whats going guys, I was looking at buying a .22 magnum, I found two rifles i realy like. The 2 are a Henry lever action rifle and the other one is a remington model 597 semi-automatic rifle. I was wondering what your oppinions on both the rifles, I would use them for Hunting the raccoon, fox, opposum and maybe a coyote. Other than that i would use it for target. Which is better for those activities. Here is a link to the page with the guns on it giving all the info you need.
Both rifles are great. I have a Remington 597, and it is my favorite firearm by far. Very accurate, and as long as you are given the 3rd generation magazines (which you should be), it's very very reliable.
I have a friend who got a new 597 for Christmas. It has turned out to be a lemon - poor accuracy and frequent misfires. I believe the dealer has finally agreed to take it back.
Can't comment on the Henry, but I think if you are interested in accuracy then bolt action is the only way to go. If determined to go semi then the Ruger 10/22 is a better choice than the Remington.
In bolt actions I would short list the following:
Savage
CZ
Kimber
Anschutz
The Savage offers great value for the $$ spent, and certainly competes with the CZ for accuracy. If you want accuracy, then look for a shorter heavy barrel, light adjustable trigger, and a good fit between the stock and barrel/action.
I had a 597, and got rid of it. It jammed like crazy, and the overall fit and finish was very poor. So, I got rid of it for a Savage .17 HMR.
Simply put, it was the first time I have gotten rid of a gun, and I have no bad feelings I did so.
Back to your post. With a .22 mag, you shouldn't have much trouble shooting 100 yards, and possibly further if you practice. The Henry levers are nice guns, but if you want to got with a semi-auto, the Ruger 10-22 is a more solid bet than the remington.
I will have to agree with RonAKA and LngRng. Both rifles are are nice, but if you want nice and accurate for a good price, then look into Savage or CZ in a 17 HMR Or HM2. I have both and love the accuracy. I can shoot 100 yards with a 17 and cover a five shot group with a dime. As long as there is not a lot of wind.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nc.hunter
whats going guys, I was looking at buying a .22 magnum, I found two rifles i realy like. The 2 are a Henry lever action rifle and the other one is a remington model 597 semi-automatic rifle. I was wondering what your oppinions on both the rifles, I would use them for Hunting the raccoon, fox, opposum and maybe a coyote. Other than that i would use it for target. Which is better for those activities. Here is a link to the page with the guns on it giving all the info you need.
I would really consider a bolt rifle if you want it accurate. Savage would be the way to go. Levers I wouldnt think to be target quality accurate and I would think that you cant load the ballistic tips in the tube magazines can you??? I would think the tips would be stuffed and accuracy might be affected.
So yeah savage, they make a really nice thumbhole laminate stainless heavy barrelled rifle.
for the prices quoted i would get a cz452 varmint.
it's the most accurate gun i have ever owned.
(and ive had 1 or 2)
billy, now don't be showing that picture again of the cz452 varmint. The last time you did I got the fever and went to two gun shops feeling too weak to resist and luckily they didn't have one in stock. The fever is subsiding now but another picture of that good lookin thing could send me to the gunspital.
Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sooner Shooter
billy, now don't be showing that picture again of the cz452 varmint. The last time you did I got the fever and went to two gun shops feeling too weak to resist and luckily they didn't have one in stock. The fever is subsiding now but another picture of that good lookin thing could send me to the gunspital.
you mean this crusty ol crowbar?
it does look like poop............
5 shots 25 yds.
this thing is so neat.
everytime i look at this thing i think ooh! thats a good one!
__________________ "I don't practice what I preach because I'm not the kind of person I'm preaching to."
Last edited by billy; 03-21-2008 at 05:08 PM.
Reason: Automerged Doublepost
Good question. Here is an article that compares the two. The .22 mag seems to be favoured by the authors up to 100 yards, and the .17HMR if planning to shoot beyond 100. I sense that the .17HMR is currently much more popular -- although that may be a bit of a flavour of the day thing.
Actually with the CCI Stinger at 1640 fps available for the Long Rifle, I'm not so sure that LR is not an alternative also. Opens the door to a much wider range of ammo at more reasonable costs and other more expensive target stuff for accuracy.
billy, now don't be showing that picture again of the cz452 varmint. The last time you did I got the fever and went to two gun shops feeling too weak to resist and luckily they didn't have one in stock. The fever is subsiding now but another picture of that good lookin thing could send me to the gunspital.
For accuracy definitely go bolt gun. I have a ruger m77/22 mag that shoots under moa at 100 yds. I would not stretch the range too much past maybe 150 or so. Especially on yotes. For what you plan to hunt i don't know that i wouldn't just go to a 223 or some other centerfire. I doubt your eating any of those, most are just varmints so step up and gain a lot of range and drop them where they stand.
Wow...I didn't expect all the M597 bashing. All I can say is that if it doesn't work, give Remington a call. I know, guns should work when you get them, but Remington did screw these magazines up. There are new ones now that make the gun operate perfectly.
Like I said before, if the 15 firearms that I own, it is my favorite. It shoots an inch at 50 yards with ease, looks great, and has an awesome trigger. It also hadn't choked on anything in over 3000 rounds.
my uncles got a henry 22lr. it shoots great. at 25 yards with a scope set a 3x i was linking holes. didnt get a chance to shoot longer distances though. i have a viper 522 which is what the 597 replaced and i wouldnt buy another one. only thing the auto has on the lever is a little less time between shots...unless it jams on you. I'd go for the henry
True Bravo, I heard that the new mags were better. It just blows my mind on a problem that major escaped R&D and QC. I was shooting a 30 year old tube fed semi-auto next to it that fired more consistently.
It is that experiance that has led me to just say get a 10/22, and not worry about weather your 22 will cycle and work properly. I had more problems with my 597 other than feeding. But I will say it was fairly accurate.
Which rifle to choose? 
