what old .22 bolt action rifles are worth looking for?

[Hasaf]

One cool gun I wish I had is a Ithaca M49 single shot. It looks like a lever gun, but operates like a Martini-Henry. I have never seen one up close, so I cannot speak to the quality.

I think I fished one of those out of a dryer vent. I purchased an older house and in the process of getting moved in I noticed that the dryer vent was blocked. I bent a piece of wire to fish out whatever was in there. I pulled out a falling block .22 rifle that looked like a lever action.

It was in poor shape. the stock was broken off and it looked like it had spent several decades in a hot damp environment. I called the sheriff's department; but they weren't interested. I honestly don't remember if it was still in that house when I sold it, about 15 years later. Unfortunately the house burnt in the Klamathon fire, in Northern California, this summer.

 

[entropy]

One cool gun I wish I had is a Ithaca M49 single shot. It looks like a lever gun, but operates like a Martini-Henry. I have never seen one up close, so I cannot speak to the quality.

Good little guns, my best friend let me use his 2 for 4-H kids, and I put new extractors in them for him. Kind of a PITA to work on, but they are a solid little gun, rarely need any work; extractors and springs are about it.

 

[adcoch1]

One cool gun I wish I had is a Ithaca M49 single shot. It looks like a lever gun, but operates like a Martini-Henry. I have never seen one up close, so I cannot speak to the quality.

Buddy of mine had one and it was a fine rifle. Not miroku Winchester fine, but pretty dang nice. An old lady gave it to him for free after her husband died. He was always lucky...

 

[Whiterook808]

Maybe one day I will run across one. I don't think they were that popular even back in the day.

 

[ford8nr]

Don't overlook the Win 75.
Almost any of the older bolts are good guns.

 

[Art Eatman]

How about a pre-WW II Walther Model 2? It's a semi-auto, but if you turn the bolt handle down about 20 degrees it's a single shot.

 

[MedWheeler]

Whiterook808 writes:

One cool gun I wish I had is a Ithaca M49 single shot. It looks like a lever gun, but operates like a Martini-Henry. I have never seen one up close, so I cannot speak to the quality.

I have the Stevens model the Ithaca is often compared to. The Model 89 is based on the old Stevens "Favorite", a lever-actuated falling-block single. Like the Ithaca, it has a fake magazine tube to add to the Western look buyers liked. I haven't messed with it in decades, but remember having fun knocking around with it back in the day. I got it in around 1988 or so, for $30 at a gun show.

 

[Texas10mm]

Although not very old, the rem 541 S/T was a nice rifle. I had a T about 20 years ago and sold it. WTH was I thinking?

Replaced it with a CZ 455. Just as good, maybe better.

I've got a 541 S. It's an Ok shooter. The mags are the weak point. They are easily broken and never last very long.

 

[Sarge7402]

my LGS had quite a selection of Winchester 60 Series (67, 68 & 69) rifles for sale for way under 400 Got mine (69) from a pawn shop for just over 300 and it's taken at least three good sized wood chucks at ranges up to 75 yards with open sights

 

[ThomasT]

I have a Ruger 77/22 made in 1986 I bought used off GB several years ago that has the factory open sights. I had read they were not super accurate but good enough for hunting. I made a paper target with 1" squares on it and set it at 50 yards. Using Federal Blue Box bulk ammo from WM it will keep all 10 shots from the 10 round magazine inside the one inch squares. And do it over and over. And that with a cheap 4x Bushnell straight tube scope on it. So much for internet information being accurate.

When I bought that gun the total with shipping was $400.05. I rarely ever shoot any of my other 22 rifles after getting this gun. But I think the prices have went way up since Ruger stopped making them. If you find a deal on one grab it. Now if I could find a 22 mag with open sights to go with it I would be a happy camper.

 

[ThomasT]

If you find a Marlin model 25 for a decent price buy it. I had one I thought I needed to sell and have regretted that choice ever since. It was a 1" rifle at 50 yards. And they used to be cheap to buy.

 

[beag_nut]

If one could find a Mossberg 46B, they would stumble across one of the most-accurate and durable bolt-action rimfires ever made. The steel they used in their barrels, if properly cared-for, is little short of remarkable. Mine is scarely accurate, with its new scope. The only downside is the bakelite trigger guard, which I replaced on mine with a self-made delrin copy. I would buy another one in a heart-beat, to pass down to younger folks. Mine, one would have to pry from my cold fingers before my funeral. I could describe hunting shots which few would believe.

 

[338reddog]

Any of the Remington 510,511,512,513. Maybe a little better are the Winchester, 47, 69a,72,75. My favorite target bolt is my Winchester 75 and Have avery nice 52. Somthing about the 75, its not to heavy and mine really shoots.

 

[d2wing]

I shot my 540XR today. Results on the Rimfire prove it thread. You can pick them up for $400 and outshoot most in this price range. Anyone for a $400 dollar challenge, scope extra. BTW I have 2 CZ's that are also very accurate. If I have time I will test them also.

 

[mnrivrat]

I have to go with my first .22 rifle which was a Remington 510 Targetmaster. A very accurate gun that I learned to shoot well with its iron sights. (never even thought of putting a scope on my girl)

 

[red rick]

1. If you can find one I recommend a Stevens Buckhorn 66 from the early 1930s. It's one of the best tube feed bolt action 22 rifles you'll ever find ..

I know someone who is selling a nice looking 66c for $190 , I am tempted to buy it .

 

[ford8nr]

Here's 3
2 old, 1 new
Win 75, Rem 521T and a Zastava CZ99

 

[303 hunter]

If one could find a Mossberg 46B, they would stumble across one of the most-accurate and durable bolt-action rimfires ever made. The steel they used in their barrels, if properly cared-for, is little short of remarkable. Mine is scarely accurate, with its new scope. The only downside is the bakelite trigger guard, which I replaced on mine with a self-made delrin copy. I would buy another one in a heart-beat, to pass down to younger folks. Mine, one would have to pry from my cold fingers before my funeral. I could describe hunting shots which few would believe.

I inherited a 46B several years ago, but it won’t fire. When the trigger is pulled, the firing pin strike is very weak. I need to look into it again and see if I can figure it out.

 

[beag_nut]

Just an educated thought, based on my experience with the same model: There could be some age-thickened grease or oil in the bolt assembly. Said gunk could be hindering the firing pin. Not hard to disassemble and clean out. Mine had some about ten years ago, after sitting for about ten previous years.

 

[Mowgli Terry]

The CZ rules in the your price range. The two rifles that are worth a look are the CZ 452 and Savage Mark II's. These are the rifles that have worked very well for me. I still have my old 50's vintage 69A in the gun safe. .

 

[DannyLandrum]

Which all .22 turnbolts have a tube mag or blind mag? (I hate detachable mags on long guns - except EBRs)

 

[beag_nut]

My 46B has a tubular mag, but I wish it didn't. At a Vermont range not long ago I met a fellow with a 46-something or other which had a detachable mag, and I envy him. When hunting or target shooting the capacity of a tubular mag has no advantage.

 

[DannyLandrum]

I don't care about capacity - I only care about the fact that the tube won't accidentally come out and get lost nearly as easily as a detachable.

 

[entropy]

A valid concern. My son lost 3 mags for my Mossberg/Western Field .22 at @$35 apiece.

 

[303 hunter]

A valid concern. My son lost 3 mags for my Mossberg/Western Field .22 at @$35 apiece.

I bought 2 Marlin/Glenfield model 25’s from a fellow, and the purchase included 5 original mags. I’m very careful with these mags as they’re kinda pricey too.