Build Me a .22LR Precision Bolt Rifle

[Dynasty]

...For under $500. Can it be done?

I want something that is reliable, simple, fun, and accurate. I shoot my Marlin Model 60 with a BSA Sweet .22 scope and have a blast plinking with it.

However, I want something more precision and accurate, so I'm hoping to get some ideas from you guys. The longest distance I have available to me is 300 yards, so keep that in mind. I will not be competing in official competitions, just having fun with my buddies and seeing who can make the best shot.

Fill out the following form with you your suggestion of $500 .22LR precision bolt rifle:

Rifle -
Scope -
Mounts -
Accessories -

If you feel up for it, please link us to your suggestions. I'm sure others could benefit from this too.

 

[rcmodel]

http://www.gunauction.com/buy/11672...-action-nib-16-in.-threaded-barrel-no-reserve!

rc

 

[d2wing]

Hard to beat a CZ 452. I have not shot a 455. CMP have Kimberly 52s for $500 with target sights. I'm sure others can recommend Savages and Vintage target rifles like the Mossberg US 44.

 

[StrutStopper]

Hopefully, I'm in the process of doing just what you want, only it will probably cost a hair over $500. I just picked up a CZ 455, Burris Signature Zee rings, dovetail to weaver adapters, and next paycheck will bring a Mueller 4.5-14x40 scope. A varmint model would probably been a bit more accurate on the bench due to weight and the stock shape, but I wanted to go a bit lighter. Regarding your model 60, it could probably do what you want too. They are some serious shooting guns. I threw a Boyd's rimfire varmint thumbhole stock on mine, the same scope that you have, and an mcarbo spring kit that made the trigger pull much better than stock. It shoots lights out off of a rest at 25 and 50 yards, never tried shooting further than that.

 

[WNTFW]

Just add 30 to what d2wing said. The Kimber 82G at the CMP, not the 52. (He might be Winchester man.) Kimber 82G will be really hard to beat for what you get for the money. I shoot mine @ 200yds on a regular basis. Mainly at 12 gauge hulls & skeet in whole or part. Very easy to switch from peeps to scope. The rail underneath allow a bipod to be easily attached.

Ditto on the Vintage Mossberg recommendation. I have friend with on that is not ammo sensitive at all. Pretty good sights & trigger.

That said my brother just bought a used 10/22 that is phenomenal. It is a Clark Custom. The trigger is probably as perfect as I have used. It is in my care until at least the 14th of January.

 

[kludge]

Under $500...

Savage Mark II BV (Weaver mounts come with the rifle) $385.
http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/MARKIIBV/
BSA Platinum Target 6-24x44, 1/8MOA Target dot, 1/8MOA clicks, on sale for $75.
http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=OSPT624X44TS
Weaver rings

Mine shoots consistently in the .30"s (50yds) and I have one group that I can't measure, ~0.13". With good match ammo (I can't afford $80 a brick) it could do better.

$110 more: http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/MARKIIBTVS/
$50 less: http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/MARKIIFV/

 

[R.W.Dale]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=689224

See the above thread




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[TooManyToys]

Keep your eyes open for a MOSSBERG 144.
These 60's vintage target grade .22's are very sweet shooting guns and can still be had for under $500.

 

[stubbicatt]

I dunno. Either a CZ or a Anschutz. Both are very very good, but I don't think you can do better than the Anshcutz.

 

[WNTFW]

Anschutz for $500 ?

 

[MrBorland]

This would be a nice set up, and would allow you to quickly switch between scope & some nice iron sights. A bit over $500, but you may be able to find each of these items a bit cheaper somewhere.

Rifle: CZ 452 Trainer, $315 from Whittaker's.

Scope: Mueller 4.5-14 APV, $130 from SWFA

Mounts: Leupold QR, $59 from SWFA

Accessories: YoDave trigger kit, $18

Optional Accessories:
Turner NM sling, $43 (second)
BRNO front/rear aperture sight set, $108

Total without BRNO aperture sights or sling = $522

 

[mdauben]

I had asked a similar question over on Rimfire Central (a rimfire forum) and the overwhelming recomendation there was to look at a CZ 455 or 452. MrBorland's suggestion above certainly looks like a great set up for your price point.

 

[heavydluxe]

My suggestion... a Savage Mark II with a bull barrel. The FVT model is perfect if you want iron target sights. If you want a scope, the FV (I think) has a mount cut into it.

There's probably a 'tacticalized' version with a rail, too, if you prefer.

If you elect to go with an optic, you'll get better quality for a lower price with a decent, fixed-power scope. 4x ought to be waaay more than enough for the range of a .22lr.

 

[sixgunner455]

heavydluxe, 4x is not enough for true precision with the .22LR. For one thing, the .22 can shoot much further than people think, and lots of magnification makes it much easier to take advantage of the accuracy inherent in the rifle, whatever rifle it is and whatever distance you want to shoot at. Parallax adjustment comes into play there, especially if you are shooting at .25" dots.

What I see as being important in this kind of a setup is the scope, the fit of the stock, the trigger, and the barrel.

I set one of these up. I bought a Savage MKII FV for ~$200.00, Burris Signature Zee rings for ~$50.00, a kydex cheek riser for ~$30.00, and a recoil pad for the purpose of adding 1" to the LOP. I already had a Bushnell 3-9x40 scope on hand, which I put on there "temporarily". It's still on there, but it will probably get replaced later this year.

The FV reciever is drilled and tapped, and comes with bases. They were a very tight fit with the rings - I had to file and stone the sides of one of the bases to get the ring to finally slide on.

The cheek riser made it possible to have a proper cheek/stock weld. The 1" thick recoil pad made the LOP more comfortable. The 1lb of lead I put inside the hollow stock balances the long heavy barrel.

Savage's Accutrigger is very nice, user adjustable, and is OEM on the FV.

So - my parts list:
$200 rifle
$50 rings
$30 cheek riser
$30 recoil pad
$15 sling

$325 total, since I already had that scope lying around - it was a take-off. I'll probably replace the stock eventually, because the forend is too narrow, too round on the bottom, and it's too flexible. I'll definitely be replacing the scope with something better - but if you go with exactly the parts I have, you'll still have ~$200 to buy a scope with out of your $500. You should be able to get something decent.

When I replace that scope, it will be with something that has adjustable parrallax, and it will have much greater top-end magnification than 9x. It will probably have mil dots.

 

[heavydluxe]

heavydluxe, 4x is not enough for true precision with the .22LR. For one thing, the .22 can shoot much further than people think, and lots of magnification makes it much easier to take advantage of the accuracy inherent in the rifle, whatever rifle it is and whatever distance you want to shoot at. Parallax adjustment comes into play there, especially if you are shooting at .25" dots.

I think you misunderstood my point, so I'll clarify... On a budget, the overall quality of the glass and construction is going to be in favor of a FIXED magnification scope at any given price point. That is, looking at two $200 scopes, I'm more likely to get a better construction quality and optics in a 6x fixed scope than I will a 3-9x at the same price. So, if you need more magnification, I think a fixed scope (whatever the magnification) will be a more economical investment.

Now, my opinion: Unless you're going for benchrest-style precision, I would be willing to bet that a 4x scope is still more than adequate for almost any practical range shot with a .22lr. I have a similar scope - a 1-4x - on my 'precision AR' (in .223Rem) and can put shots down at 300yrds with very good precision given a suitable shooting position/platform. I'm betting that the ballistics of a .22lr would make the same results difficult with any environmental variance at range.

Lastly, I'm a great champion of the .22lr. I think many people significantly undervalue it's effectiveness and potential just because it's small.

 

[R.W.Dale]

I think you misunderstood my point, so I'll clarify... On a budget, the overall quality of the glass and construction is going to be in favor of a FIXED magnification scope at any given price point. That is, looking at two $200 scopes, I'm more likely to get a better construction quality and optics in a 6x fixed scope than I will a 3-9x at the same price. So, if you need more magnification, I think a fixed scope (whatever the magnification) will be a more economical investment.
.

While this may have been true 20yrs ago its not today.

Today fixed power Scopes are either extremely cheap sub Walmart grade optics or expensive specialist Scopes. The variable power scope has supplanted the fixed YEARS AGO and as such manufacturers have wasted no development on the type compared to some very innovative modestly priced variables, PARTICULARLY the now almost universal 3x9x40mm

You can buy a sightron s1 3x9x40 for $100 or less on sale. YOU WILL NOT buy a fixed 4x with comparative optics for under $400.

You gotta realize that scope makers probably sell 1000 3x9x40s for every fixed 4x so naturally for that reason alone quality per cost is going to be in the variables favor.


Putting a 4x on a precision rifle is a mistake from an accuracy standpoint as well as a financial one. How are you going to take advantage of a moa 22 when the crosshairs hide a 3moa target dot?





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[WNTFW]

Fixed power have their drawbacks. I have found variable to be the way to go. Adjustable parallax is good too.

What you need also is enough elevation. Some scopes won't take a .22lr out to 200yds. I would rather dial up & have no holdover.

I also like target turrets.

500 is a bit tight on the budget, but don't let that stop you. Worst case is you will still have fun.

 

[Cee Zee]

A lot of people are suggesting a CZ 452 but IMO a CZ 453 is a vastly superior rifle. It has several trigger adjustments the 452 doesn't have plus it has the set trigger if you want to use it. That means you can get the pull down to about 8 oz. if you want. I have mine set to about 12 oz..

But my Savage MkIIBTV is actually slightly more accurate. It isn't built as well as the CZ but it is well built. In 100 years the CZ will likely still be going while the Savage maybe will and maybe won't. And the difference in accuracy is very slight and is no doubt about the individual rifles and not the whole line of rifles.

The CZ is a much better hunting rifle. The MkII is a better bench gun. It depends on what you're looking for in a rifle really. The MkII is cheaper but both deserve great glass. So if you need glass to come with your rifle then maybe the Savage is the best pick.

 

[chaser_2332]

I vote cz 452 mine is setting in a Boyd stock until I can snatch up a manners t4 for it, but the way it shoots now has me rethinking that its lights out. No problem making 250-300yd hits on 10" steel with the 1-4 scope. I have bigger scopes to out on this rifle but I keep coming back to the 1-4 I have never felt underpowered.

 

[SwampWolf]

The Remington Model 504 is a very nice .22rf rifle. Mine has a Nikon Prostaff 4x mounted on it and it is very accurate, well-made and reliable.

 

[mdauben]

4x ought to be waaay more than enough for the range of a .22lr.

You might be surprised. Serious benchrest shooters normally use 36X or 40X fixed scopes on their .22 rimfires. Even for casual precision shooting I would consider at least a 4-14x50 AO variable to get the most from a rifle if you intend to shoot at distances of 100yds or more.

 

[velocette]

The Kimber 82g from the CMP @ $425.00 + $25.00 shipping, delivered to your door. No FFL No dealer, to your door.
Comes with very good target aperture sights and grooved for a rimfire scope mount. Bull barrel, adjustable trigger, walnut stock.
Probably the best bargain in rimfire target rifles in the past 10 years.
Mine was good enough to get me to the top of expert class in smallbore prone competition with a 99.33% 10 ring performance. (99.5% is master classification) You could sell off the sights for $125.00 (the going price) and have a down payment on a decent scope. All for less than $450.00.
Buy them now because the CMP will be running out very soon and then the price will go up up up because there will be NO more, not never.
Note: the stock in the photo has been modified by me for smallbore prone shooting.

 

[MilsurpShooter]

I always tell everyone if they can find an old Remington 511 for sale, throw on a BSA sweet's scope and you've got a cheap, accurate plinker

 

[redneck2]

This exceeds your price point but...

I was shooting my CZ 453 heavy barrel Varminter yesterday. It's got a VX-3 4.5x14x40 AO. Single set trigger set about 8 ounces. Trying out Wolf Ultra Match ammo at 50 yards.

It was kinda consistent at around 3/4". Saw that the AO was set to 100 yards. Corrected that and shot .2. Don't believe that ammo selection, AO, magnification, or trigger can't make significant difference. How are you gonna shoot one hole groups if you can't see the hole??

 

[Curator]

Find a Marlin 2000 on Gunbroker or AuctionArms for less than $500 and jump on it. The New Savage MKII transplanted into a Boyds laminated stock would be my second suggestion. The "accu-trigger" is just that. Any BSA martini right up to the International if you can get a deal.