New to the sport, seeking recommendations

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Plato

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Hello! I am new to the sport and hoping to hear some recommendations. I prefer wooden furniture, superior construction, iron sights and scopes. I prefer spending on better quality if it means the gun will last a long time. And I am in Canada, not interested in trying to import anything. I'm medium size, so in terms of gun sizing nothing diminutive please.

So far I am interested in something nice from CZ or perhaps the Ruger 10/22. I am also looking into lever actions but feel like I want to step out of .22 for that.

I posted in the general forum before I saw the Rimfire section, hopefully nobody rebukes me for a double post!

cheers
 
Plato said:
Hello! I am new to the sport and hoping to hear some recommendations. I prefer wooden furniture, superior construction, iron sights and scopes. I prefer spending on better quality if it means the gun will last a long time. And I am in Canada, not interested in trying to import anything. I'm medium size, so in terms of gun sizing nothing diminutive please.

So far I am interested in something nice from CZ or perhaps the Ruger 10/22. I am also looking into lever actions but feel like I want to step out of .22 for that.

I posted in the general forum before I saw the Rimfire section, hopefully nobody rebukes me for a double post!

cheers
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The CZ might fit the bill - they're certainly the best in their class. A 10/22 is a cheap throw-away thing. They're fun to shoot, and some are nicer than others, but a quality firearm, they are not.

If you're truly looking for a quality blued/walnut rifle you can pass down to your grandkids, you're going to be starting at Anschutz and going UP from there. You might do better looking at used stuff, from back when Brno/CZ, Winchester, Marlin, etc made quality rimfire guns. The CZ 452 was a fine gun, as is the Winchester 9422, Marlin 39, Remington 12, Brno 1 or 4, etc etc.

Buy once, cry once ... that's the way to go with rimfire.
 
If you’re in it for the long run, you’ll eventually want to build a collection. You’re going to want both the 10/22 and the CZ; in other words, both a semi and a bolt.

Then centrefire rifles and a shotgun.

Think of it like getting into tools. Would you be satisfied with just a hammer, or just a screwdriver, or just a pair of pliers?
 
Plato said:
Hello! I am new to the sport and hoping to hear some recommendations. I prefer wooden furniture, superior construction, iron sights and scopes. I prefer spending on better quality if it means the gun will last a long time. And I am in Canada, not interested in trying to import anything. I'm medium size, so in terms of gun sizing nothing diminutive please.

So far I am interested in something nice from CZ or perhaps the Ruger 10/22. I am also looking into lever actions but feel like I want to step out of .22 for that.

I posted in the general forum before I saw the Rimfire section, hopefully nobody rebukes me for a double post!

cheers





As you get deeper into the sport, many shooters also like to track training sessions, performance, and progress over time. In that area, solutions like those developed by www.cogniteq.com/sports-software are often used in professional sports and fitness to analyze performance and improve consistency, which can be surprisingly useful even in precision-based disciplines.
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Hey, welcome! And no worries about the double post—happens to everyone.


Based on what you’ve said, it sounds like you’re already thinking in the right direction: prioritizing build quality, materials, and long-term durability over the cheapest option is usually a smart move. Wooden stocks with solid metalwork tend to age well, feel better in the hands, and are often easier to maintain over many years if cared for properly.


Since you’re in Canada, sticking with well-established manufacturers that have good local support is a big plus. That way, parts, service, and accessories are easier to find, and you stay comfortably within local regulations. CZ and Ruger both have strong reputations for consistent quality and longevity, so it makes sense they’re on your radar.


If you’re curious about stepping beyond .22 in the future, I’d suggest first getting very comfortable with fundamentals—safety, handling, and accuracy—before moving up. Lever actions, in particular, are loved for their craftsmanship and feel, but it’s worth handling a few in person to see what fits you best ergonomically.


Best advice overall: spend some time at a local range or licensed dealer, handle different options, and talk to experienced shooters there. Fit and feel matter just as much as brand names. Enjoy the journey—and welcome to the sport!
 
IMO there are 'better choices' for a semi than the Ruger. CZ has a nice one for just a few bucks more, as does Bergara. These will likely be more 'substantial' that the Ruger, altho you may not have as many 'options' if you get into 'customizing'. And these also have very good and accurate Bolt action selections.
 
CZ 457 with a nice walnut stock will scratch that itch I think.
They make a dozen different variations, some have Beech stocks which are all right, but Beech will never be as pretty as walnut.
There are nicer guns then that too, look at Nordic Marksman and the Anshutz lineup, costs a fair bit more but if you want quality it's not cheap these days.
 
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