My friend is looking to buy a 22 rifle, he is an archery hunter but wants to have a 22 around just for fun, and varmit control! I bought mine years ago, can anyone recommend a good, inexpensive 22 rifle? Is the Marlin still the way to go?

Marlin, savage, mossberg and ruger all make decent autos and some offer nice bolt actions for a decent price.

I wouldn't over look the henry lever actions either. I had one and it was one of the most accurate stock .22's I have owned. The triggers could be better though.

Paul

I just bought a Remington 597 Mossy oak 22 for 139$ at wally world! Great gun for 139$!

the ruger 10/22 is between 189 -214 dolars and if he wanted to modify it ever it would be the way to go. you can buy more accessories for the 10/22 than anyother .22 made and mabe any other gun made. you can buy awsome target barrels and target stocks for them.

I agree that the 10-22 is probably your friend's best bet. My personal favorite, though, is the Browning lever action. Great shooting gun with a classic look.

You cannot go wrong with the Marlin's, reasonably cheap and accurate. The 10/22 has the edge on versatility though. Just look through a Cabelas catalog alone and you will be amazed at the modifications you can get for the gun. I would also look at the CZ's. I have one that is extremely accurate. If you go with any of the major brands you will most likely be happy.

Taurus model 62 pump action. Accurate fun gun to shoot and plink with.
Every one who shoots it falls in love and wants to get one. Got quite a few rimfires, brownings, levers, etc and when we bring themout no one has ever asked to shoot the 10/22 first. Its always the consolation prize when all of the others are being used.The thing just lacks personality which is why people spend so much money to personalizea rather boring gun withso-so accuracy.

If lowest price is a factor, it is hard to beat the marlin model 60 semi-auto. It is a tube fed gun with (I believe) a beech stock. They are around a hundred bucks new and youc an find them used for 50-70 bucks. They can be rediculously accurate.
If your buddy can spend more, Go for the marlin 880 series bolt action. I am also a big fan of the CA 452 series. It is an elegant bilt action that handles great, almost like a full size rifle. Accuracy is excellent and the CZ gas a stock trigger that is sweet! you seldom find such a good trigger on american guns sowadays. The CZ 452 series range from 200-350
okcmco

i dont have a ruger 10-22 (YET!!) but i think if you are going to buy only one 22 rifle a 10-22 is the way to go. if a person wants to modify it he/she sould make anything from a ray gun to mg42 or a benchrest rig out of it for a couple hundred more dollars