Suggestions for first 22 target rifle?
- Thread starter Fourclicks
- Start date
- Location
- The Nation ON
Can't go wrong with a CZ. They are very well made and accurate, Obviously it depends on how much you want to spend? The higher end rifles you would be looking at Anschutz, Sako Finnfire/Quad, Cooper etc. Another nice mid range rifle would be the Browning T Bolt Varmint.
CZ's are a great way to get into shooting 22 and a CZ 452 is a great way to go. I shoot a 452 Varmint with heavy barrel for silhouette and have another 452 Lux which has very nice iron sights and also makes a great target rifle with a scope. I also have a Weatherby Mk xxii which has an Anschutz 64 action. It is very nice but at twice the price of the CZ 452. 22s are just great fun and I always bring one to the range to shoot between strings of centre fire.
What do you want to do with it?
If you want to keep and use iron sights than the 452 Lux has some of the best available other than the Savage MKII FVT which comes with aperture sights more suited for longer range.
If you want to mount a scope then the CZ Varmint models, or various Savage MKII's have you covered for accurate rimfire.
If you want to keep and use iron sights than the 452 Lux has some of the best available other than the Savage MKII FVT which comes with aperture sights more suited for longer range.
If you want to mount a scope then the CZ Varmint models, or various Savage MKII's have you covered for accurate rimfire.
There are a number of different target possibilities: Biathlon and Bulls eye with target sights; Silhouette and Bench Rest with Scopes.
You can do a lot with a CZ Varmint and a scope but you would have a fair about of expense converting it to a target rifle with target sights.
An Anschutz 54 or 64 could be used for targets with sights but the sights can be removed and install a scope for Bench rest.
There are so many rules within the different sanctioned events you may end up in a dilemma with a rifle that won't meet standards in two events.
Within our postal match section, there are a number of targets for various events and it might assist you in determining your interests by reading the rules.
Giving more details as to your objectives might help.
You can do a lot with a CZ Varmint and a scope but you would have a fair about of expense converting it to a target rifle with target sights.
An Anschutz 54 or 64 could be used for targets with sights but the sights can be removed and install a scope for Bench rest.
There are so many rules within the different sanctioned events you may end up in a dilemma with a rifle that won't meet standards in two events.
Within our postal match section, there are a number of targets for various events and it might assist you in determining your interests by reading the rules.
Giving more details as to your objectives might help.
Thank you all for your feedback. 
And horseman2, BCwave and revlover - you have made me think more about what my objectives are. I want to start with iron sights at first, but maybe aperture sights (not on CZ rifles?) would be better for these aging eyes. My longer term goal is to shoot 50m and 100m and for this, I guess you use scopes. Can I switch back and forth from iron sights or aperture to scope on the same rifle? ...Trying to stay on a reasonable budget...
And horseman2, BCwave and revlover - you have made me think more about what my objectives are. I want to start with iron sights at first, but maybe aperture sights (not on CZ rifles?) would be better for these aging eyes. My longer term goal is to shoot 50m and 100m and for this, I guess you use scopes. Can I switch back and forth from iron sights or aperture to scope on the same rifle? ...Trying to stay on a reasonable budget... Ridgedale just hosted a 100 yard bench rest (for scope and Target sight rifles), and Mission hosts Silhouette, Speed Steel and Bench rest.
There was only one person shooting with target sights.
There are always a few rifles capable to great accuracy on the EE. My BSA was bought off the EE in January.
As with most 22's, they have to be married to the right ammo and so many "tack drivers" fail to disclose pictures, ammo and the size of the tack.
There was only one person shooting with target sights.
There are always a few rifles capable to great accuracy on the EE. My BSA was bought off the EE in January.
As with most 22's, they have to be married to the right ammo and so many "tack drivers" fail to disclose pictures, ammo and the size of the tack.
Thank you all for your feedback.
I have had good luck with a model 64 savage .22lr. $200 for the firearm and as cheap as $40 for a scope. If you get sick of your scope you can just go back to iron sights. It's not the most accurate 22 ever made but I've found it to be shockingly accurate for a cheap semi auto. It's been quite reliable as well.
I don't personally care for the 64 much at all, but there is A LOT to be said for an economical option for your first firearm in this class. Even the "lowly" Savage Mark II will amply demonstrate what rimfire target shooting is all about. And if you decide to get rid of it for whatever reason (ultimately don't like rimfire, or want to get something different), you stand to lose less on the resale value than you would on a new CZ, for example. Unless you find a great bargain on a used higher-end 22, of course. Don't agonize over getting exactly the right rifle for your first purchase: You really won't know exactly what you want until you've done this style of shooting for a while. Personally, I'd worry more about spending too much on something that wasn't quite right for me (and losing more on the resale).
My two cents...
Here is a link to the Norinco NS 522 . These would fall into the starter target category. I bought one of these recently(have not had a chance to shoot it yet).There are a lot of post in regards to the accuracy potential of these rifles. They do need a little clean up and modifying to squeeze out the accuracy but doable by most. Another member named Father has started a thread on this rifle that goes through most of the mods. I have attached the links to both.
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1015638-Norinco-NS522-build-NEW-TRIGGER-UPDATE!!!
https://www.canadaammo.com/product/detail/norinco-em332-match-sporting-rifle-22lr/
Scott...
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1015638-Norinco-NS522-build-NEW-TRIGGER-UPDATE!!!
https://www.canadaammo.com/product/detail/norinco-em332-match-sporting-rifle-22lr/
Scott...
I agree with the statement made by Alpining.
There is a lot of people who seem to think they need a $1000 plus rifle to send lead down range. I personally think anyone like me starting out in target shooting doesn't need such a high end rifle. I bet a higher end rifle would improve a marksman's shooting by anywhere between 5-10%. But, at least in my case, I am probably shooting well below any Target Rifle's advantage. The target rifle in my case would send the lead accurately towards my horribly inaccurate aiming spots.
I recently bought an old Cooey 600. I've seen some folks putting down the Cooey as not so good. However, a guy at a local gun shop told me he had one and it was pretty good. Regardless at under $200, I can certainly improve my shooting skills, get a fair introduction to shooting sports, and if it turns out I don't like shooting much, I can re-sell it for close to what I paid for it.
I have heard that the Savage MK 2, with the accu-trigger are very accurate, and the price is really good.
I have also heard that most .22 cal rifles seem to have favourite ammunition, and tend to fire more accurately once you find a round they like.
There is a lot of people who seem to think they need a $1000 plus rifle to send lead down range. I personally think anyone like me starting out in target shooting doesn't need such a high end rifle. I bet a higher end rifle would improve a marksman's shooting by anywhere between 5-10%. But, at least in my case, I am probably shooting well below any Target Rifle's advantage. The target rifle in my case would send the lead accurately towards my horribly inaccurate aiming spots.
I recently bought an old Cooey 600. I've seen some folks putting down the Cooey as not so good. However, a guy at a local gun shop told me he had one and it was pretty good. Regardless at under $200, I can certainly improve my shooting skills, get a fair introduction to shooting sports, and if it turns out I don't like shooting much, I can re-sell it for close to what I paid for it.
I have heard that the Savage MK 2, with the accu-trigger are very accurate, and the price is really good.
I have also heard that most .22 cal rifles seem to have favourite ammunition, and tend to fire more accurately once you find a round they like.
I do a lot of .22 target shooting with CZ's. They are just fantastic. If you want to mount a scope, go with a 452 varmint (if you can find one) or a 455 varmint. For open sights get the LUX version. Or just the right thing and get a varmint for scoped fun and a LUX for open sights.
Gilbert
Gilbert
Thank you all for your feedback.
You could do that with the Lux. 11mm dovetail rings and need to re-zero if you remove the scope but that is easy to do. You could easily start with irons that way and scope later. I have never tried to find scope bases that I could use with the iron sights.
- Location
- The Nation ON
Another great rifle equal to an Anschutz 64 action is a Weihrauch HW60J. The only issue is the fact they are incredibly hard to find in Canada. They are built so well and I would trade my 1416 for one. A friend of mine an ex British armourer said it was the second best rifle he had ever owned to his Mauser 201 which is high praise indeed!
