Top Quality Bolt 22 LR Recommendations?

[Peter M. Eick]

I hit the search function, but did not really find what I was after.

I am interested in buying a very nice bolt action 22LR for the range. It will not go hunting, or basically anything other then travel to the safe and range. I want something to plink with while my centerfires cool off.

I was originally thinking of a Rem 504 but I am having second thoughts given a lot of the talk over on Rimfire Central. It was suggested in my 504 thread to get a CZ 452 but I am not really swung by the styling even for the 452 American. Then we move up to the next level up like the Cooper, Kimber and Anschutz.

What I am looking for is a once in a lifetime investment in top quality blued steel (minimal or no plastic) medium to heavy bolt action 22 that can be scoped only (I have resigned myself to failing eyesight) with more of a classic styling. This rifle will just be shot at the range for fun and to kill time.

So, if you own a very nice bolt action 22, can you give me some advice? What is your opinion and recommendations on the following:

Remington 504
CZ 452 American
Kimber Classic
Cooper 57m
Anschutz 1416
Others?

 

[redneckdan]

cooper hands down. I had the chance to fire one, they are phenomenal.

 

[Cosmoline]

Get the CZ 452 ZKM. The "American" has had the awesome iron sights removed. You can scope the ZKM if you want, but you really don't need to. It's a tack driver and the tangent sights are first rate. It has the same styling, feel and balance as a classic European hunting rifle, just scaled down.

 

[flip180]

How about a Biathlon Basic.



They have alot of nice features for a gun that runs about 300.00. The hammer forged barrel is fully floated, the action is bedded, the trigger breaks like glass and it has a match chamber. I shot a 0.47 inch five round group at 50 yards using CCI Mini-Mag HP's.

Flip.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I've owned a Model 82 Kimber for more than 20 years (actually, I have two of them -- the other one is in .22 Hornet.) Based on my experience with the M82, and what little shooting I've done with a Kimber 22, I'd go with the Kimber.

Here's a very interesting ad from www.gunsamerica.com:

K-22 Hunter .22lr - NIB
GA# 976657455
$739.00
Kimber of America K-22 Hunter .22LR clip feed bolt rifle, 22 inch bbl w/o sights, matt metal finish, walnut checkered stock, Winchester style three position bolt safety. New in Box – see photos. KA13xxx. +S&H to your local FFL for transfer.
Seller: PERKIOMEN GUNWORKS -

 

[Blackfork]

I'd see if the CMP still has H&R .22 LR single shots for 220.00.

 

[Terrierman]

Well. I have a couple of friends that happen to have a couple of the rifles on your list. I've fondled and shot both. The Kimber is a superb rifle and a great choice. Another friend has had an Anschutz for several years (he has the .22 mag with the Schnabel fore end on the stock). If I got the chance to steal one and only one I'd have to steal the Anschutz, I think it is a truly GREAT rifle. I have not handled the other rifles on your list and won't offer an opionon other than I can't warm up to the looks of the CZ either. Though I have been given to understand there are flush fit magazines for them, which would help. Nice problem to have, that one, trying to figure out which best quality .22 to buy. Good luck and I hope you get a real nice one that shoots like a dream.

 

[cmidkiff]

I'm a big fan of Savage bolt guns... How about a Savage MARK II-BV? Has the accutrigger now, nice looking laminate wood, heavy barrel... and fairly inexpensive as well

 

[Jim Watson]

I have an elderly Savage-Anschutz 54 Sporter that is a fine, fine .22. They still make the same basic gun in the 1700 series.

A local guy has several premium .22s, Kimber, Remington, and Cooper. I have to say the Cooper is the nicest.

The Jap Browning repro of M52 Winchester is a nice rifle if you can find one. Mr Kenyon will still do a super duper trigger job on it, age in the 80s.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

If I were in the market for a new .22, I'd look long and hard at the Savage MARK II-BV. As you said, with the accutrigger, it's a real rifleman's rifle. And Walmart sells them for cheap.

 

[JohnBT]

I looked at some Kimbers and Cooper Classics & I own a Finnfire, a Rem 541-S
and a CZ American .22 WMR.

I'm partial to the Cooper Custom Classic, but it was nearly twice as much as the Classic. You said once in a lifetime, right?

 

[jerkface11]

CZ452 FS http://czusa.com/product_detail.php?id=45
If you want one that shoots good and looks good you can't go wrong there.

 

[jamz]

I'm partial to the Ruger 77/22.

 

[Simple Man]

CZ 452, not only a very nice looking rifle with classic lines but i real shooter that will keep up with rifles costing 100's more.

 

[Terrierman]

I STILL just cannot get past the protruding magazines on those CZ rifles. And aesthetics do still count, and so does being able to carry a rifle at the balance point, which is exactly where that stupid magazine sticks out of an otherwise very nice looking and from all accounts very good shooting line of rifles.

 

[flip180]

On the CZ-452's in a .22 LR, their five round magazines are pretty much a flush fit. Now, with the bigger calibers such as .17 HMR and .22 mag they stick out a bit.

Flip.

 

[rangerruck]

five here, annies, cooper, cz, t/c , Biathlon Basic. All beautiful, all super accurate, the cooper usually has some awesome wood, and also comes with a .5 inch guarantee. Cz is best for the money, and super accurate.

 

[Terrierman]

So Ruck, is it true, is the 5 shot magazine on the CZ 452 .22 LR really flush? Not like the photo on the CZ site?

 

[JohnBT]

The one on the CZ site appears to be like my .22 WMR American.

This pic appears to be the .22 LR American.

Of course, I like mine better...

 

[BrainOnSigs]

Another vote for the Cooper Arms Model 57M BR.

I shot one recently and loved it.

http://teamcooper.us/page6.html
http://teamcooper.us/page7.html

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Well I have been surfing the web today and my local friendly gun dealer has cooper's, kimber's and anschutz. Hitting the remington and cz web sites shows that they are available in the area also.

Right now I am sort of leaning toward a Cooper Classic or a Kimber Classic. I am not sure why, but the CZ American just looks a little less nicely made then the Kimber's or the Cooper's. Thus I want something nice.

I should be back to the states in a few weeks, so I while I continue to collect information, I am probably just going to go and handle all that are available and pick one out. Probably the Cooper since on my dealer's web site they have the nicest wood.

Any other thoughts and comments?

 

[Cosmoline]

I STILL just cannot get past the protruding magazines on those CZ rifles.

Only the 10 round sticks out on the .22LR 452. The standard 5 round steel mags only show the base plate.

 

[jerkface11]

You must not have seen a CZ in person if you don't think they look nice.

 

[Simple Man]

You must not have seen a CZ in person if you don't think they look nice.

I actually almost said this same thing until I realized that different people have different ideas of what "nice" is. I think the CZ American is a very classy looking rifle and they sure do shoot good.

 

[Cueball]

I would have to agree that the CZ looks good and shoots GREAT. The American or the Varmit would be great choices since they are designed to have scopes mounted on them. They also have the premuim wood as compared to the beech found on some of the lesser priced models. You would be a happy plinker with a CZ American or Varmit.