Bolt vs Semi Auto .22LR Rifle

Having been a new shooter recently and someone who has bought a savage only to sell it for a CZ, you'll do well with a CZ. Get a classic 455 american, which is a great do everything gun. If you're just trying to fire off as many shots as possible then a semi is your choice, but to actually learn something, the bolt action is the best.
 
I'm seriously looking at the Ruger american rimfire right now for a reasonably priced bolt action. It takes the same mags as the 10/22 and from all the reviews I've seen it's at least as good as the Savage if not a bit better. I'd love to hear some opinions from anyone who has shot this rifle and what their thoughts are. It's in the $360-$400 range from what I have seen.
 
amolkapoor said:
Open sights for now, preferably under $500?
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I haven't looked down savage sights but my 10/22 sights are terrible compared to my CZ 452 Lux. The CZ has a graduated sliding rear sight for distance that really helps. I also like how it feels more like a rifle than a toy. Prairie gun traders has a CZ 455 supermatch for 520$. I've never seen one of those but the Lux is even further over budget at 580$
 
cz 452 / 455 are both great bolt action rimfire rifles! you won't go wrong if you buy a cz. I have a full stock 455 and it's my favourite rifle I own.
 
adancingmonkey said:
Having been a new shooter recently and someone who has bought a savage only to sell it for a CZ, you'll do well with a CZ.
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i would have to agree with that. if the budget is there i would certainly recommend spending that little bit more. i am trying to decide if i want to sell my savage for a CZ or if i can justify buying the CZ outright. that being said, i was not satisfied with the stock CZ trigger so a trigger job would add to the price. savage was great and i have never wanted to change a thing on it.
 
If you can stretch the budget a wee bit, look for a 452 Lux. Great gun all round, superb open sights, can be scoped many ways, as in small low power hunting scopes or large, see what you're shooting at Hubbel types. The 455 Lux will be easier to find though. The varmint and American versions come without sights.
 
OP, your questions are well answered above,
Just to take this is a little different direction, why blow the whole budget or more on a really nice .22 bolt gun?
You mentioned trying bigger stuff later. Why not take that $500 and buy a few things? How about a bolt, a semi, and a 12ga shotgun? Cooey Model 600 (150$), Single shot 12g ($150), Marlin 795 (200$)......Or you could buy a nice CZ and a Vortex.....
"If the question was what will I learn more from?" it is worth consideration.
 
willisjake said:
OP, your questions are well answered above,
Just to take this is a little different direction, why blow the whole budget or more on a really nice .22 bolt gun?
You mentioned trying bigger stuff later. Why not take that $500 and buy a few things? How about a bolt, a semi, and a 12ga shotgun? Cooey Model 600 (150$), Single shot 12g ($150), Marlin 795 (200$)......Or you could buy a nice CZ and a Vortex.....
"If the question was what will I learn more from?" it is worth consideration.
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Certainly is an interesting idea, Jake :)

My thanks to everyone for taking the time to answer my queries!
 
1) A bolt is more accurate, but a semi is more fun. Due to the relatively inexpensive ammo, lets you spray and pray like a mad man without the cost.
2) Makes no difference. Same techniques are used for any rifle, regardless of action or calibre.
 
Bolt.

CZ-452 or 455... It'll be the gun you keep forever and pass on to your kids, so worth the $$.

Trigger Job: The YoDave kit runs around $10 or less, IIRC, and is easy to do, and takes a good trigger and makes it awesome.
 
Bolt gun, period. I've owned everything but a break-barrel single-shot...and by FAR...the bolt guns will serve you best. As to why~it's been answered already...but accuracy, easy of maintenance, fewer parts~all the obvious points.

$500 is your budget~puts you in a tricky spot. That will cover-off the Savage/Marlin/Ruger American and OF those, I'd pick the Ruger American (because I've never owned one) Marlin, THEN Savage. In that order for my money. What do I mean about "tricky?" $500 puts you within striking range of a CZ Lux (model WITH iron sights) and that gun is a gem. CZs are fine rifles, the other sub-$500 guns are whacked-together. Don't get me wrong...they shoot well...sometimes exceptionally well...but they're not at a CZ level of quality. If you don't believe me, go to your local dealer and ask to see a CZ455 and a Ruger American and compare them side-by-side. You'll see/feel the $200 +/- difference.

This coming from a guy who doesn't currently own any rimfires worth more than $500. :) I have owned a CZ though...the only gun I ever regret selling. Several Savages have come and gone.
 
To the OP. A shameless plug here. :redface: I have a CZ 452 Varmint 22 for sale. It's a bit more than what you want to spend but it has been upgraded and you'll have add a scope. http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1249412-CZ-452-Varmint
 
I currently shoot a CZ452 leftie bolt, a BSA Martini Cadet single shot levergun, a Marlin 39a, a Remington 572 Fieldmaster pump and a Winchester 9422. I have had several semis but got tired of them and sold them. I was told the reason the semis are not as accurate as a bolt or lever gun is that the bullet is travelling down the barrel at the same time the bolt is headed the other way to pick up a round. Too much movement for precision. Some shoot good but a semi is not likely to ever outshoot a bolt action. The pump is a serious tack driver but then they all are. The Martini is about 75yrs old now and still takes 12ga empties at 50m easily. My first gun was a Cooey 64 back in the mid 60s. Got it cheap cuz the owner had gotten sand in it and the bolt would not move. I took it apart and cleaned it as well as knocked the sharp edges off of the mech. That gun killed hundreds of groundhogs some approaching 30lbs. But it had to be cleaned after every use. I like simple guns. Never had to ever disassemble any of my guns to get them clean enough to shoot. Not a fan of the 1022 either as it has become a fussy gun to shoot. And there are so many "fixes" to make them shoot better. Spend a thou on your 1022 and it will still not shoot as well as my CZ out of the box. I like accuracy and clean kills. I have all the tools to do that. Wabbits beware. Be vewy vewy quiet.....
 
The other option that might save you a couple of $$ (but not many, because they're becoming kinda collectible) is that Brno Model 2e's come up for sale at TradeEx and on the EE every now and then. I suspect TradeEx is bringing them in from Europe, where increasing gun-ban crap is making hard to keep even a .22 around in most countries, so some pretty good vintage rifles are coming from over there at quite reasonable prices.

It's the CZ 452 before CZ bought out Brno and renamed it.

There are those that swear the Brno ones are better, even though they were produced at the same factory, by the same employees, using the same equipment as the CZ's. I think CZ did eventually move the plant, but not 100% sure of that.
 
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