Rimfire bolt action question

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  • wtburnette

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    Is there a good, inexpensive bolt action rifle that would be a good second gun to take to the range? I have an Anschutz 1700 FWT that I love, but was thinking about getting a second rifle to take to the range when my stepson is around so we could shoot together. He lives out of state and doesn't visit often, but when he's here I thought having a second rifle would be a lot more fun then sharing the Anschutz. My preference is to grab an inexpensive .22lr plinker, but I want something that has pretty good accuracy as well. I would love to grab a Ruger Precision Rimfire for this task, but I'm not sure that's the right way to go. I even thought I might grab a .17HMR instead of another .22lr, but the 22 makes it easy to shoot for hours without thinking about the cost of the ammo. I have a little Bushnell Banner 3x9x40 scope that I'll likely put on the rifle for shooting 25 or 50 yards. I don't even know where to start looking for a decent rifle for my needs so I thought I'd crowdsource INGO for some advice... ;)
     

    Areoflyer09

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    Are you thinking of something as accurate as the Annie? Or something that is accurate enough to be fun?

    From least to most expensive, I’ve had good accuracy results from a Savage MkII, Ruger American and CZ 457. While I love my T-bolt, it heats up quickly and strings shots too quickly for range work.
     

    wtburnette

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    I've heard great things about CZ and bad things about Savage, though I hear the Savage issues are in the past. I'd love something that's inexpensive and lights out accurate, but I realize that might not be an easy combination to find. Since I love CZ handguns, I thought about picking up a CZ, though there are so many versions it makes my head spin!
     

    shootersix

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    if i may, i own a ruger precision rimfire, and if you're looking for 25 and 50 yard shooting, the rprr is overkill, i'd look at a ruger american or a savage mkII

    the price of the rprr is 415-430 (street price), its heavy, and what most are saying is that accuracy can and should be better, i'm in a facebook group that a lot of guys have changed the barrels (green mountain seems to be the main choice) and are getting the groups that the rifle should be shooting. and quite a few say they get better groups with their cz's than the rprr!

    that said, I love my rprr, and as soon as I can get a good day to get to the range, I plan on a shooting comparison between it, and my savage mkII btv (thumbhole stock with a heavy barrel), everytime ive tried to go lately, either somethings come up, or its rained!, in fact I think ive been to the range 2 times this year (other than matches) and one time was to dial in the sight on my bowling pin/steel challenge 22 rifle.
     

    wtburnette

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    wtburnette

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    Nov 11, 2013
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    SW side of Indy
    if i may, i own a ruger precision rimfire, and if you're looking for 25 and 50 yard shooting, the rprr is overkill, i'd look at a ruger american or a savage mkII

    the price of the rprr is 415-430 (street price), its heavy, and what most are saying is that accuracy can and should be better, i'm in a facebook group that a lot of guys have changed the barrels (green mountain seems to be the main choice) and are getting the groups that the rifle should be shooting. and quite a few say they get better groups with their cz's than the rprr!

    that said, I love my rprr, and as soon as I can get a good day to get to the range, I plan on a shooting comparison between it, and my savage mkII btv (thumbhole stock with a heavy barrel), everytime ive tried to go lately, either somethings come up, or its rained!, in fact I think ive been to the range 2 times this year (other than matches) and one time was to dial in the sight on my bowling pin/steel challenge 22 rifle.

    Thanks for your thoughts. That matches my buddy T-DOGG, who bought an RPR used with a green mountain barrel and he's managed some really nice groups at 50 yards (as small as a quarter inch, which is about what I've managed with my Anschutz). Interested to hear your results between your Savage and your RPR.
     

    halfmileharry

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    I've got a Ruger American rimfire that shoots sub dime size groups at 50-65 yds all day long.
    Could I get better out of it? I'm sure I can but I bought the gun to euthanize little fuzzies and it's great at that.
    It's a very pleasurable rimfire.
     

    JHB

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    Oct 7, 2016
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    Savages are good if you get a good one. Changing a barrel is expensive if you need a gunsmith to do it. Triggers are good.

    CZ cost more up front. Changing a barrel is an easy do it your self project. They are a switch barrel gun 455/457 not the 452. Triggers on 455 need a cheap kit 457 are adjustable.

    RPR suffers from stock flex, bedding problems and feeding trouble. There is a lot of good information on snipers hide in the rimfire section and rimfire central has a lot of info also.

    Do your research before you buy a headache it will be time well spent. They are all good rifles some are better than others.
     

    Ggreen

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    Sep 19, 2016
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    Good info, thank you both! I may have the opportunity to shoot a Ruger American soon, so that may help me to decide.

    The American's trigger is about 15 minutes and a ball point pen away from being one of the best around. I have the American target and it's a tack driver.

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