What to buy next?

[HazyDayz]

I've got some potentially disposable income coming in in the next couple of months, and am interested in buying one of two things with the purpose of plinking and/or hunting small game. Small game meaning rabbit, squirrel, and the like.

I am either looking for a .22 spring or gas piston air rifle, or a rimfire rifle either .22lr, .22magnum, or .17hmr.

I already have a springer in .177 that is adequately powerful for hunting, and just needs a scope. I do not however have any variety of rimfire.

My question here is that for my purposes, should I buy a rimfire rifle, or an air rifle? The budget is about the same for either ~$200 give or take a little.

I don't need anything fancy, so action types on the rimfire are wide open. Bolt, semi, whatever.

Input welcome and appreciated.

 

[Speed3]

I would buy a .22lr savage bolt action rifle. You have the airgun already nailed down. Savages will shoot well and are around your budget. Check out the FVSR...i'm close to you, if you want to shoot mine before making the purchase, you are welcome too.

 

[Marshmallow]

Wanna donate to the "josh needs a new waterfowl shotgun fund" lol

 

[HazyDayz]

Wanna donate to the "josh needs a new waterfowl shotgun fund" lol

Maybe. What you got?

 

[xtreme43s10]

I would go with a .22 rimfire.

 

[HazyDayz]

I would go with a .22 rimfire.

I'm leaning that way. Now I'm wondering models. I don't plan to ever suppress a rimfire, so threading isn't important. I do like the savage MK II offerings and will keep those on the table. Other suggestions welcome.

 

[Uncle Duke]

I would buy a .22lr savage bolt action rifle. You have the airgun already nailed down. Savages will shoot well and are around your budget. Check out the FVSR...i'm close to you, if you want to shoot mine before making the purchase, you are welcome too.

A good call here! And Savage indeed makes an accurate rimfire in this price range.

Don't let 22LR ammo availability discourage you. Availability is improving, and these issues run in cycles.

17HMR and 22WMR are both good rounds, but are more niche rounds. You can't go wrong with 22LR for what you describe as your intended uses.

 

[Hyp81]

I would buy a .22lr savage bolt action rifle. You have the airgun already nailed down. Savages will shoot well and are around your budget. Check out the FVSR...i'm close to you, if you want to shoot mine before making the purchase, you are welcome too.

I have a Marlin 60 .22lr. On sale you can get them for $160 at Bass Pro.

However....

The first gun I ever shot was a Savage Mark II bolt action owned by a friend. I adored that gun and someday will own one. So I really cannot argue against that suggestion.

 

[HazyDayz]

I have a Marlin 60 .22lr. On sale you can get them for $160 at Bass Pro.

However....

The first gun I ever shot was a Savage Mark II bolt action owned by a friend. I adored that gun and someday will own one. So I really cannot argue against that suggestion.

I've heard that marlin has been having some QC issues. Is this true?

 

[Hyp81]

I bought mine new in 2012 and it's been great. It fires BEST with copper plate ammo, but will shoot the cheap stuff 4/5 times.

They are a very old manufacturer, so if you look, you can probably find older models.

 

[HazyDayz]

I bought mine new in 2012 and it's been great. It fires BEST with copper plate ammo, but will shoot the cheap stuff 4/5 times.

They are a very old manufacturer, so if you look, you can probably find older models.

I know my great uncle had a 30\30levergun that was a marlin that must have been produced sometime in the 60s. Never had any issues with that, I've just hears some things about the newer rimfire.

 

[xtreme43s10]

I'm leaning that way. Now I'm wondering models. I don't plan to ever suppress a rimfire, so threading isn't important. I do like the savage MK II offerings and will keep those on the table. Other suggestions welcome.

Savage makes a good 22, then there's always the ruger 10/22, I have a remington aac-sd 597 and haven't had any issues with it.

 

[Marshmallow]

Maybe. What you got?

Right now I have a mossberg 500. Smooth and rifled barrels.

Looking at the benelli supernova. Want the ability to swap chokes, and just a smoother pump gun.

 

[El Patron Grande]

El Patron Grande says:

If you go with .22lr rifle you can't go wrong with a Ruger 10/22, which is the "Lego" of .22lr rifles (plus you can buy in the future the .22lr American Rifle - they have compatible mags). IMHO the combo of the two is as close to perfect a purchase for that caliber.

Speaking of perfect, if US dolares is no problema, then take a look at the CZ 455 American Combo (.22 LR & .17 HMR). Hubba Hubba.

 

[bkuether]

El Patron Grande says:

If you go with .22lr rifle you can't go wrong with a Ruger 10/22, which is the "Lego" of .22lr rifles (plus you can buy in the future the .22lr American Rifle - they have compatible mags). IMHO the combo of the two is as close to perfect a purchase for that caliber.

Speaking of perfect, if US dolares is no problema, then take a look at the CZ 455 American Combo (.22 LR & .17 HMR). Hubba Hubba.

Everyone should own at least one Ruger 10/22. Not my quote originally, but words I live by.

I have owned one since 1982 when I turned 18. Still runs like a champ, still accurate, still reliable. And from 1988 to 2010 I never cleaned it, or shot it. Came out of it's case and went right back to work, no jams, no issues.

 

[HazyDayz]

Right now I have a mossberg 500. Smooth and rifled barrels.

Looking at the benelli supernova. Want the ability to swap chokes, and just a smoother pump gun.

I looked at a Supernova not long ago. Went with a Mossy for budget reasons, but really like that Benelli. The Remington 887 is similar and not bad either.


I've handled and shot many different 10\22s over the years,and while agree that they're good guns, I'm not particularly fond of them. I don't have a different preferred .22, and would take a 10/22 if that's all I could find.

 

[Marshmallow]

I looked at a Supernova not long ago. Went with a Mossy for budget reasons, but really like that Benelli. The Remington 887 is similar and not bad either.


I've handled and shot many different 10\22s over the years,and while agree that they're good guns, I'm not particularly fond of them. I don't have a different preferred .22, and would take a 10/22 if that's all I could find.

The 887 was actually my first choice, but the supernova fit a lot better without changing things up on it. The bps was another I looked at, but again fitment won. I'm a little on the small side, so it's a little harder to properly fit me.

 

[HazyDayz]

The 887 was actually my first choice, but the supernova fit a lot better without changing things up on it. The bps was another I looked at, but again fitment won. I'm a little on the small side, so it's a little harder to properly fit me.

Understood. I'm the opposite, being on the lanky side and have to shim most guns for proper fit.

 

[IndispensableDestiny]

The 887 was actually my first choice, but the supernova fit a lot better without changing things up on it. The bps was another I looked at, but again fitment won. I'm a little on the small side, so it's a little harder to properly fit me.

Browning sells the BPS in a small frame version, the Micro Midas. Just in case you are ever back in the market.

 

[hutchinsonkw]

I personally do not like the 10/22. Atleast in stock forum. I have one and it just does not feel right. I do have two savage 22's though. The basic model F which can be found at Walmart for $180ish and a bvt or something like that which cost me twice as much. Honestly they both shoot about the same.