Tacticool/Sniper Wannabe .22LR Suggestions

[Falconeer]

Greets folks.
I'd like to get into practical long range rifle/wannabe sniper shooting at some point. At the current time I'm very limited on funds. After talking it over with some forum members (see here) I've decided to look into a solid .22 and work up from there. I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions on a solid 22 that I could mount a bipod and scope to get some experience in this type of shooting.

Also, suggestions on scopes would also be appreciated (mildot; I want to learn mildot ranging). I expect to have in the area of $600 or so for this project (rifle, scope, mount) if I go with it (it's either that or a new CCW pistol).

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[Sactown]

CZ453. CZ single set triggers are exceptional (surprised the lawyers let them sell them that way!). Has a sling stud on the forend. CZ .22 barrels shoot great, I have both a .22 and .22WMR. CZ are bargains for the accuracy you get. The only drawback is that if you're in to the tactical/sniper look, the stock is wood and not black synthetic.

 

[backlash]

Are there aftermarket stocks availabe for that CZ though?

 

[Randall]

The CZ 452 sillouette has a synthetic stock.
Randall

 

[SpookyPistolero]

I'm not trying to dissuade you from going after exactly what you want, but I think at this point basic rifle marksmanship will serve you quite well. I would pick up a good CZ 432, or some other model, as they are excellent rifles, and then go and get a good shooting coach to teach you proper fundamentals. Afterwards, or instead of if the option for a teacher doesnt exist, find a group of strong riflemen at the range to help show you those things. Then shoot that CZ until it's like part of your arm!

I think that mastering the basics using quality basic tools, which will still be a mainstay of your collection for some time, will take you far. Then when you have the money for a long-range precision rifle rig, you'll be able to shoot up to par with the equipment. I wouldn't worry much about trying to turn the .22 into something it isn't.

 

[ocabj]

Cheapest mildot is the Bushnell Elite 3200 10x fixed. It retails online for just under $200, but if you know someone with dealer pricing, you can get it for $150 from Grafs.

As far as the rifle, the CZ bolt guns are hard to beat. I have been always looking at the CZ 452 Varmint and have been intending to get one sometime (but they now have the 453 Varmint). Price is a bit high for your budget though, with a $530 MSRP for the 453 (452 MSRP is $443, which might work). Forget worrying about looks and get the Varmint instead of the Silhouette. The heavy barrel on the Varmint is worth a lot more than a black stock.

 

[Falconeer]

I'm not trying to dissuade you from going after exactly what you want, but I think at this point basic rifle marksmanship will serve you quite well. I would pick up a good CZ 432, or some other model, as they are excellent rifles, and then go and get a good shooting coach to teach you proper fundamentals. Afterwards, or instead of if the option for a teacher doesnt exist, find a group of strong riflemen at the range to help show you those things. Then shoot that CZ until it's like part of your arm!

That's pretty much my goal with this; find a good quality firearm and scope combo that doesn't break the bank that I can learn on. I don't want to find myself in a position of learning on something that a) teaches me bad habits or b) doesn't have the capability to grow with me far enough to be economicly feasible; i.e. a 22 incapble of accurate groups past 50 yards means I need a new rifle for 100, which I can't afford to do.

The CZs look good but the price tag is too much. I'm going to need to purchase the rifle, scope, rings, and bipod as well as have the scope mounted. I'm going to keep an eye out at local used deals (a local shop had what I believe was a LE turn in Savage .308 bolt with bipod and scope for $500 a couple of months back) but I don't really know enough to make an educated decision on what a good value is used. I believe once I've done some of this shooting I'll be in a better position to know what to look for. It's that initial jump into the discipline that's the toughy.

 

[Monkeybear]

very cool .22s, I want one of thier cosmetically damaged ones for 299.

http://www.featherusa.com/index.html

 

[grimjaw]

This is too expensive?

Marlin bolt actions don't come much cheaper.. I got the chance to handle one of these last weekend, and I was impressed. Action felt very solid. The two guys shooting it were getting respectiable groups at 100 yards on a windy day with .17HMR, no mean feat. You could go with a less expensive model and still get the same action, in .22LR or .22WMR, the 982 or 983 series would be my pick. You can get them at Walmart for $200-250 new, maybe less used if you look around. My personal preference is the tube-fed version, but to each their own.

jmm

 

[Selfdfenz]

Savage or Marlin heavy barrel bolt action 22 or 17 Hummer = $190 at WallyWorld
Rifle Basix Trigger for the above = $85 {shop around and you can get it for less but DIY instillation}
Scope = $200 or less
Scope bases = $25 to $30 tops for an ok set [most likely less]
Bipod = ?

Rather than a mildot on a 22 or Hummer, consider an AO scope the focuses up close as well as at distance. There are several rifle and airguns scopes out there for less than 2 bills will get the job done on a 22.
Places to shop an acceptable scope for this kind of rig
Natchez Shooters Supply
Midway USA
E Arthur Brown Company [having a sale]

You still have change left over for some ammo.

S-

 

[Falconeer]

Thanks for the info, Selfdfenz & grimjaw. I'll have to dig into the Wallyworld site and see what they have. I didn't know the CZs were that inexpensive; I think the 453s are closer to $400-500ish.

 

[Henry Bowman]

Go for the .308 you identified in the other thread. You will spend more on ammo learning than with a .22, but it's a huge jump from the .22 to the centerfire fifle calibers and, well, that where you want to be.