[Guest]

I'm thinking about buying one of these for plinking and some varmints. I'm curious what those of you who have been down this road would recommend. I have had Remington, generally, and the Ruger 77/22, specifically, suggested to me. I have looked on the Savage web site, but have never heard anyone talk about Savage in a .22LR, though Savage has a great reputation for accuracy out of the box otherwise. I've also looked on the Cooper web site, but not sure I want to invest that kind of money for this type of rifle.

Thanks in advance for any advice or recommendations. I already own 22-250and 223 rifles.

 

[MI VHNTR]

How about the old standy, the Ruger 10/22? Tons of accessories, barrels, stocks etc. The combinations are pretty much endless. The best part, it's not overly expensive to purchase. I had the 77/22 years back. It's been replaced with a 10/22. MI VHNTR

 

[Snake River Marksman]

Lots and lots of great choices in 22s out there. My wife has the Ruger 77/22and it is a classy rifle. Nothing wrong with it at all. I've got a Norico JW15 that shoots really good, but Clinton took them out of the picture. Marlin and Savage both get high marks. Henry rifles are proving accurate and reliable. Don't overlook the CZs either. Also for sheer value, check out the Stevens line on the Savage website.

Boiled down to basics, this is one area where it would be very difficult to come up with a bad choice.

 

[6mmRemington]

Another option

I'll second the 10-22, I'm building my third (fourth?) one this month. Triggers, stocks, barrels are all available and the rifle is very simple to do your own 'smithing on. If you go this route, don't skimp on the glass. Think of it as a precision varminter and scope accordingly. My last build had a Bushnell Banner 4-12 AO that was maybe a little underpowered. Buy at least two or three mags so you always have one loaded, one being loaded, and one in the gun.
BUT, if you are interested in a bolt action, pick up a Remington 541T, if you can find one. Now out of production, they are a scaled down 700 and very accurate. I've got one and it's not for sale! I've shot sage rats out to 200 yards with it D) with bulk ammo. It has it's preferences, but with a good scope it can't be beat. Not cheap though.


6mmRemington

 

[John Kennedy]

Picking a .22 Cal. Rimfire

Lot's of good ones out there. I have Thompson Center Classic Semi and a CZ bolt action. Both very accurate out of the box. You'll enjoy any of them !

 

[Markbo]

In a bolt gun, you simply cannot beat the accuracy of a CZ for the money. The next step up are Cooper and Kimber and they are, as you know... spendy!

If you like to tinker and build and don't mind working on it, a 10/22 can be made to shoot sub 1/2" 50 yard groups all day long. I have built 8 so far and the worst one is still a 1/2" gun. Several are honest to good 1/4" guns.

You can keep the factory stock even if you like them - personally I find the LOP way too short.
$200 Gun (max... you can find a used one cheaper)
$125 Green Mountain Rifle Barrel
$ 75 Bolt squared, polished and headspaced by CPC
$ 25 Volquartsen replacement hammer
$425 Total

You do your own pillar bedding (absolutely necessary), hollow out the barrel channel some and do some more internal polishing and you can have a tack driver.

Or you can take that $425 and get a really nice CZ 452 in any manner of stocks and barrel profiles and have $75 left over for ammo!

 

[Bill in Ky]

I have a 10-22 that I like alot. I put a Mossberg 144 barrel on it and did a trigger job. It shoots dime sized groups at 50 yards withy CCI Mini Mag hollow points, great fun when you find a tame prairie dog town.
I also have a Rem 581 that is accurate. If you like a bolt action it would be a good choice. The 581 is clip fed and the 582 is magazine feed. I gave $50 for it several years ago.

 

[bluebeemer]

Be careful about talking to Doug Roberts about this ...

He will have you knee deep in 10-22 Rugers soooo quick! Actually, my 10-22T has always been accurate and reliable which are good things. After talking and shooting with Doug, it now has been born again with a Volquartsen trigger assembly!

CZ would be my first choice for a bolt action rifle. If you want a bolt rifle and money isn't an obstruction, Cooper and Kimber both make very nice rifles.

 

[GP]

CZ in a bolt. 10/22 in a Auto.

 

[KC]

I'd recommend a Ruger 10/22. The quick follow up shot is great with the semi-auto and there are lots of accessories to improve accuracy. This one is under 1/2" @ 50 yards with Mini-Mag HP, better with low velocity/target ammo.

And you can build them up in stages so it doesn't bust your budget all at once.
But if you do get started building/customizing them beware---you will have to have more than one!

 

[jnyork]

If you dont want to fuss around with buying a rifle and then spending megabucks trying to make it shoot decently, just go buy the CZ 452 or 453, either the Varmint or the American, doesnt matter, they will shoot far better than you can right out of the box. You'll be happy.

 

[PH]

Marlins are tough to beat for a cheap beater!

Dollar for dollar, Marlins are tough to beat IMHO. You can tune em up or leave em alone and either way, they are likely to shoot better than a cheap rifle has the right to do. Squirrel heads are not a big challenge out there, but you are not likely to win any huge rimfire shoot when the Germans step up to the plate Where is Steve B, our resident Anshutz shooter???

 

[samspade]

Another vote for the CZ 452 can be the American, Varmint, Special, Lux or Trainer. Mine with a $15 trigger kit shoots better than my 10/22 custom that cost me $600 to build. The Special can be had for $220!!

 

[tom ga hunter]

I have 3-marlin 39's, 1 ruger 77-22, 1 Ruger 10-22 stainless with a laminated manninlicer stock & a T/c Bench mark.. Use them all but the T/C is the most accurate.

 

[Markbo]

Well I didn't know we were posting pics!

Here is a lightweight, but in .17HM2:

This is a 1/4" gun all day long.

Here is a similar rig in a Barracuda stock:

Note the custom mag release and trigger:

Or a pretty one:

 

[Markbo]

Or for you old fashioned guys, you can always find a walnut factory stock to refinish:

And just in case you think they are all utilitarian, here is my Safari Grade in exhibition grade walnut:

And this.... this is Fluffy:

Just because I think it's a cute picture.

 

[Mortis]

Savage 22LR's are made......

by Lakefield. Actually Savage bought Lakefield about 10 years ago. Lakefield was noted for their Biathlon rifles more then anything else.

I bought a Lakefield Model II Youth in 1994 and won several NRA Smallbore Rifle Silhouette matches with it against some of the high end rifles such as Kimber and Cooper.

Lakefield was fantastic in their customer service in those days. Cannot speak for them since Savage bought them out. But I suspect they carry Savages dedication to service.

Only complaint I knew of was the extended magazine below the stock, but since they also produced their Biathlon rifles on the same action, I was able to pick up some 5 round magazines by dealing directly with the factory.

I'm getting ready to rescope mine since I have no longer any need for a 24X Target/Silhouette scope on it.

Just my $.02 worth here.

 

[robbor]

22lr

personally i would not mess with a bolt gun in 22lr. Id just pick up a Ruger K10/22T stainless target gun and be done. Half the fun of the LR is semi auto plinking and fast follow up shots.

 

[frank c.]

I'm thinking about buying one of these for plinking and some varmints. I'm curious what those of you who have been down this road would recommend. I have had Remington, generally, and the Ruger 77/22, specifically, suggested to me. I have looked on the Savage web site, but have never heard anyone talk about Savage in a .22LR, though Savage has a great reputation for accuracy out of the box otherwise. I've also looked on the Cooper web site, but not sure I want to invest that kind of money for this type of rifle.

Thanks in advance for any advice or recommendations. I already own 22-250and 223 rifles.

I like CZ,Henry,Browning,Anschutz in the 22 LR.Ithink if you stick with any of these brands you can,t go wrong.

 

[jim b]

CZ 452 Varmint - outstanding rifle. No plastic