Need insights on a good .22 rimfire

[calsibley]

It's almost embarrassing to admit that with over 20 firearms I do not own a .22 rimfire. How abot some suggestions based on personal experience. I want a bolt action, preferrably capable of 1" groups (5 at 100yds.). I personally like the Remington 504, but do not really want to spend the big bucks for one. CZ sounds like it might be an attractive alternative, but I know little about them. Any really good suggestions out there? Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

[bounce]

Yes Cal, Try to find the target model Iterarm's import from China just a few years ago before they stoped them from comeing hear. at that time they cost on average $97.00 They will do what you ask.

[Purebred Redneck]

Cal, do you plan on shooting the gun a lot or a little?

1 inch is obtainable but it sure won't come from a box of bulk ammo. You're going to spend a lot of money shooting high quality target ammo. If you don't plan on shooting a lot, you might look at a 17hmr - makes the trajectory a lot better anyway.
Either caliber though, any wind is going to give you hell at 100 yards.

[jimh]

1" at 100 yds, when you find this rifle and you tire of it, sell it to me. i did get out with my m77/22 just this past fri and shot some groups at 50 yds now that i have the target sear in it. i can't believe how much a diff. a 1 3/4lb trigger makes over a 6lb trigger at 50 yds. i got several groups of 3/8" with 5 shots shooting win. dynapoints. i did get them to open up a tad too at the end of the outing but even then they where grouped together at about a 1/2". i'll clean the barrel and try again to see if it was a fluke or not. hey bounce, what is the model of rifle to which you speak of, i would like to keep an eye out for one.

[bounce]

jimh, I unfortunantly do not have one now and do not remeber model no. I have kepted a civilan moldel thats realy good too and like knew condition. But they have target stocks, flat bottom forearm with a slide on the bottom for a hand rest, they have a very heavy type barrel that at the front sight stair steps up even larger, nice iron sights that work for range indecated. and the year they were made is staped on the breach of the barrel, like 1978 0r 1979 ect, they are used training rifles and the stocks look ruff but two moons has refinish two that were great looking after and he even jeweled the bolt on one. I have had seveal in the past and Two moon's and I both know all would shoot as well as any priced new gun on the market today!! I'm totaly serious about this. They have a 5 shot clip that you can not find extra ones is the only fall down I know of. The rifle prettyed up the most he sold to a Judge then the Judge lost the clip, far as I know it's now still a single shot!!!

[klsm54]

Anschutz, Sako, Remington, Ruger.....those would be my first choices.

1" at 100 yards is an admirable goal, but I would go for 1/2" or maybe 3/8" at 50 instead, if it were me. The loads that will give you the best accuracy, standard velocity target and match loads, are extremely susceptible to wind and one hole groups at 50 yards often open up to well over an inch at 100. I think you will find that for 22 LR, most are evaluated at 50 yards.

I know that it is natural to want to spend less on a 22Lr that a centerfire rifle. But stop and think Cal. A brick of 500 rounds of 22LR costs less than a box of 100 22 caliber centerfire bullets, let alone the powder and primers and time to load them. The gun will have no recoil, and the mild report means that you only have to get about 100 yards from houses to have fun. All that means that you will most likely shoot this rifle more than any other you own. Now, being a man who appreciates fine and accurate rifles, Cal, I don't think you will be pleased with a 2nd rate firearm. And think how much more enjoyable it will be to burn up 500 rounds in an afternoon out a smooth triggered, super accrurate Anschutz or Sako rather than a $100.00 Wally World special.... ;D ;D

[bounce]

I belive klsm54 is not beliveing me....well sute your self Cal that's all that matters. But I do not belive any of the rifles he listed will do any better or as well. and you can make the China gun look good too just put a new finish on it, and adjust the leanth of pull for you if needed bye adding on at the butt. I would gladly take on any rifle with one myself. Put a scope on and you can take out a birds eye every shot. shoots all amo well, the CCI green tag is perrfict shooting.

[klsm54]

It's not that I don't believe you Bounce... ;D...I just like the brands I mentioned. If Cal, or anyone else, would be happy with a Chinese rifle, then by all means, buy one.

I have heard of some of those rifles being extraordinarly accurate, if you get the right model, or as you mention, era of production.

I have yet to hear a complaint about an Anschutz or Sako though. I have an Anshutz 54 that will put them in the same hole shot after shot, all day long, if the shooter does his part. And all the finish in the world will not turn Chinese steel and wood into an Anschutz for me, but then, that is just my opinion.

Another thing to consider Cal, is a used rifle. One the older vintage Remington or Winchester rifles. They were quite accurate.

I guess what I was trying to say in my first post was that for me, it has never been hard to justify the most expensive rifle in my safe being a 22. It has seen the most use of any rifle, so to me, it was money well spent. By the way Cal, the trigger pull on my Anschutz will adjust down to ounces of pull, safely. And that is with no gunsmith tinkering.....

[jimiowa]

It`s no secret I`m a rimfire junky.
And have to agree with Scott in that one will shoot a rimfire all afternoon for a fraction of the cost of a centerfire. I have yet to own an Anschutz or Sako, but am sure they would be a pleasure to own and shoot.
Truth is I have enough in my 10/22 I could have bought a fine used anschutz.
Bounce is right in that there are some fine imports that will shoot, pretty darn well and cheap.

As Jim H pointed out sub inch rimfire groups are not hard to come by at 50yds and quite rare at 100yds.
I would consider a group under 2" good at 100yds and thats being good at wind doping.
In fact if you consider velocity/trajectory at 200yds with standard velocity loads in a rimfire is comparable to 1000yds with a centerfire. A fun game and great tune up for varmint season. But now we`re talking about feet of bullet drop?


Overall if your want to shoot 100yds your odds will be far better with an Anschutz or Sako, and if you get serious about it you`ll be tuning them up too.

Scott pointed out another advantage of the rimfire.
Cal if I remember correctly you have to load up and take a long drive to the range? Rimfires can be shot in any ditch in the country safely close to home.

[Bill]

I think that if I was going after 1 quality rifle and could have only one it would either be a Anchutz or a Browning copy of the Winchester mod 52. Both of those guns are tack drivers.
I finally got my Ruger 10/22 finished. I have less than the cost of a new standard mod into it and its never been fired, even from the factory. Thats even after I rebarreled it, restocked it, and mounted a scope on it. The scope is a 2.5 Redfield, but I need to get a rail base for it and get rid of the original base as its kind of cheesy and reminds me of something Red would use. I don't want the same problem he had so its getting changed. The next thing is to put a Volquartsen trigger on it. Then I'm going squirril hunting

[Purebred Redneck]

I tell you what Bill, I did have a lot of luck with BKL or BLK (whatever it is) mounts. I think they probably make them for Ruger too.

[calsibley]

Thanks all, especially Scott. You and I seem to have similar tastes in rifles. I'll shop aroud a bit more before throwing open the vault. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

[natman]

The CZ 452 is a good bet and easily available. I believe the "Chinese target model" referred to above might be the Kengs NS522. I have one and it is amazingly accurate. The Browning copy of the Win 52 sporter is also very accurate. If you can find a H&R M12, they are *very* accurate and extremely well made.

Your goal of 1 inch at 100 yards is a centerfire accuracy touchstone, but 100 yards is really a long way for a 22. Tight groups at 50 yards would be more realistic.

[jimh]

natman said:

The CZ 452 is a good bet and easily available. I believe the "Chinese target model" referred to above might be the Kengs NS522. I have one and it is amazingly accurate. The Browning copy of the Win 52 sporter is also very accurate. If you can find a H&R M12, they are *very* accurate and extremely well made.

Your goal of 1 inch at 100 yards is a centerfire accuracy touchstone, but 100 yards is really a long way for a 22. Tight groups at 50 yards would be more realistic.

In regaurds to the H&R here is one review that was interesting.
www.gun-tests.com/sample/22LR.html

[sebastian]

Anchutz and Brno, come to my mind.

I shot both of them, even not much. Sporter type....out of the box, but forgot the model etc.
At 100meters, they both capable to group under 1". Several groups even about 0.6" or so.

I also ever shot Anchutz target rifles once, forgot the model too, but it's very heavy and long barrel, target stock with adjustments etc. Just at 50m, but it shot tiny hole with its iron sight.

I found Elley (Tenex) the best.

I have one Rem 66 Nylon (semi)...it shoots not bad, especially it's a semi.

It was long time ago though....i guess they even shoot better if shot with proper bench, rest, scope etc.