Looking for a Wood-Stocked .22 lr Bolt actioned rifle

[Clean Break]

I use my .22 lr bolt gun more than any other. I shoot it primarily from my deck at ranges from 10 - 90 yds. It is a house gun for crows, racoons, starlings, squirrels, varmints and plinking. The one I have I bought years ago and modified with a sawzall to fit my 7 year old son. It kills great... but he's grown now and I'm still shooting a kid-sized rifle!

I want a big-boy rifle! I already have shotguns, handguns, and rifles of bigger calibers better suited to other forms of hunting. This gun will likely NOT be toted afield. It is a dedicated deck gun. My .22 rifle must be:

• a bolt action - simpler, more accurate, follow up shots rarely needed
• wood stocked, preferably very pretty wood, unfinished would be ideal as I am likely to refinish it with multiple coats of linseed oil as I've finished other rifles
• stainless is preferable but blued metalwork okay
• removable magazine for instant loading/unloading; capacity? 4 rounds or more
• tapped for scope sight; lacking open sights would be preferable.... oh, which Leupold or Nikon Scope Recommended? I'm thinking fixed 4X.
• no plastic parts
• not "clubby", but a target/heavy version, if balanced is okay
• price range? under $1,000
• used/good condition okay
• I'm leaning towards a CZ 455 American...
• I would consider a Weatherby Mark XXll (any comments about these?)
• What was Remington's long-time target model called?
• laminated stock okay; not full synthetic
• must be a .22 lr - the ultimate "good neighbor" gun

Clean Break

 

[A Castle]

Sounds to me that you need to call the used gun factory and see if they can build you a 22 with all the features you require!

 

[H Richard]

My choice was a Anschutz sporter. Nearly as accurate as my Anschutz match rifle, which shoots 1/4" @ 100 yds. with it's preferred ammo. But, I had CZ in 17 HMR for awhile and it was a very nice and accurate rifle, I just didn't care for the caliber. Scope wise, my sporter wears a 4-12 Burris compact, but I feel Nikon and Leupold are in the same category, if you don't buy the low end ones. I prefer a little more magnification (but i'm 71 with tired eye's) and would recommend the Nikon 6-18 with side focus, which you definitely want with a rim-fire.

There are lots of comparable 22's and I wouldn't push up my nose at a Weatherby XXII auto. About 25 years ago I shot 50' prone match against a friend using a Weatherby XXII auto, and his groups and score was too close to mine to tell. Don't know how they hold up in the distance, but have always heard good things about them.

 

[mrflash]

Ruger 77/.22 RS

I have approx. 40 .22 cal. rifles, mostly pre-1960 models, including a Savage NRA Match Rifle. I was looking for a mid to upper priced newer rifle to fit several needs and found a like-new Ruger 77/.22 RS, checkered walnut stock, open sights, factory rings, detachable 10 round magazine, upon which I mounted a 3X9 scope. It's a real tack-driver & I love it. It comes in MANY configurations and I suspect you could find one to fit your needs very well. Also, to me, it has a "big game rifle" look.

 

[AveragEd]

They can be hard to find and pricey when you do but I recommend Remington's long-discontinued Model 541, either the S or T version. I have two 541-Ts, a sporter and a heavy-barrel. This is my sporter.

541s have match-throated barrels and adjustable triggers; the differences between the older "S" versions and the later "T" model are strictly cosmetic. The 541-S had some obviously roll-engraved receiver engraving, a faux rosewood plastic forend tip, pistol grip cap and buttplate and glossy wood finish. The 541-T had black "ebony-looking" parts, a matte wood finish and no engraving. I had an "S" but liked the cleaner look of the "T" much better, so I sold the "S" and bought one of each version of the "T" soon after they were released. However, the "S" versions, being older (I guess), bring more money on auction sites. They take a five-round plastic magazine and 10-round ones were available; I have two five-round ones and a 10-rounder but the 10-rounder protrudes from the bottom of the rifle so far that I rarely use it.

Scopes for rimfires are not the same as ones for a centerfire. They need the parallax to either be adjustable or set for a shorter distance, as most centerfire scopes have the parallax set for 150 yards. The scope on my rifle is a Leupold Vari-X 3-9x33mm EFR (Extended Focal Range). The word "extended" suggests longer range but in fact, it means just the opposite as the parallax on an EFR scope can be adjusted to as short as 25 yards. Leupold no longer makes that exact scope but they do offer the VX-2 Rimfire 3-9x33mm EFR CDS. "CDS" stands for Custom Dial System, which means that Leupold will make an elevation turret knob specifically calibrated for your usage. The scope lists for $565.

With the scope set on 9x, my rifle will put 50 Federal GameShok 38-grain copper-plated hollow-points into one 3/4-inch hole at 50 yards from a rest even with my sometimes-shaky eyesight. It will shoot nearly one-hole 5-shot 50-yards groups if I'm having a "good eye day." The heavy-barreled one is just as accurate but with CCI MiniMag 40-grain copper-plated round-nose ammo. You cannot use the "hyper-velocity" ammo with an extended case length like CCI Stingers in a 541 as it will jam in the short throat's rifling, so extraction of unfired rounds requires help from a cleaning rod to poke the bullet free of the rifling.

I didn't care for the matte wood finish on my 541-T, so I bought that stock blank from Remington's Custom Shop and had it finished locally in a semi-gloss oil. Typically, 541 stocks were fairly straight-grained American walnut; attractive but not "pretty."

Ed

 

[wbraswell]

CZ varmit, or if you want to get out cheap, a Savage MkII, I think the GV? has the heavy barrel and laminated stock.

 

[ditrina]

My choice was a Anschutz sporter. Nearly as accurate as my Anschutz match rifle, which shoots 1/4" @ 100 yds. with it's preferred ammo. But, I had CZ in 17 HMR for awhile and it was a very nice and accurate rifle, I just didn't care for the caliber. Scope wise, my sporter wears a 4-12 Burris compact, but I feel Nikon and Leupold are in the same category, if you don't buy the low end ones. I prefer a little more magnification (but i'm 71 with tired eye's) and would recommend the Nikon 6-18 with side focus, which you definitely want with a rim-fire.

There are lots of comparable 22's and I wouldn't push up my nose at a Weatherby XXII auto. About 25 years ago I shot 50' prone match against a friend using a Weatherby XXII auto, and his groups and score was too close to mine to tell. Don't know how they hold up in the distance, but have always heard good things about them.

Weatherby XXII auto.... Or the Bolt Action Model..

 

[arjay]

I've read a lot of good stuff about the CZs and Annies.The Rugers are pretty,but have mixed reviews in 22.
This one in 17 hmr is boringly precise.

It wears a Burris 3x9
The Remington 581/582s have a good reputation in spite of a stiff trigger.I bought this one in the mid 70s and killed a boatload of rabbits with it.Someday I'll bench it and see how accurate it really is.

 

[NYlakesider]

A Ruger 77-22 would fit your requirements. They come in both SS and regular, have a detachable 10 round mag.

I have had mine decades and its been a very dependable accurate shooter.

 

[s&wchad]

The Remington that you're thinking of may be the 40X. The repeaters are VERY expensive. Remington also made the 541-S which had a scroll engraved receiver and they later made the 541-T. Both are nice, full sized accurate rifles that I'm sure you would be happy with. I had a Remington 504, but it didn't shoot particularly well. Unless you're willing to change the barrel, I'd steer clear of one.

There's a lot of nice .22 bolt guns out there. You can't go wrong with an Anschutz, they're very accurate and well made. Kimber made some excellent .22's and you should be able to find a Kimber of America K-22 for under $1000. Everyone I know that has a CZ just loves it, but I can't get past the military rear sight. Browning T-Bolts are nice, as are the A-Bolt .22's. If you can find a Winchester or Browning Jap remake of the Model 52, I'm sure you'd like it as well. Savage makes some nice .22 bolt actions and they typically shoot very well, but they're not as classy as the previous guns.

I'd steer clear of a Weatherby MK-XXII semi-auto. They're pretty, but parts are hard to find and the receiver is aluminum and the finish doesn't hold up very well. IMO, it's more flash than substance. It won't do anything that a Ruger 10-22 won't do. The Ruger 77/22 is a decent bolt gun, but I'd rather have a Remington 541-T or almost any of the other guns I mentioned.

As for .22 scopes, the Leupold Rimfire Specials are excellent (4X or 2-7X). 4X is fine for a hunting or plinking gun, but you may want a bit more magnification for a tackdriver .22. Most high power rifle scopes have the parallax corrected for 150 yds, while rimfire scopes are generally corrected for 75 yds. If you use a scope intended for a high powered rifle, get one with an adjustable objective or side focus and preferably with extended focal range that goes down to 30'. The Leupold 3-9X E.F.R. is at home on any high grade rimfire.

 

[wuluf]

I see older Remingtons..511, 512 at gun stores for around $125.00 all the time...

 

[CajunBass]

Another vote for the 77/22. I bought this one, made in 1984, used, for $400.00 with the scope a few years ago. The scope BTW, is a Simmons 2x7 from the same time period. I took it to the range once to check and adjust the scope. It only took a couple of clicks. At 50 yards, it was under an inch using Wal-Mart Federal bulk pack ammo. That was plenty good enough for me. I haven't touched the scope since. Took it hunting once this this past season. Fired two shots, killed two squirrels. I really like the flush fit, ten round magazine.

 

[chief38]

I have a CZ453 American with a single set trigger and IMHO it's about the best you can buy for around $500 - $600. A beautifully made, extremely accurate, 22 LR. I just bought a new scope for it (Leupold VXll 3-9 X 33mm with EFR - adjustable Parallax - in high gloss) which really compliments the rifle. At 100 feet you can shoot one hole groups all day long at a bench rest. The 453 American has been discontinued but there are still a few in the box if you look hard enough. IMHO the 453 is a 1/2 step up from the CZ455 or the CZ452 because of the single set trigger and the high gloss blue finish. The new ones have a duller bluing and the wood is not quite as nice - but still high quality.

 

[Tom K]

Another vote for the Ruger 77/22. With a walnut stock and blue steel, it looks exactly right. Shoots good too. Shame they don't make a left hand version.

FWIW, I also have a 77/22 Hornet and a 77/44. Maybe they'll make a 77/88?

 

[snake803]

+1 on both the CZ & the Savage....
JIM................

 

[Rule3]

CZ or a Cz or a CZ Lean no more.

Turkish Wally Nut, Bolt action, box mag, best 22 LR out of the box.

 

[Dashriprock]

The Weatherby Mark XXII semiautos were made in Italy, early 1960s to early 1980s. Even being a bit of a Weatherby geek, I avoided them for the reasons S&WChad outlines in his post.

Which is why I was well pleased when the Mark XXII returned in bolt-action form, made by Anschutz. These are fine shooters, particularly with the right ammo. I've found that mine loves RWS from West Germany, comes in 50-yd and 100-yd loadings, accuracy is phenomenal, match-grade stuff. It will shoot one-hole groups. Even with bulk-box Fed or CCI, it's still a superbly accurate rabbit-getter: Here's mine, fixed 4X Leupold:

 

[RonJ]

I own the Weatherby bolt action. Even though it has an Anschutz 64 action don't count on it being a tack driver. The American stocks don't fit as well as the German ones and they only shoot average groups. The 77/22 is a horrid rifle. Check the forums for both rifles on Rimfire Central. A used Remington or Winchester will serve you much better for a lot less money. Go ahead and flame me but check the forums yourself. I couldn't get rid of my Ruger fast enough. The CZ is also an excellent choice.

 

[steamloco76]

I have soft spot for nice, accurate .22 LR sporters and have owned and still own quite a few. The CZ 455 will be tough to beat. I have its less glamorous kin, the CZ-452 Training rifle and it will shoot ragged one hole groups all day if I do my part. Not a very ammo sensitive rifle either. Good SV or HV ammo all works well.

A beautiful Remington 541T-HB I used to own was accurate except for the dreaded cold barrel syndrome. First shot out of a cool barrel was always and I mean always 1/2 inch left and 3/4 inch low. Keep it warmed up and things were good, but a 15 minute cool down and darn that flier would appear.

The current generation Browning T-bolt rifle is also worth a look, though the pricey double helix 10 round magazines are nearly impossible to find.

Ruger 77/22s are very nice looking well finished rifles, however they have a deserved reputation for inconsistent accuracy between rifles. My friend had one that was the proverbial tack driver. I bought one and tried every ammo I could lay my mitts on and could never get a 50 yard group under an inch. Sold it.

 

[jrm53]

Wood stocked .22

I would lean toward the CZ, I have not owned one but they look very impressive. One of my favorites that I have had for many years is a Browning T bolt T-2, its an old one and they have brought it out again in a newer model. Also a model 69 Winchester or the equal made by Remington would be a very good value. If you go for an old T-1 or T-2 Browning have the owner pull the stock and look at the bottom of the barrel for massive rust as some were stocked with walnut cured with salt. Jeff