Precision type rimfire rifle?

[ray1970]

So thinking about challenging myself with a little precision shooting. I just don't have the time, energy, or the funds to go whole hog into the ceterfire stuff right now so thought maybe playing with a 22 might entertain me.

Thought I'd start off with something fairly accurate from the factory and go from there.

Probably keep the rifle itself at or under $500 so that is going to narrow down the field for me.

Still in the research phase but so far something like the Ruger American long range target or one of the Savage B22 models or a Tikka T1X are probably things I should be looking at. I know the Ruger precision rimfire is popular and I haven't ruled it out but I am kind of leaning towards something with a more traditional style stock.

If anyone has thoughts or suggestions please feel free to share.

When/if I make the plunge, I'll toss up some pictures.

[Erni]

Subscribed.

[20X11]

A friend of mine brought his Ruger Precision Rimfire to the range last summer. I must say it was a sweet shooting rifle. I didn't think I was going to like it, BUT if I want another .22, it will be one of those.

[Wolfshoon]

Tikka T1x or CZ457 pro-varmint are your best choices for a bolt action in this price range. They are extremely close in their specs, both have 60ish degree bolt throws that are short, both have good magazine system and proper safeties in the right location that are easy to use. I have the T1x and a 457 scout. The upgrades on the 457 over the previous 455 series were much needed and make it a lot easier to fit and use. I think the barrel profile on the T1x is about perfect for a rimfire in weight vs accuracy. CZ's heavy barrel profiles are preferred, the lighter sporter profiles seems to have more accuracy complaints.

Both could be used for NRL22/PRS/Steel matches or silhouette and be competitive. They are generally reliable. I have worn out a CZ 455 as it pulls the bolt out unexpectedly when on the extraction stroke about 1 time in 5 now. I really loved that rifle, but the 457 fixed this problem with a side bolt release lever, just like the T1x. Both will need a picatinny rail if you dont want to use 11mm rings/mount, I recommend either a EGW or Area419 rails as they have the best securing system. Spare 10 round mags for both will run around $25-30 each, on sale.

Both the Ruger and Savage suffer extraction problems. One guy I know with a Ruger american 22 carries a small flat bladed screwdriver with him to extract the stuck cases when the bolt fails to remove it. He has sent it back twice and still the problem remains. Ruger barrel accuracy is also questionable, seems to be on the wrong side of statistics. Savage can also suffer magazine failures where they dump ammo all over the place from bad lips. Most ppl I see start out with a Ruger usually replace it with something else within a couple years in my experience. Savage does make accurate barrels, they may have other problems but accuracy was always pretty good from what I've seen.

Ammo is also a big factor. Shooting a golden bucket of bullets or Thunderturds is going to give less than exciting results. CCI standard velocity is pretty much the minimum entry point here. Almost every match shooter uses standard velocity ammo, no precision high velocity ammo is made by any manufacturer. Unfortunately what you pay for directly correlates to grouping size in 22LR ammo. My cheapest match ammo is $5 a box and my most expensive is around $12 a box, but most of my matches are around the $5-$8 a box and do well at that price point. It's mostly the indian and not the arrow, but 22 ammo does have some real crap mixed in with even the good stuff once in a while.

There are some decent 22 matches on the front range around denver and Hoser runs a great match down in Pueblo. IF you go to a match most ppl are pretty nice and this is the best place to learn what works and what fails. Seems every rifle works great when there isn't a clock time limit and points on the line for score. Lots of matches don't require club membership to attend either. Just show up, see some cool stuff and say hi.

[ray1970]

I think (from what I?ve heard and read) that Savage has addressed a lot of their issues with their B22 platform.

While I?m not overly enthusiastic about any of the Ruger rifles, I do like the fact that they use the 10/22 magazines.

I?ll look at CZ?s offerings again. I know there were a couple of models around $500 but it seems the ones that I liked were closer to that $1,000 price point.

I also forgot to mention that I would prefer a threaded barrel as I plan to get a suppressor for it.

Probably leaning towards the Tikka if I can find one but haven?t ruled anything out yet.

[Hoser]

Tikka or 455/457 is perfect.

I shoot a Vudoo, but barreled actions are around $1500-1700.

[Jefe's AR]

Tikka T1x or CZ457 pro-varmint are your best choices for a bolt action in this price range. They are extremely close in their specs, both have 60ish degree bolt throws that are short, both have good magazine system and proper safeties in the right location that are easy to use. I have the T1x and a 457 scout. The upgrades on the 457 over the previous 455 series were much needed and make it a lot easier to fit and use. I think the barrel profile on the T1x is about perfect for a rimfire in weight vs accuracy. CZ's heavy barrel profiles are preferred, the lighter sporter profiles seems to have more accuracy complaints.

Both could be used for NRL22/PRS/Steel matches or silhouette and be competitive. They are generally reliable. I have worn out a CZ 455 as it pulls the bolt out unexpectedly when on the extraction stroke about 1 time in 5 now. I really loved that rifle, but the 457 fixed this problem with a side bolt release lever, just like the T1x. Both will need a picatinny rail if you dont want to use 11mm rings/mount, I recommend either a EGW or Area419 rails as they have the best securing system. Spare 10 round mags for both will run around $25-30 each, on sale.

Both the Ruger and Savage suffer extraction problems. One guy I know with a Ruger american 22 carries a small flat bladed screwdriver with him to extract the stuck cases when the bolt fails to remove it. He has sent it back twice and still the problem remains. Ruger barrel accuracy is also questionable, seems to be on the wrong side of statistics. Savage can also suffer magazine failures where they dump ammo all over the place from bad lips. Most ppl I see start out with a Ruger usually replace it with something else within a couple years in my experience. Savage does make accurate barrels, they may have other problems but accuracy was always pretty good from what I've seen.

Ammo is also a big factor. Shooting a golden bucket of bullets or Thunderturds is going to give less than exciting results. CCI standard velocity is pretty much the minimum entry point here. Almost every match shooter uses standard velocity ammo, no precision high velocity ammo is made by any manufacturer. Unfortunately what you pay for directly correlates to grouping size in 22LR ammo. My cheapest match ammo is $5 a box and my most expensive is around $12 a box, but most of my matches are around the $5-$8 a box and do well at that price point. It's mostly the indian and not the arrow, but 22 ammo does have some real crap mixed in with even the good stuff once in a while.

There are some decent 22 matches on the front range around denver and Hoser runs a great match down in Pueblo. IF you go to a match most ppl are pretty nice and this is the best place to learn what works and what fails. Seems every rifle works great when there isn't a clock time limit and points on the line for score. Lots of matches don't require club membership to attend either. Just show up, see some cool stuff and say hi.

Tikka or 455/457 is perfect.

I shoot a Vudoo, but barreled actions are around $1500-1700.

These are spot on. I started with a Tikka/Athlon and ended up with Vudoo/Nightforce. Ammo is important.

[CS1983]

And now Ray falls in the spiral of tiny group addiction. Like a good high from a bad drug, it will happen once early on. And then you’re chasing it for life.

“Get out of here, Dewey!”

“What are you all doing in here?”

“It’s called sorting projectiles by micro-grains, and you don’t want no part of this...”

[buffalobo]

Ray, let me know if want to put some rounds through the Rugers, rimfire or centerfire.

[CS1983]

Ray, bobbyfairbanks just posted your new rifle:

https://www.ar-15.co/threads/178402-CZ-455

If I didn't have a bunch of other irons in the fire already, I'd snag this.