"Best" cheaper .22 (under $250)

have the same dilemma right now. It is down to:

Marlin Model 795 Rifle
Marlin Model 925R
Mossberg Model 702 Plinkster Semi Automatic Rifle 21” brushed chrome barrel (cheapest)
Savage Mark II-G Bolt Action Rifle with AccuTrigger: Youth Model with AccuTrigger
Stevens Model 300 Bolt Action Rifle with Scope (most expensive)

what are outright pieces of #### so i can take them off my list?
 
You get unfortunately what you pay for. Not necessarily the cheapest is trash but some high end stuff can be. I go for the proven used stuff. used means that most bugs are already worked out.

Reliability is the mainstay and bolts are deemed the best. There are some lemons made amongst all the makers,
 
The Marlin 795 is around $150, depending on where you go. Light, cheap, and spits out the bullets. Excellent gopher/rabbit gun. If you want a higher level of accuracy, go for a bolt as others have suggested.
 
Savage MKII for a bolt. If you're using it at the range, off the bench, get the heavy barrel. If you plan to stand while you shoot, the sporter is lighter, but I find the heavy barrel more than light enough to carry around, shoot while standing, etc.
For semi, I'll be going with the standard Ruger 10/22 or Remington 597. If you have a price limit, go for the 597. 10/22's need to be modified for it's peak efficiency and reliability. The 597 is good right out of the box(though still fun to modify). Both have high cap magazines, if you can find them.
 
New - I'd go with a bolt Marlin or Savage that suits your taste.
Used - You can find Cooeys and Mossbergs in good condition for not much. They can shoot surprisingly well too.
Spend the rest on ammo and a mid range scope with the money you saved.
You could also wait and buy a CZ down the road too.
 
I've seen a couple of you mention saving up more for a CZ. Other than the stock, which certainly has much ###ier looking wood, is there any real big improvements in operation or accuracy over the budget items? Enough to justify the double or more pricing?
 
As for a CZ it all depends on what your looking for in a rimfire as to weather its worth spending the extra money. I have one thats pretty much just a range toy with Daves trigger kit in it and it has about a pound trigger with zero creep and it's way more accurate than I am as of yet. It operates flawlessly with no fte problems and in the near 2000 rounds i've shot i've never had a ftf or any other problem (i've even shot cb longs out of it and they are still fairly accurate). Also the construction of the gun is very solid the action is machined from a solid piece of steel rather than cast out of aluminum or steel and the barrel is forged. So yes (in my opinion ) they are definatly more accurate than most if not all other models mentioned here and was worth spending the extra money. However if your just looking for a cheap plinking toy or hunting rifle that will be mildly accurate then it's probably not worth the extra expense.
 
By far the nicest rimfire I have ever owned was a brno #3 (now cz) The action seemed more like a center fire rifle. Shot like a house on fire. I'd choose cz if you were going to spend more money.

For less maybe the winchester wildcat would be a good choice. This is a toz78 with a bit better wood if remember correctly

Wildcat Target/Varmint
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I second the Winchester Wildcat. I have a Toz78 which is basically the same action and find that it's an excellent shooter. Good trigger, just the action is a bit stiff. I guess I need to shoot it more...
Anyways the Wildcat is a glorified Toz with a better stock and finish. 250$ or so. Sad that you could get the toz 3 yrs ago for 100$...
 
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