[NesikaChad]

Anschutz 1712 is a great gun.

Not the cheapest, but you do get what you paid for.

[ParkerHale308]

My vote is for the Ruger 10/22, its easy to customize and a great shooter.

[Don357]

For a rifle that is cheaper than most of the above mentioned ones, try a Tula. I have a TO3-78 bolt action. Shoots like a dream. All of their barrels are match grade and they have adjustable triggers. After zeroing my Tula at 25 yds I was able to put 15 rds in a group that you could cover with a nickle. They also have an auto, the TOZ-99, which is the same rifle only auto. Check out SSMEDWI.COM and Tennessee Gun Works. They have had the rifles. Winchester also imports the rifles and call it the Wildcat, but they change the stocks, sights, and triggers,(to non-adjustable) and I believe they list for around $400. I paid $170 including tax for my Tula with a 3x9 scope and 2 5rd and 2 10rd mags. By the way, I don't think Winchester imports the auto version. My Tula is the best .22 I've ever shot.

[Despoiler]

The Ruger 10/22 is a great little rifle, my kids and my wife love to shoot it, and so do I. The Marlin 60 is also a great choice.

I really need to pick up a Henry for my son.

I really don't think that you can go wrong with any 22. The 22 is a great round for plinking, inexpensive and in the right rifle accurate.

Despoiler

[Elarski]

Ruger 10/22 hands down.

It's the Small Block Chevy of the Rimfire World! Plain out of the box to full tilt custom, the 10/22 delivers. Nothing like shooting all day long with a brick of .22LR, and having a heck of a time doing it.

I'm running one with a Hogue Stock, ported Carbon Fiber Barrel, Cheap 3-9 Simmons Scope, and I love it!

If you get a 10/22, you just can't lose. Good Luck!

[DeadEyedShooter]

Just throwing another question here while we're on the topic of rimfire rifles. Is it overly important to get a rifle with a bull barrel for target shooting/plinking? For instance, Winchester offers the Wildcat in both with and without the bull barrel. I noticed that the bull barreled version does not have iron sights. Can be seen on their website, here: Winchester Rifles & Shotguns --- Wildcat 22 Line

Sorry if it's a stupid question, I'm completely new to shooting. Thanks for the help.

[rasterman77]

Plinking/targets is where you should have a bull barrel, it is heavier but disperses the heat quicker and prevents warping. Hunters usually don't choose a bull barrel because of the weight but for targets it's the choice of competitive shooters.
The other benefit of a bull barrel is the added weight in the front can help a newbie have a steadier shot, that's more of a personal preference.
There is no stupid questions but there can be many stupid answers.

[andrew cochran]

Henry lever! Great gun! It will last you many moons. Nice rabbit gun.

[NesikaChad]

Quote:       Originally Posted by DeadEyedShooter

Just throwing another question here while we're on the topic of rimfire rifles. Is it overly important to get a rifle with a bull barrel for target shooting/plinking? For instance, Winchester offers the Wildcat in both with and without the bull barrel. I noticed that the bull barreled version does not have iron sights. Can be seen on their website, here: Winchester Rifles & Shotguns --- Wildcat 22 Line Sorry if it's a stupid question, I'm completely new to shooting. Thanks for the help.

The only dumb question is the one not asked!

To answer your question specifically, I'll quote a very highly respected and sought out custom barrel maker that I buy from often, "Barrel contour has nothing to do with accuracy."

If anyone else had said it, I'd of gave them a queer look. This guy has been making gun barrels that hammer the X ring since the early 70's. He apprenticed under Boots Obermeyer.

Now, to build on this a little more:

One thing for certain in all guns, but ESPECIALLY in rimfire, the barrel is EVERYTHING. The best action, the best trigger, bedding job, scope, stock etc won't amount to much of anything if the barrel is a lemon.

If you are buying a used gun, this is my advice. First perform a detailed inspection of the bore. Obvious inclusions in the bore disqualifies it as a first choice.

Next, wet a patch on a jag and push down a clean bore. A steady resistance with no obvious "jumps" should be felt. This is a poor mans way of finding "loose spots" in the bore where a bulge may have been caused by an obstruction.

It's not uncommon though to feel the bore tighten up the last inch or so by the crown on rimfire rifles (RIMFIRE only, not CENTERFIRE). Anschutz barrels are choked this way intentionally.

The ultimate test is shooting the gun prior to purchase. I say this because there are exceptions to this rule, although its rare.

Tammy Forester, a former olympic athlete, has a rifle that has a bulged barrel. You run a rod down this thing and it feels like it goes from 22 to 25 caliber and back to 22 again. Right in the middle of the dern thing.

This gun holds national records and will post test groups in a machine rest that will scare you to death. Go figure right??

The best advice is always shoot the thing first whenever possible. If it hammers, then its a keeper. If it don't, move on.

Good luck!

[rasterman77]

Nesikachad(sorry), , I think he only wanted to know what it was for and if it was a good thing.

Since you brought it up... bull barrel@Everything2.com OR LOCK, STOCK, AND BARREL: Building a Better Rifle
OR Shooting The Bull - Barrel - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included | Guns Magazine | Find Articles at BNET.com
Personally and my other competitive shooter friends all agree that a bull barrel is better for target or competitive shooting, the accuracy thing, like I said before, is maybe more of a personal thing.
The greater heat dispertion (thicker barrel acts like a heat sink) would, in my logic, make it easier for doing cold bore shots.
Thanks

[DeadEyedShooter]

It never hurts to be thorough with your answers, thank you guys so very much! I figured the heavier bull barrel will help with a steady shot, but didn't think about heat dispersion. I will definately take a look at those links, Rasterman. I only ask because I've decided my first rifle will be a .22 and its purpose will be for target shooting and plinking. After I get in plenty introduction & shooting time at the local club, I'll look into getting licenced and start shopping around for my first .22 rifle. NesikaChad, your tips will help greatly when I finally go shopping. (thumbs up) It seems to me the bull barrel is almost a must have, I just don't like that it comes bare without any iron sights. Thanks again.

[ruger22com]

Quote:       Originally Posted by .22guy

Marlin 60 or Ruger 10/22.

ditto.

[big boomer]

check out decent rimfire 22 on the 22 forum their asking the same thing there and there is more types to check out.

[NesikaChad]

Quote:       Originally Posted by rasterman77

NesikaDave, , I think he only wanted to know what it was for and if it was a good thing. Since you brought it up... bull barrel@Everything2.com OR LOCK, STOCK, AND BARREL: Building a Better Rifle OR Shooting The Bull - Barrel - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included | Guns Magazine | Find Articles at BNET.com Personally and my other competitive shooter friends all agree that a bull barrel is better for target or competitive shooting, the accuracy thing, like I said before, is maybe more of a personal thing. The greater heat dispertion (thicker barrel acts like a heat sink) would, in my logic, make it easier for doing cold bore shots. Thanks

Uhm, who's Nesikadave?

Here's the deal regarding using the word "accuracy." It's a confusion of terms.

All other things being equal, a pencil thin #2 sporter barrel can be just as accurate as an NBRSA Max Heavy Varmint.

The difference is the #2 sporter is going to be more prone to kicking out fliers after it warms up. The heavier barrel won't. (provided it was contoured right and the bore centerline is concentric to the OD of the)

Both barrels can be just as accurate as the other, the heavy one is just accurate for a longer duration.

Heavy barrels do "hang" better when shooting off the shoulder (standing position) so this is also a benefit.


Having personally built competitive rifles that have won in national, international, and olympic competition, I feel pretty confident in what I'm saying.

Good luck with your purchase/decision. Hope its a screamer!

[rckymtnboy]

Tough to beat a 10/22 for a semi-auto choice. Lots of accessories and after-market parts for them, and accuracy isn't that bad at all. I have one with a bull-barrel, one without. They both shoot great.

[Space Cowboy]

I have a Winchester Model 9422 lever action which is a very slick dream of a rifle that always hits the target but is a little expensive to buy. I got a Henry Youth model lever action for my grandson so I could make sure he didn't shoot too fast, like I do, and so I can see if the hammer is cocked from a distance for my own safety. I had a Browning semi-auto but it had feeding problems and I got rid of it. Mossbergs semi-autos are junk. Most people shoot them til they stop working and throw them away or sell them to someone looking for a bargain. Beware. My Ruger 10/22 is my favorite because I can burn the ammo using 30 round magazines and carry several preloaded ones with me. I vote for the Ruger for you!

[big boomer]

Its had to beat that accu trigger in the Savage. I have a mako and its neat I also have 2 Ruger 10-22's that I've had for decades and they work good too. Its your personal choice what ever you choose you can shoot it for a lifetime and not wear it out.

[SoDakHunter]

Welcome space cowboy! But a 10/22 is probably one of the most fun plinkers out there.