I bought my son a Marlin semi-auto last year. It was 189 at Bargin Barn and it came with a scope. They dug up an old box that was in a run that came with the scope. It will pick off golf ball size potatoes at 75 yards no matter what ammo you feed it. A lot of my guns won't do that. Don't spend a lot of money on a rimfire gun. There is absolutely no need to. Your little chickens will be just as happy with a lesser expensive rifle. I have guns that cost 3000 dollars and that little Marlin will shoot with the best of them at short distance. I also bought a Marlin Bolt gun in 22 LR and it's a good one as well. One of my boys likes the bolt guns and the other likes the semi gun better. My buddy bought a Ruger 22 mag. and it was close to 700 hundred bucks. I have a savage in the same caliber and it cost a 1/3 of what the Ruger did and will shoot every bit as good as the Ruger. Now the Ruger will hold it's value but kids are rough on guns so I couldn't see spending that much on a gun the kids will be handling a lot. Not to mention I will never spend that much money on a rimfire gun.
