New 22. Help Me Choose...

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CBCAN

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Hey guys,

Looking to get a .22 to get back into rifle shooting after a 10 years hiatus.

Primary usage will be at a range, looking for a respectable shooter in a production rifle. I would guess the primary use would be 50-100yds... Likely put a 4 to 12-16x etc. Perhaps add a bi-pod. Would take it to the bush once or twice a year.

I'm all over the map in terms of what to buy. Hoping for some opinions here, so let them fly...

Please no "build one" replies. I'm not looking to build anything right now.


Criteria:

-Bolt (leaning towards bolt, but semi suggestions are fine)

-16-20" barrel, heavy or carbon is fine

-Synthetic stock, although I wouldn't say no to a nice wood suggestion. I do like the idea of adjustability, but I don't want a bulky bench only rig.

-Budget is decent


Below are some rifles I have researched and have some interest in.

CZ-457 Varmint PT (Hard to find as now disco) - Top end of price range too.
Tikka T1X UPR - about as adjustable as I'd want
Bergara BMR/BXR Carbon - Cant find a BXR anywhere...
Christensen Ranger Carbon - Love the overall visual

Dark Horse Pick: Grey Birch Carbon? (semi)



Are there other companies like Grey Birch I am missing, that offer a complete build? I am very intrigued at that rifle.
I'm not into Dlask/TUFF, but maybe I'm not looking at the right stuff, I don't know.... Seems a bit confusing to me with my knowledge at this point.


Would love to hear suggestions. Thanks
 
I am going to start my reply by stating I am biase and will always suggest a Tikka :D but that’s partly because I am left handed and mostly because I love Tikkas.

I would recommend a regular T1X seeing as really you’re gettting your feet wet. They shoot great and of course have lots of aftermarket components seeing as they fit in a T3X Stock. I run a T1X in the Hunting class at local 100m matches and with the right ammo and me being on my game I have held my own against some more exspensive rifles. I have also shot Bench Rest class and came middle of the pack once or twice (Which is pretty good in my books based on some of those rifle specs) I havent spent much time shooting less than 100 yards so I cant speack heavily to the 50 yard ability but it did group pretty good when I was sighting in the new scope at 50 before I jumped to 100 yards.

For the price of a used/new on sale T1X if you truly love it you can buy yourself an MDT XRS chassis at full price and come out about even to the UPR and you an always sell the factory stock if you dont want too or keep One for the Bench one for the Bush. An potentially down the line you can always grab a wooden stock if your heart desires.

Now on the flip side as I look at things the other one I would have considered is a CZ for the barrel swapability. I like the idea of going from 22lr to 17hmr with a couple of screws. Technically possible with a Tikka T1X but Haven’t seen enough people do it yet to even bother trying to find an HMR Barrel and Mag.

Also the stock options are pretty endless with the CZ as well I know MDT builds for them so that helps.

Everything you have listed is a great option. Everyone is going to like one or the other for another reason. Figured I would give you my 2 cents on tikkas.

Cheers,
B
 
I think I’ve gone through the entire list of site sponsors inventory for rimfire. While I do like the Olive stock on the steel version, the carbon barrel for the small premium would be worth it to me. Part of the reason I like the CA Ranger so much, can get carbon and OD factory stock.

Keep the opinions coming. Thanks for the contributions!
 
Hmm, what don't you like about Dlask? You would want to take apart any rifle for cleaning, so you would be able to put one together. The trigger, bolt and bolt handle would come off for cleaning. Dlask will mount barrel onto receiver if you buy together from them. Add trigger, bolt, stock and mags and you are good to go.

The Grey birch are okay. Just note that they are now out of US and have less support up here. Plus they are a threaded barrel now, so will not have option of as many swap parts.

I was by the local shop last friday and had a quick look at the CA ranger. Bolt was sooooo gritty, I gave it back to the guy and said, WFT? His response, oooh I guess I should oil that. Should never have felt that gritty even without oil.

The CZ's are a great option with a decent amount of after support to upgrade/ change things up. T1X, or even the B-14. They have bergerra in bolt or semi.

There is the option of a volquartsen summit. Like a pull back bolt.

Or Anschutz if you want something more premium.

Or duece, rimx, vudoo if you want rem7 platform for parts change.

Forgot to add the magnum research line up as well. 10/22 with carbon barrel option. One of the sponsors just got new stock in the other day.

Sako has a nice bolt action also with barrel swap feature for rim fire calibers.

Then you can also jump into a fancy Blaser with a 22 lr option, and use it as well as your hunting rifle with a quick barrel swap.

Oh, I also forgot the tactical solutions semi auto. Ruger but with a double spring slide bolt. They do have the take down bolt version Owyhee, but those are like hens teeth to find.

Just saw a BMR 22 bolt with carbon barrel in stock. I'll PM you.
 
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wallz said:
Hmm, what don't you like about Dlask? You would want to take apart any rifle for cleaning, so you would be able to put one together. The trigger, bolt and bolt handle would come off for cleaning. Dlask will mount barrel onto receiver if you buy together from them. Add trigger, bolt, stock and mags and you are good to go.

The Grey birch are okay. Just note that they are now out of US and have less support up here. Plus they are a threaded barrel now, so will not have option of as many swap parts.

I was by the local shop last friday and had a quick look at the CA ranger. Bolt was sooooo gritty, I gave it back to the guy and said, WFT? His response, oooh I guess I should oil that. Should never have felt that gritty even without oil.

The CZ's are a great option with a decent amount of after support to upgrade/ change things up. T1X, or even the B-14. They have bergerra in bolt or semi.

There is the option of a volquartsen summit. Like a pull back bolt.

Or Anschutz if you want something more premium.

Or duece, rimx, vudoo if you want rem7 platform for parts change.

Forgot to add the magnum research line up as well. 10/22 with carbon barrel option. One of the sponsors just got new stock in the other day.

Sako has a nice bolt action also with barrel swap feature for rim fire calibers.

Then you can also jump into a fancy Blaser with a 22 lr option, and use it as well as your hunting rifle with a quick barrel swap.

Oh, I also forgot the tactical solutions semi auto. Ruger but with a double spring slide bolt. They do have the take down bolt version Owyhee, but those are like hens teeth to find.

Just saw a BMR 22 bolt with carbon barrel in stock. I'll PM you.
Click to expand...

Thanks wallz. I’ll check out some of the others you mentioned.
Reason for Dlask, nothing in particular, I don’t dislike them I just thought it was more of a parts company vs a turn key rifle. I would blindly be building something I don’t know why I’m building it. I think that’s a step down the road after a lot more shooting and understanding what exactly I want in a rifle, then going and getting that.
 
I am new to all this but picked up a Bergara B-14R steel barrel recently and loving it. Very accurate, good heft to it, and I like that it's a Rem700 pattern so you can swap stocks/chassis/triggers/accessories. Drilled for Rem700 scope bases to that's easy too. It seems to be an incredibly versatile platform, with a lot of customization options available down the road, and not overly expensive either.
 
I had the same criteria but on a tighter budget and went with a Savage Mk II FV-SR. I am very happy with it but if I had a larger budget I would have bought a Bergara B14r
 
OP: I went Anschutz under more or less the same circumstances. I mostly buy firearms new and to keep because I don't like to screw around. The only change I might have made would have been to get a biathlon straight pull model instead of a bolt action, but decided the extra expense wasn't worth it
 
I’d go with a cz, I’ve got a 455 and the synthetic stock is sooo nice. I’m currently
Trying to decide between a 457 and a Bergara bmr.. both are beautiful rifles. I haven’t held
The bmr yet and I imagine that will be the final Decision.

Having said that, my 455 in .17hmr has a 10x bushnell tactical scope on it and it’s going to stay like that, it’s a beautiful
Rifle that doesn’t really need much more adding. The fact they come threaded for a break is a plus.
 
Lafar said:
I am new to all this but picked up a Bergara B-14R steel barrel recently and loving it. Very accurate, good heft to it, and I like that it's a Rem700 pattern so you can swap stocks/chassis/triggers/accessories. Drilled for Rem700 scope bases to that's easy too. It seems to be an incredibly versatile platform, with a lot of customization options available down the road, and not overly expensive either.
Click to expand...

This testimony made have made my mind up for me hahaha
 
RE concept of saving money on the rifle (going cheaper), so as to have more money for ammo:

Yes technically there is some math truth to that concept for the first short while. But if you get into it, the savings quickly become insignificant to negligible. I have spent many times the cost of my two CZ rimfire rifles in cases of rimfire target ammo over the years. e.g. My first purchased case of target ammo (5,000 rounds of SK) cost twice as much as my first CZ 452 brand new! Several cases of ammo later, I realize the extra cost of the CZ over lower priced brands at the time was was not a factor when considering the decades of shooting I will do with it.

Adding a quality scope will often cost much more than the rifle. You can get by with cheap scopes and save some money, but these scopes are cheap for a reason. I think the decision on the optic is the main one to rationalize for your budget. My advice is don't cheap out on the rifle if you don't have to.

For target shooting, I would suggest a longer barrel, at least 20 inches, but also longer.

I chose my two CZ's (452 and 455) light hunting models to have iron sights. I scoped both of them, but I take the scope off sometimes and shoot irons for fun. I did not see that in your criteria, but thought I would mention it just in case. If your budget allows, I would suggest adding the Anschutz 1761 Classic with iron sights to your list if you were interested in iron sights.

Based on your criteria I suggest also considering the Anschutz 1761 Silhouette to the list. I don't own one, but have shot a buddy's Silhouette at my local range. They have that wonderful Anschutz trigger, shoot very accurately, are repeaters, and they sometimes beat the single shot target Anschutz target models in local matches at my range. Light enough for comfortable offhand shooting, and great for bench and bags, and bipod. And if you ever wanted to use aperture sights, the barrel muzzle has the dovetail. The Anschutz rail under the forearm is easily adapted to picatinny mounts with the Atlas AFAR rail which slides into the Anschutz rail. Or for a sling stud mount bipod you use the Anschutz rail sling stud adapter. The MPOD bipod slides directly into the rail. For Arca mounts an Arca plate can be attached with Anschutz T nuts, which Atlas and others make. Thought I would mention these because I find that the average local gun shop does not provide alot of support for Anschutz stock rail adapters. Shops like Nordic Marksman and Tesro can provide advice and support for Anschutz forearm rail adapters. I really like the Anschutz forearm rail because its infinitely adaptable to many attachments, and involves no drilling of a stock.

I suggest buying quality and what you want. You will enjoy using it more. A quality rimfire, well cared for, will outlive you, and you can hand it down lovingly to the next generation in your family. Or if you decide sell it later, it should retain reasonable resale value.

Good luck with your choice.
 
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