Advice on Rifle purchase.

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Rossiter93

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Hi all.

I'm not able to make a purchase for another few weeks, but once my student loan comes in I'm looking to purchase a new .22lr bolt gun for small game and target shooting. I'm 6'3" and around 300lbs, I train jiu jitsu and kickboxing 4 times a week. I'm not afraid of a heavy gun, which is why I'm looking for something with a heavy barrel. Accuracy is big to me, and I love to tinker. I currently have a Ruger 10/22 (First new rifle I ever bought myself, and the reason my dog is named Ruger. You could say I have some brand loyalty haha), and have previously owned a Savage MKii G that I had scoped and had a new thicker bottom iron made for. I'm probably going to be shopping via the EE to save some money, and I'm thinking Savage B22, one of the higher end Savage MKii rifles, CZ 455 varmint, Ruger american rimfire target, or possibly wait and just deal with the paying taxes and look at one of the new Tikka rimfire's when they release.

Savage seems like a great bang for the buck accuracy wise, the CZ's have a good reputation and are a very handsome rifle, the Ruger takes the same mags as my currently owned rifle (Big bonus!), and the Tikka appears to have a semi heavy barrel, short bolt throw, and most likely a nice trigger.

I'm looking to not spend more than say, $600 for the rifle. I'll put the scope that's currently on my 10/22 on the bolt gun when I get it.

Thank you all in advance, and I apologize if I don't answer everyone that offers input.
 
I would recommend a CZ 452 Varmint and you will get the heavy barrel, there have been or still are some great deals on the EE that I would suggest you seriously consider. The CZ 452 line has been replaced with the CZ 455 offerings and the 452 is a better firearm. These are well made and accurate rifles that are a pleasure to own and shoot.
 
Rossiter93 said:
I'm not able to make a purchase for another few weeks, but once my student loan comes in I'm looking to purchase a new .22lr bolt gun for small game and target shooting. I'm 6'3" and around 300lbs, I train jiu jitsu and kickboxing 4 times a week. I'm not afraid of a heavy gun, which is why I'm looking for something with a heavy barrel. Accuracy is big to me, and I love to tinker..
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I'm not sure that I'd admit that I was waiting for student funding to come in so that I could buy a rifle. It reminds me of the Ontario Stereo [Student] Assistance Programm (OSAP) from decades ago that provided student loans and grants for postsecondary schooling. But perhaps target shooting or hunting helps with the studies. In any case, of the rifles mention in the OP -- Savage, CZ, Tikka -- none of them are really heavy. Savage and CZ do make "heavy" or bull barrel models (I'm unsure about the new Tikka), but the rifles themselves are only a little heavier than their sporter barrel models. The CZ 455 Varmint with the heaviest barrel among them weighs only 7.08 lbs, which is not nearly in the heavyweight league. For hunting of course it some may find it heavy enough after a few hours but for a strong fellow it would be nothing.

The Savage rifles are available with a more affordable "heavy" barrel model than CZ Varmints. If you can afford to take your choice between the two, CZ rifles have a very good fit and finish that Savage often does not equal. Don't expect target rifle accuracy just because a rifle like a CZ or Savage has a heavier barrel. It doesn't hurt but it may not make a significant difference.
 
The CZ is the default for most. A few will mention Anshultz but they are expensive, relatively speaking. Savage makes a solid produce, perhaps the best bang for the buck but Ruger is looking to will back some market share with their Ruger Precision .22 series of rifles. It seems like I have everything else under the sun except one of those but one will be in the cards soon. It has an adjustable modular chassis system with a pic rail, it uses the ruger 10/22 rotary mag and it is priced around $550. Sounds like a winner to me.

Be frugal with your money and good luck in school, kid.
 
grauhanen said:
I'm not sure that I'd admit that I was waiting for student funding to come in so that I could buy a rifle. It reminds me of the Ontario Stereo [Student] Assistance Programm (OSAP) from decades ago that provided student loans and grants for postsecondary schooling. But perhaps target shooting or hunting helps with the studies. In any case, of the rifles mention in the OP -- Savage, CZ, Tikka -- none of them are really heavy. Savage and CZ do make "heavy" or bull barrel models (I'm unsure about the new Tikka), but the rifles themselves are only a little heavier than their sporter barrel models. The CZ 455 Varmint with the heaviest barrel among them weighs only 7.08 lbs, which is not nearly in the heavyweight league. For hunting of course it some may find it heavy enough after a few hours but for a strong fellow it would be nothing.

The Savage rifles are available with a more affordable "heavy" barrel model than CZ Varmints. If you can afford to take your choice between the two, CZ rifles have a very good fit and finish that Savage often does not equal. Don't expect target rifle accuracy just because a rifle like a CZ or Savage has a heavier barrel. It doesn't hurt but it may not make a significant difference.
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I appreciate the input.

I've had to sell a number of my firearms over the last year to help out financially with the new home my girlfriend and I bought right before I lost my job due to the business closing, some of which I was quite attached to. Student loans gave me grants because I've only brought in something like $3500 total this year in the small jobs I've been doing (not counting cash jobs) and as such I'll be receiving quiet a bit more than I need, and the rifle purchase will be a treat to myself for finally going back to school at 25 years of age and doing something with my life. I also have a range local that is a registered not for profit organization and has been sending paperwork to its members employers as a wellness program. Once I find out what my course load will be for school I have a shoe in position at a local job that is will to reimburse me through the its employee wellness program even with just part time hours. The range has always been my go to place for clearing my head, and it's now easier than ever to get there.

Thank you again for your input.
 
Returning to school to further yourself is always something to be applauded. I understand well the therapeutic value of shooting to clear the head and for relaxing away from the pressures of everyday life. I do it myself as often as possible. I wish the OP well in his educational endeavours.
 
15567 said:
I would recommend a CZ 452 Varmint and you will get the heavy barrel, there have been or still are some great deals on the EE that I would suggest you seriously consider. The CZ 452 line has been replaced with the CZ 455 offerings and the 452 is a better firearm. These are well made and accurate rifles that are a pleasure to own and shoot.
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What he said. :)
 
I've read that the CZ 452 Varmint only has one action screw. Does that translate to being an issue? There is a 455 Varmint on the EE right now, like new, that I could get with rings for just a touch over $600 including shipping.

I'm also looking at doing the aluminum tape bedding as shown on RimfireCentral, not as a permanent bedding job but a temporary thing until I feel like I can squeeze more from the rifle and justify the cost of a epoxy and pillar bedding job.
 
Rossiter93 said:
I appreciate the input.

I've had to sell a number of my firearms over the last year to help out financially with the new home my girlfriend and I bought right before I lost my job due to the business closing, some of which I was quite attached to. Student loans gave me grants because I've only brought in something like $3500 total this year in the small jobs I've been doing (not counting cash jobs) and as such I'll be receiving quiet a bit more than I need, and the rifle purchase will be a treat to myself for finally going back to school at 25 years of age and doing something with my life. I also have a range local that is a registered not for profit organization and has been sending paperwork to its members employers as a wellness program. Once I find out what my course load will be for school I have a shoe in position at a local job that is will to reimburse me through the its employee wellness program even with just part time hours. The range has always been my go to place for clearing my head, and it's now easier than ever to get there.

Thank you again for your input.
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I believe you got your head on straight and there's nothing wrong or illegal about using some of your student loan for your leisure. All work and no play make Jack a dull boy, as the saying goes. You've shown that you are a responsible person because you invested in real estate at a very young age. Good on you, young man.

May I suggest you look further on the EE for used CZ452s, rather than get a 455 (new or used) as 455s may be more of an accuracy crapshoot compared to 452s. I have 3 CZ452s: Style and Varmint shoot pretty much the same at 100 meters while the Scout is untested at that distance although it is a one-holer, literally a .25 hole or less, at 17 meters (longest distance in our indoor club). Of course, there are very good 455s out there but you read so much about their inconsistent accuracy, true or not, why take a chance.

All the best to you.
 
Rossiter93 said:
I've read that the CZ 452 Varmint only has one action screw. Does that translate to being an issue? There is a 455 Varmint on the EE right now, like new, that I could get with rings for just a touch over $600 including shipping.

I'm also looking at doing the aluminum tape bedding as shown on RimfireCentral, not as a permanent bedding job but a temporary thing until I feel like I can squeeze more from the rifle and justify the cost of a epoxy and pillar bedding job.
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CZ 452 Varmints in .22LR have one action screw and a barrel lug (a stock-to-barreled action screw that attaches to a lug on the barrel). Shooters do not report that it is an issue.

The CZ 455 series all have the same receivers and action screw configuration. CZ 455's, as you probably know, have user-changeable barrels: you can swap .22LR, .17HMR, and .22WMR barrels on your receiver. There is lively debate, both here on CGN and on RFC, about the pros and cons of the 455 vs the venerable 452.

Aluminum tape bedding is a good first step to try if you have stock to action fit issues before pillar and glass bedding. Many shooters report that the 455 series is more often in need of bedding of some kind because of the nature of the inletting on the stocks. At the same time there are many who report no issues with their 455's as they come out-of-the-box. As noted above, there is spirited discussion about which is better, the CZ 455 or the CZ 452. I've had both 452's and 455's and I prefer the former over the latter.
 
The stock-to-barreled action screw can be frozen with 6x6m set screw and free float the barrel. Gave a great accuracy improvement.

My CZ 455 Varmint and American have been pillar bedded, YoDave Trigger kits install to achieve one pound and the firing pins reshaped.
Both have shot under an inch at 100 yards.
 
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