Which .22

[Skylerbone]

No offense @3Crows but I always chuckle when someone calls a Henry “pot metal”. For decades most people have been buying aluminum pots and few people gripe about their ARs. Again, just the path my mind wanders when I hear it discussed.

IMO…none of the above are heirloom quality rifles. Survivors? Sure. @Offfhand could surely post bespoke, heirloom rifles if we all want to drool, but then my guess from the start is that the OP is looking for a fine $500 rifle rather than a fine $5,000 stock for a rifle. No knock on any of the suggestions, just tempering enthusiasm to fit within the monetary parameters set.

 

[LoonWulf]

No offense @3Crows but I always chuckle when someone calls a Henry “pot metal”. For decades most people have been buying aluminum pots and few people gripe about their ARs. Again, just the path my mind wanders when I hear it discusses.

IMO…none of the above are heirloom quality rifles. Survivors? Sure. @Offfhand could surely post bespoke, heirloom rifles if we all want to drool, but then my guess from the start is that the OP is looking for a fine $500 rifle rather than a fine $5,000 stock for a rifle. No knock on any of the suggestions, just tempering enthusiasm to fit within the monetary parameters set.

Ya know, thinking about that......probably a more sensible expenditure of money buying a $5000+ .22lr or another rimfire, than buying a $5000+ hunting rifle. I sure spend more time behind my .22s than I do any individual heavy rifles...

 

[plainsdrifter]

Walnut is a pretty boring hardwood.
Find something maple.

 

[LoonWulf]

Walnut is a pretty boring hardwood.
Find something maple.

View attachment 1081089

along those lines....
wanted one of these for a while, but never got one....
https://www.browning.com/products/firearms/rifles/t-bolt/discontinued/t-bolt-sporter-maple-aa.html

 

[Skylerbone]

along those lines....
wanted one of these for a while, but never got one....
https://www.browning.com/products/firearms/rifles/t-bolt/discontinued/t-bolt-sporter-maple-aa.html

And this, also now discontinued https://www.browning.com/products/firearms/rifles/sa-22/discontinued/semi-auto-22-maple-aaa.html

 

[bannockburn]

Another vote for CZ.

 

[chicharrones]

Thanks for all the replies, I ordered a 457 American and it should be at the local gun shop for pickup next week after shipping and taxes it was around 630 bucks. Now to find the right scope and rings. I am thinking a Leupold in the 2-7 power range. So what do you say my fellow enablers? At the moment the Leupold 2-7 x33 is the front runner vs the 3-9x40 rimfire scope I like the smaller scope on a .22

Congrats on the new CZ, OP.

Let us know what you think when you get to try it out. Pics would be appreciated, too.

 

[skeptical_in_Ohio]

Nothing wrong with a nice CZ, but I suggest you take a look at the used rimfires on LGS market first. Around here used .22 bolt actions don't move off the shelves very quickly and offer up some real bargains.

Second this. The picture is of groups shot with a Marlin 81DL, old enough to not have a serial (actually I'd bet late 40s-early 50s). I never quite got the scope zeroed, but it did group well. Pretty day, barely a whisper of wind. It's currently on consignment at a LGS. Nothing wrong with it that I know of, but I am thinning the herd a bit (and I've got a CZ 452). My point isn't to twist this discussion into trying to sell that rifle, but to support the previous point - though if you want, you can send me a pm .

 

[3Crows]

No offense @3Crows but I always chuckle when someone calls a Henry “pot metal”. For decades most people have been buying aluminum pots and few people gripe about their ARs. Again, just the path my mind wanders when I hear it discussed.

IMO…none of the above are heirloom quality rifles. Survivors? Sure. @Offfhand could surely post bespoke, heirloom rifles if we all want to drool, but then my guess from the start is that the OP is looking for a fine $500 rifle rather than a fine $5,000 stock for a rifle. No knock on any of the suggestions, just tempering enthusiasm to fit within the monetary parameters set.

I think the OP wound up with a CZ which is more than a $500 rifle?

The Henry .22 is pot metal. I wish it were aluminum but it is not. If it were an aluminum forging I would purchase one, or brass or steel but Zamak V, sorry, that is a zinc alloy, pot metal. Aluminum pans and ARs are not made from Zamak V, they are aluminum, not zinc.

Zamak alloys:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zamak

I am completely fine with aluminum forgings and billet aluminum and then anodized (hard anodize where needed).

To me an heirloom rifle is one which is worthy of being passed down and was owned by friend/father/brother/SO and which has quality and history if you are the one passing it down to a son/daughter/friend/SO/grandchild then with your patina.

3C

 

[ECVMatt]

Fingers crossed that Ruger will get around to a release of 39A rifles but realistically when and if they do, they ain't going to be cheap. 3C

I looks like Chiappa might have beaten Ruger to the punch...

https://www.chiappafirearms.com/family.php?id=24

It will be interesting to see if a real version from Ruger can compete against this one.

 

[3Crows]

I looks like Chiappa might have beaten Ruger to the punch...

https://www.chiappafirearms.com/family.php?id=24

It will be interesting to see if a real version from Ruger can compete against this one.

The Chiappa is aluminum, not steel, which, well, there are still plenty of 39s around, not cheap but they are out there. And I doubt the quality will be on par with legacy 39s or when Ruger gets around to it in the fullness of time, a new 39a which will be forged steel, not painted aluminum.

3C

 

[Frulk]

I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say that Ruger will have absolutely no problem matching Chiappas quality.

The real challenge for them will be producing it around that MSRP which Chiappa had listed for theirs.

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

I have a few .22 rifles that I enjoy shooting. I have a Marlin model 60 that was my first rifle it is pretty well worn out. A bolt action Marlin that is my current user. I am interested in picking up a rifle that is usable but something that's also got great fit and finish with a pretty wood stock. I am not overly hung up on bolt action vs semi or lever gun. Something that I can hand down to a grandson someday. I don't really want to spend $1,000. What do you guys suggest. My current thought is a CZ.

I have a CZ 457 Pro Varmint and it's an amazing rifle! I put Leupold dovetail rings on it with a old school Simmons 44Mag scope. The Boyd's stock has 3 sling swivels, one for a bipod and the 2 standard ones. I highly recommend it especially since it's got a heavy bull barrel with 1/2x28 threads for suppression.

 

[Gary W. Strange]

Walnut is a pretty boring hardwood.
Find something maple.

View attachment 1081089

I bought of these Winchester model 70 Super Grade Maple in 264 Win Mag, several years ago to carry on an antolop hunt. I got an antolop on the next to the last day of the hunt, but I sure enjoyed looking at and admiring a very beautiful rifle, while I was not seen any antolop.
I few weeks back, I went to a gun show, about 40 miles from where I live. I found and bought a Savage Anschutz 164, with a Weaver K10 scope mounted on it, for $450.00. Rifle and scope are in very good condition. I have been able to get constant, 5 shot groups, with CCI standard velocity, 1\2"-3\4" groups, at 50 yards, with it. It's a very neat little sporter. If you look around, long and hard enough, there are deals out there. The same seller also had a Winchester model 57 on his table. It was asking $350.00 for it. Looking back, I wish now, I had bought it too. You don't see either of these, in my area very often.

 

[Riomouse911]

My only two “nice” .22’s are a walnut-stainless 10/22 RSI;




And a CZ 455 Lux;




Both guns were not overly expensive, yet they both shoot very well for me.

Good luck with your search.

Stay safe.

 

[sparkyv]

A good shooter and nice wood? CZ is the answer.