Top Quality Bolt 22 LR Recommendations?

[Limeyfellow]

I am still rather fond of the Winchester 52. You can't go wrong with them.

 

[JohnBT]

"I am not sure why, but the CZ American just looks a little less nicely made then the Kimber's or the Cooper's."

I know why, because they are. Now folks, don't go getting upset over this statement, it's just a fact of life when you're comparing a $350 gun against a $700, $1000 or $1000+ gun, even with the advantage CZ has with low labor costs. Seriously, compare the quality of the checkering and then compare the wood finish each uses, etc.

John

 

[BrainOnSigs]

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.

I agree with that.

My CZ452 Varmint:


My son's CZ452 Scout:

 

[Simple Man]

I will have to respectfully disagree with you, JohnBT. I had the opportunity to compare a cooper and a CZ 452 American next to each other at Gander mountain a while back. Now I am very familiar with CZ's as I own several but I have never owned (or fired) a cooper. I don't know what model the cooper was but it was $749 if that tells you anything. Anyways, the CZ had much nicer wood on it and in my opinion, much better bluing. At any rate, if a person were to ask me who I thought built a nicer rifle, cooper or CZ - my answer would be CZ. I guess this just goes to show how two peoples opinion can greatly vary.

 

[lunde]

I'd vote for a Cooper or Kimber. My only Cooper in .22LR is their single-shot with benchrest stock, which I like a lot. But, my dad owns a pair of Kimbers in .22LR, which I have used. One is a Classic Varmint, and the other is a Hunter. Gorgeous wood on both.

One piece of advice is that whatever you decide to buy, be sure to see the rifle in person before laying down your cash, because wood beauty, in terms of grain, color, fiddleback, overall finish, and other factors, can vary greatly from specimen to specimen.

Price-wise, Kimbers will be in the middle ground, between CZs and Coopers. If I were to buy a .22LR repeater, I'd consider a Kimber, based on my dad's specimens.

 

[JohnBT]

"I don't know what model the cooper was but it was $749 if that tells you anything."

Probably a used Classic if it was a sporter model. The Classic lists for $1349 and sells for about $1100 or so the last time I looked. (The Custom Classic model in my earlier pic lists for $1995 and the Western goes for $2500-$5000) The Classic uses AA Claro Walnut, has an aluminum trigger guard, relatively simple checkering and a matte blue finish. The Custom Classic gets better wood, steel trigger guard, fancier checkering pattern and polished blue finish.

Sure, CZ turns out a gun with a fine piece of wood on it every once in a while, and even more fence posts with poorly cut checkering, but don't count on getting a really nice one without some luck or serious searching.

I like my American just fine, but it'll never be mistaken for a Cooper.

John

 

[Simple Man]

In the last year CZ has put a lot of effort into producing rifles with nicer stocks. Getting a piece of wood that has some decent markings is starting to become the norm. And your right, if you get lucky or look hard enough you can get CZ wood that will really stand out. I have been VERY lucky with the CZ wood a few times.

 

[JohnBT]

And they also came out with a line of guns with fancier wood for more money, maybe $100 extra IIRC. I'm real happy with the stock and checkering on my used American .22 mag. and it was only $280. (There was a post on rimfirecentral some time ago about a CZ that looked like it had been "checkered with a bandsaw"), but I digress.)

Funny thing is I had never bought a gun without seeing it up close - until I decided to spend way too much on a Cooper. Go figure. Maybe that's why I was so happy with it after calling all over the country trying to find one. At that time Cooper was quoting a 9 month wait if you ordered one and I wanted it right then for my dad's birthday.

John

 

[Simple Man]

CZ has always offered the fancier wood upgrade but that will set you back around $200 more, not $100. You will always have a bad one or two in the bunch but I personally have never seen a CZ with bad checkering - all of my CZ are wonderful looking rifles and some of them are flat out beautiful.

I can understand how you could feel like you spent way to much on a cooper. I can afford to buy about any rimfire I choose to shoot and I choose the CZ. I just feel like I am getting much more for my money than I deserve for the little amount spent.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

There comes a point where you have to ask is the increment in quality worth the increment in price. A Cooper may be better in some ways than a CZ, but is it five or ten times better?

 

[Simple Man]

Vern,

You couldn't have said it better.

 

[JohnBT]

I've been following the CZ line at a local stocking dealer since shortly after CZ-USA opened up in Kansas City in 1/98, and it's only just recently that they've offered stock upgrades.

The ones I just looked at run $130 more for the fancy walnut upgrade, although there is one 452 on gunsamerica that the guy wants the best part of $700 for. IIRC, the stock itself is on CZ's site for $305.
_____________

"is the increment in quality worth the increment in price"

Vern,

Yes, I ask myself that, but now that I can afford to pay the difference I don't answer. If it costs 5x or 10x as much to get a 20% nicer rifle then that's what it costs.

It's only money, you can't take it with you, etc., etc., etc.

C'mon, if you got to pick one free .22 rifle what would it be? A CZ?

There's a reason I'm still watching a 20-year-old Mitsubishi 19-inch tv. Other than the fact that tv mostly stinks these days. Priorities.

John

edited to add: I was just poking around at rimfirecentral and it looks like the fancy walnut upgrades first started showing up around 12/04 or 1/05.

 

[aka108]

Don't know if you want to step back a little in history or stay with models readily available on the new rifle market. I've owned a great deal of 22's and the best shooter I own is a Remington 512 that was mfg in '48 and cost the great sum of 32 buck back then. Will, with decent ammo, group all shots inside a 1 inch dot at 50 yards and it has had probably 100K rounds thru it. Still some of them available in near new condition if you look around.

 

[PaladinX13]

I own a CZ 452 Varmint and while I'm happy with my purchase, for the same money you might want to look into some other rifles, particularly if you want a smooth action... CZ's start out stiff and do get better with use, but are never as smooth as some other bolts out-of-the-box.

 

[22-rimfire]

If the price was not a major concern, I'd go with a Cooper. In years past, I wanted a Kimber. But, that was then. Price is a concern for me and I have a Remington 541-S that shoots with the best of them. Love that rifle.

There has been so much bad press on the Remington 504, that I would be hesitant to buy one expecting it to be a tack driver. Possibly, look for a Walther target 22 rifle, they show up at gun shows.

 

[CZguy]

There comes a point where you have to ask is the increment in quality worth the increment in price. A Cooper may be better in some ways than a CZ, but is it five or ten times better?

This sums it all up. You can make your decision based on this.

 

[JohnBT]

Dang it, now I'm looking again. If I needed a lefthanded .22 WMR I'd love to have this one.

www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976421351.htm

"“FREEDOM 6–6”. We are handcrafting only 11 rifles in a very limited edition as a remembrance of September 11, 2001: 6 Custom Classics & 5 Western Classics. This rifle, one of only 6 Custom Classics & the ONLY LEFT HANDED .22 WMR, has the following features & options: XXXX Claro walnut stock;3-panel, Checkered Bolt Knob;Neidner Checkered,Inletted Butt Plate;Ebony Grip Cap;Ebony Foreend Tip;Shadowline Cheekpiece;Wrap-around, Hand-cut 22 LPI Checkering;Deep Blued, Polished Sporter Weight 23.75" Barrel;Talley Bases; Case Colored Metal = Receiver, Bolt Shroud, Trigger Guard, Clip Base, Talley Rings.Special Serial Number:“FREEDOM 6-6” "

- $4925

 

[wdlsguy]

Browning T-Bolt?

 

[Simple Man]

Being a hunter I would have no use for a rifle with wood on it like that. I would be so worried about scratching it that i would never be able to concentrate on the hunting.

 

[JohnBT]

I'm still waiting to see a new Browning T-Bolt.

I used to worry a lot about scratches and dings, now I only worry a little. I finally decided that a beat up nice gun looks better than a beat up plain gun like my '93 870 Express and black synthetic Rem 1100. I don't try to beat them up, but stuff happens.

John

P.S. - And yet most folks don't think twice about dropping $20k or $40k plus interest charges on a vehicle and we know what they look like after 100k miles. "Oh, well I'll just get a new one by then anyway, so why worry?"
Why doesn't this logic apply to guns?

 

[BozemanMT]

The CZ is the best value for the money and a damn fine rifle
Money no object, the Cooper, no question
Heck for the wood alone.

 

[CZguy]

JohnBT

I used to worry a lot about scratches and dings, now I only worry a little. I finally decided that a beat up nice gun looks better than a beat up plain gun like my '93 870 Express and black synthetic Rem 1100. I don't try to beat them up, but stuff happens.

Well said!

I buy a nice truck and a nice gun, I take care of both, but I bought them to use them.

 

[maasenstodt]

It may not be in the same class as some of what's being mentioned, but I recently picked up a TOZ-78 made by the Russian Tula Arsenal and I've been absolutely impressed. The rifle is more accurate than I am, the wood is quite nice, and the price - only $150.00 through Classic Arms - makes it the best firearm value in my 8 gun armory. I give it a strong recommendation to anyone in the market for a highly accurate bolt action .22LR.

My wife likes it a lot too.

 

[CB900F]

Peter;

I have a number of .22's that have, at one time or another, included several of those mentioned in this thread. If absolute gilt-edged accuracy is your number one concern, then the name that has not been mentioned yet is Volquartsen. They do now make complete guns, though semi-auto's. Mine was done in the Iowa shop & is not a parts kit gun, but the full-on conversion of a 10/22. The accuracy is superb. Just food for thought, that.

The Savage is an extremely good platform for the money. I enjoyed working with mine & I was rewarded with a good solid accurate gun. But, it is highly unlikely that without extensive, read expensive, effort, one will shoot with the Vol's, Anshutz's, and Cooper's. Best bang for the buck is indeed the CZ. I do a fair amount of hunting with mine & have several of the 10 round magazines for it. There's no problem for me using the gun with the larger magazines in it. However, if the range is going to be your sole use, there's no need to go to the expense of the ten round magazine. If you bag the gun, there's no problem, with me at least, using the 5 round mag.

900F

 

[220_Swift]

I own a Kimber and love it. But I always drool over the Cooper's. At least the ones with the fancy walnut stocks. Ahhh...........someday.LOL