Since we all(me and 2 sons) have 10/22s..think I'll look for an 'alternative' rim fire 22LR rifle. Only 'requirements' are bolt action, box type magazine and iron sights. Mossberg 802 Plinkster Marlin XT-22 Savage MKII Are some my google foo have found..Recommendations?? Thanks
I bought a Savage MK II for the Boy Scouts to use for merit badge qualification at summer camp. Very nice rifle with a decent trigger. It helped get a lot of merit badges.
You're welcome! I just purchased a Ruger American. Haven't shot it yet. Scope came in yesterday just waiting on the Supressor then LOOK OUT!!
The 77/22 is a fine bolt action rifle that uses 10/22 mags. I had to get another barrel for mine to get it to shoot to my satisfaction though. I have an American too, that uses 10/22 mags looks and feels like a less expensive rifle and it is.
The CZ 22LR rifles are amazing. Beautiful furniture. Smooth actions. Great sights. Accurate. I wish I had one. Boo hoo. I think this is the one I'd get: CZ 457 Premium
I picked up a used Ruger American Rimfire for $200 recently. I really like it. I've been told they are an "entry level" precision rifle, but it runs great and I already had dozen mags for it.
I had great luck with the centerfire Ruger Americans. Liked them well enough to try one of the 22 versions that used 10/22 magazines. It was not very accurate. My 10/22 was more accurate and it wouldn't eject empty brass unless you worked the bolt vigorously. I didn't keep it long. But if you're accuracy requirements aren't that important it does check a lot of boxes.
And it is a fine rifle as well. I have many 22 rifles and out of the box accuracy is only second to the Tikka. If you are serious about iron sights, look at tech sights. They have them for both rifles you mentioned. Great aperture sights. With aperture sights, my RAR and I can ding 4" steel 9/10 times at 100 yards. I can't see smaller than that anymore.
I'd go with the CZ or Tikka first, then the Savage or Ruger. The fact the Rugers take mags you already have is nice, but I'd make sure I like the rest of the rifle first.
I picked up a RAR when they first came out. It's very accurate and I've been able to compare against a number of other rifles that should have been more accurate. I put it in a Boyd's stock because I thought the bluing was so nice it deserved a good wood stock.
I have a RAR in 22 mag that is very accurate for a .22 mag. That said I shoot matches with a CZ and recommend them strongly. At Gun Test's Savage and Marlin XT were good for the money. Groups averaged out the same. Not up to a CZ though.
Another vote for CZ in their current offering. I have the 452 but it is no longer available. Their current model is the 457 and I hear they are just as accurate.
I want to do that with my .22 WMR American, the bluing is phenomenal but the stock is rather cheesy. I recently bought a CZ 455 Lux in .22 RF, its an awesome gun but half again (or more) as much as a Ruger American. Stay safe.
One rifle I'm sorry I let go was a Glenfield Model 25. Although it looks like your mind may be decided, I had to chime in. I picked it up at a pawn shop, put several hundred rounds through it in a couple outings then sold it. I know it went to a good home to someone who would pass the shooting tradition on to another generation but I still wish I could shoot that rifle again. With that in mind, I have to recommend the Marlin.
Check the used market at your LGS first -- in more normal times, very good deals on classic bolt action .22 rimfires by Winchester, Remington, Mossberg, Marlin, etc. are usually to be found, and usually for a fraction of the cost of a new rifle. Don't know whether that necessarily applies right now, but take a good look before deciding on something brand new. Also, consider spending extra for a deluxe rifle. There's something special about a fine quality rimfire bolt gun. In particular, if you find an old Kimber .22 from their Oregon days, grab it fast!
Given 10 CZ’s and 10 of any other common brand like Marlin, Savage, or Ruger, then shooting any kind of precision or accuracy competition, I would bet on the CZ’s taking 8 of the top 10 spots ahead of the other brand. I do have a couple Savage Mark II’s and have had a Marlin, and have had a bunch of 10/22’s and a couple of the 77/22’s, but the CZ’s really are a class above these for performance on target.
