What would you suggest for a extreme weather .22 LR rifle that meets the following criteria;

Must have reliable function in temperatures as cold as -20 degree to +110 degrees. (May be kept outdoors in extreme cold weather to avoid problems with condensation and rust if blue finish).

Must be accurate for head shots on small game and birds.

Must have iron sights

And must be able to mount a scope

Must be able to survive rough handling with no loss of accuracy.

Edited; Most of the responses so far are much too vague. What manufacturer(s) and what models meet the above criteria?

Just about and decently made bolt-action would do the trick.

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SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS

Pick a Bolt Gun you like.
That’s what I was thinking.
The lubricant could be the Tie Breaker.
Too much lubricant that don’t like the Cold could make your Firing Pin move like a Snail!

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

synthetic stock and stainless would be what my first choice.

I believe Ruger, Marlin, and Savage have all made SS / plastic stocked bolt actions now or in the recent past. OR, pick the carbon steel .22 of your choice, and have it hard chromed - About the most durable finish there is. Mount a good set of iron sights, and a detachable optic, nylon sling and a few magazines, and you are ready for anything.

You mentioned accuracy - The statement ".22's can be picky about ammo" is, and should be written in stone. I have owned very few .22 rifles over the years, even inexpensive guns, that would not shoot tight groups with the right ammo. There is a difference between the $3 a box ammo, and the $20 a box stuff. Key is to experiment and find something your rifle likes that don't cost an arm and a leg.

Larry

The old Remington Nylon series .22 rifles had a reputation for extreme reliability in arctic conditions. I have read they were very desirable among the Inuits of Alaska and northern Canada. Lots of used ones around, but they are not nearly as cheap as they used to be. I sold mine about two weeks ago as I had not used it in several years. Sort of sorry I sold it, it was a good gun. No need for lubrication, and they are not heavy to carry around, scope mounting is simple. Throwback Thursday: The Remington Nylon 66 | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Ruger stainless 10/22 with synthetic stock. One of the most reliable rifles in the world.

I have a lot of doubts about the 10/22 (actually any semi-auto) functioning after sitting outside all night at -20 degrees but am willing to be convinced with enough proof.

My choice would be a Ruger 77/22 ss synthetic stock. The mags are reliable and you can have 10 to 25 rounds at your fingertips. But I would feel just as at ease with my 9422.

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There are no bad pig parts!

Gosh! I don’t think I have seen one for sale many years. Did they do a ad campaign a long time ago where a shooter shot a large number of small wood blocks with one?

I have some concerns though.

As it has been out-of-production so spare parts may be a issue. Or can they be easily fixed?

My memory is hazy as it has been so long since I have handled one but I wonder how well the plastic stock, handguard and trigger guard hold up over time.

How well does the scope mounts work?

Still it is a interesting suggestion. The plastic on plastic is self-lubing so no concerns about freezing up.

The prices on gunbroker vary a lot. This may be a good pawnshop item to shop for. So I am going hummm.

Marlin model 25N is a bolt action rifle. They were made in .22lr and also .22 mag. They have iron sights and a dovetail, so a scope can be mounted. The one I had was very accurate, more accurate than a CZ455 that I also owned.

Yes, they did. Something like 100,000 blocks with about 6 misses. IIRC.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

CZ 452 "Style": bolt action, brush nickel plated with synthetic stock. Extremely accurate (with the "right" ammo) and rugged. About the only thing that doesn't meet your criteria is that they don't have iron sights. Also, they don't make them anymore and consequently they tend to be pricey. -S2

ETA: another possibility would be the toggle-bolt Izhmash BB-7-2 "Basic Biathlon". Russian made for beginner biathlon competition. Chrome lined bore, hammer forged barrel, birch wood stock. But again, no iron sights (unless you find those rare diopter sights) and pricey due to import restrictions.

OP stated iron sights. A rifle without iron sights and only a scope will be useless it the scope gets broken. Think survival rifle.......

I had a CZ 452 and it went away as I wasn't crazy about it. I have a BB-7-2 and have kept it as the action intrigues me and the Grandkids like it.

The Ruger American Compact is a bolt action, 18 inch barrel, iron sighted, with a synthetic stocked rifle. It uses 10/22 magazines. I have had one and it was a nice accurate rifle with the right ammo. It went away on a trade for a revolver. Still it is a good rifle and checks all the OP's boxes.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

I believe the Remington Nylon 66 line of 22 semis is about the best 22 LR rifle out there for extreme weather hunting and handling. At 4.5 lbs they don't come much lighter, 14 round tube capacity, great iron sights, especially with the early years large thumbwheel rear sight. NO LUBE required or recommended! Cleaning is super easy and quick.

I believe the published stories about Alaskan natives using these rifles almost exclusively for salt water seal hunting, and I'm sure the other stories that they didn't go out for an hour or two, they would be out for days, and camping at night in bitter, super cold environment.

My two were the go to guns for rabbit & squirrel in the mid 60's along the frozen Genesse River banks of southwestern New York.

My Mohawk Brown is date code R-P (Nov 1967) and the Seneca Green is date code P-G (June 1960). I don't know about price or availability these days but they were around $50 new, so 8 times = $400 possibly these days.

Both of mine are destined for grandkids, but we still enjoy good weather plinking. Don't know about scopes, never tried one on my 66's, because the iron sights are very visible and get the rounds where they belong. If you are going to use it as a camp stewpot feeder you can't go wrong. I doubt anyone would recommend it for a Alaska caribou or bear gun!

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Charlie B
SWCA#3083, SWHF#570

Correct, Tom Frye in 1959, 100,010 blocks shot mid-air over 13 days, 8 hours per day with three Nylon 66s with six misses. It would take me a lot of practice to hit just one!

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

As far as OPs posting I would recommend finding a used Ruger all weather 77/22 or the Nylon 66. I have neither but am not facing the conditions he describes.
However, I do have my eye on a Nylon 66 at a LGS. Been there awhile at $425 but is a very good condition one based on others I’ve seen over the years - speaking about barrel and metal receiver cover blemishes or rust spots.
One thing I do note there is no sling studs on the Nylon 66.

The Ruger American in 22 L.R. or 22 magnum is worth looking at. Synthetic stock not a bad bet for all weather. Bought the compact in 22 mag. years back and has proven a good target and small game getter so far.

I see the “spare parts” argument come up all the time. How many times have you actually needed a spare part for a firearm?

In 50 years of shooting, I’ve needed some new magazines (either not an issue or still available for the Remington Nylon series), but the only actual replacement parts I have needed on a firearm due to wear or breakage were for a Savage-Springfield 87C I wore out. It was a budget rifle with lots of stamped steel parts.

Now…I clean my firearms regularly and I don’t abuse them with torture tests o hammering tent pegs, so your mileage may vary.

The M6 survival rifle functions well in cold temps.



You can put a scope on one, but a small optic is a better choice.




However, a Winchester Model 9422 or Marlin 39A is a better choice.

The Browning BL-22 is a good choice as well, and both more available and less expensive.




All of them can be scoped, but a tang or receiver sight makes much more sense when it comes to cold weather and rough handling.




All of the above are capable of head shots on small game and birds out to 50 yards.

As an aside, my wife watches a show on Native Alaskans on either Smithsonian or Discovery Channels. The Natives seem to all use Ruger 10/22's. They are using them to hunt seals at close range. Just saying.........

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

That's one that came to mind for me right off the bat. Bolt action, SS reliable as hell.

I've had them out hunting on some durn cold days. But they didn't sit out in it so I have no experience there.

For a "survival" rifle I'd prefer a .22mag over a .22lr
MY CZ 452s are MOA or sub at 50 yds and my .452 FS/mannlicher, in .22mag, is sub-MOA at 100yds.

Also might consider. the Ruger 10/22 takedown in stainless. It would be a good choice in .22lr

OP never specified semi auto or bolt action makes a big difference on recomendations,



Bolt action would seem to be less troublesome and easier to get going if the weather got to it.


Yes, a Nylon 66 was designed as a trapper rifle. My grail gun as a kid, I have two of them The are not simple to fix or get parts for.

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Still Running Against the Wind

Or a lever action. I am better off with a repeater in case I miss the first shot.

I am not thinking of one man alone in the wilderness survival situation. More along a rifle that can be kept forgotten about somewhere outdoors next to the door or in a unheated building (garage, shed, barn) or rattling around in a car trunk.

For example there is a fox that needs killing to protect my chickens. Most likely a sly fox will show up when I am not near the gun safe isn’t a option.

That is my vague recollection of it. Still 100,000 rounds is at least two or three lifetimes for me.

Iron sights either factory or aftermarket are a must. I would not have a lot of faith in optics in a gun being kept outdoors in a unheated building (barn, shed, garage) or car trunk over a subfreezing winter.

Scope isn’t a issue when the temperature gets warmer as long as it is rain and fog proof.

Spare parts availability is very important to me when buying a used gun. Most of the time it is not possible to know what kind of care it was given by previous owner(s) or why it is for sale. Did the owner not have any more use for it or is it having mechanical problems that are difficult or expensive to fix.

Ruger 77/22 all weather as mentioned above. But apparently no longer in production.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

If spare parts are a must to have on hand, then buy two of the same rifle. A donor rifle would be handy (I have a couple) to have. And if the primary becomes disabled then switch to the donor rifle, and then you could use the primary as a parts bin.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

And hard to find on Gunbroker. Owners sure are proud of them $$$$.

Ah but what two rifles to have?

Whatever you get if it uses a magazine...... grab a "few" extras while you can at reasonable pricing!!!!!

Whatever you decide. Riding the fence rail gives you nothing but a sore crotch. Shoot several if you can have that option and buy what suits you, then buy the second for parts. Have a friend that has 30 Winchester 52's and yes, several were bought with the thought of being a spare parts bin.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

Ruger 10/22 stainless. Synthetic stock.

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Still Running Against the Wind

In that

In that case any "used" CZ .22 would be good to go...... something like at 452 Trainer or Scout.

I’m the opposite. I’d have doubts about it failing. I’ve dropped them in the snow, picked them up and they fed fine. I’d be more concerned about lack of cleaning stopping it as opposed to freezing temps.

Here are your best choices as I see them.

1. Remington Nylon 66 - fast repeat shots, reliable in cold weather, accurate, nearly indestructible, lightweight.


2. Ruger American rimfire compact - synthetic stock, reliable bolt action. Accurate. I prefer the .22 WMR for more smack.

3. Ruger 77-22, synthetic stock, reliable action, very accurate.


4. Ruger 10-22, customized for the job.


My choice would be the Nylon 66.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

While they are a great rifle (I've owned a couple over the years), they are too expensive these days.

On the other hand, I recently bought a Ruger American .22 Bolt rifle and am having a ball shooting it. It still takes the standard (and extended) rotary magazine which is tough to beat.

I keep a couple 25 rounders loaded when we are out plinking and darn it's fun to shoot. I have a Leupold scope on mine which makes it that much better to shoot with my old eyes.....

Update:
And did I mention that it has a threaded barrel? Put a nice compact can on it and wow, the fun factor escalates quickly.

On the other hand, I've been testing the new CCI Quiet ammo, in an un-suppressed rifle it sounds about as loud as a pellet gun, pretty cool (and very expensive unfortunately - just purchased a couple bricks of the Segmented HP rounds, wow - $80.00 per before taxes.... ouch!)

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.............SmithNut

I like this Savage MK II, 10 shot detachable magazine, bolt action, black synthetic stock, has iron sights but comes drilled and tapped for a scope mount if you like. It is my "Go To'' utility rifle, quite accurate and reliable. Best thing is the price, at Walmart they are $156, you can buy two or three of them for the price of a CZ 457 or Ruger 10/22. If it gets damaged or lost, no big deal, get another one.

If it does get wet in the rain or dunked in a creek, it is easily disassembled, cleaned, oiled and put back in service.

For the price they really can't be beat. Plus the Accu-Triggers aren't bad either. Have had a couple over the years.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

As a teenager I ran traplines carrying my BL-22 and never had any trouble, once it was loaded in a warm place. You are not going to reload a 22 wearing gloves. Now I would take my stainless 10/22 take down and never worry.

Well, the storing it outside is a tough requirement. The must be capable of headshots lends me to think of a single shot.

I would consider a Remington 510 single shot, a Boyd's laminated, resin impregnated stock, and take it to a gunsmith to be drilled and tapped. These are tack drivers, and have very few moving parts. Bolt can be brought inside.

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

I have one of the no longer made Marlin 882 in .22 Magnum. It is my hard use gun...zero issues. Had the barrel cut to 19" and threaded for a suppressor. Can't remember what scope...

Marlin Model 882 SS – .22 Win Mag | D4 Guns


This is the Savage version version of this rifle in .22 LR...

MARK II F STAINLESS | RIMFIRE | SAVAGE ARMS

...and here is .22 Magnum..

93 FSS | 22 Mag Bolt Action | Savage Arms

Everything you are looking for...

Bob

..found some pics...original scope was replaced with a Leupold VX-III 1.5-5

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Great suggestions. Keep ‘em coming.

Is the Savage Mark II F set up to accept a scope? I can’t tell from their website.

p.s. I will confess to being a bit of cheapskate, er frugal. Yeah that is what is called frugal meaning I am not going to subject a $1,000 rifle to the weather plus the unlikely (I hope) risk of it being stolen.

The Savages can be scoped. When I had them I had 6-24X50 scopes mounted on them. For their price sounds like what you want. If you can find them used even better. Hard to abuse a .22 rifle, outside of beating it with a hammer or not cleaning it........

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

Nylon 66...great guns...very reliably in all conditions...but not being stainless will rust badly if not maintained. The Apache Black is nickel and does hold up better... Bigger problem is putting a scope on....and are fairly pricey.

Most of the gun is Zytel from Dupont...the cover over the action that holds everything together is fairly thin stamped sheet steel with 3/8" scope grooves on top. One bump knocks the scope out of alignment. I had one, two friends still do...none will hold a decent zero. Also had one of the Model 11 bolt guns...very good shooter but now rare and expensive...

If you want to try a semi, the 10/22 Stainless with synthetic stock or the stainless Backpacker with the Magpul stock would be worth a chance... I have the Backpacker and it hasn't missed a beat but it's never been out much below freezing...

When I hear about bolt actions being best in severe weather, I am reminded of an elk hunt when a hunting partner pulled the trigger on his bolt action and the firing pin was frozen from water getting into the action and freezing. The receiver design on my Remington M742 prevented water getting into its action.

Maybe the ideal would be a Remington Model 66 that has all of the metal parts plated? (Use Eezox regularly on the springs that cannot be plated.) I became enamored with Armaloy in the 1970s, but don't know if that finish is still available. Any hard chrome would probably be as good.

Lots of guns out there that are suitable for the OP's use. The real question is reliability in the extreme cold - And such issues are almost always lubrication or water issues.

I have never hunted at -20f. Spent a lot of late deer seasons in north Maine cabins. Often down to zero at night, and almost always below freezing. We used to hang our hunting rifles on the deck outside at night to avoid condensation and scope fogging.

The guys who insisted on well oiled guns had problems with sluggish actions and firing pins. Me, usually using a bolt action or lever, would disassemble my gun before the hunt, oil it well, then wipe the oil off everything internal. To the point it no longer looks wet. That is all you need for lube, and your gun should not freeze up do to thickening lube. If conditions warrant it, keep an eye on moisture in the action, barrel and firing pin channel. I never had an issue doing it this way.

Larry

I have had the Marlin 882 for more than 20 years. It has suffered all of the abuse possible for a ranch gun. The SS finish looks as good today as it did when it was new, the cheap Simmons 4x scope doesn't seem to have drifted at all with the rough handing.

It is minute of squirrel head with just about anything I put through it. I do try and keep the CCI Maxi Mag rounds for it. There have been many a 'yote ended with that Marlin.

I got several extra mags for $10 each a long time ago, but have never needed to reload in the field.

It has the somewhat ugly black poly stock. It shows nicks and scuffs from long days in the truck, and on the tractor, but then again, it never was a beauty queen.

Good luck in your search.

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On the Oak Savannah

Reliable function in extreme weather conditions = bolt action

accuracy for head shots on small game = standard velocity high end target ammo. ( rimfire accuracy is more about ammo that gun barrel)

rough handling without loss of accuracy = quality scope ( no cheap stuff)

If I was to purchase something for all the specification by BSA1, I would purchase a standard or compact Ruger American rimfire with the composite stock and then purchase one of the Leupold EFR 3x9 rimfire scopes ( EFR is extended focal range, so at 9 power, I can focus down to 20-30-40 yards and with high end target ammo, keep all shots inside a dime at this range when shooting groups). Focus also adjust parallax which would effect those out of focus head shots at close range using a centerfire scope.

Best plus for this set up = uses the rotary 10 shot magazine used in the 10/22 ruger for the past 60 years, cheap to purchase and every place that sells ammo and anything else gun related usually has spare 10/22 magazines for sale if I loose all of the ones with the gun.

Mine is in .22 mag w/ a 1-3x20 Leupold shotgun scope; great shooter and hits varmints harder than a .22lr. 9rd rotary mags.... got a handful just in case