rimfire 101 : want info on rimfire for beginner

[neric]

Is there a forum as good as this one for rimfire .22?  I would like to find something with a library, gun reviews, basic info {like balistic data (velocity, accuracy, muzzle report).   Something that is organized - like this forum.

Also, who would be a good blogger to read comparable to someone like BB Pelletier.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.   I've looked a little and found the amount of info out there is overwhelming.  I don't really know where to start, so I'm turning to you guys who I trust

Thanks

[EdNunya]

How old a beginner?  Budget?  Iron or glass?  Range?  Give us that info and I'm sure we can come up with an opion for you  

73
Semper Fi
Ed

[Jerrycup]

Try
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/index.php

[neric]

Ed,

I am the beginner, been shooting air rifles for about a year now and I've learned alot about them.  I've shot a regular firearm .22 four decades ago.  Lets say around $200 for the budget.  Iron or glass?   I don't know what this refers to.  Range:  no more than 50 yards.   Use would be primarily pest control around my house.  Single shot would be fine, simple yet accurate.  I will put a scope on it.  Break barrel is fine - if this is even an appropriate term.

Jerrycup,

I did see rimfirecentral but was overwhelmed.  There didn't appear to be much organization of information, a whole bunch of separate threads to sift thru.  I am spoiled I guess with the quality of this forum.

Thanks for you feedback and guidance.

[neric]

I know nothing about firearms.  Such as:  Is a rimfire rifle only for rimfire ammo ?  Is rimfire subsonic?  Is there a lot more legal hassle to own a firearm?   I do know they must be cleaned from the powder residue.  Can one shoot rimfire ammo in a regular .22?  Is some ammo better than others, as in pellets?   I was hoping to find some primer to firearms to read.  What I would really like is some info comparing rimfire to airrifles - the pros and cons of each for using in pest control around the house, house in the woods - not in the city.

Thanks fellas

[TCups]

Rim fire rounds:

22 short
22 long
22 long rifle
22 magnum
17 Mach2
17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire

Rimfire means that the cartridge doesn't have a primer seated in the back of the cartridge.  The primer is on the inside rim of the cartridge base, and the rimfire's firing pin strikes the rim of the cartridge.  In general, you can reload center-fire but not rimfire, and center-fire cartridges are more powerful and more expensive to shoot.  What is a pest in an urban setting is more like a natural resident in the woods.  Some advice: be careful shooting anything unless you know the local regulations and have a valid hunting license.  You will also most likely be required to complete a firearm safety and hunter safety course, depending on your age, to purchase and hunt with a firearm.

[Traolach]

If you do decide to get a .22 rim fire and your local Walmart carries firearms, may I suggest  a Savage Mark II bolt action. Cheap at $114 when I bought it 2 years ago and a nice accurate little shooter. I have a 3-9x32 scope on mine and it's a blast to shoot targets with. They also have a semi-automatic - don't know which brand but think it is a Savage also. It was also priced about $115. Good Luck!  Terry

[wydeopenspaces]

Of all the rimfire rifles and hanguns I've ever owned, Ruger stands out as the most versatile, economical, and probably best built for the money of anything out there. Once you get into it, you'll want to modify the gun in some fashion, just to make it "your own", so to speak, and there are tons of after market parts for these guns. .22 ammo is cheap, quite accurate and not extremely loud, but I still use ear plugs. Yes you can buy sub sonic ammo, but I've very often had issues with various guns using it...semi-autos won't cycle it, I've always used a revolver, and it is a good bit quieter than .22LR....just don't expect any outstanding accuracy.

[cnsjones]

Why do you want to "learn" on a firearm? Thoughts for the beginner to consider:

IMHO: Airguns are less hassle and cheaper ammo. Did the air guns you have not help with the pest problem around your place?
As said above, all “Rimfires” are firearm “powder burners.”  They are a bit noisier than the air gun. Also  more lethal.  Not to say Air guns are not dangerous, just not as likely to kill a person.  Laws, licenses etc are stricter. These are pros and cons.

If you want to start on a .22 rimfire rifle, consider the Savage, Remington, Marlin and others.
http://www.rateitall.com/t-22212-22-rimfire-rifles.aspx

Here is a good beginners link: http://www.chuckhawks.com/first_rifle.htm

As far as other info, just Google .22 rimfire rifle, and start reading.

 Like I say, just suggestions for you to consider.

Fuller

[EdNunya]

My choices for a first .22, would be a Savage bolt action...Accurate, reasonable cost, predominately good triggers and accurate for the ranges your talking about..

For a semi, you have to work hard to beat the Ruger 10/22, probably the most modified firearm made...  Lots of choices with it...We've got one that is about 35 yrs old now and is still moving right along..

I have a couple of other .22's, one a target gun.. One of my favorites to plink around with is a Russian TZ..  They used to be cheap, i haven't priced one in a while..  That one lives in a double case along with my Savage 110 in .308..  One never knows when a quieter gun can be of some use when you have longer range targets to deal with  


Iron sights are the best to teach on, IMHO, but scope sighting is easier to teach...

Hope this helps some...

73
Semper Fi
Ed

[neric]

Its all been wonderful feedback and it helps a lot.  

Still haven't figured out what the 10 stands for in the 10/22.  

My eyes perhaps aren't as good as they used to be for iron sights or maybe I just don't have patience,,,,I'm gonna scope what ever I end up with.

I am liking the simple bolt action idea since I'm thinking at this point CB caps.

Thanks a bunch fellas.

[HILMAN76]

(10 rounds in .22 caliber=10/22) ..Don't forget those Pawn shops neric.  Chew the pawn shop guys till they give you a good price.

[Schmidty25]

neric I have a ruger 10/22 it is my first .22 rilfe. they have the most aftermarket accesories for them  compared to any other .22lr.  I bought it for 190 at walmart.  you can get it now for 207 I believe.  They are a great gun and are high quality.  I bought two 25rd clips for them and also a 3X9 -40 Scope.  right out of the box this thing is accurate at 50yds.  like 2" groups at 50.  depending on the ammo.  just like an air rifle every type of ammo shoots different in a rimfire.

[RedFeather]

Several options - The Savage MKII mentioned, above.  Comes with the Accutrigger which is pretty good (and a good trigger can make it or break it).  For a little more there's the CZ452.  Old World construction and very accurate sporters.  The 10/22 is a good gun but I knew a guy who was a quite talented amateur gunsmith and was surprised he did not have one of those.  "Well," he told me, "If I got one of those, I know I would only end up dropping about a thousand dollars into it."  There is so much after market stuff for the 10/22 that you can easily drop that much dough.  Now, there's also the used gun market.  A good beginner (and keeper) would be an older (1940's/1950's) Mossberg.  Kind of ugly but, man, can they shoot.

[Jerrycup]

The standard rotary magazine of the 10/22 fits inside the receiver section, and holds ten rounds, thus 10/22.

There are also aftermarket "banana" magazines that hold 25 rounds, like the Butler Creek, these extend down...

http://www.cabelas.com/p-0041238227775a.shtml