Favorite .22lr

[j.wise]

I've been reading about which .22lr everyone would recommend to a newbie, but what are YOUR favorite .22lr rifles?

Thing is, I have a nice collection of various rifles, but not a single rimfire can be found. I grew up learning on airguns and then a Marlin Model 60, but those are still with my father.

I read DrRob's thread about what to do with $500 from the rifle fairy and thought, "I'd get a nice .22lr with good sights." But- I can't think of a single .22lr bolt gun with peep sights (current production.) If you know of one, could you let me know about it? Thanks.

Otherwise, tell me what YOUR favorite .22lr rifle is.

 

[redneck]

My dad has a Remington model 121 Fieldmaster. Its a beautiful old pump gun with pretty nice walnut for the stock and slide and the bluing is still about 90% after all this time (it was made in 1937). If only the barrel wasn't shot out, it doesn't like much other than remington subsonics anymore and thats only reliable accuracy out to about 20 yards. Its what I got started on and I love the action and how it handles.
If I ever have the cash I might try one of their new pump guns, same style, but they redesigned the action I beleive.

I'm getting ready to carve my own stock for a Marlin 81TS that I picked up last summer. If that turns out it any good it will probably be my new favorite. It shoots great. The synthetic stock just doesn't quite suit me, I'd like the butt to be about 1.5"-2" longer and have more of a swell. Sawmill is supposed to be having a special on curly maple too, which is just a hair nicer than plastic if you ask me

 

[Sharpshooter223]

Well I had a 10/22 and the great thing about it was it shot good out of the box. Of course with all the parts made for a 10/22 I added a heavy barrel, stock, trigger kit, bedding, leupold 2x7 and made an awesome little rifle. It shot tacks all day at 25 yards with cheap federal ammo. Made the mistake of selling it. Got a 77/22 that I like even more though. It's basically the same as the 10/22 but it's bolt action (more reliable) and more expensive. Mine has the laminate stock and a heavy fluted barrel with a reccessed target crown and a 3x9 redfield on it. I haven't put a trigger or bedding on it yet but it shoots under a 2" group every time at 100 yards with wolf match ammo. One of the groups was 1.7 inches. The 77/22 also has quite a few parts for it but nothing like the 10/22. I should have my winchester 52C .22 in a few days. Can't wait to see how it shoots Good luck.

 

[cordex]

Honestly, my favorite .22LR rifle is an old Springfield single-shot, bolt action that my grandpa was given as a boy. Its light, accurate and comfortable. In the last year or two it started having some extraction problems and the finish is pretty worn, but for a gun that has fired <diety> knows how many hundreds of thousands of rounds through nearly 70 years and almost 4 generations it is in wonderful shape and a pleasure to shoot. Nice trigger, too.

Yeah, I've got a Ruger 10/22 and a Marlin model 60, and Kcustom45's Ruger 77/22 is pretty sweet, but for me nothing beats that old gun when I'm shooting .22 rifles.

 

[Jick42]

I guess i would have to say a Ruger 10/22. It hasnt let me down as of yet, its well balanced, and handy.

 

[farscott]

My favorite rimfire rifle is a Marlin 39A with a Marble's Tang Sight. Marlin is still building these rifles entirely out of steel and walnut. This rifle is both accurate and fun because it takes me back to my childhood. It loves Winchester DynaPoints which are available at Wal-Mart for less than $10.00/500.

As far as current production bolt-actions with sights, I think one of the CZ's with a Williams receiver sight might work.

 

[pbhome71]

Mine is a CZ 452, a bolt action. I also have a 10/22 with Volquesten barrell, which I like, but not as much as the CZ.

The CZ has a nice sight - like a handgun. I'm not sure what is is called post-and-notch, may be. The 10/22 has an interesting sight, but I loose it since I changed the barrell, and had to go with a scope.

You can get a 22lr competition rifle. They usually come, or has provision for a dioptor sight - peep sight on steroid, IMHO. How about Mossburg model 44, which came from CMP? Those had peep sight too.

If you have an AR15, you can get a dedicated 22lr upper for it.

A Chipmunk would have a peep sight, but I think it is too small for you.

-Pat

 

[Cableman]

Browning Buckmark Rifle - $499.

I have the one with the tapered barrel and fiber optic sights. I mounted a compact 4X scope on it and it is a great little 22 rifle

 

[RGO]

Mine is also the CZ-452. Terrific sites (iron/open, for pbhome71). Great ergonomics, accurate as can be.

 

[Rupestris]

My favorites are the two I currently have:
Marlin Model 60 FS. It came from the factory with a synthetic stock and Williams FireSights. Not bad for $129
Remington Nylon 66 (production date of 1959).

 

[TrapperReady]

Bone-stock CZ-452 Lux. It's extremely accurate, and the graduated iron sights (on mine at least) are quite accurately calibrated.

Between that and a Ruger Mark II, a brick of .22lr sure doesn't last very long!

 

[Dave R]

Post and notch is the right term for those sights. That's a subset of open/iron. Aperture sights are also open/iron.

If it were me, it would be a CZ-452. I don't own one, but have heard nothing but good reports.

 

[cratz2]

Otherwise, tell me what YOUR favorite .22lr rifle is.

CZ, baby! Either an American or the Varmint model. 90% as nice as a Cooper or Kimber for half to one fourth the price.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

My wifes 9422 delux with a williams peep sight on it. Very nice and handy. Lots of fun to plink with!

 

[Black Snowman]

If I was willing to shell out the money for the higher end models with a nice trigger I'd get a CZ but my current plans are still for a EAA Biathlon Basic and a good fixed power scope for accurate 100 yard hole punching.

 

[Mal H]

I like 'em all, but if I had to choose a favorite it would be my Marlin 39AS. It looks good, feels good and shoots like a champ.

(farscot - you're paying way too much for ammo from Wal-Mart. )

 

[Smoke Rizen]

Mine is a 1935 Winchester mod. 74 semi. I'm also real fond of a Marlin 20A same approx. manufacture date. If I were, and may be, looking for an accurate match .22 I'd buy the Kimber from the C.M.P. sight. Just can't decide if I want to spend that much. S.R.

 

[j.wise]

I saw a Winchester model 69 on consignment at the gunshop today. It had a nice peep sight and the bore looked ok. The asking price was $249. I thought that was kinda high for such an old rifle that looked like it had been around the block a few times. I also saw a Marlin which had a synthetic blue stock, adjustable length buttstock, diopter rear sight, etc... It was going for $350.

How much do those CZ452s go for, and what would I have to do to get a peep sight/front blade put on?

I like the idea of the dedicated upper for the AR. The conversion kits are somewhat lacking in accuracy from what I've heard. Is this an accurate statement?

 

[JohnBT]

For 38 years it was a Marlin Mountie and now it's a Sako Finnfire with a
1.5-ounce Jewell trigger and a fixed power scope - a Weaver T-36.

have a relatively new CZ American WMR, but I'm still fooling with it and so far so good. I don't think it's going to outshoot my 541-S, but that's asking a whole lot I guess.

John

 

[QuarterBoreGunner]

Ah. This is a tough one, I love all my ‘lil babies. But if I had to choose just one it would be the Sako Finnfire Scout/Range. Great trigger, butter smooth action and a fully adjustable Olympic style stock. Heavy, but off the bench it’s supernaturally accurate with Wolf Gold Match ammunition.

Picture courtesy of www.Sako.fi

 

[Kalos]

Say--you could always get a 10/22 and slap a set of aftermarket peeps on it. Which is what I think I may do... if I don't wind up with a k31 or AK instead, hehe.

 

[E=MC^2]

Stevens Favorite

Gotta love those falling-blocks.

 

[TrapperReady]

j.wise - IIRC, my CZ452 Lux was around $280 or so. As far as peep sights go, I wouldn't mess with them until you tried the standard sights. I shoot highpower and JC Garand matches, and am a True Believer in peep sights. However, the notch and post that comes on the Lux model just plain works. I can shoot accurately enough for squirrel and rabbit out past 50 yards, and can plink farther ("That soda can was running right at me!")

When I first got the CZ, my intention was to mount some aftermarket sights. Now, I'd rather spend the $$$ on more ammo.

 

[P95Carry]

Gonna be awkward here!

OK my ''fave'' is the very ''plinkworthy'' and ''plinkeriffic'' Marlin mod 60

But looking at the question seriously ... my actual favorite as both a firearm, and very accurate shooter is this Mauser Obendorfe. It has a barrel and chamber more deserving of a cal such as .243 or even .270 .... but the wee lil bolt gives it away - and the mag!! This rifle was bought in all innocence long ago from a good buddy - for around £100 .... quite simply I just ''liked'' it - a lot .... and ''wanted it'' ..... ya know how it is?!

Turns out this was made back in 1920's or so I believe and in really good shape worth - ''they'' say - about $1k. It would probably tho be the one gun of all I'd not sell ... it is just too sweet (thinks .. but then I wouldn't sell my **** either .. or the ##### .... or even that old xxxxxx ...... oh well!!

Only downside . if you can call it that ... is weight . it is HEAVY!!! Mind you one summer long ago .... had to do some ''wabbit control'' for a farmer buddy ... that rifle took out 134 ..... NO problem .... every shot a hit!

 

[PJR]

Cooper Arms Model 36 bought at an auction for a very low price. The trigger trips at an amazingly crisp 2lbs. and it shoots .3" at 50 yards if I do my part.

Paul