Decisions, decisions...

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wincher

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Right now, I am agonizing over a decision. It's eating away at me, and I can't get a break.

What's the decision, you may ask, that is tearing me apart? The decision is what to get for my next rimfire... (I know. It's a huge deal)

Okay, it's not quite that bad. But I'm still having a tough time deciding. Here's what I'm looking for:
I want a .22LR bolt action (other actions may be considered), removable magazine, and good open sights. It has to be as reliable as possible, and very accurate helps as well. It won't be a bench rest shooter, but it will get plenty of time plinking, shooting small game, getting tossed in the back seat of a truck, etc. I generally subscribe to the idea of buying more expensive, higher quality, longer lasting items as opposed to cheaper, lower quality, disposable stuff.

My current options (from cheapest to expensive):
Savage MkII: Pros: inexpensive, generally very accurate, can add Tech-Sights. Cons: low quality stock, not the best fit and finish, mags aren't always reliable
Savage B22: it's tough to find info on these. But for now, I can say that a lot of people really don't like the mags, which almost cuts it from consideration.
CZ 457 Lux: Pros: accurate, good fit and finish, seems to be very well set up. Cons: it might be too nice to actually use the way I want it to. I also really like the idea of Tech Sights, but they aren't available for the 457 (yet?). A little more than I want to spend (although I could probably pull it off)
Tikka T1x: A lot of glowing reviews. But I would have to figure out a way to add open sights. I am not skilled in machine work, so I'm not sure if I want to commit to that. Also a little pricey
Anything I'm missing?

So, fill in the blank: "Duh, of course you should buy _______. It's the best option, and you'll never regret it."
 
Have you checked out the Ruger American? The magazines are a plus. I've read varying reports on the accuracy. Also, what about the new T-bolt, not sure what the price is on those. If it was me, I'd look for a used 452 or Brno 1,2 or 5, in rough enough shape I didn't feel bad about adding a few more bumps and scratches. All just food for thought.
 
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Not even a question, get the CZ. No gun is "too nice" for honest use. Just don't abuse it. Toss it in the back seat of the truck, just don't toss it in the box of the truck.

Ardent on this forum took his $50 000+ H&H double on a coastal grizzly hunt. Great guns are meant to he used.
 
jes said:
Have you checked out the Ruger American? The magazines are a plus. I've read varying reports on the accuracy. Also, what about the new T-bolt, not sure what the price is on those. If it was me, I'd look for a used 452 or Brno 1,2 or 5, in rough enough shape I didn't feel bad about adding a few more bumps and scratches. All just food for thought.
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I liked the look of the American, and the ability to use 10/22 mags, but I've read too much about aggressively mediocre accuracy to be interested.
 
I agree with you regarding the American, I almost bought one, and I'm still considering it. On paper, the compact, synthetic looks like an ideal little truck gun, but not if the accuracy isn't there. I'd still like to try one though. Some people over on RFC have had positive experiences with them.
 
I did the Ruger 'Merickan compact.
Found an adult sized extension.
Pulled the training wheel awf the ker-pow release.
This brawt the trigger pull to around a pound.
Accurate little bustardoe.
Bit awn the chunky side.

It don't stand a chance as the two 69A's are primo eh secondo.
 
cam1936 said:
Not even a question, get the CZ.
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CZ 457 Lux Nice choice...

But if I may plant another small seed. Get something with a little history behind it. One of my best shooters by far.
BSA Model 12. You won't be sorry...;)

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So far: no votes for the Savage B22 or for the Tikka. Narrowing down the list....

Wait. A bunch of recommendations for the Ruger American Rimfire, and another for a BSA Model 12. Great. Thanks guys. Bunch of enablers...:rolleyes::p

In all seriousness, thanks for the feedback. At least I know that I have a bunch of good options.
 
If the "terrible mags" are stopping you from looking at a B22 you have to ask yourself if you are all growed up or just a whiner. Neither my wife or myself have any trouble loading these mags, target ammo can be a tad more to load only because of the lube on the fingers. As for your stated intended use that should not be an issue.
 
The Savage mkii g is a sleeper if you ask me. Mine has been very accurate with the basic iron sights and after just about 1000 rounds has been %100 reliable. The action is a bit graunchy out of the box but a bit of oil and a couple boxes of ammo and it’s fine. The trigger is crisp and mine adjusted down to just under 2#. My only gripe really about this rifle is the sloppy fitting mags, but a short strip or two of electrical tape on each side of the mag fixes that right up. I have two mags that ran perfectly fine even before I did this. I really only did it to stop the mag from rattling around in the well.

I wouldn’t compare it to any of my CZ rifles as far as fit and finish. Not by a mile. But it’s proven itself to me to be accurate and reliable. And the only rimfire I have that has a better trigger out of the box is my 453lux.
 
Poffels said:
If the "terrible mags" are stopping you from looking at a B22 you have to ask yourself if you are all growed up or just a whiner. Neither my wife or myself have any trouble loading these mags, target ammo can be a tad more to load only because of the lube on the fingers. As for your stated intended use that should not be an issue.
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Meh. I don't have a dog in this fight. I've just read a lot of reports of mags that are difficult to load, to the point that some people have converted their rifles to single shots, some people have experienced bullets being grooved when they are removed from the magazine, and others have seen the mag lips and followers get chewed up, just from loading and unloading. Others have struggled to get the mag in the gun reliably, having to open the bolt to fully seat the mag, etc. It seems to me that somehow the spring tension between individual mags is inconsistent, so some are fine, some are near impossible to use, and some are kind of in-between the two extremes. I would prefer to not have to roll the dice on a new rifle.
 
I've shot (almost) all of them, and that is why I have 3 CZs. 452 lux, 455 trainer and 455 Canadian 17 hmr. All very accurate, all easy to look at, and 100% reliable. There are other great rifles, but they are a lot more money; there are a lot of OK rifles, but they just don't stack up to the CZ.
 
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