Savage Model 64 .22

[The Annoyed Man]

I picked up a "like new" used Savage Model 64 from a friend today for $100 (http://savagearms.com/firearms/model/64F). It came with 1 ten-round magazine. I ordered 3 more from Cabelas. It seems like a nifty little gun, and it is going to primarily my wife's toy.

If any of you have one of these, do you have any suggestions or warnings, ammo preferences, etc?

[puma guy]

Looks like a nifty little rifle. I'm sure it will be a fun shooter. I have no experience with this model, but I have many .22 rifles. Mostly bolt actions, but also levers, pump and semi- autos and a couple of single shots. Some semi's are finicky about what you feed them, some will handle just about anything. You'll have to experiment with different ammo to find the one the Savage finds yummy for functionality and accuracy. I realize the .22 famine will make it more difficult, but start with major brands CCI, Win, Federal, etc. There's always talk about Remington being poor quality ammo, but others will swear by it. Besides HV ammo I always try a semi auto rifle with standard velocity ammo to see if it will digest it (ie cycle). Sometimes it's more accurate. There's a very good book by a guy named C. Rodney James - "Gun Digest Book of the .22 Rifle". Good shooting!

Edit: Is it scoped or iron sights?

[VMI77]

I don't have that particular gun but I always get the best results with CCI...mini mags, velocitor, and the 22 AR stuff which I haven't seen on the shelves for about 2 years now. Next best for me has been Federal and Remington --high velocity being better than standard velocity. Of the majors I've had the worst luck with Winchester, and not just with rimfire either....I once had multiple squibs with Win white box .45 ACP. That said, I had zero problem with my last few boxes of Winchester 22. Of course if I'm just plinking an occasional FTF or FTE isn't a big deal...but one per mag or more is definitely too many.

[puma guy]

I don't have that particular gun but I always get the best results with CCI...mini mags, velocitor, and the 22 AR stuff which I haven't seen on the shelves for about 2 years now. Next best for me has been Federal and Remington --high velocity being better than standard velocity. Of the majors I've had the worst luck with Winchester, and not just with rimfire either....I once had multiple squibs with Win white box .45 ACP. That said, I had zero problem with my last few boxes of Winchester 22. Of course if I'm just plinking an occasional FTF or FTE isn't a big deal...but one per mag or more is definitely too many.

The last .22 shooting session I had with my son -in law he had several mis-fires with CCI standard velocity. He's a new shooter so I told him to wait 30 seconds each time and then lift the bolt handle to reset the firing pin and pull the trigger again. All but two fired on second strike. I thought it was the rifle I'd given him, so I tried some in my Buckmark pistol. Had one misfire in it. In a box of 100 I consider it more than coincidence. In fairness I must say this is the first time I've ever had a problem with CCI ammo and I probably have more CCI .22 ammo than any other brand. I have some Rem standard velocity ammo I bought thru the CMP that has had 4-5 fail in 1000 or so rounds. I have about two thousands rounds of some 50 year old mixed Win and Peters .22 ammo that was under 5 feet of water at one time. I use it to plink and ironically every time I pull the bang switch they've fired.