THE BEST 22LR RIFLE I HAVE EVER SHOT IN MY LIFE!
- Thread starter chief38
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I have a bunch of .22 rifles, one dating back to a Christmas present of a Stevens Favorite from my dad when I was about 8 years old. As I've related elsewhere, I had to deal with a retinal hemorrhage I had some 3+ years ago in my right eye. While it has cleared up significantly, and I have completed cataract surgeries, there are still some issues with the sight in my right eye, which has caused me to sight handguns with my left eye and forego shooting long guns totally.
Recently I was puttering around in the safes in my basement and seeing if it could be feasible to shoot long guns again. I had with me a pair of the Delta Plus Safety Reading glasses with me. I pulled out my AR-15/22, put the safety reading glasses on, and looked through the peep sight. Lo and behold, I could see the front sight! Maybe I won't be shooting 200 yard rimfire matches, but now I have an incentive to see if I can shoot my rifles again at some reasonable distance.
Recently I was puttering around in the safes in my basement and seeing if it could be feasible to shoot long guns again. I had with me a pair of the Delta Plus Safety Reading glasses with me. I pulled out my AR-15/22, put the safety reading glasses on, and looked through the peep sight. Lo and behold, I could see the front sight! Maybe I won't be shooting 200 yard rimfire matches, but now I have an incentive to see if I can shoot my rifles again at some reasonable distance.
Remington .22 Scoremaster with a weaver 4X scope.
targets were yellow head thumb tacks at 100 yards.
every shot a hit.
targets were yellow head thumb tacks at 100 yards.
every shot a hit.
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Your CZ 453 American is shooting 1/4 -3/8 inch groups at 100 yards ???
With CCI Mini mags no less !!
Uhhh .... are you sure about that ?
With CCI Mini mags no less !!
Uhhh .... are you sure about that ?
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OP
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The Browning T Bolt is also a super accurate rifle with a great factory trigger. The only BIG issue with the T Bolt is many of them were shipped with Salt Wood. Browning had a HUGE issue with that. If you have one that does not have the salt wood problems - it is a fantastic rifle.
OP
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Absolutely positive! From a sand bag on a bench of course - like I stated above. Not that hard to do with the 453 American and the single set trigger. Some of my friends who own one can do the same. We would routinely hang a 1/4" steel rod at 100 yards and hit it more than not. Yes - always a few flyers, but the rifle will outshoot the Anschutz rifles I have personally shot.
As stated above as well, my rifle loves the Mini-mags! It does not like standard velocity ammo at all and shoots horribly with Eley black box and red box ammo! In the manual that came with the rifle it clearly states the recommended ammo is high velocity. That is because the barrel is very tight and they suggest never using standard velocity ammo at all.
OP
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IMPORTANT NOTE
BTW, just a note to anyone who owns a CZ 453 American OR a 452 (same rifle but it has no single set trigger). Do NOT use a 22 caliber cleaning rod! You can easily damage the rifle. Use a .17 caliber cleaning rod with a converter to accept 22 caliber bronze brushes and loops.
BTW, just a note to anyone who owns a CZ 453 American OR a 452 (same rifle but it has no single set trigger). Do NOT use a 22 caliber cleaning rod! You can easily damage the rifle. Use a .17 caliber cleaning rod with a converter to accept 22 caliber bronze brushes and loops.
Sgt. Buzzard
Member
I really have to wonder about some of these "group" sizes. How many rounds to a group? How many times has it ever been done? Aside from cherry picking a one off, how is that group measured? Do you have access to a hundred yard indoor range?
Machine rests?
This thread sound like a fishing forum.
Machine rests?
This thread sound like a fishing forum.
AJ
US Veteran
Feel the same way. That is why I post pictures of what I am talking about. "Without pictures it probably did not happen!" I usually include the distance shot, rounds in the group, type of ammo used, firearm used, sights used, and give a reference as to the size of the group fired(usually a coin).
Rodan
Member
Obviously, a one hole group isn't going to happen every time at the range, but it's not all that rare. Here's a few targets I shot last week while testing some ammo... these are all 5 shot groups (except for the single - wrong target) at 50 yards off the bench. Bald Eagle bench rest with soft bags at the rear. Outdoor range, zero value wind at 2-4mph.
You have to be disciplined in your approach, and consistent in your shooting techniques. That's the hard part. The other challenge, especially with .22s is the consistency of the ammo. I get regular flyers with CCI SV, but it's very good for the cost, and I'm not competing seriously so it's my main general use ammo. From my recent testing, it looks like Norma Match 22 is going to shoot well in my rifle, but it's an ongoing process...
The shots above are out of my Tikka T1X, which is my best shooting .22LR.
I also have a CZ 457, which is close, but not quite as good. It's pretty much my wife's gun at this point...
OP
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In my life's quest for the ultimate accuracy I have spent more money on a plethora of 22 ammo than any other caliber (for accuracy). The single most accurate round (out of my CZ 453) is the CCI Mini-mag. When they were hard to come by, the Blue Box Federal #510 is my second choice and I'd say the American Eagle is #3. All are high velocity 40 grain bullets.
In some other rifles I actually do incredibly well with older Winchester Wildcat 40 grain which is also a high velocity round but basically their lower end promo ammo. I have never had really great luck with Remington and the worst of the lot in every gun I own (should actually be the best) is Eley target ammo. For some reason the stuff just shoots terribly for me. I have 4 different variants and have had no luck at all.
I will say that lately I have had a few more "duds" with the CCI ammo than in years past. Not a whole lot, but more than I had been used to. I can also hear and feel some variation from round to round. That said, it is still quite accurate and probably still the most reliable.
In some other rifles I actually do incredibly well with older Winchester Wildcat 40 grain which is also a high velocity round but basically their lower end promo ammo. I have never had really great luck with Remington and the worst of the lot in every gun I own (should actually be the best) is Eley target ammo. For some reason the stuff just shoots terribly for me. I have 4 different variants and have had no luck at all.
I will say that lately I have had a few more "duds" with the CCI ammo than in years past. Not a whole lot, but more than I had been used to. I can also hear and feel some variation from round to round. That said, it is still quite accurate and probably still the most reliable.
The .22 bench shooters at My old club mostly used CZ452 & CZ457's. My most accurate 22 is My Winchester 52 from 1933 and My Remington 541T is a close second.
squidsix
Member
All three of my kids have their own model 452.
I have a 455, but only because they discontinued the 452.
I have a 455, but only because they discontinued the 452.
Back in the '50's, when we would visit my cousins back in NE, my dad would borrow their simple .22 and take me out to the town dump, and I would blast away at jars and jugs and cans. Then in '65, took a liking to the new 1011's, and bought my first 22 rifle, and now my grandson is learning to shoot it with a youth stock with an inexpensive DOT site. He loves it.
I bought him a youth stocked CZ 457 a few months ago, really slick and accurate rifle using Federal lead round noses, put a Leupold rimfire scope on it, and he is good at blasting clay pidgins and pop cans at the 20 yard berm. Same with a youth Lever Henry, iron sights, and a S&W "AR" too.
He is now transitioning to my '44 Inland Carbine, and at 9 years old, he blows up clay pidgins at the 20 yard berm, but only shoots it off a sandbag, as it is heavy shooting offhand.
About 30 years ago, bought one of the Japanese Winchester bolt .22's, mine is a 52 c, or a b, can't remember now. It is a superbly accurate rifle when zeroed with a 4X scope at 100 yards, with CCI MM 40 grain round nose. A really nice, precision bolt rimfire.
Ollie and I are taking the 10 year old lass who just moved into across the street to the range very soon, she is all excited. Her dad is an X-Marine, and they are also looking forward to the two kids shooting rifles. No pistols yet. Her dad and I are running over to the nearby PSA indoor range where I am a member this afternoon. He is just learning to shoot a DOT pistol.
I am buying bulk 22 every where I see it, remembering the shortage of 22 about 6 or 7 years ago. SF VET
I bought him a youth stocked CZ 457 a few months ago, really slick and accurate rifle using Federal lead round noses, put a Leupold rimfire scope on it, and he is good at blasting clay pidgins and pop cans at the 20 yard berm. Same with a youth Lever Henry, iron sights, and a S&W "AR" too.
He is now transitioning to my '44 Inland Carbine, and at 9 years old, he blows up clay pidgins at the 20 yard berm, but only shoots it off a sandbag, as it is heavy shooting offhand.
About 30 years ago, bought one of the Japanese Winchester bolt .22's, mine is a 52 c, or a b, can't remember now. It is a superbly accurate rifle when zeroed with a 4X scope at 100 yards, with CCI MM 40 grain round nose. A really nice, precision bolt rimfire.
Ollie and I are taking the 10 year old lass who just moved into across the street to the range very soon, she is all excited. Her dad is an X-Marine, and they are also looking forward to the two kids shooting rifles. No pistols yet. Her dad and I are running over to the nearby PSA indoor range where I am a member this afternoon. He is just learning to shoot a DOT pistol.
I am buying bulk 22 every where I see it, remembering the shortage of 22 about 6 or 7 years ago. SF VET
pantannojack
US Veteran
Rem 511
45 years go I had a Rem 511 magazine fed .22lr. Number on bbl is DH47. The stock is carved in the letters BUD. I mounted a Weaver K4 in the tip off mounts the receiver was grooved for. At Ben Avery range I shot a target at 100 yds using CCI Mini Mags solid points. First 5 shot group was round 1" c-c. Feeling lucky I moved the tgt to 50 yards, fired another 5 shot group similar results but smaller group placed about 4" higher than the first. still feeling lucky moved the tgt to 25 yards. A very small group back down near the 100Yd gp. Over the years I have lost that target, as well as the rifle to a 2015 burglery. I had separated the breach bolt form the rifle as there was not room in my strong box for the rifle. I still have the bolt as well as another from a Rem 512 P, the tube version with a factory aperture rear sight; Also lost in same attack. The bbl # LB38. I would love to have one or both rifles returned.
45 years go I had a Rem 511 magazine fed .22lr. Number on bbl is DH47. The stock is carved in the letters BUD. I mounted a Weaver K4 in the tip off mounts the receiver was grooved for. At Ben Avery range I shot a target at 100 yds using CCI Mini Mags solid points. First 5 shot group was round 1" c-c. Feeling lucky I moved the tgt to 50 yards, fired another 5 shot group similar results but smaller group placed about 4" higher than the first. still feeling lucky moved the tgt to 25 yards. A very small group back down near the 100Yd gp. Over the years I have lost that target, as well as the rifle to a 2015 burglery. I had separated the breach bolt form the rifle as there was not room in my strong box for the rifle. I still have the bolt as well as another from a Rem 512 P, the tube version with a factory aperture rear sight; Also lost in same attack. The bbl # LB38. I would love to have one or both rifles returned.
Cal44
Member
My favorite is a Marlin 39A made in 1956.
Very accurate.
As a kid I had a Remington bolt action 22lr my dad gave me. It had a tube magazine that held a lot of rounds. I suspect it was made in the 30's but don't know.
Real accurate in my hands, but the reason was likely because my eyes were 65 years younger then.
Don't have it anymore. My mom sold it off when I was in college.
Very accurate.
As a kid I had a Remington bolt action 22lr my dad gave me. It had a tube magazine that held a lot of rounds. I suspect it was made in the 30's but don't know.
Real accurate in my hands, but the reason was likely because my eyes were 65 years younger then.
Don't have it anymore. My mom sold it off when I was in college.
I have a bunch of accurate bolt .22s and have been through a zillion others through the decades. Right now I have five that I would consider truly accurate. I enjoy them all. They include the following, from least accurate to most accurate. Group averages are given for hundreds of groups, all five shots center to center at fifty yards. Most groups were shot with CenterX:
5. Winchester 52 reissue with Leupold 3 - 9 shoots right at .45 inches center to center.
4. CZ American 452 1 of 1000 with Leupold 3 - 9 and trigger kit shoots .4 inches.
3, Springfield 1922 with 8x Lyman Junior Targetspot shoots low .3s.
2. Sako Finnfire, heavy Lilia barrel, Jewell trigger, Leupold 20x shoots .3
1. Custom Anschutz 1710, Canyon Creek sporter stock, Leupold 18x, shoots .25.
They are all a hoot to shoot on my backyard 50 yard range. I also get great pleasure out of shooting my classic .22 "plinkers" at 50 yard steel swingers.
Really enjoying this thread!
5. Winchester 52 reissue with Leupold 3 - 9 shoots right at .45 inches center to center.
4. CZ American 452 1 of 1000 with Leupold 3 - 9 and trigger kit shoots .4 inches.
3, Springfield 1922 with 8x Lyman Junior Targetspot shoots low .3s.
2. Sako Finnfire, heavy Lilia barrel, Jewell trigger, Leupold 20x shoots .3
1. Custom Anschutz 1710, Canyon Creek sporter stock, Leupold 18x, shoots .25.
They are all a hoot to shoot on my backyard 50 yard range. I also get great pleasure out of shooting my classic .22 "plinkers" at 50 yard steel swingers.
Really enjoying this thread!
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Best .22 rifle I ever had was the first one I bought, a Ruger 10/22 “Made in the 200th Year of American Liberty” purchased new for $59 + tax. That thing was a tack driver. I’d still have it if I hadn’t given it to one of my daughters.
Those numbers on Remington barrels were the factory date codes.......... D would be the month (Sep) and the H most likely would be 1961 for the year. Year codes were reused so sometimes you have to go by known features from the production period. The 47 is not identified but probably was the inspector number.
L on the second rifle would be February. The B would seem most likely to be 1955. While they wouldn't really identify the exact guns you had stolen if you found an example with the same number it would at least be from the same year. ......... Thieves really suck, a darn shame when they steal part of your memories.
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