Author Topic: Looking into a new .22 (Read 2566 times)

JCM · « **on:** February 11, 2003, 09:49:13 AM »

Hello all,

I'm starting to look for a new .22 and would appreciate any information on what you consider to be the best gun for the money. Money is an object here so I would prefer to go with a basic, proven gun that won't require a loan. However, I'd rather pay extra and get a quality gun than purchase a cheap undependable one. I'm not picky about action, anything is fine there. I will scope the gun. It will be used mainly for tree rats, so accuracy enough for head shots out to 45-50 yards would be appreciated. I do not want a gun that I have to modify extensively, but I don't mind doing a basic trigger job. Let me know if you've got any positive or negative feedback on any specific gun.

Thanks and take care,
JCM

KN · « **Reply #1 on:** February 11, 2003, 12:32:31 PM »

10-22, Accuracy is great out of the box and there under $200. KN

Flatlander.54 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 11, 2003, 01:50:59 PM »

I have to agree with Splendid and KN both. If you can swing the Contenders price tag you wont find a better .22 plus you have the option of other barrels you can add. But if price is a constricting factor the Ruger 12/22 is a fine little gun as well, so is Marlins semi-auto .22 (cant remember the model number of their gun, someone help me out here)
Until I got my first Contender with a .22 barrel I hunted squirrel with a Marlin .22 semi-auto and killed a many of tree rat with it, as did my Father with his Ruger 10/22. Those three guns would be great choices for a new .22. I think the Marlins are even cheaper than the Ruger also...about $100.00 if I remember right.

jh45gun · « **Reply #3 on:** February 11, 2003, 07:34:27 PM »

Some may disagree with me on my choice and I must admit the Contender and the 1022 are classics. If you want a bolt action that is accurate and cheap buy a Romainian 69. The bores on these barrels are like match barrels and this is not my word but my gunsmiths who put a bore scope down the bore of mine. He was very impressed and said it looked as fine as any 22 he has put a match barrel on. I have a friend that bought one just because he liked the bore in mine and believe me he is frugal

I must say though most 22's now days will shoot as well as you can hold them as long as they have half way decent triggers. That is where the contender shines along with a great barrel. If you do not mind a single shot and I do not you cannot ask for a finer weapon. I have a TC Encore in 308 and it is one of the finest guns I have shot or owned. But it is your choice You probably cannot go wrong on what you chose as long as it has a decent trigger which has a great factor in accuracy. Jim

jh45gun · « **Reply #4 on:** February 11, 2003, 07:50:16 PM »

RD, what you say is true to a point it maybe helped your gun but may make a other one shoot worse, you just have to expirement, but to make such a final statement could be erronious. I had a 8mm that I took the barrel bands off to semi sporterise and it was all over the place put one band back on and the groups tightened back up. So what is good for one gun is not neccesarily good for another. Some guns benifit from free floating and glass bedding just the action. Others full glass bedding helps. many 22's are not as fussy as centerfires and they will shoot great if you take the time to find out what they like for ammo with out taking off and putting things on them. I am not criticising your post as maybe it helped you but it may not help others. Before monkying around with any 22 I would shoot as many kinds of ammo I could to see what it likes and dislikes and then if it does not shoot the way you want it to then start to expirement. As a side note before anyone would get too carried away. More good guns have been ruined by guys trying to improve what the factory spent years on getting right than you can shake a stick at. If you think I am wrong just ask any GOOD gunsmith. Jim

JCM · « **Reply #5 on:** February 12, 2003, 12:12:13 AM »

Thanks for all the input so far. It is greatly appreciated.

I've looked over the 10/22 as well as the new 10/22 with a longer barrel, simply because I see them at every corner. They seem to be good guns with a fair price tag. I like the stainless model, but don't see the need for a longer barrel in a .22. Any input on comparisons between the basic 10/22 and the newer version with the longer barrel would be helpful.

I haven't considered the Marlin or Contender. Thanks for the input on them. I'll start doing a little research there.

Again, thank you. Any more information is welcome.

Take care,
JCM

John (Rojo) · « **Reply #6 on:** February 12, 2003, 02:35:08 PM »

You might want to read up on or take a look at the CZ line of .22 and .17 cal. rifles. They have a decent reputation for "out of the box" accuracy, very good workmanship, and they they have a few models to choose from. They a little less expensive than the Ruger bolt action models, but cost a little more than your Marlin, Savage, and a few others.

Take a look at the Rimfire Central website, and go to the CZ section. Good information. rimfirecentral.com.

Good shopping.

John (Rojo)

Weatherby223 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 12, 2003, 03:35:56 PM »

Check out the CZ 452e. You won't regret it! Only rifle i have found that comes close to the CZ would be the Anshutz . I have had mine for about 10yrs and it has accounted for hundreds of Rabbits and plenty of Foxes. Pin point accuracy straight from the box. :grin:

Dave-o · « **Reply #8 on:** February 13, 2003, 04:18:04 AM »

Buy a CZ and don't look back. I have 3 and on a calm day with Wolf match target($1.70/box) the best one shoots 5 shoots in the .3 area most of the time. The other 2 hang right around .5. The only thing I've done to the guns is to free float and lighten the triggers. You can easily do these yourself. There's tons of info over at RimfireCentral, you can even buy kits with springs and shims to do your trigger ($9). The CZ special, lower end, is about $190 and the American or varmint are approx. $300. The special has a lower comb and is better suited for open sites or a lower powered/ lower mounted scope. It also has a beech stock(which I think is kinda nice). The American will be better suited for strict target work or tricking out later, as it has 2 action screws vs. the barrel lug on the special/lux/varmint. All of the models shoot better than anything you'll get in that price range. Even the benchrest crowd is starting to take notice of the CZs that a few guys have been using to shoot some respectable scores. Good luck with your decision!

JCM · « **Reply #9 on:** February 13, 2003, 02:56:42 PM »

I took a look at the CZ's on the web. Nice guns. They are definately in the running. I'm looking forward to finding a place where I can check one out.

I like the Contender as well, but finding a frame right now is tough, and there is no telling when the G2 will come out. Price is a little higher than I'm looking at, but it is still a possibility.

rimfirecentral is an awesome resource. Greatly appreciated.

You guys are a huge asset to my search and I'm very appreciative of the information. Thanks so much.

Take care,
JCM

Questor · « **Reply #10 on:** February 14, 2003, 03:03:52 AM »

I noticed that the CZs are mentioned in previous posts. I have three CZ rifles, two of which are rimfires, and both are absolutely excellent. I cannot say enough good things about them. There's a review of them on Graybeard's product reviews page under rifles.

As for ammo, don't overlook Aguila. They are excellent. Most people think of them as a specialty ammo company, but their standard rimfire ammo is superb, and very inexpensive too.

mikepow · « **Reply #11 on:** February 20, 2003, 05:51:09 AM »

I just purchased a 10/22 -22 the 10/22 stainles with the longer barrel the overall gun with recoil pad is longer then the standard 10/22 I like the fit of it much better. i have A 3X9 simmons on it shoots like a bear .I got it at Wally World $214 . But I also have a marlin 22 auto which you can also get at Wall World for about $165 stainles. That also shoots great its a real 6 of one 1/2 dozen of the other. You can't go wrong with eather one
good luck.
Mike

Billyboy · « **Reply #12 on:** February 21, 2003, 02:39:10 AM »

You might want to check out the Target model 10/22. Laminated stock, Bull barrel, nice trigger, match chamber for just a little more money. Super accurate out of the box.

jh45gun · « **Reply #13 on:** February 21, 2003, 06:18:26 AM »

There is a large difference in price between the stock 10/22 and the target model. The Target models are nice though but I think you could do better building one. Jim

Dave-o · « **Reply #14 on:** February 21, 2003, 01:58:01 PM »

I agree with the previous post, better to build your own if you want a 10/22. Or get a used one that somebody built from quality aftermarket parts. That's a good way to get a great deal if you look around. Usually 1 or 2 in classified @ RFC, GGVG or here. Still vote for the CZ, though! :-D

stuporman · « **Reply #15 on:** February 23, 2003, 12:29:34 PM »

I vote for the Ruger.
If you don't have a preference or need for a bolt action, why not get the fun of an automatic?

And, anytime you want something tweaked...You can replace every single part in it with aftermarket mods and improvements.

Almost all the gunsmiths I know know how to work on them at least a little bit.

Thanks