Inexpensive tackdriver .22lr

[Shmackey]

There are lots of tackdrivers out there, and lots of inexpensive rifles, but what would you do if you wanted a .22lr that manages to be both?

Let's define "tackdriver" as 3/4 MOA @ 50 yards (i.e., even better than 1/2" groups). That's a tall order, but plenty of target rifles will do it (just not a lot of inexpensive ones).

Let's define "inexpensive" as less than $400.

I know such a beast exists, as the EAA Biathlon Basic fits this category nicely. You could probably find decent-condition Anschutz at that price. A 10/22 with a good barrel is in that price range, but I don't know if you could count on 3/8" groups.

 

[Cortland]

My $170 Savage Striker will do about 1/2" 50 yard groups with Mini Mags and Rifle Basix trigger. Probably better with more expensive ammo.

 

[PO2Hammer]

Best accuracy for the dollar is usually CZ.
If you're going with a scope, the CZ American is probably the best bet for top notch accuracy under $400.
For more info on all brands:
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/

 

[Sactown]

I'd also recommend the CZ. My 453 Lux is an absolute tack driver and the iron sights are pretty good.

 

[BamBam-31]

I can get five shot groups under 1/2" w/ my 10/22 at 50 yds. using Wolf ammo. Green Mountain barrel, so it can be done w/in your $$ limits if you're not counting a scope. Or try a CZ 452 w/ beech stock, plus scope. Still can be done for around four bills.

 

[ocabj]

With a $400 price limit, I don't think you can get a 10/22 with *guaranteed* < 1/2" groups at 50yds. It's not uncommon to rebarrel and restock a factory 10/22 to get 1/2" groups @ 50, but there are too many factors that come into play: barrel, stock, ammo, bedding.

I own a self-modified 10/22 (Volquartsen 20" SS Match Barrel w/ comp, B&C Anschutz stock, among other mods), but have fired CZs and they are fine rifles.

 

[bukijin]

Another vote for cz452. Don't know about the price in the USA, but mine sure is an impressive rifle. Bought one after reading everyone rave about them. No regrets whatsoever.

 

[Cosmoline]

There are many dead squirrel and rabbit who could attest were they still undigested--the CZ 452 Lux is the best .22 for the money. I say lux because IMHO it has the finest iron sights on any .22. The American version is scope only, which removes one of the rifle's finest features. TANGENT SIGHTS on a modern factory rifle. Think of it!

 

[VG]

Mossberg 44US - $75 from CMP plus $20 for shipping, $31 for a magazine, and $18 for a Lyman reticle front sight to replace the standard front post.

Total $144. They sell for anywhere from $150 to $300 on the open market.

It would take good ammo, though, most of the cheaper ammo will throw fliers. I usually shoot CCI Standard Velocity.

 

[mtnbkr]

My 10/22 will hold .5" or better at 50yds for 10 shots. 5 shots can go into one ragged hole if I'm really careful.

Edit to add: It shoots like this with bulkpack Winchester Dynapoints. I don't use match ammo.

Here's what I did and how much it cost:

10/22 $160
CPC Bolt mods (headspace, FP pinned, polished, rear radiused) $50
Recoil Buffer $6
Volquartsen Extractor $10
Volquartsen Hammer $36
Green Mtn "2nds" barrel $44
Paul Masen 1" pad/stock extender $10
Bedding/triggerwork done by me

The Green Mtn barrel was a "reject" because the OD was only .910 instead of .920. Rather than hope nobody noticed, GM sold them for $36+S/H. It shoots as well as a regular GM barrel.

I added a scope I already owned and modified the stock to accept the new barrel.

Total cost is under $350 including incidentals (bedding compound, JB Weld for trigger mod, etc).

This weekend, I took it out and ran about 300 rounds through it (the first time since I made the last mods). I had no malfuctions. None, zero, nada.

Chris

 

[Werewolf]

Hmmm....

If you're willing to spend $400 then I agree with the crowd about the CZ-452.

If you really want to spend less then I've had excellent luck with the Marlin 25N. It's a bolt action .22LR with magazine feed (mag holds 7 rounds).

$143 for the rifle at a gunshop, $20 for rings and another $35 for a BSA Classic 4X scope from Walmart.

I can't do it but my eldest daughter can make nickel sized groups at 50 to 75 yards all day long with standard velocity $8 per box of 500 .22LR ammo.

Of course that's just one rifle and maybe I got lucky so yur mileage may vary but all in all the Marlin 25N is worth every penny I spent on it.

 

[ReadyontheRight]

VG -- Unfortunately, the CMP ran out of the cheap Mossberg M44US rifles a while back. They have 300 in stick right now for $299 -- missing the mags and front sight.

THey also have an H&R for $300 and Kimber for $600.

http://www.odcmp.com/Services/Rifles/caliber22.htm

Great little rifle and good practice for shooting the M1 Garand.

 

[YodaVader]

I have a CZ452 with the plain beech stock - bought for $189 in 2002. Think they are in the low $200 range these days. The one I have would easily meet your accuracy requirements. The 452 American is nicer still if you do not need sights and some have a really nice walnut stock - more expensive though - the one I looked at last weekend was $329.

 

[RustyHammer]

My daughter has a Marlin 60, SS barrel, Tasco sights that she can put all 14-rounds into a quarter sized orange dot at 50-yards (benched).

I've seen her do it over a dozen times.

Not bad for a sub $150 rifle (or whatever it was at the time.)

I tried to give her my CZ, but she likes her Marlin. Hard to argue with results.

 

[RatFink]

My daughter has a Marlin 60, SS barrel, Tasco sights that she can put all 14-rounds into a quarter sized orange dot at 50-yards

It's vary hard to argue against the Marlin 60's, thay are fantastic little rifles for the money, and probably worth more than they cost. On the other hand I absolutly love my CZ 452 Varmit, it not built like a .22 shooter, it's built like a high quality target rifle, and while there is a big difference in the build quality and appearance, there was also a $200 price difference.

I will always sing the praises of the CZ's and the Marlins, both fine shooters.

As a third option, both of my brothers recently bought little Romanian trainers for $60, they are rough and ugly, but incredibly accurate.

 

[MacPelto]

BSA Martini model 12 or 12/15 would probabaly do it with the right ammo, BSA Int'l. would almost definitely do it if you can do it, but they're usually a might higher than $400.

Cheers

Mac

 

[andrew17]

Another vote for CZ. Theyre a whole lot of gun for the money. Heres a pic of my American. Groups are from 50 Yds from sandbags. She's my squirrel getter. She now wears a leupold instead of the Burris in the picture.

 

[The Undertoad]

I love my CZ 452. I'm a bad shot, honestly, and I've grouped it at about .5" at 50 yards when I get lucky.

 

[MLC]

I've shot 1/2" groups with my CZ 452, iron sights, off a bag nothing, serious and benchresty with generic Federal plated RN.
My CZ was 209 at the local gunshop.
I had no issue with the accuracy of my Marlin 25 or the Marlin model 60.
I was challenged and succeded in shooting 4 38 special cases with 4 shots at 30 yards with the model 60, Busnell $40 4X scope.
That was with the Walmart bulk Federal HP, again nothing fancy.
The 22LR is an inherently accurate cartridge so as long as you buy decent ammo and have a good grasp on the fundementals of riflecraft you don't need to sink an arm and a leg into an accurate 22.

 

[JuniorG]

I bought a Norinco J15 22LR years ago for $89.00 new, thing has a 24" bbl and a cheap $20 Tasco 3x9x scope on it. I tore it all apart and cleaned everything up and it will shoot itty bitty groups with Rem. Cyclone ammo.
The only thing I regret is not buying 2 of them as I canot find another now.

 

[andrew17]

I bought a Norinco J15 22LR years ago

I've got a J15 too. Now theres a lot of gun for the money.
They're a little rough around the edges but mine has a good trigger and is very accurate at its price point.

It shares the same design as the CZ. In fact, it will even accept the CZ's magazines but not vice versa.

 

[larryw]

Half the battle is finding the ammo your gun likes.

That said, you can't go wrong with a CZ; never seen one that didn't shoot great and my son's 452 Scout youth gun shoots 1/2" @ 50 with PowerPoints, CCI SV and Wolf. Marlin also makes a fine 22 gun for the money. Or find a Remington 541-T for sale used, that's an outstanding gun, too bad it was discontinued (probably too expensive to keep in production).

 

[ShootAndHunt]

Everyone seems talking about CZ, so I assume that is a good rifle (though I have no experience of it). For me, I will vote for my Savage Mark II LV, that is just a very accurate rifle, 10 shoots could be in a rug hole if I shoot carefully. I just love it, Savage does have some good rifle for the money!

P.S. When we talk about group size, I assume it should be in a calm day, since I shoot my savage in the range once in a windy day (~10 mph, but the winds' direction kept changing), and the group opened up considerably. These .22lr is not wind resisting

 

[Domino]

.22 LR? .22 WMR

I always hate to say this because I love the .22 LR, but if you want accuracy get a .22 magnum. It will outperform .22 LR plus it's actually good for something other than target shooting unlike the .17 HMR. I have a Marlin 882 SS and I get under 1/2" at 80 yards with a bench. I love the gun, it is one of my favorites. I paid $189.00 for it at Wal-Mart.

 

[Wildalaska]

Marlin 39A....

The rolls royce of 22s....

Wildminewillcloverleafat50yardsifIamonAlaska