High quality all steel barreled auto action?

[Will52100]

After spending a few hours fixing my old favorite, I figured it's time to get a new 22 auto.  Trouble is most of the ones out there have plastic in them and have crappy stocks, mass produced and enelegant.

I'm looking for a top notch 22 barrled autoloading action.  The Thombson Center looks good,

I've got a nice slab of black walnut for the stock, just want a solid high quality action and barrel.

I don't want to break the bank but don't mind paying for quality eigther,

I'm not looking for olimpic bench rest match grade acuracy, but want as acurate as posible, will be used for plinking, hunting, and varmit control.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Will

[jh45gun]

With the soft lead of the 22 bullets 22 barrels hardly ever wear out unless abused by improper cleaning ect. I would look for a older gun in good working order. Lots of choices and most still function like the day they were new. Mossberg Semi autos were built like a tank and were great shooters I would look for one of those!! Jim

[Will52100]

Thanks Jim,

I'm probably going with the T/C 22 classic, it's got nearly everything I want, all steel construction, built right, good fit and finish, match grade barrel and a big plus to me, a walnut stock.  The only thing I don't like is the removable magizine, though it's well built I like the slim lines and high capacity of the tube mag.

I would realy prefere an oil finish, but I'll probably leave the stock alone for a while.

[TScottO]

Will,

I have a T/C 22 Classic. It's a nice rifle however mine is really finicky about what it will feed reliably but it shoots all brands I have tried accurately. From my understanding a lot of the earlier run rifles had problems feeding. You might want to contact T/C and see if they have corrected this problem. I also find the 5 round clips hard to load. T/C now offers a 10 round clip as well.

Scott

[Dwarfmiester]

I have owned a Classic for several years, the trigger needs work but mine is the same as when it left the factory.  When I have been able it's my squirrel rifle and with the right ammo accurate enough to be used as a Sporter Class rifle for BR-50, now I don't win but I have fun.  Several people in my club have different opinions of it, but they insist on using the cheapest ammo, and are upset when it won't group.  They don't like me saying garbage in garbage out, either.  Good luck.

Len :-)

[Will52100]

Thanks guys, from what I've seen and heard it looks like what I've been looking for.  I am heartily sick of cheap crap, this looks like it'd be the rifle for me.

I don't plan on any national matches with it, just basic varmiting and such, mostly under 50 yards, and some a good bit under that all with iron sights, so cheap ammo would probly do me fine, if not the next step up is not that high.

I'm mainly looking for something that will last for the long haul.

Thanks again,

Will

[Darrell Davis]

Hey there Shooters,

Beware when looking at a TC "classic."  I had one and it was a piece of JUNK, even after a trip back to the factory.

You can read my comments under the heading "thoughts about the TC classic," which can be found under the Rimfire Rifles heading.

I also saw my first ad, yesterday 3/15/04, for the newer TC Benchmark in the new NRA Rifleman mag. I think it is smart of TC not to make the grand claims for this rifle that they made in the early "classic" ads.

I made the mistake of buying a "classic" because of the claims of 1/2" - 50yd. groups and "match grade" trigger. Not only did it not even come close to those claims, it was a jamming piece of junk!

Keep em coming! :wink:

[gunnut69]

I would look for a used Weatherby MkXXII.  They are a man sized 22, made of steel and had an adjustable trigger.  to top it off, if cared for, the rifle will most likely be worth more when you get ready to sell it than what you paid for it.!!!

[Darrell Davis]

Hello again,

Another thought,

If I was wanting a very good shooter in an auto, I think I might look at the Clark Custom/Ruger.

If the new 77/22 Clark/Ruger I recently bought is an example of what they produce, they are very good AND everything the TC "classic," wasn't!

Keep em coming! :wink:

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

I also had a TC Classic----and it was a POS----also a friend has one bought around the same time as mine---also a POS.

Stay far away from the TC--you'll even be more disappointed than the ones you perceive as cheap junk----when in fact the TC is nothing but JUNK.

That rifle soured me on any TC products---sorry TC---you can forget about that muzzleloader too. TC=Total Crap

If you want something all steel---look at the Marlin and Win levers or one of the various bolt actions out-----for autoloaders it starts and ends with the 10/22---period.

[Dwarfmiester]

Darrell,

     My Classic dosen't jam, and with Eley Tenex Ammo will shoot rings around several modified 10-22's.  For BR-50 Sporter class you are limited to a 6x scope (Leupold M8 A. O.) 6x. 50 Yard group sizes for Tenex 4 (5 shot) groups ave .356", Fed Gold Medal Match .564", CCI SGB (High Speed) .526" and Federal 711B .675".  All groups shot off the bench with a adjustable Hart front rest and a bunny ear rear bag.  I did not write down weather conditions but my guess is there was some wind at my club there always is.  Two days later under very windy conditions, 15 to 20 MPH crosswind 3(5 shot) groups with Tenex were .505, .400 and .609.  So maybe I got the good one![/list]

[Darrell Davis]

Hey there,

Glad to hear someone got a good "classic." In fact, a dealer not long ago looked at me like I came in from the barnyard without cleaning my shoes when I told about my experience with the TC.

However, all I can do is tell what happened with mine. TC should have tested each and everyone before they came from the factory, if they wanted to live up to their early ads. Mine didn't even, as I said, after a trip back to the factory.

TC could have changed my feelings by taking care of the problem. They didn't.

In 50 years of firearm ownership, the TC "classic," was without a doubt the low point.

Hope everyone gets a good one, as the other way isn't fun!

Keep em coming! :wink:

[Keith L]

I don't have a TC .22 but the folks I know that have them speak highly of them.  And with the 11 TC guns in my safe I have lots of experience with their products and a couple of experiences with their shop.  All have been positive.

I am sorry that anyone had trouble with their guns, but with all the good reports and service out of TC we have a pretty small sample of problems.  I hope potential buyers consider the ratio when making their decision.  Enough manufacturing is done off shore.  We need to support those that do us right, and TC has always done right by me.

[Dwarfmiester]

Darrell and Keith,

      Sorry to hear about your problem, I wish you still had the gun, we might have been able to figure it out.  I have 2 clips for mine and both feed everthing, looking back at those groups they may have been shot with a Leupold EFR 6.5x24 scope, but I am not sure.  As Kieth said there are 5 T/C's in my safe and I sold several mostly Muzzleloaders over the years and the service dept. sent me a new frame for my Conternder when it would not stay cocked.  This hurt because the original was a low 5 digit serial.  Don't count T/C out but I hope you have better luck with whatever you buy.

Len

[Will52100]

I'll be ordering one next time I'm in, budget won't suport one now, had to pay taxes  :cry:

I'll be shooting at under 50 yards most times, and while I want extream acuracy most shots will be made from the off hand with iron sights.  I may put a scope on it later, but aside from one time I've never shot a scoped rifle.

I'll keep you posted, if I'm not satisfied you can believe that TC will make it right.  Or else they'll get tired of dealing with me!  The TC target model I checked out at the gun store had a very good fit and finish and the action was smooth as silk.  the whole gun felt like it was built like a tank.  I know it's not the same as firing one, but it definatly had a better feel than anything else on the shelves, including the 10/22.

We'll see how it turns out.

Thanks everyone!