The “Perfect” .22 Rifle
- Thread starter JCooperfan1911
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Paul R Zartman
Contributing Member
Sears Ranger 101.16...enough said...
tark
Member
Remington 550-1. A semi-auto that eats everything from CB caps to hyper velocity whatever. The CBs and low velocity LRs dribble out of the ejection port, but they cycle the action without fail!
Very nice!!
And no scopes on 22 rifles either. If you can't hit with open sights at typical 22 RF ranges, it's probably time to quit. That being said, I do realize that there are some very nice 22 rifles out there that don't have sights, so a scope is required on them. I, however, don't own any.
Offfhand
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While I could never call it perfect, here is another pretty nice .22 built around a Winchester M-52 with with considerable refinement: including tang safety, bottom metal and scope rings. The gorgeous stockwork was by the late Dale Goens and shown compared to a matching centerfire rifle also stocked by Goens. I regret not having more work done by Goens back when he was active, but he years slip by and suddenly it's too late.
Tentwing
Member
My now 10 month old grandsons Marlin 39a if he is a happy to receive it ( in maybe a dozen years) as I will be to hand it over to him ……… then it will be close enough to perfect for me . 
nettlle
Contributing Member
Some genuinely breathtaking rifles. Thank you for sharing.
Wouldn't say "perfect" but it's my favorite;
I think this is the second run for Remington? Found this 541S next to an equally mint fat barreled T model on a "used" rack a waaay long time ago. Having been down the, "must be fat brrl road for too long".... road,I didn't even pick the heavier one up. Snagged this sporter for a little more than what a used Marlin 60 goes for?
It was love at first sight. Then fell up on the perfect little scope for it. Was at a well attended gun store whilst visiting in laws just S of D.C. Clark Bros in Warrenton Va. Perusing their used scope display case,hiding in the corner,behind/under all these giant scopes that were coming into vogue.....
Was this small,cute as a button Burris 4X,1" with 32? mm objective. Standing there yackin with the nice salesman,asked if I could bring the 541 in and see what it looked like. He was very nice and basically gave me the scope for free when paying retail for the Redfield base and rings that mated it to the gun. He said I was the 1st person who ever looked at it? German post reticle.
Had that scope on there and was just a peachy rig for 15 or so years. My #2 son surprised me with a NOS,Redfield 5star straight 6X, a few years ago. It too is/was a scope that no one was interested in and he got it for what Chinese doodoo scopes go for these days. Very crummy pic,will get it out and snap some "glamor" shots in the field. This was when first mounting the Redfield.
Would be called a liar telling of groups it'll produce. Completely unmolested,has factory adj trigger that's never been touched.... factory bedding(there ain't none),and appeared to be never shot when I got it. Very plain,straight grained walnut stock. Absolute death ray on small game.
I got a Winchesterrifle at auction that came in a Remington 541-s box. It included the owner's manual and registration papers. If anyone with a 541-s wants this let me know. Be happy to send it your way free if you cover the shipping. Hate to toss it if someone is interested
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
The quest for a perfect (anything gun related) to me is always about the journey and is never a destination.
The perfect rimfire is definitely no exception.
While my little Savage Mk2 is really good at most everything.
it's not quite as accurate as my RPRR
And it's not a semi auto
And it's not a cool old heirloom
The perfect rimfire is definitely no exception.
While my little Savage Mk2 is really good at most everything.
it's not quite as accurate as my RPRR
And it's not a semi auto
And it's not a cool old heirloom
Captcurt
Member
I thought that the Henry would be at the top of my list but the Aluminum receiver killed it. I would get a Winchester 94/22 or a 39 Marlin if I wasn't so monetarily changed.
DM~
Member
Those Henrys will go thousands and thousands and thousands of rounds and be much easier/handy along the way!
I have no idea how many cartons has been through mine, without even one hiccup!
DM
Howland937
Member
Aluminum receiver never seemed to kill a 10/22...but I like steel better too.
marksman13
Member
I just bought a Bergara BXR from a buddy of mine. It ain’t perfect, but it’s close enough for me.
KansasTrapper77
Member
If you like the Henry Frontier but find it too long and heavy I suggest you try the Evil Roy model. Its length of pull is longer than a youth model but shorter than full size. My wife wants one because it fits her so well. I think the Evil Roy laser engraving on the stock is tacky but It does throw up nicely.
Put a synth stock on my CZ 455. Trigger needs some work.
Other than that..........it is now my go to rifle.
Does sub half inch at 50........w SK match ammo. Not horrible w reg CCI Blazer.
Have had Rem 541T HB, 581, 511, 552 (mult) and 572 (mult). Close to a dozen Ruger 10/22 (best was an old fingergroove factory checkered).
Some Win lever rigs, Marlin bolt rigs, 64 Anschutz (sporter and target). And currently have a heavy bbl Savage of some sort.
That and the CZ are my only .22 lr rifles..... and the Savage is dang near new..... and may be going bye bye.
The CZ is a do all and feels best to me, even w safety backwards.
Other than that..........it is now my go to rifle.
Does sub half inch at 50........w SK match ammo. Not horrible w reg CCI Blazer.
Have had Rem 541T HB, 581, 511, 552 (mult) and 572 (mult). Close to a dozen Ruger 10/22 (best was an old fingergroove factory checkered).
Some Win lever rigs, Marlin bolt rigs, 64 Anschutz (sporter and target). And currently have a heavy bbl Savage of some sort.
That and the CZ are my only .22 lr rifles..... and the Savage is dang near new..... and may be going bye bye.
The CZ is a do all and feels best to me, even w safety backwards.
jag1954
Member
My Henry does it for me.
Captcurt
Member
I just bought one, but haven't had the time to play with because of deer season. Life is too complicated.
Not necessarily the prettiest rifle, but pretty is as pretty does! A shilen bull-barrel and my accurizing techniques came together for a satisfying day of shooting at Capitol City R&P, Augusta, ME. This target was Champ on the "Prove-It" website competition for several weeks.
BigBlue 94
Member
Lol i guess im lucky, i didnt have to even search for mine. It was the first actual firearm i ever shot. My pops bought it a few decades prior for somewhere between $15 and $25 used. It has taken many cans, targets, old pumpkins, squirrels, bluerock, and even a goose and a snake or two. Because you see, its not just a 22, but also a .410 shotgun; the venerable Stevens 22-410. It has a lovely patina from years of being kept in the garage, and the Tenite furniture is still in perfect shape. Its literally the last gun i would ever sell.
If that doesnt count in your book, the Marlin Papoose is my number two favorite 22. Mine is heavily customized and can be broken down into a pair or 16" sections. I also like the magazine design over that of the 10-22 because it is so much easier to slip a spare in any pocket on your person.
Mine has a home built chassis made entirely of aluminum, sans the steel locking block for the collapsing stock and fasteners. It has a DIP trigger set, a Magpul AR-15 storage grip and AFG, and a new metal front sight. Camo duracoat pattern is to blend in with the land i live on.
If that doesnt count in your book, the Marlin Papoose is my number two favorite 22. Mine is heavily customized and can be broken down into a pair or 16" sections. I also like the magazine design over that of the 10-22 because it is so much easier to slip a spare in any pocket on your person.
Mine has a home built chassis made entirely of aluminum, sans the steel locking block for the collapsing stock and fasteners. It has a DIP trigger set, a Magpul AR-15 storage grip and AFG, and a new metal front sight. Camo duracoat pattern is to blend in with the land i live on.
kBob
Member
Perfect is the enemy of food enough.
For one thing no two people will define perfect the same way.
My Dad gave me a .22 he thought was perfect for Christmas one year. It was a trube fed based on the old Savage “click-clack” gill guns.
For one thing no two people will define perfect the same way.
My Dad gave me a .22 he thought was perfect for Christmas one year. It was a trube fed based on the old Savage “click-clack” gill guns.
gregp74
Member
I spent many years trying to find the perfect "do it all" .22.
The Henry lever action was about as close as I got but I realized I'm just too picky to have one gun to do it all.
I sat down and made a list of exactly what I do with my 22s and decided I'd be better off with a pair outfitted for more specific uses. (I don't really count the Anschutz. That's kind of like Mrs. P's fine dishes. It only comes out for special occasions.)
For stuff that's out to 75 yards I am using a CZ 457 with a 4-16 power Vortex scope. (Usually with a bipod off a picnic table.)
I also recently realized I don't like using magnified optics for closer in off hand shooting. I took the 3-9x Sightron scope off and put a little Burris Fastfire II red dot on there. The rifle weighs a pound less now and I haven't had this much fun with a 22 since my grandpa used to take me out shooting as a kid.
The Henry is still sitting in the safe but I find it's nice having things a little more specialized.
The Henry lever action was about as close as I got but I realized I'm just too picky to have one gun to do it all.
I sat down and made a list of exactly what I do with my 22s and decided I'd be better off with a pair outfitted for more specific uses. (I don't really count the Anschutz. That's kind of like Mrs. P's fine dishes. It only comes out for special occasions.)
For stuff that's out to 75 yards I am using a CZ 457 with a 4-16 power Vortex scope. (Usually with a bipod off a picnic table.)
I also recently realized I don't like using magnified optics for closer in off hand shooting. I took the 3-9x Sightron scope off and put a little Burris Fastfire II red dot on there. The rifle weighs a pound less now and I haven't had this much fun with a 22 since my grandpa used to take me out shooting as a kid.
The Henry is still sitting in the safe but I find it's nice having things a little more specialized.
The Henry does not unfortunately have an aluminum receiver, it is Zamak instead which is a zinc alloy known commonly as pot metal.
Edit to add, if it were a nice piece of forged or billet aluminum and then anodized I would go purchase one now but it is not and therefore I will not.
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I've seen the Henry lever guns in stores and they look good. I once had a lever-action .22. It was a Marlin 39A, Mountie but it's been over 50 years ago and I haven't seen many around for sale lately.
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