$500 .22 ?

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Averageman

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If you had $500 to spend on a very nice .22 and optics what would you get and why?
The uses it would have to fill.
Target Practise for me
Trainer for my Son
perhaps shooting competition later,
Thanks
A/M
 
In that limited price range, I would also choose a CZ.

I would like to add, that for a (young) shooter to learn rifle skills, it would be preferrable to start out with iron sights. The transition to a scope will be easy later on.

A 10/22T would also do the job but to really enter serious competition, only a purebred competition rifle will do.
 
I chose CZ for my mid-range .22.

They have the traditional CZ 452 and the new CZ 455. The 452 is a known quantity, and the 455 should be good to go. I like irons, so I chose a 452 Trainer.
 
cz or Thompson/center, with a nice nikon, will fill that bill real nicely.
or a Bushnell 32 series, or pentax or burris. If you can find a used Annie for that money, then just get that...
 
A 10/22T would also do the job but to really enter serious competition, only a purebred competition rifle will do.
Click to expand...

This might be a good start. With the aftermarket for the 10/22, you can customize and build out the rifle as your son gets better and progresses through his competion.
 
Mossberg 144lsb with redfield international sights. If you need a scope, don't think I could get both on your budget. The kimber 82's are nice. The mossy will run you between 300 and 600 dollars in varying conditions. On gunbroker, they are sitting closer to 300. Scope would be up to you.
 
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I am a CZ fan, but the current price will take just about all the 500 before you ever start to look at the scope............
 
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Savage Mark II!! You can get a very nice gun for well under $400 and spend the rest on a scope and some ammo. Some come as a package with a scope already mounted.

I bought a Savage BTV with Bushnell scope for $348 including the Uncle's cut. I'm going to add either a Barska Varmint 4-16x50AO or a Tru-Glo 4-16x44AO. Either one will still leave me under $500.

Most accurate gun I've ever shot.

I had a "custom" 10/22 I used to shoot from the bench; don't waste all that money. I'm still kicking myself over not buying the Savage in the first place.

BTW, there's a video on youtube of a guy hitting a 24x24" plate at 400 yards with a cross breeze with a Mark II. Good enough for me!
 
I was going to plug Savage, too. I think the gun is knocking on CZ's doorsteps, quality-wise, but at significant $ savings --- which you then roll into a good scope.

But - seriously - for a new shooter I would also consider the Ruger 77/22 and Marlin 925, 981 (bolt guns) or 60 (semi-auto). While both are at much lower price points, you still get excellent guns that will easily do minute-of-squirrel head at 50 yards plus. I picked up a used but minty 77/22 stainless a year ago for $300 OTD. Funny thing is my old Western Auto-labeled Marlin will shoot right with it.

edit: I didn't realize Ruger was quite that proud of their .22 rifle. Even at Buds, they are almost $600 (includes delivery). Mea culpa...

Q
 
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I was going to plug Savage, too. I think the gun is knocking on CZ's doorsteps, quality-wise, but at significant $ savings --- which you then roll into a good scope.
Click to expand...

With the scope package deal, I think they've got the ram out, preparing for dynamic entry!

I agree Ruger is asking WAY too much for their target model rifles. An extra $2-300 for a "target rifle" when I could buy the standard model, and change the barrel for $150 (sometimes including a new stock). Then I still have to throw a pile of cash into the action to make it shoot close to the Savage.

Every time I chime in on a thread like this, I curse that damn 10/22. Took a beating when I finally got rid of it too.
 
Savage MK II BV with a Weaver Superslam 6-20x40! I purchased the BV last fall and I have been very happy with the gun. Around Christmas I put the Weaver on it and this little rig is a lot of fun to shoot. For the money $289.00 the I have been very impressed with the BV. The BV is very nice to shoot at the bench and my daughter and I spent several afternoons carrying it around in the woods this past winter.

Good Luck,
David
 
If your intention is to buy a rifle so that you or your son can compete, you should probably look into what sort of rimfire competitions are being held in your area.

The most common rimfire matches are likely going to be 50 meter 3 position rifle matches. These will use bolt-action rifles with peep sights, no scopes.

The recommendation above to start your son out shooting iron sights is a very good one. Getting him involved with a local rifle league is also something you should do if he's really interested in shooting, as it will lay a very solid foundation for him to build his marksmanship skills on.
 
Out of the box i think its hard to beat a Savage with an accutrigger. My dad wants a pistol with that same trigger until i told him they only make them in rifles.

As a second choice i like the Browning T-bolt actions, so smooth!
 
Forget the scope and buy a Savage MkII FVT with a rear peep sight and a globe front sight? Spend the rest on ammunition and a good sling.

I do not have this rifle ^^^^^, just seems really good from what I hear, and I want one.
 
Forget the scope and buy a Savage MkII FVT with a rear peep sight and a globe front sight? Spend the rest on ammunition and a good sling.

I do not have this rifle ^^^^^, just seems really good from what I hear, and I want one.
Click to expand...
I have this rifle and would agree. The other option would be a CMP from Kimber or something used. If the goal really is to train your son, I would skip the scope entirely.
 
Savage Mark II and a decent scope. No question about it....My brothers Savage is accurate as hell. The accutrigger is the bomb!

I also agree that open sights need to be mastered first. If you learn to aim a rifle properly sighting any weapon is second nature.
 
Averageman, are you near East Texas? I know where a Remington 511 is, should be right up your alley...
 
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Viking499, I just picked up a CZ 452 Ultra Luxe .22lr at Buds today for $380.00 plus tax. He has another one on the shelf for the same price. Wally World had a 4X Nikon scopre last week for, IIRC, $98.00. With rings, you should still be under $550.00. Hopefully, I'll get mine to the range this Friday.:D
 
Another vote for one of the CZs that fits you taste. Get one with the Set Trigger if you can swing it.
 
it this is going to be a competition 3 pos rifle, all the above mentioned are good, so are any of the old competition h/r, kimber, remmy and winnies. I would also not overlook , if wanting a more plainer stock, a old mossberg, or even a marlin 880sq, with peep/globe sites, and then there is also, for a more conventional/ changeable position stock, the Izmash biatholon basic, and the marlin 2000L....
 
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