First Rifle, Last Rifle.

[RSVP2RIP]

Cooper 57M in 22lr. The best $1200 you will ever spend, and the last time you will ever have to buy a 22lr. For $1200 you are guarenteed an acurate rifle, not hit or miss with a CZ or something else. Anshutz are good also. I have both and still would take the Cooper any day. It also comes with a whole bunch of pride of ownership knowing it is built to last, nothing can go wrong with it, looks good, easy to take apart/clean and it is made in the USA.

 

[DDawg]

Ruger 10/22 then attend an appleseed event..

Note: for small game hunting check with your state's DNR regarding hunting small game with a semi automatic Rifle.. I could be wrong, but i thought i read something about that (in ga).

 

[35 Whelen]

The REAL problem with them is, they rarely have both bbls regulated to the same sight setting. I just can't stand any firearm that i have to aim over here, to hit over there!

When I was a pup on our 4-H trap shooting team, our coach taught us that shotguns are pointed, not aimed. In the ensuing 30+ years, I've found that to be very true whether shooting a covey rise, a passing dove, a hard right on the #5 trap station, or skeet. I own a Savage 24 in 22LR over .410, and I've yet to use the sights when shooting the shotgun.

Case in point: After one particularly successful quail hunt, on the way back to the truck, I noticed that the bead was missing off my SxS 20ga. I hadn't even noticed it while shooting at birds and judging from the quail in my game bag, it didn't make a bit of difference.
35W

 

[Dr T]

OP: Given the direction you are going, I suggest a CZ with really good iron sights and a traditional look. You are an adult that has an appreciation of traditional workmanship and quality and would like something that will last a long, long time. Specifically, a CZ452 FS.

See http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-452-fs/

It is a bit high for a .22, but you get what you pay for.

 

[chrome_austex]

The cost of an Anschutz is well justified for a lifetime investment. I shot one in high school competition and they're the real deal. Their sporter style rifles are a good weight (not too heavy, not too light). A good choice. I don't think they're all $1k+

Next in line (for me) would be a CZ 452, for their fit and finish and reputation. Actually I'm going to try to pick up a CZ this weekend.

The Savages I've shot were good shooters, but I'd rather own a CZ if price isn't a huge factor.

10/22s are a solid semi-auto choice because of the aftermarket options, but they're not heirloom quality, not as accurate as an Anschutz, CZ, nor Savage.

Frankly I think a bolt action suits your purposes and experience better than a stock semi-auto 10/22 will. Get something in the 7-10lbs range. Sub 6lbs guns are too light for most people to shoot very well. You need some mass to stabilize the thing.

 

[35 Whelen]

I must say that as a teacher, I *am* budget-conscious

<snip>

Now that he's made this clear, perhaps we can move away from the subject of $1000-$1200 .22's!

35W

 

[Hoth206]

Put me in for a vote for the Marlin 39.

I don't even have one, but if you're talking about "do everything" small game rifles, you should probably have something that'll shoot .22 shorts as well as .22 Long Rifle cartridges.

Add to that the wood/fit/finish of your typical marlin 39a is much better than the 10/22, M60, Savage MkII, etc. and it seems like an easy choice.

(btw, this is coming from someone who loves his Savage MkII.)

 

[Sistema1927]

Another vote for the Marlin 39A.

I have 8 or 9 different .22 rifles in the gun safe, but if I could only have one it would be the 39A.

 

[benzy2]

That said, I also understand the quality argument--if I begin a family in the next few years, I intend to have an heirloom rifle or two that I eventually pass down.

With that in mind, my list in order would be Anschutz, Cooper, Kimber, CZ in that order. You go below the quality of a CZ and I strongly feel you lose the heirloom in a rifle. Though a Marlin 39 would be a different type of rifle that would be another great choice.

 

[Rmiller31]

Ruger 10/22 for me

There are tons of aftermarket parts and stuff if you ever want to add/repair anything it won't be hard to find. I've had a 10/22 with a stainless barrel for about 12 years now that I have just shot the crap out of and its still as accurate as it was when I bought it. I also honestly can't even remember the last time I cleaned it.

 

[P-32]

I would be happy with a Remington 552 Speed Master. It is a much better rifle than a Marlin 60 which I also own. MY ex son in law has a 10/22 he spent alot of money on to fix it up with a heavy barrel, etc. He was not happy when the 552 almost beat his groups.

I just added a Pre war Winchester Model 61 to my brace of 22's but these are getting to be a little spendy.

 

[toivo]

• $$$ Anschutz
  
• $$ CZ
  
• $ Savage

IMO, the "one rimfire rifle for life" scenario cries out for a bolt action repeater. If you find yourself in a situation where you have to shoot shorts, you can always single-load them. And I would get something with iron sights on it: keep your options open.

EDIT TO ADD: If you want to do a little investigative shopping, you could look for an older Mossberg. Some of the target and trainer models are getting "collectible" and expensive, but others, like the 340 series rifles, can still be found at reasonable prices:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=219089249
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=219167034

 

[DukeNukem]

If I could only keep one of my .22 rifles, the decision making process would probably go something like this:

Ruger 10/22 would be eliminated first because I don't have any interest in spending money to make it as accurate as my other .22 rifles.
Marlin 795 would go next because although it shoots better than the 10/22, it feels a little toy-ish.
CZ 452 American gets eliminated because if I keep a CZ452, I want it to be one that I can use with open sights and scope.
CZ 452 Special gets eliminated because it lacks the "cool factor" of the Ultra Lux and has a shorter sight radius. (My wife might have something to say about that because the Special is the rifle she likes to shoot most. ha!)

So for me it comes down to a choice between the CZ 452 Ultra Lux and Marlin 39A. That would be a very difficult decision for me to make. I think I'd keep the 39A because it's probably the only lever-gun I'll own. I like the peep sight I have on the 39A--I doubt that I'll ever scope it, but I could if I wanted to. It's a take-down rifle which is cool although that's a feature I don't use much. Not enough accuracy difference for it to matter to me between the 39A and CZ's.

You said, "I'm considering the normal things like accuracy, durability, reliability, but ALSO things like *ease of maintenance*. If you had to be your own gunsmith, which of these .22 rifles would you trust to give you the fewest problems?" which might shift things in favor of the CZ since I'd wager the CZ less likely to have something go wrong with it and it's easier to mess with. And the CZ's are slightly more accurate. If you're going to be using it somewhere that the ultra-long barrel of the Ultra Lux could be a hindrance, the Special(or Lux which is the same thing as the Special but with a walnut stock rather than one of beechwood) might be a better choice than the Ultra Lux. Honestly, I could be content with the Marlin 39A or either of the CZ 452 rifles with sights that I own.

 

[wsm]

best .22 rifle

For me it is the Browning BL22. Tack driver. Easily taken down for thorough cleaning. Fantastic action. AND, it handles shorts, longs, and long rifles, All at the same time if you want. Can't be beat IMHO!

 

[ADKWOODSMAN]

Of the guns recommended I agree with the Ruger 10-22 and the Marlin 39.

It took me many years to find a good used Remington Model 511 which is a clip fed bolt rifle. My neighbor had one when we were kids and when you aimed at it you killed it!

 

[vaupet]

I selected 3 .22 for myself:
an anschutz 64, 1974 model, bought used, excellent rifle
a marlin 39a : very nice plinker
a browning sa22: timeless Browning design, accurate, light and reliable

I don't own one but have nice experiences with a CZ: great bang for the buck

 

[DM~]

I hope you guys recommending the Marlin 39's, aren't recommending the NEW ones? They don't make a pimple on a dogs behind, compared to the older ones!

I own a Savage 24 in 22LR over .410, and I've yet to use the sights when shooting the shotgun.

Ever shoot any slugs through it? A gun for a "lifetime", SHOULD be ready for anything. I've owned several 24's over the years, not one of them shot both bbls to the sights. One put the shot pattern 12" off! A .410 is a poor choise to straddle a new shooter with!

BTW, when i was a kid i started out with a Savage 22/410 with the selector button on the side.

To the origional poster: The new bolt action Weatherby 22's are all Anschutz, except the stocks. A lifetime 22 is worth the $$ to pay the Anschutz or Wby. price! Like i said before, mines worth more now than when i bought it in the early 70's, and i'm sure it will still be going strong when i take my eternal dirt nap!

DM

 

[Hoppes Love Potion]

I was going to say, the new Marlins have quality control problems. There is much gnashing of teeth on the Marlin forums.

The Browning BL22 is a good choice. Also look at the Henrys. I think a tube-fed lever-action is a great choice for a lifetime .22. A single-shot is fine but has obvious limits. A lever-action hits the sweet spot for high capacity and quick follow-up shots. Plus, working the lever is just plain fun.

 

[Picher]

I've had two Marlin 39A's and think they are the epitome of the hunting .22LR. They are very accurate, much more so than any over-the-counter semi-auto and they're very easy to clean. They also don't get gunked-up like semi-autos and the tubular magazine works better than Ruger magazines in the long run.

Unfortunately, they can be expensive. I got my latest one at a "bargain" price, but it's not as well put-together as the older ones. I've had issues that I managed to correct, for the most part, but still am not happy with quality control on the newer 39A's.

Winchester 9422s are also very nice, though are getting even more expensive.

Henry levers don't seem to be as rugged and stable, especially for scope use.

Browning levers are nice, but a bit light for me.

CZ bolt guns are pretty nice and so are some of the new Savages, but I prefer a lever-action for follow-up shots on game, as necessary. Though not necessary with a rebounding hammer, it's nice to carry a lever rifle with an empty chamber in some circumstances, but quick to cycle the action as needed to both chamber and cock in one easy motion.

 

[Geckgo]

Go to the gunshop, handle some 22 BOLT actions. See which one you like. Bolts are easy to maintain, fun to shoot, great to learn on, and great for small game. My old man has a Ruger bolt action that he bought about 20 years ago, and NEVER cleaned (I get on him about cleaning his rifles all of the time). It still shoots perfect, and he's fed all kinds of crap ammo through it, I have too.

I was going to suggest a 20ga break action when I started reading your post, but you seem set on the 22LR, which is a great choice. Cheap, easy, efficient. Personally I own a 10/22 and love it, but I would not suggest an automatic action for a "forever" type of gun.

Also, get one with a wood stock that looks beautiful, so that it will be cherished and maintained. My 10/22 is a little cheezy looking but for the reasons I have it, it's fine. Your reasons seem to differ from mine, and I would suggest a beautiful gun. Any bolt action on the market should be great as far as workability and maintenence.

Just my two coppers