choosing first .22

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Fargal

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Hello CGN'rs,

I've been reading thread after thread and tons of articles & reviews of .22's as I'm on the hunt for my first firearm. I've finally managed to narrow it down to the following 5 .22's, although I'm always open to other suggestions:

- CZ 452 or 455 American/Varmint
- Savage Model BSEV
- Savage Model BV
- Browning BL-22
- Browning SA-22

So what's your opinion and experience with these .22's? :nest:

I'll be using this rifle exclusively at the range, paper-punching, and one of my biggest priorities in a rifle is accuracy. I hope to get into some long-range bench rest shooting too.

This first rifle will be my primary learning platform before purchasing a deer hunting rifle (these days I'm thinking a Kimber 8400 in 7mm-08).

Also worth noting that I won't be making any modifications and will be leaving the rifle stock, save for a sight/scope. Budget is <$600.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions & comments, cheers!
 
I love my browning bl-22 ( my browning is 37 years old and could drive tacks) and the old Cooey guns I have shoot better than you would expect a $100 rusty gun to.
 
Winchested said:
I love my browning bl-22 ( my browning is 37 years old and could drive tacks) and the old Cooey guns I have shoot better than you would expect a $100 rusty gun to.
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Hahaha! Cooey's are awsome! I love how the op listed CZ's and brownings and you point him towardes a rusty cooey hahaha. True Canadian in every sense.
 
I would recommend a CZ452 American. It shoots just as accurately as the varmint, without the need for a heavy barrel. It has a nice balance and will be great practice for your bolt action hunting rifle.
 
Borgnine said:
If you have a warranty issue with a CZ, prepare not to see it for 6+ months.
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Thanks for the tip! I have heard mention of this issue, but was unsure of if it was just a one-off or a real trend in painfully slow warranty service.

mikeystew said:
Agreed. Even a newer one if you can look at it first. They are a really good design and function well, and they are VERY accurate.
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I have read amazing things about the older Marlins, but what with all the re-shuffling and reports of serious quality control problems, I'm pretty reluctant to check out the newer Marlins. I was at a store the other day and they were showed me a couple of Marlins that had arrived with cracked stock, stripped screws, and messed up blueing. But like you said, might be ok if carefully looked over.
 
Savage rifles are the most accurate for the money and every once in a while you get one that is match accurate. I don't like the fit and finish on them or the feel so I don't buy them in fact I hate them because they are accurate but ugly. Kind of like having a wife that's a 10.... 1 for the body and 9 for the head, a misfit. Cz's can be very accurate the 16 inch barreled versions may be the most accurate, I have one that is extremely accurate and like the fit and finish and if it needs to go resale is great. No experience with brownings you mention. My vote goes to the cz.
 
dizzy said:
Cz's can be very accurate the 16 inch barreled versions may be the most accurate, I have one that is extremely accurate and like the fit
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What makes the 16" barrel versions more accurate than the 20.5" versions?
 
nothing wrong [and a whole lot right] about an old bolt action mossberg.,nice walnut stocks refinish beautifully , accurate and solid..and the semi's aren't bad either
 
Quit talking up those old rifles. How are we going to keep gun stores and manufacturors in business with talk like that? Those old rifles are unsafe to fire and can't hit the broad side of a barn. LOL
 
CZ if you have the cash, Savage if you don't. They're both great shooters, but the fit/finish on the CZ is much better than the Savage. No personal experience with Browning, Mossberg, or Marlin .22s...the the stuff I'm hearing about QC on the Marlins lately..scaring me off a little.
 
Man... It saddens me to see Marlins fall under the Remington clouds of doubt. What a shame. They went from unquestionable quality and reliability to people being sacred away because of REMINGTON CEREBUS quality control bullshevik. Oh well... More for me!
 
I love the old Marlins. My 4 have proven themselves over and over again against much more expensive makes. The 81s shoot great even out to 200 yards and the 990L handles all ammo except Remmy.
 
I know one thing-and that is the trigger on an old marlin bolt action is WAY better than my new marlin 795,light, crisp and breaks with no creep-I think they must have held a contest to see who could come up with the heaviest trigger and awarded first prize to the guy who did and put that into production[that said-its the only thing I don't like about the 795-its very accurate]
 
shorter barrels are stiffer than longer barrels so there is less whip in them when they are fired, this makes them more accurate.

As for the triggers. CZ owners have the option of buying a yodave trigger kit for all of $15 which turns the trigger into an absolute delight. Just a matter of spending 5 minutes changing a spring or two.
 
Because of the infamous YoDave trigger kit and the growing aftermarket, I have to recommend the CZ's... I have a 452 Silhouette (yodave'd) and love it. I plan for it to be my kids first gun.
 
Because of this thread I went out today and bought a Marlin 795 for $139 AND 10% discount card, AND mail in rebate of $25. Drove to the range and put a few boxes through it and man what a nice suprise for the money!

I have a Savage on order and got tired of waiting and though this would be a cheap gun to pass the time ... but I am falling in love with it!

I bought purely on price, standing in the store, reading this thread on my iPhone because I forget WHICH Marlin I was to buy (I'm a newbie).

Thank you! I'm very happy so far.

Here's a pic - don't laugh too hard it is my FIRST TIME shooting my FIRST RIFLE. Which I will tell my kids was a Marlin. LOL!

10%20yards.jpg
 
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