Bolt Action .22LR Recomendation

[Squarebutt]

The CZ 455s have interchangeable barrels in .22 LR, .22 Mag and .17 HRM, and some models come with a second barrel.
I really like my two Remington 581s. There's also a Model 541, a fancier version that has the same action and uses the same magazines.

 

[crsides]

Not american made but the best bang for the buck in rimfire rifles IMHO.... a CZ 452...... number of different models..... the family has 4 in .22lr.... ranging from the little/youth model Scout (16") to the Trainer (25")....... and the "FS" with the full length Mannlicher stock and 20" barrel ( 452FS). Same 5round magazines work in all 3 models I have.....

all shoot at or under 1/2" at 50 yds....... aka minute of angle (MOA)........old world quality; micro Mauser actions and good to great walnut stocks

I also have CZ rifles in .22magnum, .17hrm and .223/5.56

Ruger American Rifles are nice.... I've only got one; a "Compact" 18" Carbine in .22 magnum...... great utility/truck/ATV gun

What he said !!!! You will never regret it.

Charlie

 

[C J]

I have a CZ 453 which IMO is superior to the 452 by a big margin. I've shot 452's with fixed triggers too and they just don't compare to the trigger on a 453. It's not even close. I love my CZ. It is a very well made rifle and very accurate.

But - my Canadian made Savage MkIIBTV is more accurate than my CZ. It took some tweaking to get it there but it is slightly more accurate and much cheaper. If they had tube mags I would suggest the OP get one.

Also there are some very good American made rifles that are still made with wood and steel. And there are plenty of them from times past. Brands like Cooper, Kimber and Savage. And Savage hunting rifles are as good as anything in the world. Look at a 116 Trophy Hunter and tell me it isn't a great rifle.

 

[nachogrande]

IN CASE YOU DON'T KNOW

TEHO means TO EACH HIS OWN. I never claimed another way was WRONG.

 

[Speedo2]

I've got to say something disparaging about the Ruger 77's here, especially since the capability of switching barrels to 17HRM was brought up. That design lacks the breech vent (aka "Hatcher Hole") and in the event of a ruptured case they dump the pressure into the magazine well. This didn't work out too well for me last March, as seen in the attached photo. My event (with a Ruger 77/17) was mostly the result of the ammo, but I also partially blame Ruger's design. Note that their 22American was recalled for lack of breech venting. CZ452 is the best bang for the buck IMHO.

 

[Der Verminator]

In addition to my S&W revolvers / pistols I have gravitated toward .22 rifles recently. I would like to add a bolt action, American made .22 (not a single shot) preferably a tube fed magazine to what I already have. Would like wood and steel pre 1980's. Years ago I refurbished a deceased relative's old Western Field bolt action, 7-shot magazine (made by Mossberg I believe) and gave to my nephew. It was a nice shooter.

My current .22 rifle collection consists of a M&P 15-22, Marlin Model 60, Marlin Golden 39A lever action (1958), and a Remington 572 pump (1977).

What would be a good bolt action .22 rile to complete this group? Thanks!

I have both the blued and stainless Ruger 77-22 and they're beautiful rifles, but the most accurate one I have is the Marlin Model 925. It don't look pretty, and it is fed by a clip magazine but it mostly puts everything about in one hole.

I picked it up at a yard sale because it was too cheap to pass up.

Can't say I have ever loved Marlin bolt actions, but this one does everything you'd expect a rifle to do.

 

[Narragansett]

A Remington 582 (tube) or a 581 (box) Group far better than they should

Remington 582. I have one I bought over 40 years ago. Dovetail for scope. I am real partial to the Remington 510 single shot Targetmaster. That is on my short list

 

[CalmerThanYou]

It goes against pretty much everything you requested, but for fun check out Vudoo Gun Works. They are making some amazing 22's

 

[medic15al]

Does anyone here have any experience with the Marlin XT-22. There is a tube fed example at a LGS, which I have handled but obviously not fired. (They would sell a lot more if you could take 'em on a test drive.) One advantage of the tube magazine is it will feed .22 shorts, which should be really quiet pest repellant from a 20+ inch barrel.

I've had one. Excellent rifle and will handle 22 long rifle, 22 long, and 22 short. Very accurate and no problems with it reliability wise.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I have a CZ 453 which IMO is superior to the 452 by a big margin. I've shot 452's with fixed triggers too and they just don't compare to the trigger on a 453. It's not even close. I love my CZ. It is a very well made rifle and very accurate.


Also there are some very good American made rifles that are still made with wood and steel. And there are plenty of them from times past. Brands like Cooper, Kimber and Savage. And Savage hunting rifles are as good as anything in the world. Look at a 116 Trophy Hunter and tell me it isn't a great rifle.

The CZ 453 is a 452 with CZ's single set trigger ( also found in most centerfire CZs).... I've got a fluted barreled Varmint 453 in .17hmr

 

[chief38]

My opinion is that the best bang for the money would be a CZ 453 American. Unfortunately, they have been discontinued for about 7 years now and are only available on the secondary market at about $550 or so if and when they surface. They have a fully adjustable Single Set Trigger, are dead-nuts accurate, and have beautiful Turkish Walnut stocks. They are made with all metal parts (including the trigger guard) and extremely high quality rifles.

The easier to find CZ 452 is basically the same exact rifle however it has only a standard adjustable trigger - no single set feature. Still, they are the same quality and shoot just as well - you will have to do without the single set trigger feature. Those are gettable for under $500 if you look hard enough.

IMHO for the price of the CZ's, I am unaware of any other Rifle currently manufactured to the CZ's 453 and 452 American for even close to the same price.

It is also my opinion that the newer currently made CZ (455 I believe) while a descent rifle is no way is comparable to either the 453 or 452 in quality. After shooting one of them and carefully examining it, you can see how CZ has saved money and cheapened the new "replacement" model. The new one does have an interchangeable barrel feature (which most of us could probably care less about) and while it is a descent shooter - personally I'd not buy one and opt for the original two models above.

 

[C J]

TEHO means TO EACH HIS OWN. I never claimed another way was WRONG.

Golly I guess that means I can't post my opinion about the subject. Silly me. Wait...

hey are the same quality and shoot just as well

I'd give you an argument on that point. A better trigger almost always means more accuracy. There are common fixes for the 452 trigger but I've never shot one that compared to the 453 trigger. And I've shot several that were fixed.

The 452 is certainly a nice rifle. A great rifle really. And it's possible to buy an even better trigger for the 452 than the 453 has. But of course that means a good bit extra cost. Yes the 453 costs more but you get the CZ warranty with no problems with aftermarket parts being seen as a warranty breaker. I do not know that CZ does things that way but I know they will cover the 453 no matter what.

FWIW the 453 was a good bit more expensive than $550 for a while. I don't think it's common to see them for that price even now. But at one point they were bringing $800 in some places. I will keep mine. It's hard to find a better rifle for the money even though my Savage MkIIBTV is more accurate. I would certainly get rid of the Savage first if it came to that. It's finicky but very accurate. Keep a torque screwdriver handy if you want top accuracy from the Savage. My 453 shot great right out of the box. It did have a couple of issues that I knew it would work through and it did. The bolt used to stick something fierce. Now it's very smooth. No doubt there was a burr involved somewhere that got knocked off.

 

[growr]

And so far no one has mentioned the king of accuracy....Anschutz
Just an observation.
Randy

 

[nachogrande]

MAYBE THAT'S CUZ...

And so far no one has mentioned the king of accuracy....Anschutz
Just an observation.
Randy

The OP stated PRE 1980 American made. ASSUMING "reasonably" priced.

 

[ACORN]

Another vote for tha CZ452 or if you can find one an Anschutz 54 Sporter. I had 2 of the 54's and one of the CZs that I'd give my eye teeth to have any of them back.

 

[fyimo]

I have a CZ 455 combo rifle that has a 22LR barrel and a 17HMR barrel

 

[BAM-BAM]

Very very much like my 455FS. It's a fantastic rifle.

Great picture....... I've got 4 FSs ...... 452s in .22lr and .22magnum and a 527 in .223.

My second 452FS in .22lr was found used still new "in the box/plastic bag" at a local gun shop.... for a mere $360.

My FSs are 'field guns" with small Leupold 1-4X20 scopes.......

 

[Filo McShoe]

A good CZ 452