Christiansen Arms Ranger .22LR owner feedback?

[DustyGmt]

I'm wanting to set myself up with a decent quality target .22lr and was wondering if any of you guys have experience with the Ranger. It's got a 18" bbl and takes a 10/22 rotary mag. It looks like a good deal but the fact that it's under $1K has me wondering if it's just a show pony and if I should forego some of the cool features on this gun and find something a lil less tacti-cool or possibly get a Ruger Precision Rimfire or something.

I'm not going to be shooting in competitions with this gun but I would like to basically step up from my stock 10/22 and get something that's:

A. bolt action
B. Really accurate

Anybody have good experience with the Ranger or have suggestions on what I should get for a sub $1K target .22LR? I just want to plink mainly and have a pretty decent 10/22 for that, just want to step up in quality/accuracy.

This isn't strictly a CA Ranger thread, feel free to suggest a .22LR that you think would suit me for my stated purpose.......

 

[d2wing]

I have no experience with that brand. I am a CZ fan and would buy a CZ with the expectation of upgrades but it is probably an upgrade from a stock 10/22.

 

[Russ57]

Will a single shot bolt action work for you?

I was able to buy an older Anschutz Super Match 54 for about half your budget. It had an upgraded trigger and had been professionally bedded. It beat my 40X for accuracy. An Olympic grade rifle from yesteryear, in good condition, will shoot better than many of us can. I was able to find a Weaver grand slam in 6-24 power with target dot from "cheaper than dirt" for under $500 (probably because it was an ugly silver color). Good enough for me to qualify at Master level on my very first NRA prone rifle match with cheap Federal 711B ammo. For a grand I was competitive with guys running rigs at several times the price and using ammo a lot more than I paid.

Otherwise I'd look at Tikka, Bergara, CZ, and maybe Savage/Ruger (in no particular order).

Best of luck with your endeavor. You can't beat a .22 LR for developing rifle skills on the cheap. Budget for a spotting scope too and learn to read "the mirage".

 

[LoonWulf]

I have a Ranger, as does @Mr.Revolverguy.

Mine has been functionally flawless, and accurate straight from the factory. The early ones had ejections issues, beyond that I don't think there have been many functionality complaints.

In use the Ranger is more of a light field rifle than a target gun. Out of the box mine weighed 4.5lbs, scoped and loaded with a stainless muzzle brake, mine is 5.5lbs (I THINK they are listed at 5llbs).
With decent (not match grade) ammo its not hard to shoot right around MOA at 50 and 100yds, but the low weight dosent help. The trigger is a Triggertech field, which breaks on my example at 2.5lbs, making the pull weight about 1/2 of the gun weight.

My CZ is a heavy build, using a Lothar Walther barrel, and while it's easier to shoot it generally doesn't out shoot the Ranger at the same ranges. In stock guise (457 American .22/.17) the .22 barrel was unimpressive, but the 17 would hold .5moa no problem.

The 457 is smoother in operation, more traditional, and has more gidgets and doodads. The Ranger offers a more mechanical operation, and modern design concept, It will be noticeably lighter.

I forgot to mention some options.....

savages and marlins lol....i do lump them together.
Both will likely be as accurate, but a but clunkier. Ive sold or given away all the Marlins and Savages ive owned after finishing tinkering with them. Even so i can happily recommend either when one is looking for a solid, accurate, and upgradeable rifle on a budget.

Another solid budget option is the Mossber 802 heavy barrel. If anything its a little rougher around the edges than the Savages and Marlins, but both examples ive used (owned one) were very very accurate. Biggest issue IMO is the trigger isnt easily improved.


I still need to get hands on with a Ruger American Target, and a Bergara BMR, but in the sub 1K category I think youd be hard pressed to choose a BAD rifle, just one that doesn't fit what your looking for.

Honestly tho if youve got a "built" 10/22 youll be hard pressed to really better it by a significant margin.

 

[Peakbagger46]

I really like mine, it’s been great for practice from field shooting positions and is oh so nice and light to pack around the hills after rabbits. Good trigger and fantastic stock as well.

As you can see, it has expensive taste as far as ammo goes. I shoot CCI Standard Velocity for practice.

 

[sparkyv]

I shied away from the Ranger because of the ejection issues. I went with the BMR and am well pleased, and did the DYI tigger mod, now set at 18oz. But my CZ455s shoot just as good or better. The YoDave spring/shim kit is an inexpensive winner! I like the idea of using the 10/22 mags in the Ranger. If the ejection issues have been addressed, maybe I need to give it renewed consideration.

The early ones had ejections issues,

 

[LoonWulf]

I really like mine, it’s been great for practice from field shooting positions and is oh so nice and light to pack around the hills after rabbits. Good trigger and fantastic stock as well.

As you can see, it has expensive taste as far as ammo goes. I shoot CCI Standard Velocity for practice.

View attachment 1139222 View attachment 1139223 View attachment 1139224

I have so far refused to spend the 25 bucks a box of GMM runs out here, i balk hard at Eley club lol. Mostly I shoot Aguila, federal gray box, and CCI standards

But its done fine with even the Remington goldens ive got.