Help me pick a .22lr for Target shooting

[red rick]

On the top of my list would be a CZ 457 , but I haven’t priced them lately . If that is out of your budget , I would look at the Savage . I had one and it was very accurate , I just didn’t like the plastic stock . I sold it and bought a CZ 452 American . I have never fitted it with a scope yet , or even shot it .

 

[jmr40]

I had a CZ 452 American. It was accurate, but the trigger sucked and I never liked that the safety operated in the opposite direction from everything else. Forward was on safe, pull it back to fire. I suppose I could have spent money to improve the trigger, but the safety couldn't be changed. Sold it after getting a Tikka T1x. I'm not saying "don't buy CZ", I'm just saying I liked Tikka better. Look at both and decide.

If you like the 10/22 some of them can be accurate. And the possibilities are endless if you want to start accurizing the one you have. I have one of these that is more than acceptable.

Ruger® 10/22® Sporter Autoloading Rifle Model 31167

I think that either the CZ or Tikka will be SLIGHTLY over your budget. But close enough that I'd save up just a little longer and spend slightly more. You'll be glad you did. If that budget is firm then I'd look at one of the target versions of the 10/22 or start modifying the one you have.

Some targets at 100 yards. On the left is the Tikka, 1 1/4" with 4/5 in 1/2". The Ruger put 5 shots in 1 1/2".



I rarely shoot at 50 yards anymore, but the Ruger, 5 shots at 50.



The Tikka at 250 yards. 6 hits out of 8 shots. The larger hit was a 223 round fired earlier. I'm out of scope adjustment here and dealing with some wind. I'm using the 4th link of the chain on the left as my aiming point.

 

[I6turbo]

...But I'd urge you to check out the .17HMR instead. Far more accurate and much harder hitting than any .22 rimfire.

Definitely not more accurate than ANY .22 rimfire, but probably more accurate than SOME rimfires with mediocre ammo.

 

[redneck2]

had a CZ 452 American. It was accurate, but the trigger sucked

That’s why I got the 453 Varminter. It’s got the single set trigger. Mine is set in the low ounces range and is easily adjustable. If a regular trigger is desired, just don’t push it forward to set it.

 

[DesertFox]

Rimfire fan here, pistol, rifle, whatever. Have several 10/22, a Charger, some M&P 15-22, etc. Got a Ruger Precision Rimfire. It ends up being the one I take to the range most. The CZ are fantastic too, they weren't available when I was in the mood. Seriously considering another in 22 Mag or 17HMR.

 

[JEBruns]

Definitely not more accurate than ANY .22 rimfire, but probably more accurate than SOME rimfires with mediocre ammo.

I should have said at the OP's price point of $500. But I'd bet if you put as much money into an .17HMR as a good target grade .22, the .17 would be very hard for the .22 to beat, especially out at 100yds or more.

 

[desmobob]

I've always liked 10/22's and favored semi's for general plinking but lately I've been wanting a bolt action .22lr and intend to buy higher quality .22lr ammo for better QC/tighter groups.

Don't necessarily need a competition rifle and don't intend to compete, but I would like something approaching that level. I was looking at Anshutz rifles and while I would love to get the best, I don't have $2-$4K to put into that right now. I think I could spend right around $500. What do you guys think? What's a good quality very accurate .22lr in that price range, bolt action only though.

I was after the same thing a few years back. I spent the money on a new barrel, stock, trigger, etc. for my 10/22. When I got done with it, I realized I no longer had a lightweight plinker, so I ended up also buying a CZ-452 FS, which I'll never part with. Blew the budget by a good bit when it was all said and done...

 

[d2wing]

I shoot two different CZ 452's in competitions and usually win. I bought a trigger spring kit for $10.00 and tested ammo. I recently posted a prove it target for my Lux at 50 yards, target below. I also shot some higher end 457's recently. They shot close to the same with cheap ammo. With a little tuning and ammo testing they would be great. Fleet Farm near me has a new 457 Varmint for $520.00. That model is commonly the basis for competition rifles.
I also have a 10/22 with a aftermarket target barrel. It's good but the CZ's outshoot it.

 

[I6turbo]

I have/have had 12 different CZ 452s, as well as one each BRNO Model 2 and Model 4, which have the same trigger as the 452s. They can vary quite a bit from the factory though most are pretty good, albeit a bit heavier than some people prefer, and some have some creep at least until they wear in during the first few hundred rounds.

I've changed the springs on all of mine, or more recently started shortening the factory spring and using the adjuster nut on the trigger strut to adjust trigger pull instead of changing springs. Here's a picture of the spring location and the square adjuster nut, which has built-in detents to hold positioning at each quarter turn:


I actually think that shortening the factory spring (which is stiffer-than-aftermarket springs) gives me a little better result than switching to the aftermarket spring (I used the ACE #144 spring, but there are Fastenall PNs and others that are commonly used as well). I had a couple out of the bunch that still had a little creep after lightening the pull down to a couple pounds or maybe slightly lower. Those couple needed a little stoning in addition. Otherwise, just the spring work was all that was needed to give very nice trigger. There is also DIY shimming process that some people do if they still have creep after the lightening (you can find this by searching Poor Man's Trigger Job CZ 452).

 

[Old Hobo]

I've not read all the posts. Maybe someone has already said the following.

If one is serious about target shooting, or certainly for .22 LR competition, one should have a target barrel with a target chamber. A chamber for target shooting is a touch bit shorter than those of regular hunting/plinking rifles. If high velocity / regular off-the-shelf is fired in target chambers, high pressures can develop. There is also a chamber length between regular and target. This was developed for those who use either ammo. I've forgotten the name. Maybe somebody else knows the name of the in-between length chambering. The name's on the tip of my tongue, but I just can't dig it out of my brain right now.

Use target ammo in your target rifle. Eley makes wonderful target .22 ammo; however it is not the only manufacturer making high-grade competition ammo. All of this ammo is subsonic, of course. There is some physics involved when talking about why .22 LR bullets traveling over the sound barrier are less accurate. Not my topic. I don't know anything about the physics involved. Never studied this at all. We just used to use Eley ammo when shooting .22 LR competition ... a few hundred years ago ... that's how long ago it seems to me to be.
.

 

[DeepSouth]

If I were to buy one it would be the CZ 457 varmint that has been mentioned. If I were buying with someone else’s money it would be an Anschutz of some kind, would have to do a little more research to decide which one.

 

[Sniper66]

Recently after doing lots of research and gnashing my teeth, I ended up with a very good looking well balanced CZ457 Varmint for $600. Did not have a good start so the verdict is still out. Immediately the trigger needs work. For our OP, I would suggest a Savage. For the price, Savage probably makes the best low cost barrels. It is a crap shoot on bolt fit/finish, but with work they be improved. Triggers need work too. All this said, my advice to our OP......if you like tinkering and enjoy making improvements on such rifles, the inexpensive Savage can be a lot of fun and made to be very good shooters. Good luck and have fun.

 

[DustyGmt]

I just stumbled across a Winchester 69 .22lr and it's $225. It looks to be in good shape, has adjustable irons but from about 30 seconds of research and knowing next to nothing about this rifle, $225 sounds like a can't lose situation. I definitely want a dedicated target rifle and am looking hard at the CZ 457 Varmint but I wonder if it would be stupid to pass this up and if you guys think I should be there when the shop opens to jump on the Win 69 or if it's a fairly common rifle of mediocre quality.

Just trying to get a quick rundown on the win 69 because all the ones I've seen since searching it for the last few mins puts even well used ones at around $500+

 

[DustyGmt]

I can get this for $225, should I jump on it?

 

[d2wing]

I have some old Remingtons and Winchesters that shot very well. You are better off with the CZ in my opinion. With good ammo the CZ will be more accurate, plenty of aftermarket support and easy to rebarrel and repair. Parts for old guns can be hard to come by and expensive.
But that sounds like a good deal on that Winchester and it probably will be a good shooter. Or not. Lots can happen to a rifle in 50 years. A very good cleaning can do wonders for an old .22 LR in my experience. Don't let anyone tell you they don't need cleaning. You might want to buy it just to have.

 

[DustyGmt]

I have some old Remingtons and Winchesters that shot very well. You are better off with the CZ in my opinion. With good ammo the CZ will be more accurate, plenty of aftermarket support and easy to rebarrel and repair. Parts for old guns can be hard to come by and expensive.
But that sounds like a good deal on that Winchester and it probably will be a good shooter. Or not. A very good cleaning can do wonders for and old .22 LR in my experience. Don't let anyone tell you they don't need cleaning.

Yes, for sure. I am not abandoning my original objective of finding a high quality target grade .22lr but I was just curious as to whether the Winchester 69 was a good rifle of known quality for my purposes. I am not afraid to spend $225 dollars on a good functional .22lr, I just wanted to know if it was a "don't pass this opportunity by" situation or a "those are a dime a dozen" deal.

 

[d2wing]

Pretty sure they aren't dime a dozen as no decent rifles are anymore. It's a good deal unless it has a serious flaw.

 

[DustyGmt]

I think I'm gonna pass on the M69. If it had a better sight that was reciever mounted like some of the other versions or was a model 52 I'd be all over it....

 

[Ru4real]

I recently shot a qualifying event and qualified to compete in SLC Corporate games. We fielded two 3 person teams and brought home gold and bronze. Indoor, 50 feet, rifle 22 rimfire. 10 for score prone, 10 sitting or kneeling, 10 standing, all positions unsupported. Slings prone and sitting/kneeling, no sling standing (I know, crazy international rules).

25 years ago competing in college, everyone seemed to be shooting Winchester or Anschutz. About 3 years ago I gave my Winchester to my niece because I thought I was done with indoor small bore rifle.

I decided to try and qualify a month ago anyway, but the best I had was a Tikka. To my surprise, the line looks a bit different today.

Tikka, Winchester, Anschutz, Vudoo, KIDD. I didn’t see a single CZ. One data point, but perhaps an anomaly.

Last summer, on my first outing with the new Tikka rifle to function check. 50 yards off bags on a windy day, CCI SV, half inch 10 round group.

View attachment 1140473

 

[BobABQ]

I had a CZ 455 American and it was a great little .22LR. the only reason that Ido not have it anymore is because I replaced it with an Anschutz 1712. In a game of me having more money than sense I ordered a Vudoo Single shot action with a Shilen barrel. I just can’t seem to help myself.

 

[Sniper66]

BobABQ, From one addict to another, the Anschutz 1712 is on my bucket list. How do you like it?? I've owned four Annies....three 17HMRs and one 17Mach2; all stellar shooters. Have always wanted a .22. Maybe now's the time?

 

[desmobob]

Many years back, I used to shoot NRA indoor four-position small bore with an Anschutz 1413 Supermatch. When I moved away from that competition, I wanted to keep that wonderfull rifle in the worst way, but there was no way to sporterize such a beast and it was fairly valuable in its original condition.

I always wanted to pick up an Anschutz sporter but never got around to it. They're out of my budget range now and I have all the firearms I need (is that possible?). They sure produce beautifully precise rifles!

 

[Pete D.]

They sure produce beautifully precise rifles!

For sure.
“Shoot an Anschutz or lose to one.”

I just looked through Annies at the Champions Choice website. They are all out of my budget. $$$$$$.

 

[LiveLife]

I've always liked 10/22's and favored semi's for general plinking but lately I've been wanting a bolt action .22lr and intend to buy higher quality .22lr ammo for better QC/tighter groups.

Don't necessarily need a competition rifle and don't intend to compete, but I would like something approaching that level ... I could spend right around $500

I was on a similar quest several years ago and after spending some time at rimfirecentral and shooting over 40,000 rounds of 30+ brands/weights/lots of ammunition, ended up with accurized 10/22 and T/CR22 - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...t-shipped-pricing.902560/page-5#post-12304852

If you are looking for 1/2" groups at 50 yards with CCI SV/Blazer and 3/4" groups with Aguila 40 gr LRN/CPRN boxed ammunition to 1"-1.25" groups at 100 yards with around $170 in modification of 10/22 (excluding scope/mount), read on my "real world" accurizing journey "on the cheap" - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/real-world-accurizing-22lr-on-the-cheap.898035/

I would echo the notion of buying barrel/stock/trigger for your 10/22

What's possible when you accurize a Ruger 10-22

If you like the 10/22 some of them can be accurate. And the possibilities are endless if you want to start accurizing the one you have. I have one of these that is more than acceptable.

If that budget is firm then I'd look at one of the target versions of the 10/22 or start modifying the one you have ... at 100 yards. Tikka, 1 1/4" with 4/5 in 1/2" ... Ruger put 5 shots in 1 1/2"

My base rifle was $199 10/22 Collector #3 from PSA that came with modular stock (LOP 14"), picatinny scope rail and ghost ring sight. After 4000 rounds, factory trigger pull went from 7.5 lbs to 4.5 lbs. After 4600 rounds, factory barrel remained pristine without any leading as shown below. After 6000 rounds of various 30+ ammunition that were lead RN/CPRN/CPHP from subsonic to high velocity, no leading and accuracy remains.

Following modifications were done to accurize the 10/22 - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...22lr-on-the-cheap.898035/page-2#post-12176951

• 10/22 with factory 18.5" barrel
• After 6000 rounds, bore cleaned 3 times at 2000 round interval using copper bore brush/Hoppes #9 (3 passes each) and dry swabbed with Viva Signature Cloth paper towel only but muzzle crown kept clean from build up

• $0 - Plastic shim to free float barrel under V block thick enough to slide copy paper around the barrel (Slight accuracy improvement)
• $1 - Electrical tape on rear of receiver about 4" (Slight accuracy improvement)
• $12 - One piece Mizugiwa scope mount (Eliminated loose ring/mount related POI deviation, high profile improved eye to scope alignment)
• $19 - Tactical Solutions V block (Raised POI, unknown accuracy improvement)
• $40 - Volquartsen trigger kit (Significant accuracy improvement especially shooter induced flyers)
• $50 - Pinned firing pin / bolt headspaced by CPC (Reduction of flyers)
• $10 - Pike Arms red bolt buffer (Reduced recoil jarring on bolt pin)
• $36 - EGW 20 MOA scope mount (Brought scope crosshairs to center of adjustment)
  
• $150 - Viridian Serac 6-24x50mm / $13 Viridian high profile 30mm scope rings (Replaced Bushnell Dusk & Dawn 6-18/50mm and 1" Mizugiwa scope mount)

50 yard groups with factory barrel (6250 round count) and Volquartsen trigger kit (2250 round count) - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...22lr-on-the-cheap.898035/page-2#post-12304052

Top row (Green circles indicate point of aim) - Two 10 shot groups of Aguila 40 gr CPRN were shot to finalize scope zero with second group measuring just over 3/4". CCI SV produced 1/2" 5 shot group and just over 1/2" second group.

100 yard groups with factory barrel (5750 round count) and Volquartsen trigger kit (1750 round count) with Aguila 40 gr CPRN - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...22lr-on-the-cheap.898035/page-2#post-12194385

First group measured less than 1.25" center-to-center, second group 1.25", third group 1.00" and fourth group 1.25"

 

[LiveLife]

Another consideration could be, if you have .223/5.56 ARs, getting a dedicated 22LR upper with 1:16 twist rate for 3/4" groups at 50 yards - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...ii-or-ruger-10-22.916844/page-2#post-12573909

BCA has complete 16" dedicated 22LR upper with 1:16 twist rate heavy barrel with 15" MLok handguard for $249 + free shipping on $300+ orders (Add items to get over $300 from their parts page for free shipping ... Click "Load Next" for more items) - https://www.bearcreekarsenal.com/22...el-1-16-twist-15-mlok-scg2-nrail-branded.html