New to the hobby, seeking recommendation for first time buyer

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.

I paid for the basic tier of membership, looking forward to browsing the market. Reviews for the Marlin 39a are pretty good from what I can tell.
 
Any thoughts on differences of the CZ 457 platform between the various aesthetic upgrades? For example, between the American Beechwood (700) and Royal (1200), is there any appreciable difference in shooting aside from appearances? Assuming my budget is less of a concern and I'm more interested in life-long satisfaction.
 
In my opinion it doesn't really matter which CZ457 model you pick up, especially for your first rifle. Aside from the aesthetics and features (stock type, barrel contour, iron sights) the only real advantage I can think of is to get one of the models with the match chamber. I have the synthetic model with 20" barrel and it's plenty accurate.

For your first rifle, I would suggest picking a CZ457 with the features you want. The rifle is fairly new on the market and can be customized as your experience increases and you discover what you like and don't like about it. Mine likes CCI standard velocity ammo for reference.

Cheers and happy plinking.
 
A Brno 1 or 2, CZ452 or the newer 455 can be had for 500-600 and will never lose their value. They will last for generations. 457 will cost more, but is a nice rifle. They have some nice features that some consider improvements, such as the trigger, the safety and 60 deg bolt throw. I don't have a 457; I do have a 452 Lux and a 455 Super Match; I have owned a 455 Military Trainer, a 455 Canadian in 17 HMR and a Brno Mod 4. All fine rifles are fine shooters. I also have a Cooey 78 and a semi auto Savage 64 in a folding aftermarket stock. (the one I shoot the least).

Savage Mk II are good rifles, but just not the quality of a CZ. Tikas are fine rifles, but a bit more pricy; a buddy bought a Bergara for a lot more money and he is sending it down the road. Really gritty bolt and bad trigger.

1022 can be OK but most buy these overpriced rifles than spend another 1000-1500 customizing them to make them shoot how they want them to. I know of a couple rifles that actually don't have any original Ruger parts on them, all after market.

Cant go wrong with a CZ, good rifles that shoot so well, that they will inspire you to shoot better and better with time.
 
Any thoughts on differences of the CZ 457 platform between the various aesthetic upgrades? For example, between the American Beechwood (700) and Royal (1200), is there any appreciable difference in shooting aside from appearances? Assuming my budget is less of a concern and I'm more interested in life-long satisfaction.

Stock styling, barrel length, barrel weight. With or without iron sights. All variables; all good rifles.

For me, the 452 or Brno Mod 2 Lux has the best combination of balance, weight and fit for iron sights.

The 452 Super Match is heavier, but a shorter barrel and no sights, but fitted out with a 4 x 24 x 55 scope, a lace on cheek riser for long range precision shooting. Both are tack drivers. These rifles do suit me for the types of shooting I am currently doing.
 
As mentioned any of the CZ models will likely keep you happy for a long time.

Savage MKII is cheaper but generally not getting quite the same accuracy.

Browning BL22, Winchester 9422, or Marlin 39 are all fairly expensive levers that have excellent records.

A Henry lever is a smooth action and decent gun overall but aren't built quite as well.

I know you didn't mention it but there are also some pretty cool pumps out there as well. Winchester has some older models but more recently Rossi has made copies of the Winchesters that can be found for $500-650.
 
As mentioned any of the CZ models will likely keep you happy for a long time.

Savage MKII is cheaper but generally not getting quite the same accuracy.

Browning BL22, Winchester 9422, or Marlin 39 are all fairly expensive levers that have excellent records.

A Henry lever is a smooth action and decent gun overall but aren't built quite as well.

I know you didn't mention it but there are also some pretty cool pumps out there as well. Winchester has some older models but more recently Rossi has made copies of the Winchesters that can be found for $500-650.

Good to know about the Henry 22, I was wondering whether the use of alloy in the receiver might connote a "cost-saving effort;" I will save my questions about higher-quality Henry's for the lever forum (despite the Ontario flag I'm from the West and the lever action appeals to me). As for .22, I don't have a problem spending more for quality and the increased odds of being satisfied with the purchase.
 
Stock styling, barrel length, barrel weight. With or without iron sights. All variables; all good rifles.

For me, the 452 or Brno Mod 2 Lux has the best combination of balance, weight and fit for iron sights.

The 452 Super Match is heavier, but a shorter barrel and no sights, but fitted out with a 4 x 24 x 55 scope, a lace on cheek riser for long range precision shooting. Both are tack drivers. These rifles do suit me for the types of shooting I am currently doing.

I will keep an eye open for 452 models; I was unsure whether 452 vs 457 might be a difference in build quality and thus knock-on effects for accuracy. But if that is not the case I will certainly consider the 452 as well!
 
I will keep an eye open for 452 models; I was unsure whether 452 vs 457 might be a difference in build quality and thus knock-on effects for accuracy. But if that is not the case I will certainly consider the 452 as well!

452 has a screwed on barrel vs trapped barrel on the 455/457.

Might try looking at rimfire central, good information there.
 
^ ^ rimfirecentral .com has a section exclusively for CZ/BRNO ; as well as many other 'flavours' - really lots of info there.
 
My advice would be just Go to your local gun shop try handling a few options and see what feels best to you then come back and ask questions. I too am 5’-10 and I could tell you what rifles I like best and what shoots best for me. But at the end of that day that may be opposite to you.

What I can say is in rimfire I have a CZ and Savage bolt gun. A Henry Lever gun. And both a Browning and Ruger semi auto. They have all been faultlessly reliable and I enjoy them all immensely. If getting to a gun shops not an option and this is going to be your only rifle for some time. I would say your safest bet likely would be a Ruger 10/22. It’s not the best rifle at anything but they are so upgradable that you can adapt it to fit you and do what ever you decide you enjoy.
 
My advice would be to avoid semi-autos until you have allot of time behind a bolt action. They're the easiest to understand, easiest to disassemble, easiest to trouble-shoot, easiest to clean, inherently more accurate with better triggers, etc. etc.

Which one? I think if you want a rifle that will do everything you need it to do, forever-CZ is a great choice, and as a new shooter probably the newest 457 models. A 457 "American" has a lighter-weight barrel better suited to carry through the woods, hunting, etc. A 457 Varmint will be a heavy barrel gun better suited to shooting from a support, like a bipod or shooting rest. There are allot of other CZ457 models but previous to the 457 series, the American and Varmint were basically the only options.

Personally, I like shooting a Tikka T1x more than a CZ457 but it's a synthetic stocked-gun. Tikka (=SAKO) have been around a long time like CZ has, but the T1x doesn't have the history the 452/455/457s series do, and even they were preceded by BRNOs. I still suggest the 457 for the OP, but 9/10 times I'd reach for a T1x over a 457. They're both great options, and both accurate.

I'm interested in the B22 series guns too, just haven't shot them. I also haven't had the same amazing experiences with Savage MK2s that others here seem to have, but Savage/Marlin are pretty reliable choices too if you want to save a little $. I'd opt for a Marlin bolt action before a MK2, but I'd handle a B22 before I bought the Marlin.

Does that help? lol
 
Lots of choices. I have 9 455’s and 4 457’s. I use them all at various times in the gopher fields. I also shot gophers with a bone stock 10/22 for several years. Buy what suits you and have fun. All my 22’s are stock. Most have Leupold scopes.
 
So many choices lol my first 22 was a cooey 39 iron sights it killed a lot of ground hogs and I can still shoot great groups with it
 
So many suggestions and you are going in so many different directions.
You set some objectives and are getting inundated with personal favorites.
Go to a local gun store to see what is available.
When they are not busy they may let you try different rifles for fit and feel.
Check your local gun clubs for rimfire events where there will be a host of options. Since a scope is in your objectives, the fit and feel will change with a different cheek weld versus open sights.
The options for scoping rifles is a field onto itself. Scopes have a number of options for fixed power to variable power with fixed parallax to adjustable objectives to side focus.
Used rifles are always an option but you probably lack the knowledge to fully understand why the seller is selling now.
The number of rifles i have traded or sold without adequately testing is staggering. Some rifles offer numerous upgrade opportunities . . . some require a gunsmith.
The CZ/BRNO line are well constructed rifles that will outlast most shooters . . . until they find something more intriguing.
The bolt action is where you will want to start as accuracy is generally superior.
My two Ruger 10/22's are something I probably don't need but they are built around specific events.
There are so many options but keep in mind we are now entering the "Silly Season" when there are guns for sale because credit cards coming due after Xmas.
Do not rush in. Do not listen to the last person you hear from . . . me included.
Reset your perimeters as you gain knowledge and establish it you want something that will produce accuracy with different ammunition or do you prefer to spray and pray 10 rounds in the shortest time.
Those are the outside considerations. Or like me when I finally was able to afford Anschutz!
 
Last edited:
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!

You're pretty limited at $500. In fact, you can't even buy a cheap 22 any more for $500.

I commented in your duplicate post about some used recommendations.
 
So many suggestions and you are going in so many different directions.
You set some objectives and are getting inundated with personal favorites....

I appreciate all the suggestions. And I am not in a rush. My R-PAL arrived in 2022, have yet to buy anything due to priorities. And I prefer to do my research before buying - especially as access to local ranges is constrained by time and fees. And I prefer quality. Given what I have read here I will adjust my budget to match.

First item in the list is still a bolt .22, still leaning towards CZ. And yes I prefer a buy-if-for-life approach, something that I will enjoy for years to come (or upgrade/sell as interests change).

There is a local store and a local range (limited to .22) so that is where I am starting out. Second purchase might be something heavier (deer caliber) for country-side practice and eventual use.

Your comments are much appreciated, cheers.
 
Back
Top Bottom