small game rimfire

[new hunter]

I'm not happy with my current .22 , a chinese mauser clone . Although the gun looks kind of cool , I'm not happy with the groups it puts out {2moa} and I dont like the fact that due to its bent bolt design and uero size dove tail I have been forced to mount my scope high and with a home made mount .
I'm thinking of selling the old .22 and buying a 10-22 , or possibly a new savage in 17hmr.
I don't due a ton of plinking so the cost of .17 ammo isn't really a facter , I will be using the gun for head shots on rabbits and maybe grouse , as well as teaching the missus to shoot .
She has been reluctant too shoot , and claims that my current .22 is to heavy and hurts her arms (large military style stock ) , as well as claiming the .22 kicks (I think thats just in her head }.
My criteria is budget , accuracy and weight , as well as not doing too much meat damage . {she has started getting grossed out by rabbits trying to crawl away with a load of #8 in them , which is why I need to switch to head shots , or else not hunt while I'm with her , which will cut down on field time }
Any opinions on rimfire cartridges and rifle models is apreciated . I'll be buying this gun next year , so lots of time for research.Thanx

[warnniklz]

I say mod 93 17hmr

[pmarsh]

I have a 10-22 and have nothing bad to say about it. Great gun to teach someone with and is a good plinker.

[pappy]

I second the savage they are good rifles, I bought my son a CZ 17 hmr they cost a little more but are good shooters as well. Do head shots, less meat damage. If you go with another 22 you might be able to use shorts (less noise and no "kick") depending on the gun. I found the 17 is a little louder but absolutly no kick.

[Singleshotneeded]

I've got the Savage stainless bolt action in HMR .17, and no complaints. Accurate and reliable...
I'd get the heavy barrel as it's easier to shoot off-hand, and no matter how many rounds you
fire at one time, the point of impact won't change. The 20 grain hunting bullet is the way to
go for hunting purposes, isn't so frangible as the 17 grainer and won't "explode" on impact.

[longstonec]

10-22.
Single shot cooey (found allover for under 100$)
Savage bolt action.
3 diff rifles, three diffrent price ranges and all work fantastic.

.22wmr...?

[new hunter]

I'm definitely leaning towrds the savage , I've been quite happy with my 111 once I got all the kinks worked out . I wasnt sure about the 17hmr as I'd heard it messes up meat , but as no one seems to have any negative thoughts on it , I think that's how I'll go .
Now to shoot off all my .22 ammo and start saving .

[ultramafic]

might want to look into something with a 17 mach2 calibre... pretty much the same as a 17 hmr but on a 22 long rifle casing rather than 22 mag casing. end result is still pretty high speed but about half the price per box of ammo. I would have done that rather than my 17 hmr if I had the chance. that being said the 17 hmr is a totally cool round.

mike

[The Hermit]

I say mod 93 17hmr

I agree. I have one and can attest to accuracy and overall quality. I don't think you can do better for the money. Awesome gun!

[BernDawg]

I've had my Ruger 10-22 since 76 and it's still going strong after 1000's of rounds. Easy to strip and clean and there are a hockey sock full of accessories you can get for them.

[Red_Mist]

I would stick to the 22lr. If your really stuck on the savage, the mark II has a few models in the 5 lb range. CZ would get my vote for accuracy but is a little more $$$ and a touch heavier. Don't over look Ruger 10/22, they have a compact model @ about 5 lbs also. If your miss thinks the 22lr has recoil, maybe the noise is bothering her??? or she just doesn't want to shoot and doesn't want to say no...

[new hunter]

I think you hit the button on the nose right there , but she keeps making plans about how if we have kids and I want to go on extended hunting trips she wants to come along , as well as bringing future chris .
My feelings about this are two fold , one she needs to be able to drive , and two she needs to be able to shoot as I don't want anything big and hairy coming into camp if her and a kid are there alone .
Its no sweat off my ass if she and my future kid stay home (actually I'd probably be more comfortable if I'm somewhere in bear country } , but if she really wants to come along she can at least meet me halfway.
I figure If I'm willing to spend a little extra to buy a gun she can learn on , as well as taking her out in our brand new truck with the automatic transmission that she had to have , then she can 1 , get off her ass and get her licence already ,and 2 take a couple pot shots every once in a while so I'm at least comfortable that she's proficent .
Also , we already go back packing in some pretty remote territory with healthy bear populations , it would be nice to know that if I need someone to shoot the bear thats mauling me she can do it .
I know that bear hassle is pretty rare , but so are serious injuries , and yet I still carry a first aid kit . It kind of comes down to a principle thing .
And I like buying new guns .

[blackford]

I have a remmington 597 that I probably have only put 50 rounds thru

I never use it and was thinking of making room in the safe. Let me know via pm

[madrona sh]

Anshultz 22 lr
Ruger 77-22 lr
Cooper 22 lr
Sako quad 22 lr

[RJ]

2 moa isn't that bad... an inch at 50 yards? id live with that

[Cyrus]

Ruger 10-22 if you want a semi suot...best around imo.

[bigshooter]

How are the sako quad 22lr?

[Ruger4]

I wasnt sure about the 17hmr as I'd heard it messes up meat...............

ya dont eat the head do ya !! :mrgreen:
CZ 17HMR is a head plucker at 100 yard

[west250]

Anshultz 22 lr
Ruger 77-22 lr
Cooper 22 lr
Sako quad 22 lr

Also, Weatherby mark XXII.

What's your budget?

[bearhunter338-06]

Al tho not made anymore my Ruger M77 Mach 2 shoots great.
http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/bearhunter338-06/M77-17003.jpg

this is my 50 yard group of 10 shots

I like the Ruger M77/22 and the 10-22 they would be my suggestion.

[Westslope]

I've always had the impression that a semi-auto is the worst gun to learn with, because it is always "hot" after initially loaded and fired. I think something you have to manually reload is better for the long term as I am assuming you will probably have young ones to teach.
Another thing to consider is if you get a nice rimfire you will probably want to shoot it a whole lot more (especially if it drives tacs) and .22 ammo is still really cheap and can be purchased in almost all small towns around BC.

[chrisjohnny]

Go with the 17 HMR, Amazing rimfire accuracy 100 times better than a 22, ammo is more pricey but defanitly worth it via results on the range and in the feild. You wont be dissapointed!