597 vs 10-22

[Paul Seaman]

My son is being given a Winchester single shot that is older than the hills. I want to shoot similar rounds with him and be able to let him grow into that once his skill on the old Winnie is mastered. The pieces are both semi-auto and by all accounts reasonable investment by comparison to my custom 700, 308! So the Remington or Ruger, what do you all think! Give reasons to chew on that support answers,,,please!
Thanks in advance!
Paul

 

[Adam in WI]

Ruger. A whole universe more options in aftermarket parts and do dads should you ever feel the need. Stocks, mags, and barrels are pretty ubiquitous.

If none of that matters, flip a coin. But the Ruger mags are much more robust

 

[Dusty Stevens]

How about a tikka t1x? They are very fine rifles (i know its not semi auto- but hes shooting a single shot)

 

[Paul Seaman]

How about a tikka t1x? They are very fine rifles (i know its not semi auto- but hes shooting a single shot)

Tikka makes fine rifles, no question! However it’s more like twice the dollars too! I have a 308 in a 700 custom that I like but can’t turn over to my son yet! I just want to shoot with him and it not cost a fortune!

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Tikka makes fine rifles, no question! However it’s more like twice the dollars too! I have a 308 in a 700 custom that I like but can’t turn over to my son yet! I just want to shoot with him and it not cost a fortune!

How about a ruger precision rimfire? Better accuracy in stock form than what youre looking at and very fun off of a bipod. Can be found new at academy for $379 i think.

 

[ms6852]

I would vote for a Ruger 10/22 all factory rifle for a few reasons. I do not know how old your son is but a factory rifle is very reliable and inexpensive if you find a used one at a pawn shop or wherever. The reason I recommend a used one is that this provides a great venue for you and your son to spend quality time together as you began to show him how to disassemble it and customize it a little at a time. You can show him the myriad of options available for him to choose from the endless supply of after market parts. By the time you and your son are finished customizing it a little at a time he will be a very young educated young man and the time spent together will make for a lot of fond memories for the both of you, and when he becomes a father he will hopefully do the same with his son as you did with him.

 

[Iowa Fox]

The Ruger will be the most fun for both of you. The accessory options are unlimited and they shoot good.

 

[Outrider27]

My vote is for the 10/22 (we won't bother you with how many I have or the different mods I've done on them, lol), but a box stock 10/22 would be a great choice, for all the reasons other posters have listed above, however, be advised that the first thing you will need to do (and the only thing that you pretty much can't avoid doing on a 10/22, unless you get a used one that has already been worked on), is take one of the many routes available to an improved trigger pull. Out of the box, the trigger pull is usually quite heavy, much more than I would want any youngster (or adult, for that matter) to put up with.

 

[Gary Schiefelbein]

In stock form I would stick with the Winnie.It will more than likely out shoot both the 597 and 10/22.

 

[stacy]

NO COMPARISON BETWEEN THE 2 10-22 BETTER EVERYTHING AND THEY JUST SHOOT VERY WELL STOCK OR CUSTOM BUT THAT OLD WINCHESTER WILL SHOOT DARN GOOD TO

 

[dolek]

If you are preparing him for a Remington 700 maybe get a bolt gun ? Semi auto is a lot of fun for a young one . I started my boys off with them but when we got the bolt guns out they seemed to take it more seriously and their skills grew at a fast pace . I'm a firm believer in starting them out having fun ,so just getting out there with them at first is all that matters.

 

[Paul Seaman]

Thanks for the input fellows, I shoot his soon to be Winchester well enough to shoot bumble bees (wood borers) it’s an amazingly fine weapon. I love it but want to be able to shoot next to him and compare scores. I believe the Winnie is the most accurate small caliber gun I’ve ever shot. In its range I think 1/4 MOA! But the consensus is the 10-22 and I like it but my remmy700 is so good I had to give the question!
Thanks for all the input, happy shooting
Paul

 

[Paul Seaman]

Well guys a deal fell upon me! A Remington 597 for $150! So the next question is if anyone has one of these what ammo do you like? And what improvements do you recommend? Thanks in advance!
Paul