. If you were to go this route, with two barrels, another trigger guard group, and a .22 WMR magazine, you could have a .22 LR, a .22 WMR, and, a .17 HMR. Not a bad rimfire battery, if you ask me.
Put me down for a Ruger 77-22.

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 09, 2008, 06:02:34 AM »

Thank you for the responses, I will try to address each one. I would like more too

EVOC ONE - I have an old Glenfield model 15 (made by Marlin) in 22 long rifle. I also "touched up" the trigger and put some aluminum shim stock under the fore end to give it a little up pressure. It shoots much better than it should. I paid $25 brand new. I thought it would be a trunk gun, but it shot so well that I hate to have it bumping around in the trunk of my car. The Marlin 925M is constructed similarly to the Glenfield I have. So I was thinking that maybe the 925M would shoot as well. Will the Marlin 925M you have REALLY shoot 1 MOA with ammo it likes consistently? And what is that ammo?

Oldtimer - I have a Ruger SS 77/17 with a laminated stock and like it very much and it shoots very, very well. I too swapped out the barrel ( a heavy one) and I also added an after market sear to it to help out the trigger, which it did. Now comes the rub - With the cost of the gun to start with and the expense of a good barrel + the trigger sear, I have $700 in her. I have had it for 2 years. Now the cost would be even more. I was hoping to get by with considerably less than that. As far as swapping out barrels...The barrel I got is a friction fit in the receiver, I had to literally pound it in. That does not make for an easy barrel swap, but does make for an accurate gun. I really want a separate gun anyway. Believe me I am not knocking a Ruger, I really like mine, I just did not want to wrap that much money in it. I will if I have too, but really I am looking for an inexpensive light weight gun that can shoot some where around 1 MOA. Maybe I am asking the impossible.

backstrap · « **Reply #4 on:** May 09, 2008, 06:08:16 AM »

I like my Marlin 925 its the newer 1 with the t-900 triger it shoots well with cci maxi mag HP, i did the trigger job the guys over at rimfire Central are doing to this trigger group and it made a great trigger out of it,also did it to me 917v i like the marlin because its clip Fed and u can buy extra clips not a bad rifle for 180

Graybeard · « **Reply #5 on:** May 09, 2008, 06:42:32 AM »

Off the top of my head and I can recall having owned four rifles, two handguns and two TC Contender barrels chambered to the .22 Magnum. All have been extemely accurate.

My first was a Marlin of unknown model number bought shortly after the round first came out. I'd guess I picked it up in about 1960 or 1961. Sadly I traded it off many long years ago but it was a finely accurate rifle with all the then available ammo. My next was a Savage model 24 DL I think with .22 magnum barrel atop a 20 gauge shotgun barrel. It too shot very well and killed lots of squirrels and other game.

The latest two were both Marlins the older of them an 882 that like a dummy I traded off to get a .17 HMR that wouldn't even come close to the sub MOA accuracy that Marlin delivered with Winchester's original 40 grain JHPs and it wasn't far behind but not quite MOA with the CCI equivalent. The current one is the same rifle but now called a 982 with the newer but no better to me trigger group. It too tho is about an MOA rifle with the Winchester ammo and I've not even tried any other yet but have some of the new Hornady 30 gain stuff on the way to try.

Both my handguns were S&Ws a model 48 with 8-3/8" barrel and the other was a 4" I think barreled J-frame that at the moment I foget the name of. Oh I also now recall a Taurus small frame gun with 4" barrel also but that one was not so accurate and thus easily forgotten.

The TC barrels were both 10" long and as accurate as the rifles. I used them in competition and for hunting and target shooting and they could always be depended on to hit what I aimed at if I did my part. Over all in my personal experience my various .22 Magnums have been a bit more accurate than my many .22LR rifles and far more accurate than the .17 HMR rifles I've owned.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #6 on:** May 09, 2008, 07:24:47 AM »

The M-77 is great !

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 09, 2008, 08:11:23 AM »

Thank You Graybeard and backstrap and SHOOTALL for the responses;) They all mean something to me. SHOOTALL read my response about the Ruger above, nice rifle, but a little pricey. I do not know if you you could tell, but I was leaning toward the Marlin (cost vs performance). I have a Mossberg 340K Chuckster, I believe. It has a very nice walnut stock with tiger stripes and some times it seems to want to shoot well with Winchester HP. The trigger on it has got to be the worst I have ever owned including some bad shotguns I have had. I have tried to work on it, but the design of the trigger "group" is such that you can only do so much and there are not after market solutions for it. I just can not get over how bad the trigger is and consequently I can not shoot worth a darn with it. I bought it before I had any center fire rifles and it was to be my main varmint gun. It got retired early and I went in a different direction (a used Remington 788 in 222). I am now ready to get back into the 22 Mag game for the same purpose I had thought of years ago. Most of my shots are under 125 yards and I do stalking almost exclusively. I was seriously considering the CZ 452 also, because it is also light weight and has a solid reputation for accuracy $:-\$ The one that Graybeard has is the heavy barreled SS with 2 action screws. That is the one I really want, but the weight is 7 pounds. The thought of a rifle + scope that only weighs 7 pounds total is much more appealing. I am wavering a little. It seems I always want a light weight rifle, and then I end up with a set and watch for 'em weight gun. Shotguns are another matter, they have to be light weight because I hunt upland game and walk all day. A pound difference makes a big difference at the end of the day, but that is another story. I may decide to lug the extra pound. I still have time, I am not in a hurry, so I may change my mind yet

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #8 on:** May 09, 2008, 08:21:06 AM »

I have only owned a Ruger M-77 22 mag. and a 10-22 mag. so i could not commit on any others . I got mine used and that helped offset the cost .
the m-77 was great from the start the 22 RF was close but needed work , a gunsmith buddy said torque the bbl screws with a torque wrench and lube the bbl. shank and screws which i did and it is the tack driver now ! I could have been lucky .
Good luck with which ever you get !

bscman · « **Reply #9 on:** May 09, 2008, 09:01:44 AM »

I'll throw another vote for the 925m.

I have the older version, 25m, and love it. The new ones are going for ~$180 new. The T900 trigger group can be worked down to ~2.5lbs with practically no offort (or permanant alterations). I did the T900 tricks on my HMR and the trigger is down to 2lbs 4oz and VERY crisp. Good enough for me...and save $70 over the rifle basix.

My local shop also does T900 trigger jobs, down to 2lbs for $35.

Can't go wrong with a marlin, IMHO...(I own several!).

Graybeard · « **Reply #10 on:** May 09, 2008, 09:13:19 AM »

Quote

The one that Graybeard has is the heavy barreled SS with 2 action screws. That is the one I really want, but the weight is 7 pounds.

You are mistaken on the rifle I have. Full up with scope, tip off Burris rings and five rounds in the magazine it weights 6 pounds 4 ounces. The scope I have on it is an old Leupold 3X that for the current uses I make of it seems an excellent choice. Were I to use it for longer range duty which I might soon I'll change it out for a higher power and admittedly heavier scope. Mine does not have a heavy barrel or the double screws you mention.

I'm not sure if the one I own is even in the line up any longer but mine is not a heavy weight as I also don't care for heavy rimfires.

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 09, 2008, 10:02:45 AM »

Thanks again for everyone's input. Graybeard sorry about the mistake, I thought it was a 982VS

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/22WinMagnum/982VS.aspx

This is the 925M that I have been thinking about

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/22WinMagnum/925M.aspx

I am glad to hear all of the good reports about the light weight Marlins. I am now leaning that way very heavily, because it fits what I want very closely without spending big bucks. There are nicer looking rifles out there and I am sure they shoot just fine, but I want to use this as an everyday rifle, that is carried afield and good looks, just get in the way of having a good time to me. A cheap rifle that shoots well...I like because if I get a scratch or a dent on it, it does not make me feel bad. It also makes me a little smug knowing I can shoot just as well with an inexpensive rifle as one that cost 2 or 3 times as much.

Steve in Michigan · « **Reply #12 on:** May 09, 2008, 10:09:57 AM »

In the May 2008 issue of Rifle Magazine, John Haviland has an article about the .22 magnum round and has some comparisons to the .17 HMR. It may be on the Rifle website by now as well.

EVOC ONE · « **Reply #13 on:** May 09, 2008, 10:33:06 AM »

Quote from: LaOtto222 on May 09, 2008, 06:02:34 AM

EVOC ONE - I have an old Glenfield model 15 (made by Marlin) in 22 long rifle. I also "touched up" the trigger and put some aluminum shim stock under the fore end to give it a little up pressure. It shoots much better than it should. I paid $25 brand new. I thought it would be a trunk gun, but it shot so well that I hate to have it bumping around in the trunk of my car. The Marlin 925M is constructed similarly to the Glenfield I have. So I was thinking that maybe the 925M would shoot as well. Will the Marlin 925M you have REALLY shoot 1 MOA with ammo it likes consistently? And what is that ammo?

I feel the same way your do about those old Marlin bolt guns. They are easy to become fond of. Not sure I would want any of mine bouncing around in a trunk or behind the seat.

I have found the 925 will shoot MOA with the proper ammo. I don't shoot MOA every time, but it's happened enough for me to know that the rifle is capable of shooting MOA more than occasionally.

I researched my range notes. It seems that Winchester Dynapoints and Supreme HP's shoot the best in the Marlins and NEF's. I have recorded a few 8-10 shot groups at MOA to 1 1/2" using both types. I have tried CCI's and Winchester Super X (silver box). The groups were decent, but not as consistent as the Dyna's and Supremes.

I picked up a Model 15 single shot a couple years back in cherry condition. Being unfamiliar with a single shot Marlin bolt gun, I contacted Marlin. I was told the rifle was actually a version of the Mod 25 and were produced only for a couple years around the late 70's early 80's.

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 09, 2008, 10:49:27 AM »

Thanks Steve in Michigan - I subscribe to that magazine, but have not downloaded that issue yet. Doing it now. I was not looking for a comparison. I think they both have their place. I have a very good 17 HMR now, I just wanted a light weight 22 Mag because I shoot ground hogs and I think the 22 Mag will handle the job just a little better at the ranges I shoot them. I use the heavy 17 HMR I have for smaller stuff, they are great on crows, pesky chipmunks and ground squirrels. We call them gophers around here. I think they would be just the ticket for PD at 150 yards or so, but we do not have any of those varmints around here.

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #15 on:** May 09, 2008, 10:54:59 AM »

Thanks EVOC ONE That old Marlin really has a spot in the corner of my heart. it is my go to gun when I have to have the most accuracy I can get. I have a custom 10/22 that shoots very well too, but I still do not have the confidence in it that I do the Marlin and it weighs several pounds more.

DCRthe3rd · « **Reply #16 on:** May 09, 2008, 04:41:25 PM »

I have a marlin in 22mag , don't recall the model right now but it's black plastic stock and metal is stainless and has a 7rd detachable mag, I like marlins , but this one hates more ammo than it likes , I don't feel this gun is a good representative of marlins in general , I think I just got one of the monday/friday guns or something like that.

chalmitch · « **Reply #17 on:** May 10, 2008, 01:16:11 PM »

My Marlin is 1980's, 882 and is tube fed. It prefers the CCI hollow point fodder the best, 40 grain. Shoots well from a rest or bi-pods at 50 yards. I had to replace the trigger because of so much tinkering and did so with a Jard. The Jard is well worth the ca$h. I fell for the .17 HMR craze but went back to the .22Magnum because of less wind drift and DRT on Ground Hogs.

Best regards,
chalmitch

nodlenor · « **Reply #18 on:** May 11, 2008, 02:56:46 AM »

I have a 22 mag NEF. It is a great shooting little rifle. Another good thing is I don't have a lot of money tied up in it. You can't blast away a lot of ammo real fast but it will hit what you're shooting at if you do your part. If I remember right mine cost around $150.

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #19 on:** May 11, 2008, 03:52:34 AM »

I have been away for a couple of days. I have a lake place (my near future retirement home) that I have to keep up as well as my house here. Came home for Mothers Day today. My mother is gone, but I still have a Mother In Law and my wife is a Mom. Thanks still for every ones input. I really do appreciate the time you have taken to cover this subject. I was looking at Marlin's web site some more and found you can get a laminated stock for the 925M. I do not know if I would go that far, but it would dress it up a little. It would more than likely be heavier than the birch stock that it comes with and not shoot a bit better. I am leaning very heavily towards the Marlin 925M right now. From all of the reports, I do not think I can do much better in the accuracy area, and it is definitely light and inexpensive.

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #20 on:** May 13, 2008, 12:30:30 AM »

I have ordered a Marlin 925M. I am going to wait until I get a chance to try it out until I do any modifications to it (trigger or any thing else). I think I will order a set of weaver style mounts for it, since it is drilled and tapped for them. Thanks for every ones input, it did have a big influence on my decision. Marlin sells a laminated stock and a plastic stock for this model. I am going to wait to find out about the weight thing, I might get the plastic stock to save weight, but like I said I am going to wait to see how it shoots first.

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #21 on:** May 16, 2008, 09:11:09 AM »

Update - I got a call from the store I ordered the Marlin 925M through. they said it was in - Yahoo! I drove down and they pointed to a Marlin box and said yep that is the one. They gave me the form and I started to fill it out, I got about 3/4 of it done and another salesman walked up and said have you looked at it yet to make sure it is the right gun? I said no, so they pulled it out of the box and it was a Marlin 925 not M. They sent me the wrong gun. I am being very patient and they apologized and said they they will have the correct gun sent out the next day. While they were making arrangements, I started to browse the gun racks. I found a Marlin 982 VS CS. I hefted it a little and it did not seem to be very heavy. The wheels started to turn and I decided to cancel the order for the 925M and bought the 982. It is the SS one with a carbon fiber stock. I got it home and it came with weaver mounts, so I mounted that and and a Simmons 3X9 scope. Full up with scope and every thing it weighs 6.8 pounds. I wanted it to be a little lighter, but that is not too bad. I have a few different ammos to try out. I sure hope it shoots good.

backstrap · « **Reply #22 on:** May 17, 2008, 04:20:42 AM »

Laotto is it the heavy barrel or sportster barrel?I am sure it will shoot for u just take some time finding the right ammo. Good luck

backstrap · « **Reply #23 on:** May 17, 2008, 04:26:47 AM »

Forgot to ask does it have the t-900 trigger? if so u dont like the trigger pull u can find the trigger job under this forum,Marlin t-900 trigger rework.like i said already it makes a sweet trigger or the 2 i have done where nice

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #24 on:** May 17, 2008, 02:44:12 PM »

It is the heavy SS barrel. I was surprised at how light it was, it must be the stock and the heavy barrel is not a whole lot fatter than the standard barrel (around .8" with no tapper). It does have the T-900 trigger. I have already researched the trigger mods and have installed a Bic spring for the trigger return. I did not modify any thing else...yet. I am used to very good and light trigger pulls. I shot my Ruger 77/17 afterward and was touching them off early, because it was sooo much lighter and crisper than the Marlin trigger. I took about 4-5 rounds to settle in, then I was shooting 1/4" groups at 50 yards with a gusting side wind. The Marlin started out shooting horrible (2 1/2" vertical and horizontal strings). When I finished I was in the neighborhood of 5/8" at 50 yards with Winchester Supremes. Not sure if I was getting used to the trigger or the gun was starting to settle in. It is encouraging however. I have not made up my mind to get the after market trigger or not yet. Here is a picture

https://www.gboreloaded.com/mhp/images/LaOtto/marlin982.jpg

Graybeard · « **Reply #25 on:** May 17, 2008, 05:57:14 PM »

Folks keep talking about some guidance that's supposed to be here on the T9000 trigger but danged if I can find it. I've looked on pages one thru five and done a search and come up empty. If anyone actually finds it why not drop a link in to it or maybe even ad it to the sticky at the top of the forum.

I think the trigger on my old 882 SS was better than the one on this newer 982 SS which has the T9000 unit. I've not pulled it from stock and looked to see what might be involved.

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #26 on:** May 18, 2008, 12:14:11 AM »

Bill - I could not find anything in GBO on this either - I got my information on Rimfire Central

There are no adjustment screws to the T-900 trigger

All of the modifications involve replacing a spring, modifying a spring and working on the sear/trigger interface. The link below is a page with links to different solutions. I have worked on the old Glenfield I have. I did it years ago and it does not have too bad of a trigger.

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=197546

ironglow · « **Reply #27 on:** May 26, 2008, 12:56:58 AM »

I just got to read your thread here..I have a Marlin mag, blue..laminated..nice rifle and trigger came as acceptable..
Another Mag that we seem to have overlooked..The Savage 93G ..and it comes with the Accu-trigger as standard equip..

ruger438 · « **Reply #28 on:** May 29, 2008, 03:14:41 PM »

nice rifle you bought there. If my 25m wasn't serving me so well, that's the rifle I'd get in 22 mag.
Funny nobody really likes the t900 trigger. I had a 917v with the t900 and liked it a lot better than the old type on my 25m. Its the wider trigger shoe that makes it feel better to me, and maybe my particular 917 just got made on the right day.

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #29 on:** May 30, 2008, 04:23:41 AM »

Quote from: Graybeard on May 09, 2008, 06:42:32 AM

My first was a Marlin of unknown model number bought shortly after the round first came out.

I seem to remember an excerpt from an Elmer Keith article on the WMR. The writer witnessed Elmer shooting this new round through a revolver. I guess that they would not eject without some tamping on the rod but Elmer just grinned and said
(Winchester Has Got Them Loaded A Little Hot) which was quite a statement from him considering who he was and what he liked to do!

I believe that those (early rounds) would push a 40gr bullet out of a rifle @ 2,100 fps but sticky extractions caused the makers to reduce them down to the 1,800fps range.