My first rifle

F

Flyboy69

Inactive
My Father and I are looking to buy our first rifle. We have decided that we are definitely going to buy a bolt action .22LR, but we are not sure which one would be a good first rifle. From reading many online reviews, I've found the CZ 455 and the Marlin XT-22 to be a lot of peoples favorites. The range we are going to be using has a max target range of 200 yds. Which do you feel is a better rifle? Also any recommended scopes for a .22 at this distance? And this is purely for target.
 
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Welcome to TFL !

Of those two, I would suggest you get the CZ & never look back.

IMO, though - 200yds is really stretching a .22LR, with a sporter weight barrel.

IMHO, target shooting "only" deserves a target rifle, since the heavier contoured "bull" barrel would at least give you a fighting chance at decent accuracy at that distance.

For target shooting @ that distance, I would recommend a good quality scope in quality mounts/rings, and not clip-on rings.

For quality (and a few with lower quality) optics @ one of the lowest prices online (and with excellent customer service, too), try www.swfa.com


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IMO, though - 200yds is really stretching a .22LR, with a sporter weight barrel.
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Unless you're Bob Lee Swagger. Shooting standing unsupported. While in a moving boat.

You will NOT go wrong with a CZ. Marlin good too, but CZ worth the extra $$.
 
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I'm a big fan of the Marlins and wouldn't hesitate buying another.

I also second buying good quality rings. Cheap rings can move and may take less abuse. Even transporting can screw them up sometimes.
 
I have Marlin 81 and 39A. I can hit clay ducks out 100 yards with them. Shooting from bench rest in outdoor range that is. The 81 has iron sight and the 39A has a little weaver scope. Paid $75 for the 81, and $400 for the 39A.

-TL
 
For a .22LR and new shooters, 200 yards is going to be very difficult. I'd focus on getting nice little groups at 25yds, then moving to 50, then 100...200 would be more for grins, personally.

Good luck with whatever rifle you get! Be safe and have fun.
 
The CZ is a better rifle but a xt-22 at 200 dollars or one of many savage rifles or both great rifle . XT is the lower cost for there no sight heavier barrel model and I have savage BV model is a fine shooter with solid .750 moa with wolf rifle match , a little better with federal 922a and rws r50. 200 yards is very practicle on a no wind day. Put a savage and cz side buy side and shooter and skill at reading of the wind may be the difference in group size. I have 2 savages and bought a daughter a xt-22 . Both are very enjoyable out to 200 yards but no cheap ammo. Don't short your self on a scope , 6-24 scope is a good place to start.

Heres a good site for most scopes.
http://swfa.com/default.aspx

Use Bud's gun shop for price comparison-
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php/manufacturers_id/73
 
22 . look into mosberg i have like 3 that are 22lr and are reliable guns

ammo is getting dried up though.....
 
"For quality (and a few with lower quality) optics @ one of the lowest prices online (and with excellent customer service, too), try www.swfa.com"

When you go there, check out their "Sample List" first or go directly to it at samplelist.com. They have demos and some used optics at very good prices. They describe the condition very accurately.
 
Both are excellent guns. I'd go with the CZ, just because i like it a little more. Both will be accurate(although 200 yards might be a little far) and you'll enjoy shooting both.
 
i would get at least a .22 mag for 200 yards even for target practice. a .22 LR might even be tumbling end over end at that point and the wind be devastating on a bullet that small traveling that slow.
if you tried to shoot at something @ 200 yds it would likely bounce of the animal and give it nothing more than a nasty welt,you would need at least a .17 HMR to penetrate even a squarrel or praire dog at that range
 
I would suggest: cz 452, 22lr.
Difference between 452 and 455 is longer barrel, and slightly higher muzzle velocity on 452

BTW, for intended target at 200 yards, do not expect miracles with 22 lr.

However, if you really want to shoot such long distance, then consider
cz 452 ultra lux.

This one has even longer barrel then 452 lux (more muzzle velocity), and is equipped even with iron sights up to 300 meters, and proven to hit siluette targets at that distance.
This is maximum what you can get out of 22lr.

(Cz 452 ultra lux, is in fact the only option)

For the glass, this will depend on investment you plan to make.
 
I'd go with the CZ, though my limited experience with Marlin rimfire rifles has been excellent. My first choice though would be to find a used Savage Anschutz rifle, I bought a 164 used a couple of years ago. It is by far the best .22 lr that I've ever handled and shot of a $2500 Cooper I handled at a gunshop awhile back. I picked mine up at a pawn shop for $600 with a Leupold VARI-XIII 4.5-14X40AO.

Savage Anschutz model 164
 
Now that, is a fine looking Savage/Anschultz---I had one very similar but not in that condition. Don't ever let it go---

I'll also cast a vote for the Cz--never owned a Marlin, but have had a chance to shoot many different .22's and the CZ's out at the local range are the stars, although many of the .22's are very accurate at the 50 yard line ---

I also agree with some of the others that trying to shoot a .22 at 200 yards might be a little frustrating---
 
All the folks saying .22 lr is not good for 200 simply are wrong. We shoot .22lr matches at 200 yards. If you shoot a 3" group on a windy day, you will not place. On a still day, you better be under 2". The .22lr is plenty capable of shooting 200 yards. I shoot an old Kimber I got from CMP. I also have some 40x rifles and an Anschutz. The Kimber outshoots them. I think I paid about $300 for the Kimber. The owners of some $$$$$Anschutz rifles have tried and tried to buy that Kimber from me.
 
Less than 2" group at 200 yards on regular basis. That is exceptional. Not everyone can do it with every rifle. That also means most people with most rifles can't do it.

I can't.

-TL
 
Reynolds 357:
2inch group at 200 yards is amazing! I can not do it at 100!
One question though:
Have you done any additional work on the rifle: bedding, floating the barrel, rebarelling to match grade barrel, etc?
 
flyboy69 said:
Which do you feel is a better rifle? Also any recommended scopes for a .22 at this distance?
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My CZ452 is the immediate predecessor to the 455 and it's a superb rifle. I enthusiastically recommend it. Mine has a Weaver RV-9 scope mounted on it and that's just about a perfect combination. But I think you'll find target shooting at 200 yards a real challenge with a 22 long rifle.
 
I've seen and made some surpriseing shots with .22 lr but as a rule I look at .22 lr as a 50 yard rifle and .22 mag as 100yards anything after that is a centerfire shot . Just because its a first rifle does'nt mean it cant be a centerfire . Look at .223 Rem or .243 Win or .300 AAC all I cosider 300 yard rifles would be great at a 200 yard range . Or even .25-06 Rem and move out to 400 yards . My personal opinion would be go with Remington 700 or Ruger M77 or Savage 110 .
 
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