I am shopping for a decent single shot 22 and looking for suggestions. There are lots of used ones out there and I don't know enough about the older ones (except Anschutz) to know which ones are quality and which to avoid. This isn't for competitions, more for relaxing but accurate fun. Suggestions? Educational comments?
Single shot 22
- Thread starter kidneyboy
- Start date
NIGHTLORD40K
Contributing Member
Savage Mk1 or Rascal for most fun to cost ratio. They use basically the same action.
If money is no object and you enjoy a treasure hunt, the BSA/ Martini singles are fantastic
They were made in several generations. My Mk2 International is my absolute finest rifle, single or otherwise.
If money is no object and you enjoy a treasure hunt, the BSA/ Martini singles are fantastic
They were made in several generations. My Mk2 International is my absolute finest rifle, single or otherwise.
NIGHTLORD40K
Contributing Member
The Remington 510 Targetmaster is still pretty common, and a great budget/ vintage single. Unmodified examples will reset the safety when you cycle the bolt. I don't mind but some folks find it annoying, so many users deleted this feature-
I also have a .22 SMLE that Im rather fond of-
The British Commonwealth made oodles of them, so they aren't hard to find, but can be pricey in nice shape. They have no ejector- fired cases drop down into the hollowed-out magazine, which can be removed and dumped when it gets full.
Really, the only old single I'd avoid are the Stevens types. They are a bit on the fragile side, and most every example to be seen these days is shot out and shot loose.
One thing to watch for when shopping for an old single, many were made as smoothbore gallery or garden guns, and often in .22 short or long, so LR ammunition may not chamber.
I also have a .22 SMLE that Im rather fond of-
The British Commonwealth made oodles of them, so they aren't hard to find, but can be pricey in nice shape. They have no ejector- fired cases drop down into the hollowed-out magazine, which can be removed and dumped when it gets full.
Really, the only old single I'd avoid are the Stevens types. They are a bit on the fragile side, and most every example to be seen these days is shot out and shot loose.
One thing to watch for when shopping for an old single, many were made as smoothbore gallery or garden guns, and often in .22 short or long, so LR ammunition may not chamber.
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NIGHTLORD40K
Contributing Member
If you find a Winchester 52 for a price you can live with, they are some of the most spectacularly accurate production rifles ever made and they sell single-shot magazine conversion sleds. I usually shoot mine as a single anyway.
P5 Guy
Member
The Kimber 82G is a fascinating rifle! Let me share some details about it:
- Kimber 82G from the CMP:
- The Kimber 82G is a heavy barrel, single-shot, bolt-action rifle chambered in .22RF.
- It was manufactured for the U.S. Army in the 1980s and later released to the public via the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP).
- The CMP is a quasi-government entity that endorses the sale of surplus firearms to the general public.
- When you purchase a Kimber 82G from the CMP, it comes with several features:
- A fantastic set of target sights (worth a couple of hundred dollars themselves).
- A heavy target stock with an adjustable butt plate for younger shooters.
- Full instructions.
- These rifles are brand new and never fired.
- The Kimber 82G is a great choice for precision shooting and target practice1.
- XTSP Kimber 82G Trigger (Two-Stage):
- If you’re interested in enhancing the trigger performance, consider the XTSP Kimber 82G Trigger.
- It’s a true two-stage, four-lever trigger that is adjustable for sear engagement in both the first and second stages.
- You can fine-tune the first-stage travel and adjust both first and second-stage pull weights, as well as overtravel2.
- Specifications of the Kimber 82 Target Government Model:
- Chambered in .22LR, the Kimber 82 Government Model features:
- A 24-inch bull barrel.
- An adjustable wood stock.
- Adjustable rear sight and cylinder front sight.
- Overall length of 43 inches with a length of pull of 13.5 inches3.
- Chambered in .22LR, the Kimber 82 Government Model features:
jmorris
Member
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2005
- Messages
- 27,243
My Walter sport model V is the most accurate one I have. I have picked up 510’s for as little as $35 at estate sales and they are fun and accurate but not very easy to mount optics too.
The Savage 24 will get you a single shot .22 on top and a shotgun barrel on the bottom. TC contenders can be a .22 pistol or rifle as well as many other things.
Lots of choices to slowly shoot .22’s.
The Savage 24 will get you a single shot .22 on top and a shotgun barrel on the bottom. TC contenders can be a .22 pistol or rifle as well as many other things.
Lots of choices to slowly shoot .22’s.
NIGHTLORD40K
Contributing Member
I came THIS close to buying a Kimber a couple years ago.....
I dunno, the sights seemed a little cheesy and it did have the dreaded razor-knife scratch from some careless E-1 slicing open the mylar bag to do an inventory serial # check.
I've never shot one, but the internet says they are hit or miss, accuracy wise. Sure did look and handle like the real deal though.
I owned one of those some time ago. Very accurate even with CCI SV. Not so easy to find now.
NIGHTLORD40K
Contributing Member
Heck, the scope is worth most of $1200 if the glass is clear.
I can't tell the exact model from the pic, but if its an early one with the LH mounted flag safety, you do have to inspect for cracked locking lugs and/or a bent safety shaft.
Tentwing
Member
I have a Marlin 25 youth model that I used to teach my kids and now my grandchildren the basics of bolt action. You can also try to find a Marlin 15 little buckaroo (both are the same rifle). They are surprisingly accurate little rifles, and built bomb proof. I plan on hollowing the stock out and making hiking/survival rifle out of it as soon as my grandchildren are all ready for bigger and better .
I used single shot adapters on my 452, Tikka and Bergara and may go in that direction again.
Dave DeLaurant
Contributing Member
One of the beauties of single-shot rimfire rifles is that virtually every LGS has some at knock-down prices.
You probably won't find one, but a Remington No.4 Rolling block can be found in the dictionary under the word "fun". This one has a newly-relined .22 LR barrel.
Another fun single shot avenue is the Erma .22 adapter insert for 7.92x57 Mauser K98k-length barrels. This thing resembles a cleaning rod, and it was probably included as such by mistake in a deal for another Erma adapter. It's easier to describe in this video than with words:
www.youtube.com
It is way more accurate than you might expect.
I own several other .22 single shots, and I suppose my third favorite is a Remington 580. This rifle is a weird mix of quality and cheap. The factory rear sight is mounted on a flimsy plastic barrel sleeve that fortunately is just held with a screw and is easy to remove. Also, since this is basically an adapted magazine repeater, there is an even more flimsy plastic cartridge platform filling the magazine opening in the receiver. The rifle won't function properly without this platform, as it serves to align the front of the bolt. So, in summary, it's a fiddly rifle. Wisner's offers a machined steel replacement, if they ever get around to doing another batch: http://www.wisnersinc.com/model/remington-bolt-action-22-rimfire/
On the plus side, it uses an excellent multi-lug rear locking bolt and comes with an adjustable trigger (mine was seized with gummed WD40 when I bought it, which let me negotiate the price down quite a bit.) Except for the two plastic components and the aluminum trigger housing, the gun is well-made of nicely-finished steel. I fitted mine with a Mauser 95 banded front sight to achieve the proper height for use with a NECG grooved receiver rear aperture, although I later fitted the rifle with a Nikon rimfire scope. This rifle is very, very accurate, much more so than this shooter.
You probably won't find one, but a Remington No.4 Rolling block can be found in the dictionary under the word "fun". This one has a newly-relined .22 LR barrel.
Another fun single shot avenue is the Erma .22 adapter insert for 7.92x57 Mauser K98k-length barrels. This thing resembles a cleaning rod, and it was probably included as such by mistake in a deal for another Erma adapter. It's easier to describe in this video than with words:
Erma Modell 3 K98k 22 Rimfire Conversion Unit
This is an expansion and re-edit of my earlier video, with audio and shooting appended. (text continues below)Granted, most of the audio is the sound of noi...
www.youtube.com
It is way more accurate than you might expect.
I own several other .22 single shots, and I suppose my third favorite is a Remington 580. This rifle is a weird mix of quality and cheap. The factory rear sight is mounted on a flimsy plastic barrel sleeve that fortunately is just held with a screw and is easy to remove. Also, since this is basically an adapted magazine repeater, there is an even more flimsy plastic cartridge platform filling the magazine opening in the receiver. The rifle won't function properly without this platform, as it serves to align the front of the bolt. So, in summary, it's a fiddly rifle. Wisner's offers a machined steel replacement, if they ever get around to doing another batch: http://www.wisnersinc.com/model/remington-bolt-action-22-rimfire/
On the plus side, it uses an excellent multi-lug rear locking bolt and comes with an adjustable trigger (mine was seized with gummed WD40 when I bought it, which let me negotiate the price down quite a bit.) Except for the two plastic components and the aluminum trigger housing, the gun is well-made of nicely-finished steel. I fitted mine with a Mauser 95 banded front sight to achieve the proper height for use with a NECG grooved receiver rear aperture, although I later fitted the rifle with a Nikon rimfire scope. This rifle is very, very accurate, much more so than this shooter.
There is one of these available a couple hours north of here. Maybe time for a retired guys road trip.
doubleh
Member
The new market is very thin. Keystone offers an adult sized rifle that is supposed to be quite accurate and they offer an adult length stock for their little Crickett rifle. Not sure but the adult sized rifle may have an accuracy gurantee. My only one is a G2 Contender with a 23" target bull barrel. It's an accurate rifle and even with the heavy barrel is short, handy, and not all that heavy. It is a bit of a chore to shoot off a bench but I have learned to take my time and enjoy how well it shoots.
I used to see used single shot 22 rifles in the gunshops in this area regularly but haven't encountered one in sometime. I don't prowl the shops like I used to so that may be the reason.
I used to see used single shot 22 rifles in the gunshops in this area regularly but haven't encountered one in sometime. I don't prowl the shops like I used to so that may be the reason.
johnmcl
Member
I will second P5 Guy's recommendation on a Kimber 82G. That rifle, a Leupold scope, and a box of SK Standard makes for one fun afternoon.
Mosin77
Member
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- Oct 7, 2019
- Messages
- 1,849
I have two bolt action single shots, a Winchester 68 (like a 67, which is much more common, except the 68 has an upgraded peep sight) and a Remington 41. Both are accurate, man sized, and let you shoot for hours very affordably. And if you find one in cosmetically challenged condition they don’t have to cost a bunch.
CoalCrackerAl
Member
I have 3 single shot 22's. 2 are vintage. A stevens crack shot made in 1918. It was my Grandfather in-laws. He used it for rat control around the chickens. I have Winchester 60 from the 30's. And a Keystone arms Cricket. I learned how to use peep sight with it.
BobABQ
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- Joined
- Dec 17, 2016
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- 256
I wanted a single shot rifle so small bore silhouette competition. I settled on a Vudoo single shot barreled action with a Shilen barrel. I sourced a silhouette stock from Steve Wooster but I could have used any other stock for a short action Remington 700 and the Vudoo action would fit. Video also uses Remington 700 triggers as well. You can build the rifle to fit you.
ColtPythonElite
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- Jan 8, 2011
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- 10,688
Remington 40x
