Bolt Action .22LR….Savage or Ruger?

Buzznrose

Buzznrose

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Joined
Feb 15, 2012
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New Braunfels, TX
I am looking to add a .22LR bolt action rifle to help teach folks to shoot, especially kids. I want something accurate but not necessarily “precision”. A 2 MOA gun with CCI SV (or the like) ammo would be great, which I think is doable with either brand.

Biggest plus for me with Ruger is 10-22 mags. Savage models I’m looking at, mags are reasonably priced and available.

I’m looking at under $350 for the rifle before taxes.

Any specific suggestions or recommendations? Thanks?
 
If you have buckets of 10-22 mags that is really tempting. I do think the savage is "better" whatever that means however.

You don't really go into the age of the kids, so we don't know if we are talking a 6yr old or 16 yr old. That could steer you in a specific direction.
 
Not sure if it meets your budget (MSRP is $459, don’t know what street price is)…

But I bought a Ruger American Rimfire Std. (22” barrel) for basically the same reason-teaching younger or new shooters.

I *really* like this rifle. I haven’t bench tested it, but it will ding a golfball at 100 yards pretty consistently using a cheapie scope. Not enamored with the plastic stock, but function has been flawless.

Sharing 10/22 magazines makes range sessions a breeze using both rifles side by side and alternating between the grand kids.
 
A newer version of the MK II Savage has made me swear off them. I expected it to be close to it's older brother with the long action and recoil lug and it was nothing close. Maybe I just got that "get out of here for the weekend" Friday or "Monday morning hangover" made gun.
 
I have no appreciable experience with Savages. I own 2 RARs, though, and I like them a lot. One of the reasons I chose them is that they take 10/22 mags, and I've had a 10/22 for about 40 years, so I had some extras laying around. And they all work flawlessly in my 10/22 and both of my RARs. I don't know if they're as accurate as Savages, but they're plenty accurate for teaching young'uns to shoot.

One of the other things to consider is that the polymer-stocked RARs have a modular stock system. If you unscrew the rear sling swivel stud, you can just pull out the butt piece and replace it with a different one for different LOP and cheek weld heights. You can look at the possible replacement stock parts here: https://shopruger.com/Stocks/products/5600/
 
I have two Marlin .22 rifles, one is the XT-22 for all standard .22 ammo and the other is the XT-22Mr for the .22 Magnum. Both are excellent rifles but I don't know if they are still available from Ruger since Ruger's purchase of Marlin from Remington?
 
I do not have a .22LR bolt action trainer, but if I were to get one in your price range I would probably choose the new Springfield 2020 Rimfire Target rifle.
www.springfield-armory.com

Model 2020 Rimfire Target .22 LR Rifle - Springfield Armory

www.springfield-armory.com www.springfield-armory.com

When teaching new rifle shooters I used to use a .22LR conversion kit in one of my heavy (15+ lb) .223 Wylde Target ARs, but found they got bored quickly and were able to graduate to using .223/5.56 by the end of a mag or two so that is where I start them now. But if you have an AR, those conversion kits might be the most cost effective way to go.

For bolt guns I have a couple heavy bull barrel .243 Win and 6mm CR chassis rifles that I can download rounds for with beginning target rifle shooters. I can see the benefit or having a dedicated .22LR trainer but I have found new shooters graduate to the centerfire cartridges quickly and then I can switch to normal loads with the same rifle once their shooting fundamentals are up to par. In a weekend of shooting I have taken my twin 16 year old nieces from never having shot a rifle to starting with the .22LR AR and them graduating all the way up to hitting steel with 6 and 6.5 mm CR rounds at 700 yards.

If I were going to buy a dedicated .22LR trainer bolt gun I would make sure that the stock is full sized (or youth sized if appropriate). I've seen a number of them that have mini or reduced size stocks (thinking the Ruger Precision .22LR) and I think that negates the concept of a trainer rifle altogether.

My favorite .22LR trainer is the Bergara B-14 trainer, but it is pricey. However, I think it encapsulates the idea of a training rifle having the same manual of arms as the full power rifle perfectly. I would recommend finding a trainer that is as close in size and shape to the full power bolt gun you have as possible. Since you mentioned kids maybe try to find one with an adjustable stock or one where you can change the stock easily to accommodate the kids growing. Good luck with the training.
 
lightman said:
Neither choice would be wrong. I have a Ruger 77-22 and I liked it enough that I bought the Wife and both boys one. They will shoot 1/2 inch groups at 50 yards with bargain ammo. I put Leupold 1.5 - 5 scopes on all of them.

Friends that have Savages like them as well.

And don't forget to look at CZ.
Click to expand...
I think a CZ 457 is a bit out of OPs price range unfortunately... My pro varmint is a real nice rifle though... Sounds like a pellet rifle with my Silencerco Sparrow.
 
Ruger American bolt series guns seem to have issues pretty regularly. Failure to extract is one of them. Savage is more likely to be more accurate and less likely to have issues, although their magazines are not very robust.
 
I have three accurate 22s with only one passing the 600 dollar mark.
10-22 from the 70s, $125, with picked up parts added: Jard trigger $100. Shaw barrel, Bentz chamber $110. Hand me down Ruger target stock, $0. Scope and base, rings, $250. Best semi auto I’ve had on my brief 78 years. Next, CZ 455 Varmint, $450. Scope $150.
Last, the fun gun. An original Winchester 52 with the iron sights. Poorly restocked but mechanically sound. Looking for a target scope as it really wants to shoot better than my eyes allow with irons.
Lots of words. My go to for fun is another 10-22, old trade in with a salvaged walnut Ruger stock, bolt buffer, Volquartzen hammer, and a cheap scope. Put a take off stainless sporter barrel on it and wife, kids, grandkids all love it. Old two tone. Maybe$300 total.
Buy Ruger.
 
Buzznrose said:
I am looking to add a .22LR bolt action rifle to help teach folks to shoot, especially kids. I want something accurate but not necessarily “precision”. A 2 MOA gun with CCI SV (or the like) ammo would be great, which I think is doable with either brand.

Biggest plus for me with Ruger is 10-22 mags. Savage models I’m looking at, mags are reasonably priced and available.

I’m looking at under $350 for the rifle before taxes.

Any specific suggestions or recommendations? Thanks?
Click to expand...
There are lots of good suggestions here, but it’s a pretty wide range of rifles. If I may ask, how old are the kids? That might help us narrow it down. For example, most of the Savages I’ve held felt like the LOP was a bit short for me. Might be good for a kid, though.
 
[/QUOTE]
Spats McGee said:
There are lots of good suggestions here, but it’s a pretty wide range of rifles. If I may ask, how old are the kids? That might help us narrow it down. For example, most of the Savages I’ve held felt like the LOP was a bit short for me. Might be good for a kid, though.
Click to expand...

There are absolutely a lot of great suggestions and advice.

My grandkids are both under 3 years old. I will not be buying a single shot .22. I understand the concept, but I’m not convinced it serves the purpose I’m looking at.

I am really leaning towards the Ruger. I’ve already bought both grandkids Henry lever action .22’s. I want these to be scoped rifles versus the open sights on the Henry’s.

I plan to buy (order) from Cabelas. I wait for the sales, and get an additional military discount. Plus, I get points using my card.

I’m overshooting my budget, but looking hard at this model…


If I can catch the next 10% off sale I’ll be under $400…
 
I’ve decided against the Savage due to the magazine. I’ve also ruled out anything else that has mags over $50. After living through the foolishness of the last 20 years, I won’t buy a gun that I cannot buy at least 3-5 spare mags for at reasonable prices.
 
I’m overshooting my budget, but looking hard at this model…


If I can catch the next 10% off sale I’ll be under $400…
Click to expand...
@Buzznrose That’s a model that I look at with some regularity. I have both thin (standard) and bull barrel models, and like both, but for different reasons. My laminate-stocked RAR with that same bull barrel is the one I put on a bipod or a rest, though, and I’ll bet you’ll find that model (that you’re looking at) will deliver the accuracy you want. IMHO, the one you’re looking at would be a good choice.
 

There are absolutely a lot of great suggestions and advice.

My grandkids are both under 3 years old. I will not be buying a single shot .22. I understand the concept, but I’m not convinced it serves the purpose I’m looking at.

I am really leaning towards the Ruger. I’ve already bought both grandkids Henry lever action .22’s. I want these to be scoped rifles versus the open sights on the Henry’s.

I plan to buy (order) from Cabelas. I wait for the sales, and get an additional military discount. Plus, I get points using my card.

I’m overshooting my budget, but looking hard at this model…


If I can catch the next 10% off sale I’ll be under $400…
[/QUOTE]

This is a good business and they don't charge sales tax. This model doesn't stay in stock long, so think about that. https://www.familyfirearms.com/prod...ack-satin-stainless-right-hand#product_detail
 
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