Bolt action 22 recommendations

[Bacchus]

I'm thinking about getting a bolt action rifle and would like it to be chambered in 22 LR. What are my choices if I want to stay under $300?


I'm also looking for an Encore, but they are only available in 22 hornet. I could start another thread, but can someone inform me about the hornet? It is centerfire, right?

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

Marlin 81ts $164.99

I saw a nice used CZ once that was about $300 too.

 

[YodaVader]

I have had great luck with my CZ 452 Special - bought last year for $189 - the accuracy is exceptional to say the least. I'll post a target I shot last weekend - this is for 10 shots at 50 yards in calm condtions from a benchrest with a 12X Burris scope. The ammo was Lapua Master L.

The Hornet is indeed centerfire. You could look at the TC G2 Contender or the older Contender both of which handle 22lr barrels.

 

[Kaylee]

Once upon a time, several HighRoaders met at an undisclosed location (hint -- by a lake, ten minutes from a mall ) and played around with YT's lil' CZ 452.

Every frickin' ONE of em was regularly centerpunching .45LC cases offhand at 15 yards, stock iron sights. Now I grant that might not impress the benchrest folks... but I was happy.

so another vote for the CZ!

-K

 

[JohnKSa]

Another vote for the CZ-452 rifles.

For about $200, you get quality that's comparable to a $400 US made rifle and better accuracy.

Very nice rifles and they come in just about any flavor you want. Different stocks, barrel lengths, barrel weights and sight options.

The first time I took mine to the range, I got tired of shooting paper, and starting picking up Blazer 9mm brass and sticking it in the bullet holes in the 15 yard targetboard so that the end silver casehead was visible as a bright dot from the firing line.

Using the open sights on my Ultra Lux, I got so I could hit them first shot more than half the time.

From what I've seen, with good ammo, the 452 rifles will consistently do better than 1/2" at 50 yards.

 

[TODD3465]

Another vote for CZ! I own the "Varminter" version.

 

[rauchman]

I've recently picked up a CZ 452 American. Haven't shot with it yet, but from what I hear about them, I'm expecting a lot. Also have a Ruger 77/22, Ruger 10/22 done up, and a Mossberg 144LB. I've heard of so so reports on the 77/22, but mine shoots pretty well. I can hold around 1/2" at 50 yards with it.

From everything I've read, the CZ is the way to go.

 

[oldfart]

I have one of those Romanian training rifles and I regularly shoot clay targets at 100 yards off sandbags. The magazines are made in Taiwan and need to be 'tweeked' to feed properly, but once that's done and a decent scope is attached, the accuracy is great. The best part is the price: About $70.

 

[Sir Galahad]

CZ 452 Lux. The adjutable sights are GRRREAAT!!! They're military-style with marked increments in meters. The front post is also adjustable. You can get 5 and 10 round mags. This is a VERY accurate rifle. You will not believe how accurate until you try one. A CZ 452 Lux is money WELL spent and you'll never have to buy another bolt action .22.

 

[PJR]

Another vote here for the CZ. It's the same rifle as the BRNO Model 2 that I owned a few years ago. It shot rings around most any Ruger and many Remingtons. It was only replaced when a Cooper Arms came my way. The CZ is a fine rifle and very good value.

 

[MolonLabe416]

CZ452. Go to www.rimfirecentral.com and scroll down to the CZ section for details.

 

[six 4 sure]

Another vote for the CZ. I too have the varmit model. At 25 yards (scoped) I could put five shots through one hole no matter what ammo I was using (shot about a dozen different kinds that day). The groups opened up a little bit at 50 yards (about 3/4").

For the price I don't think anything comes close to a CZ.

six

 

[only1asterisk]

CZ 452, whichever flavor suits you.


David

 

[firestar]

I picked up a CZ-452 Special for $196 OTD and it is like a $400 gun! Accurate and good looking to boot! I'm glad I didn't get one with the walnut stock like the Varmit or the American because it would be too pretty to ever take out and shoot.

Seriously, sometimes I wish I had bought the Varmit or the American but I am very happy with my $196 Special. These are guns that are built to last a lifetime and possible hand down from generation to generation so spending an extra $100 to get the "right" model should not be a huge concern. Get the one you really want and keep it forever. You will never have to upgrade from this wonderful gun unless you choose to do some kind of serious competition and even then, the CZ-452s are often seen at the line with the $2000 rifles.

 

[nathan]

I bought a Marlin 880 Squirrel with bull barrel . Topped with a bushnell 3 9 40 scope, one rag hole all the time. Killed a lot of birds, squirrels anda rbbit with it. Best one I got for a 22 lr bolt.

 

[Master Blaster]

The EAA biathalon basic, Riflemans review showed that it shoots .3" 50 yard groups from a sandbag, with Cheap bulk pac high velocity ammo, they didnt try any match stuff in it???????????

The trigger pull is awesome, mine is about 1.5 lbs, garrand style safety in the trigger guard.

The basic model comes with a sporter stock (pillar beded free floated action), and it is the same action and hammer forged barrel used in the olympic and international competitions by the russians.

$289 at the local gunshop. The toggle bolt action allows you to cock and chamber a round without taking your eye away form the scope. its a very smooth quick easy to cycle action. If you have the money later you can add the adjustible biathalon stock, and the adjustible trigger, of the actual olympic model.

 

[jetrecbn]

C452
Mine has an expensive trigger job($8.00 spring kit and a soda can). It breaks at about 1.5 lbs. Only shoot CCI Blazer because it's pretty good for the money. Can't afford the Wolf MT, Eley, etc. Shoots about .4 at 50yards. Same as my tricked out 10/22 but a lot easier because of the trigger.

 

[Bacchus]

Wow, thanks for the quick replies. I'm going to take a look at the various CZ models and browse the rimfire forums.

 

[Master Blaster]

You may want to try PMC scoremaster ammunition, its very accurate out of my pistols and rifles, and for 13.50 per brick of 500 rounds its the poor mans match grade ammo.

Some benchrest folks at my club also like aguilla standard velocity, they claim they get better results than with eley ammunition.

 

[PaladinX13]

Reserved a CZ 452 Varmint this week... picking it up Thursday! Can't wait!

 

[GooseGestapo]

Master Blaster;
The PMC Scormaster is Aguilla Standard velocity. Repackaged and marketed by PMC. Lots of discussion in past at www.rimfire.com

 

[Master Blaster]

Thanks Goose, I told the folks at the range saturday that I thought that the PMC was made by aguila, and might be the same ammo, and they looked at me like I was crazy, If I had a round with me I could have showed them the stylized triangle on the bottom of the brass case was the same.

PMC only repackages ammo manufactured by others.

 

[Bainx]

Another Romanian 22 fan here. It is the rifle I shoot almost every range session in addition to any other rifles I shoot at the same session.

 

[JohnKSa]

The statement that PMC ammo is made by Aguila is false.

The statement that a single PMC loading is made by Aguila may very well be true.

The statement that PMC only repackages ammo and doesn't make any of their own is false.

PMC has been around for a very long time under various names and most definitely makes a lot of ammo in its own factories in Korea.

Apparently, for whatever reason, it decided to repackage the particular Aguila load in question and sell it as PMC.

That sort of thing happens all the time with companies.

Wolf makes a lot of ammunition, but the .22LR Wolf ammunition is made by a separate company in a different country.

Honda makes a lot of cars, but chooses to rebrand an Isuzu product and sell it as their Passport.

 

[Atlas Shrug]

It really depends upon your use(s), which were not stated.

You may also want to consider a used Anschutz intermediate target rifle based on the Model 64 action. There are a fair number around in good condition that can be had in your price range (I think). A superior trigger, action, and barrel to the other options (might be similar to the Baikal - I've not compared).

They are grooved for scopes. They also (usually) have excellent iron sights (apertures, of course).

A used silhouette version makes a fine squirrel rifle too.

HTH