Best bolt action 22lr?

[LadyVetch]

My friend wants all your opinions...  Wants a bolt action 22 to practice with.   Was looking at a ruger but someone suggested a cz....

So, he wants to know all your opinions since his wife is buying him one for Christmas.

Please help make his Christmas grand!

LV

[Agrivere]

The Ruger and the CZ are both popular rifles, and I don't think you'd go wrong with either.  Having said that, personally I think the Savage is a better rifle, though it's a bit more expensive.

My personal favorite, however, is an interesting little rifle called the Zastava CZ-99.  It's not odd at all in the way it works or the way it shoots, it's just that you don't see them very often.  Here's some more information:

Zastava CZ99 Bolt Action Rifle

It's got an adjustable trigger, a fully floated barrel, and shoots lights out in my experience.

[Grumpy1]

LV,

The Ruger 77/22 is a GREAT Rifle, But they are a little pricey, and 10/22 mags are NOT compatible.

I would recommend the Ruger American Rimfire, it uses 10/22 mags has an adjustable trigger, and you can change the combs, to match your sights, iron or optics. It probably costs around $250-300. Add a set of Tech Sights for about $75, and you got a nice rifle.

G1

[Moylan]

Find a good solid used Marlin 25N.  The only real problem with this rifle is the non-availability of aftermarket sights.  I wound up using a Williams, but I forget which model.  I had to do a fair bit of filing on the underside of the sight to get it to fit on the Marlin dovetail.  Also had to replace the front sight with a higher one.  Oddly, the one that Williams told me I needed wound up being too tall, and I had to file it down some to get the rifle sighted in properly.  But that was OK since it was a bead sight and now it's more or less a nice post. 

Anyway, these rifles can easily be had for $150, probably less.  Spare magazines are easily available--they accept the new Marlin 795 magazines.  The trigger will need a little fussing.  Replace the return spring with a spring taken from a retractable pen.  It makes a world of difference, at basically zero cost. 

Yes, I'm emotionally attached to my 25N.  Actually, it's not even mine.  It's my oldest son's.  At our first Appleseed I put him on my 10/22, thinking that would be easier for him, and I took the bolt action.  I eventually shot rifleman on it.  I would trade my 10-22 for it, but the rifle was a gift to him from his grandfather, and his first rifle, so he can't (and won't) give it up.  But he still hasn't shot rifleman on it.   

[AAOptics]

There is rarely a blanket answer in this type question, but I think the CZ 452 is about as close as it gets to a blanket answer.

[Uncle Davey]

Ask Red Baron about his Savage  Mark II FV-SR. Sweet rifle

[Nero]

We have a Ruger 77/22 long barrel model and it is a very nice rifle.  That said, it was pricey and for the money I'd now go CZ - I've seen some very nice ones on the line.  Or the Savage boltie - the ones sold through CMP are very nice shooters with a decent trigger, and for a while Savage was selling a rifle/scope package that was also well done.

[grunt soldier]

This

There is rarely a blanket answer in this type question, but I think the CZ 452 is about as close as it gets to a blanket answer.

Or savage mkII.

[Rayne]

~

[Mark Davis]

Savage MKII is a great rifle with a poor magazine.
CZ great rifle with good but spendy magazine.
Marlin great rifle good magazine.
Ruger American I can not vouch for as have never fired one. excellent, inexpensive, magazine.
Ruger 77-22 excellent rifle excellent magazine.

My vote is the CZ, but my marlin, savage's and ruger will not but out the door anytime soon.

[TOMINCT]

 Another vote for Marlin here. Used one to to make RM years ago, still have it.

I think any of those listed would do well, cost and availability and cost of mags probably the major consideration. Get something that parts can be had for, you never know when....

[gratefuldog]

Mossy 44 U.S. Honestly, my favorite rifle (and I have a few...)

[Del]

Love my cz 452's...to me they are much nicer than both my son's Marlin Savage mk ii and the wife's Browning t-bolt.

I've played with the Ruger Americans and don't find the bolt to be nearly as smooth.

[Charles McKinley]

Anschutz,  You didn't mention their budget.

http://www.accurateshooter.com/shooting-skills/rimfire-tactical-precision-match/

At the bottom of the above article is a nice rundown of what rifles they were shooting.  The Ruger Rimfire American was not out yet.  I have one and it is a nice rifle.
I like the Savages but as mentioned the magazines are a weak piont.

[Uncle Davey]

I stand corrected to a degree. Rayne is absolutely right, that Marlin 25 is a real smooth shooter once I figured out the mag change procedure. It was shooting sub-MOA groups on 5 squares and when I finally shot a AQT  that day it did all the work. Really good rifle for the value. 

[malabar]

Best?  One of the beautiful Anschutz sporters with the model 54 actions.  But you could buy four CZs for the price.

tk

[Big John]

I stand corrected to a degree. Rayne is absolutely right, that Marlin 25 is a real smooth shooter once I figured out the mag change procedure. It was shooting sub-MOA groups on 5 squares and when I finally shot a AQT  that day it did all the work. Really good rifle for the value. 

She usually is absolutely right, and she usually lets you know that, absolutely. 

I don't care for the Marlin 795 mags, but perhaps I need to throw the bolt on a few models before
committing to one, and I do like the 10-22 mags. I'll move onto bolt work after my lever tube rifle and I get to 210.

[fepowered]

The CZ 452 "Ultra Lux" (Model #00080)has a 28.5" barrel with factory iron sights.  $392 w/free shipping    http://www.kygunco.com/cz-452-ultra-lux-22lr-rifle-35320     I doubt you will find a longer sight radius in any other factory rifle..   

[Nero]

The CZ 452 "Ultra Lux" (Model #00080)has a 28.5" barrel with factory iron sights.  $392 w/free shipping    http://www.kygunco.com/cz-452-ultra-lux-22lr-rifle-35320     I doubt you will find a longer sight radius in any other factory rifle..   

We had one of those on the line at our last Nampa shoot.  No problem with keeping that muzzle over the line!     The owner made his score with it, too.

[TOMINCT]

 A of of nice rifles shown and discussed here but remember this all started as 'rack grade with ball ammo'.

Most any make 22 rifle will get you into a shoot and make RM with it. Don't want to see folks not show because they are at a perceived disadvantage equipment wise.

Somewhere in the past someone made RM with a bolt single shot. Patience, practice and perseverance.

[Rayne]

~

[malabar]

Ah, but the question was not, "What's the best rack-grade .22 bolt gun?"; it was, "what's the best .22 bolt gun?"  Big difference.

One of the most impressive sights I've seen at an Appleseed was a guy shooting a Stevens single-shot falling block rifle. He held the 10 rounds lined-up in his mouth and fire them off one at a time.  Didn't shoot the score, but he came reasonably close. And it was a damned fine example of what one can do when one has the proper focus.

tk

[BeSwift]

Under $500 with iron sights, the CZ is tops with 26 or 28" barrel.  Under $300 (you'll WANT to add glass, mount & rings) Ruger American..  Bargain shopper.. just about any older Mossberg...If it were me, I'd go CZ..

There's a zillion choices so ultimately it's about personal preference and what rifle fits you best.     BeSwift

[Woo]

I love my CZ 455 training rifle for the following personal reasons:

1. I love bolt action
2. I love the wood finish (though mine is beechwood, walnut might look better)
3. Accurate
4. Cheaper than anshutz
5. My first rifle, first firearm ever  So I'm biased.
6. Made me rifleman

I've used savage mkII F once. Light, smooth, cheaper, good for training. But I still think my CZ is better and I would never sell it.

[SPQR]

I witnessed Tech shooting the cricket. It wasn't just the lack of a feed ramp and the need to cock each time. It was the size of the load port, the size of trigger guard and the short stick. It was about time and placement. It was a really good example of highly technical shooting and mental focus. It wasn't the best shooting I've ever seen. But it was an excellent example of situational awareness and the any rifle any time Rifleman theory.


If a guy had the money for a CZ or any Anny that'd be the way to go.

If it's a budget issue the Marlin XT is a heckuva rifle.

[henschman]

If he wants the best, there isn't much question... Anschutz. 

[Red Alder Ranch]

Mossy 44 U.S. Honestly, my favorite rifle (and I have a few...)

That's what I have. Got a great deal on it, in near pristine condition. I was shopping for a CZ at the time, and couldn't pass up the sweet old Mossberg. It shoots better than I do, that's for sure.

Marlin 880 is also a good one, especially if you can find one of the "squirrel" ones with a bull barrel.

[Sly223]

I like my Savage better than my Marlin XVT More accurate dependable and small for youths to use!
Mine are .17HMR Sweet but nasty!

Sly

[The_ACUnicorn]

A of of nice rifles shown and discussed here but remember this all started as 'rack grade with ball ammo'.

Most any make 22 rifle will get you into a shoot and make RM with it. Don't want to see folks not show because they are at a perceived disadvantage equipment wise.

Somewhere in the past someone made RM with a bolt single shot. Patience, practice and perseverance.

I'm very new to Appleseed, but I am not new to single-shot bolt actions, and my Mossberg 320B "Boy Scout" rifle is the one I intend to bring to my first event.

It's a bit of a stretch, I grant you, in the age of the semi-auto, magazine-fed rifle, but this little rifle is more accurate than I can hold, has micrometer adjustable sights and is an absolute joy to shoot. When my eyes were in better shape, I used to cut stinkweeds down on the 50M pistol target line at my local range, just for fun.

It's also very hard to find nowadays, as I have been looking for a second one to add to my collection, and it's like they've all disappeared.

[Charles McKinley]

https://youtu.be/2_DHZUGS24Y

A Rim-X from Kenny over at Eagle Eye Shooting but you won't have it by Christmas.

What 22 dose he already own?  If he has a 10/22 the Ruger Rimfire American is the correct answer as he already has extra magazines.  It is called path dependence.  Doe he know he is getting the rifle?  Does he like wood, composites or laminate stocks?

Remember with out magazines you have an expensive poorly shaped club.  I've heard the Stainless steel Savage Mark2 mags are better than the blued.  If they go Savage get extra mags with the rifle.  I laguhed while it spit shells all over my 9 year old daughter, she didn't.