.22lr Bench Rifle?

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DealHunter

New member
After shooting my Marlin .17hmr varmint gun this weekend, I think I'd like to get a .22lr scoped bench gun. I have a 10/22 but I was thinking more of a bolt gun.

I already have a CZ 455 Lux w. the 3 barrels (which I love) but they're mainly for use with iron sights (as is the stock). For the price of a straight comb stock and thicker barrel it's barely more to just buy a CZ 455 American.

The other option I'd considered is the Savage Mk II TRR-SR.

Does anyone have either of these models and if so are there any obvious pros/cons I should be aware of?

Also if there are any other models I haven't thought of please feel free to enlighten me ;)
 
What's your price range for this bad boy? There are so many choices/options. The 10/22 is an option since you already own one but turning one into a real bench gun will not be a cheap endeavor. The CMP has offered several target rifles and they are still numerous on the secondary market. There are also tons of older rifles out there made to do exactly what you're talking about. All depends on what you want to spend.
 
What's your price range for this bad boy?
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Good question, I'm not looking for an uber priced tack driver I can compete with, it's more for fun, hence the CZ and Savage both around 4-600 (not a crazy price but nicer than the base Savage/Marlin models).

I can usually get Ruger stuff at a pretty good price as well but wasn't sure if the 22/77 was worth the extra cash.

A used anschutz would be nice but most are way beyond that price point...
 
A used anschutz would be nice but most are way beyond that price point...
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You'd be surprised. Look for the Savage/Anschutz rifles. The last one I bought cost me about $350 3-4 years back. Also check Mossbergs- the 144LS series are great rifles and not typically expensive. Older Remingtons like the 513T or 521T can be had withing your budget. If you want to try something a little out of the ordinary look for an Izhmesh Biathlon Basic, toggle action. Sweetness. Rare though. Those are just a few off the top of my head. Hit Gunbroker and just see what's there under .22 bolt action.

As to the Rugers, I really can't opine there- no experience with them. The CZs I've shot have been top notch and some come with a set trigger. Nice for target work. The Savages shoot, but can be a little rough and unrefined.
 
Take a look at Ruger's new American Rimfire bolt actions.

They are available in both a full size and compact model, and each comes with both low and high comb stock modules (easily inter-changeable), have a trigger that can go below 2lbs safely with only a minor (and easy) modification, and best of all... it uses the 10/22 magazine.

Most folks are reporting very good accuracy... I think Shooting Times magazine just did a review as well.
 
Take a look at Ruger's new American Rimfire bolt actions.
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I actually have a standard size model American Rimfire in 22 mag and like a great deal but the barrel is not that thick (more of a medium contour). Would that make a difference?
 
There are lots of choices in the used gun racks of the country. A Remington 541, 580, or a 510 would be a good choice for just bench shooting. An older Marlin bolt action would be a great choice, either a model 25 or a model 80. Many of the old Mossbergs will shoot much better than most people, but would need d&t or good sights. A Winchester 75 might be in your price range. There's no need to assume just new rifles meet your qualifications, is there? FWIW, I have a couple of older rifles I am going to list on GunsAmerica this week, a Marlin model 80 (with peep sights!!) and a Remington 512 (with eye-popping wood and checkered). PM me if you want a photo of either one.
 
I just looked on Gunbroker and there are a couple of Winchester model 52s in the $750-850 range. I know that's a bit higher than your stated price range, but believe me, they are WORTH the extra $$ if you can swing it.

A very close friend that I worked with at a gun store has one and I've fired it a lot over the last 20 years. It is simply the most accurate rifle I've ever fired. Period. The trigger is great (as it left the factory) and it's just a beautiful rifle. A reminder of how rifles used to be made and still SHOULD be. All nice walnut and nicely polished and blued steel.

I don't think you'd ever regret the purchase. I know a 52 is on my "bucket list" of guns to add to my collection. In fact, 2014 might just be the year for me to get one.

Just a thought.

Papershotshells
 
I have a CZ 452 Varmint with a 20" heavy barrel bolt action, it"s built like a high power rifle. I'm a benchrest shooter 308 Cal. & use the CZ for trigger time indoors during the winter. Very accurate for a production rifle.
 
I personally, would look for a smoking deal on a Kimber 82G or a Win. 52. Either one should shoot one-hole ten-shot groups with the right ammo.

A good option in your listed price range would be a Marlin 2000. Either the blue plastic stock version or better yet the grey laminate stock version.

IMO, if you want a bench rifle, don't try to make a sporter something it's not. A target rifle's weight and trigger will make it much easier to shoot bug holes.
 
The CMP has Winchester 52 stripped receivers with a heavy barrel (no other parts) for $200. Might be a good start for a project.
 
I have a CZ 455 American and a 455 Varmint. If you are looking for an accurate bench gun in 22LR, you are going to pay a lot more to get one that shoots better. The important thing about the 455 and accuracy is torque. You must torque the barrel into the receiver, and you must torqe the action into the stock. Once you find the right torqe settings for your rifle, the 455 generally shoots ragged holes with boring regularity. Each of my rifles requires slightly different settings. The American keeps up with the Varmint until the barrel gets almost too hot to touch before it starts wandering. If I can find a rimfire silhouette game in my neck of the woods, I plan to use the American in it. The Varmint is my bench gun.

The one modification that I made to my CZ rifles is the $1 trigger job. I did not modify the sear on the American, so it has a nice 3.5 pound trigger with 2 distinct stages. On the Varmint, I took a slight bit of metal off the sear and it breaks clean at slightly over 2 pounds. Both pass the buttstock slam test.

The other thing I like about the CZ American is that it is a classy gun. There aren't many rimfire rifles that look as good as the CZ turnbolt line. And there are far fewer that look as good and shoot as good.

I have lots of other rimfire rifles, but the CZs are my favorites.

The CMP has Winchester 52 stripped receivers with a heavy barrel (no other parts) for $200. Might be a good start for a project
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Good luck finding a bolt for that 52. The 52 Target is probably my rimfire Holy Grail. There is no way to get one at any cost which could be considered reasonable.
 
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DealHunter: If you buy an after-market bull-barreled target barrel, replace the hammer/trigger parts and do some other mods to the 10-22, it can be made to shoot under 1/2" at 50 yards. It helps if the present stock is the Deluxe model without the barrel band, which I still like better than a lot of after-market ones.

I've accurized many 10-22s and my instructions are posted on RimfireCentral.com, Tips and Tricks Forum. If you're at all handy, you can do it yourself. I'd do it for you, but am not in business.
 
I like the CZ 452 Military Trainer I have.

Good iron sights for a 22 if you want to use them, good scope mount setup that worked very well.

Only issue is I am ammo limited as it has not come back and while it shoots well, most of mine is HV not SV they seem to prefer for tack driver resutls.

The one I do have it does not like.

My brother has some old corroded Remington SV of some type and his like that a lot, go figure.

They are supposed to be out of production but still NIB available on internet and a LGS has had two of them in since I got mine. Price is in the $370 range.
 
This always seems to happen, I have one thing in mind and wind up finding a deal on something used that's completely different :D

Found a LNIB Sako Quad in .22lr for a good price so I grabbed it. Sako seems to have a pretty decent reputation and I like the option of consolidating into 1 platform with multiple barrels (if you use scope attachment systems that hold zero).

Guess we'll see how it performs...
 
Izmash CM-2

In stock form, this single shot benchrest gun is surprisingly accurate. Unadjusted, except for the diopter sights, I was able to shoot 10 round 1" groups at 50 yards. From experience with other 22s, I am probably the limiting factor in accuracy, at this point.

$600
 
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