Which .22lr bolt action under $500?

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DasFriek

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Im really getting into accuracy shooting with .22lr and my S&W 15/22 really isn't the best tool.
Money may make me buy a Savage MKII which im fine with as i love my 93BTV17 .17HMR
But i may trade a gun in as i don't like having too many "fun" guns as they wont see enough shooting time. I have 3 fun guns now.

The only requirements is it must be accurate with good ammo.
It would be nice to be able to have an after market for stocks if i choose to swap one on.
A Bull barrel is a BIG plus and can sway me by 50%, But its not a necessity.
Trigger must be 4-5lbs and under and able to be lowered by what ever means either by parts or mods.
I know i dont want to invest much more into the rifle except for a scope, So it should be a great gun out of the box.

I know CZ makes a great gun quality wise, But i know little about them in .22lr
The Browning T-Bolt is sweet as heck, But i know even less about it.
Marlin? I know even less about.
Anything else?
What you suggest?
 
My cousin's Marlin 981T seems to work well. I've fired it quite a bit, seems to be reasonably accurate (your definition of accuracy may differ from mine). Not to mention it won't break the bank. Just my $0.02...
 
If im gonna buy another Savage it will be the savage Mark II FV as i don't think you gain any accuracy with the more expensive models. And later throw a Boyd's stock on it and it would be just as sweet as i like blued guns better anyhow.
Not to say i dont like them better tho.
The Mark II BSEV would be my first choice if i had to have a another Savage and had $500.

But i think i may be able to buy a better rifle, Mabey not i dont know thats why im asking.
 
The cz-452 uses a hammer forged barrel and mine groups sub moa with almost any cheap bulk .22 ammo. With cci mini mags or any mid level ammo it shoots closer to 1/2 moa if I do my part. The CZ's are built tight, and the presision shows at the range. If I never bought mine the savage would be my next choice, that said I'll never sell my 452 american.
 
My cousin's Marlin 981T seems to work well. I've fired it quite a bit, seems to be reasonably accurate (your definition of accuracy may differ from mine). Not to mention it won't break the bank. Just my $0.02...
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Im mainly asking about $500 rifles, But i definitely need to check this gun out more from what i see initially its a nice gun for the money.
 
The cz-452 uses a hammer forged barrel and mine groups sub moa with almost any cheap bulk .22 ammo. With cci mini mags or any mid level ammo it shoots closer to 1/2 moa if I do my part. The CZ's are built tight, and the presision shows at the range. If I never bought mine the savage would be my next choice, that said I'll never sell my 452 american.
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I seen the new 455 is coming out and supposedly making some waves so i need to look at that one too.
Ive heard Anschutz guys say CZ is just a good a gun as many of the ones they make accuracy wise.
 
I like the Winchester Wildcat in the CDNN catalog for $200 with the bull barrel, I also like the Zastava Z5 and the CZ-USA 452 American 22lr. But for the money the Marlins and Savages are really good values as well. There are many many more. 22lr's under $500 is like asking for a Pizza for under $25bucks...you can pretty much have most all of them save for the Cooper's Anshultz etc..
 
If you have $500 to spend, the answer is CZ! :cool:

I have two CZ 22lr rifles currently, a 453 American and a 452 scout (youth model). With both, I can regularly (as in almost always) shoot 3 and 5 shot groups that can be covered with a dime or nickel at 50 yards. Both are scoped. Eventually, I'd like to get an adult sized open sited CZ 22lr, either the FS model or Lux (maybe even both :D) I'm sure the Savages are pretty accurate also, but the CZs are just so much nicer! :evil:
 
Got a Cabela's near you?

The flyer I just got says 452s go on sale Thursday morning for $389. Those are the 452 Americans, which I like.

Some people like iron sight CZs, but I already have two .22 lever guns, a .22 AR and an old Mossberg with irons of one sort or another, so I'd scope it anyway.:)

I like Marlins and the Savage triggers are awfully nice, but a CZ for $389 would sure by my choice. I'm not even that excited about their centerfires; they're okay, but Winchester has trumped them lately IMO, especially considering the weight of the CZs for hunting. Their rimfires, however, are so nice that I think you have to at least double the price before you can even think about getting something any nicer than a CZ.
 
Nope, No Cabela's :(
I was just pointed to Cabela's sale add as on the same page they have the Savage .22lr Tactical Target on sale also.
I think for the $200 range it will be a Savage and if the $500 is there by trading in a gun a CZ will be in order.
Thanks for all the feedback.
 
The cz-452 uses a hammer forged barrel and mine groups sub moa with almost any cheap bulk .22 ammo. With cci mini mags or any mid level ammo it shoots closer to 1/2 moa if I do my part. The CZ's are built tight, and the presision shows at the range. If I never bought mine the savage would be my next choice, that said I'll never sell my 452 american.
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Wow. 1/2 MOA at 50 yds with CCI Mini Mag HV; that's amazing. You do know that 0.5 MOA would be about 0.25" groups at 50 yds, right? Sub MOA with almost any bulk?? That's amazing too.

The CZ452 or 453 are good choices. They will essentially burn the $500 and perhaps a little more these days. The varmint version has the heavy barrel. I have heard that you don't gain much if anything with the heavy barrel with a CZ. (I have a CZ452 Varmint with the Mueller 4.5-14x APV scope on it.)

The other good choice I like is the Savage Mark II. It will keep up with your typical CZ 22LR. I have the Classic and like it. Whether it is more accurate than a shorter barrel version I don't know. It is also a very nicely profiled rifle as well. Some have problems with the magazines and feeding.

I hear the Marlin bolt guns shoot well, but I don't have any direct experience with them.

After this, everything gets more expensive that $500 with the Remington 541-S or -T, Remington 547, Weatherby Mark XXII, and Anshutz rifles being the likely candidates. I don't have any experience with the Browning T-Bolt or Ruger 77/22.
 
allthough I like all those mentioned, if you can get a used annie or weatherby; or new, for that price, that would be the way to go. otherwise go with cz; I have had all the above mentioned rifles, and more, and for sheer accuracy combined with consistency, cz is tough to beat, unless you go annie weatherby or more money rifles. Also not mentioned; CZ and it's set trigger- if you have not fired a cz with a set trigger , set to go off with nothing but Vulcan mind meld, you don't know what you are missing. But in all truthfullness, as good as a cz trigger can be, the Annie's are incomparable...
 
I think all the guns mentioned under $500 are a good choice and are perfectly accurate.
I bought CZs because of the accuracy and quality of the Brno .22LRs I own. CZs are extremely fun target rifles. Here’s what my American can do on a bench with bags:

target510192007.jpg

target310192007.jpg

target210192007.jpg

target410192007-1.jpg
 
I think a CZ 452 Varmint may be exactly the right thing for you. It has a heavy barrel (not a bull barrel). If I was in your shoes I'd handle one, and ideally shoot one, before buying it to be sure it's what you want. The trigger can be easily tuned... trigger kits are available (Yodave kit) or try the fabulous :D Poor Man's Trigger job if you are frugal like me. :)

~~~
 
For price, build quality, looks and ‘out of the box’ accuracy you won’t be disappointed with a CZ452. You’ll get lots of advice on whether you’ll need a new trigger but mine shoots just fine as it is.
Here is my 452 American:
478554[/ATTACH]"] misc022.jpg
 

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For the price range you have, the Marlin, Savage, CZ, will easily fit the bill. Mine have all been more than adequately accurate. I was not impressed with the Ruger 77/22. Marlin's and CZ's trigger simply will not compare favorably to the Savage accu-trigger. The only trigger on a .22LR that can better my Savage, is my Kimber G82Gov't available from the CMP.

Link to CMP's Kimber M82Gov't follows: http://www.thecmp.org/22targetsurplus.htm

I suggest that (if you can) extend the price range to $600.00, and make a trip to the CMP for a Kimber G82. You ever cozy-up to a Kimber G82, you won't ever look at another "lady" in your life. The G82 is a pure work-horse, and no light weight at 10 pounds bare. The trigger is about 2.5 pounds on mine. The only draw-back is that they are single-shot. If you don't want to spend the extra $100.00, I say Savage. For what it's worth, the CMP does sell the Savage version of a target rifle for $225.00, but it ain't no Kimber.

Link to CMP's Savage follows: http://www.thecmp.org/22targetcommercial.htm

Good luck,

Geno
 
Though recently discontinued, new Remington Model 504s can still be found for well under $500.00. Kimber-like rifles for a fraction of the cost. There have been reports of sub-par barrels with this rifle but mine is a very accurate shooter.
 
+1 on the Savage BTV (heavy barrel and thumbhole stock).

I got mine from Dick's as a package with a Bushnell 3-9X already mounted for $348 out the door, counting the uncle's cut and everything. It's been great for me, other than it eats all my ammo while I"m not looking! I'll lose an hour or two just shooting groups with it now that it's warm again.

As far as accuracy, with good ammo I'm punching ragged hole groups at 50yds. As far as good with ammo, it shoots almost as well with the $1.47 a box Federal Lightning. I can hit my 4" spinner at 80 yards all day with ease as long as the wind doesn't get in my way.

The trigger comes from the factory at either 2.5 or 3.5 pounds adjustable up to 5 or 6. WIth a little mechanical inclination, and a small pair of snips, you can take it down another pound or so and lose no reliability or safety.

Last but not least, at 8lbs (official bathroom scale measurement) it's more than steady for precision shooting.
 
I would skip consideration for the recently discontinued Remington 504. Just too many accuracy problems for a relatively high priced rifle to take the chance. Folks commonly replace the barrels on them. Just not worth the taking a chance thinking it will be a great shooting rifle; some are. You would be far better off with a Savage Mark II relative to the Remington 504. Now... the Remington 541-S, that's another story and you pay for them these days.
 
+ on the CZ

I've had a 452 American for close to a year and a half. Never got around to shooting it until this past weekend.

Leupold VXII 3-9x42, which hasn't been adjusted for paralax

Trigger is awful (kit on the way)


Sighting it in a 95 yards, wasn't even trying for any tight groups (shooting off the hood of a truck) Shooting 3 shot groups and adjusting the scope, started paying attention to all these little three shot clusters and than finally tried for a few groups.

Last two were 3/8 & 5/8 (Federal Bulk .22 510's)
CZGroup.jpg
HPIM0409.jpg

(Squirrels a pet)
 
Another vote for the CZ 452, but what cal74 said, the trigger is pretty bad. Invest in a Rifle Basix or Timney and you've got yourself a fine target .22LR
 
Yes, CZ452s may present some creep but that is readily corrected by the application of a $10 EricBrooks' Trigger kit. Trigger weight is also fairly easy to adjust.
 
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