Most accurate budget 22LR

Another vote for the Marlin 60

Bought mine for $50 OTD at a gun show and its a tack driver to say the least.

Another vote for Marlin 60. I try to shoot twice a week. The two rifles that get the most use are a Bruno #1 (the CZ452's daddy) and a Marlin 60. I am always amazed that the Marlin can keep right up with the Bruno. My M60 cost $150, add a scope and you're all set.

Marlin Model 60. I've got both that and a Ruger 10/22. Though I enjoy shooting both, in the accuracy department for a STOCK gun the 60 shoots circles inside of the 10/22 (circles around it didn't seem to be appropriate in this context ). If you're wanting to go all out with aftermarket stuff you probably have more room to MAKE the 10/22 more accurate, but I don't regard their stock accuracy all that highly.

In the under $300 price range with accuracy being the biggest key and trigger quality a close second I would suggest the Savage Mk II first, then the Marlin 795 (or whatever the number of their bolt action 22lr) second but with a rifle basix trigger. I personally feel like the Marlin rifles have just ever so slightly better barrels, but the stock trigger is bad. With new springs it gets a bit better, but still not good. Toss in an aftermarket trigger and it gets real good. The Savage has a good trigger out of the box and is ready to go. I like the CZ line more than either the Savage or the Marlin, but they tend to run above the $300 price point. From there get whatever stock you like and fits the budget. Great shooting rifles at a real good price.

Another possibility is the CZ 452 Trainer. I believe they run around $300 new these days.

10/22's can be made accurate but are far from it out of the box.

The model 60 is more accurate and IMO a better gun than the 10/22 unless you mod.

My vote goes for a bolt action .22 from CZ unless you have to have a autoloader bolt actions are usually more accurate.

NCsmitty said:

Kachok said:

I have had good luck with Marlins and Savage rimfires in the past.

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I see no reason for you to change, they are still accurate and reliable.

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+1, a Marlin M-60 or Savage Mk. II should serve you...your kids...and your kids, kids...well. I'd give the Savage an edge in both trigger quality (even the non-Accutrigger models) and overall accuracy...but the Marlin isn't bad, and it can sure pump out the rounds faster.

How about an old Mossberg? I prefer those with a bolt but the autos shoot well also.

Mossberg rifles used to be great bargains.
Now they have almost all fallen into the realm of collectable/shootable and values on the guns have risen pretty high.


I bought this M44US from the CMP several years ago.
Cost was $75 + shipping $10, had to buy a magazine and a trigger guard +$12&$12=$24 so total was $109 and I thought I got hosed on the deal.

These rifles now sell for $250 and up as do most other Mossbergs now.
Great guns but no bargains for sure.

These rifles now sell for $250 and up as do most other Mossbergs now.
Great guns but no bargains for sure.

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I'm not so sure about that. Where else can you buy a .22 rifle made anywhere near as well as the older Mossbergs for $250.00 or so?

+1 Marlin 795 with tech sights, extra mags, and Marlin rebate set be back under $200. I ring the 8" steel @ 100 yards pretty easily with cheap bulk Federal.

My favorite .22 is the CZ453varmint, but the Marlin is a much better fit for a low budget gun.

The Savage MarkII BV is a real nice shooter with a heavy barrel, laminated wood stock and Accu-trigger. Mount a decent rimfire scope on it and you'll have yourself a fine .22 that will suit your purposes very well.

I have a Remington 597 stainless that has been very accurate for me. It didn't cost a lot either, and there are starting to be more and more parts and aftermarket stuff for it too. Not as much stuff as the 10/22, but if I'd wanted a Ruger, I would have bought one.

THE MOST ACCURATE 22 I have is a Premier Single Shot 22 from the 1920's or early 1930's. Single shot bolt action with the little plunger you pull out to cock it. The metal work appears browned rather than blued, and the stock was broken by my grandfather as he finished off a rabbit that didn't succumb to his last bullet. It will shoot rings around any of these newer 22's, and you can find them for $100 or so on any of the auction sites...

I have a Marlin 925 bolt action, and it's served me well. While the bolt action Marlin rimfires might not be as nice as the CZs, they are substantially less expensive and certainly worth the money.

Never fired a newer Savage, but they're supposed to be really nice too.

I love my Rem Nylon 66 that I bought NIB in 1977 & it has served me well & it still does for either Woodchucks, Rabbits & any other small game that get's in it's way along with some either CCI Stingers or Rem Yellow Jackets.

I'm not sure what my newest rifle is. I friend gave it to me, no stock, just the barrel and innards. On the barrel it says,

"Savage Arms, West Point, Westfield, Mass. USA Model 487T Series A
Cal. .22 Long Rifle." Serial number is B919863.

It was a real mess, rust, action inoperable, no stock, etc. I dismantled it, cleaned it with acetone, buffed it, lubed it with Break Free, cold blued it, found a stock for it, and now it seems like it's ready to shoot.

Does anyone have clue when this rifle was made?

I have a Ruger 10/22 and Marlin 795, and the Marlin easily outshoots the Ruger (also half the price).

Marlin model 60. Mine has a 4x32 Nikon ProStaff and it's great. Gun and scope, less than $250. It's very accurate as well.

My Marlin 795 is damn accurate, moreso when my brother is using it.

Marlin Model 60

Hands down the most accurate off the shelf .22 LR. Even more so when you lighten the trigger and some other little tricks. I get nickle to quarter size 5 and 10 shot groups with Winchester Xpert 32 grain HP lead bullets with my Model 60.

In August I bought a Marlin 795 NIB for a grand total of ~$85(Marlin MIR, Dick's sale price and incentive) I intended it to be used as an Appleseed/Liberty training rifle, but I could never get the Tech-Sights to work(due to dove-tail/barrel alignment).
Recently, I decided to give a try with an optic and tossed a cheap $16 Tasco 3x9 on it. Wow! I could always tell the rifle was accurate, but it really came into its own with the scope....This cheap $100 795 setup rips ragged holes with any ammo to the point its almost boring to shoot off a rest..

I'd said my Marlin 60 is the best .22 I've ever had. I got it for my birthday when I turned 10. I'm 34 now & it's just a fun, reliable accurate rifle. For the money it can't be beat but I have to say about 4months ago I picked up a Winchester 190 from a gun show for $60. The poor thing was leaded up so bad!! I tore it down & couldn't believe how bad it was. It took me at least an hour to clean it. I put an extra scope I had on it & that thing is one heck of a tack driver!! My 60 is getting jealous of the trigger time my 190 is getting!!

All that a side, you just can't go wrong with a 60


JonnyV,

my Uncle had a .22 like that. Isn't it called a "Boy Scout" rifle? It was VERY accurate!!

Another CZ-452 vote here. My 452 Lux is a laser gun. I paid extra for the walnut stock but they can be had for well under $400 if that's not a concern for you. Coupled with the CCI Standard Velocity, it is easily more accurate than I'll ever be. I'll be installing the aperture on it next year for even more fun.

Easily one of my best rifles. The fit and finish are absolutely wonderful for such an inexpensive rifle. I've already told my daughter that if she ever sells it, I'll come back from the grave to haunt her.

22-rimfire said:

That would be my suggestion as well.

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I love my Marlin 795 semi-auto. Got mine for $99 less $25 rebate, net $74. Spend the money for a quality 3-9x40 scope.

I have a blast shooting it, got a few birds today. I think I shoot my bolt action Marlin 25N a little better because I haven't worked on the 795 trigger yet. Stock, the 795 trigger is pretty steep, mine is probably at least 8 lbs.

For a budget minded accurate 22lr I think that a Marlin model 60 is standard by which all the other modestly priced accurate 22's out there are measured.

That being said I also have a 795 and a 10/22 both of which I love to shoot,......but the Marlin model 60 is still the best "bang for the buck " 22lr I own.