.22 for Grouse Recommendations?

I/we are looking for a new rifle since its a gift and in a way reflects the new beginning of retirement and hunting.

Another thought that just occurred to me is his length of pull (taller fellow like myself) so a full length/size rifle would be best.
 
I wish to congratulate every one concerned with wanting to make head shots on grouse with a 22. I was 12 years old when I started bringing in grouse shot with a 22 and I got hell, if a grouse was shot in the body.
I later taught my boys, then grand sons to do this. None of them will shoot a grouse in the body with a 22, unless there is special circumstances, nor will they (any of us) shoot a grouse on the ground with a shotgun.
We say head shot, but actually it is the neck that is usually hit. Aiming at the neck allows for small errors of range.
I can see yu wanting to get a new rifle, but there are so many good used 22 bolt actions out there. My grouse gun for 50 years has been a Winchester Model 69 with a good Lyman aperature, close to the eye. What ever you get, it must have a good trigger and either aperature sights or a good 22 scope. I prefer good aperatures, especially for off hand shooting, which is often the case with grouse.

X2 I've shot 1000's of grouse/ptarmagin/rabbits in my lifetime. Never felt the urge to use a shotgun yet.
 
Some that I have had good experiences with are:

Browning BL-22
Positive: Very light, quick lever pull for follow up shot, very accurate, well made.
Downside: Not cheap. Occasionally hard to find.

Savage MK II
Positive: Super accurate, relatively cheap.
Downside: Not typically light. Mine probably weighs around 8 pounds the way it is set up.

Ruger 10/22
Positives: Infinitely modifiable, fast follow shots. Available anywhere.
Downside: Everyone has one, not particularly a "grandpa" shotgun, can have accuracy issues.

These are my opinions with the guns that I have owned. As with all guns there are good ones and there are ones that lack in the quality department. I was unimpressed with the 10/22 that I had. But thousands of other guy's opinions can outweigh mine....
 
BL-22 is the best .22 I have handled so far. Ever regreting of selling it:(.
Top craftmanship, moderate price, short cycling, and amazing accuracy off-hand.

Many .22 are over-rated IMHO.
I'd consider a browning bl-22. Lever actions are nice for quick follow up shots and this is a very nice gun.
 
Not retired yet, but after moving to town a few years ago and having so much more time, I decided to get back into grouse hunting with a .22. I went for a Savage .22 Mag because I wanted a little more power for the odd coyote that I come across. I really like the package, but sometimes carry my Marlin 795 .22 semi auto because it is so light and very accurate. No problem at all hitting a grouse in the head with either rifle.
 
i would be disapointed to recieve a savage as a retirement gift. it should be a high quality, feel good in the hands and something that doesnt feel cheap. i have a savage bv and i wish i bought a cz except for the fact that i dont cry when it gets scratched but then in turn i tend to not be nice to it.

fuzzy
 
as you can see everyone has their own favorite. might be better to either get a gift certificate so he can go himself and shoulder a half dozen and see what he likes best. at least if you knew what type of action he would be looking for you could really narrow it down, but if he has his heart set on a bolt action but got a semi he would still like it but might not be something he had his heart set on. just a thought
 
Another thought that just occurred to me is his length of pull (taller fellow like myself) so a full length/size rifle would be best.

I think he'd like the CZ 452 or for a real treat, the 453 with a set trigger. Both are in your price range. These rifles feel like full sized guns and have an excellent reputation for quality, accuracy and value. I have been very pleased with mine.
 
Here is my current grouse gun, a modified Ruger 10-22.

Stainless 11.5" ER Shaw barrel, VQ extended bolt handle, bolt buffer, Leupold FX-II 2.5x20mm(w/ PRW rings and PC base), buffed receiver, buffed butler creek HB stock. Nice light, tidy, compact package, which is extremely accurate to boot. I aim at the base of the neck when shooting grouse whenever possible. You will usually hit the neck, and/or neck and back which will drop the bird and save the breast.

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Grouse Gun

While not high on the quality/presentation scale, a Savage 24, 22/20 guage would seem fine for this application. They come up reasonably frequently on the EE.
 
Though I own a lever myself I would highly reccomend as the best value out there a 10-22 Ruger. They have a detachable rotary box magazine, are extremely accurate and there is no end to the accessories available for them should he wish to customise it some. As well the rifle wont break your bank account nor will the available accessories. Just my .02 worth;)
 
I hope no one talks him out of getting a bolt action.
A bolt action with a good, micrometer adjusted aperature, mounted close to the eye.
The Browning T bolt has been mentioned a few timew, and it sure is a great little rifle. It's been so long since I've handled one, that I forget what kind of magazine it has. A tubular is not a handy mag. I am absolutely amazed at the accuracy of my little Henry lever action. Had it to the range the other day, with a 4x Bushnell 22 scope on it, trying out three kinds of ammo. There was a slight change of impact with the different brands, but the groups from a solid rest at 50 yards, would have gotten 4 out of five grouse heads. But, the Henry has a tubular mag, which I am not fond of.
For grouse hunting, no mag could beat the detachable clip, that most older bolt action rifles had.
 
If I were a retiree, I would love either a nice bolt like the ruger 77, or a classy lever.

Lever guns are great grouse hunting guns and he'll love the looks of something like a Henry or a Marlin. With a lever, you can empty the magazine without coming off target. They balance well and have excellent accuracy for a .22 at those ranges.

If your friend's dad is having difficulty with old eyes (like I am) than a reticle sight is just the ticket. I have fiberoptic sights on a .22 and they work wonderful at grouse ranges, too. At 100 yards, the fiberoptic sights are too bright to do better than 5 inches or so.

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The Ruger is just plain awesome as far as 22s go.
The Henry looks like a million bucks and still shoots well.
The Marlin is a really well balanced gun to carry and shoot. The wood isn't quite as nice as the Henry though.

Older gents seem to like breaks and levers; not tacticool stuff.
 
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