First things first I'm a tight wad . Second I'm not laying out $200 for a kids fall down in the mud 22 . I might for a switch bbl like an HR package . The kid isn't getting anything in a Thomson or Anshutz class because I cant afford it for me .
Field report suggestions and second hand ideas .
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Ragedy red neck works to hunt
"I was powerfull confused for a month or two once but never lost " Brian Kieth in Mountain Men.
Take a look at RUGER 10/22. They are dependable and resonable. I have one of the first ones that came out. It still shoots like the day I brought it home.
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shoot straight and keep your knife sharp
I was looking for same thing back in September.
I ended up buying my youngest son a USED Marlin in good condition for $125, including a 3X9X32 scope, bases and rings. It shoots good and he loves it.
Take a look at RUGER 10/22. They are dependable and resonable. I have one of the first ones that came out. It still shoots like the day I brought it home.
They are $200 for the basic one at Wal Mart and he said he didn't want to spend that much. However, this would be my choice too. My second choice would be a Marlin 60. There is also that synthetic Marlin you can get on sale fairly often for $100 after rebate.
If you're not going to custom it out in the future then I'd go for the marlin 60. You can get em for around 170 at gandermountain. Personally, I'd go for the 10/22 and really push it because you can do much more down the road modifications on a 10/22 than almost any other gun out there.