Extreme Weather .22 LR Rifle?

[BSA1]

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?

 

[Eric300]

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

 

[THE PILGRIM]

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!

 

[reddogs]

synthetic stock and stainless would be what my first choice.

 

[Fishinfool]

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

 

[DWalt]

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

 

[TJm15.38]

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

 

[BSA1]

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.

 

[dwh]

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.

 

[BSA1]

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.

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.

 

[Electraclyde]

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.

 

[AJ]

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?

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

 

[Speedo2]

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.

 

[AJ]

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.

 

[cmansguns]

Another big vote for Nylon 66..extreme weather absolutely no problem

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!

 

[murphydog]

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

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!

 

[Baxter6551]

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.

 

[mauser9]

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.

 

[BB57]

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.

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.

 

[BB57]

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.