Recommendations for 22 rifles?

[BabaBlueJay]

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 mainly interested in bolt action rifles for beginners that are not limited to one shot.

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.

Finally, do you recommend mag-fed or tube-fed 22 rifles and why?

 

[BB57]

Any of the CZ-452, 453, 455 and 457 rifles are great.

The Zastaza MP 22 / CZ 99 precision / Remington Model 5 is a good budget choice.

The Ruger 77/22 is also a well made rifle, but they are getting pricey. The Ruger American is ok, but it’s a place shadow of the 77/22.

77/22, CZ-453 American and Remington Model 5.

The Browning BL-22 is a well made lever action .22 LR. The Winchester 9422 and Marlin Model 39A are even better, but are no longer produced, and are harder to find and expensive when you find them.

Left to right, Winchester 9422 Trapper, Browning BL-22, Winchester 9422 XTR, Marlin 39A:

 

[DWalt]

New or used? Price range?

 

[rockquarry]

I've had several of the Ruger bolt-actions, all older guns from thirty years or so ago; still have two. Very accurate for non-target rifles, but have no idea what they cost nowadays. I've had one older Marlin; good accuracy, but don't expect a lever gun to shoot like a bolt-action.

 

[s&wchad]

You'll probably receive hundreds of recommendations...

When it comes to lever actions, Marlin 39's, Winchester 9422's and Browning BL-22's are great guns.

Anschutz, Kimber of Oregon, Cooper, Winchester, Browning, Remington and CZ all made/make superb bolt actions.

Ruger produced some nice .22 rifles as well.

 

[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.

A Browning marked “Model 52C” at top, with Winchester marked “Model 52B” rifles below. There were 5000 of the Cs made compared to 10,000 of the Bs.

The Kimber Model Model 82 is another high end sporter option, seem here below a Winchester Model 52.

 

[GypsmJim]

I must have 9 or 10 in my collection. .22's last forever. IMHO, lots of stuff were made better in the old days. While I enjoy buying brand new, most of my rifles were second hand.

If it were me I'd look for a used rifle in good condition. Mossberg, J. Stevens, Marlin, Winchester, Remington, Savage......all are quality firearms.

When my son was 7 years old I bought him a bolt action Sears (J.C Higgins) .22 for 25 bucks. Not a "front line" product, but now at age 45 he still shoots it.

 

[rockquarry]

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 fairly expensive today, more than most would want to spend on a .22.

 

[DWalt]

The reason for my earlier question was the mention of "beginner". If you are looking for something for a youngster or a wife to learn the basics of shooting, I would strongly suggest looking for a lower end used .22 bolt action rifle. The brand is immaterial, but an older Remington or Savage bolt action .22 is tough to beat, and they are plentiful. A new high end .22 can wait for later. They will be a waste of money for use as a starter gun. Also, there is absolutely no benefit in starting with a lever action .22. Go with a bolt action.

 

[robvious]

I would go with Savage as an inexpensive entry level bolt action... probably the best method to train entry level shooters...

 

[pmanton]

I love my Win 9422.

 

[dave1918a2]

I am in Old School country up here. Lots of old Remington and Winchester bolt guns. Several Marlin 39's, very few micro-groove tho. They don't like micro-groove up here. For accuracy its hard to beat one of the CZ's. 452, 457, and they are reasonable.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

New or used? Price range?

I'm fine with used so long as it's in good condition. It also depends what LGS has in stock for used.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

You'll probably receive hundreds of recommendations...

When it comes to lever actions, Marlin 39's, Winchester 9422's and Browning BL-22's are great guns.

Anschutz, Kimber of Oregon, Cooper, Winchester, Browning, Remington and CZ all made/make superb bolt actions.

Ruger produced some nice .22 rifles as well.

Of the bolt actions you listed which has the smoothest action? I love when something is such high quality it feels like a swiss watch in terms of everything working perfectly together.

 

[bgrafsr]

I have a Savage MKII BV bolt action .22 rifle with the Accu trigger and laminated wood stock. I put a Nikon Pro Staff 4x32 scope on it. It is very accurate.

 

[garddogg56]

Used?bolt? Simple? not a mantle piece?
Find an old Marlin 25
Simple and reliable

 

[hardluk1]

I would pick a Savage MKII BV again over a CZ . Spend the extra money saved on a better scope. Accuracy can have more to do with the ammo your shooting , Not the rifle or even the brand. Same brand of mid level ammo can group differently with a different lot number too .

 

[PhilT]

Winchester 9422M (magnum)! Best .22 I own.

Sorry, I missed the "beginner" part. The 9422M would not be in this category...$$$

 

[mauser9]

Well my Ruger American compact is not exactly high end but is a nice accurate rifle in 22 magnum but can be had in 22 L.R. also. Comes in standard length with 22 inch barrel also. Glossy finish on the rimfire models .

 

[smoothshooter]

I've had several of the Ruger bolt-actions, all older guns from thirty years or so ago; still have two. Very accurate for non-target rifles, but have no idea what they cost nowadays. I've had one older Marlin; good accuracy, but don't expect a lever gun to shoot like a bolt-action.

Not all bolt guns shoot that well.
Not all levers shoot bad.
There are so many variables (mainly ammunition) that there is not much, if any, difference in performance.
The OP should simply pick a gun that works well and is visually appealing and go with it.
Unless he plans on serious competitive shooting, which I doubt, he shouldn’t get too hung up on the optimum accuracy thing.
When I was a kid I spent many pleasurable hours squirrel hunting with my grandpa’s old beat up single shot bolt action rifle with a stock that had been broken clear through at the pistol grip, and had an old repair with duct tape. The repair was a little loose and wobbly, and the gun misfired about every other shot, but my my cousins and I killed LOTS of squirrels, rabbits, starlings, and sparrows with it from the time I was about 9 to 14 years old. Never shot it on paper, but did shoot cans occasionally.
Even though it was a beater, it seemed to be really accurate.