Which .22?

P

prhm

New member
I am looking for advice on which .22 rifle to purchase. I would prefer to stay with a bolt action and a wood stock (already have a synthetic stock semiauto). I don't have much experience with .22's just thought it would be fun to have one for target practice and plinking, so any help that you guys could offer me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.:)
 
Hard to go wrong with a Marlin bolt action; I've had them mostly with the tube magazine.

Whatever you get, don't use a lowest-cost scope, or one with a 1/2" or 3/4" tube. I suggest mid-price type, and 2X8 or 3X9 magnification.

At the outset, don't buy more than one box at a time of ammo. And, use a different type and brand for each of the first dozen or so boxes. Keep notes. You'll find that one particular brand, velocity, and type (solid, hollow-point, coated, or plain lead) will give you the best accuracy.

Hope this helps,

Art
 
Kimber
CZ
Anshultz
Marlin
Ruger
Sako

So many good ones, I don't envy you having to make the choice.
 
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I got the recent Japanese manufactured Winchester 52B, after reading the description by Cooper Rifles of their own 22 and all the elements they borrowed from the old 52B. It is not cheap--around $500--but it is a beautiful gun with an easily adjustable trigger and shoots great. Also it comes tapped for scope or, on the side, for a rear sight. I put a current Lyman globe sight forward, and an antique Lyman 48 peep sight on the rear. I am very satisfied. For more on the history of this gun see: http://www.precisionshooting.com/ps67.html And amazon.com has a book on the rife at: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/087341487X/ref=pd_rhf_p_1/102-5355375-0307306
 
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I second the nomination of the Ruger 77/.22...it's a good value, and I have seen them shoot some very fine groups. Another one I would recommend is the Remington 541-T. I have one with which I have shot well under 1/2 inch, five shots at fifty yards using American Eagle LR Hollow Points.
I wish the Winchester 52B was made in the USofA. I just can't bring myself to buy a rifle made in a country that pushes global gun control at the United Nations.
If you're inclined to go absolutely first-class on that rifle, get a Kimber!

DEFINITELY buy a top-quality scope. You'll likely shoot your .22 a lot more than any centerfire rifle, and it makes sense to go with good optics. Mine wears a Leupold 3-9x40 AO (no longer available, sadly). And go first-class with you mount and rings too!

-RR-
 
Yes ruger 77/22 is great its accurate and really well built, I cant find anything to complain about it. A friend of mine also has one and he loves it too
 
I too give a vote for the 77/22. Looks good, Feels right and shoot very well. But there are a lot of nice 22's out there...I have an old Remington ScoreMaster that is almost as good.:)
 
If you don't have a lot of money to spend on one and want a super accurate .22 that you don't have to " baby"....try out one of the Romanian training rifles currently being imported. I have one and finally got to shoot it today. I had a blast with the rifle. Accuracy was better than many American production .22's that I have shot. A pleasant surprise indeed.

And all for $60.00! :D

Good Shooting
RED
 
Marlin

Ruger 77/22s are either great or not so good. Mine was not too good. But I have never, ever heard of a bad Marlin. I too prefer the tube mag versions. I just saw one at a show for $185.

I was tempted, but I have too many .22RF already... ;) Right...

I know you wanted a bolt gun, but in levers, the Marlin 39 and the Winchester 9422 are very fine rifles. My 9422 in .22WMR left my Ruger 77/22 VBZM in the dust, and that is their accurate varmint model. Both these models are real walnut and steel, no zinc, no aluminum, no plastic, no birch... Real American gunmaking heritage.
 
I have three .22 Rifles.An Anschutz Model 54 Target,an Anschutz Model 1450,and a BRNO(CZ) Model 2.All are very accurate and well built--The Model 54 is extremely heavy,and only for target work.Of the other two the BRNO is my favourite,it is not scoped,as the 1450 is,but it is almost as accurate as the scoped Anschutz is.Also,it has a better bolt action(Mauser)and is better to load the magazine.
My advice would be to buy a Model 2 BRNO if you can find one.
 
Marlin

for bolt action, you cant beat marlin...unless you are rich.
I've also heard of some romanian .22 imports that are <$100 i think. I hear good things about them too!
 
I have a 77/22 that shoots great, but only after a $40 trigger job, any Ruger I buy goes straight to the gunsmith for trigger work. I put a Leupold Vari-X II 3-9x40 on it with the Ruger rings the gun came with. Gun, Scope, Trigger job totalled $705.

My friend has a CZ 452 American, it shoots better out of the box and has a sweet stock, I don't remenber how much it cost him, but I know it was cheaper that my Ruger.

Either one are good choices.

If you want a timeless classic (and don't mind spending a little more), get a Kimber.

My .02
 
The Marlin "Squirrel Rifle" Heavy Barrel Bolt Action and a good 1 inch 3-9 scope. Will shoot all day with higher priced guns.
 
my kimber 82c was a bit pricey, but man is it nice
fantastic trigger. smooth action
threw on a 12x leupold i had in the safe
got bored shooting x's at 100
so now i tag pasters with 5 rnds for a challenge
dont forget brownings 22's
i have had good luck with those too
 
Marlin 39a

I just ordered a Marlin golden 39A.
It is a lever action instead of a bolt like I had originally planned
on getting. But it does have a walnut stock. Beautifull gun.

Thanks to everyone for all of the help and suggestions.:D
 
I was going to recommend a levergun when I saw your post about getting one. Does the one you got feed shorts too?
 
I think you will be very happy with your Marlin. Just buy one box of every kind of ammo you can find and find out which one or two it shoots best with.

I have found CCI-Blount's Quik-Shok to be most accurate and by far most powerful in the half dozen rifles and half dozen pistols that my son and I have. Your results may differ.
 
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