What to get for my first .22 rifle

[Gunsmoker]

I want to buy a reliable .22 rifle. I don't really care if the rifle cannot be customized. I want to be able to like the gun right out of the box.

I also like the bolt action of rifles. It makes me feel like a sniper (squirrel sniper )

What's the difference between bolt action, semi-auto, lever action, etc.

Is it reasonable to expect to spend no more than 200 more a new rifle?

 

[Brian Williams]

I should have bought what I wanted when I first was looking for a 22lr and gotten a Marlin 39 Mountie instead of waiting 30+ years to find one. You cannot go wrong with any Marlin 39, also look at the CZ452s.

 

[Ohio Rifleman]

If you're willing to spend a little over $200, you can't go wrong with a Ruger 10/22. I got a heck of a deal and got mine with a scope installed from something like $220. It's a semi-auto, meaning the gun uses a magazine and automoatically ejects the spent brass and loads a fresh cartridge after each shot.

 

[hossdaniels]

the cz 452's are nice .22 bolts. i dont have or need one, but i want one.

 

[fal 4 me]

I just returned from a range session with my CZ 452. Everytime I pull the trigger, it only makes me happier with my purchase. I tired about 8 different loads to test for accuracy and have had good luck with CCI Velocitors. The Special or "Trainer" model only costs around $220. This is the model I bought.

I also looked at the Malrin 39 when trying to decide what to purchase. This will most likely be the next .22 I purchase. To me, both of these rifles just feel like a rifle should, unlike some of the cheaper, plastic stocked .22s I've looked at.

As a side note, do you plan on scoping the rifle? If so, I wouldn't get the Marlin 39 or certain models of the CZ 452, like the Trainer or the Lux. In my opinion these rifles just seem more natural with open sights.

 

[22-rimfire]

Like everything else, there is a wide range of possibilites in a 22 rifle. You want something to snipe squirrels or small game, check to see what 22's are legal in your state. For example, in PA it is illegal to hunt small game with a semi-auto 22 (rifle or handgun). If legal, the Ruger 10/22 is a great first 22 rifle. I like the one with the walnut stock the most. Don't let $100 stand in your way in acquiring a good 22 rifle and put a scope on it.

Take a look at the Savage Mark II rifle (retails for $169). The CZ's shoot real well out of the box. Marlins are very good with the 39A being their best. If I wanted to stay in budget I'd look at the CZ's and Savage rimfires in a bolt action. Anshutz, Walther, Kimber, and Cooper are considered top of the line (and price).

My favorite medium priced 22 bolt action is the Remington Model 541-S or 541-T which are no longer made. The current Remington is the 504.

Check out the RimfireCentral forum which deals almost entirely with rimfires.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

You can get a Savage Mark II bolt action for well under $200. I have one and it's very accurate.

For a scope I recommend adding a Nikon 4x32mm ProStaff, which you can get from Natchez Shooters Supply for $69 + S&H as a factory refurbished unit. The Nikons have much better optics than the really cheap .22 scopes from Tasco, Bushnell or other makers.

 

[lycanthrope]

CZ 452's.

 

[DWARREN123]

I have 6 CZ rimfire rifles, think they are pretty good.

 

[nero45acp]

The CZ 452 is an excellent .22 (I have a CZ 452FS), but IMHO the Savage MK II is the best bang for the buck. If you want an accurate shooting .22 rifle without optics, take a look at the Savage MK II-FVT, it has some very nice Williams peep sights on it. I have one, and love it.


nero

 

[rangerruck]

i will blast for the marlin, and any of the 81 series. from 1937 to present, they represent the best of accuracy and value, and this coming from someone who has a ruger, and several cz's. the new 981's are tube fed , fire, s.l. lr's, and will hold 25 shorts in the tube at one time! they also have better than most accuracy , except for your high end shooters, and will only cost 150 brand new. or less than 100 for anything else used, model wise in the 81 series.

 

[Davo]

If you want a good inexpensive boltie-check out the Marlin 925. This gun is easy to soup up but dosent need any souping up at all out of the box. Expect 1 inch groups at 50yds with decent ammo, and a little better with great ammo. I love mine.
For about double that price, just under 400 bucks, you can get the cz 452, which will do great with match ammo, and a little better than the marlin with good ammo (mini mags, etc)
Both models can be had with standard or bull barells, and both are simple to upgrade the triggers and bed the action if you decide you want to move up in the accuracy dept. Both also balance and handle well and are great
"stock" rifles.
Im of the opinion that both semi's and tube fed guns are not quite as accurate, but they may still fit under your requirements.
Also dont skimp on the scope and rings, and you will not be disappointed.

 

[Cueball]

I have several .22 rifles and out of all of them, I would say that out of the box you would be by far the happiest with a CZ 452. As mentioned earlier, they can be had for around $220 in the Special/Trainer model and the accuracy is great with these. The 10/22's generally aren't that great out of the box and require mods and tinkering to get them like you want them. They are great for the person that wants to modify their gun, but for out of the box accuracy go with the CZ. You won't regret it.

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

If you plan on replacing every part but the receiver, the 10/22 is ideal.

If you plan on keeping it relatively stock, the best bet is the Marlin.

The nicest bolt action .22 on the market, by far, for the money - is th CZ. It has a REAL action. Smooth, nice wood, real steel. Like it should be, like it used to be.

There aren't many CZ options for $200 range though, except the Scout which might be too small for you. They are all tack drivers.

The Marlin will be really accurate, and in that price range. There are aftermarket triggers for it. Semi or bolt - can't go wrong.


The 10/22 is the lowest quality by far. But, once it is broken in, is one of the most reliable ammo eaters ever. The ultimate plinkomatic blaster. Do not expect good accuracy or a good trigger with these. Expect an 8lb trigger, and 4moa groups at best.

 

[rangerruck]

marlin mod 60 for semi auto, will be 100 dollars or less, and very accurate. marlin mod 981 or any of the 81 series, which is now 70 years old. they are bolt action tube fed, will fire short, long , or long rifle, and will hold 25 shorts in the tube at one time. if you use cb shorts or cb longs, or colibris in it, you can fire it in your back yard without freaking out the neighbors. new 981's are 150 bucks, used 81 series will be between 70 to 100 dollars.

 

[Plain Old Bill]

Do a smart thing

Pick up a single shot Remington or Winchester from the antique ranks. Not only are they great shooters, they're great to own and appreciate as curios/relics. They will also hold their value.

 

[jjohnson]

Ruger 10/22

Oh, go with a few million other users and get the 10/22.

Yep, you can get more accurate, but it's hard to find one more reliable. You can also play with it all day long - have a look at Brownell's catalog for the zillion of trigger toys, extended mags, flash hiders, custom stocks, mount systems, all that, if you like to tinker and customize.

And, since there's more 10/22s in circulation than any other 22 on the planet, if you don't like it, you can trade it to somebody who wants one.
I have several and have bought them for my kids and friends. I shot my first one back in the 70's and have been shooting them ever since.

The Ruger is accurate enough for squirrel hunting and whatnot. If you like to plink, the mags are really handy and it's a reliable feeder. Since prices for aftermarket mags are low, you can buy a handful of mags and get in a lot of play time at the range without breaking the bank. If you want a little carbine to play with, they offer that configuration... or if you want a heavy barrel target model, they have THAT. And you can customize to your heart's content.

You can certainly argue the merits of other 22s, but there's reasons the 10/22 is the most popular one on today's market. The little Ruger does so well in its niche that the others are just that - "others."

If you really want a boltgun, the 77/22 by Ruger's a nice gun. I've heard a lot of folks who like their CZ, but I haven't owned one. My 77/22 uses the same 10/22 mags, and again, custom parts are available (like triggers) for the 77/22. In general, Rugers are very hard to beat for value and they're CERTAINLY rugged firearms.

 

[1911 guy]

I thought he said he liked bolt guns?

If I read your post correctly and you prefer bolt guns, go with the CZ or Marlin. I have a Marlin and get excellent (one hole) groups anywhere from 25 to 50 yards. Squirrel hunting is a snap, too. No reloading in the woods because it's got a 17 round tube magazine under the barrel. Here in Ohio, the daily limit is six tree rats.

.22 rimfire technology has yet to catch up to centerfire tech, so the old axiom about bolt rifles being more accurate is still true with .22's. Levergun accuracy will be about that of a semi-auto, too. There are some pump guns out there, too that look nice. I don't know anything about them other than they seem pricey.

 

[tuna]

Why buy new? I love guns that have come from good homes.
1) Looks like you know what you're doing (even if you don't) if your gun shows some use
2) Someone else already suffered the "sticker shock" of the new gun
3) Someone else already shot out the newness and got it settled down
4) If it already shows some "character", you won't mind getting it dirty, dinged while hunting, shooting
5) You can get 3 or 4 old .22 bolts for $200, one of them is bound to work

 

[toivo]

If you're willing to spend a little over $200, you can't go wrong with a Ruger 10/22.

If you have a Dick's Sports near you, you can get a basic plain-Jane 10/22 for $169, at least last time I looked. But for a first rifle I think a bolt gun is a good idea.