Lightweight .22 rifle recommendations.

[BULL'S-EYE]

Nice find! I have the 511 Scoremaster my Grandpa bought brand new in 1939...You could easily fill the bed of a tri-axle dump truck with all the small game it has taken since it was purchased...

 

[AzShooter1]

Get a Ruger 10-22 with the standard barrel, it's 16 inches and tapers down making it very light and easy to carry.

Everyone's got to have a 10-22.

 

[hedrok]

For me, It's hard to choose between my CZ 452 Scout and Nylon 66 Apache…but, with the sling, the CZ wins out for accuracy. The 66 is more fun, tho.

 

[gunzo]

Congrats! The 512 Remington is a definite win in my book. It crossed my mind originally in your query but I knew there were lighter guns out there.
The peep sight model(not as often seen) is a plus in my book, should be very effective. I have a standard model & the 25 inch barrel helps with the aiming, the peep is likely to one up on that.

Color me jealous.

 

[Mobuck]

I wouldn't call a full sized Rem 5xx 'lightweight' especially compared to the other options offered.

 

[WAYNO]

I've owned 'em all. There are many decent choices.

The 10/22 and its variants and Ruger American Rimfire are the only ones I have that still get used regularly. Parts and service are always easily available, and mine always work, and work well.

 

[Chief]

I wouldn't call a full sized Rem 5xx 'lightweight' especially compared to the other options offered.

Me thinks our OP is a wood and steel man. The 510,511 and 512 rifles may be a bit long but I wouldn't call them heavy. Nice, classic .22 suitable for most needs. Sling would be a nice addition though.

 

[Lt Choate]

Me thinks our OP is a wood and steel man. The 510,511 and 512 rifles may be a bit long but I wouldn't call them heavy. Nice, classic .22 suitable for most needs. Sling would be a nice addition though.

You're exactly right. I don't "dislike" the synthetics, but just prefer the older traditional construction.
Oh, and I know I could have gotten a lighter rifle but my goal was not the "lightest" on the market but just something lighter than those bull-barreled target behemoths I had been carrying.

thanks

 

[timnc]

Have a 512 w/grooved receiver from the early 60's. Cut barrel to 19". With basic Tasco 4x scope it will shoot under 2" @ 100 yards off the bench with W-W Power Points all day long. It originally belonged to my grandfather and now belongs to my grandson.

 

[Hvymax]

What exactly do any of these guns do that a 10-22 can't? A lightweight stock, carbon fiber barrel and a red dot would make a handy, accurate and lightweight package. Maybe you should consider a 22 pistol with an optic?

 

[xtratoy]

Do those Henry Survival Rifles work well? I have one of the originals made by Armalite and it's never worked worth a cup of lukewarm mule tinkle. It won't go through a magazine full without at least one misfeed.

My vote for a reliable semiautomatic lightweight .22 is the Nylon 66, as was suggested earlier.

I have a Henry ar7, 100% reliable. I got rid of my nylon 66. It was 100% with iron sights since sights are barrel mounted. But with a scope required resighting every outing due to the way metal receiver cover had no definitive way to lock receiver to plastic receiver and it would shift around. I should have just drilled and added more screws to the sheetmetal receiver cover since i had the trigger set at a smooth 2 pound pull. The Winchester Wildcat 22's are featherweight.

 

[KIR]

Have never been a .22 LR fan. I much prefer .22 WMR. I found a used Rem. #597M that was in good condition and after getting a new Volquartsen Extractor, cleaning the magazines and new ammo for it, it did not have the FTF/FTE problems that many people seemed to have with it. Mine has a grey synthetic stock. Despite having arthritic hands, I am able to handle the mag ammo easier than the LR.

 

[Randyzzz]

Wow! Lots of love for the Remington 5xx series! I have a 510- I actually found it leaning against a tree some 40 years ago. It was rough, but I refinished the stock and it's still one of my favorite .22's. I can also highly recommend the Henry H001- it is as smooth as butter, really slim, accurate, and can be found cheaply. The Ruger American .22 is great also but I wouldn't say it's any easier to pack around than a 10/22. I think if I was going to have a hiking setup, it would be a 10/22 takedown in a backpack and a Bearcat on my belt. Somehow carrying a compact backpack is nowhere near as awkward or fatiguing as carrying a rifle, at least for me.

An ancient picture but you can see the ol' 510. The Jeep and the Sig's are long gone, but the 510 is cozy in the safe.

 

[unodemo]

It's pretty a pretty tough act to beat when you have a 10/22 on a sling. Red Dot on top of a Ruger rail is even better. It effectively replaced my Rem 5xx.

 

[Chief]

What exactly do any of these guns do that a 10-22 can't? A lightweight stock, carbon fiber barrel and a red dot would make a handy, accurate and lightweight package. Maybe you should consider a 22 pistol with an optic?

Nothing really . I think OP might go for a 10-22 carbine with sporter stock and maybe that red dot you mentioned, something slim and unobtrusive. Or maybe something on the Skinner type aperature sight.

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

They are rarely mentioned here because they are often thought of as "beginner" guns, but for long carry in the woods I love my Savage 22B (bolt action). Light, dependable, accurate. 10 round rotary mag ( small enough to carry quite a few pre-loaded. You can put whatever you want on the rail, or just use the metal sight like I do (with a bit of da-glo orange nail polish on the front sight). I am expecting people to goof on me for this, but I stand by it. The only thing better for a long carry would be the Henry take down survival rifle. However, It's a LOT pricier than the Savage, and I didn't find it to be as accurate out of the box.

 

[crstrode]

Be on the lookout for an old Winchester 1890 or 1906. Almost every gun show has some offered for sale.

 

[Zonker5]

If you can find one...Back in the late '50s/early '60s Remington made some light weight 572 Fieldmasters with an aluminum frame. Slide action. My Dad gave me one on my 16th Birthday, still have it. Great shooter.

 

[Lt Choate]

Have a 512 w/grooved receiver from the early 60's. Cut barrel to 19". With basic Tasco 4x scope it will shoot under 2" @ 100 yards off the bench with W-W Power Points all day long. It originally belonged to my grandfather and now belongs to my grandson.

That is an impressive accomplishment. I do enjoy shooting with a scope, but as long as my eyes will handle it, I love my iron sights.

 

[Hankus]

I'd suggest a lever action. Looks like the options are Chiappa, Rossi or Henry.

Lever-action - Rifles : RK Guns

Get the best price on Lever-action Rifles with no FFL transfer fees! Shop our large selection of firearms and enjoy quick and easy online ordering.

www.rkguns.com

That is a nice price on the Chiappa, AND it's a takedown lever action to boot! Does anyone have any experience with these?