Vintage vs new

[shiva916]

I am in the market for a 22 rifle for use at the range for some plinking fun.

I was checking out the Marlin XT-22 series along with the savage MkII. I like the feel of both of these and for the price both look like a good deal. My question is that whether I would be better served by one of these new guns or pick up a more vintage model like a Remington 511 or something similar. Are there any advantages to picking up a vintage used gun vs a new entry level gun. The models I mention are all bolt action, but I wouldn't be opposed to a semi. I took a look at the Remington 597 with scope for a good price, along with a Marlin 60.

Just looking for opinions. The vintage guns seem to all be around the $100 mark so price isn't all that different between old vs new. Is it worth risking the chance of getting someones problems with an old gun, or better to buy something new to make my own memories with? Any major reliability issues I should look for with classic guns?

Thanks for the help and opinions.

 

[rogzballz]

Ruger 10/22 is the most common but I love my 597 too... I got all mine used and only the 597 needed a new extractor.

 

[Coyote33]

I like the wood on older rifles.

 

[shiva916]

I should have put this in the original post that I am not all that interested in the 10/22 even though I know they are very popular and highly customizable. 2 of my friends have them and while i find them to be ok, I am looking for something a little different. If I don't find anything else I would consider a 10/22 take down since its not just your average 10/22. I would really like to find a nice little bolt to work on some distance shooting skills.
The 511 I saw had a nice looking stock, and the 597 I saw with the scope had the synthetic grey stock that just makes it look cheap (and it is). While I like the durability of the synthetic models it just makes a 22 rifle look to much like an air rifle IMO.

 

[SSShooter]

+1 on the older wood. The guns themselves haven't changed much, if at all, over the years so you'll be getting just about the same thing either way. Springs, buffers, extractors, etc. do wear so you may end up putting some minor inexpensive parts into a used gun but it's really not a big deal.

 

[20 PAWS]

Marlin 39A lever action. Mine was made in 1957 and its a tack driver.

 

[rogzballz]

Yeah all the older guns have minimal to zero plastic. My 10/22 is all stainless and wood, my 597 is a tech target and is much more comfortable to shoot

 

[Ducttape4all]

I love my new Savage Mark II TR and its accutrigger! It was no $100.00 gun though.

 

[shiva916]

I love my new Savage Mark II TR and its accutrigger! It was no $100.00 gun though.

I really like the feel of the mark II and I know it is the more expensive one out of the few I listed above. While none of the new guns will come in as cheap as the older remington that I looked at the Marlin 60 and xt both came in under $200. The remington 597 with scope seemed like a decent deal at a little under $180.

My thought was to just get a cheaper 22 and then save up for a savage axis (or similar) in .223 to be able to stretch the range but not my wallet so much.

 

[Coyote33]

You can stretch the range with a .17 HMR, if you want to stick with rimfire.

 

[shiva916]

You can stretch the range with a .17 HMR, if you want to stick with rimfire.

Sorry for the newb question but what is the realistic range for the .17 hmr? I am basically looking to find something cost effective as a range gun, I am not really into hunting and don't live in an area where I am going to have to worry about pest control which I know the .17hmr is favored for. I am just looking for something that will be fairly easy to shoot out to 100 yards (22lr) and out to 300 max at the range I am looking to join. Since I am not looking to hunt I am trying to rule out the more expensive calibers since I am not looking to drop big $ for each range trip.

 

[Coyote33]

.17 hmr range accuracy -hunt -hunting - Yahoo! Search Results

Aspirin Shoot

Honest 200-yard Performance The flat trajectory delivered by the 17 HMR makes it the most accurate long-range rimfire ever made.

 

[shiva916]

Funny that you brought up the .17hmr, I was actually doing some research on both the 22mag and 17hmr today figuring they would both easily reach out past the 22lr and wouldn't bust the wallet. Ammo prices seem consistent with what you pay for 9mm ammo, which would seem doable. Decisions decisions.

 

[Gammon]

The only draw back I see with older guns is parts availability. I would stick with 22LR due to the low cost of the ammo.

 

[afajvan]

I have a Remington 511 that I picked up at a show in Jan, for $70. It was a steal. Whoever owned it, took really good care of it. It looked like it sat in a closet for awhile, very dusty, but no rust.
It shoots great after a good cleaning. The only issue I've had was the mag was having some problems feeding, the spring was worn out. Ebay has tons of parts for them. Just picked up 2 new mags for $26.
I like the 10/22, but for $70, I couldn't pass it up.

 

[Rmccar4318]

I have a Browning Trombone that is all wood and shoots great. It is very simple, pump action, so easy to stay on target. I had one as a kid and replaced it recently. Throw a scope on it, my eyes are old and it shoots very well out to 100 yds. I have not tried 200.

 

[Ducttape4all]

I really like the feel of the mark II and I know it is the more expensive one out of the few I listed above. While none of the new guns will come in as cheap as the older remington that I looked at the Marlin 60 and xt both came in under $200. The remington 597 with scope seemed like a decent deal at a little under $180.

My thought was to just get a cheaper 22 and then save up for a savage axis (or similar) in .223 to be able to stretch the range but not my wallet so much.

.223 is not cheap anymore I just bough my .22 for this point. I was tired of spending so much on ammo.

.17 hmr range accuracy -hunt -hunting - Yahoo! Search Results

Aspirin Shoot

Honest 200-yard Performance The flat trajectory delivered by the 17 HMR makes it the most accurate long-range rimfire ever made.

I thought of going this route too but stuck with .22lr for price and that I was only shooting for cheap fun not hunting. I have shot great groups with my Savage I am going to try the aspirin thing! I wish I could just shoot in my backyard like that guy [sad2]

 

[shiva916]

.223 is not cheap anymore I just bough my .22 for this point. I was tired of spending so much on ammo.



I thought of going this route too but stuck with .22lr for price and that I was only shooting for cheap fun not hunting. I have shot great groups with my Savage I am going to try the aspirin thing! I wish I could just shoot in my backyard like that guy [sad2]

I agree on the .223 costing more but it seems like in order to shoot any further than a 22lr the cost goes up by significant amount and .223 while pricey is still quite a bit cheaper than any other centerfire round for distance. Thats why I was looking into the 22mag or 17hmr since they can shoot a bit further but still not blow through $$. Also a bolt gun will slow down the rate of $ flying down range.

I like the history of some of the older guns but like others have said parts may be hard to come by, and if something does go wrong it could end up turning into a more expensive project than just buying something new with a warrantee. Too bad most of the budget 22 rifles either have cheezy looking synthetic or pathetic looking wood stocks, although I suppose thats what makes them cheap.

I love the finish and look of something like a cz, but then I'd be afraid to ding it up somewhere.

 

[45collector]

I have 3 .22 rifles all of which are so old they have no serial #'s. I didn't pay more than $100 for any of them and they are all accurate, fun plinkers. (1 tube-fed semi and 2 single shot bolts, one of which is scoped)

Most likely someday I will break down and buy a 10/22, only because everyone and their mother has one. Those new break-down models look pretty cool.

 

[Coyote33]

I agree on the .223 costing more but it seems like in order to shoot any further than a 22lr the cost goes up by significant amount and .223 while pricey is still quite a bit cheaper than any other centerfire round for distance. Thats why I was looking into the 22mag or 17hmr since they can shoot a bit further but still not blow through $$. Also a bolt gun will slow down the rate of $ flying down range.

I like the history of some of the older guns but like others have said parts may be hard to come by, and if something does go wrong it could end up turning into a more expensive project than just buying something new with a warrantee. Too bad most of the budget 22 rifles either have cheezy looking synthetic or pathetic looking wood stocks, although I suppose thats what makes them cheap.

I love the finish and look of something like a cz, but then I'd be afraid to ding it up somewhere.

If you reload, these look to be pretty thrifty on the consumables:

Link 1: The New Hornady .17 Hornet

Link 2: Savage Will Offer Model 25s Chambered in 17 Hornet

Some text from Link 2:

Savage has confirmed that, for 2012, it will add a 17 Hornet chambering to its line-up of Model 25 varmint rifles. Savage’s decision to produce Model 25s in 17 Hornet was inspired by the release of 17 Hornet ammo from Hornady (see video below). This new rifle and ammo combo provides an affordable, centerfire option for varminters who want something more powerful than the 17 HMR. Though it has low recoil, the 17 Hornet cartridge offers plenty of speed. Hornady says its new 17 Hornet ammo will push a 20gr V-Max at 3,650 fps — that’s 1300 fps faster than a 17 HMR loaded with 20-grainers.

The 17 Hornet is based on the venerable rimmed .22 Hornet case. However, the case is not just necked-down from .22 caliber. The case designers reduced body taper, moved the shoulder, and changed the shoulder angle to 25°. This effectively modernized the old .22 Hornet case, improving efficiency while retaining the max OAL, so that the 17 Hornet can work in any action big enough for the .22 Hornet.

Link 3: Hornady's New 17 Hornet