.22LR/Mag Recommendations

[Werewolf]

It's been almost 30 years since I've owned a 22 Rifle. The last time I had one it was a bolt action with a detachable magazine (can't remember the maker). But it was fun to shoot.

I've been thinking it would be nice to have a rifle again that ammo is cheap for and doesn't kick like a mule when you shoot it. And I'm thinking it could double up as a gun I could use to teach my niece and wife the basics of shooting with.

I don't want to spend more than a couple of hundred bucks and I'd like it to be a bolt action though it doesn't matter whether the mag is detachable or not.

I'm thinking I would also like to be able to use it in some .22 LR target shooting competitions the local gun club has twice a month (but haven't checked into what those guys use yet).

Since all my experience is with handguns and larger caliber centerfire rifles I don't really have a clue who makes a decent 22LR or 22Mag bolt action these days.

Recommendations Please?

 

[YodaVader]

Hard to beat the CZ 452 line of bolt action 22s. I have the 452 Special - bought last year for $189 and the accuracy is incredible. Those over at rimfirecentral.com have high praise for the CZs as well. Here is a 10 shot 50 yard group that I fired not long ago.

 

[keederdag]

I'm with e'm , I don't own one, but CZ's are great rifles. What about a nice used remington 500 series; you can ususally find them cheap enough, and aperature sight's are readily availible from Lyman or Williams?

 

[Deadman]

One more note of praise for the CZ line of rimfire rifles here.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Aside from the CZs, check out Savage's line of .22s. I own a 93GL (southpaw .22 mag bolt action). It's quite accurate and put together nicely. They also make bolt actions in .22 LR.

 

[Black Snowman]

In your price range I'm going to have to throw in with the CZ crowd. Great bang for the buck.

 

[ojibweindian]

I like Marlin and own a 25MN. That's their .22 mag. From the prone position, I'm getting 0.5 inch groups at 50 yards. I'd do a little better if the trigger pull was better; that's the only real beef I have with this rifle.

I have yet to grab hold of a CZ; they have a great reputation and a loyal following here. I'll have to pony up some cash and get one soon.

 

[MagKnightX]

Assuming you actually want to do traditional smallbore target shooting, which may well be what your club does, look to Anschutz. A 1903 should do well, but it is single-shot. Maybe a biathlon model? But those are expensive, and if you DO get one, be prepared to drop a couple thousand.

Otherwise, might I suggest Marlin?

 

[Werewolf]

I'm looking real hard at the Marlin line now. The CZ's are a better rifle but they run around $300 which is more than I wanted to spend on a gun that will primarily be for teaching and fun.

Still haven't checked out the .22 competition at local Gun Club but if I need an Anschutz then forget it. No way in heck would I ever spend that kinda money on a .22 (in fact the idea of spending $300 or the $400 to $500 on a ruger bolt action .22 is just - well - strange - they're 22's for krist's sake).

 

[Black Snowman]

Around these parts the CZ marked at $225 and go for a little less and I've seen them online for about $190. Try talking them down or see if they can order a more basic model.

JGSales.com has em.

1-557
CZ 452 Scout Rifle. 22LR caliber. Youth model with shorter stock and barrel, blued finish and single shot magazine adapter (can accept detachable magazines too.) Reciver is grooved for scope rings, comes with adjustable sights.
$159.95

1-650
CZ 452 'Beech Special' Lux Rifle. 22LR Caliber. Has European style beech stock, blued finish and 5rd detachable magazine. Reciever is grooved for scope rings and has adjustable sights.
$189.95

 

[Soap]

Kimber- Mine came with a 5 shot 50 yard test target where the group measured .333"

If you cannot, or are unwilling to, lay that amount of cash out, CZ is a great choice.

 

[WhiteKnight]

The Savage MarkII LV/BV (it was renamed to BV) is an excellent rifle that is gaining popularity. It comes with a laminate stock, a heavy barrel, and scope bases right off the bat, and I picked mine up at Dick's Sporting Goods @ $179. A steal to say the least, as it shoots dime covered groups at 50 yards with Federal Lightning bulk ammo $8/500.

May I also suggest a Ruger 10/22? Endless modifications to be done if you have the money, right now I have about $700 sunk into mine, and eager to spend more!

 

[AUTIGER04]

Marlin 25N 22lr or 25MN 22mag.

 

[Mannlicher]

you really should at least check out some of the local pawn shops, or gun shops, for a used rifle. It is almost impossible to wear out a .22, and there are some really fantastic bargains out there in used rifles. Recently, I found a 30+ year old Walther KKJ in the used rifle section of a local shop. Picked it up for less than $100. That included an equally old Nickel 4 X scope, and double set triggers. This old timer will shoot with the best of today's rifles.

 

[Win75]

Take a look at the Marlin 882SSV in .22 mag. Heavy stainless barrel in a black composite stock. Mine shoots one hole groups at 50 yards. Have not rung it out at ranges more than that yet.

Ruger's 77/22 makes a nice .22 LR squirrel gun.

David.

 

[243_shooter]

My neighbor has a Ruger 77/22, very nice firearm! Never had a chance to shoot it, so I can't comment on that, but the fit/finish is light years ahead of any of the el cheapo rimfires I've owned! My favorite has always been my Rem 581. My grandfather did a little tweaking to it before he gave it to me for my birthday. It's always been a shooter.

If your just looking for a rimfire to plink with, consider the 17 HMR. I just picked up a Marlin 17V (bull barrel, blued, cheesy wood stock) with a pathetic scope, extra mag, and 2 boxes of ammo for ~$260 last week. The gun itself was $189.99 as I recall. This thing is the most fun I've had with a rimfire in a long time. Shoots dime sized groups almost with ease. I'm sure with some decent glass, and some practice it will be downright scary. Plan on using it to work on my rifle skills, interested in trying some long range stuff with it. I'm already planning on dumping the cheapo scope and putting some real glass on it, along with a basix trigger kit.. The only downsides are $8-$10 for a box of 50, and it probably wouldn't fly for .22 competition. A fun bugger to shoot.

Leo

 

[MikeK]

If you're feeling lucky - see if you can find a Romanian 69 training rifle at a gun show. I bought mine 2 years ago for $80. Bolt-action, not a great trigger, but not heavy. I have read of people buying them for around $50, sometimes in bulk.

Mine shoots great but I might have been lucky. Try some searches here and and www.rimfirecentral.com A number of people like them.

Good luck!

 

[Futo Inu]

my votes

Savage in .17 HMR. More fun cannot be had, IMO.

cept maybe...

Marlin model 60 .22lr, semi-auto, tube mag.

or if you want to feed shorts, colibris, and other weird and sundry rounds, get a turnbolt like a

CZ 452 Lux (best choice for shooting with NICE iron sights), or Polish or Romanian trainers, to go the inexpensive route.

 

[BowStreetRunner]

i saw one of the romanian training rifles at a gunshow last week and they looked pretty cool
not kid size like my lil' bros .22
and nice sights too, IMO
ive seen them advertised for 50 or 60 bucks in SGN, however, since they are that cheap, dealer transfer fee will cost half the rifle!
BSR

 

[JNewell]

22LR vs 22 WMR

On the .22 LR vs. .22 WMR question, I would go with .22LR. We have a Winchester 9422M -- great rifle, but the ammo is quite a bit more expensive than the .22 LR and it doesn't get shot much. The .22 Mag or .17 are a great choice IMO if you're hunting with the rifle, but for plinking, a waste of money that may wind up making the rifle a safe queen. YMMV...