Looking for a good .22 lr bolt rifle for adult plinking!

M

mellow_c

New member
I miss spending the afternoon doing my best to shoot as many .22's as I could, out of my old single shot chipmunk rifle that grandpa gave me as my first gun. Yup, those were the days.....

As I've gotten older, new shotguns, rifles, pistols and revolvers have come my way. Each one a joy to shoot. But now I wish I could go back and work the bolt on my old .22 like I used to. The only problem is, that .22 has got to last me the rest of my life and as many future generations as it can, so I'm not about to start putting 100's of rounds through it at a time like I used to. So, now I have an excuse to start searching for a new gun to take the place of my old one :)

I'd like some suggestions on what to buy.

*what I'm looking for*
A bolt action .22 lr rifle. Something with decent iron sights (dont want to use a scope) probably a wood stock. I'm not worried about it having a magazine or being a single shot, either one works. Nothing so nice that I feel like I cant use it alot and sometimes not clean it. (In other words, no custom or target rifles) Something that will have a good sized stock suitable for an adult, or at least not so small that I feel like I'm shooting a toy gun. Reliable, and accurate. I think that about covers it. I dont think it's too much to ask for, but I havent done any research on this type of gun yet, so I was hoping you all might have some good ideas for me. Thanks a bunch!
 
On the cheaper end of the spectrum, I offer only one suggestion:
Marlin (browse their offerings, and see if something sparks your interest). Every shooter in my family has at least one Marlin bolt action rimfire, and we won't ever let them go. They're dirt cheap, accurate, and reliable.

On the high(er) end, I offer two suggestions:
Browning T-Bolt
CZ 452, 455, or 513.

And, of course, one of my favorites, but a "red-headed step child" of the gun world:
Ruger 77/22. (Don't be frightened of the initial photo. If you mouse over the list of models, it will bring up other images.)
 
CZ 452 Trainer. May need a trigger upgrade (I like the automated solution adjustable sear upgrade. Both of my CZ 452 Trainer and American have it.).
 
Cz-452 Ultra Lux. Specifically designed for great open-sight shooting, and fantastic sight radius. Also can get aperture sights for it. It is my favorite rifle to shoot at the moment because it's accurate and cheap to shoot! Looking forward to the aperture sights myself, but the regular sights are like those found on Mausers... effective and easy to use.
 
I have a Ruger 77/22 blue/wood stock that I bought back in the late 80s and it is still one of the most accurate 22s I've shot.
 
I'll toss my opinion in for the CZ. I'm a .22 junkie I've got a 10/22 with a bunch of mods and such which always makes peoples heads turn but I still think My CZ lux is a better gun.
 
Some great suggestions so far. The CZ's are catching my eye. I like that some of them seam to be geared toward using the open sights.

The great thing about .22's is that $500 will get you an incredibly nice gun. While you can still get one that will do the job just fine for about $100!

I'd like to hear more if anyone cares to add to the list! :-)
 
Hello, mello-c. A nice used Kimber would be nice. How about a German training rifle..those are cool!
I know you said bolt gun..but I have come across a few BSA prone guns..the earlier 12 & 12/15..very nice appature & globe front sights..you won't find a faster lock-time on any rifle.
 
*what I'm looking for*
A bolt action .22 lr rifle. Something with decent iron sights (dont want to use a scope) probably a wood stock. I'm not worried about it having a magazine or being a single shot, either one works. Nothing so nice that I feel like I cant use it alot and sometimes not clean it. (In other words, no custom or target rifles) Something that will have a good sized stock suitable for an adult, or at least not so small that I feel like I'm shooting a toy gun.
Click to expand...
I would suggest you look around for a Remington 5teen series (510, 511, 512) rifle. The 510 is a single shot, the 511 has a clip type magazine, and the 512 has a tubular magazine. All are very accurate, extremely well made and will last for the next three generations. And they are full sized and feel like a real rifle, not a toy.
 
I have a 504T with a Lilja barrel. It's incredible. I once had a Ruger- the thing lost it's zero constantly because the barrel is slip fit.

The CZ452 is a good gun. Anschutz 64's are relatively affordable used and are awesome- <incredible accuracy, adjustable trigger etc.

The old Mossberg military model bolt guns can be chopped and threaded for suppressors to yield a real nice gun also.

Savage guns may be Ok but the two I had have stock fit issues that bothered me enough to sell- mags hanging up bad, obviously warped and crap plastic.

So really there are a lot of options.
 
There's nothing like a good bolt action .22lr and several boxes of ammo for an afternoon of target shooting.

New prices (roughly):
Under $200
-Marlin 925

Under $350
Savage MkII FSS

Under $450/500:
-CZ 452 Lux,FS, Scout, military trainer,etc

Under $1000:
Weatherby MKXXII
Anschutz 1416 DKL

Under $1500
Sako Quad

Under $2000:
Cooper Jackson Squirrel or 57
Anschutz 1710 DKL
 
I'd get a Savage Mark II. I like Marlins a lot but the Savage is a notch up I think. I like them at least as well as the Anschutz.
 
Savage Mark II

I was in the exact same spot as you earlier this year and I went with the Savage Mark II. I love it. Mine has the synthetic stock but There are a lot of choices. Below are my favorite things about it:
-Price
-Size- I got it for me to play with and to teach my kids and it's size works great for both.
-Trigger
-10 round magazine
-decent iron sights
-Did I mention the price?
-very accurate

I recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning how to shoot or is interested in some fun cheap plinking.
 
CZ452 UltraLux or if you don't like the ultra-long barrel for some reason then a CZ452 Lux(walnut stock) or Trainer(same as the Lux except with a beech stock.) The UltraLux is my favorite of the three 452's I own(a Trainer and LH American are the other two I have.)
 
How about the Winchester Wildcat. Its a Russian made bolt action. I have one. Not really been used all that much, but it works well, seems fairly accurate, and the price was about $175 if I remember right.
 
Mellow_c -A few months back I was looking for the same thing as you. I looked real close at the CZ and Savage rifles. They are great looking rifles and have heard nothing but good things about them. However, I found a Marlin 25 at my LGS and end up buying it for less than $100. If you are not in a hurry, look around and see if you can find one.
 
As the owner of a Marlin 925, I am very pleased with the rifle, everyone enjoys shooting it.

However... the new version (XT22 as I recall) appears to have a better/ lighter trigger. The 925 is a bit stiff from the factory.

A fellow at the range let me try his Savage (mk II BTVS I think) and the trigger on that thing was just lovely.
 
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