I'm trying to decide between keeping a Stainless Boatpaddle 77/22 and selling it to buy a 597 Varmint. Both are .22 magnums. I've owned several 77/22s in all of the offered calibers over the years but have never owned a 597. I'm hoping to get some comments from those who have either or both of these rifles.
The rifle will be used for hunting and as a tag along whenever I venture out on my property. I have several other .22 magnums, but now am just trying to decide if the 597 might be a better addition to the others. I'm not going to keep the 77/22 if I buy the 597, but I thought I might get some insight from those who may have faced a similar scenario in the past.
In reality, I would prefer to have a Volquartsen or even a Magnum Research or a used 10/22 magnum, but the prices on those are more than I want to pay. I considered the Excel since a local shop ordered several of them years ago and most of the owners seem to be happy, but after doing a few searches on here, most people don't recommend them at all, both for function and customer service.
These are my questions:
Is the 597 as bad as it is portrayed on here and other sites, or were they plagued with problems in the early models, and the new ones are fine?
What type of accuracy do those of you who have either model in .22 magnum experience? Is the 597 considered ammo sensitive and will only run with a few brands of ammo?
I had a conversation with a fellow yesterday who mentioned that he can only get about 5 or maybe 6 rounds in his 597 magazine even though it is an 8 round mag. Is this common or is he an exception to the rule?
The last question I have is in regards to the trigger. How would you rate the trigger on the 597? If you have both, how would you compare them? I've had about every variation of the 77/22 and can't say that any of them had a decent trigger.
Thanks if advance for your help!
Chris
The rifle will be used for hunting and as a tag along whenever I venture out on my property. I have several other .22 magnums, but now am just trying to decide if the 597 might be a better addition to the others. I'm not going to keep the 77/22 if I buy the 597, but I thought I might get some insight from those who may have faced a similar scenario in the past.
In reality, I would prefer to have a Volquartsen or even a Magnum Research or a used 10/22 magnum, but the prices on those are more than I want to pay. I considered the Excel since a local shop ordered several of them years ago and most of the owners seem to be happy, but after doing a few searches on here, most people don't recommend them at all, both for function and customer service.
These are my questions:
Is the 597 as bad as it is portrayed on here and other sites, or were they plagued with problems in the early models, and the new ones are fine?
What type of accuracy do those of you who have either model in .22 magnum experience? Is the 597 considered ammo sensitive and will only run with a few brands of ammo?
I had a conversation with a fellow yesterday who mentioned that he can only get about 5 or maybe 6 rounds in his 597 magazine even though it is an 8 round mag. Is this common or is he an exception to the rule?
The last question I have is in regards to the trigger. How would you rate the trigger on the 597? If you have both, how would you compare them? I've had about every variation of the 77/22 and can't say that any of them had a decent trigger.
Thanks if advance for your help!
Chris
