Help Me Decide On A Target 22

[Olympus]

I've been having so much fun with my target 22 pistols that I'd like to add a bolt action rifle to use also. The thing is, I'm not really sold on any one particular model. Requirements are a heavy barrel, bolt action, no iron sights, and I'd REALLY like a nicely figured stock.

Probably the top contender right now is Browning T-bolt Target. The problem is that I've never actually handled one or seen one in person. Do it would be a HUGE gamble if I ordered one. None of the shops within an hour drive have one in stock.

Second option is a CZ, either 452 or 3 Varmint. A local shop has a 453 and I was not impressed with the set trigger feel. The mechanism felt kind of cheap and pushing the trigger forward was very gritty. I also noticed some side to side play in the trigger. Then their stocks are usually really plain with the occasional looker. I called CZ and inquired if I could buy a premium replacement stock and offered to pay extra. They said they couldn't guarantee a nicely figured stock. So that was a let down.

Savages are really out for me. I don't want a laminate or a synthetic stock.

Annies are very nice, but I can't find one locally and they are kind of plain looking too. Since I won't be shooting formal matches, I'd rather have a compromise between looks and performance.

But I'm really struggling because everything I've seen so far has just as many pros as cons for me and i am not "sold" on anything yet. I'm open to any additional recommendations. Budget is $750-800 max for the rifle.

 

[Certaindeaf]

I was going to mention the T-bolt and was surprised you are thinking of one.. I used to have an iron sighted one years ago.. a super gun. Too bad you can't shoot one first but I'd say the risk is very low you won't be very happy with one.

 

[ford8nr]

Look at a Winchester 52 sporter remake. Not a HEAVY bbl, but a really nice gun. I have a CZ452 Varmint lam thumbhole, it's a great and accurate gun. They are still around for about $450, get one and put a custom stock on it for $200 and you'd have a BEAUTIFUL $650 rifle. I don't think you'll find a true target gun in a beautiful stock.

 

[Olympus]

Thanks for the tip. It seems there is a relatively low amount of Internet chatter about the T-bolt Target, even on RFC forum. That was just another reason I was hesitant about that model. Hopefully other members like you will be along to provide additional insight on that gun. I like that it has an increased mag capacity compared to other bolt 22s. I have several other Brownings so I figured it would still be a good gun.

 

[Olympus]

Look at a Winchester 52 sporter remake. Not a HEAVY bbl, but a really nice gun. I have a CZ452 Varmint lam thumbhole, it's a great and accurate gun. They are still around for about $450, get one and put a custom stock on it for $200 and you'd have a BEAUTIFUL $650 rifle. I don't think you'll find a true target gun in a beautiful stock.

Where would I find a custom stock for the 452? I've bought from Richards Microfit in the past and refuse to do business with them again. I had the exact same thought as you, so I posted a thread in the CZ section of RFC about where to get a custom stock. Zero replies.

 

[awayne]

i fear you are making a mistake in excluding savage's offerings. i have a laminated, heavy barrell model 12 that is an amazing shooter. in my 70 year old hands it is shooting the occasional 3shot under .25 at 50 yds, and is consistently around .40. this is without extensive ammo experimentation, using cci std velocity lead.

pretty is as pretty does...

 

[MrBorland]

Where would I find a custom stock for the 452?

http://claudegatewood.com/html/cz_452.html

 

[Olympus]

i fear you are making a mistake in excluding savage's offerings. i have a laminated, heavy barrell model 12 that is an amazing shooter. in my 70 year old hands it is shooting the occasional 3shot under .25 at 50 yds, and is consistently around .40. this is without extensive ammo experimentation, using cci std velocity lead.

pretty is as pretty does...

I'm not trying to take away from the Savage models. It's just not something I'm interested in. Thanks though.

 

[Olympus]

http://claudegatewood.com/html/cz_452.html

Now THAT'S what I'm talking about. I see it says stocks are for the American which has a sporter barrel. I will try to contact them to see if they can do a Varmint barrel. Thanks!


Edit: just tried calling and it goes to a voicemail that is full. Not a good sign. I sent an email instead. Not gonna get my hopes up on that option though.

 

[dubbleA]

Anschutz's can be had with nice wood if you shop around. Accuracy,fit, finish are second to none, oh the triggers are nice too.

 

[Olympus]

The problem is that nobody in my entire state has even one in stock. And you take a gamble when you have one ordered. So that really leaves me with search Gunbroker and likely having to go outside my budget.

 

[Sniper66]

I have an Anschutz .17 HMR, the model is 1517 MPR with a heavy barrel, which is stunningly accurate and consistent. Wood is only fair. But, I have no doubt the accuracy of the Anschutz .22s will be there with every model. The Meister Grade will give you great wood

 

[MrBorland]

From what I've read, MTGuns has an excellent reputation as a source for good used Anschutzs (Anschi? ). Maybe call or email to see what he's got in stock.

An accurate .22LR with beautimous wood? Maybe out of your price range, but a Cooper perhaps? I have lust in my heart for a Jackson Squirrel Rifle.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

In the used market at your price, I'd give a Remington 541-T HB a look....For a new gun and wanting a "target" rifle in sporter weight, I woud skip the CZ 452 and get a 455. Then, I would order a Lilja barrel and stick on it.

 

[Olympus]

From what I've read, MTGuns has an excellent reputation as a source for good used Anschutzs (Anschi? ). Maybe call or email to see what he's got in stock.

An accurate .22LR with beautimous wood? Maybe out of your price range, but a Cooper perhaps? I have lust in my heart for a Jackson Squirrel Rifle.

Coopers seem to start around $2k it seems.

 

[Olympus]

I like the idea of the 455 and the Lilja barrel. I hadn't really thought about that.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I know more than one guy with Lilja .22 barrels on other actions that do very well in benchrest matches.

 

[Olympus]

I saw on Lilja's website that they have a straight heavy barrel that is .900 diameter. I wonder if this will fit the barrel channel on the 455 Varmint stock or if I'd have to relieve the barrel channel to accept the new barrel.

 

[Don357]

See if you can find a Tula TOZ-78. It's sold as a sporter rifle, but what it is, is a Tula target bull barrel that has been turned down to sporter deminsions. I bought one as a squirrel rifle not knowing what I was buying, but after some research, was pleasantly surprised. Mine will shoot dime size groups at 100yds as long as you want to sit there and pull the trigger. It came with a fully adjustable trigger and milled in scope mount grooves. Winchester imported them and sold them under the name "Wildcat", but only after they changed the stock, trigger group, sights and bolt handle. Tula also made a semi-auto version the TOZ-99. Supposedly the same barrel on a semi-auto action. They were available from TN Guns, or Winchester of course.

By the way, the Tula was under $200, and the Winny was just over.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Dime sized 100 yard .22lr groups sure is impressive. You must have an exceptional rifle.

I know a couple of guys with they heavy barrelled Wildcats. Neither of theirs will shoot dime sized groups regularly at 50 yards, much less 100.

 

[Olympus]

Well, I ended up going with the CZ 455 Varmint. The Lilja barrel option sealed the deal for me. The problem is none of the distributors in my area had any in stock. I was able to find an online dealer that had one left and I ordered it. It was a great price. $375 for the gun and including shipping and transfer fee, the OTD total will still be cheaper than if one the local dealers could have ordered it. Now I'm going to order the Lilja! Thanks to CPE for the recommendation!

 

[99quicksilver]

You missed the best of all deals when the CMP had the Kimbers for $400. Probably can't find one today for less than $600.

Came with match sights and excellent walnut stocks....

Couple of pix...




QS

 

[Tempest 455]

Ditto on Savage.

 

[sixgunner455]

You might want to shoot that CZ before you change the barrel. It might surprise you.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I agree 100% on shooting it first. After a trigger job, which takes about 10 minutes to do, some playing with the action screw torque, and searching out the right ammo, a lot of CZ's will shoot 5 shot 50 yard groups that will have all the shots touching.....Right of the box, I have never seen one that wouldn't shot under 1" 50 yard groups.