I have a marlin 25M I'll part with

Just buy a Savage. They work.

Not really anything 40 grain . federal makes some 50grain 22mag i have been smacking pigs with both

That will be a Remlin. They are one of the first new models introduced after the take over. The XT's replaced the 25 series that replaced the X8X series (78X 88X 98X, the first number shows the generation and the last number is LR or magnum, box or tube magazine...all ending in 0 are box LR, 1 box WMR, 2 tube LR, 3 are tube magnum). The XT aso has the goofy (to some) two piece trigger.


I used to have a 25MN (25 is the model, M for magnum <companies other than Winchester use "magnum" instead of WMR (Winchester Magnum Rimfire)>, and the LR and WMR version both could come in the N version which added press checkering and sling swivels) and it was a really good shooter. Even had a rare as hen's teeth 12 round magnum magazine for it. I was offered way more for the rifle than it was worth and sold the magazine separately.

I've got a Remington 597M semi-auto that is pretty handy. No longer made but should be able to find one used for $400.

I have a Marlin 80 .22 S/L/LR; smooth, accurate, reliable. I imagine the similar old .22 Magnum Marlin bolt actions would be great as well, wouldn't mind adding one to the collection.

They aren’t uncommon, if you aren’t in a rush for one that’s what I would hold out for. They are solid guns and a lot of them have really nice wood.

I've got one in 17 HMR, I just keep it clean and never had a problem with it. It's got several hundred round through it now. I'd pick one up in 22 mag if I ran across it.

They're not common any more either. They stopped making the 78X series in 1988 in lieu of the 88X series...that's 33 years. It took me a few months the find the pristine 1983 example shown above (thanks David) but mine came from a THF'er. They have gone way up in price in five years and the sling is worth as much as a 22LR 780 or 782.

BTW, the Savage rimfire action is VERY similar to the Marlin and there's a scoped Savage 22WMR with a unique laminate stock for sale here in the classifieds section for firearms.

I will admit that when I bought mine I wasn’t looking for one. I just stopped in a pawn shop one day and it came home with me.

Had one of these and sold it....I regret it. Under-rated little guns.

I have a Savage 93 BTVSS...pretty gun and shoots well.

Yeah I am not in any real hurry. Pawn shop time.

Same for the 25MN I had. My FIL had just picked up a 25MN himself at Bowie Trade Days then I ran across one in a pawn shop. Only time I ever saw anything decent in one of those shops. Paid $200 OTD and sold it three years later for $350...at Bowie Trade Days. I wanted the tube magazine and the nicer wood of the 783 so I waited.

this, I have one laminate wood fluted barrel semi heavy, bolt, will shoot the same hole

Look up ruger american 22 mag farmer edition.

Hopefully he has...plus the Marlin 25M offered and the Savage for sale here in the classifieds. TXHOGSLAYER, did you settle on one of these or are you waiting for a Marlin 783?

Sorry for the late response. Out in Vegas at a convention. I have not chosen one yet. O will look at ghe classifieds when I have the time. Thanks for thinking of me y'all

CZ 512 .22 WMR. I’ve had it since 2012. I really like it, especially after Larry Pockrus did a trigger job on it. They cost over $500.00 new though.

CMR-30s are all over $600 now IF you can find one. I have a Ruger Precision in .22 mag that sells for $489. I paid $650 for the CMR I have with a Romeo 5 on it.

Ok, time for an update. I think that I will have to cross the 783 off the list. I have been bidding on some and they end up going way over $500 when tax, shipping etc are added in. Nice rifles but just not willing to spend that much. What would be the last year that a Marlin barrel would be stamped JM?

It's not the JM stamp that matters to quality despite incorrect popular belief. Remington took over in 2010 but I generally stay away from any Marlin made 2000 and later. Marlin quality and QC were going downhill before Remlin hence the "take-over". After Remlin made rifles for a while and realized what a crap hole Marlin put them in and how to fix it, they did. A non-JM can be okay if made recently but get ready to keep it forever because people think they all suck so there's little value compared to a vintage (good) Marlin.
My 783 is from 1983 and is the second newest Marlin I own.

Look for a 25M or 25MN. The "M" denotes magnum and the "N" includes press checkering on the stock. The 25M only differs from the 783 in that it has a birch stock (783 is walnut hence the price) and the 25M has a removable box magazine (like the 782). The lack of fancy stock and the 25M being slightly newer makes them cheaper. I had a 25MN made in 1996 that with cheap rings and a SIMMONS rimfire scope would shoot inside of a quarter dollar diameter circle from 80 yards (which is good for me).

Also know that the 78X series was upgraded to the 88X series in 1989 or so. Generally cheaper wood (or the addition of synthetic options) than the 78X series and newer means cheaper on the resale market. Not quite sure when the 98X took over for the 88X but I am fairly certain it was before Remlin ... but "before enough"???

Don't forget the Savage 17 series...I prefer the "V" model with the varmint barrel. I would stay away from the weirdo double blade trigger though.

Happy hunting.

https://czgunstore.com/cz-457-american/

Shoots dime size group at 50 yards

I was talking with a guy about a 25MN yesterday and as he was emailing me someone bought it.

I'd take a serious look at CZ. They have a great accuracy reputation and are very nice looking rifles for the money.

The ones I am seeing are higher than giraffe nuts