Keep the Marlin in mind also . . .
The Ruger 10/22 is a fine rifle indeed, I just want to add a great rifle out here that would also do you proud.
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The world's most popular .22: the Marlin Model 60 just keeps on ticking
What numbers over 11,000,000, takes a licking and keeps on ticking? It's the 11,000,000 Marlin self-loading .22s made to date. The model at the top of the heap earning the title of "the most popular .22 in the world"--the ever-attractive Model 60.
Model 60s and the scores of direct derivative models Marlin has fielded over the years are so common we tend to take them for granted. Yet, here is one of the oldest, most dependable, most accurate and least expensive .22s ever put into the hands of the shooting public.
Introduced in 1960, the Model 60 has dominated the .22 semiauto market for almost five decades. In fact, for 99 percent of our rimfire needs, which consist primarily of plinking, informal target shooting and small game hunting, the Model 60 is ideal. Its continuing popularity is the product of a number of strong points.
It has great lines. The low profile receiver blended into a svelte Monte Carlo-styled stock is as attractive today as when it made its debut in 1960. The difference is today you can buy it in six different variations.
Which To Choose ...?
In blued metal, it is available with a standard hardwood stock (60), a highly-figured "Walnutone" hardwood stock (60DL) and a camo patterned hardwood stock (60C). In satin all-weather, stainless steel, Marlin's .22 icon comes with a black synthetic stock (60SSK), a gray-colored laminated stock ((60SS) and a plain hardwood stock (60SB).
The action is well designed, easy and inexpensive to manufacture. A real plus of the Model 60 action is its automatic bolt hold-open feature operated by a lever to the right and in front of the triggerguard. When you pull back the operating handle on an empty rifle or after firing the last shot, you will find the bolt is held open automatically. The action remains open until the bolt is released by depressing the lever. It's a great safety design as well as facilitating routine cleaning and maintenance.
The Model 60 is famous for its reliability. As long as you feed it Long Rifles, it rarely misses a beat. Marlin recommends using high velocity loads, but not hyper-velocity brands. Unless they are really dirty, Model 60s routinely digest target ammunition without a hiccup and print little bug hole groups doing so.
Semiauto rimfires are notorious for building up stubborn deposits of bullet lubricant mixed with unburned powder and combustion by-products in and around the breech and action. I give great credit to Marlin for including a clearly illustrated section in the Model 60 owner's manual on stripping and thoroughly cleaning the action. Unfortunately, most owners won't. Yet, the Model 60s I've shot over the years just keep on ticking in spite of the abuse they've received.
Feed Matters
The 14-shot tubular magazine system of the Model 60 is a plus. Unlike detachable magazines, it can't get lost and feed lips can't get bent out of shape. It's always there and the added bit of weight forward of the rifle improves stability. It even sports the old brass inner magazine tube Marlin introduced in the 19th century. I find the tubular system fast and convenient to use, although owners are cautioned not to recharge it while the rifle is loaded. If you just have to have a clip magazine, Marlin offers the same reliable action as the Model 60 with a clip feed as their Models 7000, 795, 795SS and 70PSS.
Which brings up the issue of safety. The cross-bolt safety of the Model 60 is located just behind the trigger. It has a large head and it operates smoothly without grabbing or sticking.
Finally, new or used Model 60s are affordable. I routinely see Model 60s on the used gun racks in excellent condition for under a $100.
Performance
The Model 60 is noted for its accuracy as an autoloader. The latest stainless steel/laminated stock model was no exception. Mounted with a Kahles 2-7X rimfire scope and from a rest, the Model 60SS at 50 yards placed five shots of Wolf Match into an average 3/4", CCI Mini-Mag into 7/8" and Win. PowerPoint into 1". I also tried CCI's deadly Quik-Shok and their new "Select" match ammunition featuring a 40-grain bullet at a relatively high velocity of 1,200 fps, designed especially for competitive autoloaders. Neither was a good match for the Marlin, averaging 1 1/2". If you're looking for an accurate .22 LR hunting round, I find the CCI Mini-Mag and the Winchester Power-Point are consistently hard-to-beat rounds.
Either in its classic or in some new spacey garb, the Marlin Model 60 continues to reign as "the most popular .22 in the world," and with good reason!
MODEL 60
Maker: Marlin
100 Kenna Dr., North Haven, CT 06473
(203) 239-5621
www.marlinfirearms.com
ACTION TYPE: Blowback,
semiautomatic
CALIBER: .22 Long Rifle
CAPACITY: 14 rounds
(tube mag),
10 (box mag)
BARREL LENGTH: 19"
OVERALL LENGTH: 37 1/2
WEIGHT: 5 1/2 pounds
FINISH: Blue or stainless
SIGHTS: Fiber Optic
STOCK: Hardwood,
laminated or synthetic
PRICE: $185 to $220
![[cheers]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/018.gif "Cheers [cheers]")
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, can't wait though
