gbw
Member
I like the tiny Browning SA22 best of those I’ve tried.
The “Perfect” .22 Rifle
- Thread starter JCooperfan1911
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chicharrones
needs more ammo
I'm not sure I'll ever find the perfect .22 rifle. I grew up with a Marlin 60, had a Ruger 10/22 and had a Beretta Neos Carbine. Currently I still have a Marlin 39AS, a CZ452T, and a pair of 16" barreled Zastavas. I've fired the basic Henry rimfire lever and then there is the Browning BL22 that still calls me for some reason.
I still can't get the thought out of my head of a modified Marlin tube magazine bolt action. Basically, an XT or similar with the barrel lopped to 16.25" and the mag tube shortened to be just longer than the forend of the stock. It would hold maybe 6 to 8 cartridges in the tube, but I'd modify the butt stock with a trap door to hold maybe 18 to 24 spare rounds. Old school thinking with that idea, for some reason I like the thought of a fully protected mag tube and not having to keep track of detachable box magazines.
Looking forward to seeing if this is "The One" for you.
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johnmcl
Member
My perfect 22 is the Marlin 39A. I love the accuracy and the awesome wood and blue steel craftsmanship. Unfortunately, it is built of unobtainium these days.
One interesting trend is how many here mention that they had a 39A, sold it, and now wish they had not. A common trend with BHP owners.
Shoot on...
One interesting trend is how many here mention that they had a 39A, sold it, and now wish they had not. A common trend with BHP owners.
Shoot on...
Consider the Taurus (or Winchester) Model 63: an all steel and wood classic
Has a slim receiver like a lever action with the solid heft of a center fire
No cocking knob sticking out the side and it doesn't throw hot empties down your shirt sleeve line the Browning ATD
It even takes down
Has a slim receiver like a lever action with the solid heft of a center fire
No cocking knob sticking out the side and it doesn't throw hot empties down your shirt sleeve line the Browning ATD
It even takes down
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flightsimmer
Member
If you think you’re “blasting through ammo too quickly” now, try it with a Franklin Armory Binary Trigger … mine is almost machine gun “fast”
View attachment 1035302
If you want to conserve ammo, a good ole single shot bolt action rifle is hard to beat.
I have a Winchester 190 and the only reason it sticks around is that its the first semi-auto 22 that I got from my Grampa. Hopefully the 490 has a better trigger than the 190/290 versions. The 190/290 triggers are horrible.
IME, there is no "perfect 22" (or for that matter, any other gun) unless you specify what it'll be used for. If shooting a 22 rifle for groups or best accuracy (something I end up doing almost every time I have a rifle out), a bigger, heavier target-style gun will out perform a smaller, lighter gun, all else being somewhat equal. But that same 10+ pound target gun would be far from perfect on a 5 mile trek through the squirrel woods. For me, for perfect 22, it'd likely be some sort of bolt action, and I'd want to list multiple categories:
- Target/accuracy shooting from a bench-type setup: BRNO Model 4 (I love this old gun, and if conditions are right, it's perhaps my favorite to shoot among all of the guns I have)
- Lighter weight for lots of totin' but still MOA accurate: CZ 452 in Trainer, Lux, FS, or American format (or a Scout if really going for light and less cumbersome for carrying)
- All-around, all-purpose, not the very best for anything but very good at everything I like to do, light enough for me to carry distances, and capable of sub-half MOA accuracy: CZ 453 Varmint
- Target/accuracy shooting from a bench-type setup: BRNO Model 4 (I love this old gun, and if conditions are right, it's perhaps my favorite to shoot among all of the guns I have)
- Lighter weight for lots of totin' but still MOA accurate: CZ 452 in Trainer, Lux, FS, or American format (or a Scout if really going for light and less cumbersome for carrying)
- All-around, all-purpose, not the very best for anything but very good at everything I like to do, light enough for me to carry distances, and capable of sub-half MOA accuracy: CZ 453 Varmint
Over the years I had many .22 l.r. rifles in very different price ranges that I have enjoyed. Those rifles were also used for very different sporting purposes, besides of the guns I had been issued. My military past and the countless military competitions have had an undeniable influence on my choice of rimfire rifles in my older age, when I can afford to spend my money on my hobby and not the children's tuition and bills.
I learnt early that the Anschutz 54 Match rifle is a helpful tool to get up on the stairs of the winner's podium but have always preferred the more practical Anschutz line of hunting rifles, that were also based on the 54 action that the great Walther Gehmann had developed for Anschutz out of the same action that was a parent to the Suhl 150, Walther KKM, as well as the first Brno sporters made in the Tschechische Gewehrfabrik.
While not perfect, the Anschutz 1423 Stutzen is the rifle that I enjoy mostly for its accuracy and utility value.
This Anschutz, issued as the G33 in the post-war Bundeswehr is a rifle I am especially attached to and it is one of my favorite 25 yard offhand shooters.
The Brno Mod. 1 is a sleeper with an incredibly smooth action
When I was more seriously into shooting, this heayy rifle was fun to shoot offhand:
It just fits better into the safe without the buttplate
I learnt early that the Anschutz 54 Match rifle is a helpful tool to get up on the stairs of the winner's podium but have always preferred the more practical Anschutz line of hunting rifles, that were also based on the 54 action that the great Walther Gehmann had developed for Anschutz out of the same action that was a parent to the Suhl 150, Walther KKM, as well as the first Brno sporters made in the Tschechische Gewehrfabrik.
While not perfect, the Anschutz 1423 Stutzen is the rifle that I enjoy mostly for its accuracy and utility value.
This Anschutz, issued as the G33 in the post-war Bundeswehr is a rifle I am especially attached to and it is one of my favorite 25 yard offhand shooters.
The Brno Mod. 1 is a sleeper with an incredibly smooth action
When I was more seriously into shooting, this heayy rifle was fun to shoot offhand:
It just fits better into the safe without the buttplate
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Everybody has a different definition, but with a .22LR, I'm shooting tiny bullets that make tiny holes, and possibly at tiny targets. For that reason, I think my CZ 452 American is perfect. But I can certainly understand someone wanting a semi-auto for different reasons.
I have my M&P 15-22 which I love, it's a fun tack driver but I have been eyeing the exact same one you ordered.
I may never find The Perfect .22, but I'll have one heck of a time looking!
beag_nut
Member
OK. I finally had to pipe in: My Mossberg 46B, circa 1946-1949. Was an infant when it was made, then went hunting at age 9 when the gun was about 10 years old. Came with a crappy 4X Weaver scope, which still allowed me to bag a crow at 100-200 yards. Now it has a proper 3-9X scope and new trigger guard which I made (bakelite was not made to last). Indoors at 75 feet I can shoot (supported) one-hole groups. As Charlton Heston said: they will have to pry this from my cold dead hands before I give it up. Mossberg really knew how to make the basics back then.
Captcurt
Member
The 490 is a completely different animal. They have a steel receiver, decent sights, and a walnut stock with checkering. Many were made in Canada.
Poper
Member
I have had my Remington 572 since 1969 and cannot part with it. Perfect? No, but really a sweet, fun gun to shoot.
For price, fun and accuracy for the money spent, I have to give the nod to my Tikka T1X with the semi-custom 6 round magazines. I wish Tikka/Sako/Beretta would make a flush-fitting 5 rounder, tho!
For price, fun and accuracy for the money spent, I have to give the nod to my Tikka T1X with the semi-custom 6 round magazines. I wish Tikka/Sako/Beretta would make a flush-fitting 5 rounder, tho!
d2wing
Member
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2008
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- 6,433
I have always liked .22's. I still have the Winchester 74 I learned to shoot in the 1950's. It was my dad's. My favorite has to be my CZ 452 American. It has really nice wood and great polished bluing. The best part is I have won nearly all the matches I have entered with it. It is light enough to hunt with too. I do have a heavier 540 XR for more serious shooting.
DustyGmt
Member
One vote for a Ruger 10/22 here. If I was just going to have one .22lr it would be the 10/22 carbine. I have shot a few others, seen and handled a few more but for me the 10/22 is the one for me. I know I'm just recommending what I own and like but so is everybody else .
I just have had good luck with em, they eat anything, run dirty, acceptable to excellent in the accuracy department although you always hear about the occasional innacurate or unreliable rifle but that's true of pretty much any gun. They aren't the most interesting and are one of the most popular and that can make them seem boring but for your stated purpose, it fits the bill and I know you're a semi auto kind of guy so.......
.I just have had good luck with em, they eat anything, run dirty, acceptable to excellent in the accuracy department although you always hear about the occasional innacurate or unreliable rifle but that's true of pretty much any gun. They aren't the most interesting and are one of the most popular and that can make them seem boring but for your stated purpose, it fits the bill and I know you're a semi auto kind of guy so.......
Now we need thread for favorite lever .22, semi-auto .22, and bolt .22. In order, that would be my Marlin 39A, Bergara BXR, and Remington 541S. A footnote: the friend who sold the 39A to me is sorry he did, but glad a friend is enjoying it. They are in a dead heat in the accuracy department. I do love those .22s
cdb1
Member
For me my CZ 512 .22WMR with a Clearidge Ultra RM 3-9x32 AO is as close to perfect as can be. It’s also had a trigger job done by a local gunsmith who does outstanding trigger work.
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You be seriously disappointed in me then, ive only got 2 rifles and 2 pistols right now. Ive had as many as 10 at one time, but find i tend to only shoot specific guns after ive used them all a bit.
Skylerbone
Member
I think I’m at 14 now after paring down last year plus 5 pistols/revolvers. Used to have 2 safes dedicated to just rimfires that were range only. I should revisit what I have squirreled away soon, been too long.
Poper
Member
I pick 'em all!
SwampWolf
Member
To be completely "accurate", what Colonel Whelen really said was "Only accurate rifles are interesting." As for me, I've had more than my share of rifles having less than stellar accuracy that I've found to be plenty interesting.
Steve Milbocker
Member
Offhand,you never fail to impress me! Simply beautiful rifles. Especially the Anschutz
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