Looking for a .22 rifle

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ryanrichmond

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I know this has been done to death so forgive me for kicking the proverbial dead horse but I'm looking for a nice bolt action .22 rifle that is magazine fed.

I had, at one time, a Marlin 925 that I stupidly sold and have been hankering for another bolt .22 but I got to thinking...why not step it up a bit more?
Marlin makes good stuff but why not have something really nice instead?

Requirements:
.22LR
Bolt action
Grooved barrel for mounting a scope (no threaded holes - I hate those)
Magazine fed
Wood stock
Under $400

Thanks for any info you can offer. :)
 
Maybe another Marlin 925 and step up the scope quality over your last one. I have one and love it. Only problem is the bolt is on the wrong side :)
 
Maybe another Marlin 925 and step up the scope quality over your last one. I have one and love it. Only problem is the bolt is on the wrong side :)
Click to expand...

I had a Nikon Prostaff 3-9x40 on it (best glass for the rifle in my opinion)
I'm also a left handed shooter but the right sided bolt wasn't a big deal for me.

Here is a photo of the way I had it set up.
marlin.jpg

Maybe I'll just do another 925.
 
Savage MkII, Marlin 925, or a CZ 452 or 455. They all should shoot well, some a little better than others, but not always. Personally, I don't understand why you would rather a dovetail rail to mount a scope on than drilled and tapped holes. The bases aren't going anywhere when screwed into threaded holes. It takes a real good set of rings to get a solid bite on a dovetail rail, as well as a bit of torque. In my early days of shooting I bought the cheapest rings possible. I wondered why my zero changed over time. After 1000 or so shots, the rings had slid forward on the rail, even though they were tight. The point is, if you can, use bases that screw onto the rifle if possible.
 
This one isn't mine, but it was the quickest picture I could find of a CZ 452 American (uses standard American 3/8" rail mounts)...I got mine from CDNN for $278, but I think they are in your price range now

american.jpg


My advice when buying a .22lr bolt gun is to get the most that you can afford, you'll get more use out of it...for affordability, if nothing else...than any CF rifle you'll ever own
 
Requirements:
.22LR
Bolt action
Grooved barrel for mounting a scope (no threaded holes - I hate those)
Magazine fed
Wood stock
Under $400
Click to expand...

I think you've just described the Savage MkII BV

images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS4lEakU9lmvyRe7Xs3pKW1Vg-NidCNdQXnwTDznSGw0G3uA-xCyQ.jpg

Love mine. The accutrigger is a very good feature. :)
 
Another vote for the CZ 455 American, it fills all your requirements. It has an 11mm dovetail and not the American standard 3/8", but there are plenty of quality rings for it on the market. There are also single shot adapters available if that's how you want to roll. Another plus about them is that if you ever want to try the .17 HMR or .22 WMR, all you need to do is buy a separate barrel and a magazine and install it yourself, instead of buying a whole new rifle. Also, it's a barrel threading friendly platform if you ever consider acquiring a sound suppressor, which are legal to own and hunt with in your state.

My $0.02
 
Isn't Savage pretty much right in line with Marlin as far as quality comparison?
I'll be taking a more serious look at the CZ 455 American now. I like the caliber change option as I've been wanting a .17 but never really thought I'd shoot it much due to the price of ammo. Now that I can change it back and forth, it's looking more attractive.

Personally, I don't understand why you would rather a dovetail rail to mount a scope on than drilled and tapped holes.
Click to expand...
Too many times have I stripped out the holes on guns when screwing in scope rails. I suppose if I could find a rifle with solid steel holes, rather than the aluminum holes that the new 10/22's have, and I knew they wouldn't strip out, I could be convinced to make the switch.
 
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So let's have some more suggestions. Benzy had a good point -- dovetail grooves vs. threaded holes.
What other nice .22 rifles are out there within my price range that have steel drilled/tapped receivers? I'm notorious for wanting screws to be tight and I fear I may strip out the holes if the company used an inferior metal to make the receiver like Ruger did with the new 10/22's.

Suggestions?
Also which do you prefer and why? Drilled/Tapped or Dove tail receivers?
 
Here is my odd ball suggestion. Not exactly a bolt action, but it is a very accurate, economical rifle, with a good set of features for the price, and well made. They are not the uber deal they were when you could buy one for $240 but they are still sub $400 and worth that.

p_biathlon7-2.jpg


BI20BARREL.jpg

http://www.raacfirearms.com/Biathlon_7-2.htm
 
a Biathlon 7-2 would be way cool...I'm a sucker for toggle and straight pull actions...but I have my .22lr rifle range pretty well cover with my Romanian M69, CZ 452 and Anschutz 1412.

My main objection to separate scope bases is that they often don't blend well with the lines of the receiver...sometimes overlapping the ejection port
 
I have my .22lr rifle range pretty well cover with my Romanian M69, CZ 452 and Anschutz 1412.
Click to expand...

That is a very fine collection of .22LR riffles. I was recently able to pick up a Biathlon for just under $240. For that money they are hard to beat. I need to get some match ammo and test it out but I haven't had a chance yet. I have high hopes. Its not an Anschutz, but it its more than $1K less, and is still likely more accurate than I am.
 
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Got my dad a CZ 452 Ultra-Lux at Greentop for Christmas. That thing is about as accurate as any sporter .22 can be. Every time I go by Greentop I think about grabbing another one before the supply dries up since CZ replaced the 452 with the 455.

I bought the 452 for $400 but I think that was on sale. Greentop is selling the 513 Basic for $314 brand new and have a used one for $280. The 513 has a non-checkered Beechwood stock and a non-adjustable trigger, otherwise it is basically a 452.
 
Another vote for CZ here. My 452 Lux is easily my favorite rifle. Fit and finish is *fantastic*. The rifle always goes with me to the range; If I want to quickly determine operator error, I pick up the CZ. Can't hit anything with the CZ irons? Operator error.
 
That is a very fine collection of .22LR riffles.
Click to expand...
Thank you

I'd have a hard time passing a Biathlon for that price too...you might be surprised, the Russians were known for function over appearance. I would expect it to be a tackdriver.

The Anschutz was a bit spendy, but I thought waiting 35 years was long enough...I thought I got it for a good price at $1200. It balances out the Romo at <$150 and the CZ at <$300. It goes very well next to the Weatherby Mark XXII
 
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