recommendations for a .22

anything marlin, savage, or cz. remmy is a bit expensive, except the 597, and a winchester is fine as well, since it is a copy of the t0z 78. Browning , new or used is allways good as well, and a Biathlon Basic, will be very accurate, but a bit more money. Really for new or used, and for about 300 bucks or less, the first 4 choices here , are all you need to look through.
go here, and look at all the diff threads of 22's;
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/

Marlin Model 60

Like everything, it depends on what you want to spend and what you mean by "accurate".

Either the Marlin 980 or Savage Mark II with synthetic stocks will likely be about the least expensive for a traditionally accurate 22 rifle. I have a Savage Mark II.

Spend a bit more and get a CZ 452 or 453 and you will have a fine 22 rifle. It will be a bit heavier, but will have a walnut stock. They are generally well made rifles.

If your budget is over $500, I'll make some more recommendations.

my 10/22 is lights out accurate.

My experience only!

I bought a Remmington 597 a few years ago and put a scope on it. It is accurate and light. Probably the only .22 I'll need. I believe it was about $160 at Big 5.

I have a Ruger 10/22 as well asa Ruger 77/22. They are about the same in accuracy. The Ruger 10/22 should do whatever you want. Mine is not wood though, it is the cheapie plastic stock.

I own 2) Ruger 10/22's, 2) Marlin model 60's, 1) CZ 452 Scout & 1) Kimber K22 Hunter. My Kimber is by far the most accurate but it also cost 3 times as much as the Marlins. For the money I would buy yourself a "Wallyworld"
Marlin 60 S.S Synthetic stock for around 160.00 The Marlins are accurate for an inexpensive .22 caliber.

CZ452, made right and shoot lights out.

Oh, I'd rather spend under $300 if possible. This is just a plinking rifle, and something I could use to hunt small animals to eat if the SHTF.

Money isn't an issue, I have plenty, I just can't see spending $500+ on a .22 for plinking.

Click to expand...

Okay. For this purpose, I would still go with the Ruger 10/22, but I would spend a bit more money than the cheapest version and get the deluxe with the walnut stock. Should do you just fine. You don't need tac driving accuracy for most common uses. People get all worked up about accuracy and so forth. I understand. But most Ruger 10/22's will be great plinkers, great for small game hunting, and casual target shooting.

The Wally World Marlin Model 60 Stainless with black synthetic stock is a nice package. It would my choice in that model and if I preferred a tubular magazine over the rotary Ruger magazine. Personally, I find the tubular magazine a whole lot easier to load.

Spend a bit more and get the Thompson Center R-55 Classic (with the walnut stock and plain barrel). You have both accuracy and a nice package! They do real well in competition in the sporter class.

ruger, or browning are the best

If I wanted the most accurate 22 for the money I would get a CZ. Now saying that my favorite 22 rifle is my 77/22. It just is not as accurate as my CZ 452 and the 77/22 cost more. Go to rimfirecentral.com and read the forums. It is broken down by every brand and model.

I have a 10/22, Marlin 60, Marlin 25, and a CZ 452 American. All are accurate, and shoot great. For plinking and the such the autos are accurate enough. As far as hunting the 25 and the 452 are far more accurate than the auto's. Stock rifles that shoot tight little groups are usually bolts, not saying that autos don't, but are not as common. Ammo choices in a .22 will make or break accuracy. Bulk ammo (Federal 550 from Wally World) in my CZ shoot like crap, and the same ammo in my Marlin 25 shoot little 1 hole groups. That same bulk won't hardly cyclle in the Ruger, but cycles in the Marlin 60. Ammo is in a whole differant subject though. I have gotten away from the autos, and went back to my bolt guns, mainly because of the way the function. I have never had a bolt gun jam.

Another recommendation for the CZ 452, except, since you want light, I'd recommend the Scout version. It's small, but that makes it very handy, and very light. Built on the terrific 452 action, it's accurate, too. And, it's within your budget.

The only downsides are that it comes 1) with a single shot mag, but will take standard 452 5- and 10-shot mags and 2) without sling studs.

Marlin 60... $150 give or take. Centerpoint scope from walmart $70. Leaves money for ammo, and a sling.

I bought a late 90's Marlin 60 from a charity auction several years ago just because I wanted to help out. The fun of the M-60 has been a terrific bonus.

I'd like a CZ .22 rifle too, but at almost $400.:banghead:

Light, accurate, and inexpensive?? This is too easy...

The Stevens Model 300... around $125 new, out the door... (it's a Savage) add a decent scope and you're in under $200...


You can also get more ideas from the 22-a-holics Anonymous thread...

Buy a cz 452 or 453. They will shoot right alongside a Anschutz at a lot less money.

I went with the CZ. 452fs is great fun plinking (irons) and 453varmint is uber accurate. Last week I hit 20 shotgun shells off a rail in 22 shots from 50 yards and the 2 misses were definitely my fault (cheap bulk pack ammo too).

I have both a 10/22 and a Marlin 60. Both are good but I much prefer the Marlin 60. It feels much better. It has more of a rifle feel whereas the 10/22 is a carbine. Not knocking carbines at all though...just saying.

model 60

Of the .22's I own, my best is a CZ452 American, but the Ruger 10/22 I have is very accurate. One thing in favor of the 10/22 is you can upgrade it
later if you want. It is hard to say if any rifle is accurate off the rack but some have a great rep for the money like the Savage Mark II in your price range. My CZ special is very accurate but it took some breakin and some effort to find scope and mounts that work with it.

Accurate 22's

I bought a Rem 597. It was a piece of junk, not to say they all shoot poorly, just the one I purchased. I then bought a 10/22. It didn't shoot up to my standards, so I put a heavy barrel on it an restocked it with a hogue and now it is a great shooter. The 10/22 is a bit on the heavy side for carrying around squirreling so I bought a Savage bolt with a skinny barrel. It jams when loading from the magazine and can't hit the broad side of a barn from the inside. I was thoroughly discusted with it. I then decided to buy a CZ 452 American. That, my friend, is one sweet rifle. It shoots better than anything else that I've owned out of the box and is a good looking rifle to boot. I am completely CZ crazy now. I'm thinking about buying a 17hmr in the same gun. I didn't think I'd ever be satisfied, but I am. Good luck in your decision.

I have the basic Ruger 10/22 carbine I have had for a while now. When I got it I got the cheapest model with the intent to upgrade it. However, when I shot it I was surprised. It was more accurate than I am. At 36 yards that I usually shoot it I can shoot the 1" bulls eye out of a target. I shot 50 rounds or almost 50 into about an inch and a half group give or take. It shot the bullseye completely out of the target. That's pretty good for me. I like the feel of the gun too. The only complaint is it stovepipes a lot with Federal bulk pack ammo from Wally World. It does a lot better with the Winchester Xperts and 333s. Does it everyonce in a while but not often. Supposedly it will do a lot better with most ammo if you change the extractor out although I've never done it. Plus there are a ton of add ons for this gun. This would be my pick for a .22 for plinking. The new ones have some plastic parts like a barrel band and trigger guard. Im not sure what else but they don't seem to be wanted quite as much by most.

Can't go wrong with a Marlin model 60.