Decent .22 Mag Rifle?

I've been very pleased with my CZ 452 varmint. I mounted a Weaver RV-9 scope on it and I really like everything about it.
 
Well, I've got an old JC Higgins Model 42DLM, which I believe is a re-branded Marlin Model 980. Actually, I believe that was one of the last models to be made under Sears' JC Higgins name... Well anyway, a friend of my Grandpa's had given it to him many, many years ago, perhaps late 60's, early 70's? Could have been later...

I've seen this thing look a few different ways to be honest, the one I've got has a silver bolt and silver trigger. I forget what it's called, but it has that "half bolt handle", like not rounded. Seems to operate smooth enough. My only complaint is the 27-ton trigger pull. Even still, shoots well.

Well anyway, it basically sat in an upstate NY house until just about 5 years ago, when we put it in a storage unit. Never cleaned, never maintained, at all. Would be shot maybe once every few years for a little afternoon fun when they had the chance, or so I'd heard.

So, I don't know how quality of manufacturing is from then to now, especially with the whole RemLin situation, but this gun still shoots wonderfully. Admittedly, I screwed up the ejector, but completely my fault, actually have to go get that fixed.

So, if the crown looks good, the bore is still nice (because honestly, it'll be hard to wear out a modern rimfire bore), and wood looks nice (if that applies), I would say go pick up a nice used Marlin 980 if it's in good shape, like I said. As a new gun, I hear nothing but good from CZ. I can't speak of a newly manufactured 980, because I've never handled one. All I know is, this one is great and still trucking along when I feel like taking it out.
 
My Marlin 25, 22 mag. is a great little rifle , out of all i own it has the most groundhog kills .
 
I like the older threaded barrel CZ 452 varmint. 20 inch barrels, balance pretty well and very accurate with most ammo.
 
22 Mag and 22 Hornet were once becoming scarce but with Urban growth moving into many former hunting areas, both cartridges are selling better than ever in the last few years. Many areas now are gun noise sensitive including where I live. The smaller cartridges do a great job within their respective limitations with out the loud boom of their bigger cousins. Around here that is important as I see the "no shooting" zones getting pushed farther and father away. I used to hunt in my back yard. Now I have to drive an hour to reach a legal area to shoot. 22 Mag is very popular in the rural areas around here. Anything bigger(louder) is frowned upon less we lose another shooting area.
 
good point firebird. When noise is an issue but power is needed a 38 special from a rifle is very quiet.
 
I have a CZ 455 and it consistently shoots 1" groups at 100 yards, with the right ammo (30 grain V-Max), but it took pillar bedding to achieve that level of accuracy, which is about the best you can expect out of any WMR, IMHO.

To be fair, I bought the rifle slightly used, so maybe the owner didn't think it shot well enough for him/her. I was attracted to it because the stock had great grain.

If you're looking for better accuracy at 100 yards, the .17 HMR is known for 1/2" groups or better, but wind deflection is worse than the WMR, especially over 100 yards.

Try as many makes/weights of rounds as you can find. There's a big variation in accuracy and POI. When you find one that works, buy as much as you can afford!!!
 
I have to send another vote to the savage 93 excellent groups at 100 yards on low wind days. Even with Winchester SuperX 40 grain hallow points at ten bucks a box.
 
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