A .22 semi-automatic rifle is an excellent addition to any gun collector’s arsenal. They are great for any medium to short range purposes, such as target shooting, recreational hunting, or even defending your home.
Unlike the 9mm or 5.56mm rounds, the .22 can be an ideal option for rifles because:
- It’s very affordable – Even the lowest budget gun enthusiasts can enjoy great savings with less than 4 cents per round
- You can buy them everywhere – Because .22 rounds are more common than 9mm, you can get them at almost every gun store or sporting goods store and gun store
- It’s highly accurate – The .22 round is suitable for most short-range purposes such as competitive shooting and using inside your home during an invasion.
Whether you are buying a rifle for hunting or defense, here are some of the best brand options you can choose when shopping for a .22 semi-automatic rifle.
Ruger
Ruger offers a wide selection of .22 rifles, including the 10/22 Takedown, which some regard as the best .22 semi-automatic rifle available today.
Ruger has been selling .22 rifles for over 50 years and is one of the top-selling .22 semi-automatic rifles.
This renowned rifle features the tried and tested Ruger action design that ensures that your rifle produces consistent and reliable performance.
Ruger .22 rifles also feature a detachable 10-round rotary magazine that uses a unique rotor to separate cartridges and provide reliable feeding action.
Smith and Wesson
If you are looking for a rifle that features a more tactical design, such as for target training and home defense purposes, this Smith & Wesson M&P15-22 Sport should fulfill your needs.
Based on the military AR15 design, the M&P15-22 SPORT is built to function like the real AR15.
This rifle incorporates military style folding sights and is compatible with many M-LOK accessories and Picatinny rail sections.
Marlin
For gun collectors looking for something more traditional, Marlin has a lot to offer in terms of classic semi-automatic rifles.
Marlin has been manufacturing weapons for over 140 years. Their Model 60 has become the most popular Marlin .22 rifles ever made.
The Model 60 is a hunter’s favorite for stalking small game. This rifle is a great choice for a beginner given the low cost for target practicing before going on a first hunt.
Remington
Remington is one of the most famous names in gun manufacturing. The .22 Remington 597 semi-automatic rifle line is one of the fastest and most accurate rimfire rifles available in the market today.
It is easy to operate and can fire thousands of rounds easily with little maintenance required, making the Remington 597 an ideal choice for plinking and target practicing purposes.
Use hollow point ammo for hunting
A .22 rifle is great for almost any type of small game or varmint hunting.
However, to ensure a clean kill, hollow point ammunition works best. Most .22 bullets are usually made using soft metals like lead and buffed to reduce friction as it travels out the barrel.
The physics of using hollow point ammo means the bullet not stays in the body but causes massive trauma helping to ensure a kill shot.
Final Thoughts
With a .22 rifle, you get a lot of potential uses. However, as long as you manage your expectations about .22 rounds, such as the reliability of the rimfire cartridges and the power, you should be happy and satisfied using your .22 rifle for years to come.
Most online weapons sites carry a wide variety of .22 caliber firearms along with a range of accessories such as sights, magazines, and ammo.
