Smallbore rifle competitions, 10/22 or 7000?

[Nomercy]

I've done a lot of rifle competitions in the past, but now I'm considering jumping full force into small bore rifle comps.

I'm looking at the Marlin 7000 heavy bbl, it looks to be just a Model 60 with a detachable 10rnder and a heavy bbl, only costs $161, $5 more than I paid for a standard stainless model 60 two years ago. I'm also looking at, of course, the Ruger 10/22 target-probably in stainless, $300 give or take, roughly twice the price of the standard 10/22 and the standard 10/22, barring it would shoot better than the Marlin 7000?

Can anyone give me a review on the Marlin? I'd like to save the money, like I said, I can either buy the Marlin heavy bbl or the Standard Ruger 10/22 for about $160, or the heavy bbl 10/22 for twice the price. I like the lines on the Ruger better, it doesn't have a wimpy looking stick mag hanging out the bottom at least, and it's bulkier, which I find is nicer for target shooting, but if it doesn't shoot any better than the 7000 and I can't use high cap mags for competitions, I'll probably save the money and buy the 7000.

If the 10/22 standard really out shoots the 7000 Marlin, I might also consider buying the Ruger Standard, if the heavy bbl doesn't shoot just AMAZINGLY better, which I think it does from what I've seen, this decision basically depends on my cash flow when I think I can buy it.

I've got a few general questions, no one at my club can give me a clear answer, and the NRA's website doesn't help either.

Can you use high cap mags in the competitions, or are you stuck down to 10rnders? Does the AWB apply to rimfires as well? Can you use a 30rnd magazine with a post ban 10/22? I haven't found a source for high caps for the marlin, so if they're legal, I might consider the 10/22's more for that option.

What scope, if any, do you prefer for the competitions? I'm thinking a 3-9x or 4-16x in about the biggest objective diameter I can find might suit my bill, in a compact scope that is, but I don't know...neither of the two heavy bbls I'm looking at have any sights, but come with scope mounts (1" rings only though)...I'm also wondering how a red dot in something like a 2.5x fixed would do?

[aunsaber]

A friend has a Marlin 7000 and it is better than any 10/22 I have owned or seen------- out of the box.
But this is just one rifle.
If you can modify your choice of rifles for your compitition then the choice would have to be the 10/22 because we all know of the abundance of aftermarket parts.
Good luck

[PABuck_HNTR]

I shoot in a smallbore rifle league and the Anschutz is by far the most popular and expensive. I know that there are 2 people who shoot custom Ruger 10/22 's and do quite well with them. You would need to put an accessory rail in a thumbhole stock and a heavy barrel at the least. You should also have the trigger worked on in a 10/22 to be competitive. You would end up at a minimum of 400.00 to 500.00 dollars on a 10/22 to make it shoot competitively. You can get used Marlins and others on some of the gun auction sites. I would recommend the Marlin 2000 L instead of the 7000 due to the bolt action being better suited for small bore competition.

Another idea is to go to the odcmp website and look at the Kimber model 82 government .22's they are good guns at a reasonable price.

Can you use high cap mags in the competitions, or are you stuck down to 10rnders?

Most NRA matches do not allow 10/22's in position shooting and definately not high capacity mags. Most NRA rules allow for single shot rimfire rifles only. Certain leagues allow 10/22's only because it helps to get more shooters in their leagues.