Looking At buying a high quality 22LR

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county51

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want to buy a nice good quality 22LR looking at a few options as the following
Savage Mark II (not sure what one would be best)
Ruger Precision Rimfire
Browing T-bolt
also interested in others opinions has to be 22LR

I have a hand full of other 22 but I'm looking for something I can get some good precision shooting practice on that's cheap to shoot would also be used to hunt small game.

I don't know much about the world of rimfire precision shooting so please enlighten me so I can make the best decision.
 
Among the basic questions for the OP are the following: are you looking for a rifle to hunt with? or for "precision shooting" (target shooting)? or a rifle that can do both to some extent? Hunting rifles and target shooting rifles can be two very different things, although there's no reason you can't get a rifle that can satisfy an itch for either hunting or target shooting. You should give an idea of how much your budget it for the rifle and the scope (if required).

In the price range suggested by the rifles listed above, you should include, as noted by philhut, the Czech-made CZ 455 or CZ 452. There's debate about the virtues of the two but that's perhaps a little premature at this point. There are better candidates than the CZ or the rifles the OP has identified but that depends on what the budget is.
 
I have a couple of Savage models, A TRR HB target barrel with Tacticool stock and a BV, regular barrel. Both can shoot dime sized groups at 50 yrds if I do my part. For the money they are the best value out there. That said, the CZ's are also the best value in "Thier" price range. Savage $350 - $500, CZ's as shown above are about $100 to $250 more and way better quality fit and finish. Buy the Savage and have room for more ammor/optics, or the CZ for life.
 
I think I'd echo what grau has said. "hunting" and "precision target" are seldom used in the same sentence for a reason, but that's not to say you can't find a gun that will be good in the field...but also print decent results at the range. I'm no authority on these matters..but when I read questions like this, the first 2 questions that pop into my head are "budget?" and "long carries?" There are other voices in my head too :) ...but I think those 2 need answers.

Budget~knowing that will always help narrow-down the choices, and make sure to say whether or not the budget includes optics, rings, spare magazines, etc.

"Long carries"~by that I mean, how will the gun be used primarily? Most target/precision guns have (among other things) heavy barrels and very light triggers...neither of which are considered ideal for hunting guns. Most hunters are covering ground, carrying some distance, making shots from a variety of positions...often improvised rests. These situations call for a lighter/handier gun...especially if this how the gun will be used most. I mean...both will do both OK, but if you're carrying a varmint-barrel 22 with a big scope on it through the woods...and trying to take offhand shots at squirrels with it..you'll VERY quickly realize that 1 tool trying to do 2 very different jobs doesn't always work.

So...what to get? :)

IF you're in Calgary and IF "small game" means gophers...that's a different story. A target/precision/varmint-weight-barrel gun may actually be a great fit. My gopher gun is a CZ452 Varmint (22LR)..and yes, I think 452s are worth finding. I have no desire to own a 455 personally. Since those will come in around $630 before tax (new, about $500-$550 used) the decision is whether or not a 452 with a half decent scope/rings coming in around $1,000-$1,100 is in the budget. They made a 452 "American" as well, the same gun only with a sporter-weight barrel. Neither of those have iron sights. If you WANT iron sights and have no scoping plans, you'd be hard-pressed to beat the CZ452 LUX.

If your budget is higher~take a look at Anschutz rifles (Nordic Marksman is a CGN sponsor). If it isn't, I'd seriously consider the new Savage B series rifles, not the older Mark IIs. They're around $390 or so if memory serves.

I'm sure either hunting OR target shooting will be the MAIN event for the OP, so if only 1 rifle is in the plans...buy the one that fits that best.
 
I have owned a few 22's over the years. But the CZ 452/455 are my go to for a bolt 22lr, for the money, they are really hard to beat. Like has been said above, 452 LUX is a fantastic rifle.
 
This is an oxymoron . . . I can get some good precision shooting practice on that's cheap to shoot would also be used to hunt small game.

Precision shooting will entail match grade ammo . . . that is not cheap.

My CZ455's are capable of MOA at 100 yards but they have been pillar bedded, a YoDave trigger kits added and the firing pins have been reshaped.
The ammo used runs $10 - 20 for 50 rounds. A quality scope is essential with parallax adjustment.

Now that ups the price so you may as well buy an Anschutz. For what I have spent on CZ's would have easily paid for a top of the line Anschutz.

One person's description of a tack driving Savage at 50 yards turned out to be 1/2 inch at 25. You may be a good Savage or CZ just like you may get a poor Anschutz.
In the end your expectations may require match ammo and that is not cheap. There is always some luck involved but it just won't happen . . . just like that!
 
philhut said:
CZ 452/455's are nice bolt action rifles. Get one with Iron sights and you can use it for either irons or scopes and it will last you a lifetime.

https://www.gotenda.com/shop/firearms/rifles/cz-455-lux-bolt-rifle-22lr-5rd-20-5/ @549
or
https://www.gotenda.com/shop/firear...ii-22-lr-24-8-barrel-euro-style-walnut-stock/ @679
Click to expand...

The stocks on the iron-sighted CZs have a pretty low comb that may not be best suited to use with optics. The tangent rear sight also limits clearance for a scope. I would pick one or the other sight type and make my selection accordingly. The American or Varmint would be my choice personally, as I would want to mount a scope.
 
For high volume gopher shooting I use 3 guns, mostly. A Valquarsen 10-22, a Remington 541CS, and a Cz 452. For targets these will shoot better than I can. Different ammo for different use. My shooting buddy uses 2 CZ 455s, both will shoot very well. Need to ; pick a price ; decide on how accurate you need (and you can shoot) ; are you going to scope it? I would get a new CZ and not look back.
 
I want a rifle that I can bring out hunting and walk around. Also something that I can sit on the back porch and get some good groups. The CZ are nice but I feel for the price the T-Bolt would be a better option and fit.

Edit: around the $600 dollar range. Have no issue buying used.
 
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county51 said:
I want a rifle that I can bring out hunting and walk around. Also something that I can sit on the back porch and get some good groups. The CZ are nice but I feel for the price the T-Bolt would be a better option and fit.

Edit: around the $600 dollar range. Have no issue buying used.
Click to expand...

I suspect there are people out there who would suggest a Browning T-Bolt over a CZ 452. I've yet to meet anyone who would mind you...but I have to imagine they're out there. :) Bias aside, I've handled them/shot them, etc. Nice, just not my cup of tea.

Sounds to me like varmint/target-weight barrels might not be the best choice. In that case, if it's $600 all-in and there isn't any flexibility...I'd say CZ452 LUX (used) if you don't want to scope. Savage B-series (new, but you might find one used) bolt action if the $600 has to include some kind of scope. You'd have fun with both guns, and have decent accuracy for sure. Build quality? No comparison, but both will perform fine and outlast you with some care. Like ALL guns, step one is to test lots of ammo types to see what it likes. 22s are every bit as moody as every other kind of rifle.
 
Extremely rare to get a TBolt for 600 unless it s the Tupperware model. I have both CZs and TBolts( tupperware and wood varmint) The tupperware TBolt had the worse trigger of the bunch, the CZ 452 the best out of the box. The wood tbolts seem to have a better fit and finish. Accuracy goes to the CZ with a TBolt with an after market trigger2nd ( Jard trigger, expensive as he**) Buy the 452 or 453 if you are lucky enough to find one . Keep checking the EE as both come up
 
county51 said:
I want a rifle that I can bring out hunting and walk around. Also something that I can sit on the back porch and get some good groups. The CZ are nice but I feel for the price the T-Bolt would be a better option and fit.

Edit: around the $600 dollar range. Have no issue buying used.
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If trigger pull is a concern, do a ftf and bring a trigger scale and a dummy round with you.
These triggers can be a...........ah..............ahhhh..............well fruck'in stiff.
The dubble mag set up is a great feature.
A pleasure to shoot if the trigger isn't a bother.
Nice, light, easy to scope and plumb accurate.
 
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