Fun 22LR bolt action rifle?

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FWIW, Remington Model 5 is a Zastava. I have shot a couple. They were good for 1/2"-3/4" with Wolf Match. They are nice looking guns. I wasn't impressed with the trigger, though.
 
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I'd say hit the used rack. You should be able to get a nice shooter for $200 or maybe even a bit less without too much trouble.


I hear good things about Savage rimfires, and of course everyone raves about CZ but they can be kind of hard to find sometimes. I love Marlin but I'm not 100% sold on their new XT line... but that's just me. Some people seem very happy with them.
 
I've had a CZ 452 and a Marlin 25. Both had acceptable weight and balance. I tried everything and couldn't get the Marlin to group 1" at 50 yards. The CZ easily groups half that but only with Wolf MT ammo.
 
Chief, I didn't have a need for a CZ either. I owned 3 Savages, a Marlin, Ruger, Mossberg and Rossi in .22lr but the prospect of owning a well balanced open sight rifle with above average accuracy was a no lose proposition.

I don't doubt that any of the rifles mentioned thus far would be more than capable for plinking accuracy. For a no-nonsense take along though, something like the Ruger or Marlin Papoose suits the purpose better than most IMO.

I cut my teeth on a Marlin 783 .22 WMR. I got spoiled by the power, range, and accuracy of it as my first rifle.
 
One BIG reason is, if you know anything about triggers, you know that a set trigger INCREASES the "lock time" drastically and that's never good...

Yet I can shoot much better with the trigger set. I know there's more time to move the rifle off target after pulling the trigger and before the primer fires but the act of pulling a heavier trigger causes movement too. I doubt you'll find too many people that can't shoot better with a set trigger. Is it the best design? No but it's a very good design and it comes with a warranty instead of voiding the warranty on the rifle. Aftermarket triggers can be great but most stock rifles don't come with truly great triggers. I have a few guns with what I think are very good stock triggers - a Savage 12 LRPV with the target action and a S&W 629 that is very light in DA mode. Those triggers are better than my CZ trigger but not by a lot. And yes I know most will say that all revolvers have too much lock time as a general rule. But again, holding a gun on target while the trigger engages is no harder than holding a gun on target while pulling a heavy trigger.

I think it depends on what kind of shooting you will be doing. If you're setup for benchrest shooting then your rifle isn't going to move off target that much during the extra lock time caused by the single set trigger. If you're trying to hit a running squirrel maybe a set trigger isn't the best idea because it's harder to gauge the lead time because of the increased lock time. But with the 453 you have your choice of shooting with the trigger set or not.

I have no doubt I can shoot more accurate when shooting paper using the set trigger. If I was going to use that rifle for hunting very much I'd probably practice more without the set trigger. But I use other rifles to hunt generally. It's not that I have a problem with the CZ as much as I just want to use other rifles for hunting mainly because I prefer using iron sights and I like carrying a lighter rifle when hunting squirrels.
 
I say CZ-452 as well. My 452 Lux is just extremely satisfying to shoot. It has such a solid quality feel to it. You could almost start thinking you are shooting a center fire until you squeeze the trigger!
 
Yet I can shoot much better with the trigger set. I know there's more time to move the rifle off target after pulling the trigger and before the primer fires but the act of pulling a heavier trigger causes movement too. I doubt you'll find too many people that can't shoot better with a set trigger. Is it the best design? No but it's a very good design and it comes with a warranty instead of voiding the warranty on the rifle. Aftermarket triggers can be great but most stock rifles don't come with truly great triggers. I have a few guns with what I think are very good stock triggers - a Savage 12 LRPV with the target action and a S&W 629 that is very light in DA mode. Those triggers are better than my CZ trigger but not by a lot. And yes I know most will say that all revolvers have too much lock time as a general rule. But again, holding a gun on target while the trigger engages is no harder than holding a gun on target while pulling a heavy trigger.

I think it depends on what kind of shooting you will be doing. If you're setup for benchrest shooting then your rifle isn't going to move off target that much during the extra lock time caused by the single set trigger. If you're trying to hit a running squirrel maybe a set trigger isn't the best idea because it's harder to gauge the lead time because of the increased lock time. But with the 453 you have your choice of shooting with the trigger set or not.

I have no doubt I can shoot more accurate when shooting paper using the set trigger. If I was going to use that rifle for hunting very much I'd probably practice more without the set trigger. But I use other rifles to hunt generally. It's not that I have a problem with the CZ as much as I just want to use other rifles for hunting mainly because I prefer using iron sights and I like carrying a lighter rifle when hunting squirrels.

That sure was a long winded answer, just to agree with me! lol

There's NO QUESTION that a properly adjusted std. trigger, is MUCH better than a set trigger, you just can't get around that. And, once you get that trigger fixed up, see if you can do something about that safety too... :)

DM
 
I'm looking for a nice 22LR rifle I could put a small 4x-6x scope on for some plinking/target fun when camping. Most folks I spoke to recommended either Marlin 60 or Ruger 10/22 but both of these are semi-automatic. I'd love to find a bolt action rifle instead.

Am I crazy to think such a beast exists? Do you have (or know of) a rifle that I should look at? I'm not looking to spend a lot but cost isn't the topmost priority either.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Well 3 pages of post on a 22 LR. Including getting into triggers. There is no shortage of 22 LR rifles out there to do what you want to do. No you are not crazy for thinking such a beast exist.

Several members have suggested some of the fine older rifles out there. While many of the new rifles like the CZ flavors are just fine they do come with a price tag attached. During the early to mid 90s a simple 22 bolt gun like the early Remingtons, Winchesters or Savages were $25 to $30 dollar guns. Today those same rifles are in the $200 to $250 range. Wonder why that might be? Maybe because they shoot just as well if not better than the new guns? During the 50s and before any kid worth his salt could nail a squirrel or rabbit at 25 yards with an early Remington or Savage or Winchester. Why was that? Those guns lacked the nice triggers offered today yet they were accurate in the hands of a good shooter.

I liked the old Remiington 510, 511 and 512 series guns which did just fine. If a new rifle is what you want then I suggest the CZ guns mentioned. If you want an accurate 22 LR bolt gun for a good price then I suggest the older classic rifles. Your money and your call. Just saying don't be too quick to discount many of the fine older rifles mentioned.

Ron
 
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I'm quite overwhelmed by (and very grateful for) your responses. Seems like CZ455 is the consensus recommendation, so I'll now start shopping around. Also need to decide on wood vs synthetic stock, kinda leaning towards synthetic as they're more resilient.
Let's see if I can now find a decent deal on one of those puppies...
 
Buds had synthetic 455's a couple of days ago for $340 cash price....A friend was getting ready to order one.
 
That sure was a long winded answer, just to agree with me! lol

Yeah but I don't completely agree that a set trigger is "always" bad. Like I said I can shoot better with the trigger set than without it. If they sold factory CZ's with uber light triggers that may be a moot point but they don't sell them. And given the choice of not having the ability to set the trigger (slow lock time as it is) I would definitely choose to have the set trigger. You said a slow lock time was always a bad thing. Not compared to a much heavier trigger IMO. Both have their place. And I'm glad to have both choices on the same rifle.

BTW my post wasn't so long. I was just explaining the issue for any newbies reading the thread. Just saying "set trigger bad" doesn't help them very much. ;)
 
I shoot local sporter benchrest matches that are heavily populated with CZ rifles. The guys using set triggered 453's don't dominate over the 452/455 users.
 
The guys using set triggered 453's don't dominate over the 452/455 users.

I've shot both. IMO the 453 is clearly the better shooter. There could be 1000 reasons for your particular situation where 452 shooters aren't dominated by 453 shooters. For starters a lot more 452's have been sold. I also shoot local benchrest or I did for a long time and I never saw a single 453 at a match. If you have 20-1 guys shooting the 452 over the 453 there's a good chance that one guy with the 453 won't be the best shooter.

What I have to go on is my own experience. I've shot 452's with the standard trigger fix that's done. I wasn't impressed with those triggers at all. And they certainly weren't as accurate as my 453. Actually the trigger is probably the biggest reason I bought a CZ. I had seen lots of 452's for a lot less money and I never bought one. So if you think you're going to convince me that a 452 is as good as a 453 I can tell you right now you will never do that. If you just want to argue about it feel free. I'll pass. I've stated my view. It isn't going to change because of lock time. I've shot both rifles. That's the proof I need.
 
They are basically the same rifle with different triggers....The set helps you shoot better groups. No doubt. However, the 453 is no more accurate than a 452 in the hands of a skilled shooter.....I also have shot numerous models of both series and witnessed dozens used in sporter benchrest. I have yet to see a particular model of CZ as a whole that is more accurate than another....My last sentence also seems to be the same as many enthusiasts over at rimfire central, report.
 
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If you want something different, look around for a good condition Remington 512 and put one of the older Weaver scopes on it. Great rifle and the old Weaver El Paso scopes are not bad either,
 
Yeah but I don't completely agree that a set trigger is "always" bad. Like I said I can shoot better with the trigger set than without it. If they sold factory CZ's with uber light triggers that may be a moot point but they don't sell them. And given the choice of not having the ability to set the trigger (slow lock time as it is) I would definitely choose to have the set trigger. You said a slow lock time was always a bad thing. Not compared to a much heavier trigger IMO. Both have their place. And I'm glad to have both choices on the same rifle.

BTW my post wasn't so long. I was just explaining the issue for any newbies reading the thread. Just saying "set trigger bad" doesn't help them very much.

I could live with the trigger, set or not, it's the azzbackwards safety that I can't live with. Has anyone come up with a fix for that yet???

DM
 
I like the CZ 452 Trainer, if you can find one, and the Ruger American. I have also had good luck with Marlin bolt actions. Fortunately you have lots of good choices, perhaps too many!

Good Luck and let us know what you chose.
 
For accuracy, decent trigger, fit & finish, etc, you would have to end a ton of money to find a better .22 bolt gun than a CZ.
Those little rifles are just incredible.
 
it's the azzbackwards safety that I can't live with. Has anyone come up with a fix for that yet???

IIRC you've mentioned this tidbit before, not to trivialize safety with firearms but the only time I would use the safety on my 452 would be in the woods between stops. For range duty, its sole duty thus far I prefer magazine removal and a chamber flag. Otherwise the standby practice the manual of arms for the rifle you have is all I got.

The safety may be a deal breaker for some who find the transition difficult so as a last resort you may wish to trade all your centerfire rifles for 550s and keep things uniform. They may not suit everyone's taste, true of every firearm out there.
 
he set helps you shoot better groups. No doubt. However, the 453 is no more accurate than a 452 in the hands of a skilled shooter

Is that a backhanded way of saying I'm not a skilled shooter? Here's a 5 shot, 50 yard group I shot with my 453. You decide. :D

CZ%20_108%20group.jpg
 
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You should consider a CZ as others stated, had my 452FS since 2008. Still as accurate to this day. Check out rimfire central.com there you will be surprised how popular the cz brand is, with good reason
 
Just shot this an hour ago at 50 yds. with my CZ and a $20 used Tasco 3-9X in gusting 25 mph wind. Doesn't prove a thing, my old Marlin can do the same and either would no doubt shoot better with a more skilled rifleman at the helm.

LelPYDxl.jpg


I don't think anyone is criticizing anyone else's shooting, I do think we're drifting quite a ways away from the topic of finding a, to paraphrase: "nice plinking .22lr rifle for camping..."

OP, if you intend to scope it, I'd suggest the "American" version and perhaps a fixed 6X K-Series Weaver. Be sure to check the dovetail dimensions for the specific CZ you choose as some are dimensionally different.
 
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