Recommendations for 22 rifles?

[BabaBlueJay]

Good news is my LGS sells new CZ457 Americans in their online catalog for 535$ it is a bit out of budget but over time not a concern. I will research this because it was brought up so frequently in this thread. They also have a walnut varmint version and some other version that are slightly more.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

Anschutz, Cooper and Kimber of Oregon are top notch, but they'll cost more than most centerfire rifles. As you mentioned earlier, see what you LGS's have on their used gun racks. You should also attend some local gun shows.

Most of the shooters I know have a number of .22's.

Never been to a gun show, so maybe that would be fun I do believe a 22 rifle is a must. I really enjoyed my AR-7, but I gave it as a gift to someone who would enjoy it even more than me. I have always thought bolt actions are cool so I definitely want something in bolt action. I know the Ruger 10/22 is legendary, and one of the people I learn a lot from (Paul Harrell) swears by his, but I am not as into semi-autos. Maybe I could be talked into a good deal if one came, but I prefer bolt action if at all possible.

 

[Andyd]

Life is too short to compromise.

Anschütz!

 

[BAM-BAM]

As I said in your other thread..... CZ makes a great affordable rifle that will last a lifetime. I prefer the older 452 series.

Simi like the 10/22 are not the rifles your kids should start out on.

 

[BB57]

Regarding the reproduction 52s...I bought two of these new in 1997. I haven't done a side-by-side accuracy comparsion, but I think they'll outshoot the Ruger bolt-actions by at least a little bit and the Rugers shoot well. However, I'm not up on prices, but I'd guess these reproductions are failry expensive today, more than most would want to spend on a .22.

All three of my Model 52 “R” reissue sporters are 1.25 MOA 5 shot group rifles at 100 yards with SK Standard Plus.

Price wise, the Winchester marked rifles are selling for around $1000 as new in the box, with excellent condition with no box examples selling for around $800. You’ll see them listed for $200-$250 more but those rifles don’t sell, or at least don’t sell quickly.

The Browning marked examples can bring a little more, as do examples with nicer wood.

——

Ruger 77/22s have a reputation for spotty accuracy with some of them being around 3 MOA. Mine was.

The first step generally is to buy an inexpensive shim kit and shim the two piece bolt for minimum head space and that will almost always provide some improvement in accuracy.

The next most common step is to replace the trigger with one of the three or four aftermarket trigger kits out there. They all work well, with some range in pull weights between them.

Last is the bedding. Ruger designed both the M77 and the 77/22 with flat bottom actions that theoretically will bed properly in the same horizontal plane, making it amenable to dropping into a machine cut stock.

It doesn’t always work that way with the 77/22. The 77/22 comes from the factory bedded with some fore end pressure on the barrel and that can vary over time and humidity, and enough to interfere with the bedding of the action.

When I attempted to free float the barrel I quickly discovered the more wood I sanded from the bottom of the fore end the more the front of the action settled into the action, so bedding it was necessary.

The 77/22 is however very easy to bed as it just needs support at four points: under the barrel block; under the tang; and under the two flats behind the magazine well.

Those changes improved the accuracy from around 3 MOA due to significant vertical stringing to around 1.5 MOA with significantly less vertical stringing.

 

[BB57]

Some higher end options are the Miroku made Winchester Model 52 reissue sporters a marketed by Browning shortly after they acquired Winchester in the late 1980s. They are arguably the best production sporters ever made.


I have to agree with BB57, I have way more 22 Rimfires that anyone should have, even a full blown PRS Vudoo. The Miroku made Win 52 sporters are the most accurate sporter ever made by anyone on the planet, along with top shelf workmanship.

If you find one for sale, I can guarantee it is not over priced if you are looking for a lifetime ownership of a sporter 22RF

CZs vary a bit in accuracy. My CZ-453 American is very accurate, with consistent 5 shot 1 MOA groups at 100 yards with SK Std Plus on a calm morning. My CZ 455 Varmint Heavy produces the same accuracy, but it’s not really a sporter but more of a tactical trainer. My CZ 453 Varmint averages about 1 MOA but it gets it through a mix of very satisfying 1/2 MOA groups that are equal in number to less satisfying 1.5 MOA groups. It is honestly speaking a 1.5 MOA rifle.

All three of my Model 52 reissues are 1.25 MOA rifles. And the CZs, while well made rifles don’t compare to the Model 52s for fit and finish.

 

[BB57]

Lots of good choices out there. I shoot a Kimber 82 Government that I got through the CMP years ago for Bench Rest Rimfire matches, but a lot of our Club members really like the CZ's, which some have recomnended above. For plinking, the Ruger 10/22 is hard to beat for ~$300.

I’m a big fan of the old school military trainers and target rifles. The Springfield 1903 based trainers like the M2 at the top have gotten stupid expensive in the $1800-$2000 range. The Remington 513T and Mossberg 44US bellow it can still be found in the $400-$500 range. The Model 52A at the bottom can be had in very good to excellent condition for around $1000-$1100.

I found this new in the CMP box Remington 541T at a gun show about 6 months ago for $400.

I picked this Kimber Model 82G up a couple years ago for $500 with out the sights.

The Remington 540X and 540XR rifles are not all that common but can be found at very good prices in the $400 range and they shoot very well.

The Savage Anshutz 64 Match is also a very capable budget target rifle. Mine shot far better than it should, but the stock didn’t fit me well. So I got a semi inletted Master class stock for it with adjustable butt plate and cheek riser.

 

[JH1951]

I am curious what 22 rifles you all have had good experiences with. The only one I have shot is the Henry AR-7. I'm interested in a bolt or lever action rifle for beginners that is not limited to one shot.

Worthy of consideration, and able to provide generations of quality enjoyment:
Bolt action - Springfield M2
Lever action - Marlin 39

 

[BB57]

My 2nd 22 ever is a Winchester Model 61: shoots 22 shorts, longs and long rifle.

Not a lever or bolt action, but a true tackdriver from another era.

I enjoy the Rugers, both the bolt action Americans and the 10/22s, but nothing is as much fun as that ol' pump action! An S&W M&P 15-22 is an awesome training weapon and a fun gun at the range but doesn't take me back 55 years to the days of the gallery guns...

Cheers!
Cheers!

The slide action gallery ans field rifles are good choices.

The Remington Model 21 and 121 Field Masters are classic rifles and Are great examples of a Pedersen designed rifle. Where John Browning made guns with deceptively simple designs, Pedersen’s rifles are intricate pieces of gun art.

The Remington rifles were designed to compete with the John Browning designed Winchester 1890, 1906 and Model 61. All of them are fine rifles.

The 1890 (left) was designed for the .22 Winchester Rimfire, which never quite caught on despite having more velocity and bullet weight than the original standard velocity .22LR. Once the newer high velocity .22 LR loads were introduced by Remington in the early 1930s the .22WRF virtually disappeared. It was however chambered in .22 short as well and was widely used as a gallery rifle. It’s not uncommon to find mis matched rifles which is a very strong indication that it was used as a gallery rifle.

The 1906 (center) was originally chambered only in .22 Short but in 1908 was redesigned with a lifter that would also cycle .22 Long and .22 Long Rifle as Winchester finally seemed to admit the .22 LR was here to stay.

In 1919 they finally started chambering the 1890 in .22 LR as well, but 1890s are rare in .22 LR.

The 1906 was replaced by the hammer equipped Model 62 in 1932 along with the hammerless Model 61 (right). That was partly in response to the smoother “modern” look of the hammerless Remington 21 and partly due to the changes Olin started making after it acquired Winchester in 1932.

All of them are very well made, have very smooth actions and are a delight to shoot. Just don’t expect target grade accuracy.

 

[BB57]

I am partial to the Browning BL-22. They are very accurate and have a very short lever throw. You can cycle the gun with just a flick of your fingers; your thumb can stay wrapped around the top of the grip. Very fast. Also, they are beautifully made and finished, and are available in a higher grade model as well.
Hmm I think I may need to order another one.

The lever throw is very short, which makes it very easy to operate the lever with minimal change in grip. But it comes at the expense of some smoothness.

The Winchester 9422 is hard to beat for silky smoothness, at least in the earlier pre USRAC rifles.

The Marlin 39 has the longest stroke, but it is also very smooth, and the Marlin 39 and 39A rifles will generally shoot with a bolt action accuracy wise.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

I do not know if this narrows things down any, but this one would never be used for competitions or anything of the sort. I just want to shoot cans and things for fun. I only started shooting at 32 and I am 35 now, so I doubt I ever make up for the time many people have shooting to be good enough for competitions, nor do I have the time or desire to. If my girls (who will learn younger than me) do wish to do that, a more competition-oriented rifle could be had later. This one will mainly be for some affordable fun at the range and as a trainer for the girls whenever they are ready.

 

[steelslaver]

I buy old Winchester and Remington bolt 22s, clean them up, tinker with the triggers a tiny bit, lop off the barrels to around 20" put on a fresh muzzle, stick on a 4X scope by either drilling the receiver or machining in a set of grooves. I have a Remington 541, with a Timney trigger and a 10x Redfield and those old 22s will come close to shooting as well as it does, when I do my part and every kid I have given on to is a happy camper.

You can often find them at used gun dealers and pawn shops very reasonable as they are not shiny

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Been shooting 22s since I was 10 years old.
The only one I remember not liking was a family hand down which had a worn out extractor.
So I say start with a new economical model of a Name Brand, used if you can find one.
And look for deals on ammo.
When you and family members get into 22 Plinking, you can go through an amazing amount of ammo!

 

[old tanker]

My LGS has a Winchester model 69 that I liked today. The action was smooth even if the bluing has seen better days. Seemed like a vintage one with some years to it, curious if anyone has experience with them.

Is it a Model 69 or a Model 69A? The original 69 had a weird safety akin to the Mosin. A post-war 69A is a nice rifle, but I wonder (as an adult sized rifle) if it might not be too big for kids to start out on?

Once upon a time there was such a thing as a "boys rifle" made a bit smaller. Among the most common, Stevens sold the Model 15 under its own name. As the Model 120 many thousands were sold as “store brand guns” for companies such as Sears, Montgomery Ward, Western Auto, JC Penney and others. They can still be found cheap.

Simple single shot bolt actions that fit might be a solution.

 

[Golphin]

Marlin 39A is the only 22 rifle you will ever need. I have many 22 rifles and the 39A's have always been my favorite by far.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

I buy old Winchester and Remington bolt 22s, clean them up, tinker with the triggers a tiny bit, lop off the barrels to around 20" put on a fresh muzzle, stick on a 4X scope by either drilling the receiver or machining in a set of grooves. I have a Remington 541, with a Timney trigger and a 10x Redfield and those old 22s will come close to shooting as well as it does, when I do my part and every kid I have given on to is a happy camper.

You can often find them at used gun dealers and pawn shops very reasonable as they are not shiny

This is what I am leaning towards, they are reasonably priced, shoot reasonably well, and are simple. I like the old Winchester and Remington rifles as well.

Do you recommend mag-fed or tube-fed rifles?

 

[GypsmJim]

My LGS has a Winchester model 69 that I liked today. The action was smooth even if the bluing has seen better days. Seemed like a vintage one with some years to it, curious if anyone has experience with them.

THAT was the first gun I ever shot in my life. It was Dad's gun that he bought in 1940 at a pawn shop for $7. It's a ~1930 vintage. I still shoot it once a year on Dad's birthday, and it will be willed to my son.

If you can get it for less than $300, don't pass it up. Mine is the centerpiece of my bolt .22 collection. If your LGS is within driving distance I would jump at the chance to own another, and I would be willing to pay more than $300.

 

[murphydog]

If you have shooting friends or a rental range nearby, try several different options. If that is not possible, the good news is there are many quality .22 rifles at reasonable prices, and if you don’t get along with it just sell it and buy another.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

THAT was the first gun I ever shot in my life. It was Dad's gun that he bought in 1940 at a pawn shop for $7. It's a ~1930 vintage. I still shoot it once a year on Dad's birthday, and it will be willed to my son.

If you can get it for less than $300, don't pass it up. Mine is the centerpiece of my bolt .22 collection. If your LGS is within driving distance I would jump at the chance to own another, and I would be willing to pay more than $300.

The one they have is 200$ and the action was smooth as silk. Had the original 5 shot magazine. The bluing was not pristine, but not terrible either. I may just get it because it seemed a good deal and I liked the action.

 

[zeke]

While am in possession of some decent quality early CZ's and Winchester levers, the savage is very affordable and extremely accurate. Especially for smaller stature/shorter arms.

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