New to the hobby, seeking recommendation for first time buyer

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Plato

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Hello!

I'm new to the hobby and would like to hear some recommendations. I am in the market for a .22 rifle, preferably something that looks older. I like the old-fashioned wooden furniture and I like some of the older styles, e.g., lever actions and bolt actions, in the vicinity of $500.

For starters, I am thinking of a .22 bolt action that is reliable and well-made, can support a scope, and is the proper size for a man at 5' 10" and medium build. Could service hunting of small game but for now will be used exclusively at a range.

thank you!
 
I know you are looking for bolt but for 22 you will probably find yourself wanting more. I highly suggest a ruger 10/22. It's like the Honda civic of 22s millions of aftermarket upgrades, parts etc. And it's semi so you can still have fun with large magazines if you can find them in Canada.
 
I love my CZ455 Lux and definitely recommend CZ 22 bolt actions. They come in a variety of stock patterns and some have iron sights if that matters to you.

The problems with a CZ is you are going to be spending more than 500, but they are good rifles.
 
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Hi,
If you're looking for something reliable but not fancy, $500 would get you a Savage MkII in a wood stock, and a cheap Simmons scope.

The MkII is a good shooter, and the scope will let you shoot as far as 100 yards if you get the the 3-9x model.

The CZ is, as I hear, a much nicer rifle, but I don't think it will shoot that much better than the Savage. I also don't think you'll get a scoped CZ, even a used one, for $500.

Since you're just starting out, I'd suggest to save money on your rifle/scope purchase, and put that money into ammo and range time.

Cheers,
Neil
 
A Savage B22 will outshoot a 10/22 out of the box for way less $$$. Many guys with the rugers end up with tons of $$ and tacky add-ons and still cant hit their beer cans. I got a B22 several years ago, then went on the the CZ-455, then the CZ 457 V-MTR. Now have an 8-34x56 Athlon FFP on the V-MTR and wishing I'd gone 'bigger'. Guess what's next ?? 50x ?
 
Marlin989 said:
Hi,
If you're looking for something reliable but not fancy, $500 would get you a Savage MkII in a wood stock, and a cheap Simmons scope.

The MkII is a good shooter, and the scope will let you shoot as far as 100 yards if you get the the 3-9x model.

The CZ is, as I hear, a much nicer rifle, but I don't think it will shoot that much better than the Savage. I also don't think you'll get a scoped CZ, even a used one, for $500.

Since you're just starting out, I'd suggest to save money on your rifle/scope purchase, and put that money into ammo and range time.

Cheers,
Neil
Click to expand...

A cheaper rifle and spending on ammo is always a good recommendation as well, but some people only ever want the one bolt action 22. A CZ 22 was my first rifle and still the only 22 I own at all.
There is something to be said about spending a little more and getting exactly what you want... If you know exactly what you want.
 
I would go for the B22 G with that budget. You're not getting into a wood stock CZ for $500, even used. 10/22, reliable and proven, endless aftermarket but would not be my choice for hunting over many bolt .22lr rifles.

Maybe the Henry H001 if you're into levers. Everyone needs one of those in the collection.
 
Find a good, clean Cooey Model 60, put a modern scope on it and buy ammo and go shooting… when you run out of ammo, buy more and shoot more.
 
A CZ or BRNO

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...00-CZ455-Standard-22LR-475-Browning-BL-22-SPF

And yes, their is one there for under $500 :)

One benefit of the new 457 is that it has a 60' bolt lift, nice if you want to mount a scope lower.
BRNO's and CZ, have 11mm dovetails for scopes so harder to find rings used/cheaper. Nice quality though.
I have a LH 457, Dad has a few BRNO and 452/455, the older guns I find are a little bit nicer. On my rifle, bolt was a bit zippery like a Savage OOTB, would probably need a bit of a polish.

Also the safety on the 457 is the NA version, the older ones were pull to fire, kind of awkward if your used to push to fire.
 
KDW__ said:
A cheaper rifle and spending on ammo is always a good recommendation as well, but some people only ever want the one bolt action 22. A CZ 22 was my first rifle and still the only 22 I own at all.
There is something to be said about spending a little more and getting exactly what you want... If you know exactly what you want.
Click to expand...

True. Someone just starting out may not have any idea about what they will ultimately want though. And given the budget, scoped CZ is not in the cards.

Anyways, I'll be interested to see what he decides.

Cheers,
Neil
 
CaribooBC said:
Find a good, clean Cooey Model 60, put a modern scope on it and buy ammo and go shooting… when you run out of ammo, buy more and shoot more.
Click to expand...

There's a scoped Cooey 60 on the EE right now. It's an old scope, but it's a nice looking rifle, and the price makes it a pretty good deal.
 
JClouthier said:
I know you are looking for bolt but for 22 you will probably find yourself wanting more. I highly suggest a ruger 10/22. It's like the Honda civic of 22s millions of aftermarket upgrades, parts etc. And it's semi so you can still have fun with large magazines if you can find them in Canada.
Click to expand...

I have heard of the 10/22 platform and it's on my radar. Thank you for recommending!
 
KDW__ said:
I love my CZ455 Lux and definitely recommend CZ 22 bolt actions. They come in a variety of stock patterns and some have iron sights if that matters to you.

The problems with a CZ is you are going to be spending more than 500, but they are good rifles.
Click to expand...

I have a friend with the CZ Lux and he loves it. I am looking at CZ for sure and definitely interested in iron sights, again hopefully with a scope option if possible. I mentioned a modest $500 budget but in fact I would be happy with a $750 sticker price if it meant that I could enjoy the gun for a long time.
 
MilitaryCollectorMark said:
A CZ or BRNO

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...00-CZ455-Standard-22LR-475-Browning-BL-22-SPF

And yes, their is one there for under $500 :)

One benefit of the new 457 is that it has a 60' bolt lift, nice if you want to mount a scope lower.
BRNO's and CZ, have 11mm dovetails for scopes so harder to find rings used/cheaper. Nice quality though.
I have a LH 457, Dad has a few BRNO and 452/455, the older guns I find are a little bit nicer. On my rifle, bolt was a bit zippery like a Savage OOTB, would probably need a bit of a polish.

Also the safety on the 457 is the NA version, the older ones were pull to fire, kind of awkward if your used to push to fire.
Click to expand...

All kinds of great advice, thank you! I appreciate the comparison with other models. "BL-22", is that for a Browning Lever in .22 cal? The link is blocked for me. I am interested in a lever action for sure, whether Marlin, Browning, or Henry.
 
Plato said:
All kinds of great advice, thank you! I appreciate the comparison with other models. "BL-22", is that for a Browning Lever in .22 cal? The link is blocked for me. I am interested in a lever action for sure, whether Marlin, Browning, or Henry.
Click to expand...

Yes, that is a BL-22.
BL-22 has a shorter lever throw, makes it quicker to cycle then other lever 22's.

You'll be able to enter EE when you have 20? or so posts.
Marlin 39a and Winchester 94/22 or 2 really good options, I've looked at the henry's before, action is made of Alumium compostite, 94 and 39a are milled steel. Also on the 39a, you can split the action, makes cleaning really easy.
 
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