Savage A22 variants recommendation - pro varmint vs precision vs ??? - first rifle

[yow]

Hey guys, hoping you can help me narrow down some options. I'm looking for my first rifle, and have decided to go for a semi-auto 22. My gun range goes out to 200 yards, and I'm hoping to do mostly target shooting with it up to 200yds, and also a Mapleseed event whenever one comes close to me. I don't think I'll be hunting with this gun, if I were to hunt I'd probably get a second, larger caliber gun.

I was initially considering getting a 10/22, but after some reading it sounds like an A22 is a better fit for me. It seems to be a bit more accurate out of the box, and doesn't need as many upgrades to be great. Not to knock the 10/22, but it seems to be the Honda Civic of rifles - not great stock, but lots of opportunity for upgrades. Is this a fair comparison? While I'm open to doing some work on my rifle, I'd rather spend my time shooting it rather than tinkering.

This all leads me to the Savage A22, though looking into it I'm feeling overwhelmed with the different variants out there. Here's a few things that I'm thinking about, hoping to hear your thoughts on it.

1. Should I buy a rifle with a scope included? Cabela's has an A22 with a scope and 2 mags for $500, which is awfully tempting. Would that scope be "usable" for a beginner like me or am I limiting myself by getting the package deal?
1.5. On a related note, that seems to be a base model A22. Is that going to be meaningfully worse than one of the higher end models?
2. I'm not sure of the pros and cons of going for a hunting style stock (as in the pro varmint) vs a pistol grip stock (as in precision). Is it anything other than personal preference? Would you steer me towards one or the other?
3. There also appears to be a thumbhole variant. Am I likely to enjoy it or is it more of an "acquired taste"?

With these questions in mind, which variant would you push me towards? The ones I'm mainly considering are the base model (possibly with scope from Cabelas), pro varmint, and precision. There's others like the BNS-SR and the Thumbhole variant but the seem more niche? I think they're all priced within my budget, but saving $100 on the gun is $100 more towards ammo...

Anyway, thanks for reading my long post. Would love to hear some opinions and advice.

 

[Meroh]

Most people who post threads like this are looking for affirmation rather than advice, but here goes...

I always advocate open sights for beginners to develop good habits, then as you have grown in the sport and have figured out what you really want from your rifle and the types of shooting you really enjoy, you can upgrade to equipment best suited to your. Semi-autos are fun; I had one for many years (old Nylon 66), but for a beginner the first thing you learn are Mag-dumps, then when you get serious about accuracy, you have to unlearn the bad habits. The Savage Mk II would be a better place to start. Upgrade with a scope when ready, there are stock options available to suit your style (once you figure it out). Learn to shoot well, then get a semi and learn mag-dumps.

There are many who bought more than basic rifles to begin with, get frustrated when they are not able to shoot as well as the guys beside them, stop coming out to events and stop participating.

BTW, I have been shooting (starting with my dad almost 60 years ago). I have owned all manner of .22 rifles and a few pistols over the years; currently I have 3 bolt actions I use for various types of shooting, and one semi-auto pistol. I had one bolt action out last night to introduce a young lady from our IT department who had never shot in her life, to the sport of shooting. She did very well BTW, and is sold on the sport!

 

[Tinybear]

I personally own a standard A22 upgraded with a nice Boyd’s AtOne stock. It been a great gun and almost as accurate as my bolt guns. These days I don’t shoot it much as I prefer shooting the bolt action rifles. But the odd time I do take it to the range I’m always amazed how well it shoots. Mines biggest holdback performance wise is the scope on it has too think a reticle for really good accuracy at 100yards let alone at 200

My vote would be get the base A22. Spend the $$ you save by going with the basic rifle and get a nicer optic. Deffinetly something with parallax adjustment and for up to 200yards maybe something in the 24x magnification range. I run 12x on two of my .22s for 100yards and that’s perfect for me.

 

[Buck1950]

It may just be me, but I (and others on here, savageshooters .com and RFC forums) and many others find the trigger crap for accuracy. Mine is a 'standard pencil barrel' but others w-upgrade variants feel the same. Search those forums too. After trying all sorts of stuff I got lucky when a USA member of RFC took pity and sent me a Savage Varmint spring (the vendor in US does not ship to CAN). Finally got the trigger down to about 2.5# with Lots of Creep and still need to push the trigger forward half the time to get a re-set.
As for accuracy, 50yds = 1.5 - 2" and 100 = 3-?? off paper on the 100yd Unltd target - using SK+. My Savage B22 will do under 2" at 100 and under 0.75 at 50.
The A22 trigger group is in a plastic 'body' that flexes when firing (from trigger pull) and is not very easy to mod. You can replace the whole trigger group, I believe, but you could also just get a better gun.
If you're set on a semi, maybe a CZ 512? S/B a bit more accurate and waay better quality.

 

[yow]

If you're set on a semi, maybe a CZ 512? S/B a bit more accurate and waay better quality.

The thought had crossed my mind but it’s discontinued. There’s one or two I’ve seen online in Canada but they’re not common. I’ve been mostly looking at in production rifles so that I can get parts if I need them. Am I overthinking this?

I always advocate open sights for beginners to develop good habits,
…
The Savage Mk II would be a better place to start.
…
Learn to shoot well, then get a semi and learn mag-dumps.

I’m actually open to getting open sights, but on a lot of the rifles I’m considering that option doesn’t exist. All my handguns have open sights.

Curious why you’re against semiautos though. I wanted to get one for my first rifle because it seems quite versatile and easy to use.

 

[Buck1950]

I'm not 'against' semis, I have several that are fine for bunny size targets. But as many say "only accurate rifles are interesting rifles" and bolts are inherently more accurate. Especially When you're looking at this price range and 'in production' rifles. The Marlin 60 is more accurate and 'out of production', too, but you can find NIB ones and parts at Numrich. I just bought some.
Here's a sampler of various ammo thru an a22 (white of dots is 0.25") then the CZ and the B22 - all at 24X.

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B22 at 100 yds

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[Lead Sligner]

I have the A22 precision and the cheap model A22 as well and a 10/22.
The A22 is a nicer mechanical design and easy to clean .

The A22 trigger is pretty hit or miss. One of mine is ok and the other sucks.
I installed a JARD trigger in the precision and it's a super fine trigger.

There is very few custom parts for the A22 yet but the precision's Orynx stock is very nice. It's too heavy for a hunting rifle in my opinion but good for target and PRS.

The 10/22 has issues like the barrel droop,accuracy etc. If you like to tinker and customize, it is the one to get because there is tones of stuff available.

 

[yow]

I have the A22 precision and the cheap model A22 as well and a 10/22.
The A22 is a nicer mechanical design and easy to clean .

The A22 trigger is pretty hit or miss. One of mine is ok and the other sucks.
I installed a JARD trigger in the precision and it's a super fine trigger.

There is very few custom parts for the A22 yet but the precision's Orynx stock is very nice. It's too heavy for a hunting rifle in my opinion but good for target and PRS.

The 10/22 has issues like the barrel droop,accuracy etc. If you like to tinker and customize, it is the one to get because there is tones of stuff available.

If both got stolen out of your car would you get another precision or another base model?

 

[Lead Sligner]

I would replace it with the precision model. The stock is pretty nice.

 

[Buck1950]

If both got stolen my Ins would pay me enough to get a good rifle like a B22 Precision or a CZ 457-V.

 

[Thirsty_Fox]

Just a note on the scoped option -- it looks like the same scope they put on the 64 as well -- a Weaver Kaspa 3-9x40. I actually really like this scope, but it's a center-fire scope so the fixed parallax is set at 100 yards.

If you want to do precision shooting, you'll likely want a scope with adjustable parallax and more zoom. It does have a really nice sight picture, though, and so far hasn't missed a beat. I prefer 22s to have a 50-yard fixed parallax since hunting for me is more like 10-75 yards.

If you're unfamiliar with what I mean by parallax, it's the effect of the crosshairs moving relative to your target based on your eye position -- for example, as you move your eye left of center, the crosshairs move left a bit as well, even though the rifle hasn't moved. The error can only be removed by having the target "in focus" with the crosshairs, which requires adjustable, or shooting at exactly the distance for a fixed-parallax scope.