What's the most accurate production 22 LR rifle produced today?
- Thread starter Balrog
- Start date
- Status
Skylerbone
Member
I realize the OP asked a specific question, I just don’t believe the answer is what he ought to focus on given his follow-up of “under $500, suitable for small game hunting”.
Now I own a 452 and it is a fine rifle capable of good accuracy, but it doesn’t get any woods time from me. Not that it couldn’t, just that I have plenty of other rimfires costing far less in many cases that are up to the appointed task.
If the question were about the most refined production .22 under $500 or a consistently accurate .22 under $500, I would not hesitate to join in with my fellow CZ owners in recommending one.
Now I own a 452 and it is a fine rifle capable of good accuracy, but it doesn’t get any woods time from me. Not that it couldn’t, just that I have plenty of other rimfires costing far less in many cases that are up to the appointed task.
If the question were about the most refined production .22 under $500 or a consistently accurate .22 under $500, I would not hesitate to join in with my fellow CZ owners in recommending one.
The CZ455, 457 are excellent shooters and built for adult frames. Mine will shoot MOA at 100 yards with the .17 HMR barrel and 1 1/4 MOA with the .22 WMR barrel, but I don't have a .22 LR barrel and have no need for one, since there are several LRs in the stable that will shoot sub-MOA at 50 yards.
The Remington 580 series was about the best domestic action for .22LRs, after the Win 52 series went away. The 581 is an excellent rifle that shoots wonderfully, despite a seemingly clunky bolt. Triggers can be greatly improved and target barrels can be had that turn them into really great shooters.
Savage rifles will shoot, despite clunky actions and relatively poor triggers. The deluxe models are pretty, but expensive.
Some Ruger 10-22 target models are excellent shooters that can be modified to suit, due to the plethora of after-market items. I caution that some expensive products have less effect on accuracy than appearance. If someone knows their way around accurizing, a lot can be done for little money. However, I'd start with a bull-barreled model.
The Remington 580 series was about the best domestic action for .22LRs, after the Win 52 series went away. The 581 is an excellent rifle that shoots wonderfully, despite a seemingly clunky bolt. Triggers can be greatly improved and target barrels can be had that turn them into really great shooters.
Savage rifles will shoot, despite clunky actions and relatively poor triggers. The deluxe models are pretty, but expensive.
Some Ruger 10-22 target models are excellent shooters that can be modified to suit, due to the plethora of after-market items. I caution that some expensive products have less effect on accuracy than appearance. If someone knows their way around accurizing, a lot can be done for little money. However, I'd start with a bull-barreled model.
Reloadron
Contributing Member
Have to agree with that. I have a "thing" for older 22 LR rifles. Still have a Remington 510P which was my first rifle followed by a 511 and 512 with a 550 tossed in. The newer rifles consist of a Ruger 10/22, an old Marlin Glenfield Model 60 and a few others. There is also a Savage/Anschutz in the mix. Those older Remington rifles are really accurate little old rifles. I should have gotten a Winchester 52 years ago but alas never did. Anyway there are plenty of older 22 rifles floating around out there at decent prices worth some consideration.
Ron
Yea, that is why I clarified. I wasn't thinking of shooting 22 olympic matches. I was thinking about casual plinking, target shooting, and small game hunting. I was wanting to know the most accurate gun suitable for those purposes, not just target match accuracy. The rifle pictured looks like it would not be too much good for my purposes.
I happened to be at our local gun club Thursday morning before last; there was a casual .22 shooting club having a casual tournament that morning.
The .22 brand of choice was Anschutz, ammo brand preference (I think) was RWS; I am not sure of the glass brands but overall, the rigs looked like $$$.
What was extremely impressive to me was what looked like some single hole groups at 50 yards shooting at “housefly” targets (literally printed fly target outlines at 50 yards - 1 point for head shots, 2 for the body and 3 for a wing).
They were a very kind group; I was invited to shoot with them. I have a Kimber Custom Classic with Leupold glass which I think is a very accurate .22 BUT, these boys were way out if my league - very impressive shooting. I was not even aware that there were .22 rigs that could shoot with that kind of precision - amazing stuff!
The .22 brand of choice was Anschutz, ammo brand preference (I think) was RWS; I am not sure of the glass brands but overall, the rigs looked like $$$.
What was extremely impressive to me was what looked like some single hole groups at 50 yards shooting at “housefly” targets (literally printed fly target outlines at 50 yards - 1 point for head shots, 2 for the body and 3 for a wing).
They were a very kind group; I was invited to shoot with them. I have a Kimber Custom Classic with Leupold glass which I think is a very accurate .22 BUT, these boys were way out if my league - very impressive shooting. I was not even aware that there were .22 rigs that could shoot with that kind of precision - amazing stuff!
Steve S., you're right and what's amazing about it is that these precision shooter will have 2 or 3 grand or better in their rifles and scopes and just about that much money in their bench rest. I've seen them shoot at my club and the adjustments to move from one bullseye to the next is done by manipulating adjustment on their bench rest while looking through the scope and after that all they do is pull the trigger without looking through the scope again. I'm not sure that's really target shooting? Seems to me that the guy with the most money wins by having all the expensive do-dads.
George P
member
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2018
- Messages
- 7,772
What's even more amazing is that there are some .22 AIR RIFLES that will shoot that good; also $$$$$$$$$$$$
This is my $59, Remington 581 (1970s), after considerable improvements, including a "Lilja" take-off barrel that was sporter contoured and set-up for the rifle. (It cost me $150, because the gunsmith couldn't make it shoot well in his benchrest rifle, but later found that his problem was bedding, not barrel). The stock was a blank that was made for an Anschutz, but I found it in a "barrel" at Kittery Trading Post, eons ago, costing me $50.
I did the factory trigger tuning, getting it down to 2 lbs with no backlash. It has shot several 3/8" groups at 50 yards and friends of mine shot it when we started shooting Rimfire Benchrest. (No it didn't win, but did reasonably well.) I love shooting it, especially offhand.
I did the factory trigger tuning, getting it down to 2 lbs with no backlash. It has shot several 3/8" groups at 50 yards and friends of mine shot it when we started shooting Rimfire Benchrest. (No it didn't win, but did reasonably well.) I love shooting it, especially offhand.
d2wing
Member
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2008
- Messages
- 6,416
CZ's are not Anschutz. We are talking about rifles under $500.oo for exactly the uses you described. For pure target shooting there are other choices like Sako, Anschultz, Walther, Kimber Remingtom 40X etc. All well over 500. For 500 you can find a Remington 540XR but it is a single shot and way too heavy for hunting. Buy whatever you want but for $500 from your local store out of the box brand new it is hard to beat a CZ as the most accurate, even the cheapest versions. Not that there may be other decent choices but on the average the best bet. You asked for advice and I am giving it. So is everyone else posting, it is all good. Savage is cheaper along with Ruger, Marlin and others and some folks like them better. Some folks like the old classics too. There is not really a bad choice. But if you want the most accurate easy to buy rifle for under 500 I vote CZ but I might buy a Tikka or RAR just to try.
NWGooser
Member
Just curious why the 10/22 isn’t getting any love here. For small game, there have been truck loads of squirrels shot with the 10/22. Low cost, limitless parts, lasts for generations.
ColtPythonElite
Member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2011
- Messages
- 10,473
Because "most accurate " is in the title of the thread.
NWGooser
Member
I believe the intent was for a small game rifle. I have about $200 into mine which includes a butler creek stock and bull barrel. Not only has it killed countless squirrels, it will punch the center paper all day at the range.
I have about 10 different.22 rifles. Nothing more fun than the 10/22.
I have about 10 different.22 rifles. Nothing more fun than the 10/22.
Reloadron
Contributing Member
I wouldn't say the Ruger 10-22 isn't getting any love. The little rifle got plenty of love. The original poster refined his question inserting a price point of about $500 USD which opens the doors for plenty of better little 22 rifles. That was my thinking and apparently the general consensus of many of the members. The 10-22 is actually a very good little rifle and can be made a much better rifle with the addition of an endless array of pieces and parts. Matter of fact I don't know of any other rifle with as many aftermarket parts available. I have one and it shoots just fine but I also have much older other rifles which will shoot much better and can be had used for about what a new Ruger 10-22 sells for. Looking at the $500 price point I just feel there are other better rifles as an out of the box alternative. Apparently I like the 10-22 enough to own one and it is a good little rifle but it is not the only rifle. It is a good minute of squirrel or rabbit gun and has taken more than its fair share of small game.
Ron
redneck2
Member
There is a difference between accurate and adequate
I hear endless claims that “my .22 is REALLY accurate “. Really? Shoot some targets for groups instead of just blasting tin cans at 30 feet
If you spend $1,000 on your $300 10/22 it may be as accurate as a $500 CZ and still worth less at resale time
Last edited:
NWGooser
Member
Wow. Sounds like you might need some more fiber in your diet.
d2wing
Member
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2008
- Messages
- 6,416
Actually some 10/22's are very accurate. A guy I shot against had a stainless stock 10/22 that grouped nearly as well as my CZ. I also have a 10/22 from the late 1980's that shoots very well. Not as well as my CZ's but it is a good little .22 LR. I guess the newer ones aren't as good.
ColtPythonElite
Member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2011
- Messages
- 10,473
I have a 10/22 that I bought new in 1990. Regardless of the ammo, it has never been better than about a 1.5" 50 yard gun. Don't get me wrong, it was a favorite until I shot a more accurate gun with a much better trigger. It's been nothing but a dust collector for over a decade now. If I was doing nothing but bouncing beer cans, it would be adequate.
redneck2
Member
Two things about .22’s peeve me....
My .22 is really, really accurate. Most guys that spew that have never seen a really accurate rifle. Minute of beer can is “really accurate” in their world
The other is the guy that has a “10/22” that’s had the barrel, stock, sights, bolt carriers, firing mechanism, and trigger replaced and receiver reworked. That’s no more a 10/22 than I’m an astronaut. Like we said when I raced cars “ they took off the radiator cap, drove a new car under it, and call it the same car”
The title of the thread is “Most accurate for $500”. Your bone stock 10/22 may shoot as well as my CZ, but I highly, highly doubt it.
Again -- the fullk-stock Lipsey 10/22 has the potential, w/ minimal change, to be extremely accurate.
- Put a 1/2"-square of thin/high-pressure bicycle innertube under the barrel 1" back from the fore-end as pressure point.
- Center the action in the stock well -- neither up against wood in front nor in back.
- Tighten the single action screw to 15 in-lbs (no more) to eliminate aluminum warp
Shoot it. Trigger can come later,
Yep... I'm "... the guy that has a “10/22...” that shoots 3/8" at 50yds -- w/ only those changes.
(postscriptum: Over the years I've had three other men w/ that 10/22 come to the range where I RSO. Each tried just those changes. Each was amazed)
Don't sell it short
- Put a 1/2"-square of thin/high-pressure bicycle innertube under the barrel 1" back from the fore-end as pressure point.
- Center the action in the stock well -- neither up against wood in front nor in back.
- Tighten the single action screw to 15 in-lbs (no more) to eliminate aluminum warp
Shoot it. Trigger can come later,
Yep... I'm "... the guy that has a “10/22...” that shoots 3/8" at 50yds -- w/ only those changes.
(postscriptum: Over the years I've had three other men w/ that 10/22 come to the range where I RSO. Each tried just those changes. Each was amazed)
Don't sell it short
Last edited:
If1HitU
Member
Thanks for sharing the links.
The rifle that surprised me the most was a heavy-barreled factory 10-22T owned by my good buddy Guy Coro (May he rest in peace.). I reworked the trigger, adjusted the extractor, re-shaped the firing pin, ground the operating handle to eliminate firing pin binding, milled the bolt face to reduce headspace, glass-bedded the action and pressure-pointed the barrel/forend.
That particular 10-22T, with the factory barrel, consistently shot 3/8" groups at 50 yards, surprising a lot of guys with very expensive rifles at the Daytona-area shooting range. I couldn't believe how well it shot after I finished my work on it and tried it at the Scarborough, ME shooting range.
(It kept up with my rifle, which had a Shilen bull-barrel and shot 10 consecutive, 5-shot, 50 yard groups that averaged 0.32" on a Prove-It target.)
That particular 10-22T, with the factory barrel, consistently shot 3/8" groups at 50 yards, surprising a lot of guys with very expensive rifles at the Daytona-area shooting range. I couldn't believe how well it shot after I finished my work on it and tried it at the Scarborough, ME shooting range.
(It kept up with my rifle, which had a Shilen bull-barrel and shot 10 consecutive, 5-shot, 50 yard groups that averaged 0.32" on a Prove-It target.)
I think the barrel is a big factor in obtaining accuracy out of a Ruger 10-22 (and other rimfire rifles). My B.I.L. bought a stainless 10-22 that I worked over quite a bit, but it still shot poorly. As a last resort, we bought an after-market bull barrel from Cabelas and suddenly, the rifle shot MOA at 50 yards!!
- Status
