I am seeking suggestions on a REALLY LIGHTWEIGHT .22 rifle. I'm new to shooting. I already own a circa 1960's .22 Mossberg 250C rifle. It's in beautiful condition, and is fitted with a scope. With the addition of the scope and a loaded 10 shot mag, it's about 7 lbs. I know this is really light to the men, but i'm about 120, female, and I have a really bad shoulder. Holding this thing repeatedly to aim and fire is just too much work for me with my injury. It feels heavy after awhile, exacerbates my injury, and takes the fun out of the whole thing.

I've heard alot of good things about the Ruger 10/22 (customizable etc) but I don't know the weight / specs on it. I'm looking to get more involved in learning, practicing, and target shooting, and assume i'll be using it quite a bit, so i'm looking for something accurate and super light.. 4 lbs maybe? Do they even make anything that light light? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

The 10/22 is just over 5 pounds, and if you really wanted you could shave some ounces off the stock, or there might be a lighter aftermarket stock available (not sure about that).

+1 on the 10/22

In fact tonight, I'm putting a bipod on one...Tech sights should be in next week.  

Look into the Mossberg 702 Plinkster. I'm not sure on it's weight but I have one and no complaints.

The marlin 795 weighs about 4 and a half pounds with the synthetic stock.  Loaded with features from the factory and its extremely accurate with the micro groove rifling.  Also extremely cheap at 100 bucks from dicks sporting goods.  Great bargain and great rifle!

This isn't really a match grade target rifle, but its REALLY light, looks like its fun to shoot, comes from a reputable manufacturer and not hard to find locally:
http://www.henryrepeating.com/h002_survival.cfm

Find a used Remington Nylon 66.

Marlin Papoose, 3.25lbs and is a takedown

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/SelfLoading/70PSS.asp

I own two of them.

Quoted from BadKarma

The marlin 795 weighs about 4 and a half pounds with the synthetic stock.  Loaded with features from the factory and its extremely accurate with the micro groove rifling.  Also extremely cheap at 100 bucks from dicks sporting goods.  Great bargain and great rifle!

+1 on the 795. Go to Dick's and check it out.

Quoted from Tonto

+1 on the 10/22

In fact tonight, I'm putting a bipod on one...Tech sights should be in next week.  

+1 for the Ruger 10/22

I have a preban S/S 18" 10/22 carbine with tech sights and a Hogue stock...very lightweight at about 5-pounds and deadly accurate with the tech sights. I also have a more recent 20" bull barrel S/S match 10/22 with tech sights and a Harris bipod,  but this is too heavy for your criteria.

Hey thanks everyone.. i'll be checking all of these out !

10-22 with a hogue stock maybe what you're looking for.

Doesn't/Didn't savage used to make a camper or backpack .22 that was rediculously light. Maybe it was a survival? Remember seing one a while ago. It broke down and had a 10 shot mag. Ugly as sin but if lights your main concern....I love my 10/22 and think its light but Im a bit over 120lbs and used to carrying a .35 marlin lever action.

Browning BL-22

Wow... the third zombie thread of the day.  

Other than a Marlin 60 or a 10/22, I am not a believer in semi auto 22's being reliable. Tend to need frequent cleaning, and are choosy about ammo. Remington Nylon 66's are supposed to be great, never shot one, they are old, discontinued and somewhat collectible. A takedown like a Marlin Papoose or AR7 is a not a general purpose rifle in my opinion. They use somewhat fragile mags. I prefer a mag tube. If you are small, try a Chipmunk .22 bolt action (2.5lbs). They are really cheaply made, but seem to function just fine. Very, very light. On the plus side, you can find them anywhere, even Dick's Sporting Goods, for around $100. Henry makes a similar, but higher quality Mini Bolt (3.25lbs). Pretty uncommon.  A single shot like a Steven's Favorite (4.25lbs) is also kinda neat. Often see ancient ones that still seem to work. Pricey.

I have had a Marlin Model 60 for 22+ years and have been happy with it.  Little heavier than you wanted at 5.5 pounds.  Typicaly you can get a good deal on them as well.

No one has asked - which shoulder is the problem???

Use a Marlin model 15y (single shot bolt )at the Women on Target classes for those that require a very light rifle. Savage 62 or 64 aren't too bad either, and the Mossberg 702 and Marlin 795 are not much heavier. No real issues with magazines, and the rifles work just fine if you maintain them. Please try several and see what works for you. You can try fit at the store, or see if you can convince someone that owns them to go shooting. Most of us just need an excuse and a free day

I own a Marlin Papoose and the 795.  Identical actions but the Papoose is a takedown, lighter version. Both work well.  PM me if you want to try them out.  My son (14) has tried them both but didn't think they were "cool" enough!

Dov

Is it bad that my first thought was a vintage Remington 512 single shot bolt action rifle?  Don't get much lighter than that!

Whoops, NRATC53 had a similar thought with the marlin 15y

hey thanks all..just for the record, it's my left shoulder thats injured, and I shoot righty, so the left is the one extended.. that's the problem. Thanks for all the suggestions!

The greatest thing is a zombie thread where the OP sees the thread and replies to the new replies, lol.

Anyways, one of the lightest and most comfortable .22's I ever shot, was a 10/22 with a Hogue over-molded stock and Tactical Solutions bull barrel. A bit pricey, but very light, and very accurate. I'm going to put together a 10/22 with the Hogue stock and Tactical Solutions barrel soon since it seems the other .22's I have refuse to function well no matter what I do to them.

Check out what I have for sale!

http://longislandfirearms.com/forum/m-1279742555.3908/

Sounds like you need a gun that you could almost shoot one handed, as your left shoulder can't extend that much and support the gun. If this is the case, it's not so much the weight of the gun, as it is the design of the stock. A thumbhole type of stock will allow you to hold much of the gun with your right hand, and then your left hand can help stabilize the gun without having to support a lot of weight.
Also, a target type of stock that has a wide bottom and a palm swell under it may help. You place your left hand under the gun, palm up, very close to the back of receiver. Watch clips of Olympic target shooters. Their left arms are not extended out, but held close to the body with the elbow almost resting on their side. This type of stock will let you shoot without extending your left arm.