Please recommend a rifle(s).

[Sensei]

I'm looking for an accurate bolt or lever action 22 rifle for hunting small game and learning better rifle skills.

What would you guys recommend?

[DWARREN123]

I like CZ's. I have them in 22lr, 22wmr, 17 Mach2 and 17 hmr. The Varmint is more for paper shooting, the American is more for hunting/paper shooting and the Lux is more for hunting. Just my opinion.
There are many fine brands out you just have to find the one that fits you.

[Red Neck64]

Brno-CZ542 is a tack driver out of the box.

[BIGBOOMER]

Originally Posted by Red Neck64

Brno-CZ542 is a tack driver out of the box.

I'll second that!!! It is probably the best .22 for the money out there, and will hold its own in any company.
As for the lever actions, the Marlin 39A is excellent, as is the now discontinued Win. M9422.
I have never owned a Henry lever gun, but I have heard good things about them, have seen some with pretty nice walnut on them, and they are very affordable.
Best regards, BIGBOOMER

[.22guy]

I'd go with a Marlin 39A, although my personal .22 lever action is a Winchester 9422XTR that belonged to my dad. Marlins are nice though. My uncle has a Henry golden boy that he really likes, although I have never shot it.

[LIKTOSHOOT]

The term accurate has many meanings in the gun world and yours too. It defines what you need, not others. Now I am very much in the same room with S247 in these regards, I have little use for a MOA rifle or pistol, it must deliver sub MOA. While many think this is only available to bolt or block actions.....I will add the semi-auto in rimfire. Please view the picture below, this was fired from a Ruger77/22 MAG, converted to .17HMR. It has a 20" GM Heavy fluted stainless barrel(IN Special), a 10/oz JARD trigger and a 36X Fixed power Weaver fine target crosshair. This group was fired off a card table-hardly a benchrest by any means......but will give you the idea of this rifles ability.

This is one of what I call,,,,"The Triplets"
Three Ruger 77`s, one 17HMR, One .22Mag, One .22LR, each with the "exact" same capabilities with only hole size varrying.
I was told and continue to be told Rugers won`t shoot, so I guess I must own the only three out there that do---but again that is ok by me, I built them so they are mine to keep........sorta like kids but cost much less--LOL

The second target shows how to get used to a light trigger, touching off the shot prior to having aquired the target, LOL........this is a mirror of target one.


Now to the question of rifle, never ever over look good quality used .22`s "NEVER"

BSA Martini Actions AND Rifles are simple and sub MOA guns.......and have the very cool look going for them.

Anschutz makes a quality and accurate rifle, personally I never cared for them and probably never will (shame on me) but I can`t warm up to them.

Savage, Ruger, Cooper.....the list is very long, just like the ammo for them.

I have a thing for very old Mossbergs with 24-26" barrels because they simply shoot. You must understand my love for rimfire and it is not at the fifty yard line.....that is for pistols.

Find what appeals to you, what fits you. If you can test fire a few-if not use the appeal factor with a quality maker and it will be hard to do wrong.
Shoot every brand of ammo made for it, because one might be great---but another may be excellent. That may be what makes a .22 fun, cheap to shoot but plenty of gun than most will ever admit to.

Take the time when you first aquire it to get to know it. Shoot from a rest about 25 yards to start with. Learn your basic`s and don`t move from there until your really good. Otherwise bad habits will be much greater at greater distance`s.

Most of all, have a darn good time-be safe and relax.
And the worst thing....... you might just get hooked.


LTS

[Red Neck64]

Originally Posted by LIKTOSHOOT

The term accurate has many meanings in the gun world and yours too. It defines what you need, not others. Now I am very much in the same room with S247 in these regards, I have little use for a MOA rifle or pistol, it must deliver sub MOA. While many think this is only available to bolt or block actions.....I will add the semi-auto in rimfire. Please view the picture below, this was fired from a Ruger77/22 MAG, converted to .17HMR. It has a 20" GM Heavy fluted stainless barrel(IN Special), a 10/oz JARD trigger and a 36X Fixed power Weaver fine target crosshair. This group was fired off a card table-hardly a benchrest by any means......but will give you the idea of this rifles ability.

This is one of what I call,,,,"The Triplets"
Three Ruger 77`s, one 17HMR, One .22Mag, One .22LR, each with the "exact" same capabilities with only hole size varrying.
I was told and continue to be told Rugers won`t shoot, so I guess I must own the only three out there that do---but again that is ok by me, I built them so they are mine to keep........sorta like kids but cost much less--LOL

The second target shows how to get used to a light trigger, touching off the shot prior to having aquired the target, LOL........this is a mirror of target one.


Now to the question of rifle, never ever over look good quality used .22`s "NEVER"

BSA Martini Actions AND Rifles are simple and sub MOA guns.......and have the very cool look going for them.

Anschutz makes a quality and accurate rifle, personally I never cared for them and probably never will (shame on me) but I can`t warm up to them.

Savage, Ruger, Cooper.....the list is very long, just like the ammo for them.

I have a thing for very old Mossbergs with 24-26" barrels because they simply shoot. You must understand my love for rimfire and it is not at the fifty yard line.....that is for pistols.

Find what appeals to you, what fits you. If you can test fire a few-if not use the appeal factor with a quality maker and it will be hard to do wrong.
Shoot every brand of ammo made for it, because one might be great---but another may be excellent. That may be what makes a .22 fun, cheap to shoot but plenty of gun than most will ever admit to.

Take the time when you first aquire it to get to know it. Shoot from a rest about 25 yards to start with. Learn your basic`s and don`t move from there until your really good. Otherwise bad habits will be much greater at greater distance`s.

Most of all, have a darn good time-be safe and relax.
And the worst thing....... you might just get hooked.


LTS

The Gun Rags!!

[Sensei]

Originally Posted by Red Neck64

Brno-CZ542 is a tack driver out of the box.

Please forgive my ignorance, but I've tried googling that and I come up with nothing. What exactly is that?

[Pat Hurley]

Lots of good choices have been listed above, but my choice is the Henry Golden Boy. Smooth action, very accurate, very affordable, and drop dead gorgeous.

By the way, what's your martial art disicpline, Sensei?

Pat Hurley

[Sensei]

Originally Posted by Pat Hurley

Lots of good choices have been listed above, but my choice is the Henry Golden Boy. Smooth action, very accurate, very affordable, and drop dead gorgeous.

By the way, what's your martial art disicpline, Sensei?

Pat Hurley

I've studied and taught Aikido for many years and have considerable experience in other disciplines.

Is the rifle you mentioned the same thing as the Henry Model H001 Lever Action 22 LR? The local sporting goods store has it on sale for $220.

[BIGBOOMER]

Originally Posted by Sensei

Please forgive my ignorance, but I've tried googling that and I come up with nothing. What exactly is that?

That's now just the CZ M452. At one time they were marketed under the name "Brno" (pronounced "bruno") which is just the name of the city in the Czech Republic where they are manufactured. They are now marketed by CZ-USA (www.cz-usa.com). Go to their web-site and select "rimfire rifles" and you will see the various versions of the M452, and also their new M453 and M513, which I didn't know they had. I don't know if either of the new ones are in the stores yet. The M513 is an entry-level, and the M453 is apparently an improved M452 with a single set trigger.
The CZ line includes a lot of quality rifles, pistols, and shotguns.
Best regards, BIGBOOMER

[southernshooter]

Henry for the lever gun
And Mako for the bot action

[JohnK3]

I've got a CZ-452, their "Scout" model. it's got a bit shorter stock and barrel, designed for young'uns. It's not so short I can't shoot it comfortably.

I'd get one of their regular-sized models. They're a great rifle, capable of sub-MOA groups and very well built.

[ibtrukn]

them #2 penzilz werk wundrs

[Pomy11]

Sensei, I agree on the CZ 452, I have the American in 22 wmr, there is one problem, the boredome of shooting 50 rounds through the same hole! They are that good. I'm looking into a lever also, check the Browning, and the Marlin 39A has a good reputation, longest rifle design still being manufactured.
Good luck.

[Red Neck64]

Originally Posted by Sensei

Please forgive my ignorance, but I've tried googling that and I come up with nothing. What exactly is that?

This is the site.

http://www.cz-usa.com/products_rimfire_rifles.php?m=1

[webfoot56]

I cannot believe no one has recommended the remington 541 series of rifles in the 541-t sporter, 541-thb, and the 541-s. These rifles are no longer made but can be purchased on the secondary market. ********* and auction arms would be a good starting point. They have adjustable triggers and shoot pretty good.

[southernshooter]

Welcome Webfoot
Yea the 541's aren't bad

[rangerruck]

well, it is no secret that I am a huge marlin fan. For accuracy and price, they just cant be beat. Proly the best deal out there now, for 40 years, is the semi auto mod 60. But for a boltie, the next best deal for 70 years, is their 81 series. Their new 981's go for about 150 dollars. they are tube fed and will fire short, long, and long rifle. They will hold 25 shorts at one time! that is just incredible. I have a 81 dl made in 1937 , I think, that is just so smokin accurate, with it's peep site, it is sick! you can't fire regular ol high velocity in it though, not that the rifle can't take it, but the sites were made before the invention of high velocity rounds, so you cant get them to hit any closer than about 6 inches from the top of your point of aim, even though you have the site adjusted all the way down!
now that being said, if i wanted something with monster accuracy , and beauty for life, I would go with cz. Best overall value in accuracy and beauty in firearms , for all types of firearms, period.

[stash247]

The CZ rifles, and their ancestors, the BRNO Model 1, and 2, come with an impeccable pedigree; they just WORK!
All have the barrel threaded and screwed into the action, like one would do for a centerfire benchrest gun; few others, 'til one approaches the Win 52'// Rem 40-X level of rifles, do it that way; to my knowledge, Anschutz never has, although they work quite well!
The Martini's are also done in this fashion, though they are not bolt guns, also the Win// Marlin lever guns.
Could there be a pattern developing, here?
A current production, readily available, M-452, with a minimum of tuning, and ammo selection, will shoot with just about any rifle up to twice the price point, favorably.
Establish the parameters you will accept, first, then, look for a gun!
How much gun? (ie, accuracy), and, How much MONEY?
I got a Clyde Hart Barreled Win 52D, here in (still reasonably warm), south Texas, that will put 'wildcat' into a half inch or so, at 100 yds; with decent ammo, like 'proven' lots of Eley, Fiocci, or Federal, it shoots ragged holes at that distance, too small to count the number of shots, without a moving backer! True enough, the barrel is 1.490", end to end, and the rifle is close to 30 pounds, in weight, but, back to parameters
In my case, my kids are grown, the wife, gone and paid off, so I am totally without any adult supervision!
This may not be your situation, and, accordingly, one must prioritise.
How much rifle do you need, and how much rifle can you afford, are the two questions we all need to ask, in order to decide.

[BIGBOOMER]

Pop has a good point there. There all kinds of aftermarket goodies for the Ruger 10/22. I have one that I fixed up with an Adams & Bennet fluted heavy stainless barrel and Hogue rubber stock from Midway, did a trigger job on it, added after market slide and magazine releases, and put a good scope on it, and it is a real tack driver. Not very much invested, either!
Best regards, BIGBOOMER

[KyBlaster]

I have a Ruger M 77 in .22lr. I have also had a lot of people tell me it won't shoot.

After we go out shooting they have a different story though.

[TTLongRifle]

From my experience I'd suggest Marlin. The Marlin 925 is pretty decent. If you want semi-auto the Model 60. The are both available for less than $200. I paid $160 at Bass Pro for the Marlin 925 about a week ago. If you have $300 go for the rifle made in Brazil (forget the brand name).

Originally Posted by Sensei

I'm looking for an accurate bolt or lever action 22 rifle for hunting small game and learning better rifle skills.

What would you guys recommend?

[stash247]

Originally Posted by KyBlaster

I have a Ruger M 77 in .22lr. I have also had a lot of people tell me it won't shoot.

After we go out shooting they have a different story though.

Blaster, I had an old man (He's 83, now), wax my backside, at a match, 30 years or so ago, and I made comment that with the top flight gear he had, it was near impossible to compete with him.
He took me aside, we traded rifles, and he did the deed all over again, beating me with my own rifle!
I am now the age, or about, that he was, then, and finally can compete with him, even beat him, on occasion.
The most interesting part of this story, to me, at least, is that we are both still shooting the same rifles.
I remember a warning, from long ago, about 'being wary (Beware) the one gun shooter', and blowing it off, then.
I've won a few prizes, and a bit of money, since then, all with the same rifle I thought 'handicapped' me, back then.
From an Engineering viewpoint, the 10-22, and 77-22, are all wrong, in their means of barrel attatchment, and the third screw, holding the action in the stock, yet they manage, often, to shoot well. Maybe it's not the gear, but the guy?