Most reliable 22LR rifle?

[0faustus0]

I just finished reading “True North” by Elliott Merrick, … a book about living one winter in the interior of Labrador in the 1930s. In the book the author mentioned that they lived mostly off upland game (“chickens”) …. and they would try to shoot a couple every day with a 22LR.

That got me thinking ….

What is the most reliable 22LR rifle out there and that will function reliably out there in the deep winter? Current production ....
And to me … most reliable means … it is simple, does not have many parts that can break … and shoots to minute of chicken. Head shots ….

I am thinking about a single shot bolt action …. Or a single shot break action ….

And I do prefer peep sights .... and wood stocks ....

What’s out there and that has proven to be reliable? Current production ....

?????

 

[remington jim]

CZ455

 

[calmcat]

Ruger American rimfire is bolt action and very light and reliable. But not a single action.No peep sights but you can add a cheap red dot.

 

[bibatoad]

I just finished reading “True North” by Elliott Merrick, … a book about living one winter in the interior of Labrador in the 1930s. In the book the author mentioned that they lived mostly off upland game (“chickens”) …. and they would try to shoot a couple every day with a 22LR.

That got me thinking ….

What is the most reliable 22LR rifle out there and that will function reliably out there in the deep winter? Current production ....
And to me … most reliable means … it is simple, does not have many parts that can break … and shoots to minute of chicken. Head shots ….

I am thinking about a single shot bolt action …. Or a single shot break action ….

And I do prefer peep sights .... and wood stocks ....

What’s out there and that has proven to be reliable? Current production ....

?????

An inexpensive magazine fed bolt action (truck gun) with open sights would be my choice, for grouse.

 

[riversrest]

The 455 will work no doubt. I take it out for hare/rabbit hunting during winter at minus 25-30 Celsius. Doesn't miss a beat.

I also drag a 322 Norinco around in my ice fishing Toboggan. Never no issue with that either but it has a plastic stock.

 

[Scott_N]

I think one of the CZ models would fit the bill. The one I have is a 455 Lux, they feel solid and more like full-sized rifle than a lot of 22s.

 

[45CAT]

With a bolt action you will have to strip down the bolt and “winterize “ the lube same with a semi

 

[sillymike]

My vote would have gone to a lever, like the 9422 or the 39A... Reliable, reasonably accurate, and no magazine to loose...
- but while they are easy enough to find used, they are no longer being manufactured.

 

[BLCB]

I have been taking heads off chickens with my Cooey 39 for most of my life. I can't think of anything simpler and it is more than accurate enough.

 

[kamlooky]

Winchester 67 or 68 fits the bill also.

 

[hawk-i]

My 1st rifle was a Cooey 600, CRF 22 S,L,LR. I don't ever remember that rifle have a misfunction

 

[wasrupzuk]

I’d maybe couple “reliability” with “parts availability”.
Even the best best break and if you can’t get a part it’s a stick…so to me repairability is synonymous with reliability.

 

[struff55]

A winchester 1885 low wall single shot only 1500-2500$ very reliable has been around since 1885 time proven over all other rim fires built

 

[m1008]

Forgot current production and buy an open bolt

 

[chuckAA]

Cooey model 39

 

[Suther]

We don't normally get Labrador cold here, but I've shot a lot of grouse with a Savage MK2 topped with a cheap 3-9x rimfire scope.

Savage makes a model with peep sights too, and it comes in both single shot (Mark I) and mag fed (Mark II) varieties.

 

[gunrunner100]

If I had to pick one from all that are listed, it would be the Cooey 60/600. Simple and robust, accurate too.

 

[FLHTCUI]

Cooey Single Shot will run all day every day one shot at a time.
Will it shoot to 100 m ?
I'm sure it will, but will it be on the target you are aiming for ?
There are to many to not try them all.
Tight Groups,
Rob

 

[Grizzlypeg]

For shooting grouse or rabbits in the bush, anyone with good eyesight only needs the iron sights. While it wouldn't be my first choice anymore, a Cooey 75 was what I used as a kid. My dad had, and now I have his ultra lightweight Deutche Werke single shot. That gun is ideal because it only weighs around 2 lbs and you can carry it around your neck while you do other things like bushwack your way through a forest.

If I were buying new, a CZ with iron sights and a flush metal mag would be good.

 

[gunrunner100]

^^^My first rifle (still have it).