Shopping for a new .22LR

[Bobert0989]

I just recieved my new toy last week, a Mossberg 346K.

Took it out to zero today (mounted a Nikon 2-7x32 scope on it), and within ten minutes I was stacking 40gr Winchester's in one ragged hole (at almost 80 yards, at that!). The build quality actually surprised me, since I know these rifles don't carry a lot of value. It is a VERY solid gun, the wood is excellent. Only downfall I have found thus far(and common with cheap .22's) is that the trigger guard is made of some kind of hard plastic, which cracked when I was putting it back together. Not a huge deal, I'm just not used to plastic parts and bullied the screw too much.

It's also tube-fed, like my Marlin Model 60's. I liked that too. But if you plan on threading the barrel for muzzle device or suppressor, you won't be able to load it with the suppressor in place. I got so excited to find one that cheap, I didn't think about that little technicality...lol. But all-in-all, I think I have stumbled upon a good little gun. And with the rifle, scope, and cheap 11mm-base rings (from Meijer, lol), I have now invested a whopping $197.05, which is about the starting point for most bolt-action .22's made today, without scope.

Keep an eye on GunBroker, that's how I found my deal. But I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Mossberg now, this was a good first experience. I'm not saying it's "better than a _______ (Savage, CZ, Marlin, etc.)", but it definately has fulfilled my needs. I've been wanting a bolt-action .22 for years, and now am happy with the one I purchased.

I wish I could figure out how to post pictures, I'd show her off a little!

[greatnw]

Can't comment on the CZ's as I have no experiance with them but I had a 10/22 with Tech Sights awhile back and they were great. Well made, rugged, easy to use and well priced. There wasn't a thing I didn't like about them, wish I still had that 10/22

[SkiDevil]

.
So, a bolt action is pretty much what I am left with. (Don't desire a lever action .22LR... no real reason, just not what I'd prefer.) So, what are my options? What have y'all tried and been happy with? Anything in particular to avoid?


While acting as a volunteer rifle instructor at a scout camp last summer, I had some exposure to the CZ Model 513. Now, this is a youth rifle and is on the small side for me, but I was impressed with the workmanship. They seemed well built and accurate during the brief time I had with them.

I did a little research, and found that the CZ Model 452 is a full size .22LR marketed as a "military trainer". After reading a bit on the model, I found one in stock locally and went to take a look. I liked it. Anyone have any experience with this model in particular?

Did a little more research, and I found a company that makes replacement front and rear sights so that you can have an aperture sight. The company is "Tech-Sights". I've never heard of them, but I haven't dealt with this particular niche very much. Do they make a good product?

I own one of the military trainer models. I purchased it 3-4 years ago at a local gun shop. I have since seen several more in other gun shops and the quality appears to be the same in handling and examining them.

If you want a mid-priced quality made bolt-action .22 LR rifle you couldn't make a better choice in my opinion. The rifles are metal and wood and assembled with care.

I purchased mine because I like bolt-action .22s and enjoy shooting with iron sights. At 100 yards with a sand bag and the tangent iron sights I have fired 1 1/2" groups in little to light wind conditions with CCI 36 gr HP ammunition.

It is a very accurate rifle and proven to be quite dependable. For what you state in your post it would make a solid choice. You may also check-out Savage and Marlin for a similar (biathalon) type rifle but I don't believe either can meet the price/ quality of the CZ.

I don't regret purchasing mine and have taught several new shooters the basics of rifle shooting. It lends itself well to off-hand shooting with the balance and heft of a full-size rifle.

Best of Luck
SkiDevil

[rojocorsa]

I own one of the military trainer models. I purchased it 3-4 years ago at a local gun shop. I have since seen several more in other gun shops and the quality appears to be the same in handling and examining them.

If you want a mid-priced quality made bolt-action .22 LR rifle you couldn't make a better choice in my opinion. The rifles are metal and wood and assembled with care.

I purchased mine because I like bolt-action .22s and enjoy shooting with iron sights. At 100 yards with a sand bag and the tangent iron sights I have fired 1 1/2" groups in little to light wind conditions with CCI 36 gr HP ammunition.

It is a very accurate rifle and proven to be quite dependable. For what you state in your post it would make a solid choice. You may also check-out Savage and Marlin for a similar (biathalon) type rifle but I don't believe either can meet the price/ quality of the CZ.

I don't regret purchasing mine and have taught several new shooters the basics of rifle shooting. It lends itself well to off-hand shooting with the balance and heft of a full-size rifle.

Best of Luck
SkiDevil

What he said! ^^^^

The rifle will make some nice groups with cheap bulk ammo. It doesn't disappoint and it has excellent tangent sights (something that its American competitors don't seem to have). The stock is also handsome and it's pretty much a full size affair and the LOP is decent.




I took these pics when I first got it.

The front sight is adjustable for elevation (makes the blade taller or shorter) as is the rear sight, graduated in 25m markings from 25 to 200m. I think the rear sight is also adjustable for windage.
The stock trigger is adjustable.


This is the best 15-shot group I've shot in a while. 40gr CCI Blazer LRN @ 1235 fps out of my CZ. Iron sights, 50yds standard smallbore target. This was Friday evening.


The gun doesn't feel cheap at all. I can't even regret overpaying for mine; it was worth it.

The only downside is the cost of additional mags for the rifle (and that mine came home with a very very very faint rust layer (it was probably in its box for a while before it got to me). I took this off with out a problem as it wasn't even visible to the naked eye (but it was visible under a bright LED light). This isn't the guns fault and I took care of it, and this is really the only complaint I have.

I shoot mine a lot (because I can afford to), and the bore is still mirror shiny. Literally all I do is run a .22 boresnake through it. The bore is very tight, so pulling the b-snake through is a little hard but it always comes out CLEAN. The tight bore is a good thing because I'm assuming it grips bullets well.

It's a great rifle.

[plaskon]

Romanian M1969.

[brickboy240]

I too have a 510 Remmy that I inherited from my grandfather.

Liked it so much, that I went out and found a 1950s vintage 511 Remmy in a pawn shop and got it for 100 bucks. Put a cheap Bushnell 3x9x32 scope on Millett steel rings and now I can REALLY make the squirrels nervous around here! LOL

I also found a 512 Remmy bolt gun at another pawn shop and snapped it up. Honestly, these old Remington 22 bolt guns are scary accurate and very well made and have spoiled me.

Ever thought about finding a 511 or 512? Seriously....the newer 22 boltguns are made of cast parts, plastic and are just not of the quality of the Remingtons made from the 40s, 50s and 60s. I see the Remmy 510, 511 nd 512s in pawn shops in decent condition for around 100 bucks. All will gladly out group the average Ruger 10-22.

Also, have you ever shot a Marlin Model 39? It might change your view of a 22 lever gun. Mine was made in the late 60s and is almost as accurate as the Remmy bolt guns. Totally reliable and feeds everything. The later Marlin 39s have a cross bolt safety and a rebounding hammer and are not as well made but the ones from the late 60s and earlier are out there for about 400-500 bucks and are amazingly well made and accurate shooters.

Good luck in your search.

- brickboy240

[anthony1]

New stuff- for cheap, savage is good as it gets, l prefer the markll BV. CZ is a little nicer and cost a little more. Anshutz is the way to go but pricey.

Used stuff- Good deals can be found on rem 531ts , kimber 82gs, some surplus trainers are ok too. Rem 40x and Win52s are probably my all time favorites, they wont be cheap but they also will get more valuable as time goes by, if you can swing it thats what l'd get a rem40x or win52 .

Oh and dont worry about shooting out a 22lr, l have an old winchester rifle that was my granfathers, then my dads and now mine and has to have literally over a hundred thousand rounds through it easily, still shoots fine.

[brickboy240]

All 3 of my 50s/60s era Remington 22 bolt action rimfire pawnshop rescue guns were bought for under 100 bucks and all will shoot dime-sized groups at the 50yd bench with any ammo I feed them.

Have not seen a stock Ruger 10-22 do that.

If you come across a used Remington Model 510, 511 or 512....pick it up because it might just amaze you for very little money.

- brickboy240

[Jake'sDad]

Another recommendation for old Remington and Winchester bolt .22's. Years ago, I bought every $50-$75 old quality .22 rifle I came across. I finally quit when I had 30+. I still give them away for friend's and family's kids.

You will still find them around for 125-200. All steel, walnut, hand fitted. They would cost $600+ if they made them like that today.

[brickboy240]

Yep, all 3 of my 50s/60s made Remingtons have black walnut stocks, hot blued metal and case hardened bolts and triggers. All have thick 24" barrels and sights that you can actually use. Really nice, "pre-lawyer" triggers that break clean and the only plastic is the buttplate. No cast or MIM parts.

A 22 rifle like that would run 600-700 bucks today...but they are in pawn shops all over in the 80-125 dollar range.

They will shoot all day long and feed whatever 22 ammo you feed it...shorts, longs....whatever.

- brickboy240