Need a .22 rifle for a new shooter

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CoalTrain49

CoalTrain49

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Somewhere in WA.
I went to the range yesterday with my neighbor and my 16 yo grand daughter. My neighbor let me borrow his .22 rifle so my grand daughter could try it. Things went well and she wants to go again. I started her out on my air rifle and she is an excellent shooter.

My problem is my neighbor is moving so borrowing his rifle again may be out. It looks like I might have to buy a .22 and scope it. I've owned several but sold them all years ago because I had no use for them.

So if a guy was looking for a bolt .22 and a decent 6 x scope what would you buy? I've always been partial to Remington rifles but it looks like they don't even make a bolt gun anymore. Not really interested in autos as this will be a training rifle. I could roll with a used gun as I know enough to evaluate condition and function.

Scopes, well there's a huge hole in my knowledge base there. Everything I own has iron sights except my air rifle. I mostly shoot 1911's and WW2 carbines.

I would like to keep this endeavor under 1K.

Help an old guy out and give me some suggestions.
 
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Did you say your budget is 1,000 dollars?

you can buy a whole lot of gun for 1K.
Savage makes some great bolt action 22.s with a really good factory trigger.
Also CZ make a very accurate 22.
Here is a nice light weight synthetic stock with a scope... from Savage found at Buds guns 258.53 dollars and free shipping. Rifle and scope, this gun has the very impressive accutrigger.

24150.jpg

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/..._id/24150/Savage+29200+MKII-FVXP+22LR+AT+WSCP

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/..._id/24150/Savage+29200+MKII-FVXP+22LR+AT+WSCP
• FAMILY:Mark II Series
• MODEL:Mark II FV Package
• TYPE:Rifle
• ACTION:Bolt Action
• FINISH:Blue
• STOCK/FRAME:Synthetic Stock
• STOCK/GRIPS:Black Synthetic

• CALIBER/GAUGE:22 LR
• CAPACITY: 5

• BARREL:21"
• OVERALL LENGTH:39.75

• SIGHTS:None
• SAFETY:3 Position Top Tang
• ADDL INFO: 3x9x40 scope mounted and boresighted.
- See more at: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...0+MKII-FVXP+22LR+AT+WSCP#sthash.QJU3MpvO.dpuf

Here is a very accurate and a step up over the Savage with a walnut stock.. I shoot this gun... 383.13 free shipping no scope.
CZ-USA CZ455 American 22LR

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/62353/CZ-USA+CZ455+American+22LR

cz-usa-cz-455-american-2.png
 
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savage mark 2 with accu trigger is that cats meow in my book.

the accu trigger can be kicked up to like 5lbs and down to about 2. 22 rifles don't have any recoil so a mid range scope would be fine for her. I have to same set up with a tasco 3-9-32 scope on it and can shoot 5 shot holes at 50 yards. I think I paid like $25 for the scope. if your a Remington fan stay away from the Remington 597 auto cause they had a long stint of being crap and for a teen girl they are heavy and long.

I find my mark 2 to be very light and accurate so its my go to squirrel gun. the whole gun seams to be built like a brick, I got mine at dicks with a wood stock and 4x scope for under $200.. I will say spending 1k on a 22 rifle is crazy, she will probably get bored with it and you will end up selling it so cut losses and stick with economy.

marlin also makes a very nice 22lr bolt action as well as the model 60 semi auto which is very accurate and fun.
 
I've had a Savage Mark II-G in .22LR for about 20 years. A very good rifle at a great price. Mine is pre-AccuTrigger. I also have a Savage 93 in .22WMR that does have the AccuTrigger. Also a very good gun. I think you can't go wrong with the Savage rimfires, especially at that price.
 
CoalTrain49 said:
I went to the range yesterday with my neighbor and my 16 yo grand daughter. My neighbor let me borrow his .22 rifle so my grand daughter could try it. Things went well and she wants to go again. I started her out on my air rifle and she is an excellent shooter.

My problem is my neighbor is moving so borrowing his rifle again may be out. It looks like I might have to buy a .22 and scope it. I've owned several but sold them all years ago because I had no use for them.

So if a guy was looking for a bolt .22 and a decent 6 x scope what would you buy? I've always been partial to Remington rifles but it looks like they don't even make a bolt gun anymore. Not really interested in autos as this will be a training rifle. I could roll with a used gun as I know enough to evaluate condition and function.

Scopes, well there's a huge hole in my knowledge base there. Everything I own has iron sights except my air rifle. I mostly shoot 1911's and WW2 carbines.

I would like to keep this endeavor under 1K.

Help an old guy out and give me some suggestions.
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Budget? The CZ bolt guns for example are really very accurate well made rifles. That said they do carry a price tag.

I suggest if at all possible you visit a few retail establishments which have a wide selection to choose from. Since she liked what she was shooting you may want to look at whatever it was be it new or slightly used. A good 22 LR rifle can be had in the $200 to $500 price range used to0 new in flavor, maybe less and maybe more. A used Remington 511 or 512 for example may be had in the $150 to $200 range with some looking as well as other manufacturer's rifles. This will always revert back to what you want to spend and where you look as well as new or used.

Ron
 
I have bought several Savage MkII rifles for our club's NRA Jr Rifle team. They are a real bargain for the money. You can upgrade it significantly by replacing the plastic stock with a laminated one from Boyds or Midway for about another $100 (you need a trigger guard as well) A Redfield 3-9X40 with rings can be had on sale for another $100. Our Savage rifles shoot right up there with the Anshutz and CZs for many hundreds of $$$ less.
 
Ruger American. Not a lot of money and a great rifle. I got one for my grandson last Christmas and he loves it. Well built and will shoot as well as my CZ. You owe it to yourself to look at it. Also it comes with a wood stock now.
 
Here is a very accurate and a step up over the Savage with a walnut stock.. I shoot this gun... 383.13 free shipping no scope.
CZ-USA CZ455 American 22LR
Click to expand...

That looks interesting. What scope do you have on it? At that price I would probably buy a good 3x9 scope in case I buy another rifle down the road.
 
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Since she liked what she was shooting you may want to look at whatever it was be it new or slightly used.
Click to expand...

I think it was a new Savage, composite stock with trigger insert, whatever they call that? Never looked at the model. Scope was a POS so really couldn't tell much about the rifle. Seemed to work OK.
 
You may find this of some interest... here is my CZ shot a few days ago, at 50 yards,
the target is a series of 2 inch squares. with a 1/2 in. red bulls eye in each.
the upper two squares from left to right were to season the cold barrel. This is 50 rounds with five shots at each 2" sq. so I shot at 10 squares, 5 shots each...you may note.. several round went through the same hole..(top row.. right hand square, 5 shots in one hole ) I've been very sick over the last 18 months.. this was my first shoot after a very long illness. Not my best effort, but still decent for an old guy with advanced stage Cancer. I would think your 16 year old grand daughter could do as well, with the right rifle, and some practice.
i-jVTsjcW-XL.jpg
i-q5mNGdR-XL.jpg
 
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Ruger American. Not a lot of money and a great rifle. I got one for my grandson last Christmas and he loves it. Well built and will shoot as well as my CZ. You owe it to yourself to look at it. Also it comes with a wood stock now.
Click to expand...

I'll be looking at that one and Savage also. Thanks.
 
To do what with? Hunt? Formal target shooting? Informal target shooting?
Scopes are most for hunting and aren't used much for formal competition, but take her shopping for the rifle. She has to like it, not you.
 
To do what with? Hunt? Formal target shooting? Informal target shooting?
Click to expand...

Training and informal targets. She may compete at some stage in her life as her mom would like her to get into the shooting sports. Her mom is a single parent and doesn't shoot. I'm just trying to get her interested the shooting sports and this is a good place to start. I shot trap for many years so I already have the bases covered there if she wants to go that direction. Modern rifles have never really been my passion so I'm learning here.

She's a very promising student.
 
Training and informal targets. She may compete at some stage in her life as her mom would like her to get into the shooting sports. Her mom is a single parent and doesn't shoot. I'm just trying to get her interested the shooting sports and this is a good place to start. I shot trap for many years so I already have the bases covered there if she wants to go that direction. Modern rifles have never really been my passion so I'm learning here.
Click to expand...
You might also look in to one of the .22's the CMP has on sale. If she is interested and this might be something she will enjoy for many years a highly accurate rifle and scope might be looked at as an investment in a hobby she will carry through her life.
I've got a lot of guns, but the single shot .410 that my grandfather gave me is the only one in my living room.
Those kinds of guns and times together last forever.
http://thecmp.org/cmp_sales/rifle_sales/22-target-commercial/
 
CoalTrain49 said:
Training and informal targets. She may compete at some stage in her life as her mom would like her to get into the shooting sports. Her mom is a single parent and doesn't shoot. I'm just trying to get her interested the shooting sports and this is a good place to start. I shot trap for many years so I already have the bases covered there if she wants to go that direction. Modern rifles have never really been my passion so I'm learning here.

She's a very promising student.
Click to expand...
Nice thing about the shooting sports is they develop a high standard of self discipline.

CoalTrain49, with everything you mentioned I normally suggest finding a lightly used older Remington or similar. In this case I would change that and suggest the CZ, well worth the price and with a CZ trainer for example she has a rifle for a lifetime. I also agree with Sunray, her rifle, she needs to like it and it needs to fit her.

Ron
 
Ruger American. They often come with scopes and are well below your budget.

With 22LR so hard to find, you might even want to consider the same make and model, only in 17HMR.

Of course, CZ has nice product too.
 
Ruger American. They often come with scopes and are well below your budget.

With 22LR so hard to find, you might even want to consider the same make and model, only in 17HMR.

Of course, CZ has nice product too.
Click to expand...

That's a good point.

.22 is around .12/rd and .17 HMR about twice that. I don't honestly believe that .22 is ever going to come back down to where it was a few years ago. With so many new shooters and people stacking the stuff to the ceiling I'm looking at 17 HMR also. I used to shoot a 218 Bee and really liked the 100 yd performance. I think the 17 will become less expensive to shoot over time as more people get on board. I never saw any shortages either like I did with .22, it was always there. Ammo isn't going to break me in either case.
 
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.22LR ammo is more rare than unicorns around here, good luck feeding whatever you buy. Honestly you might want to think about center fire, like a good .223, your $1,000.00 budget would buy a decent rifle that could be shot at much longer ranges than any .22LR

The only .22 I've bought recently was a Savage Rascal for my son. Haven't got too much use out of it yet, but so far it looks like a good rifle. I'd look at Savage for sure if you're certain you want a rimfire
 
Something CZ. Accuracy is exceedingly even across the line. Scopes are put on all the CZ rifles I've seen, but the American and the youth sized Scout may have the best stock configuration for a scope. I discovered CZ and Brno about six years ago, and I've been totally satisfied with everyone of the rifles and a few handguns that have come from them.

The CZ folks talk about "the wood lottery" , standard rifles often come from CZ with truly exceptional wood. Here's a link to the CZ photo album from the CZ/Brno section of rimfirecental.com

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86203

You will find lots of examples of stock and scope configurations.

Your budget will buy any of the CZ rimfires and a good scope with $ left over, and I'm sure you'll be pleased with the quality. My recommendation on a scope is buy something with an adjustable objective or one that is specifically made for rimfire rifles, to avoid issues with parallax errors. Weaver, Nikon, Leupold, all good scopes with rimfire specific choices.

The 452 model line was ended a year ago or so, there are still some 452's floating around (along with the rare "453" two stage trigger model). The new model is the 455 and it features a change barrel, so that with a just barrel change you can switch from .22LR to .17HMR. And you can buy them set up that way with both barrels.
 
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my S-I-L has a Savage. it is accurate, but not as accurate as my CZ 453 Varminter. the Varminter shoots.2's at 50 yards with Wolf Match Extra.
 
My grandkids have all gotten Savage MkII's for their 12th B-days.
Nothing fancy, all with iron sights so they concentrate on basic rifle skills. I'll scope the rifles, after the first 6 months or so, with Simmons .22Mag. 3-9x32 rimfire scopes.
 
I got my wife a Savage Mark II-F, bolt action, detachable magazine, synthetic stock. She absolutely lives it, and so does our youngest daughter, though she is now the proud owner of an old Springfield bolt action that used to belong to my oldest brother.

The Savage is quite nice and won't break the bank, either.
 
Just looked at a few new guns. Ruger, CZ and Savage seems to be the contenders. I really liked the CZ 455 and the Ruger American. All were 22's, no 17's to be found. I looked in 2 different stores. The place I normally shop (family owned) had no 22 ammo in stock. They had plenty of 17 however. Might have purchased a 22 CZ right there but ammo still seems to a problem for dealers.

I don't shop big box stores or buy guns or ammo online.

It's starting to look like I'll be buying a 17 HMR when I can find one.
 
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