Target 22LR rifle comparison

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StephenT

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Hi all,

I'm interested in getting a 22LR target rifle for 50 yard precision shooting and am wondering how these models stack up against the CZ-452 trainer that I own and which is pretty good in itself: Mossberg 144LSB with peep sights, Biathlon Basic (in 22LR) or Biathlon CM-2. The Biathlon Basic seems to be fairly scarce, but can be found for $250-300 on gunbroker, gunsamerica, etc. The Mossberg 144, long since discontinued, goes for about $350-400.

I've searched Rimfire Central, but haven't found any threads comparing these models for accuracy. I'd be interested in hearing the comments from those of you who have been searching for that ultimate pinpoint accurate 22LR rifle under $400. Obviously, the Anschutz and Suhl 150 are significantly more expensive...

Also, would the Biathlon Basic and CM-2 have similar performance?

Thanks!
 
Within the parameters of your post (under $400.00) you are pretty much

limited to CZ. There are better rifles out there but not for the price.

I would look at either the American or Varmint modes for your requirements.
 
Thanks. I like CZ a lot and am thinking about the heavy barrel varmint, which sells in the $325-350 range.

Given the choice between a CZ varmint or a used Mossberg 144LSB in excellent condition, which would you get? I know the Mossberg is harder to find and hasn't been produced for many years, but how do these two rifles compare performance-wise?
 
StephenT said:
Thanks. I like CZ a lot and am thinking about the heavy barrel varmint, which sells in the $325-350 range.

Given the choice between a CZ varmint or a used Mossberg 144LSB in excellent condition, which would you get? I know the Mossberg is harder to find and hasn't been produced for many years, but how do these two rifles compare performance-wise?
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I'm not sure if my opinion will be helpful, you see I solve this type of dilemma by buying both. :)

I'm of the firm opinion that you can never have too many .22s. ;)

All joking aside, both rifles would be useful for your needs.
 
StephenT said:
I wasn't really planning to participate in any matches, more just for range practice....
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Good. Because none of those rifles shoot anywhere near well enough for ARA, which is 50-yard precision shooting. It uses dime-sized targets, one shot each target, 100 points in the middle, 50 points if inside but you TOUCH the edge of the ring, 10 points if mostly outside the ring, 0 if outside a quarter-sized target.

That said, there's no reason not to use your CZ with a scope on top. Why buy another rifle for that purpose? Good ammo in that rifle will be 95% as accurate as anything you've mentioned.

To compete realistically, you need a Cooper, Anschutz, or something in that price range, in a specific stock, with a 36x scope.

To practice, your 452 is a great rifle without spending a dime on anything besides a scope for it! Just experiment with good match ammo. .22's can be very ammo-sensitive. Find one that works and use that. ARA shooters actually find certain lot numbers that work and buy the lot. They're nuts, but man they can shoot.:)
 
New gun vs. used and possibly abused when accuracy is a prime consideration?

CZ. No contest.
 
Thanks a lot, guys. I hadn't seen that report discussing the Biathlon Basic and CM-2. At this point, I'm leaning more toward the Biathlon Basic because of its neat toggle action, but the consensus seems to be that the CZ, American or Varmint, is just about as accurate. I'm going to go hunting around for any one of these at the gun show this weekend....
 
Spend about $1500.00 and buy an Anschutz 1450 match rifle.

If you are going to pleasure shoot you can't beat hitting NEECO wafers at 100meters,,,,,,,with iron sights.
 
ArmedBear said:
Good. Because none of those rifles shoot anywhere near well enough for ARA, which is 50-yard precision shooting. It uses dime-sized targets, one shot each target, 100 points in the middle, 50 points if inside but you TOUCH the edge of the ring, 10 points if mostly outside the ring, 0 if outside a quarter-sized target.

That said, there's no reason not to use your CZ with a scope on top. Why buy another rifle for that purpose? Good ammo in that rifle will be 95% as accurate as anything you've mentioned.

To compete realistically, you need a Cooper, Anschutz, or something in that price range, in a specific stock, with a 36x scope.

To practice, your 452 is a great rifle without spending a dime on anything besides a scope for it! Just experiment with good match ammo. .22's can be very ammo-sensitive. Find one that works and use that. ARA shooters actually find certain lot numbers that work and buy the lot. They're nuts, but man they can shoot.:)
Click to expand...

I am looking to do this same thing.

Armed Bear...you mentioned good match ammo...anything you would recommend?

I picked up a couple of boxes of CCI velocitor just to see what they do but have not have a chance to shoot them. Have you had experiance with this brand?
 
I picked up a couple of boxes of CCI velocitor just to see what they do but have not have a chance to shoot them.
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High velocity does not necessarily translate into accuracy. I have found Velocitors to be hot but mediocre when it comes to precision.
I think what ArmedBear was talking about is Match ammo like Eley,CCI Green Box, etc. (The stuff that runs $5-6 a box.) I have found that PMC Scoremaster is a good practice ammo at not too much more than regular "plinking" rounds. You're going to find that the accurate stuff is going to be standard velocity and will cost $$ more per box.

Dean
 
A lot of .22's will shoot CCI SV(standard velocity) very well. Each .22 is different, just buy a few boxes of different manufacturers and then stick with the one giving you the best results. More expensive doesnt mean better results with .22 ammunition.

Quinten

edit** like deadin said: high velocity is not what you want for accuracy. Stick with standard velocity.
 
Many folks on Rimfire Central seem to be happy with the Wolf match ammo. I haven't used it but am tempted to try it. Does anyone here have experience with it, and how much does it sell for normally?
 
I've had very good results with Winchester Dynapoints, in two of my .22s.

They are compatibly cheap, and available at Wal-Mart. (in some areas)
 
Wolf MT runs 2.50 to 3.00 a box and (in my guns..cz452, marlin 7000 & 60,Romanian trainer,MKII competition) will shoot with or above anything you can stuff into it (except maybe Eley black box...which is quite expensive).

ElKabong
 
If you look around and are willing to take your time you should be able to find a good used olypic style target gun under 500. I have seen the light versions of Walthers, Anschutz, and Winchester M71s at very good prices.

I bought my Walther UIT Supermatch used for just under 500, It likes Federal Ultra Match, I set the trigger for 1/4 ounce pull and with open sights will shoot half inch groups @ 50 yards. When i was ammo testing it with the 50x scope it would drop 10 shots in one hole @ 50 yards.

Another option if you have a T/C Contender frame is to get a good barrel and bipod. I bought a 20" Bullberry Matchgrade .22 lr barrel for my Contender, topped it with a 36x Bauch & Laumb, using RWS R50 I had no problems taking down full blown Anschutz, Winchester, and Walther target guns. It shoots 1/4 inch 5 shot groups from the bench using a Harris Bi-pod, and a small sandbag under the butt at 50 yards. It's by far the most accurate light sporter rifle I have ever owned, I sold my Kimber 82, Winchester 52, and the Anschutz 64 sporters because they just collected dust after I built the T/C. Though my Walther UIT has a slight edge in accuracy, it weighs twice that of the T/C.
 
High-Velocity .22LR = NOT match ammo.

HV .22 comes out of the barrel just above the speed of sound - hence the loud CRACK. Then it breaks back through the sound barrier as it slows down. This breaking the sound barrier causes enough turbulence to divert the bullet's path slightly -- not enough to matter if you're hunting rabbit, but enough to matter if you're shooting dime-sized targets at 50 yards for competition.

So, to start with, it should be "standard velocity" or "subsonic" ammo, which comes out of the barrel just BELOW the Speed of Sound. I think the SoS is 1080 fps; standard velocity ammo is rated at about 1050 fps at the muzzle. Match ammo also seems to be lead.

PMC Scoremaster is a good place to start. It's under $20 a brick around here. ARA guys do like Wolf, but ammo is rifle specific when you are talking about accuracy like that. Some guns really like Eley (expensive Remington match ammo), some shoot better with Wolf. Some might like Aguila.

What I was telling the original poster, though, is that a 452 American is the same gun as his trainer. There's no reason for him to buy another gun, unless he wants to keep his trainer with only irons on it, and grab another gun for scoped shooting.

Standard fare at an ARA match would be an Anschutz barreled action with a harmonic stabilizer on the muzzle, a MacMillan fiberglass fully-floated benchrest competition stock, a 2oz. Jewell trigger, and a scope by Leupold on the low end and Swarovski on the high end. And when you sign up, you don't just fill out "Anschutz"; they have a place to write what trigger, barrel, stock, etc. you use, and who the gunsmith was who built it.

Why do I write that? Perspective. If you really get into match shooting, any gun listed above will be laughable. That's why I stayed out of it: lots of money and nuisance for a relatively boring, sedentary sport -- just my personal preferences. If you don't shoot accuracy matches, then the CZ 452 Trainer is a GREAT gun and you will nothing from buying another gun in the same general price range.
 
You could look at the Rhineland Arms R22. It is around $425 which I realize is over $400, but just to add to the list. I have heard good things about those.

-C4-
 
kimbernut said:
http://www.odcmp.com/

Jump through their hoops and

H&R Model 12 @ $225 + shipping = best buy around
Click to expand...



I noticed their web side said it came without sights. What type of sites did it used to have, and are they available? In other words what is the total cost?

Looks interesting.
 
Well, I went to the gun show in Pasadena and came across an old Mossberg 144US. Talk about a heavy barrel! The serial number is 358XXX. Any ideas of the approximate manufaturing period? The GI Mossbergs from the war period were the 44s, right? This one has a Redfield peep sight and the front sight has the globe, all for $350 out the door. It's one of the CMP rifles and I could have jumped through the hoops to get one for less there, but this one was in good shape and came with a magazine. I've refinished the stock with tang oil and now it looks great.

There was also a 22LR biathlon basic with a mounted 12X Bushnell scope selling for $500, which I decided was too much (the EAA biathlon without scope is $250-300 on gunbroker).
 
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