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My first Marlin .22 mag

1.7K views 32 replies 24 participants last post by  PEASHOOTER67  
#1 ·
After 64 years I finally got myself a Marlin .22 Magnum. I've owned Savage's, Ruger's, CZ's, Winchester's, Remington's but never had a Marlin .22 bolt action before.
Just picked up this like new 25MN .22 Mag in a pawn shop. Gun is super clean and hasn't been tampered with. Doesn't look like it has been shot much at all.
It came with a Simmons 3x9 scope but I'm replacing it with a Bushnell 4x12x40 and some new rings. Looking forward to shooting this as its been a few years since I had a .22 mag gun. Appears to be a 1996 model as sn starts with 044xxxx.
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#5 ·
Marlin bolt action .22 Magnums often shoot better than expected. I hope your rifle shoots better than you expect. It certainly was well cared for - The exterior looks immaculate.

I like the .22 Magnum (except for $$ of ammunition) but the firearms themselves are great for woods loafing.

Good luck and good shooting ! (y)
 
#7 ·
I have a 25MN like yours, with Centerpoint (yeah, I know….chinesium, but it’s a fine scope for a .22 IMHO.) It’s one of the few guns I’ll keep until the bitter end. Extremely accurate, easily tunable trigger. I’ve taken more than my share of groundhogs and crows with it over the years. I have an 883 that’s a close second. I think you made a fine choice and will enjoy your new 25MN for many years.
 
#9 ·
After 64 years I finally got myself a Marlin .22 Magnum. I've owned Savage's, Ruger's, CZ's, Winchester's, Remington's but never had a Marlin .22 bolt action before.
Just picked up this like new 25MN .22 Mag in a pawn shop. Gun is super clean and hasn't been tampered with. Doesn't look like it has been shot much at all.
It came with a Simmons 3x9 scope but I'm replacing it with a Bushnell 4x12x40 and some new rings. Looking forward to shooting this as its been a few years since I had a .22 mag gun. Appears to be a 1996 model as sn starts with 044xxxx. View attachment 588943 View attachment 588944 View attachment 588945
I have one just like that! Congratulations on a great rifle
 
#13 ·
Nice pickup you should enjoy.
I have a 25mn that I bought new around the later 80's time frame if I remember correctly.
Mine has always been a great shooter but it really does not get the use it should as I no longer hunt and not often I want to just burn .22 wmr ammo shooting at targets.

These guns to my knowledge have never gained a lot in the way of collector status but they are well made and have a reputation from most owners of being great accurate shooters.

I did manage to find and buy some extra magazines for a reasonable price from another forum member here about a year and a half ago as I only had my one original and they are getting harder to find and like anything the prices are creeping higher on them.

That is one thing I have learned is when I buy a firearm that takes removeable magazines is to go ahead and buy any extra's while they are easily obtainable and the firearm is a current production piece.

Let us know how it shoots for you.
 
#15 ·
I had one like it years ago, but not as pretty as yours. I did something very retarded and sold it. Now I'm looking for another. I do have a 25N in 22 LR but I don't use it because I have CZ 457's in that caliber.
I want a beat up 22 magnum to bounce around in my CanAm in the mountains in case I see a wolf and a 25MN would be perfect for that.
 
#23 ·
Finally got to shoot this rifle. Had a heck of a time mounting a Bushnell 4x12x40 scope i had laying around. It's just too big even with high rings. I really don't like this scope anyway so will be changing it out for a Leupold or Vortex down the road.
I worked the trigger over from almost 7# to 3 1/2# and then again down to 1 1/2#..perfect!
I put a very light spring in trigger and added a heavier spring over the sear spring, then polished the contact surfaces.

I tried 4 different types of ammo and found two it liked. Remington 33gr Accutip and Winchester 40 gr jhp. But it didn't like Hornady 30 gr vmax or 45 gr ftx self defense.
These are all I had handy at home and I will be getting some CCI to try yet.

Also added sling studs and will be getting a leather sling for it.

I really like shooting this more than my std .22lr. Love the extra punch!!
 
#26 ·
Finally got to shoot this rifle. Had a heck of a time mounting a Bushnell 4x12x40 scope i had laying around. It's just too big even with high rings. I really don't like this scope anyway so will be changing it out for a Leupold or Vortex down the road.
I worked the trigger over from almost 7# to 3 1/2# and then again down to 1 1/2#..perfect!
I put a very light spring in trigger and added a heavier spring over the sear spring, then polished the contact surfaces.

I tried 4 different types of ammo and found two it liked. Remington 33gr Accutip and Winchester 40 gr jhp. But it didn't like Hornady 30 gr vmax or 45 gr ftx self defense.
These are all I had handy at home and I will be getting some CCI to try yet.

Also added sling studs and will be getting a leather sling for it.

I really like shooting this more than my std .22lr. Love the extra punch!!
All my .22 WMR rifles shot well with Winchester 40gr. JHP, including Marlin 783 and 883s, a Browning BPR and a Winchester 9422M.
 
#24 ·
Man, you did a lot of 'getting to know you' rifle work. Good for you ! I don't know if you are interested, but you might look for the smaller capacity Marlin magazines that reduced the distance that sticks out, making carrying in hand easier. Way more comfortable. RFC member Ole Man River made this conversion but that was years back. I think Marlin later on began making them a factory option, at least for a while. The magazines are fully inserted.
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#25 ·
Yes I did spend some time on it as I do all my guns. I usually do trigger work, barrel and crown polishing if needed and any bolt , extractor, ejector work and any stock work just to make it to my satisfaction. Still might bed this one yet.
Thanks for the tip on the 4 round mags. I thought about getting one just for that reason.
 
#27 ·
I will also add the Winchester 40gr shoot great in my rifles. Marlin 25MN, 983T and a New Haven 740T ( plain Mossberg 640). The Winchester 45gr solid plated lead bullet Dynapoints also shoot great if you can find them. Velocity is 1550fps so they are similar to the old .22WRF. They are great for plinking and should make a great small game load that won't do a lot of damage like full speed ammo. I used to get them at Wmart but haven't seen them in awhile. 50rnds were like 8.99.
I just did a search on the Dynapoints and they are still made plus theres a HP now.(y)