What is the BEST 22lr Rifle out there?

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In my experience hunting small game with a rimfire:


There is no better small game rifle than a CZ 452.

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They are fine on the range too:

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deerhunter61:

I have a CMP Kimber Gov't Model 82. It is dead-on accurate! I didn't suggest it because you wanted a hunting rifle, not a target rifle. The 82s are heeavy...10ish pounds w/o a scope. It is a great rifle and I recommend it.

Doc2005
 
Bolt Guns

1. Any Anshutz (yes, you can hunt with them)
2. Any Cooper
3. Remington 541/CZ 453 American
4. CZ 452 American
5. Kimber 82
6. Kimber 22
6. Browning T-bolt
7. Ruger 77/22
8. Savage MkII

Alright, my squirrell rifle (this year) is my CZ 452 Lux with my new Burris 4-12 compact. Yesterday was the Burris' first outing . . . exceptional. I don't hunt with Anshutz and Cooper only because I can't afford them (I have shot both, however). Anshutz is the standard . . . period. I think technology and demand now has brought other manufacturers into the running as far as accuracy and function, Cooper especially. If it weren't for the reputation, I would list Cooper over Anshutz . . . everybody knows Anshutz but coopers are pretty. If it weren't for the slightly lesser quality trigger on the CZ 452, there would be a 3-way tie for #3. Savages are nice. I get great groups out of my BTV but it just will not feed some hollowpoints . . . what I hunt with (I would rather mess up part of a squirrell than wound one and it get away, plus if you accurately headshoot, who cares . . . unless you eat heads).

Autos

1. Browning Buckmark Rifle
2. Browning Auto 22
3. Marlin Nylon 66
4. Ruger 10/22

Short list, but these are the ones I have shot/owned. I have the varmint/target barrel on my Buckmark. It's short, pistol gripped, just ballances really well. It has been my eary fall rifle for about 5 years, now.

As far as Bolt vs. Auto . . . I've swithched to bolts for accuracy. However, take out the Nylon 66 and Browning Auto, the autos' short stature makes them easily manueverable in the woods . . . more so than most bolt guns. The ruger sometimes gets a bad rap, but I've taken many squirrells with my 10/22. Horrible trigger and the trigger makes all the difference when bearing down on a squirrell's head at 40 yards.

anyway . . .
 
“Best” is a subjective word but here are my favorites.

1, CZ 452
2, Marlin 39a
3, Winchester 63
4, Remington 66

All the rest of the .22 in the safe usually are borrowed out by someone who needs a rifle for the day of if someone wants’ to try one out.
If it’s any indication I’m on the market for another CZ452 FS with a nice piece of wood.
 
I want to thank everyone for your recommendations. For those who have recommended the high priced 22lrs such as Anschultz...DANG! I do not even pay that much for my deer rifles...so I have a very hard time even considering paying that much for a 22lr.
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Well, you did ask for the "BEST" (allcaps in original), not the "best within price range [x]". and Cooper and Anschutz are definitely the right answer to the question asked. The only way to get the answer you seek is to ask the right question. So what's the question? I.E. What's the budget?
 
Get a Ruger 10-22...Great gun,inexpensive, fun, accurate, light...and a gazillion accessories available...good luck....:)
 
PremiumSauces

Anshutz and Cooper I thought were target 22's? I am looking for hunting 22's.

I know some folks hunt with these but I doubt I would and I also doubt most would.

So I am looking for something I thought I already said in the $500 range.

Based on info provided it sounds like for the money the CZs are the best, most accurate for the lowest cost?

Thanks,
 
Add in an oddball...

The Biathlon Basic.

My dad's got one, it's by far the most accurate rifle, regardless of caliber, that I've ever shot. Not that I've shot any really high-end stuff, but I've got trigger time on a number of high-quality sporting rifles, and many built-out 10/22s.

And the toggle-bolt action is really, really neat.

Accuracy for dollar, I don't think you can beat 'em.

MSRP $329 from Centerfire Systems

Also available in 22 WMR if you want more whomp-um.

--Shannon
 
Don't ignore the Savage Mark II. IF you saw one with a walnut stock (the classic version), it may just turn your eye. One of the strong merits for the CZ for me is the adult feel, walnut stock, fairly good trigger, and fairly heavy action. The Savage comes close in all these counts with the exception of the beefy bolt.

I'm hoping they find a way to chamber one of them in the 5mm by shot show time.
 
Anshutz and Cooper I thought were target 22's? I am looking for hunting 22's.

I know some folks hunt with these but I doubt I would and I also doubt most would
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while Anschutz does make the definative target rifle, their sporters really are designed to be field guns. my FFL tells me that the 1400 series is very popular with his customers who are looking for a "meat gun"...i believe they hunt squirrels and such

my understanding is that Coopers have always been field rifles

if you would rather have the best shooter "for the price", i think the best i've handled is the Romanian M-69. i got mine for about $59 at Big 5 awile back and i still think you can find them for about $150
 
Come on, how could you not want to take this out in to the woods?
2013big.jpg


:D

Or this:
1827-Fortner.JPG


But seriously, the 10/22 may be worth considering, but you'll probably have to accurize it.
Also do some research on the Marlin 795, I hear it's pretty accurate.
 
I have killed a bajillion squirells, rabbits, and coons with my remington speedmaster 552 BDL. Accruate enough, never jammed, and a great looking rifle.
 
I have a Remington Nylon 66 that has always been accurate and reliable for most of the things I expect from it. Of course I have used this same rifle since I was a kid so I know how it shoots and many of its limitations which is important using any firearm.

This thread started with ask what is the "BEST" 22LR rifle. Best is relative as all the differing opinions clearly show here and there are a lot of different types of 22LR ammo too. To me, best rifle would be something durable, consistent & accurate, easy to maintain and reliable. The next question is going to be the best 22LR ammo itself, but that is going to depend on what you are hunting...

In short, "BEST" in in the eye and hand of the beholder in this case. So I would suggest pick a rifle that fits you well and practice-practice-practice!!
 
while Anschutz does make the definative target rifle, their sporters really are designed to be field guns. my FFL tells me that the 1400 series is very popular with his customers who are looking for a "meat gun"...i believe they hunt squirrels and such

my understanding is that Coopers have always been field rifles
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Bingo! - I fully understood that you wanted a field rifle, as you mentioned. But as the man said, there are hunting/field rifles from these two makers.

As a "second-tier"/lower-budget choice ($300-$500 range), I'd also echo the CZ 452 and the Ishmash Biathlon Basic. You simply cannot go wrong with a CZ 452 of some flavor.

The Tula/Toz 78 rifle is a real budget gun, around $200, and is supposed to shoot quite well. The Winchester Wildcat is a re-packaged Toz 78 with nicer stock and much higher price tag.

Kimber makes a high-end rimfire up there in price range with Cooper and Anschutz as well. I don't know if they're as good as their prices would indicate - I don't see stories of their legendary accuracy abounding as I do with Cooper and Anschutz. Remington has a high-end rimfire (504), as does Browning (T-bolt), but I don't know how good these are, either.

If you want a real high-quality semi-auto, rather than a turnbolt or toggle-bolt, then look at the T/C "R-55" rifle.
 
There is no better small game rifle than a CZ 452.
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+1. Cheaper and nicer than a Ruger 77/22 (I own the latter :uhoh:). Love that 24.8" barrel and schnabel forearm.

For those who have recommended the high priced 22lrs such as Anschultz...DANG! I do not even pay that much for my deer rifles...so I have a very hard time even considering paying that much for a 22lr.
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And a K-22 revolver costs more than many 9 mm self-loading pistols.

If you are like most shooters, you will use the .22 a lot more than any deer rifle.

It's silly to economize on something like this. Buy quality, only cry once.
 
without question Marlin 39a. Even though I happen to have a 1964 model, I can unbiasedly say, it has no peer.
 
Quote:
For those who have recommended the high priced 22lrs such as Anschultz...DANG! I do not even pay that much for my deer rifles...so I have a very hard time even considering paying that much for a 22lr.

And a K-22 revolver costs more than many 9 mm self-loading pistols.

If you are like most shooters, you will use the .22 a lot more than any deer rifle.

It's silly to economize on something like this. Buy quality, only cry once.
Click to expand...

that's my logic too. you'll get alot more use out of a .22lr rifle than any CF rifle...unless you spend time culling herds
 
It all depends on what you want. A no expense spared hunting .22lr would be a sporter barrel on an Aschutz 54 action. Yes while that action is often used as a target action it is offered with a great shooting sporter weight barrel and regular iron sights, along with a rail to mount a scope. It would be the best rifle you could get and still be very comfortable in the field/woods. You don't have to get an Annie with the target stock and barrel even though that is what they are known for.

Another amazing rifle is the Weatherby Mk xxii. The new ones are bolt rifles, actually using Anschutz actions, and are drop dead gorgeous. They are accurate and are a rifle I could just as easily hang on the wall. I would hate to ding up one of the stocks though.

When we move to a bit more affordable rifles the next step down would be a CZ 452 or 453(452 has a regular trigger while the 453 has a set trigger). I love these rifles. They to me bridge the gap of build quality, accuracy, and cost. There are cheaper rifles out there than will shoot with them but those rifles feel like toys to me. The CZ feels like you could almost jam a .223 in there and be good to go. It just feels like a real rifle. To me that means enough that I have moved my rimfire purchases all towards CZ since I bought my first.

From there you basically get into the Marlin and Savage rifles. Both seem to shoot great on average. A few come out bad but the vast majority shoot good. You can get a cheap one with a plain stock or you can get them in SS with real expensive stocks. Honestly I can justify the base models, or at least the base heavy barrel models. Beyond that it seems to get expensive for the quality you get. Once you add a few features you are pushing CZ price range and I personally would rather a CZ than any factory built Marlin or Savage for the same price. The Marlin I have shoots great but I had to replace the trigger to get things to really shine. The Savage I have has a good trigger but isn't quite the shooter the Marlin is. Still I haven't had the desire to get rid of either. Both are base models though and I don't have much invested in either.

When you look at auto loaders I think it comes down to a few things. If you don't want to mess with upgrades I would get a Marlin model 60. They have been a long time best seller and are great rifles. They are more accurate in general that a box stock 10/22 and personally feel better. The 10/22 is a rifle that out of the box isn't much special but has a great potential. The only problem I have with my 10/22 build was that I spent a lot of money. Enough money I could have just got that Anschutz had I known better. To me it became a money pit that shot well but now sits. Too many other fun rifles to spend time with it. Savage and Marlin make box mag fed autoloaders but I never hear much about them.

In the lever world Henry makes a great little rifle. It is a bit more affordable than the Marlin 39. The Henry rifles I have seen all shot great. The Marlin 39 though is the standard when it comes to lever action. You don't hear of ANY complaints about the 39. Both options are great in the bolt world, it just depends on if you can afford the extra build quality of the 39 or if you take the more affordable Henry, either way will make you happy.

I honestly don't have much respect for the current Remington rifles. Their autoloader is fine but feels dirt cheap every time I handle one. I want to try them but I can't justify it when I get in the store and feel them. Their bolt 504 had great potential but the screwed it up with bad barrels. Rebarreled 504s seem to be great rifles but at that point you are well into Annie price ranges. Their newest bolt rifle is again a good rifle but is again in Annie price range.
 
So far, I've owned two 10/22's, one Marlin 60, one Remington Fieldmaster, one TC R55 and one CZ452. For me, the winner is the CZ. It's just more accurate than all the others and the trigger can be made to be very, very good. I've never found semi-auto to be necessary for hunting and I've never found mag fed, semi-auto rimfires to be particularly reliable. Sometimes you do need a quick followup shot, but a bolt can be worked plenty fast. My #2 choice out of those listed would be the Marlin M60.
 
the big thing that you're getting when you go with an Anschutz...besides the Match action...is the quality of the barrel. you never hear about folks rebarreling an Annie for more accuracy.

the Cooper is a fine rifle, but it really started out an American copy of the Anschutz...what sets them apart is their outstanding wood
 
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