Best .22 lr rifle.

[BrettJudy]

I am thinking of buying a .22 lr rifle just for plinking around and target practice. Any price range will do, but I want an opinion on what the best for the money is. I like the 10/22 but was thinking about a bolt action .22.
Also, what is the cheapest I could find, and is it worth it?

 

[possum_128]

Cheapest will be the Mossberg 702, the most accurate is the Marlin 60, the Ruger 10/22 is the most popular and a Henry will be the best build. Of course this is my opinion based on my own experience ymmv.

 

[451_Detonics]

The axiom you get what you pay for is true in the gun world just as it is everywhere. My vote would be the 10/22 for several reasons. It is a long time proven platform, it has more than acceptable accuracy out of the box, and it is the single most supported 22 rifle in terms of aftermarket improvements that can be made over time.

If you do decide on a bolt gun it would be hard to improve on a Savage without spending a lot more money.

 

[Ballstater98]

The axiom you get what you pay for is true in the gun world just as it is everywhere. My vote would be the 10/22 for several reasons. It is a long time proven platform, it has more than acceptable accuracy out of the box, and it is the single most supported 22 rifle in terms of aftermarket improvements that can be made over time.

If you do decide on a bolt gun it would be hard to improve on a Savage without spending a lot more money.

Parts and accessories availability is a big plus.

 

[ROLEXrifleman]

Cz452

 

[jfw46544]

10/22 or CZ452. I have had several others and these are the best IMHO.

 

[TheJoker]

Another vote for the 10/22. I've built several of these little Ruger rifles for Appleseed Events. You can go basic or you can get all kinds of after market goodies. They just flat perform. A 400 round weekend? No big deal.

My only complaint is that Ruger's quality in regards to fit and finish isn't what it used to be.

 

[sgreen3]

Ive always been a fan of the Savage MKII with the heavy barrel, but the 10/22 is always a good choice.

 

[Expat]

S&W 15/22 gets my vote for best semi auto.

 

[Fullmag]

Cz's are good and 10/22's can be modified at a reasonable price to very accurate. With the 10/22's shop around because prices ranges can be extreme.

 

[Mike Elzinga]

10/22 will always be the best for general use. They are accurate from the factory, always run and have a bazillion easily available and installable aftermarket parts. They can be made to shoot extremely well and can be configured in any way that your mind can fathom. If you want a bolt gun then the CZ's are also excellent, if you want a bolt gun in a lower price bracket, I love my Savage Mark 2, especially at that price point. I strongly vote for a 10/22, its performance and flexibility are unmatched.

 

[17 squirrel]

The axiom you get what you pay for is true in the gun world just as it is everywhere. My vote would be the 10/22 for several reasons. It is a long time proven platform, it has more than acceptable accuracy out of the box, and it is the single most supported 22 rifle in terms of aftermarket improvements that can be made over time.

If you do decide on a bolt gun it would be hard to improve on a Savage without spending a lot more money.

The question really need is that simple , you gotta figure out whats your budget along with what are you really going to use this rifle for, plinking, hunting, goofing at the range up to precision target shooting. Along with do you want a bolt, semi or a lever action. Lots of options from 129 bucks to thousands.

 

[Hoosier45]

If I could only have one, it would be an older Marlin 39a.

 

[KLB]

S&W 15/22 gets my vote for best semi auto.

Agreed. I like my 15-22 so much more than any 10/22 I have ever shot.

If you want a bolt, the Savage is a great gun. My FVSR is as accurate as I can be. I have come to like my bolt more than my semi-auto. I even took it to an Appleseed.

Whatever you get, get a threaded barrel. .22s are a blast. Suppressed makes them even more so.

 

[Hoosier45]

S&W 15/22 gets my vote for best semi auto.

I dressed mine out like my DDM4 with same buttstock, grip, DD sights, and a Gesseile SSA trigger. Lots of fun.

 

[KJW]

I just don't think you can beat a 10/22 for all-round versatility. I have an M&P 15/22 as well, which is a blast, but when I NEED a .22, whether to dispatch a pest or get something to eat, there's only one gun I reach for and that's my Ruger 10/22.

 

[Leo]

Another vote for the 10/22. I've built several of these little Ruger rifles for Appleseed Events. You can go basic or you can get all kinds of after market goodies. They just flat perform. A 400 round weekend? No big deal.

My only complaint is that Ruger's quality in regards to fit and finish isn't what it used to be.

How much does it take to assemble a 10-22 like the one in the top picture?

 

[Bapak2ja]

If I could only have one, it would be an older Marlin 39a.

The 39a is hard to find. Another option is the Winchester 9422. Both are great rifles.

 

[johntheplinker]

For a bolt action take a look at the Ruger American Rimfire. Good accuracy, multiple versions, stock is one of the best factory synthetics made, and they won't break the bank. Also seem to not be all that ammo finicky, easy to find multiple loads that shoot at least acceptably. Also have 2 choices for scope mounting, receiver grooves or drilled for Weavers bases. Excellent trigger out of the box.

CZs are nice rifles and I've had a few but IMHO they're way overrated. Since getting my first RAR they've all been sold off. For one thing, the ones I had all seemed to be extremely finicky as far as ammo. A few loads would shoot good but anything else, forget it. Also the scope grooves being machined to a different size than standard can cause problems with scope mounting. Another problem I had was 2 of mine had issues with extracting loaded rounds, a 452 it was occasional but a 455 it was every time.

I also post quite a bit on a rimfire specific forum and it seems like most of the CZs that shoot good have all had at least some work done, trigger, stock, etc., while most of the Rugers shoot good straight out of the box and cost only about half as much.

 

[VERT]

I picked up a Marlin 795 LTR for my son. I am very impressed with the gun for the money. It is a great plunked and ready to go out of the box with two magazines, sling and tech sights.