22LR rifle bench rest recommendations

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pat701

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I am giving some thought to picking up a 22Lr rifle to shot at 100yards and also squirrel hunt with. I would like to spend $300 or so on the rifle. I would spend $200 or so an a 3X or 4X fixed scope. If the rifle is already drilled and tapped for a scope thats even better, otherwise a rifle that would be easy to mount a scope on. I would prefer bolt action but semi auto is OK with me my options and mind is open. I am shooting left handed also, but have shot right handed long guns all my life. What should i start looking at in the way of rifles?
 
I spent ~$300 on my Savage Mark II BV heavy barrel, laminate stock (the composite stock "FV" just didn't fit my grip) including a BSA scope . It shoots one hole groups (~.3") at 40m off sandbags and 1.5"-2" groups at 100 yards. Comes with scope mounts.

3x or 4x just isn't enough at 100yds for me though. Savage has a left-hand model, but not in the BV...

If they had had the BTVS, I would have gotten that one (thumbhole stock, high comb, better for my big objective lens).
 
You might take a look at this Weaver K-6...

http://www.swfa.com/pc-5166-860-weaver-6x38-classic-k6-series-rifle-scope.aspx


Serious bench rest rifles (for formal competition) are very different things from squirrel rifles.
If you just want to do informal bench rest shooting I would say look for the squirrel gun you really like and simply use it for the bench shooting. It's often surprising to see how well .22s designed for hunting will do from as bench.


HTH :)
 
Take a look at the varmint model of the Winchester Wildcat. It's a real shooter and could be used for both informal target shooting and squirrels, it's also affordable. Look for an older Weaver or one of the budget Nikon models in the 10x range as a minimum. The more magnification, the better. The set up won't be competitive but it will shoot. If you really want a benchrest setup get ready to spend serious money. Suhl, Winchester 52 (top of my list), Anschutz, Remington 40X are all good starting points for a bench rig. I am not up on the current brand fad but these can be made to shoot with the best.

My informal "bench" rig is going to be a Pre-A Winchester 52 with a Rodac 10X scope, it's still in the works. When I'm done I'll have about $1000 in it and I don't expect to be able to keep up and be competitive with the big boys but it will shoot with alot of the competition.
 
CDNN has Russian CM-2s for sale at $300. (Plus also Suhls for $500.) Used but should be in good shooting shape. Meant for position shooting but should be able to rest the forearm on a rest without any problems. If you want new and stuck with that price range, I'd opt for a CZ 452/453 Varmint as a starter gun.
 
I'd suggest you narrow down what you are going to do with it first of all. If you want to be competitive on the bench, a $300 gun isn't going to cut it. You are going to need a $1000 gun minimum.

If you just want to punch paper for your own fun, the you don't need a benchrest rimfire. You need a sporter weight that will ride bags well. There are TONS of choices. If you want a semi-auto, go join up at Rimfirecentral.com and start learning about how to mod your own 10/22.

If you don't want to mess with that, the closest choice I can think of is a CZ. They are great shooters, usually have great wood and excellent triggers and are not too far outside your $300 target.

As for a scope... don't even get me started! :cool:
 
He just wants to shoot off a bench and squirrel hunt with it.

He didn't say he wanted to shoot benchrest competitions with it.
 
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I am giving some thought to picking up a 22Lr rifle to shot at 100yards and also squirrel hunt with. I would like to spend $300 or so on the rifle. I would spend $200 or so an a 3X or 4X fixed scope. If the rifle is already drilled and tapped for a scope thats even better, otherwise a rifle that would be easy to mount a scope on. I would prefer bolt action but semi auto is OK with me my options and mind is open. I am shooting left handed also, but have shot right handed long guns all my life. What should i start looking at in the way of rifles?
Click to expand...

With what you asked for in mind, I would look at a CZ. There are better rifles, but not for the money.

I would recommend a CZ 452 American. They can usually be found around here for about $330.00. I have had very good luck with Burris scopes.
 
That's an awful span to expect of a single rifle. The target rifle will be too heavy for hunting, and the hunting rifle too light for target. The scope is more problematic. I suggest you scratch the itch that needs greater attention, and let the other be until its time is more convenient. JMHO.

Doc2005
 
A savage mark II fits right in your price range and will shoot pretty darn well. You can get one packaged with a 3-9x40mm scope at Dicks for about $300. That is where I got mine, then I mod'd the trigger and now it is really sweet. Still not a benchrest gun by definition, but it will keep up with if not outshoot the vast majority of the .22s out there.
 
I am just looking for informal target shooting. I guess i had a poor choice of words with bench rest. I just want a rifle that is fairly accurate and reliable. That why i thought a bolt action would be more reliable. Plus it is my understanding the bolt guns are more accurate then semi-autos.
 
Bolt rifles are typically more accurate than a semi-auto rifle but as mentioned a Ruger 10/22 can be modded to give close to ragged hole groups at 100 yards with match ammo.

I have about $350 into mine including the cost of a basic 10/22 carbine from Wally World (Volquartsen hammer and sear, some trigger work, Green Mountain 20" fluted barrel, custom stock and bedding) and while I'm not always a 100 yard shooter, my 10/22 will give me 1.5" groups at 100 yards. At 50 yards, I can get dime-size groups or less with Federal bulk pack stuff.

I have a low end (3-9x32) Bushnell rimfire scope on it and I will probably upgrade this spring.

Go check out the Rimfire Central forum and read about what members there are doing with their rifles. They have 7 separate sections devoted to the 10/22 :eek: They are really fun rifles that don't cost a lot of money.
 
That ain't no dime sized group... the group is bigger than the dime.;) I am sure that any old bolt action will outshoot any old 10/22. What do I know? I have only built 8 or 9 of them. Then again... they do shoot like this:

17M2target1.sized.jpg


Now THAT is a dime sized group. 5 shots at 50 yards with a modified 10/22 in .17M2. Every 10/22 I have built will shoot sub 1/2" groups at 50 yards. Yeah... those semi autos just aren't accurate or reliable. :rolleyes:
 
Go check out the Rimfire Central forum and read about what members there are doing with their rifles. They have 7 separate sections devoted to the 10/22 They are really fun rifles that don't cost a lot of money.
Click to expand...

Thats true initially. :D

By the time you're done you will have a thousand or so in it. ;)
 
Yeah... those semi autos just aren't accurate or reliable.
Click to expand...

To a certain extent it is true, though it is a miniscule amount. And there really is no comparison between a stock 10/22 and the guns you get groups like that with.
 
I suggest a cz rifle, with a varmint bbl, best bet would be a lux version, with the 28 inch bbl. And what you need is a smallish tube, to fit over the top of the cz; you should also get either cz rings/mounts or anything that is very High!!!
The right scope would be a new weaver fixed power, or better yet , a old steel tube, weaver fixed 6 power. for about 100 bucks or less , used.
 
+1 CZguy

I looked a long time for a good .22 for bench shooting and plinking.

I got a CZ 452 American with a Bushnell scope for both it was about $400.

The gun is Super Accurate Out Of The Box.

For the $$$$ you can not beat CZ
 
10/22 with an after market BBL with a match chamber. Add in a good free-float stock and nice glass. it will run you $500-$600 assuming you can get the 10/22 reciever on sale. Add in some match ammo and you'll be 1/2" at 50yds all day long. Once you get the bug then you'll start changing the trigger, action, pretty much everything. in the end you'll have a 10/22 piece of sheet metal with a serial number and thats the only evidence it was ever made by ruger.
 
That ain't no dime sized group... the group is bigger than the dime. I am sure that any old bolt action will outshoot any old 10/22. What do I know? I have only built 8 or 9 of them. Then again... they do shoot like this:



Now THAT is a dime sized group. 5 shots at 50 yards with a modified 10/22 in .17M2. Every 10/22 I have built will shoot sub 1/2" groups at 50 yards. Yeah... those semi autos just aren't accurate or reliable.
Click to expand...

NICE GROUP! I guess I need to build a 17M2 now, and I just got all the 10/22 parts off my work bench! I see EA Brown has the kit on sale.....I guess you can't have too many 10/22's.
 
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