I need advice on which rimfire cartrige is best. I've been considering a Marlin 22LR, simply because ammo is cheap and plentiful, but I was reading through the Henry catalogue, and they had great things to say about .22mag and 17 HMR rifles. Supposedly, the extra velocity makes the guns more accurate. All I plan to do with this gun would be to kill paper targets and soup cans, so stopping power isn't important. What I really want is long-range accuracy. (No, my rifle skills are not "long range" but I'd like to start working on that). Which rimfire caliber would you guys reccomend for this?
Opinions on small caliber lever action?
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can you name a pro shooter that uses .17 or 22mag at longer ranges than 22lr i cant .17 wont give you the longer rang and on a windy day it will be less accurate at 3 times the cost. havent tryed to push 22 wrm to the max but have always heard its never been as accurate. and have never been out shot by one. it will give you more punch for stray pitbulls,varmets ect.
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Get a Marlin. I'd say get a USED Marlin, at least one made before the move from New Haven as there may be some QC issues with the ones since the move, at least for a while. In my experience, neither .22 Mag nor the .17s offer much range extension in terms of accurate shooting - certainly not enough to cover the extra cost of ammo. I do have a .17, a .17 MAch 2 in a CZ 452. it s a really fun gun, but so far I don't find it more accurate than my old .22 LR Browning T-bolt.
And - there is the matter of "what do you mean by long range"? I'd suggest, if you are looking to extend past about 150 yards, maybe 200, that you go with a CF gun and handload.
Also - high velocity does NOT translate to better accuracy in and of itself. it does equal a flatter trajectory and makes range estimation in the field less critical (more likely to hit the target at an uncertain range, instead of being over or under). Accuracy is a product of a quality barrel and good bedding (and a good trigger and quality sights). After that - it is up to the rifleman....
And - there is the matter of "what do you mean by long range"? I'd suggest, if you are looking to extend past about 150 yards, maybe 200, that you go with a CF gun and handload.
Also - high velocity does NOT translate to better accuracy in and of itself. it does equal a flatter trajectory and makes range estimation in the field less critical (more likely to hit the target at an uncertain range, instead of being over or under). Accuracy is a product of a quality barrel and good bedding (and a good trigger and quality sights). After that - it is up to the rifleman....
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winchester 9422's are great little guns, but a little pricey, and i would stick to 22's for plinkin
Thanks for the replies guys. I'm glad to hear the venerable little .22 LR is the reccomended cartrige, since it's so cheap. I think 150 yards would pretty much fit my definition of "Long Range" I'm not planning on trying out for the Marine Corps sniper team. A football feild and a half should provide plenty of challenge. I used to go shooting with a guy who had a Winchester .22, and we'd put Coke bottles out at 30 or 40 yards and try to shoot out the O's in "Coca Cola." I had so much fun with that little rifle.
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With good sights applied, a Marlin 39 (or its predecessor if in good order with a good bore) should give the ability to shoot reasonable scores on cans at 150 yards. Though there are other things that would make it easier. Key will be experimenting to find what ammo your gun, whatever it is, likes best (.22s tend to be picky aboiut ammuniiton; some like Remington, some Wincheter, some Federal, some CCI, some other), and then practice. you will want better sights than the open sights that come with the gun. Some sort of aperature rear sight or a scope..
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