22WMR Choices?

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Olympus

Olympus

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I've finally decided to get a .22 Mag and I wanted to get some THR opinions on which one I should get. Purpose of the rifle is just general fun target shooting, nothing serious other than some friendly competitions between buddies. I'd like to have a heavy/target barrel on the rifle. These are the contenders so far:

CZ 452 Varmint

Savage 93 BRJ

Savage 93 BTVS

Custom Bullberry barrel for my T/C Encore

Right now, these are probably also listed in order of my preference too. I'd love to hear people's thoughts on the rifles above and also any other recommendations. I'm open to anything right now. I don't really have a preference over stainless or blued finish. But I would prefer the gun have a wood stock, not synthetic. I appreciate any opinions, suggestions, and thoughts.
 
I have a Savage 93 BTVS with a Burris Fullfield II 3-9 variable on it. The accutrigger is nice. The fit and finish are good, and it has been a tackdriver with every ammo I have run through it. I like the integral scope mounts (Weaver-style). Having the mounts machined in place eliminates my usual paranoia over whether or not the bases are loose. The clip magazine is metal and additional magazines are easy to find and not too expensive (however, the plastic mag on my CZ 452 FS 22 LR works just fine and it is also very accurate).

The thumhole stock did take me a little time to get used to. That said, it seems to shoulder much like my R-15.
 
Been thinking about scratching my itch with a new Savage 93 exclusive from Dick's Sporting Goods. It has the green synthetic stock and a fluted bull barrel. I would drop it in the Boyd's tacticool I've had since last year. Total cost would be well below that of a new TR model, which isn't available in .22WMR anyway.
 
Are all the Savage 93s the same action, barrel, trigger, etc with just different stocks?

If so, it might be worth it to buy a cheaper synthetic version and buy an aftermarket stock from Boyd's or SSS in a color and style that I like better. I like the fluted barrel on the BRJ, but I'm not crazy about the stock. Like the thumbhole on the BTVS, but I don't care for the color. I think Boyd's makes a Ross RVT thumbhole in a bigger variety of colors for the 93.
 
They are all pretty much the same except the stock and barrel contour. You might not save any money but you certainly won't spend any more to get exactly what you want. Bear in mind that to change from the synthetic model to a laminate you'll need new bottom metal. It's all integrated into the synthetic stock but it's easily procured and installed.
 
Any that you mention will be fine with the accuracy going to the CZ probably. That being said, my most accurate 22 WMR barrel is an old T/C contender Super 16 barrel in 22lr reamed out to 22 mag. It is a tackdriver with any ammo I have fed it. It is light and simple. My Ruger heavy barrel stainless/laminated 22 WMR is the best looking but the T/C will put them in one hole at 25 yards. Good shooting
 
CZ. Better build quality, some of the lumber that come just standard on these rifles is amazing. To get a bit better accuracy you would have to pay significantly more. There is a .22 magnum thread in the CZ section of rimfirecentral.com right now Czech it out. These guys really know rimfire and are very helpful.
 
CZ. Better build quality, some of the lumber that come just standard on these rifles is amazing. To get a bit better accuracy you would have to pay significantly more.
Click to expand...

CZ...$550
Savage...(with laminated stock and heavy barrel)... $380

seems to me like you can buy an accurate rifle for significantly less, not more.
 
The CZ's are better built and a more refined design, more like a centerfire, but as noted, they cost more. Savage offers a lot of gun for the money. Can't really go wrong with either but I really think accuracy will be dependent upon the individual rifle.
 
I've got a budget of $650 max for just the rifle, the CZ and Savage are both in for consideration.
 
I bought the Marlin 982VSS for my 22mag. I put a Redfield 3-9x40 on it and it extremely accurate w/ CCI MaxiMags.

My decision came down to the Savage or the Marlin and I just preferred the feel of the Marlin more. If I had the money and could have found a CZ 22mag that is what I would have bought though.
 
I'm actually preferring a heavy/target barrel and plan on a scope on whatever I end up with.
 
I have a Remington Mod. 5 22WMR it has really a good laminated stock with checkering and the action is mounted to the stock with 2 screws like center fire rifles. It's a tack driver. No plastic parts including clip, it likes the green tip ammo. And will cut a ragged hole at 50yrds.
 
Here's my 93BTVS WMR in a Boyds Evo stock, DIP rail, Burris rings, Nikon Buckmasters 4.5-14X40 scope. Mine shoots well with all the ammo I've tried, 1" groups @ 100 yards, a little better with premium loads...
027.jpg
Best of luck with your choice.
 
I picked up a Marlin 983S and have been pleased with accuracy and function. The trigger is a bit stiff, but for general work it is fine.

Since the buyout/merger the nod would go to Savage though. Better triggers and a similar performance level. CZ are a bit more than I want to spend generally.
 
Thanks for all the info and suggestions fellas. I think I've probably narrowed it down to the CZ 452 Varmint and the Savage BRJ. I'm not crazy about the stock on the BRJ, so I'd probably end up getting a Ross RVT stock for it. But I'm also not crazy about the chunky looking trigger guard on the CZ. You'd think that the rest of the rifle looks so classy, they would have spent a little more time cleaning up the trigger guard.
 
Gotta agree with you there.
I have a 453 American that I love the looks of and it's an extremely accurate rifle.
But, the trigger guard is sheet metal junk looking.
Same with the magazine. It's like the designers were told "look, we got these crates of old trigger guards and magazines, so use them!".
Also the magazine catch is a pain. I've had mine tripped by brush twice and had it fall out, somehow I managed to find it both times.
I put in a heavier spring which helps, but every time I take it out I'm constantly feeling for the magazine and I get tempted to cut the release lever off so it takes something like a finger nail pushed in there to get it tripped.
I love those rifles and would buy another probably if I ran across one in a caliber I wanted, but that bottom metal ware is terrible.
 
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