Best out of the box 22lr under $500
- Thread starter boychuia
- Start date
- Location
- Niagara Region, Ontario. For now
CZ or Savage will shoot about the same in my experience, and from what I have seen here.
I am pretty sure that the CZ is not drilled and tapped for scope mounts, and instead has a built in mount that only accepts rimfire rings.
Limits choice of rings for mounting a scope, if that is the case.
I like my Savage.
I am pretty sure that the CZ is not drilled and tapped for scope mounts, and instead has a built in mount that only accepts rimfire rings.
Limits choice of rings for mounting a scope, if that is the case.
I like my Savage.
hometownhero
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toon Town, Sk
I would go savage mark II then marlin. Both are pretty inexpensive and for under the $500 you can buy either rifle and scope it
Savage Mark II gets my vote, hands down. Outstanding value. Many different models to choose from, so it depends on whether you're thinking your nephew will be interested in hunting/plinking, silhouette, benchrest, precision, or even tactical shooting.
Nobody has mentioned 10/22 platforms yet, but they are definitely worth considering if you want an accurate autoloader. Look at the target model for off the rack accuracy, or any of the base models for one that can be tweaked and accurized indefinitely.
Also, many good 22 rifle options are well under $500, so you might consider spending some of the balance on a club membership or instructional courses. That could be just the ticket to get a youngster excited.
Nobody has mentioned 10/22 platforms yet, but they are definitely worth considering if you want an accurate autoloader. Look at the target model for off the rack accuracy, or any of the base models for one that can be tweaked and accurized indefinitely.
Also, many good 22 rifle options are well under $500, so you might consider spending some of the balance on a club membership or instructional courses. That could be just the ticket to get a youngster excited.
I'd look used. IMO, there are no current $500 guns that are accurate, interesting, and pretty. Savage is accurate - I own two - but it's hardly 'pretty,' the finish and design are utilitarian. CZ is an improvement, but still a little disappointing up close when it comes to fit and finish. Again, it's a functional and accurate shooter.
If you're patient, I'd look around the used gun listings; there's lots of really nice bolt actions out there that are both shooters, and have a high level of workmanship. Top of mind at the moment include the Remington rimfires - a 504, 541, or even the Five. Some of the old winchesters are really nice, too - especially the 52, but I doubt you'll ever see one for $500. If accuracy is your thing, the CIL 190's are really re-branded Anschutz rifles, known for accuracy. While not quite benchrest-accurate, the Browning T-Bolt is a fantastically charming bolt gun, wicked fun to shoot, one of my mainstay go-to bolt guns that rarely gets left behind when I go out shootin. Older Mossberg bolt-guns have a cult following out there - I've tried a few of them and never could get too attached, myself.
If you're patient, I'd look around the used gun listings; there's lots of really nice bolt actions out there that are both shooters, and have a high level of workmanship. Top of mind at the moment include the Remington rimfires - a 504, 541, or even the Five. Some of the old winchesters are really nice, too - especially the 52, but I doubt you'll ever see one for $500. If accuracy is your thing, the CIL 190's are really re-branded Anschutz rifles, known for accuracy. While not quite benchrest-accurate, the Browning T-Bolt is a fantastically charming bolt gun, wicked fun to shoot, one of my mainstay go-to bolt guns that rarely gets left behind when I go out shootin. Older Mossberg bolt-guns have a cult following out there - I've tried a few of them and never could get too attached, myself.
Prosper has a great point - An older classic would offer something really unique, if you think that's what your nephew will bite on.
If the point is to get your nephew excited about shooting, make sure whatever you get is something that he will appreciate. No idea about your nephew, but in my younger days I was far more interested in tupperware clad stainless and look cool factor than in blue and walnut, no matter how beautiful. This caused no end of disappointment to my father, I'm sure, but I came around after a decade or so.
If the point is to get your nephew excited about shooting, make sure whatever you get is something that he will appreciate. No idea about your nephew, but in my younger days I was far more interested in tupperware clad stainless and look cool factor than in blue and walnut, no matter how beautiful. This caused no end of disappointment to my father, I'm sure, but I came around after a decade or so.
I would suggest to get him something he will be really excited to go out and shoot. A youngster isn't going to appreciate the workmanship of a 500 bolt gun, he'll oooo and awwwww at a mossy tactical .22 though with a 25 round magazine.
Kids are into video games and if he has a rifle that looks bad-a$$ and is reliable I'm sure he'll love it.
He can still learn the basics of shooting, and have a bawl while doing it.
Kids are into video games and if he has a rifle that looks bad-a$$ and is reliable I'm sure he'll love it.
He can still learn the basics of shooting, and have a bawl while doing it.
2006vinson
Member
- Location
- Montreal, Québec
I do have a marlin xt 22, got it for 200$ tax in and i can still place the bullet where i want it to be at 150 yards. Not the nicest looking gun ever but its far from being the ugliest. But what metters most its how it works and shoot and on that, the marlin is perfect.
Good job for wanting to get your nephew into shooting. A gun gift is one of the greatest gift you can give a boy, in my opinion. Many still have the first gun they got, and many are extremely appreciative but would be much more so if it were a higher quality gift that really stood the test of time and appreciated with time. If I got a gift and 40 years later realized how much thought end effort my uncle put into it, it would mean more later in life. I have knives like that, they were better than most but not the best. I appreciate my uncles more now than ever because of those thoughtful nice gifts.
I think a cz is several steps up from a savage. It is a fine rifle, accurate and one that time is very kind to, the savage is a great rifle but its not in the same collector league as a cz. I would highly recommend a cz 452 NOT a 455. I went with t/c r 55's for my boys.
I think a cz is several steps up from a savage. It is a fine rifle, accurate and one that time is very kind to, the savage is a great rifle but its not in the same collector league as a cz. I would highly recommend a cz 452 NOT a 455. I went with t/c r 55's for my boys.
I would have go put two guns in the running from my own experiences....
10/22.... He can start with a standard carbine and iron sights, scope it when he feels, and once he's gotten the basics it can be turned into almost whatever he wants..... Cheap starting price too.
Savage... I can't talk about the mkII.... Well I can, I had one when the were still "lakefield's" (great experience), but the new ones I have no experience with.... However... I just bought a savage 93r17 (distributor exclusive) and it performs well above my expectations for what you pay.... BUT I mention this because of the workmanship (fit and finish and quality ) if the mkII's are any thing like my 93r17 which I assume they are, neither of you will be disappointed.
Good luck
10/22.... He can start with a standard carbine and iron sights, scope it when he feels, and once he's gotten the basics it can be turned into almost whatever he wants..... Cheap starting price too.
Savage... I can't talk about the mkII.... Well I can, I had one when the were still "lakefield's" (great experience), but the new ones I have no experience with.... However... I just bought a savage 93r17 (distributor exclusive) and it performs well above my expectations for what you pay.... BUT I mention this because of the workmanship (fit and finish and quality ) if the mkII's are any thing like my 93r17 which I assume they are, neither of you will be disappointed.
Good luck
If, by "out of the box" you mean the upfront cost of the base gun only, then CZ is the way to go, hands down.
If what you mean is a fully set-up gun, range ready and scoped for under $500, then go with a Savage MKII "FV" or "FV-SR" model, buy a Boyd's stock of your choice, change out the bottom metal and put on a Mueller APV... you will have a dynamite gun for under $500... and it WILL shoot.
